I owe a special thanks to all my English teachers, whom I still remember by name and face, every single one of them. To Ms. Biggs, who calmly taught us Toni Morrison’s Beloved while Texan parents were up in arms. To Dr. Fox and Dr. Graham at Sam Houston State University, who sat me down and told me I should go to graduate school for literature. I went for anthropology instead (you know, the big bucks).

This book is about family. I was raised by a coven of wise women: Aunt Donna who taught me how to use a library and who fed my love of reading; my mother, Bridget, who taught me to never fucking stop trying; and my aunt Nita, who taught me to do everything with heart. To my amazing sisters, Darcy and Tasha, and my dope-ass brother, Douglas, for letting me be the feeble nerd I needed to be, even when our environment demanded so much from us all. I owe an immeasurable debt to Nani (you know which one), my first audience member, my baby cousin, and captive audience. I also want to thank my cousin Shvonda, who had to endure my storytelling in the form of elaborate, soapy, Barbie, dramatic play iterations. (You should know that there is a lock-in scene in this book.) I’m going to get it right, dammit!

I owe a special thanks to the Jane Austen community, who have welcomed me with open arms. Bianca Hernandez and Abigail Reynolds represent the best of the JAFF community. I also want to thank the first readers of this novel: Sarah at Lopt and Cropt editing services, Lauryl, Libby, Lindsey, and Laura. I commend you. It was bad. But because of you all, it got better.

I would not have been as fully able to articulate what made this book so successful if not for the guidance of some of the most important mentors I’ve ever had along the way. Sam Tschida and Carly Bloom, you are my people. You are in my heart. You introduced me to craft and an amazing space—my Tuesday-night class with Smut University. Grace, Christine, Rhya, Mary, Tam, Marie, Molly—your fingerprints are all over this book. I am grateful to Pitch Wars for affording me the opportunity to build a community of amazing writers: Regina, Maggie, Sarah, Ella, and Courtney. I have relied on you every step of the way and your love and generosity are powerful testaments to the magic of a writing group.