FASHION
FICTION.

Her dream job nearly broke her.

Her actual dreams? Just might save her.

She built her life around perfection. But what if chasing dreams means letting it all fall apart?

Elle Marche has everything she thought she wanted: an apartment in the heart of Manhattan, a hard-earned title at a luxury fashion company, and a charming boyfriend who adores her. Her life looks perfectly composed—just like her curated wardrobe. But when burnout, betrayal, and a mysterious vintage perfume bottle begin to unravel her world, Elle must confront who she is—and who she used to be.

Swept into vivid dreams where legendary designers from the past come to life, Elle begins to see her ambition—and her heart—with new eyes. As deadlines loom and relationships crack, she must decide what she’s truly willing to lose… and what kind of life she’s brave enough to design from the ground up.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Although this story was inspired by my deep love for fashion and the emotional texture of chasing dreams in a fast-moving city, it is a work of fiction. The characters, companies, events, and dialogue are entirely imagined. Any similarities to real people, past or present, are purely coincidental.

That said, this book wouldn’t exist without the people in my life who’ve shown me love, resilience, and beauty in both everyday moments and defining ones. I drew on the feeling of those relationships, not the facts. If anything here feels real, that’s simply a testament to how deeply I’ve felt.

SOUNDTRACK TO SELF-DISCOVERY

While writing this novel, certain songs became like ghosts in the room with me. Some I played on a loop for days. Others found me long after a chapter was written, as if they’d been hiding in the margins all along.

To bring this story to life in a more immersive, cinematic way, I’ve included a suggested song at the start of each chapter. Some chapters include an additional track that reflects a shift in tone or scene. These aren’t just songs I love. They carry the emotional weight, texture, and tone of the moments they accompany.

If you choose to listen, I suggest starting the track as you begin the chapter. Let it play softly, just beneath the surface. Let it hum under the words. Let it deepen the mood. It’s entirely optional, of course. But if you do listen, I hope the music brings Elle’s world into even sharper focus.

No lyrics are printed in this novel. All song titles and artist names are referenced solely for creative purposes and remain the property of their respective copyright holders.

"Do I have to play the music while I read?"

No, it’s completely optional. You’ll enjoy the story whether or not you choose to play the music.

If you already know the song, simply seeing it listed may help set the tone and emotion of the scene. You can also play the song before or after reading the chapter if that feels more natural. The music is meant to enhance your experience, not control it.

"What if the song ends before I finish reading?"

I curated each song with the pacing and emotion of the chapter in mind. If the song ends before you finish reading, you can pause, replay, or keep going in silence.

The music is there to add atmosphere, not pressure. Think of it as a backdrop to the story.

"What inspired you to come up with this idea?"

I’ve always been captivated by how music transforms scenes in TV shows and movies. I even created a playlist called “My Life is a Movie,” which became the soundtrack I listened to while writing Finding Elle. These songs helped me laugh, cry, and immerse myself fully in Elle’s world.

The choices weren’t random. Each song was selected with as much care as the words on the page. Playing music softly in the background amplified the emotion for me and made the story feel cinematic.