To my editor, Nicole Ellul, a true word witch. Thank you for pushing me and for understanding the heart of what this book needed to be even before I did.

To the Simon & Schuster team, whose commitment to storytelling continually blows me away: Nicole Valdez, Cassie Malmo, Alyza Liu, Emily Ritter, Justin Chanda, Kendra Levin, Katrina Groover, Chrissy Noh, Lisa Moraleda, Anna Jarzab, Victor Iannone, Christina Pecorale, Emily Hutton, and Lauren Castner.

To Faceout Studio and Sarah Creech for designing this absolute banger of a cover.

To the bookstores and libraries that showed The Witch Haven so much love, it is because of the effort of so many of you that this series found its way into the hands of readers. A particular thank-you to my local independent bookstore, One More Page in Arlington, Virginia.

I spent a lot of lonely days at a seventh-grade lunch table wishing for friends, so I can’t believe how many incredible people I have to list here. Friends who bought me coffees and read drafts and responded to all my “Hey, is this any good?” texts. To Diya Mishra, Susan Lee, Alexa Lach, Sabrina McClain, Jenna Voris, and Kristin Lambert, who cheered me on through every page.

To Shelby Mahurin, Jordan Gray, Rebecca Ross, Adrienne Young, and Isabel Ibanez for being the best Airbnb roommates a gal could ask for.

To Kristin Dwyer, who I believe really would fight someone behind a dumpster for me.

To The Beans: Hannah Carter, Mary Dombrowski, Emily Sonneland, and Leah Smith for more than I can list here, but mostly for listening to all my Taylor Swift opinions.

To Kristopher Kam for asking, “How can I help?” and always meaning it.

To my best friend, Casey McQuiston, who made me a charcuterie board, sat on the floor of a haunted farmhouse with me, and asked, “What if Oliver studied abroad?” I love you so much, it’s honestly a little embarrassing. There’s no one I’d rather sit next to on a roller coaster (both literally and metaphorically).

To Emilie Sowers, who offered to give me the only shower with good water pressure in a dorm bathroom over a decade ago. I knew in that moment we’d be friends forever. I don’t know what I’d do without you.

To my husband, Charles, who cooks every meal, who keeps our house running, who celebrates even the smallest victories as if they’re big ones. I’m the luckiest. Truly.

To my family, whose love has given me everything.