This book almost didn’t exist, and in all honesty, there’s a version of me that didn’t make it to the end with the rest of me. It was the part of me who forgot what my voice sounded like. The one that couldn’t cut through the noise to find myself.

But I came out the other side, and Before Now was the first thing that made me feel again.

J: You always stay. You always support. You always have my love. Thank you for tackling me back from the edge as often as you do.

To Lauren, who constantly nudged about the book she started reading and never got to finish. We made it to another The End. Magic.

As for Brit, you’ve loved Fuzzball and Raccoon from the beginning, and I love you for holding onto them when I couldn’t. Thank you for letting me borrow Sav and The Hometown Heartless.

To Jayla and Whitney, my sensitivity readers, thank you so much for reading my words and helping me shape my characters authentically.

My editors: Thank you Becky with Fairest Reviews Editing and Ellie with My Brother’s Editor. You make me look like I know what I’m doing, and that’s an art in itself.

To Kate with Kate Decided to Design, the tattoo goddess, thank you for an incredible cover. Your talent amazes me.

Emmily and Haley, take my imaginary hugs for the extra pairs of eyes you loaned me.

So much love for every reader and my ARC team. I will always be grateful you let my words be a part of your world. And for the ones who stayed when I went quiet—thank you.

A special note to those still crawling their way back: You’re still here and never too far gone. It’s never too late. Scars are hot. Whether physical or on your soul.

And finally, to Remi and Foster. For dragging me, kicking and screaming until I remembered what it’s like to bleed onto the page. Because of them, I did.

I plan on doing it some more—be ready.

xx

CG

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CG Blaine writes unapologetically messy and emotional romance novels. She loves her characters complicated, the connections intense, and rip-your-heart-out feels.

She is obsessed with her vicious cat and aggressively cute bunny. Her favorite stories hit with the hurt and then apologize oh-so well.

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