I have a confession to make. Before writing this book, I hadn’t really seen any reality dating shows. Not because I didn’t want to, but because my house is dominated by men who would rather stick needles in their eyes than watch one. So when I was discussing this next book with my agent, and she suggested the hero and heroine meet on a dating show, I was unsure how I could write it. But then she sent me a list of dating shows to watch. After I’d gorged myself on Married at First Sight, Love Island and Love Is Blind, I was hooked on the idea. Not only was it an intriguing set up that gave me ample sources of tension and humour to explore, but it also meant I could disappear off to watch TV in the afternoon all under the banner of research. So I’d like to say a huge thank you to the fabulous Hannah Todd for the idea for this story, her help with plotting it out, her ever present enthusiasm and encouragement which is a joy to work with - and for getting me addicted to dating shows!
I’d also like to thank the team at One More Chapter, and in particular my editor, Charlotte Ledger. This is the ninth book I have written with Charlotte and I have loved working with her on every single one of them. She knows exactly how to get the best out of both an author and the story, always challenging for it to be better, and yet in a way that motivates and inspires. Even when her suggestions continue onto the next page, and the one after that, and the one after that, as was the case with this book! So thank you Charlotte for pushing me to make Molly and Ben’s story as good as it could be. And an even bigger thank you for taking a chance on me all those books ago.
Thanks also to the rest of the One More Chapter team who work seamlessly behind the scenes to catch my plot holes, my misspellings and my poor sentence construction to shape this book into something ready to be read. And for giving it such eye-catching packaging.
This is also my chance to thank the friends and family who have been there for me during my writing journey – ten years since my first book was published and they’re still cheering me on. The roll call includes my lovely mum-in-law Anne, my sis-in-law Jayne, nieces Maddi, Tiggi and Gracie, cousins Shelley, Karley, Kath, Kirsty and Hayley, Auntie Jan, friends Charlotte, Sonia, Jane, Carol, Tara and Priti. And a special thank you to my dear mum who sadly has dementia now and can’t read my books anymore, but still asks about them.
I’m not sure where any of us writers would be without the amazing book bloggers who are kind enough to read and review our books, so a massive thank you to everyone who’s given me a shout out on social media, taken part in a blog tour or just taken the time to read my books. Your support is priceless. Including, but definitely not limited to: Rachel Gilbey, Anne Williams, Maelia Cybéle and Claire.
Finally, the most important thanks of all go to YOU. I am so grateful that you chose one of my books to read and I hope that whether you love dating shows like Molly, or don’t want anything to do with them, like Ben, you’ll enjoy their love story.