This novel was in draft stages for … well, let’s redact the exact number of months. It’s a strange delight to let it out of my mind and into the world. Over those months, family, friends, and readers have cheered me on. Every word of support was a bolster.
I’m grateful to many for providing helpful info as this book unfolded onto the page, especially the following: Rachel and Jasmine for the cute facts about their two-year-olds, Brooke for the pie tutorials, Casey for her lessons about restaurant work, and Jessica for sharing her emergency contraception soapbox with me.
My beta readers—Claire, Kira, Robert, and Violet—are insightful, kind, sharp people. Their skills exposed my weaknesses, which gave me the opportunity to reshape this manuscript into a stronger novel. Thanks, y’all!
My family always gets a shout-out in the acknowledgements page, and you’d think after seven books I’d run out of things to thank them for. You’d be wrong. Robert, your everyday support is extraordinary, and your special occasion support is a gift I can count on every day. Thanks for spending half your life with me.