My endless thanks also go to the entire team at Simon & Schuster. To my editors, Jennifer Ung and Alexa Pastor—Jen, thank you for all your incisive notes, and for guiding this story through such a long journey; Alexa, thank you for stepping in and seeing my vision through to the end. To those on my marketing and publicity teams—Chrissy Noh, Karen Masnica, Anna Jarzab, Emily Ritter, Lisa Moraleda, and Milena Giunco—I appreciate everything you’ve done and continue to do to get my books out to readers. To Paul Oakley, thank you for the stunning new artwork that perfectly captures Rachel’s inner and outer journey in these novels.

I’m so grateful for my team at United Talent Agency too—many thanks to Max Michael, Albert Lee, and Meredith Miller for making sure these books reach my fans all over the world. Thanks as well to those at Inkwell Management—Stephen Barbara, you have championed this project since the beginning, and I am so grateful.

To the incomparable women at Glasstown Entertainment—I couldn’t have done this without you all. To Lexa Hillyer, for bringing all my ideas to life with such imagination and depth. To Jenna Brickley, for your plotting brilliance and keen insights. To Olivia Liu, for your hard work and care to detail. Thanks as well to Laura Parker and Lynley Bird, for working tirelessly to get this story to screens. And, of course, special thanks to Sarah Suk—in your hands, these words shine bright!

To my family—I love you so much. I am only where I am because of you. To my parents—thank you for the unconditional love and support. To Krystal—you are the best sister and my favorite cheerleader.

Last but never least, I want to thank Tyler. This book, and so many other dreams, would not have been possible without you. Thank you for being beside me always on this journey—I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

A GUIDE TO THE KOREAN WORDS AND PHRASES IN BRIGHT

ahnyounghasaeyo

formal greeting

appa

father

baboya

silly person

baechu

cabbage

halmoni

grandmother

kalguksu

knife-cut noodle soup

kimbap

rice and seaweed roll

kimchi

salted and fermented vegetables

kongnamul guk

soybean sprout soup

maknae

youngest person

nurungji

scorched rice

oppa

used by a younger female to address an older brother; can also be used for older male friend

patbingsu

shaved ice with red beans and toppings

soju

distilled rice-based alcoholic beverage

soondubu jjigae

soft tofu stew

sunbae

someone with more experience than you

tteokbokki

spicy stir-fried rice cakes

umma

mother

unni

used by a younger female to address an older sister; can also be used for older female friend

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