I’m going to attempt to thank everyone, but the truth is that words don’t feel big enough to demonstrate my profound gratitude. Just imagine me writing this letter to you all, with a box of tissues at my elbow, and the largest slice of carrot cake at my fingertips.

So many hugs and heartfelt thanks to my incredibly gifted editor, Ashley Hearn. You are an absolute gem of a human being—thank you for fighting for this book. Your guidance, input, patience, and tremendous work ethic made all the difference to this story’s journey to publication. To the entire Page Street team, for all of your hard work and support: my publicists Lauren Cepero and Lizzy Mason, editorial assistants Madeline Greenhalgh and Tamara Grasty, editorial intern Kayla Cottingham, production editor Hayley Gundlach, managers Marissa Giambelluca and Meg Palmer, editor Lauren Knowles, publisher Will Kiester, and the wonderful sales team at Macmillan. To Meg Baskis, who gave me so much freedom for the cover design of Woven in Moonlight, thank you for trusting me!

Many, many heartfelt gracias to Mary Moore, for encouraging me to write a Bolivian tale, and for finding this story a great home. To my sweet writer friends Margaret Rogerson, Adrienne Young, and Rebecca Ross for championing Woven in Moonlight and for writing the loveliest blurbs. I’m so thankful for each of you—for our friendship, manuscript swaps, and encouragement. You guys are in my bubble and always will be. Kristin Dwyer, I think the world of you, and I’m so thankful for the laughs and support. I’ll never forget our life-giving conversation in my car, while it was pouring rain, right after I screamed about that spider hiding on the steering wheel.

Adalyn Grace, your sass gives me life. Thank you for calling me out when I ought to be writing, for the laughs, an amazing time at Disney, and for generally being awesome, supportive, and lovely. You are so wise beyond your years, and I swear you really could be a CIA agent. Joanna Hathaway and Kristin Ciccarelli, you two are such genuine, beautiful souls. I feel so proud to know you. Thank you for the love and encouragement on the earliest drafts of Woven in Moonlight. Lisa Parkin, sweet friend, I don’t know what I’d do without you! I cherish our breakfast dates and conversations about life and books. Love you!

My incredible Pitch Wars family: the entire 2015 class, especially Megan England, Leah Mar, Jamie Pacton, Kat Hinkel, Rebecca Mcloughlin, and Michelle Domenici. Thank you so much for reading snippets of Woven in Moonlight! Sheena Boekwreg and Megan Lally—I don’t know how I’d survive the publishing world without you both. Thank you for the many years of friendship and support, for all the wisdom, laughter, and amazing guidance. Thank you for reading everything I write, once, twice, a thousand times. Shout out to Jenni Welsh, Haley Kirkpatrick, Bridget Baker, Fiona Mclaren, for the early reads and feedback. A million thanks!

So many hugs and thanks to my Nacho Libro/First Tuesday Club sweet friends: Brianne Kaufholz, Jessica Meyer, Samantha Robinson, Chrystal Merriam, Kristy Lee Lawley, Anna Ware, Rachel Aldrich, Melanie Snavely, and Kristin Pavlic. You all have a special place in my heart. Every wonderful writing- or publishing-related memory involves book club and all of your sweet faces.

To my sweet friends who aren’t a part of the writing world, and for that I’m so incredibly thankful because you’ve all kept me sane: Patricia Gray, Elizabeth Sloan, Davey Olsen, Jess Pierce, and Jessica Meyer. Thank you for loving me so well, for the love, support and cheers, no matter how many all cap text messages I send (especially to Jessica, who gets them twice!). Elizabeth, thanks for reading the beginning and for making sure I sound professional in my bio. We may not have the same taste in stories, but I know you’ll love this one. <3

To everyone who has been a part of this journey, however small—thank you! You know who you are, and I’m so thankful for every bit of support, well wishes, and encouragement. Thank you for sharing social media posts, retweeting updates and news, and showing up—virtually and in person.

My incredible parents, you both came to this country, worked hard and gave Rodrigo and I amazing opportunities to pursue our dreams. You’ve supported and encouraged every wish I ever had, and my artistic, sensitive heart will never forget it. Mami, Ximena was named after you and there’s so much about her that was inspired by your bravery, love of family, and your passion for justice in Bolivia. I’m so proud to be your daughter. Papi, you have always believed that I’d grow up to be a writer (or a singer—but listen, you can’t have everything. Plus, I can’t sing). Mil besos a los dos, los quiero mucho.

To the TV show Jane the Virgin: I saw myself in every episode, and every time Jane Villanueva sat down to write. Thank you for existing—representation matters. <3 <3

To my sweet, amazing husband Andrew: you’ve read every story I’ve written, sometimes more than once, and from the very beginning when it mattered the most, never doubted I’d get here one day. I love you with all my heart. Your support, love, and encouragement has meant everything and it’s made all the difference in my life.

And lastly but most importantly, to Jesus. Thank you for loving me exactly where I am, even at my messiest and farthest.