A bazillion people have helped me throughout the writing, revising, and publication of Kissing Max Holden. That might sound hyperbolic, but it’s truly the way I feel. This novel has been very much a team effort, and I’m endlessly grateful to every single person who has had a hand in its journey from idea to book.
Holly West and Lauren Scobell, that November 2015 phone call changed my life. I can’t thank you enough for your combined expertise, creativity, and warmth. Holly, Kissing Max Holden is a thousand times stronger because of your insight. Lauren, thank you for loving Max as much as I do.
Jean Feiwel, thank you for taking the genius idea of a crowd-sourced YA imprint and turning it into a reality. Because of you, I get to call myself an author—what a gift! Swoon Readers, without your ratings and your lovely, lovely comments, Jilly and Max might still belong to me alone. I’m thrilled to share them with you now.
Kelsey Marrujo, thank you for sharing your knowledge of all things publicity. My book and I are better because of you. Ashley Woodfolk, thank you for championing Kissing Max Holden from day one. I can’t wait to read your debut! Valerie Shea and Starr Baer, thank you for your copy-editing prowess. You’ve made me look much more grammatically adept than I actually am. Emily Settle, thank you for graciously answering my many (many!) questions, and for your awesomeness in the way of organization and coordination. Rebecca Syracuse, thank you for the beautiful cover. It’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of. Kat Brzozowski, thank you for your kindness, and your guidance in the year leading up to Kissing Max Holden’s release. I couldn’t have done it without you! And to everyone else at Swoon Reads who helped bring this book to life, I am grateful.
Victoria Marini, thank you for your always excellent feedback. Thank you for the countless hours of unsung work. Thank you for your honesty and your humor. But mostly, thank you for believing in me.
My little writing tribe, I am so lucky to have you. Alison Miller, my wonderful friend, thank you for the e-mail exchanges, the unwavering support, and the many, many, many critiques. This book is what it is in large part because of you. Temre Beltz, I’m so glad we decided to swap manuscripts all those years ago! You inspire me, not only with your enchanting stories and gorgeous writing, but with your generous heart. Riley Edgewood, thank you for the lunches, the retreats, the accountability, and the savvy marketing advice. You push me to be better, while simultaneously making me feel like the best. Elodie Nowodazkij, who would’ve thought the French girl I once traded blog comments with would one day be a real-life friend? Thank you for your brilliant suggestions and boundless enthusiasm, and for genuinely believing this would happen. You were right!
Jessica Love, Tracey Neithercott, Jaime Morrow, Christa Desir, and Erin Bowman, thank you for offering invaluable feedback on Kissing Max Holden at varying points along its path to publication. Because of each of you, this story is deeper, smarter, funnier, and swoonier (I’m certain that’s a word!). Additionally, enormous gratitude to Lola, Amanda, Jolene, Kate, Liz, Taryn, Danielle, Kari, Laurina, and Heather, who’ve all taken the time to read my work and provide critiques over the years. Someday I will bake cookies for you all!
To my fellow Swoon Authors: You have been enormously welcoming and overwhelmingly kind, and I’m honored to be a part of the Swoon Family. To my Swanky 17s: I can’t imagine doing this debut thing without each of you. Thank you for the pep talks, the laughs, and the commiseration. Our year is finally here! And to the YA community: Thank you for making me feel like a real writer, like one of you, even in the very beginning.
Mom and Dad, thank you for indulging my love of reading, for buying me limitless paperbacks, and for stressing the importance of education. Mom, there’s no one I’d rather chat books with. Dad, your quiet pride means the world to me. I love you both so much! Mike and Zach, thanks for providing plenty of fodder for my fictional familial relationships. Growing up with you guys was a wild ride, and tons of fun. I’m fortunate to call you brothers, as well as friends.
Bev and Phil, I’m grateful for your constant love and support. I couldn’t have written a better pair of in-laws. And to the rest of my family—Michele, Gabe, Teddy, Thomas, Andy, Danielle, Grant, Reid, Caroline, Sam, Kacie, and Grandpa—thank you for your excitement regarding my writing, and especially Kissing Max Holden. You’re the best!
Matt, I borrowed Max’s best traits from you. Thank you for being the sort of husband who is enormously inspiring and infinitely patient. Thank you for knowing exactly how to cheer me up. Thank you for reading drafts, letting me drone on about all things publishing, fielding my random football questions, and suggesting pizza when I’m in the weeds. I’m so lucky, getting to live this life with you. You are my happily ever after.
Claire Bear, you were just two years old when I wrote the beginnings of what would eventually become Kissing Max Holden. You’re days from ten as it finally (finally!) makes its way into the world. You’ve been by my side for every word, every chapter, every revised draft, every query, every rejection, and every celebration. You’ve helped me name characters, you’ve drawn cover mock-ups, and you’ve surrendered birthday wishes to this dream of mine. You never lost hope, so neither did I. This one’s for you, baby girl.