Acknowledgments

 

 

Younger Elsie dated some hockey players. But none were a Jasper Gervais. And I really feel like I righted some wrongs in this world by creating him. It’s just proof that book boyfriends are often a superior breed of man, because, to me, Jasper is perfect.

In all seriousness, I hope you loved him and Sloane as much as I do. Because these two characters really got their hooks into me. I felt every feeling and every heartache, all the longing—I felt all the love. It wasn’t an easy book to write. But it was consuming. I’m not sure I’ve ever had such a visceral experience to writing a book, so this story will forever be special for me.

To my readers, thank you. You continue to blow me away. Where would I be without you? Your excitement is infectious and your passion is inspiring. I love writing stories for you. Knowing there are people in the world who are so invested in the things I make up in my head is truly humbling.

To my husband and son, thank you for giving me the space to be creative —to be my own person. To disappear into other worlds. To work until I can’t see straight just to hit a deadline. I don’t think I could do this without my two boys being as proud of me as the two of you are. I am beyond blessed to have you both.

To my parents, remember when my grade 10 English teacher told me I was a bad writer? Maybe he was trying to inspire me.

To my assistant Krista, they say that food, water, air, and shelter are the basic human needs (I googled it, okay?) But “they” are wrong. I’d trade shelter for having you to work with.

To my Spicy Sprint Sluts, love your faces.

To Catherine, #immunitynecklacesforever.

To Kandi, I don’t think I’d have finished this book on time if it wasn’t for your cheerleading and early morning sprint sessions. The Spicy Sprint Sluts makes my life and can’t wait to write more books with you. #gratitudebombs

To my beta readers Julia, Amy, Trinity, Leticia, Josette, and Krista, thank you for helping me make this book the best it could be. Your notes make me laugh and your feedback makes me a better writer. I’d be lost without you.

To my editor Paula, if I’m the butter you’re the bread. We go so well together.

To my cover designer Echo, thank you for tolerating me and my incessant questions/ideas for covers and graphics. This packaging on this series is beyond beautiful and I have you to thank for that.

Finally, to my ARC readers and street team members, THANK YOU. So many of you have been with me since the very beginning of this wild ride. And now so many of you are new. Supporting an author in this way might not feel like a big deal to you, but it’s a *huge* deal to me. Every post, every TikTok, every review literally changes my life. I don’t know that I’ll every be able to repay your kindness, but I will do my best to pay it forward in what ever way I can.

Happy reading, friends.