This book is uniquely special to me. It’s actually the first book I’ve written in a while that I had 100% freedom on, and my soul flourished without limits. In fact, I wrote the entire first draft of this book in fourteen days—an insane feat I still can’t believe happened.

The words just poured out of me.

Lauren Blakely, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author, told me after reading NUDES that it seemed like this was a story I had to tell. She was 100% right, and I didn’t realize how much so until I’d finished.

This story isn’t what it seems on the cover. Literally. And there’s a reason for that. Judge a book by its cover…or maybe…don’t. The perceptions and judgments we have of the people around us, people we meet online, people in magazines and on our television screens are powerful. They can be positive, and they can be horrifically destructive.

Here’s a “fun” fact about this book…remember all the online comments you just read directed toward Aria? The slut shaming, body shaming, etc? Each of those comments were not fabricated for this story. I found each and every one on celebrity social media pages, online entertainment articles comment sections, and other Internet forums. Aside from slight editing for spelling and length, these were real comments by real people.

Not just men attacking women, but also, women attacking other women. I wove that into the story a few times because we can’t blame this only on men when women so often lead the charge in tearing each other down. Hate is everywhere, and it doesn’t need to be.

That is why this book poured out of me. That is why I needed to write it. Anyone who follows me online knows I’m a card-carrying feminist, but more than that I strongly advocate for respect and equality for all individuals.

And it starts with us. Not the government. Not the powers that be. Not celebrities. Not our neighbors. We all have the power to help and influence the rest of the world to do the same.

We have the power to change how we treat one another, and how we treat strangers—online and in person. We have the power to raise a new generation to do better than we’ve done, be kinder than we are, and more tolerant of everyone.

Changing the world happens one person at a time.

We can each be that one person.

I hope after reading this story, you’ll find yourself challenged to think a little differently about how, or if, we could be doing more to support our fellow sisters. If you read this book and thought of Aria as a slut who brought this on herself, I’d challenge you to reconsider that belief and why a woman’s sexuality is so often something she’s blamed for.

I’m challenge each and every one of you reading this to think about if we could be doing more to bring an end to gender inequality, cyber bullying, sexual exploitation and assault, gender gaps, and glass ceilings. If we could be doing more to spread kindness rather than rumors.

We are all the same when we are…nude.

* * *

To Kim Loraine, I couldn’t have written this book without you. You were with my every step of the way, encouraging me to keep going and helping steer me to the finish line. Thank you, love.

To my agent, Nicole Resciniti, for supporting my solo efforts and being such a wonderful friend and confidante.

To Kay Springsteen Tate, for editing this novel and giving me the confidence to move forward. I always learn so much from you, and I’m so unbelievably lucky to have you on my team.

To the wonderful authors who never stop supporting me, like Lavinia Kent, Jenn Foor, Heidi McLaughlin, Tracy Wolff, Rachel van Dyken, Natasha Boyd, Jodi Ellen Malpas, Lauren Blakely, Alessandra Torre, Jennifer Lynn Armentrout, Ilsa Madden-Mills, Dante Medema, Lynne Silver, Katie Rose, Lauren Layne, Jessica Lemmon, Kelly Elliott, Rachel Robinson, Kate Meader, JL Baldwin, SR Grey, BJ Harvey, Rebecca Rohman, and so many more. I couldn’t do this without you!

To my wonderful marketing team at The Rock Stars of Romance, and specifically Lisa Schilling Hintz, for helping me with both the cover reveal and release of this novel. I wouldn’t have been able to reach nearly as many people without your guidance, and I’m so eternally grateful that you gave me a chance!

To each and every reader who has given me a chance over the years, and all the new readers who’ve just discovered me. You all are the reason I publish, and I’m so grateful for your unwavering support and kindness.

To all my 10,000+ best friend Skimmies, stop distracting me with such amazing stories and nonsense! I need to be writing! But also, thank you to Mallory Paul for the Pokémon Go suggestion—it made me laugh so hard that I had to include it in the book.

To Katherine Rochelle, you matter to me.

To Katie Crawford, you are so sweet and supportive. Thank you so much for always having my back and for helping me with this book. I value our friendship so much!

To my cronies, Amanda Oliver, Stephanie Krumm O’Reilly, and Trudy Larson…fuck you, guys. *middle finger emoji* (Ps: I love you more than I love salmonella-filled cookie dough.)

To my sister, Victoria James, who just published her first novel with Harper Collins called DRINK PINK: A Celebration of Rosé Wine. You amaze me!

To my best friend, Nicole Allen, for being so brave. I’m inspired by your courage. I’m inspired by your love. You are my soul sister for life.

To my husband, Justin, for finding your smile again. I love you, and I’m glad you get to see me nude.