Party of Two (The Wedding Date #5)(96)

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS


I somehow thought that writing and publishing would get easier after the first book. I was very wrong about that, but the incredible part is even though it gets harder and harder, it also becomes even more joyful and fulfilling. I’m so grateful for everyone who has helped me along this journey.

Holly Root, sometimes I imagine what it would be like to do this job without you as my agent, and shudder in horror. Thank you for everything you do, from the bottom of my heart. Cindy Hwang, I adore working with you; thank you for believing in me and guiding me. Team Berkley and Penguin Random House, I feel outrageously fortunate every day to have all of you in my corner. Thank you to Jessica Brock, Fareeda Bullert, Angela Kim, Craig Burke, Erin Galloway, Jin Yu, Megha Jain, Angelina Krahn, Vikki Chu, Jaci Updike, and Lauren Monaco for all of your hard work on behalf of me and my books.

I am full of gratitude toward other writers for their advice and counsel, and their friendship and companionship. Amy Spalding and Akilah Brown, thank you for your encouragement, edits, and enthusiasm. Ruby Lang, thank you for your constant wisdom. Kayla Cagan, thank you for coming up with this title. And eternal thanks to Jami Attenberg, Melissa Baumgart, Robin Benway, Heather Cocks, Alexis Coe, Nicole Chung, Roxane Gay, Tayari Jones, Lyz Lenz, Caille Millner, Jessica Morgan, Sarah Weinman, and Sara Zarr.

So many people took time out of their busy lives to talk to me as I researched this book; I appreciate that more than I can say. Thank you to Jane Friedman, Erin Clary Giglia, Betty Huang, Joyce Tong Oelrich, Jessica Palumbo, and Tere Ramos-Dunne for talking to me about starting your own businesses. Thanks to Julia Turshen, who told me so much about her experiences working with Angel Food East, which inspired the meal service work in this book. And many thanks to Sybil Grant for sharing so much of her research about criminal justice reform.

My friends have been there for me through everything, and I can’t thank all of you enough. Jill Vizas, Janet Goode, Lisa McIntire, Joy Alferness and the whole Alferness family, Jessica Simmons, Julian Davis Mortenson, Nanita Cranford, Jina Kim, Melissa Sladden, Alicia Harris, Dana White, Samantha Powell, Nicole Cliffe, Kate Leos, Sarah Mackey, Maggie Levine, Sara Kate Wilkinson, Margaret H. Willison, Rachel Fershleiser, Maret Orliss, Daniel Lavery, Toby Rugger, Kyle Wong, Lyette Mercier, Ryan Gallagher, Sarah Tiedeman, Sara Simon, Simi Patnaik, and Nicole Clouse. I’m so happy I have you all. Thank you especially to everyone who sent me cute pictures and videos of their children and dogs when I especially needed it.

Thank you so much to my big, sprawling, loud, joyful, argumentative family. I love you, Mom, Dad, and Sasha; all of my aunts and uncles, and all of my many wonderful cousins. I miss you, Granny and Papa, Grandma, Grandpa, and Stan. Thank you for everything.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who have read my books. Thank you for coming to my events and checking books out of the library and telling your friends and family about my books and sending me messages and telling me what my books have meant to you—I treasure all of this so much.

And finally, a special, heartfelt thank-you to all booksellers and librarians. Thank you for all of your hard work on behalf of books and literacy, and thank you for embracing me from the beginning. I’ve loved bookstores and libraries for my entire life, and didn’t think there was any way I could love them more, but these past few years have accomplished that. You’re all superstars—now more than ever.