Taylor Jenkins Reid has a thing for parents. Be it absenteeism, genuine love and support or emotional abuse, Jenkins Reid doesn't let up on her characters and their relationship with parents. Malibu Rising is a story about generations of parents and the lasting effects their presence, or lack or, has on their children and their children's children.

Nina didn't hate Carrie Soto for stealing her husband because husbands can't be stolen. Carrie Soto wasn't a thief; Brandon Randall was a traitor.

The redemption arc for Soto in Carrie Soto is Back is a bit more enjoyable with her appearance in Malibu Rising. The b*tch is back rings true because Carrie is cold, ruthless and lacking emotion. Had I heard Malibu Rising first I would have found myself hating Carrie for a good portion of the book, maybe all of it.

And Nina understood, maybe for the first time, that letting people love you and care for you is part of how you love and care for them.

Overall I enjoyed Malibu Rising. The teaser was the epic conclusion to the party but the enjoyment came from learning about the Riva's, the relationships between siblings and sacrifices made to support each other.