For me, one of the greatest gifts—besides this book—to come from a challenging time was a weekly Facebook Live show, Friends & Fiction, with my dear writer pals, Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Patti Callahan Henry, and Mary Alice Monroe. Thank you, lovely friends, for creating a spectacular way for us to connect with our readers even when we couldn’t be on the road. And thank you to the tens of thousands of readers who have joined us on a literary journey of hope and connection. (Shameless plug: If you aren’t watching Friends & Fiction, join us on Facebook Wednesday nights at 7 p.m.!) Big love also to Meg Walker and Shaun Hettinger for being such an invaluable part of this journey. Michelle Marcus and Brenda Gardner, all the thank-yous for taking on the task of organizing our Friends & Fiction book club. We are all so grateful!

On that note, Friends & Fiction began with the mission of supporting independent bookstores—and I would not be here without the indies who have hand sold my books, hosted events and cheered me on since the beginning. This past year more than ever when in-person events were canceled and pivoting on a dime was necessary, you all stood by my side and sent Feels Like Falling into the world with aplomb despite the challenges. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all your support.

To my incredible, amazing, brilliant team, I can’t possibly thank you enough for all you do to bring my stories to life. Kate Dresser, you “got” this book right away and traveled this path with me until it was the best story it could be. Molly Gregory, I am always grateful for your positivity and willingness to go above and beyond. Elisabeth Weed and Olivia Blaustein, agents extraordinaire, I wouldn’t be here without either of you. Kathie Bennett, thank you for rolling with the punches, for rising to every challenge imaginable, and, most important, for being almost as invested in these books as I am. Michelle Podberezniak, you amaze me every single day with your fresh ideas—and organization. Jen Bergstrom and Jen Long, I am so grateful for all your expertise and insight and for being on this road with me year after year. Bianca Salvant, thanks for your marketing prowess. Gabrielle Audet and Sarah Lieberman from Simon & Schuster Audio, y’all are total rock stars. I’m in awe of your creativity and so thankful for all your help getting my audiobooks into the world. Tamara Welch, as you well know, I couldn’t do what I do without you. You have been such an important part of this journey, and I am most grateful for you!

My Tall Poppy Writer tribe has been there for me through thick and thin before my first novel was published. This group—and its members—continue to evolve and change, but the constant is a group I can always turn to for advice. Most of all, I’m grateful for the friendship of each and every one of you! And to the members of our Bloom group: Y’all are so amazing, so supportive, and we love you! (Shameless plug number 2: Are you in Bloom? If not, join us on Facebook via Bloom with Tall Poppy Writers!)