I wrote the first draft of The End of Always in 2019, a few months before the world turned upside down. Back then, I was like Isobel, completely mystified by doomsday preppers and unwavering in my optimistic view of the world. Now, after living through a pandemic and lockdowns in 2020 and beyond, witnessing Hurricane Fiona’s destruction in 2022, and watching my beautiful province burn and then flood in 2023, I understand a little more why someone might go to such lengths to prepare for disaster. But like Isobel says, Instead of preparing for the end of the world, wouldn’t it make more sense to, you know, put all that energy into trying to fix it? I still believe that.
Thank you to the awesome team at Second Story Press—Jordan Ryder, Margie Wolfe, Phuong Truong, Emma Rodgers, Michaela Stephen, Beatrice Glickman, Kate Earnshaw, April Masongsong, and anyone else behind the scenes who had a hand in bringing The End of Always to life.
Many thanks to Erin McCluskey and Laura Atherton for the stunningly perfect cover that I can’t stop staring at. You nailed it.
A huge thank you to my amazing editor, Erin Della Mattia, for understanding the story I wanted to tell and then helping me tell it in a much better way. Working with you was a pleasure.
Thank you to Eric Smith, this book’s first reader and champion. I appreciate you.
Thank you to my lovely family and friends for the endless support and GIFs. I adore you all. And to my Stretch Creative ladies who happily covered for me while I edited this book.
Lastly, thank you to my wonderful husband and children, whose enduring love, humor, and support has gotten me through every roller-coaster book-writing venture, including this one. Love you always. There’s no one else I’d rather share an underground bunker with at the end of the world.