When I finished this book, it had been three years since I’d typed “The End” at the bottom of a page. Throughout that tumultuous time, the people in this community of readers and writers kept me going, even when they didn’t know it, which makes these acknowledgments even more important than any that came before.
To my agent, Pamela Harty, you’ve believed in my writing from day one and waited patiently for me to return to my laptop. I value your advice and am grateful for your friendship.
To my editor, Deb Werksman, when we met at Spring Fling, we said we hoped to work together someday. Six years and many conferences later, here we are, and I can honestly say it was worth the wait. Your notes and suggestions made this book infinitely better! And to the marketing team at Sourcebooks, especially Stefani Sloma and Katie Stutz, thank you for all your support. I hope we are celebrating various hashtag holidays for many years to come, if for no other reason than to have coffee with Freddie!
To my fellow authors, you are always ready with a text, call, or tweet of encouragement, and I’m so proud to call you friends. Jennifer Probst, Helena Hunting, Nina Bocci, and Melonie Johnson, thank you for taking the time to read and blurb my work. Abbi Glines and Julie Ann Walker, you have kept me sane (sort of), and I don’t know what I would have done without you. Loretta Nyhan and Ally Hayes, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your support and counsel. Andrew Shaffer, thank you for putting up with hundreds of stupid questions. I’d like to promise there won’t be any more, but we both know that isn’t true. Season Vining, Rachel Goodman, and Karen Carroll, I never could have navigated these winding roads without knowing you were there if I needed to whine…or wine, as the case may be. To Jana Aston and Jen Bailey, we might talk more than we write when we meet at Starbucks or Panera, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
To the readers and bloggers, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your messages and reviews are what keep me typing. Whether it be lusting after Hudson Chase, laughing at Olivia and Cole, or swooning over Prince Henry, you’ve made my world of make believe all the more real. Hopefully, Lucas and Paige will join the ranks of your all-time faves.
To Mathew Ford, who gave me the most precious gift of all, time. Without your understanding and encouragement, this book would never have made it to the page.
And finally, to Jasen Phelps, who I didn’t meet until a month after I turned in this book. I will never get over the coincidence of not one, but two of my characters having the same name as people in your life, but I will also never forget the look in your eyes when you told me that I shouldn’t change a thing. Your dedication to your children, and to Jenny’s memory, are truly an inspiration, and I thank you for your friendship, your quick smile, and your kind heart.