you everything for leading me to that book and helping me discover my passion.
On that note, thank you to Gemma Burgess for writing A Girl Like You and all of your other brilliant books. You are a goddess in every sense of the word. I was so nervous the first time I emailed you to fangirl over your book, but you responded with a kindness and graciousness that still leaves me in awe. Thank you for your guidance, for your support, and for your never-ending encouragement.
Thank you to the remarkable Lexi Banner, who read the very first version of Faker. Lexi, you were my first ever beta reader and critique partner. I had no idea what I was doing, and it showed in my writing. Thank you for being patient, for never holding back when you critiqued my work, for calling me out on my bad writing habits, for pushing me to do better even when I didn’t think I could.
Thank you to Katie Ryan, Sophie Berti, and Pamela Castro, who read early versions of Faker. It was a mess back then, but your encouragement and critiques kept me going.
Thank you to Stefanie Simpson, one of the most incredible human beings on this planet. Meeting you in person, an author I admire and respect so deeply, was a life highlight. The fact that we’re now friends and read for each other blows me away every time I think about it. I’m lucky to know you.
Skye McDonald, thank you for your friendship, your honesty, and your kindness. You read so many versions of Faker, I’ve lost count. It wouldn’t be the book it is today without you. I owe you ten thousand drinks, and someday I will meet you in person and actually buy you one.
Evie Drae, thank you for being the kind of person who can offer thoughtful feedback while also making me laugh until my sides hurt.
JL Peridot, you are one of the most poetic and brilliant writers I know. Your feedback and friendship during my revising process helped me so much, thank you.
To the All The Kissing Facebook group, thank you for existing. I’ve connected with so many of you wonderful writers. And thank you for hosting the fan-freaking-tastic #KissPitch event in 2018. Without that, I would have never landed my agent. I owe this group everything for the opportunities you created.
Thank you to Helen Hoang for being kind enough to give me feedback when I posted my pitches in the All The Kissing forum in the run-up to #KissPitch. From your comments, I fixed my pitches and got an agent out of it. I will be eternally grateful to you for that.
To my agent, Sarah Elizabeth Younger, at Nancy Yost Literary Agency, thank you for taking a chance on me and for thinking that my book deserved a shot at being published. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your heroic patience during my multiple revisions. (Especially to your otherworldly interns. I want to hug each and every one of you!) I will never be able to fully articulate what it means to have someone like you believe in me. You are beyond amazing.
Thank you to my editor, Sarah Blumenstock, and everyone at Berkley and Penguin Random House. Sarah, you are hands-down the most amazing editor on planet Earth. This book is better than I ever thought it could be thanks to your insight and input. Thank you for loving Faker as much as I do.
Team Awesome (aka Jen, Jessica, L-Dog, and Steven), you guys freaking rock. I hope reading this book brings back all the hilarious and ridiculous times we had while working together. A million thanks for cheering me on through every step of this journey. I love you guys.
Thank you to the writing community on Twitter. Connecting with you all has helped me so much. You are some of the most intelligent, passionate, supportive, and loyal people I know.
Thank you to my family and friends for the endless support and love you’ve shown me. I love you all more than words can express.
To my husband, Alex, thank you for being my biggest cheerleader and for always being proud of me. I’m working very hard to make your house-husband dreams come true. It may take a few more books, though.
And last but not even close to least, thank you to everyone who reads this book. For the longest time, the idea of me publishing a book that people would actually want to read seemed like a pipe dream. But you all have made it a reality, and for that, I am forever grateful. I love each and every one of you.