More Than I Could (97)

I sent my assistant an email a while ago. Hopefully, she still works for me and isn’t tired of sailing the ship while I write. If you’re still here Tiffany—thanks for everything. I’m happy we’re still a team.

Ashley Reynolds, the amazing human that I dedicated this book to, slid in like Tom Cruise in Risky Business and pulled me up by my bootstraps. (She was fully clothed though. I think.) There aren’t enough ways to thank you for your time and energy (and patience and kindness), so I won’t make it weird. Just thank you. (A lot.) Michele Ficht never, ever fails me. Not once in all the years I’ve known her has she been too busy for me. I don’t think I’d be that nice to me. But, thank God, she is and I’m honored to call her a friend after over ten years. Love you.

Thank you to Susan Rayner, Jen Costa (kind of—ha!), and Anjelica Grace for beta reading for me and sharing your insight. I adore you all. And to Alexandra Hale for keeping me energized—your messages and enthusiasm were so appreciated. A huge thank you to Lara Petterson for just being … everything. How would I sum up all the ways you support me? I don’t know. I’ll work on that.

I’m grateful for Marion Archer and Jenny Sims for their editing work on MORE THAN I COULD. Thank you for helping me tighten and clean up these words.

Mandi Beck—we’re back! I love you. I love our late-night writing sessions. Please never leave me. (If you tried, I’d find you. Don’t bother.)

S.L. Scott is a source of light and love in my life. Thank you for always tricking me into thinking I can do things. I’m really gullible. (But keep it up!)

I’m really surprised Jessica Prince still talks to me after I bailed on her more days than not. But, like the friend she is, she continues to text me. I’m keeping her forever.

Brittni Van can energize me like no other. Her ideas, questions, and excitement about my books and the book world in general feed my soul. You are a true gem in my life, friend.

Big thanks to Candi Kane PR for working with me on the promotion of MORE THAN I COULD. (I remembered the cover this time. Just adding that here for posterity.) I adore you.

Sending lots of love to Kaitie Reister for always checking on me, to Stephanie Gibson for literally always being there (and I mean always), and to my favorite place in the world—Books by Adriana Locke on Facebook. Thank you for cheering me on and reading my work.

Last but most certainly not least, to you, dear reader—thank you for taking a chance on me. I hope you loved this story. I hope it made you smile.





About the Author


USA Today Bestselling author, Adriana Locke, writes contemporary romances about the two things she knows best—big families and small towns. Her stories are about ordinary people finding extraordinary love with the perfect combination of heart, heat, and humor.

She loves connecting with readers, fall weather, football, reading alpha heroes, everything pumpkin, and pretending to garden.

Hailing from a tiny town in the Midwest, Adriana spends her free time with her high school sweetheart (who she married over twenty years ago) and their four sons (who truly are her best work). Her kitchen may be a perpetual disaster, and if all else fails, there is always pizza.

www.adrianalocke.com