To my husband and sons—Todd, Christian, and Jack—you three are my magic.
To my first readers, Mary Anne Becker-Sheedy, Todd Walton, and Christian Walton, thank you for your fervent belief in me and my writing—it does a stellar job of silencing the doubt monster.
To my critique partners, Elisa Ludwig and Christina Lee, your discerning feedback was beyond helpful while shaping this book, thank you. I am a lucky author.
To my agent, Jim McCarthy, thank you for adopting me with such graciousness and verve and for alllllll of your hard work.
To my editor, Annette Pollert-Morgan, your keen eye continues to push and enrich my writing, and for that I will be eternally grateful.
To my sister, Nikole Becker, who, like in Cracked, is once again an actual character. The amazing character Ms. Becker is solidly based on her. She is an incredible social worker with an incredible heart.
To my mom, stepfather, sisters, brother-in-laws, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and in-laws, thank you for loving me, thank you for supporting me with abandon, thank you for being the best family on earth.
To my COUSINS! COUSINS!, Joe, Kathleen, Lisa, Susan, Francine, Jennifer, Michael C., Robert, Chris, Patty, Colleen, Maureen, Genny, Jimmy, Joe P., Michael M., Jacque, Mike H., Annemarie, Michael M., Morgan, and the late John, I am so blessed to be part of the McGettigan legacy. Thank you for the lifetime of love, friendship, SUPPORT, laughter, and dancing.
Thank you to the team at Sourcebooks for all your hard work behind the scenes. What a brilliant village!
To my dedicated and passionate readers, I drop infinity thank-yous at your feet.