The Hues of Me and You
by Morgan Lee Miller
Released: Jan 10, 2023
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Why this book and why now?
I started writing this book was I was in a rut and felt the need to live my life in order to appease my parents/society. I relate to Arlette in this aspect of feeling a bit lost in her 20s. The quarter-life crisis is a real thing. I wanted to explore a character with big dreams that’s also a little scared on clasping onto them (kind of like how I felt when I decided to give publishing another chance). Also, I was dying to write another second chance romance and thought this would be the perfect opportunity to be reunited with my favorite trope.
What is a significant way your book has changed since either the first draft or the way you thought it would turn out when you first had the inspiration?
This story has seen the biggest makeover. When I first purposed it to BSB, half of the book took place at a boarding school in England (Willard Abbey Academy), and Arlette was from France. Then, it jumped 10 years to the present day. There was a draft where the boarding school was moved to Massachusetts, and Arlette and Brooke were living in NYC, and I realized that wouldn’t make too much sense if I wanted Arlette stuck in politics. I feel like the setting of the plot took an international tour before settling in Washington, DC. I was then advised to cut the first 20k words. At first, I was overwhelmed and sad, but after thinking about it, I understood why I had to do it, and now, I’m so glad I listened to that advice. But now I have all this information about the made up university, since it was the setting for the first half of the book that didn’t make it into the story, and I’m thinking about having it be the setting for a future novel.
What 3 things would your main character want with them if they got stranded away from civilization, and why?
Brooke would bring a sketchbook and paint/brushes (those count as one thing, right?), brownies, and whatever device she can listen to her painting playlist. Arlette would bring a nonfiction book on whatever topic that piques her interest at the moment, a cigar, and a nice bottle of champagne.
One of your main characters is planning a romantic night. Tell us about it.
Since Arlette did a lot of the dates/hangout planning in the story, I’ll answer what Brooke would do. Brooke would put aside her fear of ghosts and take Arlette on a ghost tour of DC. She would enjoy watching Arlette light up as she takes in all the history and stories of the city. They would then go to dinner at their favorite Thai or Indian restaurant, and then they would end the night together in bed, watching something on TV, and Brooke would tease about being scared of the ghosts just so Arlette could cuddle into her.
Publishing a book is a huge accomplishment and it’s time to party! Choose a celebratory beverage for one of your main characters to toast the release of your new book.
Arlette would bring over a ridiculously-priced bottle of champagne, like her favorite, Dom Pérignon, and like Brooke, I would think about how each sip was worth at least $50. Since Brooke bartends, she would whip up a fruity cocktail (perferably blue since I’m a sucker for blue drinks), but with Brooke’s bartending experience, she would find a way to really elevate the Blue Curacao.
What song does your character put on to start your book launch party?
Brooke is a Swiftie and would play “Champagne Problems” by Taylor Swift to celebrate, knowing that this song inspired the story. We would sing horribly together during the bridge of the song and then probably tease Arlette while drinking her Dom Pérignon when the lyric plays.
