The book opens with enchanting descriptions of Malibu, particularly its picturesque coastline and rugged terrain, and the unpredictable fire incidents that have been a part of its history. The narrative comes full circle, culminating in a fiery climax. It’s a tale that’s not just significant, but truly epic in every sense.
The story unfolds within a single day, with the anticipation of Nina Riva’s grand party in the evening. The day begins with Nina waking up in her sprawling beachfront mansion and ends in the same place the next day. The 24-hour timeframe is packed with so much action that it keeps both Nina and the readers on their toes.
The narrative also offers a subtle nod to another bestseller novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid in the early pages.
At first glance, the plot revolves around Nina Riva’s annual party, a grand celebration that marks the end of summer and attracts the who’s who of Los Angeles. With no formal invites or guest list, it’s more of an open invitation from Nina to anyone who wishes to partake in this social extravaganza. As Nina and her siblings strive to be gracious hosts to the uninvited guests who flock to their stunning mansion, it becomes a party that’s not just about being there but about being seen.
But behind this glamourous façade, we get a glimpse of the real lives of these Riva siblings—how they became what they became and how they have overcome so many challenges so early in their lives. Most importantly, it helps us to understand our protagonist, Nina, in a better light, how she managed to keep her family together when their entire world fell apart after their mother’s untimely death , followed by their father’s sudden departure.
This novel’s most endearing and heart-stirring part comes in sufficient detail. It is the author’s skills, for which she is very well known, to put a strong female character as the focal point of the story, and this protagonist will carry the plotline ahead with much-needed support from other well-carved-out characters. The same trend continues in this book when Nina is first supported by her siblings and then her friend to navigate life’s challenges and get a clear perspective of her future.
Although the party plot comes thick and fast with numerous characters with their brief introductions and short backstories, after a point it becomes tedious to remember who’s who and what is their significance to the main story. The same can be said about a surprising guest who gives an unnecessary twist to this family saga without any conclusive ending.
In my opinion, besides a few chapters, the only character that is not well presented enough is the patriarch of this family- Mick Riva. As readers, we can see his charismatic nature, rise to superstardom, and non-existent relations with his own children, but this book doesn’t delve deeper into his psyche or present his viewpoint of why he did what he did. We could have connected more with Mick if we knew why he turned his back on his beloved wife and children. That would have helped us to understand his redemption arc in a better light.
Having said that, I would still recommend this book as a pleasurable read. You can hardly go wrong with a Taylor Jenkins Reid novel; this book is no exception.