First, I want to thank my readers, the ones who’ve been with me since the beginning and the ones who just picked this book up on a whim and made it to the end. It has been an immense joy, honor, and privilege to write for you. I’m grateful every single day. Today I’m especially grateful, though, because this book was a terrifying, exhilarating departure for me in so many ways, and to know how many of you have graciously followed me here to this new terrain is humbling. I hope you found something to love in Margaret, Alice, and Hayden’s world.
I truly feel that I have both the best readers out there and the best publishing team in the world. First off, there’s everyone at Root Literary, including but not limited to Taylor, Jasmine, Gab, Melanie, and Holly, who operate on a superhuman level while also being so kind, generous, and supportive. I would be utterly lost without them. The same goes for my Berkley family: Amanda Bergeron, Sareer Khader, Theresa Tran, Dache’ Rogers, Danielle Keir, Jessica Mangicaro, and Elise Tecco. Huge thanks also to Sanny Chiu for another gorgeous cover, to Craig Burke for talking Vanderpump Rules with me (and also being amazing at his job), and to the rest of the incredible PRH team, especially Christine Ball, Ivan Held, Jeanne-Marie Hudson, Cindy Hwang, Christine Legon, Lindsey Tulloch, and Claire Zion.
Another enormous round of thanks to my UK team at Viking, with a special extra shout-out to my editor Vikki Moynes and the rest of my team: Ellie Hudson, Georgia Taylor, Harriet Bourton, Lydia Fried, and Rosie Safaty. Huge shoutout to Holly Ovenden too for another brilliant cover.
So much appreciation to my unparalleled film agent Mary Pender and her phenomenal assistant Celia Albers, who have been endlessly supportive of me since the very beginning of our time working together.
There are so many booksellers, podcasters, reviewers, writers, and artists out there who have loved and championed my books and characters, and I wish I could thank you all individually, but this will have to do for now: Thank you, thank you, thank you a million times over for your kindness.
And lastly, as always, thank you to my family and my friends, especially Dottie, who sat beside me for every word. Thank you all for loving me on my best days and my worst. You make this life great, big, and beautiful. I love you.
