Review: L.A. Women by Ella Berman

L.A. Women by Ella Berman

Blurb from Goodreads:

After a steady descent from literary stardom, Lane Warren is back. She’s secured a new book deal based off the life of her sometime friend and, more often, rival Gala Margolis. Lane’s only problem is that notorious free spirit Gala has been missing for months.

Ten years earlier, Gala was a charming socialite and Lane was a Hollywood outsider amidst the glittering 1960s L.A. party scene. Though they were never best friends, Lane found Gala sharp and compelling. Gala liked that Lane took her seriously. They were both writers. They were drawn to each other.

That was until Gala’s star began to rise, and Lane grew envious. Then Lane did something that she wouldn’t ever be able to take back…changing the trajectories of both their lives.

Bold, dazzling, and crackling with tension, L.A. Women plunges readers into the legendary parties and unparalleled creativity of iconic Laurel Canyon, while exploring the impossible choices women face when ambition collides with intimacy. At what cost does great art emerge? And who pays the price?

 This was fine but didn't enthrall me like this author's first novel although it is better than her second... I was expecting so much with the blurb but this was really sad.  I think it was well written and excellent commentary but as to how I felt while reading it . . . hollowed out, regretful, and sad.  Hope you have better luck!!

L.A. Women comes out next week on August 5, 2025, and you can purchase HERE.  

Put yourself in the (finest caviar leather) shoes of Lane Warren. Here, inside the glittering compound in the foothills of Laurel Canyon, she is the person everyone wants to meet-her house is filled with dear friends and shiny young things, and they'd all gut her in an instant if it would make them famous. Because isn't that why they all gather here every Sunday? To prove that they are also people to know? That they too have something to offer the world?

Janelle arrived at Tash's side, and Tash saw her spot The Colony fandom tattoo, also.

Janelle smiled placidly at the student. She offered the girl her pen.