Book Review for L.A. Women by Ella Berman

 

L.A. Women by Ella Berman

Published:  August 5, 2025 by Berkley

Genre:  Historical Fiction

Taken from Goodreads:   An electrifying novel about the complicated friendship between two ambitious and talented female writers in 1960s Los Angeles and the ultimate artistic one writes a book based on the other's life… from the author of Reese's Book Club Pick Before We Were Innocent.

After a steady descent from literary stardom, Lane Warren is back. She’s secured a new book deal based off the life of her sometimes friend and more often rival, notorious free spirit and muse, Gala Margolis. Lane’s only problem is that Gala has been missing for months…nobody can find her.

Ten years earlier, Gala was a charming socialite and Lane was a Hollywood outsider amidst the glittering 1960’s LA party scene. Though 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 is until Gala’s star began to rise, and Lane grew more envious. Then Lane decided to do something that she wouldn’t ever be able to take back…changing the trajectory of both their lives.

My Thoughts:  I enjoyed this book, a lot.  It had the drama of Old Hollywood.   The competition of who is better is still alive today but this book was set in the 1960’s and it had the feel of the 1960’s.  Ella Berman stayed true to the time she was writing in and I found myself picture the world in that time.  I could hear the music, see the clothing, and picture the houses/apartments. I could hear the voices of Gala and Lane as they competed with each other, supported each other, and stayed in each other’s lives in one way or another. 

Gala is what I picture when I hear talk about “old Hollywood” and the party girls, the drugs, the people just wanting to be in the orbit of what Hollywood means.   She is a unique and interesting character.   Lane is the one who wants to make it, she puts in the work but still struggles with life and the choices she made. 

I did not find this book to be a quick read.  I never wanted to stop reading but I read it slowly.  I did not want to miss a single word, I wanted to savor each page not missing a single detail.  This is a great historical book. 

Thank you Berkley for a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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Meet the Author (taken from her website):  Ella Berman grew up in both Los Angeles and London, where she studied psychology before working at Sony Music. Her debut novel, The Comeback, was selected as a Read with Jenna book club pick, and her follow-up, Before We Were Innocent, was a Reese’s Book Club pick. Raised by two former hippies on the music and art of the 1960s and 70s, she lives in London with her husband, their senior dog, and their daughter. Her third novel, L.A WOMEN is out in August, 2025.

Follow her on Instagram here.