Thanks to the amazing people I was given the honor of working with. My editor, the incomparable Kate Sullivan, whose thoughtfulness and insight have helped me make this book a million times better than I ever thought it could be. The entire Poppy crew for their overwhelming enthusiasm. And my fabulous agent, Joanna Stampfel-Volpe-who is, without a doubt, this book’s biggest fan-for always understanding exactly where I was coming from. Thank you all for making my dreams come true.
Special thanks to my cheerleaders: Hannah Wydey, Linda Ge, and Krista Ashe for reading this book in its earliest form and still managing to love it; Amy Lukavics, my “online BFF” and all-around awesome woman, for cheering me on from chapter one-fate has truly made our paths cross!; and Kristin Briana Otts, Kirsten Hubbard, and Kristin Miller for being the best support group ever. I hope we can have a K4 Book Tour one day. And a general gush of gratitude for the people at Teens Writing for Teens, YA Highway, and Absolute Write. I couldn’t have done this without you.
Undying appreciation belongs to my supportive friends: Shana Hancock, Molly Troutman, Stacy Timberlake, Aja Wilhite, Kyle Walker, Cody Ogilby, and Allison Austen. Thanks for putting up with me while I wrote this book, even when I probably drove you insane!
And, most of all, thank you to my family, Mom, Dad, and Chelle: you knew I would be a writer, even when I thought it was impossible. I would be nowhere without your encouragement, patience, and love. Not everyone is blessed with a family who supports their artistic fancies. Thank you so much for believing in me. I love you.