by Ella Berman (Author)
"A breezy retro novel with bite."
--L.A. Times
"A 1970s-Laurel Canyon version of
My Brilliant Friend."--
The Atlantic An electrifying novel about the complicated friendship between two ambitious writers and the ultimate artistic betrayal: one writes a book based upon the other's life, revealing everything...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 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?
Author Biography
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.
Number of Pages: 416
Dimensions: 1.4 x 9.3 x 6.7 IN
Publication Date: August 05, 2025
