Lisa Czarina Michaud does a wonderful job of weaving together personal ambition, love, betrayal, and self-discovery against the backdrop of the glitzy but often unforgiving world of Hollywood.

“Somewhere in Hollywood” by Lisa Czarina Michaud is such a dreamy, nostalgic read that totally pulled me in! Set in early 2000s LA, it follows Carla and Pete, two best friends chasing their music dreams while struggling to figure out life, love, and who they really are. Their friendship is messy, emotional, and so relatable—I felt like I was right there with them through all the highs and lows.

The book gives off major indie rock, vintage Hollywood vibes, and I could practically hear the soundtrack playing in my head. It’s a little heartbreaking at times but also full of heart and humor. If you love stories about friendship, self-discovery, and the magic (and chaos) of being young and lost in a big city, this one is a must-read!

I’ve been eagerly anticipating Somewhere in Hollywood by Lisa Czarina Michaud for over three years, so when the author reached out to let me know she wanted to send me a copy, it made my week! Slanted and Disenchanted, her debut, was one of my favorite books in 2021. I was so very impressed with her story set in the early 2000s and steeped in musical history, an impressionable time for me, as well. I’m thrilled to report Somewhere in Hollywood perfectly continues the coming-of-age story about two friends and fellow bandmates.

Not only did the author send me a copy—which is so beautifully done with all the little touches readers enjoy (including a playlist!)—she wrote a lovely note and included some extra goodies, as well. I longed to dive into it immediately, but if you’re a follower, you know I’ve been struggling to read lately. I’m staying behind on my advanced copies from publishers, so I didn’t get to pick it up as soon as I would have liked. AND it took me longer to read than it should, but I loved EVERY minute I spent reading it, always eager to return.

Somewhere in Hollywood picks up Carla and Pete’s story several years later as they’ve settled in California, but nothing much else has changed. They live across the hall from each other, still with no defining relationship status, and no longer making music together. They’re working just to pay the bills.

Slanted and Disenchanted, which was set in New York, reflected the frenetic energy of the city, much like Somewhere in Hollywood reflects the slower-paced Californian vibe. I could feel the hot sun, the oppressiveness of an unsettled life, the weariness of taking the wrong step into an unknown future.

While Slanted and Disenchanted felt more like a love letter to the underground music of the time, Somewhere in Hollywood feels more focused on the characters at the heart of the story and their current place balanced between youth and young adulthood. It’s real and raw and perfectly captures the confusion and the excitement of finding yourself when the world is so confusing.

There is a love story, but with new and old side characters, friendship, and its different forms, is what makes Somewhere in Hollywood the powerhouse that it is. I found myself only wanting happiness, or at best peace, for our two main characters, in whatever form that happened to take.

And like I said with Slanted and Disenchanted, this is an author that deserves to be read. Her books are well-written and heartfelt, stories that speak to my past self, as well as my nostalgic-loving heart. Memorable and blissfully character-driven, I feel sure Somewhere in Hollywood will be among my top reads for 2025!

This is the sequel to Slanted and Disenchanted, which I haven’t read; however I would say you don’t need to, to love and enjoy this story.

The story follows two young adults, Carla and Pete as they live their disenchanted lives in LA after they put their musical dreams on hold. Pete has a secret that he needs to tell Carla but hasn’t found the right time to tell her yet.

If you’re looking for a HEA where the main characters end up together this isn’t it; but the story was so beautifully and lyrically written that you root for them both.

I absolutely loved this book! I related to both characters, finding themselves, learning what they need and want, growing up. I loved the music references and appreciated the witty writing. What a beautiful story. The ending was perfect!

It was okay, I didn't feel the chemistry between the two leads and would have preferred if the story focused on Pete and Misha instead of Pete and Carla. I didn't like Pete much but his side of the plot was interesting and multilayered and we got to see him interact with the world around him. While Carla definitely moved around the city, she interacted less with the setting and the people around her. All she does in her pov is moan about how much she likes Pete but he won't say he like her back. I hate the ending because I'm not a fan of Pete and Carla as a thing, the few scenes he had with Misha had more chemistry than every single time he and Carla interacted. I hope they don't get together but I don't think I'll be finding out.

Welcome to 2004 Los Angeles, where MySpace is king, indie rock dreams are alive (barely), and Carla and Pete are just trying to figure their lives out. Spoiler: they’re not doing great. Carla spends her days as a TV extra, which is basically the Hollywood version of purgatory, while Pete answers phones and wrestles with his sexuality. They love each other, but Pete is too caught up in his own identity crisis to be fully present, and Carla is starting to feel like maybe being adored isn’t the same as being chosen. Enter a mysterious, ridiculously charismatic stranger who throws their already fragile dynamic into chaos.

with a mix of dark humor, early-2000s nostalgia, and an unflinching look at what happens when ambition meets reality, Somewhere in Hollywood is as messy and bittersweet as your twenties. Think Bret Easton Ellis without the murder, or Just Kids if Patti and Robert had been stuck in a tiny LA apartment with a judgmental cat.

if you’ve ever chased a dream, questioned a relationship, or just really miss making mix CDs, this book will hit you right in the feels.

An enjoyable read about Hollywood self-discovery in the early 2000s. I was intrigued by the storyline and liked getting to know more about the characters that Michaud crafted. I was entertained. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Im so confused by this. The first half of the book dragged on and on endlessly. When I hit 50%, the show started and the book finally was interesting. Carla and Pete had NO chemistry at all. Like at. All. I love Misha and that storyline and would’ve preferred if this book was about them, not about Carla. Also, I fucking HATE alternating POVs within the same chapter. Just make each POV a separate chapter.

Review also shared on goodreads.