To my entire family and beyond: Dad, Mom, Marisa, Jennifer, Nicole, Stephanie, Marina, Aunt Marcia, Aunt Nancy, Sam Wood, Wanda Wood, Jeff Wood x2, Danielle Wood and Alberto Dagostino. And let us not forget my little beasties, Fraser and Fiona.

To my friends and author buddies: Gabby Gendek, JD Netto, Francina Simone, Laura Steven, Ben Alderson, Taran Matharu, Natasha Polis, Jackie Sawitz, Tobie Easton, Nicole Andrews, Carmen Seda, my BookTube pals (you know who you are!), Alexandra Cristo, Roshani Chokshi, Adam Silvera... Okay, I need to stop here, or else this will go on for pages.

To my online family: Without you, none of this would be possible. XOXO

Oh—and to Scotland. Yes, the country. Don’t judge me.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

LINDSAY CUMMINGS

It’s bittersweet to close out another series, but I have to say... Wow, what a journey everything surrounding The Androma Saga has been.

It’s stretched me in more ways than I ever could have imagined, as Nexus went through several drafts to reach its current state—all in the midst of pregnancy and becoming a mom for the very first time. What a year.

There are many people who helped support me and lift me up during this journey, and I’m always afraid I will forget some of the countless brave hearts who helped guide me along the way. Here we go:

First and foremost, as always, I want to thank God. It’s not through my strength, but yours. I am second, you are first, and I am so grateful that you help me see beyond myself.

To my husband, Josh—you are my best friend and my partner in all things. I love you, I love you, I love you.

To my baby boy, Zion. Little Z, you’ll never have any idea how much you’ve done for me—just how far you’ve pushed me to do better, be better, and yet also be wholly myself as I journey into motherhood (and writing books from home, with you in the background, is definitely an adventure, to say the least).

To my parents and sister, I love y’all. You’re the best fan club a girl could ever ask for.

To my in-laws and many brothers-in-law, I love you all. Thank you for being in my court.

To my agent, Peter Knapp, I don’t think I can ever express to you how grateful I am for our partnership, your steady mind and your guidance. You’re the best of the best, and nobody will ever be able to convince me otherwise.

To the team at Park & Fine Media and at New Leaf, thank you for your tireless efforts in championing this duology.

To my church family, my lifegroup family and the other members of the church band: Thank you for loving me just as I am.