The Girl from Ipanema

From the USA Today bestselling author of The Worst Best Man, a vibrant fish-out-of-water story about a young woman whose "little" white lie might turn out to be her big break—or her professional downfall.

All Bianca Thompson wants is to make documentaries. Real life, caught on film. But photocopying movie scripts is the closest she’s ever come to the director’s seat. When she learns she’s a finalist for a prestigious filmmaking grant, she has one chance to impress the judges.

Her pitch? A behind-the-scenes documentary about Brazil’s first all-female samba school, the president and founder of which is Bianca’s aunt, Sonia Almeida Gonçalves. The catch? Bianca doesn’t speak a lick of Portuguese. She’s never set foot in Brazil. And she’s never even met her aunt.

When Bianca finds a letter from her aunt to her mother, highlighting just how strained their relationship was before Bianca’s mother passed, Bianca is caught between her family and the truth, or finally making a name for herself. Her choice could cost Bianca her integrity . . . or open up her whole world.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs