This book is a work of fiction—except for the parts inspired by all the guys who broke my heart and the few whose hearts I broke. They know who they are, although some of the former might think they’re the latter. Thank you.
This book is also a work of love. Extraspecial thanks go to my editor, Kristen Pettit (who never forgot me—thank you!), who didn’t mind sharing her own stories of heartbreak and loss with me; to editorial director Jen Klonsky and editorial assistant Elizabeth Lynch, both of whom championed the book and provided much-appreciated support from day one; and to the sales and marketing team at HarperCollins, cover designer Michelle Taormina, and copy editor Janet Robbins, whose combined professionalism, talent, and eye for the smallest detail make me so proud to be part of their world. Thank you.
I am grateful to Charlie Olsen at InkWell Management, and my manager and good friend, Adam Peck at Synchronicity Management, and all of my students and friends for their kindness and encouragement. Writer friends especially know the ups and downs and have just the right words to say: Carrie Watson, Carol Tanzman, Liane Bonin, and Sally Nemeth. Thank you.
My family and husband have always been the ones I can count on through the best and worst of it all, and there isn’t enough time and space to let them know how much they mean to me. Thank you.