Christina Clifford. A good friend, a trusted agent, the fairy godmother of my life in more ways than one. Her contributions to this novel (the title, a happy-versus-tragic ending, Mary’s occupation as a writer) have been as vital to its creation as my own pen, to say nothing of the impassioned guidance and mentorship she has freely offered over the years, dearer to me than gold.

Caitlin McKenna. Editor extraordinaire, whose vision for the book surpassed even my own. Deepest thanks for the tireless edits, which vitally reshaped the work, and for being devastatingly sharp and brilliant in every suggestion both big and seemingly small. The honor of collaborating with such young and remarkable talent as yours has never been lost on me, nor the contagious love you’ve possessed in all the years of our acquaintance for the written word.

The team at Random House: Andy Ward, Benjamin Dreyer, Bonnie Thompson, Caroline Johnson, Christine Mykityshyn, Denise Cronin, Donna Duverglas, Elizabeth Gaffin, Erin Valerio, Jess Bonet, Jessica Cashman, Joelle Dieu, Kathy Jones, Melissa Sanford, Rachel Kind, Victoria Wong, and Vincent La Scala.

Many thanks to my father for having faith in my writing and for having had supported it.

And last, but not least—Mom. Thackeray wrote in Vanity Fair, “Mother is the name for God in the lips and hearts of little children.” Though I am twenty-seven years old, the principle still holds. My mother will always be the holiest and greatest of persons to me.