angsts over the number on the scale. That wishes my thighs didn’t rub together. That sucks in my gut every time I look in the mirror before a shower.
I wanted to write this book for you, the woman who’s felt less-than because of your size. Because the truth is, it shouldn’t matter. There’s no rule written anywhere (that matter’s, at least) that says curvy girls don’t deserve love or praise. Or that any good things only come to them in spite of their size.
You deserve to be cherished, not because of your eye color or your tan or the size on your clothing. You deserve to be cherished because you are a human. You deserve to be cherished because there’s a heart that beats in your chest. You deserve to be cherished because you are you. I hope that you will acknowledge that light of humanity that shines in others, but also that, like Rory, you can acknowledge (and love) that light in yourself.
Acknowledgments
Just like Rory, I have so many special people in my life who have helped me achieve great things, like the completion of this story! From my family to the writing community to my readers, I’m blessed beyond measure, and it’s always such a joy to reach this part of the writing process where I can name all those who helped the story come to life.
My husband Ty is always there to be a listening ear. Even though his accountant brain doesn’t quite understand my writerly idiosyncrasies, he encourages me and doesn’t call me crazy (that often).
My three boys sacrifice time with their mom so I can put words on the page, and I hope someday they’ll see my example and know that dreams are worth following, no matter how outlandish they may seem to the rest of the world. Our oldest also helps me name characters, although some don’t make the cut (like his suggestion to call a famous football player in the story Rudy Poopy.)
My mom is always one of my first readers, and she constantly cheers me on, asking for the next story! My siblings are even better publicists of my story than I am, and it makes me feel so good that they are proud of me and my work.
My husband’s family is also so supportive, always asking me how my writing is going and keeping my books on their shelves!
In the writing community, I’ve met so many wonderful authors who encourage me, like Aidy Award, who gave excellent advice on writing for curvy girls, as well as Anne-Marie Meyer, Sally Henson, and Yesenia Vargas, who helped me brainstorm title ideas for the series.
My editor, Tricia Harden, has a heart of pure gold, and I hope she continues editing for as long as I continue writing! When I found out I was laid off, and therefor would be able to get this story done sooner, she jumped into action and made sure my words had a slot. Not only that, she cares for my stories just as if they were her own and honors my voice through her edits. Working with her is a pure joy.
Sally Henson was an awesome friend and editor to have in this writing process. Not only did she encourage me as I wrote, she also provided structural editing suggestions and plenty of phone calls where we could talk about writing and life!
AngstyG Designs did an amazing job on the covers for this series, and I loved that she was able to get my covers done ahead of time so I could look at them and be inspired as I wrote!
My readers in Kelsie Stelting: Readers Club are some of the most fabulous people I’ve ever met. Talking with them in the group and seeing the way they reacted to this story idea fueled me so much and pushed me to write the best story possible. I don’t know how I got so lucky to have them, but I’m not taking them for granted!
And you, sweet reader, I already know I love you. People who read the acknowledgements are the best kind of people. Thank you for spending time in this story, getting to know the characters, and hanging on until the very last word. You are amazing, and I’m thankful for you.
Glossary
Latin Phrases
Ad Meliora: School motto meaning “toward better things.”
Audentes fortuna iuvat: Motto of Dulce Periculum meaning “Fortune favors the bold.”
Dulce Periculum: means “danger is sweet” - local secret club that performs stunts
Locations
Town Name: Emerson
Location: Halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco
Surrounding towns: Brentwood, Seaton, Heywood
Emerson Academy: Private school Rory and Beckett attend
Brentwood Academy: Rival private school
Walden Island: Tourism island off the coast, only accessible by helicopter or ferry
Main Hangouts
Emerson Elementary Library: Where Rory tutors Anna, open to students K-7
Emerson Field: Massive park in the center of Emerson
Emerson Memorial: Local hospital
Emerson Shoppes: Shopping mall
Emerson Trails: Hiking trails in Emerson, near Emerson Field
Halfway Café: Expensive dining option in Emerson, frequented by celebrities
La La Pictures: Movie theater in Emerson
Ripe: Major health food store serving the tri-city area
Roasted: Popular coffee shop in Emerson
JJ Cleaning: Cleaning service owned by Jordan’s mom
Seaton Bakery: Delicious dining and drink option in Seaton where Beckett works
Seaton Beach: Beach near Seaton – rougher than the beach near Brentwood
Seaton Pier: Fishing pier near Seaton
Spike’s: Local 18-and-under club
Waldo’s Diner: local diner, especially popular after sporting events
Apps
Rush+: Game app designed by Kai Rush and his father
Sermo: chat app used by private school students
Important Entities
Bhatta Productions: Production company owned by Zara’s father
Brentwood Badgers: Professional football team
Heywood Market: Big ranch/distributor where everyone can purchase their meat locally
Invisible Mountains: Local major nonprofit - Callie’s dad is the CEO
Also by Kelsie Stelting
The Curvy Girl Club
Curvy Girls Can’t Date Quarterbacks
Curvy Girls Can’t Date Billionaires
The Texas High Series
Chasing Skye: Book One
Becoming Skye: Book Two
Loving Skye: Book Three
Anika Writes Her Soldier
Abi and the Boy Next Door: Book One
Abi and the Boy Who Lied: Book Two
Abi and the Boy She Loves: Book Three
Abi: The Complete Collection
The Warr Acres High Series
Sincerely Enemies
Sincerely Unrequited
Sincerely Cinderella
Sincerely Pen Pals: The Complete Warr Acres High Series Bundle
The Sweet Water High Series: A Multi-Author Collaboration
Road Trip with the Enemy: A Sweet Standalone Romance
YA Contemporary Romance Anthology
The Art of Taking Chances
The Texas Sun Series
All the Things He Left Behind
Unfair Catch: Savannah’s Story 1
Anything But Yes: Savannah’s Story 2
Nonfiction
Raising the West
About the Author
Kelsie Stelting sealed her fate as a hopeless romantic when she met her husband as a broken, searching 17-year-old girl. A lot has changed since she fell for his sunshine smile, but her love for heartfelt, inspiring, and thought-provoking stories has remained constant. Her passion is writing stories with strong characters, deep feelings, and happy endings.
Kelsie currently lives in Oklahoma with her husband and three sweet boys. You can often find her writing, spending time with family, and soaking up too much sun wherever she can find it.
Visit www.kelsiestelting.com to get a free story and sign up for her readers' group!