Acknowledgments

Everyone says writing is a solitary pursuit, and for the most part it is. But I could not have finished this book were it not for a constellation of supportive people around me.

Lydia Sharp, Stacy Abrams, and Liz Pelletier—my incredible editorial team. I’m so grateful to you for your expert guidance and for making a dream come true. Riki Cleveland, what a gem you are! To my cover artist, Elizabeth Turner Stokes, thank you for bringing my characters to life in such an adorable way. Heather Riccio, Meredith Johnson, Curtis Svehlak, Bree Archer, Jessica Turner, Katie Clapsadl, and everyone at Entangled Publishing, I so appreciate all you’ve done to launch this ship.

To Beth Miller, my literary agent at Writers House, thank you for always being there for me, no matter what, no matter when.

Pintip Dunn, thank you for unwavering friendship, sage advice, and critiquing prowess. Anna Campbell and Annie West, I admire you so much. I wouldn’t be the writer I am today without you two. Much gratitude to Tina Ferraro, A.K. Wilder, Darcy Woods, Sally Rigby, Amanda Ashby, Amy DeLuca, and Marlene Perez—fabulous, talented women. Shelly Chalmers and the Dreamweavers, you are all incredible writers and generous friends.

Ellen Lindseth, my lovely writer friend and pilot, thanks so much for your technical advice on the fine art of flying a light aircraft.

Heartfelt thanks to Bel Licciardello, Cathy Smith, Darynda Jones, Karen Rose, Kiah Morante, and Sarah McCarthy for providing invaluable expertise on sign language and interpreting.

Javier Arriaga, my eternal gratitude for your generosity, understanding, and encouragement. You and Omar Abunaser, the king of cakes, have an uncanny ability to deliver dessert at just the right moments. Javi, seriously, this novel would not have made it to the printers without you.

To my brilliant workmates—including Linda Baker, Cecilia, Ella, Peter, Ming, Monika, Paul—thank you. Special thanks goes to my brains trust and “frens”—Murray, Lindsay, and Philip. You’ve helped me through more difficult patches than I can count.

Thank you to Alison Myers and Helen Velkov for your steadfast support and abundant supply of M&M’s.

Many thanks to Brinsley Marlay and Wade Goring for so confidently saying I could get through it all. (You were right.) Jason, ready for another round of pizza? Mitch and Les, what a brilliant duo. Cheers to Blake at Mr. Burrows Hair, who despite what he says, is not at all evil—unlike his namesake.

Thank you to the artists whose music moved me and my characters throughout the entire writing process. Among them, The Model School/Brendan Wixted, Megadon Betamax, and Duran Duran.

Special thanks to Hanee Kim and everyone at Discovery Asia for inspiring me with literally hundreds of program hours over the years.

Humongous thanks to the nurses, doctors, and staff at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, and the Leukaemia Foundation.

Much love to my father, Marcel, who encouraged me to not only look to the stars but to reach for them. To Nancy and Debbie, to Anne and Sasha, and all my family members scattered around the planet, thank you for your never-ending support.

Last but never least, more eternal gratitude and love to Frank. Thank you for the music. You’re the brightest star in my galaxy.