Summary: In today’s article, I have compiled 20 of the best books similar to Malibu Rising, perfect for readers who love glamorous settings, emotional depth, and complex relationships. Here are my top 3:
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- The Sunset Crowd by Karin Tanabe
If you loved Malibu Rising, you'll enjoy books that mix family drama, nostalgia, and the allure of fame. These stories explore complex relationships, secrets, and the highs and lows of success, all set against stunning backdrops. With rich characters and emotional depth, they’re the perfect blend of escapism and storytelling.
TOP 20: Best Books Similar to Malibu Rising
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- The Sunset Crowd by Karin Tanabe
- The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
- The Guest List by Lucy Foley
- Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin
- We Were Never Here by Andrea Bartz
- The Last Book Party by Karen Dukess
- The Summer Job by Lizzy Dent
- The Disappearing Act by Catherine Steadman
- Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
- Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
- The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
- The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
- The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
- The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
- The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
- The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo
- The Night Watch by Jayne Anne Phillips
1. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
- Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
- About: Aging Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo recounts her glamorous and scandalous life, revealing her seven marriages and the true love of her life.
- Style of writing: Engaging and immersive, blending historical fiction with a biographical narrative.
- Length: Approximately 400 pages.
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Deeply moving, leaving readers contemplating themes of love, identity, and sacrifice.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; accessible language with complex themes.
- Why read it: Offers a captivating look into Old Hollywood, exploring the complexities of personal and public personas.
2. Daisy Jones & The Six
- Author: Taylor Jenkins Reid
- About: An oral history of a fictional 1970s rock band, detailing their rise to fame and sudden breakup.
- Style of writing: Unique interview format, providing multiple perspectives.
- Length: Approximately 368 pages.
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Evokes nostalgia and explores the tumultuous nature of fame and creativity.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; the format requires attentive reading.
- Why read it: Immerses readers in the rock-and-roll era, delving into the personal struggles behind the music.
3. The Sunset Crowd
- Author: Karin Tanabe
- About: Set in 1970s Los Angeles, it follows a group of ambitious friends navigating the entertainment industry's highs and lows.
- Style of writing: Vivid and character-driven, capturing the era's essence.
- Length: Approximately 400 pages.
- Year written: 2023
- Emotional impact: Reflective, highlighting the cost of ambition and fame.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; rich descriptions with intricate character arcs.
- Why read it: Provides an insider's look into Hollywood's golden age, exploring friendship and ambition.
4. The Idea of You
- Author: Robinne Lee
- About: A 39-year-old woman embarks on a romance with a younger British pop star, challenging societal norms.
- Style of writing: Intimate and sensual, with a focus on character development.
- Length: Approximately 384 pages.
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Thought-provoking, exploring themes of desire, age, and societal expectations.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; engaging prose with mature themes.
- Why read it: Challenges conventional romance narratives, offering a fresh perspective on love and age.
5. The Guest List
- Author: Lucy Foley
- About: A high-profile wedding on a remote Irish island turns deadly as guests' secrets unravel.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful and atmospheric, with multiple viewpoints.
- Length: Approximately 320 pages.
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Tense and gripping, keeping readers on edge.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; intertwining narratives require attention.
- Why read it: Combines classic mystery elements with modern twists, making for a compelling read.
6. Saint X
- Author: Alexis Schaitkin
- About: Years after her sister's mysterious death in the Caribbean, a woman seeks the truth, delving into obsession and grief.
- Style of writing: Lyrical and haunting, blending mystery with literary fiction.
- Length: Approximately 352 pages.
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Profound and unsettling, examining the ripple effects of tragedy.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; thoughtful prose with deep thematic elements.
- Why read it: Explores complex emotions and the long-lasting impact of loss, set against an exotic backdrop.
7. We Were Never Here
- Author: Andrea Bartz
- About: Two friends' annual reunion trips take a dark turn, leading them to confront past secrets.
- Style of writing: Fast-paced and suspenseful, with psychological depth.
- Length: Approximately 336 pages.
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Intense and thrilling, questioning the nature of friendship and trust.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; engaging narrative with twists.
- Why read it: Keeps readers on the edge of their seats.
8. The Last Book Party
- Author: Karen Dukess
- About: Set in the summer of 1987, Eve Rosen, an aspiring writer, lands a job as a research assistant for a famous author in Cape Cod. As she enters the literary elite's world, she discovers the complexities of ambition, relationships, and the price of fitting in.
- Style of writing: Lyrical and nostalgic, with vivid descriptions of literary culture.
- Length: ~75,000 words (~256 pages)
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Reflective and bittersweet, exploring self-discovery and the cost of ambition.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; accessible prose but with layered themes.
- Why read it: Perfect for book lovers who enjoy stories about writers, the publishing world, and coming-of-age themes.
9. The Summer Job
- Author: Lizzy Dent
- About: Birdy Finch, feeling lost in life, impulsively takes her best friend’s identity to work as a sommelier at a Scottish hotel. Despite knowing little about wine, she navigates new challenges, romance, and the consequences of deception.
- Style of writing: Humorous and heartfelt, blending comedy with personal growth.
- Length: ~100,000 words (~384 pages)
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Lighthearted yet meaningful, tackling themes of identity and self-worth.
- Difficulty level: Easy to moderate; an enjoyable, engaging read.
- Why read it: A fun, escapist novel for fans of witty and heartwarming contemporary fiction.
10. The Disappearing Act
- Author: Catherine Steadman
- About: British actress Mia Eliot heads to Los Angeles for career opportunities but becomes entangled in a real-life mystery when another actress vanishes, leaving Mia questioning whom she can trust.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful and fast-paced, blending mystery with Hollywood drama.
- Length: ~85,000 words (~320 pages)
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Tense and gripping, offering twists and psychological depth.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; engaging with a complex narrative.
- Why read it: A thrilling peek into the darker side of Hollywood, perfect for mystery lovers.
11. Apples Never Fall
- Author: Liane Moriarty
- About: When Joy Delaney, the matriarch of a tennis-obsessed family, goes missing, her four adult children must navigate long-held secrets and reevaluate their parents’ seemingly perfect marriage.
- Style of writing: Character-driven and intricate, weaving suspense with family drama.
- Length: ~130,000 words (~480 pages)
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Thought-provoking, exploring the complexities of family relationships.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; layered storytelling with shifting perspectives.
- Why read it: A mix of mystery and family drama, great for fans of slow-burn, character-driven narratives.
12. Firekeeper's Daughter
- Author: Angeline Boulley
- About: Daunis Fontaine, a Native American teen, becomes an FBI informant to investigate a deadly drug ring infiltrating her Ojibwe community, leading to revelations about her identity and heritage.
- Style of writing: Richly detailed, blending thriller elements with cultural storytelling.
- Length: ~140,000 words (~496 pages)
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Powerful and enlightening, addressing issues of justice and belonging.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; immersive with deep cultural context.
- Why read it: A unique and compelling mystery that highlights Indigenous culture and resilience.
13. Where the Crawdads Sing
- Author: Delia Owens
- About: Kya Clark, known as the “Marsh Girl,” grows up isolated in the North Carolina marshlands. When a local man is found dead, Kya becomes a suspect, intertwining her coming-of-age story with a murder mystery.
- Style of writing: Lyrical and atmospheric, deeply connected to nature.
- Length: ~110,000 words (~368 pages)
- Year written: 2018
- Emotional impact: Poignant and unforgettable, exploring loneliness, survival, and love.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; accessible but rich in symbolism.
- Why read it: A beautifully written mix of mystery, romance, and nature writing.
14. The Last Thing He Told Me
- Author: Laura Dave
- About: Hannah Hall’s husband, Owen, disappears, leaving her a cryptic note: “Protect her.” As federal agents investigate Owen’s company, Hannah and her stepdaughter, Bailey, must uncover Owen’s secrets and hidden past.
- Style of writing: Suspenseful and emotional, blending thriller and domestic drama.
- Length: ~80,000 words (~320 pages)
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Engaging and heartfelt, exploring trust and family bonds.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; fast-paced but emotionally complex.
- Why read it: A gripping, character-driven thriller with strong emotional depth.
15. The Vanishing Half
- Author: Brit Bennett
- About: Twin sisters Desiree and Stella Vignes take different paths—one living as a Black woman, the other passing as white—leading to a multigenerational story about race, identity, and family.
- Style of writing: Lyrical and multi-perspective, spanning decades.
- Length: ~100,000 words (~352 pages)
- Year written: 2020
- Emotional impact: Deeply moving, sparking reflection on race and personal choices.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; rich prose with complex themes.
- Why read it: A thought-provoking, character-driven novel exploring identity and belonging.
16. The Paper Palace
- Author: Miranda Cowley Heller
- About: At her family’s summer retreat, Elle Bishop must decide between her loving husband and the childhood friend she’s always loved. The novel weaves past and present, revealing long-held secrets.
- Style of writing: Descriptive and introspective, with nonlinear storytelling.
- Length: ~100,000 words (~400 pages)
- Year written: 2021
- Emotional impact: Intense and evocative, exploring trauma, love, and betrayal.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; layered storytelling with mature themes.
- Why read it: A beautifully written story about choices, memory, and relationships.
17. The Nightingale
- Author: Kristin Hannah
- About: Two sisters in Nazi-occupied France navigate survival, resistance, and sacrifice in WWII, highlighting women’s overlooked roles in war.
- Style of writing: Emotional and immersive, blending historical fiction with deep character arcs.
- Length: ~170,000 words (~564 pages)
- Year written: 2015
- Emotional impact: Heart-wrenching and inspiring, showcasing resilience and bravery.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; historical details add depth.
- Why read it: A gripping, moving tale of courage and survival during WWII.
18. The Giver of Stars
- Author: Jojo Moyes
- About: Inspired by true events, this novel follows a group of women in 1930s Kentucky who deliver books to isolated communities as part of Eleanor Roosevelt’s traveling library program.
- Style of writing: Engaging and heartfelt, blending historical fiction with themes of female friendship and empowerment.
- Length: ~120,000 words (~400 pages)
- Year written: 2019
- Emotional impact: Uplifting and empowering, showcasing the impact of literature and perseverance.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; easy-to-follow storytelling with historical depth.
- Why read it: A beautiful, character-driven novel that highlights the power of books and strong women in history.
19. The Light We Lost
- Author: Jill Santopolo
- About: Lucy and Gabe meet in college on 9/11, forming an intense connection that spans years. Their love is tested by distance, ambition, and fate, leading to a heartbreaking, emotional journey.
- Style of writing: Intimate and reflective, written in a second-person narrative that feels like a personal letter.
- Length: ~90,000 words (~320 pages)
- Year written: 2017
- Emotional impact: Deeply emotional and poignant, exploring love, loss, and destiny.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; accessible prose but heavy emotional themes.
- Why read it: A powerful, beautifully written love story that lingers long after finishing.
20. The Night Watch
- Author: Jayne Anne Phillips
- About: Set in post-Civil War America, this novel follows a mother and daughter seeking refuge in a mental asylum while uncovering dark secrets about war, trauma, and survival.
- Style of writing: Lyrical and immersive, with historical detail and character-driven depth.
- Length: ~90,000 words (~304 pages)
- Year written: 2023
- Emotional impact: Haunting and resonant, exploring trauma and resilience.
- Difficulty level: Moderate; historical themes require careful reading.
- Why read it: A beautifully written, deeply affecting novel that examines the long-term effects of war and the human spirit’s strength.
Conclusion
If you loved Malibu Rising, I think you’ll really enjoy The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Daisy Jones & The Six, and The Sunset Crowd. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo pulls you into the glamorous yet complicated life of a Hollywood legend, Daisy Jones & The Six makes you feel like you're right there experiencing the rise and fall of a rock band, and The Sunset Crowd perfectly captures the ambition and drama of 1970s Los Angeles. To me, these books have the same mix of unforgettable characters, vivid settings, and compelling storytelling that made Malibu Rising such a great read.
