Eek! I’m so excited to announce that I’ve officially rebranded The Manhattan Mishap. The new cover is more me, more stylish, more cohesive with my overall brand. I’m calling it The Manhattan Mishap (Melina’s Style) because that’s exactly what it is: my style. The browns, the bubbly font, the animal print. It’s me. I love a sassy leopard print, dress often in shades of chocolate, and I’m a loquacious Gemini with—what I like to believe is—an effervescent personality. And I think all of those elements come together fashionably in this new cover.

For those of you who have been following my author journey since I started working on publishing The Manhattan Mishap, you’ll know that I’ve never been completely satisfied with the cover. It is what it is. It served its purpose and has (hopefully) helped me sell some copies of my saucy debut. However, unlike this new cover, I never thought it was totally me. And I suppose that a cover doesn’t have to explicitly reflect who the author is, but this book is so personal to me and means so much because it was my first book ever. I want to be as proud of the exterior as I am of what’s inside.

They say not to judge a book by its cover, but I’ll admit that I was definitely judging mine. I felt like it looked a little haphazard and just not as cute as I wanted. Not as chic. Of course, that meant I had to take things into my own hands. One of my girlfriends put it perfectly the other day when she said that the old cover was great for the chick-lit genre, but this new cover is more “fashion fiction.”

The books I write are fashion-forward and full of enviable outfits. When out with a couple of other authors recently, I said that “my characters have the wardrobes I lust after on Vogue Runway” and I totally stand by that comment. Most of the characters I make up are women that I’d actually want to be friends with in real life. And that means they’ve got to have a killer wardrobe. Yes, I write chick-lit and women’s fiction, but I wanted to make it a little more specific to me, which is where “fashion fiction” came from.

What exactly is fashion fiction?

Fashion fiction explores the intricate relationship between style and narrative, blending the worlds of literature and apparel to create stories that are as visually engaging as they are thought-provoking. This genre often features characters whose wardrobes are not merely accessories but critical elements that drive the plot and reveal insights into their personalities and lives.

Through detailed descriptions of clothing, designers, and trends, fashion fiction immerses readers in a vivid world where the act of dressing becomes a reflection of personal identity, societal norms, and cultural changes. Ultimately, it invites readers to consider how fashion influences their perceptions and the stories they choose to tell.

After years and years of curation, I’d like to think that I’ve collected a fabulous, fierce wardrobe. I’d expect nothing less of my characters, too! In fact, Margot Moss, the main character in The Manhattan Mishap, has a pair of squeaky vinyl pants that are inspired by a pair I once owned. Long story short: while thrifting with one of my best friends, I decided to get them. It wasn’t until I wore them to the office one day that I realized they were so loud. Every move I made echoed through the cubicles. Talk about embarrassing.

Those gorgeous, shiny, black vinyl pants promptly went back to the thrift store.

From The Manhattan Mishap (Melina’s Style) back cover:

Margot Moss, a gregarious and witty woman, lives her life with abandon. She knows exactly what she wants and isn’t afraid to pounce after it with full-throttle ferocity. Although, she can’t quite seem to get it right.

When a coveted promotion falls through, Margot finds herself struggling to actualize her dreams and is forced to reconsider her so-called fabulous future. However, when one catwalk ends, another begins. A job in New York City comes knocking and Margot doesn’t hesitate to seize the opportunity, setting out on a wild adventure towards love, success, and self-discovery.

Unfortunately, nothing is how she imagined it—not the company, the city, or the people. Awaiting Margot is a drama-addicted boss who may or may not be out to get her, a whirlwind of wealthy men, scams, and scandals. Caught in a cotton candy cloud of sparkling rosé, Margot determinedly navigates her (many) dilemmas with the help of her saucy friends and a healthy dose of buzz-worthy gossip.

Yet, as if that weren’t enough, Margot’s life is made even more complicated when a steamy new beau enters the picture—and even with his sexy accent, abs, and seductive smile, he isn’t what he seems. But will it make or break their romance?

Overflowing with fashion and champagne bubbles, The Manhattan Mishap is a hilarious, stylish, and heartfelt novel that oozes confidence and reminds us that leopards never truly change their spots.

I’ve been dropping off some lingering copies of The Manhattan Mishap to Little Free Library locations around Los Angeles. If you’re in the city, check out your local little library and see if you can find out. Once these orange copies are gone, I won’t be restocking them on my website.

Buy the Melina’s Style paperback on Amazon or through my bookstore.

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