Belladonna (Belladonna #1)(109)

Designer Jenny Kimura, art director Karina Granda, and illustrator Elena Masci for giving this book the most gorgeous, stunning, perfect cover I could have imagined. It was everything I had hoped for and more.

On the marketing and sales side, thank you, Stefanie Hoffman, Shanese Mullins, Savannah Kennelly, Christie Michel, Shawn Foster, and Danielle Cantarella, for supporting and hyping up this book, and for all your work getting as many eyes as possible onto it.

To the UK team over at Hodder & Stoughton, thank you, Holly Powell, for being there from the very beginning with your brilliant editorial eye to help bring this story to life. Lydia Blageden and Teagan White, for giving the story a beautiful face in the UK with such a spectacular design. I’m very spoiled to have two of the most gorgeous covers. Natasha Quereshi, Callie Robertson, Kate Keehan, Sarah Clay, Matthew Everett, it’s so great to get to work with this team, and I sincerely appreciate you championing this book.

At my agency, Park & Fine Literary and Media, thank you, Abigail Koons and Ema Barnes, for working so diligently to get Belladonna into as many hands as possible all throughout the world. Stuti Telidevara, thank you so much for all your help with planning and organizing and being all-around wonderful. Emily Sweet and Andrea Mai, for your strategic minds and meticulous work.

Abby Ranger, your input during the story’s earliest stages was instrumental and very much appreciated.

Debbie Deuble Hill, film agent extraordinaire, thank you for your unwavering faith and confidence in this story, and for your dedication to finding it the perfect home on screen.

Nicole Otto, magnificent human, thank you for being the first to ever pick me out of the slush and for letting me send you all my panicked publishing texts. You are a gem and I can’t wait to see your face again.

To the friends who were instrumental in the creation of this story, and whom I’d never survive publishing without: Rachel Griffin, Adrienne Young, Kristin Dwyer, Shelby Mahurin, Diya Mishra, and Haley Marshall. I am fully aware that I am A Lot. Thank you for putting up with my shenanigans. You are some of my absolute favorite people in this world, and I am forever grateful to have you.

Bri Renae, thank you for being one of the earliest readers, and for making me truly believe this story was something special. Also, for introducing me to the idea of Shadow Daddies and Scones. One day we will make it a thing.

Jordan Gray, thank you for your kindness and enthusiasm, and great editorial eye. The bombazine gown at the beginning of the book is all you.

Shea Standefer and Tomi Adeyemi, for the faith in me and for the KBBQ. Always for the KBBQ.

To all the authors and reviewers who took the time to read and blurb Belladonna early on, I am eternally grateful. I love this book so much, and it means the world that you loved it, too.

To the street team: I cannot thank each of you by name, but please know that I truly appreciate every single one of you. All your excitement, your hype, your beautiful photos. You have made this journey so incredibly special.

Peter Gundry, it would feel wrong not to thank you. I listened to your music every single day for years as I worked on this book. I’m sorry that the only one I could name you after was the dog, but you got to admit that he’s pretty cool.

Josh, to say that it’s been a journey to get here is putting it lightly. Thank you for sticking by my side through all the stress, the late nights, and the long weekends, and for being a great partner.

Mom and Dad, I really wish you wouldn’t read this one, but alas, I know you will and I appreciate it. Thank you for always believing and supporting whatever preposterous thing I decide to do next.

Pookie and Rowdy, this was our final book together, and I will forever miss you both poking your wet noses in my face and trying to distract me from writing every single day. Don’t worry, Mooka and Meadow are doing a great job picking up where you left off.

God, for giving me the story and the words, and for putting this book into all the right hands along the way.

And finally, to all the readers who have made it here. You are the reason I get to do this. Thank you, thank you, thank you.