An electrifying novel about the complicated friendship between two ambitious and talented female writers in 1960s Los Angeles

'My Brilliant Friend meets Daisy Jones and the Six in this immersive story of friendship and rivalry... Berman is at her finest' T. Greenwood, author of Keeping Lucy

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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?

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'A truly exceptional novel... L.A. Women is nothing short of iconic' Katy Hays, New York Times bestselling author of The Cloisters

"This 60s set novel is perfect for summer, transporting you to California's Laurel Canyon" - Grazia Magazine

"fierce rivalries between writers...If you’re looking for stories that contains equal parts glitz and grit, then look no further." - Stylist Magazine (6 books that bring old-school Hollywood glamour to your shelves)

"Berman faithfully ticks off the places and faces of 1970s LA, but describes internal landscapes more impressively. Both women wrangle with their prescribed roles, harboured hopes, desire for fame and recognition on their terms — and whether betrayal is an acceptable way to achieve their goals." - The Times (The best new beach reads to take on holiday this August)

"A gripping reminder of how complicated friendships can be" - Heat Magazine

"If complicated female friendships are your bag, you'll enjoy this compelling novel...Los Angeles makes the perfect glittering backdrop to the unfolding drama" - Good Housekeeping Magazine

"Loosely inspired by the real-life L.A. lives of writers Joan Didion and Eve Babitz, this glamorous book delves into 1960s Laurel Canyon and the betrayal between two young women" - Betches.com

"Berman casts Lane and Gala as vivacious frenemies, and their drag-out fights generate real sparks. Readers will surely fall for these two ladies of the canyon" - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Electrifying...bold, dazzling, and crackling with tension" - VIP Magazine / Stellar Magazine (IE)

"Recommended in rocky relationship reads" - Psychologies Magazine

"Berman’s prose is silky and evocative...As she charts the rocky friendship of the leads and their circle across more than a decade, she also covers addiction, ambition, the disappointments of motherhood, mid-century homophobia, the joys and agonies of writing, and a whole lot more." - Culturefly (5* review)

"Set in the glittering 1960s LA party scene and beyond, it spotlights the cost of great art and who, ultimately, pays the price" - The Sunday Post / The Courier / The Press & Journal

"I absolutely LOVED it. It's giving Taylor Jenkins Reid, but it's about Joan Didion and Eve Babitz's friendship. I'm so obsessed" - Notes On (Substack newsletter)

"Berman writes about friendship like it's romance, the initial spark, the deep infatuation and the betrayal that comes when one person wants more...And the setting?! Laurel Canyon in its hazy heyday, studio parties, cigarette smoke and heartbreak on velvet sofas. I was IN the sun-faded photographs reading wine-stained typewriter pages, listening to Dylan strumming his guitar. Its a really thought-provoking read about friendship between complicated, ambitious and brilliant women, so if that's your bag then you'll probably love this too." - Hannah, Two Girls One Book - Book Club Podcast

"I'm absolutely hooked, lined, and sinkered... It's very good" - Beth, Everything Is Content Podcast

"Absolutely blown away... Berman has created a world so rich" - The Mirror / The Express

"Electric" - That's Life Magazine

"A deep reach into fame and friendship" - Sainsbury's Magazine

"a great summer read" - The Sun

"Evoking all the glamour and grit of 1960s LA, this enthralling, razor-sharp novel dissects the complex, explosive friendship between two female writers" - LoveReading