prettylittlewriter

 Synopsis
'Malibu: August, 1983. It’s the day of Nina Riva’s annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: Nina, the talented surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit. Together, the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over—especially as the offspring of the legendary singer, Mick Riva.

The only person not looking forward to the party of the year is Nina herself, who never wanted to be the center of attention, and who has also just been very publicly abandoned by her pro tennis player husband. Oh, and maybe Hud—because it is long past time to confess something to the brother from whom he’s been inseparable since birth.

Jay, on the other hand, is counting the minutes until nightfall, when the girl he can’t stop thinking about promised she’ll be there.

And Kit has a couple secrets of her own—including a guest she invited without consulting anyone.

By midnight the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames. But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family’s generations will all come bubbling to the surface.'

This was a brilliant read! My first Taylor Jenkins Reid novel, and it did not disappoint! 

My first initial feelings were heartache for Nina, and optimism for Mick and June's relationship (until he turned into a scumbag). I didn't really care for Jay that much, apart from the shit he went through as a child (dad leaving and mum dying) he seemed to have it pretty easy. I was hopeful that Hud would get a happy ending, he seemed like a very kind and empathetic character, so I hoped the best for him. And Kit was a badass, and although I guessed what her secret was from very early on, it was a great reveal, and a powerful way to take her story, 

I loved the writing style of going between each character and their memories, including going back in time to Mick & June's relationship, and watching that pan out. Some of my favourite chapters were from June's perspective. She really had it rough, I felt absolutely terrible for her. Mick was THE WORST husband and father, and I couldn't have cared less if he hadn't been included in the rest of the novel past breaking June's heart and abandoning his kids.

Nina was such a brilliant character, overlooked and walk over throughout her entire life, and it wasn't until she had a heart-to-heart with her best friend that she realised that things didn't have to be that way. I really felt for her, and wanted her to be okay. 

With TJR's latest novel Carrie Soto is Back recently being released, it was cool to see her character first within this story, and intrigues me to read her other novels to discover which other characters might also have been included! 

If you love a good family drama, then I highly recommend this novel!

5/5 stars