The same thing I always wish for myself as a reader: an engaging and enjoyable experience that keeps us up, turning pages, long past our bedtime.

Acknowledgments

First, thank you reader. For your time, your love of books, and allowing me to share this story with you. It really is an honor for me.

I would like to thank my agent, Kevan Lyon at the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. For taking that pitch appointment in Orlando, signing me with only a concept and four chapters written, and the numerous reads and insightful suggestions as we got ready to submit to publishers—I am eternally grateful to have your knowledge, expertise, and advocacy in my corner.

Many thanks also go out to my publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark, and their extremely talented team of editors, designers, marketing professionals, and organizational leaders. To Grace Menary-Winefield for acquiring Her Perfect Life and shepherding it through those first revision rounds. To Shana Drehs for adopting Her Perfect Life and this grateful writer midstride and carrying us through to the publishing finish line. For their bionic eyes and exacting red pens that kept me from looking like I never passed a fourth grade grammar lesson, I am eternally in the debt of Beth Deveny, Amanda Price, Patricia Esposito, and Jessica Thelander. Additionally, cheers to Kirsten Wenum and her marketing plans, guidance, and help getting the rest of the world to notice this book. And finally, thank you to the extremely talented Olga Grlic for the beautiful cover that far exceeded my wildest expectations.

There are writers who I very much admire that were kind enough to offer up their valuable time to read advance copies of Her Perfect Life: Shelley Noble, Courtney Cole, Kelly Simmons, Allison Hammer, and Anita Kushwaha. I continue to be overwhelmed with the generosity of other writers who are willing to reach out a hand and help another up. Rest assured, I will be looking to pay it forward in the future. In addition to these amazing authors, I would also like to give a shout out to all the other talented writers in my #2020debut group and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association for your advocacy, connections, education, and camaraderie. I can’t imagine navigating this past year without you!

Speaking of camaraderie, to my fellow authors and dear friends Aimee Henley, Shawn McGuire, and Kristi Helvig for the years of brunches, writer retreats, and support—I think you already know how much I love, respect, and value each of you, but I wanted to shout it from this rooftop as well!