My first thank you is to YOU, the reader, for giving Waterfall Effect your time when there are so many amazing choices out there. As a reader myself, I know how difficult selecting a book from your teetering TBR pile can be. Your time is so precious, so valuable. Thank you for dedicating some of that time to my words. It means the world.

To all the bloggers and bookstagrammers who came out swinging to support me this release. THANK YOU will never be enough. You all do so much for this community and ask for nothing in exchange. I’m honored to be included in your feed, whether it’s a share or a review. Authors would be nothing without you supporting us.

To my family for being ridiculously supportive of my work, my long hours, my travel, and for suppressing your eye rolls every time I mention I have a deadline. Jagger, I love you to “invictory.” Mom, Ed, T, Dad, Corey—love you all to pieces and pieces.

Now, onto the heavy stuff. I first read Plato’s Allegory of the Cave in my college western philosophy class. The concept of human perception intrigued me to no end, and for some reason—around the same time I was plotting Up in the Treehouse—I also started plotting a story about a girl who suffered from an altered reality due to manipulation from a parent. When I finally sat down to finish plotting this story more than one year later, I struggled. I struggled a lot. After some time, three books later, and thanks to some brave sounding boards, I was able to reshape Waterfall Effect to make it what it is today.

So, to my parents, Ed and Helene, who were the first to listen to my crazy ideas yet have no recollection of this brainstorming period—you get my thanks, because I love you. Ashleigh Wilson, I’ll never forget that conversation in Chili’s when you crushed all my dreams and told me none of my ideas were original (haha). Thank you for that. Seriously, thank you. And Becca Hensley Mysoor with Evident Ink, who I hired to help me get out of my head. Girl, you took on that mission like a champ. You understood what needed to happen from that first conversation, and then you waved your magic fairy wand and set me on a new path. The right path. THANK YOU!

Now, to the folks who helped me once the first draft was done. My Rock Star Beta Team. My Dream Team. You three mean more to me than Starbucks’ chocolate croissants. Forrrreals. I’ve never had so much fun during a Beta read, but it’s your honesty that I value the most. Thank you Sammie (bestie), Cyndi (love you so hard I named a character after you), and Richard (thanks for all the laughs!).

To my Alpha Team, who, let’s face it, didn’t get to read much because I still had a ton of work to do. Kim Lorraine and Joy Eileen. Adore you both.

A huge shout-out to my PA, Lindsey Truman, AKA “Boss of K.K. Allen.” I LOVE you, girl. You stepped up at a time when I didn’t realize I needed you, and you just did the damn thing. I’m so grateful for you and cannot wait for the day we finally meet in person. I will squeeze you so hard, xoxo.

To all my author friends who have been my rocks these past seven months. Some of you were there for my meltdowns, and some of you were just there. Thank you. Your friendship means everything. Alyson Santos, Kim Lorraine, RC Boldt, Kate Farlow, Kim Holden, K Langston, K. Street, Stephanie Kneese, Nicole Davis, Ginger Scott, my Do Not Disturb ladies, After Hours Book House ladies, and the Minxes. And there are so many more! Just, thank y’all from the bottom of my heart for being true friends with the best hearts. I adore you all.

Let’s face it: a lot of you picked up this book because of THE COVER. The most beautiful cover ever, and it was perfectly designed by the amazing Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations. You nail it, girl, every single time. But this one is pure magic.

I’m just saving the best for last, aren’t I? Shauna Ward, your amazing ability to take my writing and work your editing genius while never changing my tone. It’s a gift. And I love you so much for your honesty and support and encouraging words, and I know there are way too many “ands” in this sentence. Anyway, you’re the best, and I couldn’t think of a better co-pilot to work on my babies.

To my amazing reader group, FOREVER YOUNG. Y’all are the BEST GROUP EVER. I’ve never felt so supported in my entire life. But you’re behind me every single day, watching my random live videos, and filling me with so much encouragement. YOU remind me every day why I’m here, why I’m doing this, why I pour my heart and soul into these books.

And for the ones with the graphics talent who make the most beautiful teasers that I get to share with the world. Kcee Bomer with Unbound Book Reviews, Bianka with InBookEden Book Blog, and Yvette @booksandbandanas. Mwah!

To my Angsters <3—my street team with major cred. Can’t wait to watch us grow. Adore you all!

To my publicist, Linda Russell, with Foreword PR & Marketing. It’s been one year, babe, and we’re still doing it. Thank you for slapping me around when I need it, and filling me with hope when I need it, and reminding me every day that this journey is mine. No one can take that from me. I love you.

And finally, to those of you who suffer from mental health issues or know someone who does, please know this story was not written lightly or purely for entertainment. All my books are influenced by real people or experiences in my own life. And when I can’t claim to be an expert in something, I research the hell out of it.

To everyone, thank you so much for reading.

Much Love,