I owe debts of gratitude to so many people who believed in, cheered for, and otherwise stood by my side while I wrote this novel.
First, the incredible folks at MIRA Books, who saw the potential in me years ago and have stood by my side waiting for this book to come along, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I couldn’t do it without you. Most especially, I need to thank my brilliant editor, Nicole Brebner, who helped me see the forest for the trees and made this book sing. The rest of the family deserves more accolades than I can possibly give: Craig Swinwood, Loriana Sacilotto, Brent Lewis, Merjane Schoueri, Margaret Marbury, Amy Jones, Randy Chan, Heather Foy, Stefanie Buszynski, Emer Flounders, Shara Alexander, Linette Kim, Margot Mallinson, Catherine Makk, Miranda Indrigo, Malle Valik, Susan Swinwood, Monika Rola, Olivia Gissing, Larissa Walker, and last but never least, Sean Kapitain—who designed this gorgeous cover. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for everything.
My loving tribe of friends and fellow writers, without whom I would be lost: Laura Benedict, Ariel Lawhon, Paige Crutcher, Jeff Abbott, Helen Ellis, Allison Brennan, Catherine Coulter—you keep me motivated and sane and full of memes and philosophical conversations and queso, and walk me away from the many cliffs that arise when a book is being birthed. I love you all!
For those who help with more than only words: Sherrie Saint, Joan Huston, Andy Levy, Lyzz Pickle, Sara Weiss, Anna Benjamin, Brandee Crisp—you are all incredible!
The fine town of Franklin, Tennessee, one of America’s absolute treasures, was the backdrop for this tale. Many an evening was spent in Grays on Main, people watching and writing. Thanks for the delicious old-fashioneds! Many pages were also drafted in the Coffee House at Second and Bridge, which sustained me with gluten-free crepes and endless cups of Earl Grey. Thanks to them, and to my YA tribe in Franklin, too.
For the librarians and booksellers who share my work with their people—a heaping helping of blessings on you all. Also, so many thanks to my incredible Facebook and Twitter friends, who are my daily dose of inspiration, and are always there when the going gets tough.
My agent, Scott Miller, without whom none of this would happen—thank you for always believing in me, and the exclamation points when you read this proposal, and your faith in this book. I am forever grateful for your steady guidance.
My fabulously kind family, who truly get me. I am extremely grateful for their support—this means you, Mom, Daddy, Jeffrey, Jay, Lisa, Jason, Kendall, and Dillon. You’re the most wonderful blood.
My right hand, Amy Kerr—aka #TheKerr—to whom the book is dedicated, who read this proposal and was so excited and enthusiastic about it that I was finally compelled to turn it in (I wasn’t going to, you know...). Thank heavens for you, babycat.
And for the man who took me to Paris as a surprise for my birthday and started this whole thing, who promptly took me back to Paris for our anniversary so I could write some more, who sat quietly by while I lost my ever-loving mind with excitement writing in the bar of La Closerie des Lilas, the man who supports and loves me in ways I probably don’t deserve, thank you. Randy, darling, you are the heart and soul of everything I do, and I love you more than you can possibly know.