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Hollywood Lights #1
Entanglement
Two young women with troubled pasts find comfort in their unlikely friendship—until devastating secrets and a dangerous man get in the way. " Entanglement will captivate audiences" ( Readers' Favorite 5-Star Review) and will have you wondering who to trust...
Socially awkward Greta and beautiful and confident Daphne move to Hollywood to start a new life. Daphne is determined to make it big, while Greta only wants to find stability. When Greta, who had always relied on her charismatic friend, pulls away and asserts her independence, a power struggle ensues.
And then one night Daphne takes her Hollywood ambitions a step too far, her actions pushing Greta into the path of danger.
Can Greta—and the friendship—survive?
Donna Tartt meets Tana French in this tense, evocative tale of love and friendship—and everything in between. Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers and women’s fiction.
What was your inspiration for Entanglement ?
I think we're all fascinated by the people who don't quite fit in to the normal cone of expected human behavior. These are the people who were outcasts in high school, and who maybe were in college, too. They might have had a friend or two, but they struggled to say the right thing, and it showed. They were socially awkward. Maybe you wondered what goes on inside their heads. With Greta, I get to show you.
It seems as if it could fall into several genres.
Entanglement unravels like a mystery yet it focuses on the close relationship between two women, so I’d say it’s part psychological thriller, part women’s fiction.
What makes Entanglement fresh?
Many great books have been set in L.A. My favorite is Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion. I needed to find a way to tell an L.A. story that didn't replay old themes, or a way that would at least bend those themes into new, unpredictable shapes. No one in this novel wants to be a movie star, for example. In fact, they heap scorn on those who do, even if they do enjoy the L.A. night life.
The story focuses on love and friendship, in this case between two 20-something girls. What can you say about their relationship?
Everything about the girls' familial relationships was broken. These two had no one else until they met each other. It's hard to imagine a friendship like that. I had a friendship like that once, but it's gone now. I wanted to write about how that intensity can keep you alive when it seems like nothing else will, and what it's like to lose it.
What types of books do you enjoy reading?
I will read any book except ones where the female characters are afterthoughts or non-existent. I love historical romance, urban fantasies, Booker Prize winners, SF (especially by women, and I wish there were more), psychological thrillers like Tana French (she's her own category), P.D. James (so is she), and of course that great big category called women's fiction.
Socially awkward Greta and beautiful and confident Daphne move to Hollywood to start a new life. Daphne is determined to make it big, while Greta only wants to find stability. When Greta, who had always relied on her charismatic friend, pulls away and asserts her independence, a power struggle ensues.
And then one night Daphne takes her Hollywood ambitions a step too far, her actions pushing Greta into the path of danger.
Can Greta—and the friendship—survive?
Donna Tartt meets Tana French in this tense, evocative tale of love and friendship—and everything in between. Perfect for fans of psychological thrillers and women’s fiction.
What was your inspiration for Entanglement ?
I think we're all fascinated by the people who don't quite fit in to the normal cone of expected human behavior. These are the people who were outcasts in high school, and who maybe were in college, too. They might have had a friend or two, but they struggled to say the right thing, and it showed. They were socially awkward. Maybe you wondered what goes on inside their heads. With Greta, I get to show you.
It seems as if it could fall into several genres.
Entanglement unravels like a mystery yet it focuses on the close relationship between two women, so I’d say it’s part psychological thriller, part women’s fiction.
What makes Entanglement fresh?
Many great books have been set in L.A. My favorite is Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion. I needed to find a way to tell an L.A. story that didn't replay old themes, or a way that would at least bend those themes into new, unpredictable shapes. No one in this novel wants to be a movie star, for example. In fact, they heap scorn on those who do, even if they do enjoy the L.A. night life.
The story focuses on love and friendship, in this case between two 20-something girls. What can you say about their relationship?
Everything about the girls' familial relationships was broken. These two had no one else until they met each other. It's hard to imagine a friendship like that. I had a friendship like that once, but it's gone now. I wanted to write about how that intensity can keep you alive when it seems like nothing else will, and what it's like to lose it.
What types of books do you enjoy reading?
I will read any book except ones where the female characters are afterthoughts or non-existent. I love historical romance, urban fantasies, Booker Prize winners, SF (especially by women, and I wish there were more), psychological thrillers like Tana French (she's her own category), P.D. James (so is she), and of course that great big category called women's fiction.
262 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 31, 2015
101 people are currently reading
1289 people want to read
About the author
Katie Rose Guest Pryal
34 books136 followersKatie Rose Guest Pryal, J.D., Ph.D., is a bipolar-autistic author, keynote speaker, neurodiversity-affirming writing coach, and expert in mental health and neurodiversity. Before turning to writing full time, she worked as a university professor with a research focus in disability studies.
She is the author of many books on mental health and neurodiversity, including:
Your Kid Belongs Here: An Insider's Companion to Parenting Neurodiverse Children (Johns Hopkins 2025)
A Light in the Tower: A New Reckoning with Mental Health in Higher Education (Univ. of Kansas Press 2024), winner of the 2024 IPPY Bronze medal in Education
Life of the Mind Interrupted: Essays on Mental Health and Disability in Higher Education (Blue Osprey Books 2017, Blackstone Audio 2022)
Even If You’re Broken: Bodies, Boundaries, and Mental Health (Blue Osprey Books 2019, revised and expanded edition 2023), winner of the IPPY Gold Medal in women's issues.
Her newest nonfiction book is forthcoming from Johns Hopkins University Press, Navigating Neurodiverse Pregnancy.
Her fiction includes the Hollywood Lights series of standalone linked novels:
Entanglement
Chasing Chaos
Fallout Girl
Take Your Charming Somewhere Else, Winner of the IPPY Gold Medal for Romance
Dr. Pryal attended Duke University for her undergraduate studies before earning her master’s degree in creative writing from the Johns Hopkins University Writing Seminars, where she attended on a fellowship. She then earned her law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law and continued on to a federal clerkship. While practicing law, she earned her doctorate in rhetoric from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she attended on a fellowship. After finishing her studies, she began her full-time teaching career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she remains adjunct faculty.
She writes frequently for national publications, is a columnist for Psychology Today, and was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. For keynote talks, she is represented by BrightSight Speakers.
Dr. Pryal’s first name is Katie Rose; her middle name is Guest; and her last name is Pryal (which rhymes with “trial”). Her pronouns are she/her.
She is the author of many books on mental health and neurodiversity, including:
Your Kid Belongs Here: An Insider's Companion to Parenting Neurodiverse Children (Johns Hopkins 2025)
A Light in the Tower: A New Reckoning with Mental Health in Higher Education (Univ. of Kansas Press 2024), winner of the 2024 IPPY Bronze medal in Education
Life of the Mind Interrupted: Essays on Mental Health and Disability in Higher Education (Blue Osprey Books 2017, Blackstone Audio 2022)
Even If You’re Broken: Bodies, Boundaries, and Mental Health (Blue Osprey Books 2019, revised and expanded edition 2023), winner of the IPPY Gold Medal in women's issues.
Her newest nonfiction book is forthcoming from Johns Hopkins University Press, Navigating Neurodiverse Pregnancy.
Her fiction includes the Hollywood Lights series of standalone linked novels:
Entanglement
Chasing Chaos
Fallout Girl
Take Your Charming Somewhere Else, Winner of the IPPY Gold Medal for Romance
Dr. Pryal attended Duke University for her undergraduate studies before earning her master’s degree in creative writing from the Johns Hopkins University Writing Seminars, where she attended on a fellowship. She then earned her law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law and continued on to a federal clerkship. While practicing law, she earned her doctorate in rhetoric from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she attended on a fellowship. After finishing her studies, she began her full-time teaching career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she remains adjunct faculty.
She writes frequently for national publications, is a columnist for Psychology Today, and was nominated for a Pushcart Prize. For keynote talks, she is represented by BrightSight Speakers.
Dr. Pryal’s first name is Katie Rose; her middle name is Guest; and her last name is Pryal (which rhymes with “trial”). Her pronouns are she/her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
August 18, 2016
Recent college grads Greta, an awkward nerd, and Daphne, a charismatic glamor girl, couldn't be more different on the surface, but have been close friends since university. After Greta's philandering father kicks her out of the house, she moves across the country to LA to live with Daphne, who helps her navigate the world of 1990s Hollywood. Soon, she finds an unlikely job at a lighting production company and finds herself drawn to her handsome new boss.
Daphne, meanwhile, aspires to be a screenwriter and presently works a day job as the assistant to a producer best known for yesteryear's hits. She soon finds herself losing Greta to a budding romance and resorts to desperate measures to win back her friend. But her actions have dire consequences... ones that could cause her to lose Greta forever.
ENTANGLEMENT, Katie Rose Guest Pryal's novel about friendship, Hollywood, and finding your way in your early twenties, opens with Greta in the hospital in December 1999, having been attacked by someone she knows. The book then goes back to the beginning of 1999 and follows Greta and Daphne as they settle into their new lives as roommates, leaving you to wonder which of the interesting new characters in Greta's life will ultimately try to kill her--and why. But though the book opens with danger and mystery, it's not a thriller. It's a complex, finely wrought, richly human story about two young women.
Can I just say--I love love loved that a female friendship was at the heart of this book. There's a romance too, but the story's really about Greta and Daphne's relationship. The story is told in a nonlinear fashion, with "present day" chapters alternating with flashback chapters that reveal details about how the girls met, how they became such close friends, and their relationships with their families. What I enjoyed most about this book is how well developed the two central characters are. Greta: the physic major who takes things too literally and relates to facts better than to people. Daphne: the fabulous popular girl who you'd never guess came from an abusive and underprivileged childhood.
I really enjoyed the way Pryal used the flashback chapters to add complexity and color bit-by-bit to the characters--to show how they became the way they are, sometimes in unexpected ways. Both Daphne and Greta really came alive on the page, and I quickly became invested in them and their intense friendship.
ENTANGLEMENT is a character-driven story of friendship, dysfunction, Hollywood glitz, and obsession, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's got so many elements--finding your way in the world after college, discovering that people aren't who they seem, what Hollywood in the late '90s was like, how two people who seem so different connect on such visceral levels... I started reading it while getting my hair dyed, and the book made the whole three hour process fly by (in fact, I probably should have been paying more attention when the stylist asked if my hair was the right color, instead of just nodding so I could get back to reading!). And then I went home and kept reading reading reading, staying up till 3AM because I didn't want to stop until I was finished.
Daphne, meanwhile, aspires to be a screenwriter and presently works a day job as the assistant to a producer best known for yesteryear's hits. She soon finds herself losing Greta to a budding romance and resorts to desperate measures to win back her friend. But her actions have dire consequences... ones that could cause her to lose Greta forever.
ENTANGLEMENT, Katie Rose Guest Pryal's novel about friendship, Hollywood, and finding your way in your early twenties, opens with Greta in the hospital in December 1999, having been attacked by someone she knows. The book then goes back to the beginning of 1999 and follows Greta and Daphne as they settle into their new lives as roommates, leaving you to wonder which of the interesting new characters in Greta's life will ultimately try to kill her--and why. But though the book opens with danger and mystery, it's not a thriller. It's a complex, finely wrought, richly human story about two young women.
Can I just say--I love love loved that a female friendship was at the heart of this book. There's a romance too, but the story's really about Greta and Daphne's relationship. The story is told in a nonlinear fashion, with "present day" chapters alternating with flashback chapters that reveal details about how the girls met, how they became such close friends, and their relationships with their families. What I enjoyed most about this book is how well developed the two central characters are. Greta: the physic major who takes things too literally and relates to facts better than to people. Daphne: the fabulous popular girl who you'd never guess came from an abusive and underprivileged childhood.
I really enjoyed the way Pryal used the flashback chapters to add complexity and color bit-by-bit to the characters--to show how they became the way they are, sometimes in unexpected ways. Both Daphne and Greta really came alive on the page, and I quickly became invested in them and their intense friendship.
ENTANGLEMENT is a character-driven story of friendship, dysfunction, Hollywood glitz, and obsession, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's got so many elements--finding your way in the world after college, discovering that people aren't who they seem, what Hollywood in the late '90s was like, how two people who seem so different connect on such visceral levels... I started reading it while getting my hair dyed, and the book made the whole three hour process fly by (in fact, I probably should have been paying more attention when the stylist asked if my hair was the right color, instead of just nodding so I could get back to reading!). And then I went home and kept reading reading reading, staying up till 3AM because I didn't want to stop until I was finished.
August 19, 2018
3.5 stars
June 11, 2015
Interesting read about the twisted relationships between the characters. The author has a way with words and the question of who tries to kill Greta hangs over the plot like a black crow in a field. Lots of LA-style machinations in the vein of Mulholland Drive. A fast read.
July 30, 2018
3.5 stars. I picked up this book because I went to high school with the author and she just released another book which put her on my radar. Although I’m not at all surprised that she is super accomplished, I didn’t know she also wrote novels! What I really liked about the book was how the first chapter draws you right in and makes you want to keep reading to find out who almost killed Greta. I also loved the quirky, imperfect and downright odd leading ladies and the writing was very smart. What dragged this down a star and a half for me was disappointment in the resolution of the mystery; a few tangential story lines that, at best, seemed unnecessary and, at worst, were distracting; and the totally abrupt ending. I’m on the fence about continuing the series, but the characters are original enough that I’m definitely still interested.
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January 24, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (1/24/2020)! 🎁
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June 6, 2016Let me being by saying that, yes I read and reviewed these out-of-order. Silly me saw Pryal’s new release, Chasing Chaos, and read it first… Then releasing there was a prequel, I had to get it and read! Katie Rose Guest Pryal has quickly become one of my favorite authors, not only because of her fantastic writing but her funny, quirky personality! She is somewhat like a captured spy, she refuses to divulge any information, forcing her readers to backtrack and read her fabulous books:) Anyhow, Entanglement is the first in a series about Daphne and Greta, two young women that meet in college and become instant BFFs. Daphne has a magnetic personality and charm, is an intelligent Journalism major, and beautiful. Greta is a brilliant Physics major, very tall, and beautiful in a unique way. Both girls have had crappy upbringings with their parents, and instantly become each others new family.
Entanglement switches between present day, earlier when Greta first moved to Los Angeles, and also when they first met in college (also with earlier flashbacks with their families). Greta has moved to Los Angeles to live with Daphne and find a job, while Daphne has already gotten settled and found a job with a sleazy guy, Marco. Daphne helps Greta integrate into the L.A. area, introducing her to co-workers and friends, but Greta always feels somewhat different. But as Greta starts developing relationships and friendships of her own, Daphne’s behavior changes to almost spooky. Greta is trying to build her life, but Daphne is just, odd…. Characters I love in this novel are Greta, Timmy, and Sandy, (also the little landlord isn’t bad). Characters I do not like are Daphne and Marco. Daphne has been a great friend to Greta and vice versa, and has demonstrated love and friendship many times, but part of friendship is encouraging each other’s growth and achievements in life, which Daphne does not. However, if you look at my review of Chasing Chaos, I loved Daphne and was asking the writer to continue her story, just FYI (remember I read out-of-order!).
Back to the actual writing, Entanglement shines the light on friendship, both the good and the bad. Yes there is romance and some suspense, but this novel is more about friends, trust, and forgiveness. This novel touches on moving on from a hurtful family, developing careers, living with what you have at the moment, and experiencing new things, people, and emotions. I cannot say enough about Katie Rose Guest Pryal and her writing. She reels you in from the first paragraph, and you will finish her novels in one sitting because you have to know what’s going to happen next! Her writing is descriptive and vivid, flows wonderfully, and makes you feel as you are a part of the story. Add Entanglement and the rest of the series to your TBR list and enjoy!
Want to learn more about the author? Visit: http://katieroseguestpryal.com/
Entanglement switches between present day, earlier when Greta first moved to Los Angeles, and also when they first met in college (also with earlier flashbacks with their families). Greta has moved to Los Angeles to live with Daphne and find a job, while Daphne has already gotten settled and found a job with a sleazy guy, Marco. Daphne helps Greta integrate into the L.A. area, introducing her to co-workers and friends, but Greta always feels somewhat different. But as Greta starts developing relationships and friendships of her own, Daphne’s behavior changes to almost spooky. Greta is trying to build her life, but Daphne is just, odd…. Characters I love in this novel are Greta, Timmy, and Sandy, (also the little landlord isn’t bad). Characters I do not like are Daphne and Marco. Daphne has been a great friend to Greta and vice versa, and has demonstrated love and friendship many times, but part of friendship is encouraging each other’s growth and achievements in life, which Daphne does not. However, if you look at my review of Chasing Chaos, I loved Daphne and was asking the writer to continue her story, just FYI (remember I read out-of-order!).
Back to the actual writing, Entanglement shines the light on friendship, both the good and the bad. Yes there is romance and some suspense, but this novel is more about friends, trust, and forgiveness. This novel touches on moving on from a hurtful family, developing careers, living with what you have at the moment, and experiencing new things, people, and emotions. I cannot say enough about Katie Rose Guest Pryal and her writing. She reels you in from the first paragraph, and you will finish her novels in one sitting because you have to know what’s going to happen next! Her writing is descriptive and vivid, flows wonderfully, and makes you feel as you are a part of the story. Add Entanglement and the rest of the series to your TBR list and enjoy!
Want to learn more about the author? Visit: http://katieroseguestpryal.com/
June 17, 2015
This is one of those books where you read the first chapter and you are completely sucked in to figure out all the facts leading up to what has occurred. It begins after Greta has been attacked, and then we slowly find out the backstory leading up to whodunnit. While I didn't find any of the characters in the book particularly likeable, there was something about the way they were written that drew me in, and I couldn't wait to find out what was going to happen with them. This is the first book in a while that deals with twenty something characters that I enjoyed, in spite of not relating to them, so big props to the author for that. The friendship between Greta and Daphne was not your typical one, and I loved the exploration of how two people with flawed families can come together, and how their past lives can impact their relationships, not just with each other, but with those around them.
This is a fast read, really well written, and did I mention that I couldn't wait to figure it all out? Check this out if you want a mystery with some flawed and quirky characters. I don't think you will regret it.
Thanks to the author for providing me a copy of this for review.
This is a fast read, really well written, and did I mention that I couldn't wait to figure it all out? Check this out if you want a mystery with some flawed and quirky characters. I don't think you will regret it.
Thanks to the author for providing me a copy of this for review.
October 3, 2015
Clever plot, executed with perfection
This is a terrific story about two young women coming into their own after college graduation. Daphne, a beautiful young woman who had an abusive childhood and Greta, the daughter of a famous physicist, are the unlikeliest of friends. Daphne is a stunning Japanese-American young woman, and Greta is a self-described geek. Daphne likes string bikinis, while Greta favors string theory. The twosome leave home in North Carolina to make a life in Los Angeles.
I loved both characters, but Greta grabbed my heart. I was also a geek, albeit popular with classmates because of certain skills I learned through The Magic of Chemistry. Katie Rose makes Greta and Daphne jump off the pages, and I was so, so sorry to reach the end of this part of their journey.
Grab a cuppa, snuggle under a quilt, and be prepared to become entangled in Entanglement.
This is a terrific story about two young women coming into their own after college graduation. Daphne, a beautiful young woman who had an abusive childhood and Greta, the daughter of a famous physicist, are the unlikeliest of friends. Daphne is a stunning Japanese-American young woman, and Greta is a self-described geek. Daphne likes string bikinis, while Greta favors string theory. The twosome leave home in North Carolina to make a life in Los Angeles.
I loved both characters, but Greta grabbed my heart. I was also a geek, albeit popular with classmates because of certain skills I learned through The Magic of Chemistry. Katie Rose makes Greta and Daphne jump off the pages, and I was so, so sorry to reach the end of this part of their journey.
Grab a cuppa, snuggle under a quilt, and be prepared to become entangled in Entanglement.
November 15, 2015
2.5? This was a hard book for me to rate. On the one hand, I love character-driven books. But I also need my character-driven books to have a solid plot, and this one didn't. It was mostly a series of scenes that didn't seem connected. Slow pacing.
August 22, 2017
For the first in... forever perhaps, this is one time where I am not going to rush to buy the sequel. In fact, I will likely not remember this book in a month or so. (Which, admittedly isn't much courtesy of short term memory loss) I saw this advertised in this Facebook group I'm in and I loved the cover. Loved it. I didn't actually read the description, I went for it solely for the cover. The problem here is that the cover is really deceiving and this is maybe the first time my "judge a book by the cover" tactic failed me.
I'll just tell you my number one complaint were the characters- both Greta and Daphne. We have Greta, who is described as socially awkward but I honestly think she has some kind of disability, perhaps a form of Asperger's? I'm not sure but I had a hard time liking her character because she was too aloof, too socially awkward, to the point of being absolutely clueless. Then we have Daphne who is an absolutely terrible friend and is so possessive of Greta's friendship and companionship she's willing to do terrible things in order to be the center of Greta's world. It's so terrible and awful and if you had a friend like that in real life you'd dump their ass immediately and change your damn phone number.
Even more frustrating was Greta's treatment of her mother, who is dying of cancer. She doesn't get along with her father who has done everything short of moving the mistress in, so she decides one day that this is it, she's never coming back. She lets her mother die without her by her side, doesn't even go to the funeral, and she went her whole life believing something about her father and mother and it turns out, it's not even true. So instead of being a mature adult and apologize for being a terrible daughter, that part of the story kind of ends and we focus more on Greta and Daphne.
Which, hot mess city. Truly. I have to say, that though these two were train wrecks for characters, I really liked some of the secondary characters, namely Sandy and Timmy. Sandy is an experienced actor who befriends Greta and ends up saving the day. Kind of. Then we have Timmy, Greta's boyfriend, and he's written almost as if we're supposed to be on the fence about him, but he's the most normal and level headed one of the group. You can tell he really cares about Greta even if she's fully stupid and clueless.
Honestly, I can only give this one 2/5 stars, and one of those stars is simply because I finished it and I wanted to know why the books starts off with Greta in the hospital. It took almost the entire book to get there but we did and... it was kind of anti-climatic. I expected more with that kind of build up, which is why I'm only giving this one 2 stars.
I'll just tell you my number one complaint were the characters- both Greta and Daphne. We have Greta, who is described as socially awkward but I honestly think she has some kind of disability, perhaps a form of Asperger's? I'm not sure but I had a hard time liking her character because she was too aloof, too socially awkward, to the point of being absolutely clueless. Then we have Daphne who is an absolutely terrible friend and is so possessive of Greta's friendship and companionship she's willing to do terrible things in order to be the center of Greta's world. It's so terrible and awful and if you had a friend like that in real life you'd dump their ass immediately and change your damn phone number.
Even more frustrating was Greta's treatment of her mother, who is dying of cancer. She doesn't get along with her father who has done everything short of moving the mistress in, so she decides one day that this is it, she's never coming back. She lets her mother die without her by her side, doesn't even go to the funeral, and she went her whole life believing something about her father and mother and it turns out, it's not even true. So instead of being a mature adult and apologize for being a terrible daughter, that part of the story kind of ends and we focus more on Greta and Daphne.
Which, hot mess city. Truly. I have to say, that though these two were train wrecks for characters, I really liked some of the secondary characters, namely Sandy and Timmy. Sandy is an experienced actor who befriends Greta and ends up saving the day. Kind of. Then we have Timmy, Greta's boyfriend, and he's written almost as if we're supposed to be on the fence about him, but he's the most normal and level headed one of the group. You can tell he really cares about Greta even if she's fully stupid and clueless.
Honestly, I can only give this one 2/5 stars, and one of those stars is simply because I finished it and I wanted to know why the books starts off with Greta in the hospital. It took almost the entire book to get there but we did and... it was kind of anti-climatic. I expected more with that kind of build up, which is why I'm only giving this one 2 stars.
July 27, 2021
Reading this novel is outside my usual genre selections and allowed me to jump in with no expectations. I was impressed with the depth of character development throughout the novel where most books leave their main characters flat. The development adds to the story and character motivations for actions and responses which is consistent throughout.
The writing style is colorful and descriptive with words that evoke mental imagery. I was fearful in the beginning because of the passive voice used extensively at first, but the narration voice changes shortly into the novel.
The plot moves quickly and makes the book difficult to put down. It is easy enough to follow along with the past and present cutscenes to fill in the character background while moving the story forward.
Overall it is an enjoyable read looking into the fictional lives of a few people that have successes and obstacles to overcome, who are easily relatable. Looking forward to reading the next in the series.
The writing style is colorful and descriptive with words that evoke mental imagery. I was fearful in the beginning because of the passive voice used extensively at first, but the narration voice changes shortly into the novel.
The plot moves quickly and makes the book difficult to put down. It is easy enough to follow along with the past and present cutscenes to fill in the character background while moving the story forward.
Overall it is an enjoyable read looking into the fictional lives of a few people that have successes and obstacles to overcome, who are easily relatable. Looking forward to reading the next in the series.
April 10, 2018
Entanglement is an all-consuming story that revolves around two strong female characters brought together and bonded over troubled pasts. The story line follows Greta and Daphne's friendship through many life changes. Alluring and destructive characters and the repercussions of their actions along the way don't always end well.
The characters are well developed and dynamic although they appear as simple and understated initially. The plot is compulsively engaging and well thought out. I love that Pryal has given us so much well researched insight into the physics and the workings of Hollywood behind the lights.
Definitely recommend!
The characters are well developed and dynamic although they appear as simple and understated initially. The plot is compulsively engaging and well thought out. I love that Pryal has given us so much well researched insight into the physics and the workings of Hollywood behind the lights.
Definitely recommend!
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November 28, 2020I'd had ENTANGLEMENT, first in the "Hollywood Lights" series, sitting on my Kindle for a while. I wasn't sure what to expect with the first couple of chapters, but it didn't take long for the story to hook me in. It was a quick and engaging read. I can't wait to read more about Daphne and Greta!
April 15, 2018
A story of making your own family, and how our pasts can have too much influence on our presents and futures.
May 8, 2018
A very character-driven book, but rather slow. Just not for me. Two stars if two stars means “it was okay”.
March 26, 2016
Entanglement by Katie Ross Guest Pryal is one that will captivate audiences from all over the world. Here, readers will see how young women in their twenties act in friendships that are supposed to be more good than bad. The budding friendship between the two females is enough to lure readers in deep. There is definitely enough inner and outer conflicts to keep readers hooked from the beginning until the end. Katie Ross Guest Pryal also shows readers what an obsessive friendship is like, how we deal with it, and what the consequences of it are. Young people can sense or see a conflict yet they will redefine it so as to not make it quite as big as it appears to be.
Entanglement is a confusing and new time for a young woman like Greta. She moves in with another woman who's tendencies aren't shown until later in the book. Confused and seeking after something, Greta shrugs it off and lets her new roommate show her how to live her life. At first, the harm isn't made apparent until danger seeps in and takes over the scene. Unpredictable, complex, and intriguing is one way to describe Greta's friend and roommate, Daphne. The story as a whole is well-written and is fun to read. Readers will enjoy reading this new adult and coming of age novel. Katie Ross Guest Pryal is one talented writer who has a way of creating a read that readers everywhere can connect with and understand. I enjoyed reading this brilliant piece and I highly recommend it to others.
Entanglement is a confusing and new time for a young woman like Greta. She moves in with another woman who's tendencies aren't shown until later in the book. Confused and seeking after something, Greta shrugs it off and lets her new roommate show her how to live her life. At first, the harm isn't made apparent until danger seeps in and takes over the scene. Unpredictable, complex, and intriguing is one way to describe Greta's friend and roommate, Daphne. The story as a whole is well-written and is fun to read. Readers will enjoy reading this new adult and coming of age novel. Katie Ross Guest Pryal is one talented writer who has a way of creating a read that readers everywhere can connect with and understand. I enjoyed reading this brilliant piece and I highly recommend it to others.
October 16, 2015
I read this story after reading it's prequel, Love and Entropy, which I thought was just a nice story. Entanglement picks up a few years after the prequel after Daphne and Greta are out of college. They have a very different and dynamic friendship that spawns a lot for both of them having been through some seriously hard times as kids. They are exceptionally unlikely friends for all outward appearances but they understand each other like sisters and that friendship really comes through. Unfortunately I found myself getting really bored throughout the story so I ended up skimming a bit to get through it. Also, given how the story opened, I found the reveal of the betrayal to not live up to what I had in my mind. I understood Greta's anger and feelings of betrayal but it seems like the book was meant to hinge on that given that's how it opens and continues to come back to, but I don't think what actually happened was as big of deal as we are led to believe.
My biggest complaint about this story as that the POV changes so suddenly that sometimes I had to go back and re-read the paragraph to make sure I knew whose thoughts I was reading. But, all in all it was well written and I would definitely say this book is meant for more "sensitive" individuals that myself.
My biggest complaint about this story as that the POV changes so suddenly that sometimes I had to go back and re-read the paragraph to make sure I knew whose thoughts I was reading. But, all in all it was well written and I would definitely say this book is meant for more "sensitive" individuals that myself.
April 25, 2016
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WARNING! You will be sucked into this story from the very beginning, no matter how hard you try you won’t be able to put this book down. Super fast paced, with loads of intrigue, you will find yourself frantically turning the pages anxious to discover what happens next.
Daphne and Greta seem harmless at first, enigmatic, until layers are revealed and they become quite complex. Daphne takes a markable toll where Greta endears herself as the story progresses.
The narrative is full of intrigue, surprises truly keeping you in a constant state of suspended rollercoaster suspense.
The ending was great. My absolutely favorite bit - when just desserts was served in an intelligent and classy manner, so well done.
Exciting story, with challenging characters keeping you on your toes.
Looking to the next installment in the series and MORE from Pryal.
WARNING! You will be sucked into this story from the very beginning, no matter how hard you try you won’t be able to put this book down. Super fast paced, with loads of intrigue, you will find yourself frantically turning the pages anxious to discover what happens next.
Daphne and Greta seem harmless at first, enigmatic, until layers are revealed and they become quite complex. Daphne takes a markable toll where Greta endears herself as the story progresses.
The narrative is full of intrigue, surprises truly keeping you in a constant state of suspended rollercoaster suspense.
The ending was great. My absolutely favorite bit - when just desserts was served in an intelligent and classy manner, so well done.
Exciting story, with challenging characters keeping you on your toes.
Looking to the next installment in the series and MORE from Pryal.
July 5, 2016
Apt title for a very close-to-the-vest read
A careful, meticulous look at life through the eyes of two best friends trying to find their way amid the hustle and bustle of LA directly out of college. The girls, Daphne and Greta are drastically different, yet somehow have forged the most intimate of relationships. For me, the central question of the book was whether or not this friendship could hold fast against both these differences, and also the competing forces of the movie studio environment. Greta especially is a strong, yet sympathetic character. Assuming that some of the loose ends will be tied up in later installments. Found the omniscience of the writing a bit jarring - with a book so heavy on relationships I think more nuance could have been added by restricting the viewpoints to one or maybe two characters. Especially enjoyed the physics references/metaphors!
A careful, meticulous look at life through the eyes of two best friends trying to find their way amid the hustle and bustle of LA directly out of college. The girls, Daphne and Greta are drastically different, yet somehow have forged the most intimate of relationships. For me, the central question of the book was whether or not this friendship could hold fast against both these differences, and also the competing forces of the movie studio environment. Greta especially is a strong, yet sympathetic character. Assuming that some of the loose ends will be tied up in later installments. Found the omniscience of the writing a bit jarring - with a book so heavy on relationships I think more nuance could have been added by restricting the viewpoints to one or maybe two characters. Especially enjoyed the physics references/metaphors!
January 8, 2016
Loved this book! The characters are very well developed and the story is original, engrossing and entertaining. The more I read, the less I wanted to put it down. I loved Greta's quirky straightforwardness and Daphne's deepness beneath her shallow surface. Ms. Pryal has a unique and engaging writing style that I enjoyed very much. I was very impressed by how much she knows about subjects not often found in womens' fiction like physics & lighting for the entertainment industry - she is one smart writer! She has a great attention to detail, yet does not get bogged down in it as some writers can. This is a great story about friendship, jealousy and betrayal that begins with a mystery I could not figure out. I highly recommend this book.
February 28, 2016
Entanglement is the story of two unlikely friends Daphne and Greta, who have both been bruised by their relationship with their fathers and decide to live together after college in LA. The women navigate their lives in this vast city, which has effects on them not just personally but on their friendship. When Greta is attacked all issues come to a head.
An easy read with some great characters with compelling past history up especially, made this book a joy to read. I quickly became engrossed in Daphne and Greta's friendship and was heartened by their unconditional support of each other.
I'm not a huge romance fan but found this pretty easy to get into and would be more than happy to read more in the series.
An easy read with some great characters with compelling past history up especially, made this book a joy to read. I quickly became engrossed in Daphne and Greta's friendship and was heartened by their unconditional support of each other.
I'm not a huge romance fan but found this pretty easy to get into and would be more than happy to read more in the series.
July 27, 2015
Have you ever had to choose between love and friendship? Entanglement follows the early lives of two young women, whose upbringing in dysfunctional families has impacted on their ability to form appropriate and lasting relationships. Having met other in college, and recognizing their similarities, a lasting friendship is forged. When one of the girls enters a serious romantic relationship, the status quo is jeopardized.
Suitable reading for teens, adults and young adults. Well written with believable characters.
I received an advance review e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Suitable reading for teens, adults and young adults. Well written with believable characters.
I received an advance review e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 13, 2015
Not what I thought "Entanglement" would be, but surprisingly good and well written. I especially like the character of the heroine (Greta) in this story, she's not the type of girl they would normally find in L.A.- Hollywood, she's an "anomaly", often, men found her unattractive, but then some men just couldn't help but be fascinated. A story told of two young women with would-rather-forget childhood and family dynamic, betrayal and dysfunction that brought together the friendship and sisterhood, the jealousy that threatens the relationship.
January 29, 2016
Entanglement introduces us to Greta and Daphne, best friends from college who move to LA to start their adult lives. The novel gives us a unique view into each character's lives and the complex motivations that shape the relationships women develop in their 20s--relationships with romantic partners, parents, employers, and, most importantly, best friends. Entanglement is part coming-of-age story, part thriller, and you won't be able to put it down. The novel opens with a tragedy--but we don't know precisely what went wrong or why. You'll want to keep reading to find out.
September 27, 2016
Entanglement is one of those books that draws you in at the beginning and you find yourself staying up way too late in order to find out what happens next. What happens when you are torn between your first love and your best friend? How do you create your future when your past haunts your every step? Set in the 90s in L.A., Pryal's book takes us back to a time when cell phones were newfangled novelties and restaurants featuring food towers were de rigueur. An engaging and satisfying read.
July 19, 2015
I received an advance review e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Once I started reading this book I couldn’t put it down.
The author does an excellent job of developing each character. Both girls are from dysfunctional families and flawed. It was interesting to me how each handled relationships with the opposite sex. They are so different but need each other. This book is well written and I recommend reading it.
The author does an excellent job of developing each character. Both girls are from dysfunctional families and flawed. It was interesting to me how each handled relationships with the opposite sex. They are so different but need each other. This book is well written and I recommend reading it.
January 27, 2016
Other than this story being about a deep friendship, I'm not sure I can say exactly what the plot is, but it doesn't matter because I loved the writing. Occasional techy-talk about industrial lighting fixtures made my eyes glaze over momentary, but there's a wonderful depth of characters here that I don't often come across.
It was very enjoyable, and I'd definitely read more by this author.
It was very enjoyable, and I'd definitely read more by this author.
September 15, 2015
This book is beautifully written. It tells a story of friendship, loyalty, jealousy and love.
Daphne and Greta are two young girls both just out of college. They are unlikely friends, but something dark in both their pasts has brought them together.
You can not but enjoy this story
Daphne and Greta are two young girls both just out of college. They are unlikely friends, but something dark in both their pasts has brought them together.
You can not but enjoy this story
January 6, 2016
Great female characters
There is a lot to like about this book, but what stood out to me most was the portrait of a longstanding friendship between women--the good, the bad, and the ugly. Very enjoyable and well done!
There is a lot to like about this book, but what stood out to me most was the portrait of a longstanding friendship between women--the good, the bad, and the ugly. Very enjoyable and well done!
March 25, 2016
An intriguing look at friendship and all the messy things that can go along with it, particularly when two unlikely twenty-somethings become friends and move across the country. Throw in lots of tension and an attempted murder and you've got a book you won't want to put down!
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