ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I have been writing this in my head since I was a little kid, when the prime recipients of my gratitude were a stuffed monkey named Triple-Dip and a penguin named Icing. But because I am older and wiser now and the very essence of maturity, I will refrain from . . . oh what the hell—thanks guys! Couldn’t have done it without you!
Okay. On to the humans. My friends are the inspiration for every warm, honest, funny, crazy, complicated female character I’ve ever written. Monica Sethi, Kristin Soong, Ellen Fedors, Erica Temel, Logan Fedder, Sandra Rose, Marisa Zucker, Shelly Kellner, Emma Zuroski, Priya Ravishankar, Kasey Fechtor, Madeleine Root, Nattha Chutinthranod, Anna Christodoulu, Caroline Fairchild, and Jamie Joseph, thank you for the brilliance.
I am indebted to the Columbia University undergraduate Creative Writing Program, where ridiculously impractical dreams are made; and to Professor Michael Seidel, hawker of literature that has stayed with me always.
I have been lucky enough to work at two of the best literary agencies in town. Thank you to everyone at Levine Greenberg Rostan for being the happiest home for an intern new to the world of publishing, and especially to Kerry Sparks. Thank you to my friends at Writers House, and to Simon Lipskar, for pushing me to write but better. The day you agreed to read my manuscript inspired one of the best victory dances my apartment has ever seen.
Many thanks to the looney tunes of the Writers House Softball Team: Dan Conaway, Ian Kleinert, Amy Appel, Ashley Collom, Mickey Novak, Christina Fodera, and Sean Fodera. Hanging with you Bookies in Central Park on summer afternoons is the greatest. To my council of men, who provided endless and sometimes frightening insight into the male psyche—Henry Ginnay, Colin Farstad, and Daniel Meredith—you guys are so dreamy. Clare Reeth, beautiful genius, unique snowflake (said in the voice of Leslie Knope to Ann Perkins). And to my best frenemy, Kevin Meredith, who makes my jokes funnier and my life better.
Michael Miracle, my first boss who ruined me for all future bosses. Chris Sweetgall, for his knowledge of all things rivets and bolts. Camille Rankin, for my first by-line, which consisted only of my initials in tiny print but it was still glorious. Lila Coleburn, for her much needed guidance. Phillip Rosen, trusty legal advisor and cool uncle. Gitta Rosen, Leslie Mintz, and Wendy Sarasohn, for the perpetual cheerleading. Danny McEneaney, my brother-in-law, for keeping my spirits up. Marc Philippe Eskenazi, for insights into the rock-and-roll lifestyle (p.s. do they still call it rock and roll?). Christine Benedetti, my Colorado stories would be nothing without you.
My friend David Siffert—I’ve never had a brother but I assume it means someone who watches out for you even though they find you mildly annoying and who sits across from you at various diners throughout Manhattan while you experience a wide variety of breakdowns? Sif, I would only eat waffles with wine in front of you. You’re welcome.
My agent, Andrew Blauner, has the soul of a Jew and the charm of a WASP, which means he’s pretty much unstoppable. I remember when he first sold this novel, he told me that it was “an absolute, unconditional high” for him. What kind of person gets an absolute, unconditional high from making someone else’s dream come true? A really, really good one, that’s who. My thanks also to David Duchovny, clutch hitter extraordinaire, for coming in with encouragement at just the right moment. Andrew and David are basically the kindest, classiest, most well-educated guys who do what they want and don’t give an F. When I grow up, I want to be just like them.
Elana Cohen—I could not have asked for a more perfect person to edit this book. Sometimes I felt as though I dreamed you up and I wanted to storm into the S&S offices and make sure that you were real. Nina Cordes, for taking over with such enthusiasm and grace. Jennifer Bergstrom, for giving me the very special gift of Elana and Nina. And to Kate Dresser, Meagan Harris, and Molly Gregory—thank you for joining my team.
My Russian parents-in-law, Yuly and Roza Verbitsky, for their support and for never allowing me to go too long without pickled cabbage.
My father and Diane for always believing that my choices are the best choices.
My sister, Ali, who is my public relations director, social media expert, stuffed animal consultant, and constant compadre. What I would be without her is alone in old family photos, and while one person dressed in a hideous floral ensemble (complete with matching hat!) is a bit pathetic, two is most definitely a crowd.
My husband, Dave, who ten years ago requested the role of leading man in my life and has been crushing it ever since.
And finally, to my mother, for reading so many drafts, for seeing me through so many catastrophes, and most of all, for teaching me how to write and love.