Thank you to my brilliant editor, Lauren Knowles, for all of your hard work in making The Henna Wars into what it is today. A huge thank you to the incredible team at Page Street: William Kiester, Ashley Tenn, Molly Gillespie, Tamara Grasty, Lauren Davis, Lauren Cepero, and Lizzy Mason.

I definitely would not be here without my very own team Avatar: Alyssa, Shaun, April, Kristine, and Timmy. Thank you for all of the years believing me in me and my writing, and for shaping me into the person that I am today.

Go raibh míle maith agaibh to Amanda and Shona, for putting up with reading my writing since I was a teen, and for the tea, cake, and tapas. And to Gavin for letting me vent to you endlessly, for being a supportive friend, and an amazing person.

This book would not exist without my incredible and talented friend Gabhi, who was the first person I turned to with the idea. Thank you for shouting at me to go and write the book, for always believing in me, and for everything you have done to shape this book into what it is.

To my Bengali Squad, Tammi and Priyanka: I don’t know what I would do without the two of you. I can’t thank you enough for all of your help throughout this entire process. For holding my hand from first draft all the way until now, and for always knowing the perfect Bengali word when I’m stuck.

To my brilliant and talented friend, Faridah: Thank you for putting up with all of my venting and anxiety, and always believing in me and this book. Thank you also for putting up with the creepy Jack Nicholson gif (it’s not going away anytime soon, sorry).

Thank you to all of the fantastic people who have beta read this book, given me invaluable feedback, and have continued to support it with so much enthusiasm and love that I can hardly believe it: Terry, Tas, Maria, Cass, Francesca, and Fadwa. You are some of the most amazing people ever, and I am so grateful that I get to call you friends.

Muito obrigada to Lia for all of your enthusiasm, your support, the Flávia doll, and your friendship.

Thank you to my amazing friend Alechia: You talked me through so much while I was taking my first steps in this industry, even though you barely knew me at the time. I’ll never forget your selfless generosity and everything you have done for me since. I’m so glad to call you a friend.

English teachers can play such a huge role in the life of a writer, and I have been extremely lucky in having some of the best ones, but none as amazing as Mr. Fallon. Your encouragement and enthusiasm have meant the world to me since I was a kid.