Malibu Rising: A Perfect Summer Book Club Pick

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Taylor Jenkins Reid has become a go-to author for my personal reading and for when it’s my turn to pick a book club read. I first discovered her through The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and quickly became a fan of the “Reidverse” as it began to reveal itself in subsequent TJR books. I only just learned while writing this that “Reidverse” is even a term. It is what fans call her collection of interconnected-but-standalone novels that dip into the worlds of music, Hollywood, and family legacy.

Malibu Rising caught my eye as my pick for the book club I’m in, not just because I loved Reid’s style, but also:

a) We had already read the two unofficial prequels to this book as a club

b) My month to pick at the time fell in the summer, and the cover screams summer read.

Below, you’ll find a quick summary, my review of the book, a recommendation for fellow book clubs, and some tips to help you lead a fun and meaningful discussion. Whether you’re reading Reid for the first time or following up to another of her novels, I hope this helps guide your group’s dive into the Riva siblings’ unforgettable night in Malibu.

BOOK SUMMARY & STATS

MALIBU RISING SUMMARY

Set against the sun-soaked backdrop of Malibu in 1983, Malibu Rising follows the lives of the four Riva siblings—Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit—each carrying the weight of their family’s legacy. As the children of legendary singer Mick Riva, they’ve grown up in the shadow of fame, abandonment, and resilience. The novel centers on the day of Nina’s famous end-of-summer party, a gathering that spirals into chaos as secrets surface, tensions boil over, and long-held pain ignites. Over the course of 24 hours, Taylor Jenkins Reid masterfully weaves together past and present, exploring themes of identity, forgiveness, and what it means to rise from the ashes of your past, sometimes literally. It’s a novel full of heart, heartbreak, and heat—perfect for book club discussion and anyone who loves a family drama with emotional depth.

MALIBU RISING STATS

Title	Malibu Rising
Author	Taylor Jenkins Reid
Book Club(s)	Read with Jenna #30 in June 2021
Publication Date/Year	June 1, 2021
Page Count	369
Genre(s)	Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Summer
Setting	Malibu, California
Goodreads Rating	4.03
Audience	Adult
Series	No; Reidverse
Translator	N/A
Awards	2

MALIBU RISING BOOK RATING & REVIEW

RATING

BCR Rating	4
Availability	3
Format	5
Length	4
Diversity	3
Bechdel Test	Pass
Page Turner	No

MALIBU RISING REVIEW

As a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid and seeing this featured as a Read with Jenna pick, I had to choose it as one of my book club reads! I read the Kindle version, had high hopes, and this sun-soaked family drama didn’t disappoint.

Set in 1983 Malibu, the story unfolds over one unforgettable day and night, centered on the Riva siblings—Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit. Their father is none other than Mick Riva, the infamous singer who pops up in more than one TJR novel. If you’ve read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or Daisy Jones & The Six, you’ll catch a few fun connections. While Malibu Rising stands completely on its own, it’s even more rewarding if you’re familiar with what fans call the “Reidverse”—TJR’s loosely linked universe of characters and timelines.

The book earned the Goodreads Choice Award for Historical Fiction in 2021, and it’s easy to see why. With its immersive setting, emotional family dynamics, and simmering tension that erupts during Nina’s annual end-of-summer bash, this novel is both escapist and thought-provoking. The “older daughter” role Nina carries was particularly rich for discussion in our group—there’s a lot to unpack about duty and identity.

This one is a perfect summer read—whether you’re reading poolside, on vacation, or just in the mood for a book that blends glamour with grit. It’s still a popular title in libraries, so if you’re borrowing it, expect to place a hold and wait a bit. That said, it’s available in every format—physical, digital, and audiobook.

I also had fun planning the meeting using inspiration from the book for playlists and drinks. More on that below.

MALIBU RISING BOOK CLUB RESOURCES

BCR RECOMMENDATION

If your book club is looking for a read that’s both entertaining and layered, Malibu Rising is a strong pick. It offers so much to discuss, especially the theme of the “older daughter” and the emotional weight Nina carries in her family. That alone sparked some of our most heartfelt conversations.

Beyond the story itself, Malibu Rising is packed with fun inspiration for your next meeting. Think retro Malibu vibes with an ‘80s beach party twist: themed drinks (Sea Breezes or Cape Codders, anyone?), a sun-soaked playlist, and bright, beachy décor. It’s a novel that brings the drama and the atmosphere—perfect for a summer gathering or anytime your group wants to be transported.

Whether your club loves family sagas, glitzy settings, or character-driven stories with depth, this one checks all the boxes. We definitely recommend it!

BOOK DISCUSSION

There are lots of great discussion guides out there for Malibu Rising, which makes prepping for your meeting a breeze. I highly recommend checking the back of the book—many editions include thoughtful questions to help guide conversation.

One fun resource I wish I had known about when I hosted our meeting is the official book club kit from the publisher. It’s colorful, engaging, and full of extras like themed ideas and discussion prompts. You can find it on both the publisher’s website and Taylor Jenkins Reid’s author site. Definitely worth downloading if you’re planning ahead!

When we discussed Malibu Rising, I pulled questions from a few different guides I found online, and that approach really helped create a thoughtful, well-rounded conversation. You can absolutely go with a looser format—like the BCR Group Discussion Guide style—but if you’re looking for a more structured chat, mixing questions from multiple sources works beautifully.

Whether you focus on family roles, forgiveness, or the glamorous-yet-complicated backdrop of Malibu in the ’80s, there’s no shortage of meaningful threads to follow.