It was going to take some time to answer that – and probably a few bottles of wine. I thought I’d start with the biggest thing that had happened.

‘Well, I think I might have met someone.’

Her mouth dropped open in a wide-eyed grin. ‘Wine,’ she declared. ‘We’re going to need lots and lots of wine.’ I laughed. It was exactly what I’d hoped she’d say.

Acknowledgements

This book began as a love letter – to one of my favourite places in the world, Greece, but mostly to my partner, Ben, who I met on a pier in Santorini, just as we were about to embark on a ten-day sailing trip.

Our meet cute inspired this book and I thank you, babe, for letting me borrow snippets from our travel adventures for my writing. Mostly, though, I thank you for championing my dreams with such ferocity and verve; for seeing me through the set-backs with sage advice, side-splitting laughter, bubble baths, tea, and wine; for keeping the home fires burning when I shut myself away to write and edit; for being my partner in crime as we trek about the world, seeing and doing all the things; and for always being the first to celebrate my successes. I could not have done this without you.

Thank you to the most supportive parents, family and dear friends an author could ever ask for. Thank you to my real-life floating family, who witnessed Ben and I falling in love first hand. You have all inspired characters in this book, and hold a special place in my heart, especially you, Skipper.

As an author, I have hit the mother lode and am ecstatic to be collaborating with the incredible Lina Langlee of the Kate Nash Literary Agency. Lina, thank you for your counsel, your support, your good humour and enthusiasm, and for believing in me and my writing. I’ve learned so much from you already.

A huge thank you to Molly Walker-Sharp of Avon Books for saying yes to my travel romcom with a heart, and for the incredible work you, Hannah, Sabah, and the team have contributed to my debut novel – you have literally made a dream come true.

Thank you to my (earliest) early readers, Jen, Lindsey, and my sister, Vic. As I drip-fed you chapters, your encouragement, support, and honest critiques helped me find my voice and breathe life into Sarah – and her floating family and two suitors – as she found love and ate her way around the Greek Islands.

A massive thank you to my fellow authors, my writing gurus, and my writing community peeps across the world, who I learn from daily, who are supportive, kind, generous and hilarious, and who share their talents and brilliance without reserve.