Malibu Rising

-1 star because even though Taylor has done such an amazing job of creating this universe of movie stars and rockstars and tennis pros, she FAILS to reference them in each other story lines!!!

You mean to tell me that although Mick Riva was referenced in not one but TWO of her other novels, those people are not even referenced in Mick's life?? And to be honest, this story is written in 2 separate timelines, 1 from Mick Riva and 1 from the alternating view of June (Riva's children's mom) and his kids (Nina, Jay, Hud and Kit). Its a damn shame because the Mick chapters are relatively short and it would not be too much to reference his interaction with both Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones with the Six. That is the true shame.

This book was good, but all in all you could really tell that it was a world-building book. It set up the cast of characters for Taylor to expand upon in future novels. At the time I read this, I knew that ‘Carrie Soto is Back' was coming out, so I read the parts that mentioned her with more intent because I knew she would be expanded upon from her own point of view very soon.

As for other instances, there was a part at the party where she was naming random actors, producers, financial gurus, etc. etc. The few sentences of pure name drops were clearly for reference later in future novels.

This book really reminded me more of a stepping-stone novel as opposed to a stand-alone. It was good, don't get me wrong, because I really enjoy Taylor's writing and the way she humanizes her characters. Her play on drama is more down-to-earth comparted to other contemporary/historical fiction writers, which is a feat when talking about actors and rockstars, etc. with big egos. BUT, this book did not measure up to Evelyn Hugo or Daisy Jones, which I have read several several times over (and I don't normally do that).