#recommendedreading

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

What a heartbreaking but amazing journey this book was!

*Minor Spoilers Ahead*

TW: abandonment, alcohol abuse, infidelity, drug use, minor violence

Malibu Rising follows the story of unlucky-in-love fictional singer and songwriter Mick Riva and his twice wife, June, and the messy path Mick left along the way to his stardom fading. It follows as June raises their three children and a child born from Mick’s infidelity and her struggle to raise children who have enough and felt loved while keeping the family afloat and the family seafood restaurant going.

So first of all I have to say that this is the first book that I realized that TJR adds Easter eggs to her books connecting characters to each work and placing them in the same universe but their own unique tales and I absolutely adore that. This book repeatedly broke my heart, made me want to scream on the characters’ behalves, to hold them and make them feel loved. The kind of gift for writing one has to possess to do that is rare and incredible. This connection made the ending that much more satisfying, thought I hope this is not the last we time we hear of or see the Rivas.

Lila, Longganisa, and the Calendar Crew are back with new recipes and a new crime to solve.

Homicide and Halo-Halo picks up just a few months after the events of Arsenic and Adobo left off. Lila is still reeling from the past and it’s affecting her inspiration in the kitchen. She’s called in to be a judge for the upcoming Miss Teen Shady Palms pageant with the condition that she keep an eye on the goings-on of the pageant. Not long into the pageant, a body of someone tied to the pageant is found and Lila’s cousin and former rival, Bernadette, is believed to be responsible. Detective Park, the Calendar Crew, and Lila spring into action to catch the true person responsible. Will they unmask them true killer before it’s too late?

These books are so fun! Truly the perfect summer reads. I will warn you, all the yummy treats in the book kept me hungry and I was forced to put the book down long enough to bake a few things the book inspired me to make. I also really like that while also tackling a case and wading through a love triangle with lots of jokes and lighthearted banter this book also tackles some serious issues like PTSD, anxiety, opening up, and more.

I highly recommend this to all who enjoy a lighthearted mystery! I can’t wait for Blackmail and Bibingka!