THIS BOOK AND I HAVE BEEN through a lot. If I do the math, it’s something like three relationships, five homes (across two countries), one change of agent, one change of career, eleven rounds of editing, two disastrous haircuts, what must be fifty million cups of tea, and countless emotional crises, quite a few of which the book itself caused. But despite our difficult journey together—or perhaps, because of it—Girls has become a sort of friend to me. Seeing it now so beautifully made up and having its own life out in the world independent of me is a proud, proud moment.
I owe a hundred thank yous to everyone who helped get us to this point:
To my yoga teacher, Matt Gluck, whose class I was in when the first line of Girls came to me and led me into the story. Also for inspiring me to set out on my own yoga teaching career! My classes have become the perfect antidote to lonely writing days.
To author friends who read early versions of Girls and gave much-needed feedback and encouragement: Kendra Leighton, Katy Moran, Emma Pass, Kerry Drewery, Sangu Mandanna, and Lana Popovic. Your enthusiasm for Girls kept me going. Thank you also to Brian Geffen for early notes that helped shape the world of Ikhara into what it is now.
To the Mad Hatters—Sarwat Chadda, James Noble, Alex Bell, Louie Stowell, Jane Hardstaff, Rohan Gavin, and Ali Starr—for celebrating the highs and commiserating about the lows with me, and providing the best kind of response to both: cocktails and laughter. Our London nights are some of my favorites. Sarwat, thank you especially for your early insight and never-ending encouragement.
James, you are my rock. Thank you for always believing in me and knowing how to pick me up. I’m endlessly grateful to have you in my life.
To Taylor Haggerty, for being Girls’ tireless champion and always being ready with insight and positivity whenever I’m lacking in either. When I was querying this time around, a friend told me to choose the agent I feel like I could write the best books under, and so that’s what I did. I look forward to many more books together. And to Holly Root, thank you for playing matchmaker!
To my amazing Jimmy team—Jenny Bak, Sasha Henriques, Sabrina Benun, Erinn McGrath, Julie Guacci, Aubrey Poole, James Patterson—for taking a chance on Girls and working so hard to make that chance count. Jenny, you’re a dream to work with. Thank you for your patience, understanding, impeccable editorial insight, endless bounds of enthusiasm, and always knowing the right thing to do for our book. You made Girls into what it is today. I feel like the luckiest author in the world to call you my editor.
To so many of my amazing friends who have spent hours listening to me talk about imaginary worlds—Alex, Peter, Claudia, Tom North and Tom Latimer, Luke, Amber, Polly, Rich Galbraith and Rich Lyus, and to many more I haven’t named—I blame sequel brain. Thank you so much for your support and inspiration throughout this process.
To my parents, for being the perfect blend of crazy and caring. Dad: I have no doubt that I wouldn’t have become a writer were it not for your bedtime stories and quiet, unwavering support. Mum: you brought me up to be both knowledgeable and proud of my Chinese-Malaysian heritage. This book is a testimony to that.
To Callum, for championing me always, anywhere, and through anything. You still know me better than anyone. You also frustrate me more than anyone, but I love you even so.
To Fab, for giving me a new home and a life filled with so much happiness I can hardly stop smiling. You’ve made writing a lot more difficult because of that, but I forgive you. It’s worth it a million times over.
Pour la vie.
Finally, to everyone who picks up a copy of Girls—it means a lot to me that you’ve given your time to this little book. It’s not perfect, but I did my best to write it with sensitivity, passion, honesty, and care, and I hope you can feel that through the words. Thank you for reading.