Life in the Hollywood Lane

by Ann Crawford

Quirky, heart-opening, funny, poignant, up, down, and everywhere in between—that's life and that's Life in the Hollywood Lane.
Trish, an LA actor, is bereft after her best friend commits suicide. Glamorous yet tough-as-nails Hollywood is Trish's backdrop and a reflection of her life as she stumbles on through an actor's life of casting calls and premieres, rejection and acceptance. Slowly Trish releases the idea of how her life should be and embraces the messy, flawed, yet stunningly beautiful truth of how it is. Trish's humorous resilience and acceptance lead to transformation, surrender, and ultimately love. Author Ann Crawford's trademark optimism for life and love shine through in this inspiring story that reminds us all that no matter what the question, love is always the answer.
Life in the Hollywood Lane is chockablock with LOL and aha moments. Also, know any folks who've been chasing a long-held dream? Do them a favor and gift them this book!

Genres: Family

162 pages, Paperback

Published August 31, 2018

About the author

Ann Crawford is a bestselling and award-winning author, eternal optimist, and lifelong lover of love. She writes books that explore joy, connection, healing, and the wild, wonderful adventure of being human — with heart, humor, and hope.

Her work invites readers to remember who they are beneath the noise, to listen for what’s true, and to create lives, love, and meaning rooted in that deeper knowing. Along the way, there’s usually laughter — sometimes out loud in the grocery store.

A world traveler who has circumnavigated the planet twice, Ann has trekked in Nepal, spent time in the King’s Chamber of the Great Pyramid of Giza, belly-danced in Turkey, hitchhiked New Zealand’s South Island, meditated in India, played with children in Soweto, scuba-dived a sunken shipwreck, and chin-chucked a kangaroo in Australia. She’s also firewalked, flown a plane, and made an award-winning documentary film about Vietnam veterans. Her work has also been recognized for humanitarian impact.

Her latest book, The Life of Your Love: Calling in the Love of Your Life, invites readers to remember that love is who they are — and that living from this place naturally reshapes what (and who) they call in. She is also the author of Bazoomerangs, Spellweaver, Mary’s Message, Angels on Overtime, Life in the Hollywood Lane, and Fresh off the Starship — stories that celebrate love, connection, and the courage to live fully.

Ann lives in Colorado with her family and a deep appreciation for sunsets, laughter, and the quiet magic of being alive — plus a brazen fondness for coffee and chocolate that occasionally finds its way onto the page.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Rachel Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a confession. I judge books by their covers. I looked at this book and thought it would be a light-hearted, probably silly, chick lit read.

Instead, I found myself deep in one of the most moving books I have ever read. My heart ached for Trish as she struggled through the days after her best friend, Cyn, died from suicide. I found myself rooting for her, cheering for her, and at the end of the book, I was sad that our time together was over.

This is a beautifully written story that will stay with you long after you've read the last page.

[Megan BG · Rating 4 out of 5]

*giveaway winner*

A nice, kind of light-hearted read that you can do in a day. A lot about grief. There is little about what is going on in Trish's life, and a lot about how she is managing her grief over the loss of her friend and eventually how she manages to move on.

[jackmagnus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

Life in the Hollywood Lane is a contemporary fiction novel written by Ann Crawford. Trish had grown up seeing herself as an ugly duckling, something she referred to as “fugly”. First, there was her crazy red hair that redefined the term “naturally curly”, and not, as Trish saw it, in a good way. Then there were the freckles that seemed to proliferate madly all over her body. She learned to avoid exposure to the sun to keep them under control, which did end up giving her gorgeous, unspoiled skin, but she just didn’t understand why other redheads had managed to evade whatever gene had predisposed her to freckling and blessed her with so many of them. As she got older, however, she learned about flat-irons and found ways to make her hair behave, and with the skillful application of makeup, she actually looked and felt pretty good about herself, gorgeous even.

Her transformation led her to think of Hollywood, and the bright lights, palm trees and sunny skies of Los Angeles. And everything did change as she stepped off the plane. All the pain she still held from losing her little brother to a fatal heart condition and a life she considered mediocre at best dissipated as she beheld her new hometown and the infinite possibilities it held for her. She soon met Cyndi at an audition. Like her, Cyndi had red hair, and they were nearly the same age. Cyndi was everything that Trish would like to be: her hair was blissfully straight and flowing -- she had no freckles. People seemed to swoon when Cyn walked into a room. They quickly became besties and then roomies, living in a perfect little “hobbit house” surrounded by trees and gentle hills. Cyn and Trish went to parties together, had their acting jobs and became moderately successful in Hollywood. But as forty approached, Cyn grew ever more despondent and even gloomy. She wasn’t at all impressed with her life and definitely not with facing forty. Then she didn’t.

When does one come of age? Is it when moving up from middle to high school, or making the first step in deciding a career? And does one only come of age once in a lifetime, or is it a continual process? In Life in the Hollywood Lane, Ann Crawford’s actor-hero, Trish, sees her life in the “village of happy people” suddenly ripped out from under her when her friend of twenty plus years commits suicide. After being part of a closely knit BFF team her entire adult life, Trish is cast adrift, grief competing with guilt as she wondered if she could have said or done something to have kept her friend alive. This perceptive, wise and funny tale follows Trish as she finally reaches out and explores the world without her sidekick, and begins to understand her place in the scheme of things. Sound like a coming of age tale to you? It did to me, and it’s a marvelous one. While this novel is categorized as chick lit, the themes of recovery from grief, self-knowledge and courage resonated with me quite strongly. Trish’s story is compelling and universal in so many ways. Life in the Hollywood Lane is most highly recommended.

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS
1st May 2018
TITLE: Life in the Hollywood Lane
AUTHOR: Ann Crawford
Star Rating: 5 stars

CATCHY QUOTE
‘A lightly-written and often fascinating insight into the crazy world of Hollywood.’ The Wishing Shelf

REVIEW
So, I settled down on a Sunday evening with Life in the Hollywood Lane on my iPad. Now, I want you to know I’m a Brit, and if I were to ever go on Master Mind, Hollywood would not be my chosen subject. But I’m open-minded and, most importantly, I do enjoy books which show me the many different ways of living life. And, in a nutshell, this is what this novel is all about.
Trish, the hero – sort of – is a Hollywood actor (actress) and, basically, the story offers the reader a very interesting, and often very funny, insight into her world. And the subjects that she covers are far-ranging, from the Americans tendency to start every sentence with ‘so’, to Hollywood traffic to the colour orange. Yes, orange! It is a bit of a ramble. But, I must say, I thought it was all rather enthralling.
You see, this author is a very clever lady. Anybody – and his uncle – can put together a travel book. There must be hundreds, if not thousands of books on Hollywood which will tell you where to visit, the best hotels, etc. etc. But, although well-written and accurate, they are also very bland. Trust me when I tell you, this book is not that. If you want to enjoy a very vivid expose of life in this ‘crazy’ part of the world, from how to dress when meeting a film director to how Peg Entwistle, a young actress, jumped to her death from the Hollywood sign in 1932, this book is for you.
I always try to suggest who I think will most enjoy a book. Well, I must say, with this novel it is going to be a very long list. Interested in film, this is for you; enjoy a good laugh, this book is for you. Will women enjoy it the most? Probably. I think, in many ways, this book reminds me of Bridget Jones. A complicated, slightly messed-up hero trying to make sense of a complicated, slightly messed-up world.
Enjoy!

A ‘Wishing Shelf’ Book Review
www.thewsa.co.uk

[Christie72 (Devilishly Delicious Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life in the Hollywood Lane by Ann Crawford is a quick, enjoyable read! The synopsis describes it as “quirky, heart-opening, poignant…” That perfectly illustrates the entire book.

The book is told by Trish, an actress in Hollywood. She has just lost her best friend to suicide. As you can imagine, this causes her to reflect on her life, where she came from, and where she is going. I liked the way way Trish narrated the book, almost as if she and I were best friends, and she was sitting next to me telling her story.

At times, the book is quite funny. Other times, it is very sad. She really gives us an inside look of what is means to live in Hollywood, making me understand why people there can lose themselves so completely. One of the qualities I loved about her was her fight to not lose herself and find happiness.

We all think a coming of age story is about teens making their journey to adulthood, but Trish through her road to self-discovery showed us it can hapen at any time in our lives. This was a fantastic chick lit/women’s fiction book. Looking forward to reading more from Ann Crawford.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This delightful read follows Trish, a somewhat successful actor in Tinsel Town. In a breezy writing style reminiscent of Bridget Jones’ Diary, Trish, who has been a (sometimes) working actor for 20 years, dishes on what it’s really like to work, live and love in the city where dreams are made and broken daily. What comes through is Trish’s love for Hollywood and life. The characters are quirky, saucy and funny; even the one who is already dead when the story begins. The story is by turns charming and touching as Trish navigates life in the Hollywood lane once her best friend is no longer by her side.

[Leslie Scarborough · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful story of life in Los Angeles, and life, in general, took me on a delightfully unexpected ride. It tells the tale of a coupla white chicks in Hollywood trying to make it as actresses..nothing seemingly all that new, right? Wrong. It goes inside, it goes deep. Our narrator, seemingly a typically shallow Hollywood person in the beginning, albeit, quite entertaining to observe, takes us on an emotional journey that left me in tears outside a restaurant in Vegas, desperate to finish the story. After that, I was immobile (yes in 100-plus degrees), glued to a bench, deliciously digesting and processing the meaningful marvel the book had become for me.

[John S. Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Life In The Hollywood Lane by Ann Crawford. Trish begins by describing the closeness of her friendship with Cyn. She includes the laughing, the partying, the bickering, the love. Then comes Cyn’s suicide and the grief and the guilt, the very, very slow journey back to being able to function, and finally accept that it was Cyn’s choice. There is nothing linear about Trish’s journey. She’s down, she’s partway back up, she’s down even farther...

[Sue Billings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel really gives you insight into the daily struggles of an inspired actress in Hollywood as well as taking you through her struggles of coming to terms with her best friends suicide. I recommend this novel and look forward to all of Ann's upcoming novels.

[Kim Flodin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trish is a not-so-young-anymore woman managing life as a working actress when she is rocked by her best friend's suicide. Her journey through grief, guilt and where she fits in her next chapter in life is compelling. Enjoyable read!

[Gail Benker · Rating 5 out of 5]

That's how I would describe this authors style of writing, delightful, inspiring and funny...cant put it down!!!

[Ellen Oneill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was allowed to read this novel because of Net Galley, and thank them for their generosity.

Life in the Hollywood Lane is the story of a woman (who happens to be an actress in Hollywood) trying to overcome the sudden death of her friend and roommate by suicide. Told from a first person point of view, Trish explains how difficult it is to move on with life when such a huge part of her is now gone.

In Trish's quest to find peace, we see her moving through her everyday life (going to Whole Foods, getting her oil changed), as well as through some of the unusual things an actress might do (go to auditions, Hollywood parties and film openings) all the while trying to contain her grief.

Trish is very open about almost everything superficial in her life (she's beautiful, she is Mensa smart) and throws out a lot of pop culture references (as well as an ongoing joke that a person reading the book 30 years from now will have to have a few things explained to them.) However, the things that do seem emotional and important - her relations ship with her roommate Cyn prior to the her suicide, her mother's drinking and the death of her little brother; seem to be glossed over. Perhaps this is a statement in the way she and most of us, deal with death - the person who has died immediately becomes and angel, and therefore has no bad qualities.

Honestly, I didn't really like the character of Trish, even though I could sympathize with her issue. To me she was a bit affected by her choice to be an actress, as when she sees a guy giving her that "how do I know you look" and she's annoyed by it. She's a film actress - people are going to recognize her. When she meets a handsome man who wants nothing but to be with her, the story shows promise. However, the love/romance relationship between them is another glossed over piece of the narritave.

All in all, this book is an honest description of one woman's quest for peace and the realization that her friend was more important in her life than she knew. Trish feels it all - anger, guilt, and fear, but never looses confidence in herself - or fails to remind us about it.

[Linda McCutcheon · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Sometimes we fade out the voice of the one who loves us the most and listen only to the voice that we've trained to pull us down."

Such is the insecure life of Trish, a committed character actress in Hollywood who still has to work various odd jobs with flexible hours to keep her dream of acting and stardom alive; a woman I think is inspired by the life of renaissance author Ann Crawford in her poignant comedic and at times surprisingly optimistic book Life in the Hollywood Lane.

Narrated by the author with truthful conviction, Trish tells us of her life from arriving in Hollywood from Wisconsin as a young freckled red headed dreamer and meeting her best friend and roommate Cyndi at an audition to 20 years later when Cyndi conversationally says, "Death has never scared me...Living scares me more." Then Cyndi is gone a victim of suicide.

I didn't see this death coming but do we ever and maybe that's the point. Trish goes through the full grief process from denial, sadness, guilt, anger, and eventually a respectful acceptance that her person is gone. It wasn't her fault but there's always pain, with time maybe it will dull a little bit.

Throughout the audiobook there are some very riotous moments on movie sets, Hollywood parties and Trish's dating life could be a separate book.

Listening felt like friends just talking about everything; as often happens. Trish would definitely be a friend so would Ann. She dedicates the book, "In loving memory of all those who died trying," Maybe one day it can be for "those who lived trying."

If you need help please call the Suicide & Crisis Hotline: 988

I received a free copy of this audiobook from the author for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

*This Review Is For The Audiobook*

[Steve Lindahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life in the Hollywood Lane by Ann Crawford is a novel in the form of a memoir. It is entirely from the point of view of Trish, a fictional woman looking back on her life as an aspiring actress trying to make it in films. It includes many reflections the woman makes about the events of her life. There is some distance between the reader and the other characters in the novel, but every struggle and every emotion Trish feels is expressed in depth and written in an informal and funny style, which makes it easy to get caught up in this book. Here's an example of how casual her writing can be:

As an aside, I'm sure Norma Jean wasn't ditzy at all and had a ton of substance. She'd have to have had (wow, is that a clunky sentence or what?) a lot of substance to carry the persona of Marilyn.

And an example of insider information about how the industry works:

People can't be a SAG (Screen Actors Guild) actor until they've been in some SAG movies, and they can't get into SAG movies until they've become a SAG actor. For the non-SAG to land a part in a SAG movie, actors have to know someone who can open doors. And I do.

Both examples are from early in the book to avoid spoilers.

There are three main parts of Trish's emotional life. They are her aspirations to be a successful film actress, her love life, and her friends, especially Cyndi, her roommate and best friend, who kills herself early in the story. Much of the novel is focused on Cyndi. I felt Ann Crawford handled Trish's emotions concerning that loss in a remarkable way. The novel can be sad at times, but it is never depressing.

I recommend this book to anyone who has ever dreamed of a life in films, but also to anyone with any huge aspiration.

[Billy Fetzner · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Inspiring Tale of Transformation and Acceptance

As an avid reader, I was drawn to “Life in the Hollywood Lane” by Ann Crawford because of the captivating description and the unique perspective on pursuing dreams in Hollywood. The book did not disappoint, and I found myself fully immersed in Trish's journey through the ups and downs of an actor's life.

The book is a beautiful balance of humor and sadness, with vivid descriptions that transport the reader to the glamorous yet tough world of Hollywood. I appreciated how Crawford dealt with heavy topics like addiction, depression, and suicide with such grace and sensitivity, while still keeping the story lighthearted and engaging.

What I enjoyed most about the book was Trish's transformation and acceptance of the messy, imperfect nature of life. Crawford's writing style effortlessly combines thought-provoking reflections on life, love, and the pursuit of dreams with quirky and comical moments that had me laughing out loud.

The book is fast-paced and engaging, with well-developed characters that I found myself rooting for throughout the story. The author's trademark optimism for life and love shines through in this inspiring tale, reminding us all that no matter what the question, love is always the answer.

Overall, I highly recommend “Life in the Hollywood Lane” to anyone looking for an entertaining and thought-provoking book with a strong female protagonist. From the adventurous and comical moments to the melancholic and thought-provoking ones, this book has something for everyone. It's the perfect beach read that will leave you feeling inspired and joyful long after you've finished it.

[Grace Summerville · Rating 3 out of 5]

GOODREADS GIVEAWAY WINNER***
3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Okay, starting off, this book was absolutely nothing like I thought it would be. It is a lighthearted deep hitting read all in one. Don’t believe me? Just read it and see for yourself then.It was a very short novel, I would say borderline short story. I expected parties, romance, lights, cameras, and action reading this and in a way it’s what I got. Except it’s not. The entire story is basically a internal monologue from Trish the main character. She was a very appealing character but I had a hard time believing her age. She was so scatterbrained, immature, and naive at times. I liked her but I was certainly annoyed with her. I was also annoyed with all the death/suicide/grief talk about a quarter of the way in. While I know it was the main focus of the story (along with Trish’s personal growth in turn) it was exhausting to read about over and over. I found it hard to ‘mourn’ a character I had hardly been introduced to. Once Jeff entered the picture I was so excited for a bit of movement in the novel but I didn’t even get that. The character growth and development moved at the pace of a snail.
In turn its not my least favorite read but I probably would not recommend.

[Queenbeesbookhive · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read Ann Crawford’s coming of age tale back in 2018, I was excited (to say the least) when, through the marvel of social media, I became acquainted with her once more and felt the urge to let her know how “Life in the Hollywood Lane” had resonated with me, which resulted in writing it down here. Trisha and Cyn, shared an inseparable, unconditional, lifelong friendship both in search of themselves in the hope that Hollywood would be the answer to all their dreams. Ann’s writing style was so easily translated to my own life (including elocution lessons!) reeling me in to reflect on my own experiences during my time in the City of Angels with my best friend! Throughout the story I was willing the characters to succeed and then learning to deal with the heartache and grief of losing her “sister by another mister” Trish eventually manages to carry on without her BFF By her side, and eventually finds love and light for herself! Ann’s ability to connect with the reader immediately is unique as the story captivated me from the start, with the right amount of humour to balance the heartache. A fantastically, totally relatable read! I’m on a mission to read more compelling stories from Ann.

[Olivia Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's an uplifting story set in the challenging world of Hollywood

I recently delved into Ann Crawford's novel, a poignant and uplifting story set in the challenging world of Hollywood. The book centers around Trish, an LA actor, who navigates the ups and downs of her career while dealing with personal loss. What makes this story stand out is Trish's journey of self-discovery and resilience.

Crawford's writing is filled with optimism, humor, and a deep understanding of the human spirit. The novel beautifully captures the essence of transformation and the power of embracing life's imperfections. It's a heartening reminder of the importance of love and acceptance in overcoming life's obstacles.

This book is more than just a glimpse into Hollywood; it's a touching story about finding strength and hope in difficult times. It's a highly recommended read for anyone seeking a story that combines depth, inspiration, and a dose of Hollywood glamour.

[Nikki Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and Poignant

You either are going to like the author's rambling style of writing or you're going to have difficulty with it, but I really enjoyed it. I liked how at random times the character telling the story would start talking to the reader like the reader was a friend she was telling the story to. I even liked how the story rambled around from one idea to the next, because there's a very poignant and tough theme underneath it all--a woman coping with the suicide of her best friend. So you kinda need the fluffy stuff to cushion the sad, and I thought that was done well.

There's a couple of errors I want to point out to the author: there's a long passage in Chapter 2 that repeats itself and needs to be fixed, and Don Henley sings Desperado, not Glen Frey. :)

[Jim Hardison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Journey Through Grief

I found this an engaging, character-driven meditation on life and surviving grief. Trish, the actress main character, is devastated by the apparently out-of-the-blue suicide of her best friend and roommate. Torn by sadness at the loss and guilt for not having seen any warning signs or prevented the death, Trish is at risk of drowning in her grief. Set against the backdrop of Hollywood and acting, it’s a rocky journey with some great insights about grief and recovery. Much more character than plot focused, the narrative occasionally dragged for me, but Trish is vibrantly drawn and very relatable.

[T.N. Traynor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollywood uncovered

Trish's best friend commits suicide aged 40, this is a light-hearted (humourous) yet poingnant look at loss.
The subject is sad, the setting is fabulous, and the center character entertaining.
For fans of anything Hollywood this is a must read as it offers a realistic view on the film industry.
Although it's a novel it does present itself a little like an autobiography of someone working through grief.
I like the idea that whatever the question the answer is always love.

[Josephine Spire · Rating 5 out of 5]

A compelling, captivating and humorous read!

We all have dreams that we aspire to, we often embark on them not knowing what’s around the corner, which is probably a good thing otherwise we would never try anything! This beautifully written story is about a young woman Trish who journeys into Hollywood to live her dream, a dream that came with trials and tribulations including a painful loss. Not only did this story teach me a thing or two, I also thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Verna Hollowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because even though it is about someone who I relate to trying to make it in Hollywood it is everyones's story about hope and loss....Things that we all go through in life. I loved the way Trish expressed herself from an internal perspective. I was very moved by the way the author described Trisha's journey. I liked the book so much I got the audio version. The author's storytelling is incredible! I will get more of Ann Crawford's books. Great Read!

[John Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life in the Hollywood Lane is really not about Hollywood, but about grief. As a grief counselor, I've read poignant quotes from Ann Crawford's book to the grief group that I facilitate. In her chatty highly accessible style, she pours her heart and soul forth as the protagonist Trish, who struggles deeply with the loss of her best friend. Touching, sad, optimistic and funny, Life in the Hollywood Lane is window to the author's heart and soul, and thus, our own.

[Terri Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story about coping with life and finding the silver lining.

Trish had a lot to work through when her roommate and best friend committed suicide. She manages to get on with her life and tell an amazing story of survival and moving on. Ann kept it light, making me want to read more. She also managed to create a happy ending which is what we really need want from Hollywood, right? Very enjoyable and I would happily recommend this book

[Patrick Deaville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quirky, yet endearing style.

The author takes the reader on a journey that is more about making it through life, than making it big in Hollywood. There is loss and grief. There is redemption in ways that surprise. But most importantly, there is the magical acceptance that each of us must do the best we can in each our own way. I was not sure if I would finish the book after the first chapter. But it grew on me. Ended up loving it.

[J.A. Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinda crazy

I didn’t know what I was getting into with this book, but it felt like having a crazy booze-filled night-long conversation with a good friend. Trish’s world is rocked when her best friend dies, and she realizes she can’t just lay in bed eating peanut butter. She needs to live her life. While I’m not fond of first person in a novel generally, it worked for this book, keeping the tone personal and conversational. This is definitely chick lit, and it’s pretty good.

[Chris Fenzick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a guy who loves to watch sports in my man cave, so chick lit books are far from my usual thing. But this book is a really great read! I was so wrapped in the story that it ended before I knew it, and I wanted it to go on. It shared tons of insights into a world (trying to make it in Hollywood) I don't know much about but have a bigger appreciation for now.

[Patrice Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delicious taste of Hollywood life

This is a raw, emotional and expertly crafted story of relationships and dreams pursued in Hollywood. The characters are complex, the narrative compelling. I recommend as a very accurate insight into the life we all wonder about, but few really know. Ann Crawford makes it real and accessible.

[Bobbie Felts · Rating 5 out of 5]

😥😡😂🤭🙂 these are all the emotions I felt reading Life In The Hollywood Lane it is a very good book Ann I cried a little for Trish at the end cuz she was finally happy & content while still missing her best friend ❤ I think Ann truly captured the essence of how much 1 person can impact someone's life before & even after death 👏 ty for such a beautiful book! xx