I’d like to thank my editor, Alexa Pastor, for giving the most constructive notes a gal could ask for, while also cheering me on the whole way. Three books in and I still don’t know how you manage to look at a first draft and pull out the best parts of every story. And thank you to the rest of the crew at Simon & Schuster.
Thank you to my agent and friend, Emily Van Beek, for always making yourself available for whatever we might need. And for helping us find the right stories to tell.
To Mom, Dad, Luke, and Aimee, thank you for always supporting me. And thanks especially to my brother, Mike, who drove to our house to watch Poppy more days than I can count so that Rachael and I could hit our deadlines.
To my wife, thank you for taking charge of drafting this book when I was struggling. And for always knowing exactly how to quiet my anxiety when it gets too loud. You’re my light in the dark and I love you so much.
To Poppy. You are the reason I will always continue to write! Everything I do from now on will always be for you. You are the bravest, toughest, most beautiful little person I have ever met. I hope one day you can read all these books your mama and I are writing and find pieces of yourself. I hope they help you in some small way. I love you, Linguine.
I feel tremendously grateful every single day to the people below who make it possible for me to write stories and share them with the world. Not a single one of my books would exist without them.
First, as always, a big thank you to Alexa Pastor, who has been by my side for every single one of my six books. What a journey we have been on, and to have someone as talented as you, who always brings out the best in my ideas, is something I never take for granted.
To Justin Chanda and the rest of the incredible team at Simon & Schuster, all of whom have gone above and beyond to show me so much support and care through the years.
To Emily van Beek, the best of the best. To have you in my corner is the greatest of gifts. I don’t think anyone has made me feel more excited and inspired about the possibility of my career and the books to come.
To Sydney Meve and the rest of the team at Folio Jr.
To my friends and family, Mom, Ed, Judy, Mike, Luke, and Aimee. Even if Luke wins every game of Moonrakers for the rest of eternity, game nights will always be my favorite nights.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to my readers. Your messages, your posts, your words, your comments. You are why I put stories into this world.
As always, to Alyson. Alyson, our love story is better than any book I could ever write. You have given me the greatest gift.
And, to Poppy. You are the best of me. But, please, stop jumping off the couch. I love you, Scoob.