I am grateful to author Sheree Fitch, who, in a writing workshop, asked us to write the blurb for the book we most wanted to read. The blurb I wrote was very close to a synopsis of this book. Thanks also to Montreal psychotherapist Louise Dessertine and Marianopolis College counseling psychologist Lesley Lacate for helping me understand why some young women end up in abusive relationships and why it can be so difficult for them to leave. Thanks to the terrific team at Orca Book Publishers. Thanks to art director, Teresa Bubela, for the gift of a perfect cover. Deepest thanks to my editor, Sarah N. Harvey, who is both gentle and tough, for understanding how much this story means to me and for her wise guidance. Thanks to my friends: author Rina Singh, for being there for me in dark days and whose friendship has never wavered, and Viva Singer, for listening, reading and making me laugh. And thanks, as always, to the two big loves of my life: Alicia Melamed, for being my sunshine and heart’s delight, and Michael Shenker, for making everything better.