If Only You (Bergman Brothers, #6)(105)

I’m so grateful for the patience of my family as I quite thoroughly disappeared into another story. And I would have been so lonely without Sarah and Becs, cheering me on, delighting in my screenshot snippets, giving me Marco Polo pep talks; I’m unendingly thankful for their friendship and support. Finally, my own Dr. B, you encouraged me every time I started spiraling and reminded me that I could do this, “bird by bird, Coach.” I promise now that this book is done, I will subsist on more than spoonfuls of peanut butter, too much coffee, and too little sleep (at least until the next book deadline is bearing down on me guilty smile). Thank you for the hope and happiness you’ve shared with me and made me feel safe to share with you, bird by bird. I can’t wait to see where that takes us next.

This book’s representation is deeply connected to my heart and lived experience. Bisexuality and pansexuality, neurodivergence and celiac disease (including fairly late diagnoses of these two). Though in some ways, Ziggy and Seb are like me, in others, they couldn’t be more different. I’m thankful to these communities that I’m a part of, whose open hearts and shared experiences, allowed me to lend nuance to Seb and Ziggy’s characterization. Thank you also to Jen and Jackie (you are saints for accommodating my deadline, and I can’t thank you enough), for your wisdom, feedback, and insight as you read. No two people’s experiences are alike, but my hope is that those with the identities and conditions represented in this story will feel seen, understood, and validated. To my queer readers, however and wherever you are, you’re queer enough, you’re loved, and you belong. To everyone out there who still feels sad when it’s a pizza party, who misses Grandma’s Thanksgiving stuffing, who wishes some days, they could just show up to that social function and eat what’s there, I see you. While it’s a profound relief to figure out what’s making you ill and have a means to mitigate its damage, the method by which we do that is sometimes lonely and alienating, and it’s okay to grieve and be sad. To my fellow neurodivergents, finding your way in a neurotypical world, I hope you surround yourself with people who celebrate the authentic you that you’re learning to understand and care for and be true to. It can be hard, and it can be isolating and discouraging, especially when relationships end or boundaries are drawn to protect yourself, when you feel awkward or uncomfortably different, when you’re so drained by the prospect of trying to exist in spaces that are fundamentally inhospitable to how you operate and what you need. I hope you can be kind to yourself–stretching yourself in the ways and times it matters to you to figure out how it might work, then stepping back for self-care to refill that cup of yours until it’s brimming with what brings you joy and love and contentment. You deserve that, no matter if it looks different from how any other person you know makes their way through life.

This book’s themes of hope in ourselves and others, in their and our possibilities, even in the wake of pain we’ve received or caused, of healing and seeking to grow into greater health and discover joy, are close to my heart, and I can vouch that they aren’t easy. If you’re on this journey, if you’re on it with someone you love, know that I think you’re doing something miraculous. You’re brave. You’re incredible for being right where you are. Don’t give up on where your heart and the hearts of those you love dream of going. Belief in, hope in, seeing the best in people is the heartbeat of the greatest love stories–not just with others but ourselves—and it’s one of life’s greatest gifts. I hope you allow yourself to both give and receive what every one of us deserves: the chance to shape our lives into a story that we love, and a path that we are proud of.



XO,



Chloe





ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Chloe writes romances reflecting her belief that everyone deserves a love story. Her stories pack a punch of heat, heart, and humor, and often feature characters who are neurodivergent like herself. When not dreaming up her next book, Chloe spends her time wandering in nature, playing soccer, and most happily at home with her family and mischievous cats.

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