To me, a book doesn’t end until the acknowledgments page. Maybe it’s because I’ve worked in the publishing industry myself. Maybe it’s because I know a book extends far beyond its author. So here are the folks who brought this book to life. I owe them all my thanks.
First, to Jamie Carr, my agent. Thank you for seeing something in me. You are truly the most brilliant partner to have by my side. I’m so lucky. I hope you know Amber is yours, too—your sharp editorial eye made her and this book shine. To many, many more.
To the Book Group. I’m so honored to be one of your authors.
To Jenny Meyer, who took Amber’s tour worldwide. Thank you for finding such perfect homes for us abroad. And to Heidi Gall at Jenny Meyer Literary.
To Berni Vann and Dana Spector, for your support and enthusiasm and care.
To Randi Kramer, my editor, you have been the perfect teammate, always on the ball. Thank you for making this book so much better and for pushing me as a writer. I’m so grateful.
To Melissa Cox, my UK editor, and the entire team. Thank you for all the love and excitement for Honey.
To Ryan Doherty, editorial director, thank you for guiding us to the end and for all of your support.
To Erin Cahill, studio manager and designer of my cover. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your hard work on this incredible cover.
To Faith Tomlin, editorial assistant.
To Martin Dolan, editorial intern.
To Anne Twomey, creative director.
To Deb Futter, president and publisher.
To Rachel Chou, associate publisher.
To Sandra Moore, marketing assistant.
To Anna Belle Hindenlang, senior publicist.
To Christine Mykityshyn, publicity director.
To Emily Radell, publicity assistant.
To Jennifer Jackson, executive director of marketing.
To Jaime Noven, senior marketing manager.
To Rebecca Ritchey, senior manager of social media.
To Yelizaveta Rogulina, marketing and art intern.
To Megan Draper, publicity and marketing intern.
To Jane Haxby, copy editor.
To Marinda Valenti, proofreader.
To Cassie Gutman, cold reader.
To Morgan Mitchell, production editor.
To Vincent Stanley, production manager.
To Peter Richardson, director of trade manufacturing and production.
To Michelle McMillian, interior designer.
To Emily Walters, managing editor.
To Elizabeth Hubbard, associate managing editor.
To every indie bookseller who places books in the hands of readers—you are essential, and I’m so incredibly grateful. To every sales rep. To every librarian. To every reviewer.
To Zoe, what if our moms hadn’t met? All my love. To Lydia, I can’t wait to read what you write for the rest of our lives. You are the best writing partner and friend I could ask for. To Catalina, for your early read and your impeccable taste. To Abby and to Julie, for always being there for me. To all my friends in every stage of life—I love you all so much.
To Julie and Robbie Couch.
To my brother, Garrett. I love you so much.
To my dad, who read my early stories and told me I could be an author one day.
To my grandpa Tom. I wish you could see this.
To my mom. You always brought me to the bookstore, and you have always put my happiness first. I love to read because you love to read. I’m so glad the cover is pink because it makes me think of you.
To Collin. You’ve held my hand through everything, told me I could do it, told me I was good enough and that it was all going to be okay. I’m just so grateful for our life together. And to our cats, Nimbus and Zelda, who provide endless entertainment.
To the album Honey by Robyn, which inspired the title. To every writer and book and song and film that has ever moved me.
To the books I read for research that helped me create and imagine this world: Open Book by Jessica Simpson, How Music Works by David Byrne, Out of Sync by Lance Bass, The Song Machine by John Seabrook, 90s Bitch by Allison Yarrow, Paris by Paris Hilton, and Britney Spears’s Blackout by Natasha Lasky.
Finally, to all the pop stars I had posters of on my bedroom wall.