A few weeks later, I had dinner with Felicia Quon and Nita Pronovost of Simon & Schuster Canada. They encouraged me to set up an online account on a sugar dating site, and to interview some real sugar babies. I was nervous, shy, downright terrified . . . but I did it. And the insights I gleaned were invaluable! I learned who gets into the sugar bowl and why. What they gain from it, and what they lose. I learned about the genuine side, the dark side, the kinky side. About the money and the lingo (salty and Splenda). Thank you to the sugar babies who were so open and honest with me. Thank you, Felicia and Nita, for pushing me to go deeper, and making this book much more authentic.

Also, huge and heartfelt thanks to my passionate, cool, and wise editor, Jackie Cantor. To the inimitable Jennifer Bergstrom and her incredible team at Scout Press: Meagan Harris, Aimée Bell, Sara Quaranta, Jennifer Long, Liz Psaltis, Abby Zidle, Diana Velasquez, and all the salespeople, designers, and everyone behind the scenes.

To my always supportive agent, Joe Veltre, and Tori Eskue, Hannah Vaughn and the team at Gersh.

To the powerhouse team at S&S Canada: Nita, FQ, Catherine Whiteside, Adria Iwasutiak, Rita Silva, Rebecca Snodden, Sarah St. Pierre, Mackenzie Croft, Kevin Hanson and company.

To Kirsty Noffke, Fiona Henderson, Michelle Swainson, Anthea Bariamis, and everyone at Simon & Schuster Australia, and the team at Simon & Schuster UK.

To my friend Shawn Felker. Thank you for all the New York intel! You answered all my questioning phone calls and responded to all my confused texts. You have toured me around New York on numerous occasions, and without you, I wouldn’t love it so much.

To all the librarians and booksellers, to all the bloggers, bookstagrammers, and Facebook book groups who do so much to spread the word about books. To name but a few: @Gareindeedreads, @Jenny_Oregan, @thepagesinbetween, @the_reading_beauty, @jordys.book.club, @Shereadswithcats, @read_read_repeat, @girlwellread, @one.chapteratatime, @givemeallthebooks, @Jennieshaw, @scaredstraightreads, @the_grateful_read @morethanthepages, @agalandherbook, @thegreeneyedreader, @brettlikesbooks, @fully.booked, @book.happy, @outofthebex, @reading.between.wines, @bibliotaph_bean, @deebibliophilia, @erinreadit, @booksandchinooks, @novelteahappyme, @jessicamap, @booksandlala, @jprglisa, @readingbetweenthe_wies, @readingwithsam, @downtogetthefiction, @sweet_books_o_mine, @lifeinlit, @wherethereadergrows, @offtheshelfofficial, @Libbeylazarus, @my_novelsque_life, @beauty_andthebook_, @drink.read.repeat @bookwormmommyof3, @CindyBokma, @readwithdogs, @booksonthebookshelf, @lalalifebookclub, @wrenn_bongo_and_books @katerocklitchick, @cluesandreviews, @nerdoutwithmybookout, @nerdoutwithmybookout, @meet_me_at_the_library, @jenspageturners.

Also: A Novel Bee, Bookworms Anonymous, Chick Lit Central, Bitter Is the New Book Club, BluePoint Press, The Book Whisperer, Linda’s Book Obsession, Suzy Approved Book Reviews, The Book Whisperer, Frean Bean’s Book Trove, The Girly Book Club . . .

If I failed to mention you by name, please know that I still appreciate you!

To my author friends: We have such a kind and supportive community, and I’m so grateful for all the connections I’ve made.

To my friends and family, who continue to support me by buying my books, spreading the word, shouting me out on social media, and coming to my launch parties (or even hosting them in the case of Amanda Ross and Neal McLennan!). You are all so appreciated.