I started 5,331 Miles back in 2015 and posted the first four chapters on Wattpad…then moved on to other books. I eventually continued writing for my newsletter and I’m so glad I did. Your input was so fun! Thanks to all of you who asked me to go back to this book. I should’ve done it sooner because I had so much fun writing it! And update…after I published it and had to start saying it out loud more, I realized how hard 5,331 Miles was to say every time. Ha. Miles Apart is what it should have been all along.
Thank you, Christine Estevez, who has hashed EVERYTHING out with me more hours than I can count. This story is better, thanks to you! I’m better, thanks to you. Thank you for the edits, for the shoulder to lean on…I’m so grateful for you.
Thank you, Erica Russikoff, for your eye in looking over this book! I love hearing your thoughts and value every chance I get to work with you.
Thank you, Darla Williams, for your exceptional beta skills. The timeline would be a mess without you. I thought of you every time I typed “Dear D”…
Which leads me to The Vault—thanks, Darla and Priscilla Perez, for being the Vault where I can just be ME. I love y’all. We know.
Thank you, Blade, for my beautiful cover. You’re my favorite.
Thank you, Christine Bowden, for being my always encourager. You make me cry on the regular with your incredible love and kindness. I can’t believe we live a world apart and I still feel like you’re right here with me always. I love you so.
Thank you to my beloveds: Tosha Khoury, Ashleigh Still, and Courtney Nuness… TAWC. You are my rocks and I’m so glad we’re in each other’s lives. There’s more love than I can say.
Thank you, Staci Frenes. I wish we lived close enough to go to lunch AT LEAST once a week. Love you so much.
Thank you, Dawnita Kiefer, for never giving up on this story.
Thank you, Steve and Jill Erickson, for the steady, loving presence you are in our family. I love you both dearly. And thank you for selling my books at Spoils of Wear!
Thank you, Tarryn Fisher—for so many things—but when it comes to books, thank you for believing in my work from day one. It’s an honor to write books with you and it’s an honor to call you my family. I love you.
To my dad. I still get hives when I think of you reading my books, you little sneaky critter! I love you so much.
Thank you to the rest of my family and friends who pour into my life with love and prayers and kindness. Grace Place, I’m grateful in particular for you. Savita Naik, I love you. Kell Donaldson, so much love for you. I could go on and on. Claire Contreras…our voxes are life. Sidney Parker, love you. Maria Milano, that goes for you too.
To Nate, Greyley, and Indigo, my everythings. Thank you for cheering me on, even when it means far-off eyes and a spacey wife and mama. You’re the best part of me. I love you.
Thank you to the Asters. You have a special place in my heart, always.
A very special thank you to Winston…#SirWinstonofInver…the only true part of this story. You have made my life a thousand times better. Thanks to Underdog Rescue for getting him and so many others out of these horrific puppy mills.
Thank you, Nina Grinstead, for giving this book a new and improved life. So happy to have you in my life!
Thank you, Laura Pavlov and Catherine Cowles, for being my constants. Love you!
Last but certainly not least, thank you to all of the bloggers who signed up to read this book and all those who didn’t but have read my work in the past. I’m so grateful for every review and for all your help! And thank you to every author who has been warm and welcoming…for those of you who have been on my podcast, Living in the Pages, or who have shared cover reveals and thoughts about my books—so grateful for every one of you!
XO,
Willow