SOMEWHERE IN HOLLYWOOD.

 

SOMEWHERE  IN HOLLYWOOD by LISA CZARINA MICHAUD.

 

Genre ... Coming of Age Fiction

Publication Date ... 10th February 2025

Estimated Page Count ... 380

Standalone Second book in a series

Welcome to the bouncy castle of Los Angeles in 2004. At the dawn of social media, Carla and Pete embark on a quest for meaning in a city where dreams often fade into the smog. They came for indie rock stardom, only to find themselves sidelined by life's realities and their own emotional limitations. Carla experiences the true meaning of monotony as a TV extra, while Pete, wrestling with societal views on bisexuality, answers phones. Despite their mutual affection, Carla feels rejected, while Pete, secretly grappling with his identity, shies away from intimacy.

Their world, filled with vinyl records, a spirited cat named Joni, and an eccentric Hollywood landlady, offers fleeting moments of deep connection. But the arrival of a charismatic stranger disrupts their fragile status quo, forcing them to confront faded ambitions and the true nature of their relationship.

With the pop culture eye of Bret Easton Ellis and lyrical longing of Patti Smith's Just Kids, Somewhere in Hollywood explores the tight-rope walk of personal growth and relationship dynamics, capturing the soul of a generation in search of itself and the relentless pursuit of something more.
Though not adverse to reading books that are part of a series out of sync, there are those books that I feel best read in order and, though billed as a "Standalone Second book in a series", I found myself at times questioning if I'd have gotten more out of Somewhere in Hollywood if I'd have read book one, Slanted and Disenchanted}, 'the story of Carla and Pete before they went to Hollywood', first.
That said, I thought the writing witty, sharp, full of vivid descriptions ... and, oh my goodness, all those pop references.
I enjoyed the world building, the latter part of the book, pure, unadulterated LA {or at least as I thought it}.
Most of all though, there were the characters.
From Carla to, my favourite, Pete, whose struggles with societal views of bisexuality and his fear of intimacy added an endearing, touching vulnerability to his character, to the charismatic outsider who forces both of them to take a look at what it is they really want, I loved following the characters as they hollowed out lives for themselves.

Lisa C. Michaud is the author of "Slanted and Disenchanted." Her writing has been featured in xojane, Narratively, and several indie zines. She resides with her family and cat just outside Paris, where she collects vinyl while penning her next narrative.

Instagram @lisamichaudrocks

X @lisacmichaud

With thanks to Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for organising a paper copy.
One of several bloggers participating in the Publication Day Push of this book, agree or disagree with me, all opinions are my own; no financial compensation was asked for nor given; threats of violence towards my favourite teddy bear went unheeded as did promises of chocolate.

READ FOR THE 52 BOOK CLUB'S 2025 READING CHALLENGE.

{Information here}BOOK 6/52. PROMPT 52: Published in 2025.Other Prompts It Might Have Been Used For ...22: Found family trope35: Written in the third person *51: 300 - 400 pages long.* A per the challenges 'rules', told partly in the third person though has a blend of narrative styles throughout

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