I was sitting in on my daughter’s viola lesson, taking notes in her binder, when the idea for this novel fell into my lap. Four brothers, a soccer field, and a girl too competitive to walk away from a challenge. It’s been so fun chasing the story down and fleshing out the details. Many thanks to all those who consulted with me on matters of pickup soccer games, Puerto Rican food, small-business accounting, and the wonders of modern technology. Paul, Steve, Susan, DeNae, Kenny—thank you for helping me not sound like an idiot.
Jolene, thank you for being such a willing and intelligent sounding board. Rachel and Laura, thank you for beta reading an entire manuscript in twenty-four hours and for providing such insightful feedback. That’s true friendship right there.
Emily, as always, this story is as much yours as it is mine. Thank you for endless hours of talking about people who live only in my head. Thank you for always reading first, for your impeccable notes and thoughtful compliments. Most of all, thank you for believing I’m good enough.
To my team at Covenant, thank you for taking such good care of my words and stories. Samantha, thank you for your guidance and support, your wit and wisdom. Four novels! I’m not sure I ever thought I’d get here. I’m so glad we’ve gotten here together.
And finally to my husband, Josh, and my spectacular children. Thank you for loving me anyway, for dealing with deadlines and distractions and a mom and wife who heeds the siren call of her stories. There is nothing in this world greater than you all, and I happily love you the most. But I’m so glad you love that I love writing too.