To my early readers, Wendy Higgins, Diane Stiffler, Kari Martin, Christie Martin, Leigh Ann Burcham, Theresa Latourelle, Heather Gaines, Natasha Razi, and Caroline T. Richmond: Thank you for reading terrible first drafts and still finding the good in them.
To my newer critique partners, who might not have helped me with this particular book, but helped shape my writing into what it is now: Scott Reintgen, Kevin van Whye, Dave Connis, and Tricia Levenseller. Thank you for putting up with my emails and texts and everything that comes with being a new author. I’m beyond lucky to have all of you.
Many thanks to old and new friends, you each had a part in this journey: Sandy Perrin, Carrie Smith, Hannah Hunt, Meagan Rivers, Alan Ramirez, Meghan Sullivan, Michelle Larsen, Sarah Glenn Marsh, Dan Perkins, and Kristen Simmons.
To Corri: Thank you for saying, “You should try writing.” You were my first reader and first person to tell me to not give up.
Thank you to my whole family, and especially my parents: Mom, you’ve always been nothing but supportive and my biggest fan. Dad, thank you for all the books you read to me when I was young, and giving me books when I was older. I’m sorry I got published instead of going to college.
Special shout-out to the other 17er debut authors. Thank you for listening and letting an introvert find it easy to make new friends. You all rock.
To the Insomniacs: Thank you for being the most awesome people and talking about inappropriate things at inappropriate hours.
To my husband, Joe: Thank you for putting up with my many hours of writing and letting me go unemployed for two months so I could write this book. As Chris Traeger would say: You are literally … the best husband ever.
Last but definitely not least: Thank you to my readers, without you there really would be no books.