ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Some books take a village. This one took a universe.

First, I want to thank the pros that turned my jumbled mess into something resembling a book. To Jovana, my editor and formatter; to Rach, my meticulous proofreader; to Robin, my very patient cover designer; and to Marianna, who painted said cover. Marianna, this painting is the number one reason I chose to self-publish. I might have been willing to compromise on some things, but my cover was never one of them.

To Steve, AKA SID, AKA my first beta. Sometimes I go back and glance at those initial pages I sent you and cringe. You must love me A LOT. Thank you for enduring the torture and for guiding me with grace.

To my first betas: Amanda, Emma G., Frederique, Beth, Crystal, Leama, and Lili. You guys are badass. So much has changed (including the genre), but the central story is still there. Your input really helped shape it into what it is today. Thank you so much for hanging in there with me.

To my final betas: Jennifer, Josiane, Lisa, and Nadine. Thank you for your honesty, encouragement, and excitement, and for giving me as much peace of mind as possible at this stage. I desperately needed all of it.

To Dee for being my go-to Miami guru. Thank you for answering all my questions—even during your vacation—and offering insight I didn’t even think to ask.

To Ally for killing off eighty-eight innocent characters when you suggested a plane crash. Killer piece of advice. Literally.

To Jeannine for lighting a fire under my ass. You gave me the push I needed when I was at a standstill and advice at the end that helped me wrap everything up. I admire you as a writer and as a person, and I’m so happy I got to know you last year. Anytime you need a roommate, I’m your girl.

To Donna for keeping me sane. You may not know this, but your enthusiasm and encouragement got me through some trying days. I’ll have a case of PG ready when you visit. I may even share it with you. **inserts our gif here**

To Heather B. for stepping in when you did. Your advice got me out of a horrible rut. You’ve been an awesome support and a great friend. I love our new CP relationship, although I feel like you may be getting the short end of the stick.

To my FB group, Books, Boys, and Booze. You guys have been amazing, and if it wasn’t for FB being a butt, I wouldn’t have you. I never intended to start a group so early—I never intended to start a group at all—but it seemed like the best (and potentially only) way to keep in contact with my favorite peeps. Not only did you step in and support me, you made this release more than I ever thought it could be. We’re just a big bunch of book-lovin’, boy-crazy procrastinators, and I love “wasting” time with you. ♥

To everyone who pushed this book, especially these repeat offenders: S. Ann, Sarah, Heather R., Irene, Paige, Nicky, Billy, Lynn, Deanna PinkLady, Malene with Bad & Dirty Books, Nadine with Let’s Chat Books, Jessica with Chatterbooks Book Blog, Vanilla & Spice Books, and Biblio Belles. Thank you for your continued support and for all the posts, shares, retweets, comments, likes, emails, beta-reads, and that one crazy AF autograph request. ;-)

To Maryse for so many things. Your blog has truly been a home away from home, a place I can go and just be R. When I first found you, I bought and read almost every five-star book you’d reviewed. Then I went through your four stars. It wasn’t until I’d exhausted that list that I decided to write my own. You rekindled my love of reading (which gave me the desire to write), but even more than that, you introduced me to these crazies: Fabi, Nay, Ela, Grey, Leslie, Tessa, Anna, Amy, Paula, Jan, Jean, Tasha, Melinda, Michelle, Lisa, bev, D.G., Cheryl, and Kooloo. Thank you all so much for your support and friendship over the past two years and for teaching me more about this industry than I ever could have learned otherwise. I adore all of you and I respect your opinions. Even when you’re wrong. :-P

To Fabi for being one of the best betas I’ve ever worked with. You have and incredible knack for cutting through the crap. You were able to encourage and redirect me simultaneously—and there were a few places where I really needed that redirection. I could always take you at your word, and when you said you loved something, I had no doubt you did. You have been an immeasurable help to me and a genuine friend. I’m sorry I spread all those rumors about you streaking in my backyard.

To Renee for being my savior. You came in at the 11th hour, picked me up, and carried me across the finish line. I don’t know how I would have made it without you. 2017 was not kind to you, and the holidays were especially tough. I know the sacrifice you made for me. As I write this, you are poring over a week’s worth of emails and questions and reviewing highlights from three different manuscripts. It’s still the holidays. There are a million things you should be doing, but instead you’re doing this. I’m so grateful. Your help has been vital to me, and your patience is otherworldly. I can’t wait to work with you on book two. I promise to be less crazy. **crosses fingers behind back**

To Erica for being a true friend, as well as my sounding board, my cocktail taster, and my therapist. You went through hell last year with Hurricane Harvey and you still managed to put out three books while being there for me amid all my craziness. I’m so proud of you and inspired by you. I love you to the moon and back. You’re more than just a friend to me. You’re family.

To Ashley. Can you believe it’s only been two years? We clicked the second we met, and you instantly became my person. I didn’t realize it at the time, but everything fell into place for me that day. Who knew beta-reading your book would change my life? Keep in mind, before you, Rojay was alive and well and Frankie was cryin’ in di rain… Oy to the vey. That feels like foreverago. You have always been my biggest cheerleader, teacher, supporter, and confidante. You give me the best advice, and then you wait patiently for me to take it. I always do…eventually. By the time you read this, I will have popped the cork on the Waiting for the Sun wine you sent me for my birthday and drank it from the Darian Fox glass you sent me for Christmas. I wish you could have been here to share it with me, but we’ll make up for it soon with a bottle of bubbly because that time has come. I love you and I miss you and I can’t wait to see you.

To Emma. I’m not gonna cry. I’m not gonna cry. I’m not—dammit! When the hell did I become such an emotional sap? I’m going to skip over all the fangirl/stalker stuff that brought us together and jump ahead about six books. You went from being my role model to my mentor to my BFF. You’ve taught me so much, and it has been an honor and a privilege to learn from you. You think the scales are tipped in your favor, but they aren’t. Not even close. Our relationship has come a long way, but you’re still my favorite writer and I’m still your biggest fan. I just don’t stalk you all that much anymore, despite what FB thinks. I’ll rectify that next month when I’m crashing on your couch, eating all your babka. I love you more than Josh Duhamel and LP combined. XOXOXO.

To Briana and Stephan for their boundless patience. For the past three years, I’ve been a crazy person. Hard to believe, I know. These two put up with me—or survived me, I should say. I love you both. Briana, this book has been a true testament that if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. Figure out what it is you want and go get it. Life is too short and the world is too small to let it pass you by.

And finally, to you, the readers. If you picked up my little labor of love, thank you. It means so much that you’d take a chance on a newbie like me. This story has been a part of my life for years (YEARSSSSS, my husband would say), and I’m so happy to finally be able to share it with you.