A publishing secret is that most authors need a day job, and I’m lucky enough to have one of the best there is. To my ATTN: branded team, thank you for keeping me laughing and employed while I cobbled away at this book on nights and weekends: Nacho, Nick, Liv, Krisha, Ziona, Hoy, Nanea, Eric, Perdita, Allen, Austin, Zach, Ashley, Doody, Anand, Ally, Jesse, Clare, Tom, Jem, Jen, Dylan, Hannah, Collin, Ramirez, Tiffer, Taylor, Pasquale, Charlie, Paul, Chenelle, Mynor, Warren, Bailey, Lynn, Lyndsay, Yimu, Tony, Cole, Adam, Jireh, Cameron, Dennis, Allie, Aimee, Michelle, Stacey, Hilary, Kevin, Devon, Silva, Casner, Dee, Matthew, Jarrett, Samantha, Craig, Evelyn, Leo, Natalie, Donny, Delaney, Mia, and, of course, Frankie—who was there when I got the call that I’d sold this book.

This book is about the dark side of family, but I’m exceedingly grateful that I wrote from imagination, not memory. Thank you to my brilliant mom and dad, Pam and Mike Sass, and my supportive in-laws, Mike and Maria Russo. My apologies if anyone ever wrongfully assumes I wrote you into this book! Thanks also to the people who make my family so wonderfully full: Stephanie Russo, Erik and Maggie Sass, and my nieces, Charlotte and Kennedy.

Last but not least (ope, crying again!), “thank you” does not begin to cover how important my little family is to me. Day in and day out, through the darkness of writing Surrender Your Sons and the strain of getting it published, I always had a warm, loving home to return to. My dogs, Marty and Malibu, never left my side as they curled up at my chair while I wrote. My husband, my heart, Michael: whenever I needed my characters to tap into strength and humor in the face of adversity, I drew from you.

A final thank you to Connor Major: We’ve spent the last decade together, and I’m so proud of you for holding on. I finally got you off the island, just like I promised. I will miss writing you, but now you get to hang out with new friends, our readers.

It was so kind of you to visit me in my loneliness.