This book has truly been the book of my heart and I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the many people who played a role in bringing it to fruition. Thank you to my amazing agent Kevan Lyon and editor extraordinaire Kate Seaver, whose constant encouragement, support, and guidance made this book possible. I am so grateful to work with both of you and cannot thank you enough for all you have done for me.
Thank you to everyone at Berkley for giving me this opportunity. I couldn’t have asked for a better publishing home. Special thanks to Ivan Held, Christine Ball, Claire Zion, Jeanne-Marie Hudson, Craig Burke, Erin Galloway, Ryanne Probst, Roxanne Jones, Fareeda Bullert, Kim Burns, and Katherine Pelz for making my books a reality; to the amazing subrights department for all of their hard work; and to the Berkley art department for the stunning cover and for capturing the essence of Next Year in Havana.
Thank you to my wonderful friends, especially A. J. Pine, Jennifer Blackwood, and Lia Riley. I can’t imagine what I would do without you. Thanks to the lovely Jennifer Robson for reading Next Year in Havana and for the kind words.
I am so grateful to my readers and to all of the bloggers who have supported my books throughout the years and who joined me on this new adventure. Thanks for reading!
This book never would have been possible without my wonderful family and the strength and courage of those who came before me. Thank you for sharing your stories with me and for preserving a piece of Cuba I can always hold on to. I am so grateful for your insights on this novel and for your love and support.
To my family—my heart—thank you.