I was shaken to the core, emotions are everywhere after reading Mick and June’s tragic, blasting, heartbreaking story!
TJR is one of my all time best historical fiction authors! She perfectly tells different and original life stories by creating flawed, broken but still standing, resilient characters who never give up to fight !
At this book she’s centered on Riva family and there are two main storylines : ( Riva family’s history starting from mid 50’s and Nina’s annual Malibu house party with the attendance of powerful societal, famous artists including popular actors, musicians, athletes, surfers, tennis players who really know partying wildly )
If this book is only about Mick and June’s heart wrenching story, I would give ten stars ! The flashback parts of the family history, the couple’s toxic, sad story and Nina’s sacrifices to become her own siblings’ mother, giving up on her life to protect them, providing them better life conditions broke my heart several times.
I loved the siblings’ devoted loyalty. Interestingly not only Nina, but also Jay, Hud and Kit acted like the mature ones of the family as their parents acted like their children. Especially the youngest one, Katherine/ Kit was quick witted, emotional, straightforward: she doesn’t hold anything back inside of her and her slow self discovery about her sexuality, her own capabilities, brave life choices.
The boys were a little overshadowed by her two tough, vivid sisters but I still love to see how they grow and how hard they fight to be more decent man than their father.
Only thing made me cut points was party theme which had “Little Fires Everywhere” ( two sisters, two brothers and a house on fire ) vibes. I enjoyed to read the entertaining, eccentric characters’ side stories throughout the night which ended scandalously! But I wish the story would be only focus on Rivas and the way of their facing problems about the past, their secrets, the things hold them back to move on.
When you add too many characters into equation it is still enjoyable to read, it is a little bit distracting your attention from the main story!
I loved the conclusion! Especially Nina’s changing. At the end she learns to stand up for herself, rejecting to be the victim of the story!
Even though I gave four fantastic historical, sweet sixties , viva X generation stars, I can honestly say I loved to read this book and to be introduced with those shiny, well-crafted characters.
This is gonna be one of the most thought provoking, sensational, popular fictions of the next year and I’m so happy to have privilege to read its advance copy! TJR is awakening the artistic soul of the readers with her extra creative and realistic story telling skills.
I highly recommend this book not only her fans but also addicted historical fiction readers.