“She's struggled through finding herself in life. Not only for [the] biracial aspect of not really knowing where she belongs, but in finding her place in the medical world and… fighting for that. She's fighting for her place in her family. She's fighting for her place in the medical world. So she's fighting constantly. And so that's why she develops this kind of armor to get where she's going… It sets a lot on your shoulders. And then you have to shut down your own emotions so that other people can have theirs. And that is what makes her so complicated. And some people won't get that. But some people will.”
If you could relive moments from you past, would you? It may seem like an easy “yes,” but things aren’t that simple in this new medical romance, The Love Operation by Melissa R. Collings. In her newest novel, Collings brings some of her own medical experience to the pages, and blends that with a fascination about memory, a complex FMC, a love triangle, and a whole lotta heartfelt moments.
The narrative: about The Love Operation
Dr. Cordelia Wren is a brilliant spine surgeon who thrives in the OR. Her personal life though? Just a bit messier. She’s secretly dating the hospital’s new COO, and her first love just showed up again.
Cordelia does best when in control. So, when she’s able (sort of) to access a new memory study that will give her access to her past in extreme detail, she sees a real opportunity. If she examines her previous relationships, then she can make informed decisions for her future.
The nightcap
The first fizzy sip of cherry coke immediately takes us back, reliving some of our favorite memories with this soda (or pop) in hand. That alone makes it the perfect “nightcap” pairing for The Love Operation, but it’s also a toast to Cordelia, the complex, strong, intelligent, and funny FMC that Collings has brilliantly created. You’ll know what we’re talking about when you get to that chapter. Plus, Collings says the Slice Cherry Cola Soda is the real deal #notsponsored. The better for you, healthier version, still packed with nostalgia.
In this Narratives and Nightcaps podcast episode
Get to know Melissa in this episode of Narratives & Nightcaps. We chat about:
Our fascination with memory and the questions that intrigued Melissa as she was writing The Love Operation and more!
How her former career as a PA contributed to this story–the aspects she was able to revisit and reflect on (some becoming a part of the book) and the pieces outside of the OR she needed to research.
Creating her FMC, Cordelia, a biracial woman who is strong, complex, and in an already competitive field. Melissa shared, “I read multiple accounts of people that were that were women in minorities struggling through the medical field. I was like, this is important. I want Cordelia to have felt this. and it was very therapeutic for me because I had struggles outside of the medical field with being biracial. So that was how I related to that as well, but it was also pulling in these experiences that I hadn't necessarily had and and letting these other voices kind of speak through Cordelia because that was their experience.”
Being selected for Mindy’s Book Studio!
Sometimes you find a story or have a conversation that reminds you to find yourself, fight for yourself, embrace the laughs, and celebrate every moment along the way—that was this book and chat with Melissa. She’s brilliant, fierce, and bright, just like the character she’s created in The Love Operation, and we cannot wait to see the darker side of storytelling in 2027.
Listen to the full author interview on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Purchase your copy of The Love Operation here.
Connect with Melissa on her website and social media!
Many thanks to OTRPR for coordinating this author interview.