A book with "LA" in the title suggests that the reader can expect unrelenting sunshine and sandy beaches to dominate the sense of place and time. This book is not a frothy beach read, though.

This novel tells the story of the complicated relationship of two women, Lane and Gala -- both considered literary darlings reflecting everything the Los Angeles of the late 1960s/1970s is supposed to be. Although they are both writers who share their sense of ambition, their personalities could not be more different. Both women struggle to find happiness, and it's the examination of their similarities and differences that makes for an intriguing read.