The nonprofit in Sacramento that Tabitha refers to in the beginning of the story – the one that helps kids become published authors – is 100% based on 916 Ink, one of my favorite organizations!

Thank you for spending time with Dean the Machine and Tabitha Tyler as they fell in love during a hot summer in South Philly. If you’re near Tenth Street, swing by for a beer and some gossip. And don’t forget to visit Annie’s Park while you’re there. The neighbors would love to see ya.

Love,

Kathryn

Acknowledgments

I wrote, re-wrote and revised On the Ropes with the help and support of many incredible people. All of my gratitude goes to:

Faith, my best friend and developmental editor, who knew through the power of sisterhood exactly when I needed her to call me and give me the writerly pep talk I needed to type The End. I will never forget how loved, understood and supported I felt in that moment.

Jessica Snyder, my story and line editor, who very patiently listened to my (many) sleep-deprived voicemails as the real ending of this story came to me in a fit of inspiration – Leslie Knope-style – after I finally slept for more than twenty minutes. Her flexibility, knack for plot and eye for detail continues to impress me.

Korrie and Kalie, my sensitivity readers, who were kind and generous enough to offer feedback around Alexis and Eric’s interracial relationship and biracial daughter and the ways in which racism and bigotry can cause the loss of family members you once trusted. I am immensely grateful for their time, wisdom, and sensitivity.

Jodi, Julia and Bronwyn, my beta readers, who continue to amaze me with their ability to spot the gaps, the pacing issues, the character nuances and all the missing pieces that make a book whole. This was a tough one, for a lot of different reasons, and I am so grateful for their patience and support.

The giant support system that gets me through every book: the Hippie Chicks (who are the literal best), Joyce and Tammy (also the literal best), Lucy, Claire, Pippa, LJ and Stephanie, who continue to be some of the best people in our romance community, and Tim, Rick and Dan who are directly responsible for the beautiful book you hold in your hand. When I say I couldn’t do this without you all, I absolutely mean it.

My parents and brother, who are truly devoted to Philly and always have been. So many of our best family memories have taken place there – from strolling South Street, to going to concerts at WXPN, to our Christmas traditions in Center City. And it should be mentioned that they’ve always celebrated me for being who I am.

And finally for Rob, my husband, soulmate, and very favorite person to share a cold beer with on our stoop on a hot South Philly night. We’ve been very lucky to live in so many different places together but being with you makes every place a home. Of every love story, ours is my favorite one.