L. A. Woman

by Cathy Yardley

"L.A. Woman" by Cathy Yardley is the story of Sarah Walker, a girl who has done something that is not all that uncommon...moved to a new city for a guy who wasn't worth it. She moves to L.A. and changes her whole life in anticipation of marriage to her business-minded fiance, Benjamin. After continual stalling on Ben's part to join her, Sarah eventually snaps and dumps him. According to her new roommate, Martika, Sarah is in the perfect place to start a new life -- L.A. Before she knows it, Sarah has become Martika's project, getting pulled headlong into a crazy, chaotic world of nightclubs and day jobs, where the only constant is change.

Genres: Chick Lit, Fiction, Romance, Womens Fiction, Contemporary

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Cathy Yardley is an award-winning author of romance, chick lit, and urban fantasy, who has sold over 1.2 million copies of books for publishers like St. Martin's, Avon, and Harlequin. She writes fun, geeky, and diverse characters who believe that underdogs can make good and that sometimes being a little wrong is just right.

Reviews

[Charity · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little boring and predictable. I was glad to finish it and move on to something else.

[Emma · Rating 1 out of 5]

A typical chick-lit story, girl makes big changes/sacrifices for a boyfriend, boyfriend proves himself unworthy, girl dumps boy and then spends most of the rest of the book kissing frogs trying to find the Prince. While 'L.A Woman' didn't follow this pattern exactly, it's pretty close. In moving to L.A Sarah hopes to give her relationship a chance but when it doesn't work she reinvents herself with help from the big city and her flatmate. In the process she starts to lose who she thinks she is, makes some bad choices etc. etc. As to be expected, it all works out ok in the end. Nothing new is really covered in this novel, the characters are fairly standard chick lit fare as is the plot.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hmmm, let's see, what did I learn from this book?

Hmmm, I think I learned that the club scene in L.A. is highly overrated as is the mediocre main character, Sarah, with few endearing qualities.

This story was predictable and I found none of the characters likeable or relateable.

Overall, I was glad to finally slog my way through this book to its end and move on to the next book on my shelf.

[Jacqueline M · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read several other books by Mx Yardley, and found most of them enjoyable. There was very little I liked in this book, but I like finishing what I start. I didn't like the main character Sarah. I would have to describe her as spineless. People don't have to have a life plan mapped out by age 25, but this woman seems to be going where the wind blows her like a feather, and she acts like a doormat, accepting just about any thing someone else puts on her. She has some backbone in her thought that she keeps to herself but rarely expresses her true self. I don't like her roommate Martika, I can't begin to enumerate the reasons why. I am neutral about her friend Judith, who has her own set of issues and has settled for less in her life than she should. I did really like the gay friend Taylor. And, needless to say, since he is more or less cast as the villain, her ex Benjamin is indeed as they so unreservedly refer to him in this book, a first class prick.
One of the things that bothered me the most was the constant name dropping of various restaurants and other business in LA county. I've lived in LA my whole life, so none of these names of business are unfamiliar to me, except for some of the clubs, but it seems like Ms Yardely is trying to prove her credentials for writing a book set in LA by mentioning all the trendy places people might go.
Also let me just say, having live in Hollywood, adjacent to WeHo, I found it slightly offensive, the way she described the men and how they dressed. Yes, it is an area with a large concentration of gay people, but it is something of an exaggeration to try to point out that you can tell by the way the men dress, even for a book written in 2014. There is definitely a contingency of dress to impress, but most are just trying to get through their days just like Sarah, and the style of the clothing is not as important as the book implies.

[AllTimeReading · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dans ce roman, nous suivons les aventures de Sarah, jeune provinciale qui va s’installer à Los Angeles puisque son cher et tendre, Benjamin, devrait bientôt obtenir une promotion qui le propulserait au cœur la cité des anges. Néanmoins, les choses ne se passent pas du tout comme prévu puisque le fiancé n’arrive pas et qu’il ne compte pas payer pour un appartement dans lequel il ne vit pas. La jeune femme doit donc apprendre à se débrouiller seule… ou trouver une colocataire. C’est alors que Martika, Taylor, Kit et toute la clique font leur apparition. On ne pourrait pas faire plus différent de Sarah. Pourtant, les jeunes gens vont tous finir par s’apprivoiser, s’apprécier même. C’est une nouvelle vie qui démarre pour la petite provinciale, mais elle ne sera pas de tout repos.
Comme vous pouvez le voir, il n’y a rien de très original dans cette intrigue. On s’imagine qu’on va découvrir une petit ingénue qui va « apprendre la vie » et c’est exactement ce qu’il se passe. Tout est plus ou moins prévisible dans ce livre, les actions et retournements de situation pourraient apparaître dans n’importe quelle chick-lit. Donc dans un sens, je ne peux pas dire que je suis déçue. En ouvrant un livre de la collection Red Dress Ink, je ne m’attends jamais à un chef d’œuvre, mais plutôt à un roman sympa qui permet de se vider la tête. D’un autre côté, là, il n’y avait vraiment rien de folichon, rien qui sortait du lot. C’était banal du début à la fin. La lecture de ce livre m’a donc laissé de marbre, mais je ne vais pas dire que j’ai détesté.

[...] -> https://alltimereading.wordpress.com/...

[MrsBookBook · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jest to kolejna książka z serii „Literatura w spódnicy”. Główna bohaterka to Sara👩 , która dla swojego faceta przeprowadziła się do wielkiego miasta Los Angeles. Wyjechała z nadzieją że urządzi mieszkanie dla siebie i swojego ukochanego. Niestety on nie ma zamiaru z nią zamieszkać. Sara doprowadzona do ostateczności sama zrywa ze swoim narzeczonym. Nieoczekiwanie zostaje bez pracy i bez pomysłu na życie. Podczas wypadu do kawiarni przypadkowo zapoznaje pewnego geja. On podsuwa jej pomysł żeby znalazła współlokatorkę. Oczywiście współlokatorką zostaje przyjaciółka Taylora homosekusalisty, Martika.
Sara w wielkim mieście ma przyjaciółkę Judith. Lecz ona ma męża i wysoko płatną pracę. Niestety to nie daje jej szczęścia, gdyż w Internecie poznaje mężczyznę, z którym idealnie jej się rozmawia, a raczej pisze. Nawet umówią się na spotkanie, lecz co z tego wyjdzie nie powiem, doczytajcie sami.
Martika współlokatorka Sary traktuje ją jak „materiał twórczy”, wciąga ją w świat nocnych klubów i prac tymczasowych. Czyli w świat w którym stałym elementem jest zmiana. Lecz czy taki świat to na pewno dobry pomysł❓
Niestety ale znów to powtórzę. Kolejna książka o tym jak młoda, sama kobieta próbuje ułożyć sobie życie na nowo w wielkim mieście. Lecz ta książka jakoś najbardziej mnie wciągnęła ze wszystkich z tej serii, które do tej pory przeczytałam. Lekka w czytaniu, bardzo szybko się czyta, bywają zabawne momenty. Nie jest to książka wysokich lotów, określam ją jako dobrą, takie lekkie do czytania dla kobiet.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the books that introduced me to not only red dress ink, but chick lit as a whole. I love this book and have read it several times. Funny how a whim purchase at a used bookstore can do this to you.

[Jessica Abner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started off so good! I read the first 65% in one sitting. But then Sarah turns insufferable. And all the characters just disappoint in the end. I’m still not over Kits behavior. Just sad cause it started off so promising.

[penelopewanders]

I've actually been trying to borrow a different book by this author, but it doesn't seem to be in the virtual library, so I decided to give this a go. This was entertaining, but Sarah's indecisiveness grates after a while.

[MR · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t like the main character. Why would you put up with such bad treatment. I didn’t find it believable. I had to stop reading halfway. Then I read the last two chapters. Just don’t bother .

[Rncaduceus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick cute read.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining but didn’t like any character (besides Taylor)

[L. Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hola amigos lectores, jueves de recomendación les traigo una novela con corte comedia que nos habla de la vida de Sarah Walker, una mujer con un plan tradicional trazado, su enfoque es llegar a ser la esposa ejemplar y madre de los hijos de Benjamin “el hombre Perfecto”, quien después de mandarla a Los Ángeles para alistar el departamento que compartirán tras recibir el anuncio de su ascenso en la firma de abogados donde lleva varios años labrando un camino profesional, Sarah, como siempre, solucionando la vida de su novio se aventura a complacerlo sin esperar que él a la hora de mudarse a la ciudad decide que es mejor no vivir juntos.

Los planes de Sara se derrumban y entre buscar trabajo, pagar las facturas, no saber ni quién es ella misma, poco a poco se abre camino en esta ciudad tan distinta a su tranquilo y seguro pueblo, llegan personas que se convierten en sus amigos, pero no todos los consejos serán buenos, así que, le tocará descubrir quién es de verdad ella, qué es lo que quiere de la vida y qué es lo que piensa hacer en aquella ciudad tan desconocida para sus ojos.

Anímate a leer esta historia que la consumes en una sentada y atrévete a darle una oportunidad a algo distinto y muy entretenido.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah is trying to find her place in the world. She moves to LA to set up house for her fiance, Benjamin, who is suppose to join her and support her so she can find what she wants to do. When things don't go as planned Sarah finds herself, single, jobless, and still direction less. With new and old friends around her all with opinions about Sarah's life and what she should do next.

This was a great coming of age type story. With the character making changes and decisions about her life through it all. There are moments where she seems to digress and it ends with her having grown as a person. The other characters also grow in the plot. I think with all those aspects the plot/story keeps moving. I really enjoyed it. Some would stay that this is a bit predictable as far as chick lit goes. I personally thought of it more as classic, it is an earlier chick lit has the growth in the characters and did keep me interested all the way through.
I would suggest this as a classic chick lit.

[Kristin (Kritters Ramblings) · Rating 3 out of 5]

With a little hesitation, I pick up chick lit because I have to be in the mood for light and fluffy. Although this quintessential chick lit, it had heart and soul that made it more than just a girlie read. A story centered around a girl who makes the decision to "follow" or rather move to a new city - L.A., where her long-term fiance is said to follow. Will he ever move and will they ever get married? The ultimate questions.

As a girl who has decided to move with a boy, it takes some courage, guts and many conversations to confirm that this is the best decision both for yourself and the both of you as a couple. Not recommended for everyone, but if done right, it can build a solid foundation. Off the soap box - I loved this book, even if I had to read it in mass market form!

[Stephanie Caines · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was alright, I finished it but it was a little boring..
To be honest, I found the characters infuriating, I was just waiting for Sarah to stand up to her boyfriend. He was a character I truely hated throughout the whole book.
Judith was unbelievabley uptight. I hated reading about her until she had her 'cyber affair'
I think I actually liked Martika the most, although she is not a character I would normally relate with she seemed to be the most real.

I enjoy books like this but I hate reading when the women in the books are just slaves to the men in thier life.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sarah moves to LA with plans on living with her boyfriend Benjamin (who was suppose to follow her to LA shortly). He ends staying at his current job for a while longer. Then he does move to LA but doesn't want to live with Sarah. Sarah, stuck with an expensive two bedroom apartment, searches for a roommate. Martika moves in a takes Sarah under her wing. She teaches Sarah how to party, dress, apply makeup, have a sex life...

[Hortensia · Rating 1 out of 5]

¿Qué decir de esta novela? Quizá lo mejor será no decir nada.
No es mala del todo, pero realmente tampoco me gustó. El estilo de la escritora está bien, es ameno; pero la historia... por Dios, qué pereza con el protagónico femenino y los antihéroes ¡horribles! y un final tan cortado que parece inconcluso.
Desperdicio de lectura.

[Rodney Marable · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this at the airport expecting crap but was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book.

[Che_neffhotmail.com]

I was so bored but continued to read through to the end

[T.]

I own this book and found it hard to get into the story.

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

$2 at Borders. Read on the plane. Predictable but entertaining. Some typos, which were distracting.

[rainyfeathers · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is horribly dated. I read it when it first came out back in 2002. In a way it is a piece of nostalgia.

Light read about being young and not having direction.

[Lenore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was soooo fun! FYI-there is a little bit of sex and some cursing. A pleasant surprise for sure.:)

[Kimberly Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's was ok.

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Paint by numbers chick lit, but a nice diversion I guess.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Everybody in this book is terrible. Everybody. It wasn't poorly written though, which is why I went with two stars instead of the one that the story deserved.

[Rose · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pathetic characters. Heroine completely lacking in self esteem, spunk, or basic values. I actually threw this in the garbage after I read it, and I NEVER do that.

[Melissa (Always Behind) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sarah moves to LA, takes a wild roommate, tries to find herself. Everyone learns a little and grows by the end.

[February Four · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't think I would like this book as much as I did... but I do. I loved the ending and the characters, and it really was a fun read.