16） “The King of Bedside Manor”—Barenaked Ladies 17） “Empire State of Mind”—JAY-Z
18） “Party in the U.S.A.”—Miley Cyrus 19） “Fucking Best Song Everrr”—Wallpaper.
20） “Shake It Off”—Taylor Swift 21） “Bang!”—AJR
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
You might have noticed there was never a location specified for where this story actually takes place. I’ve never had this issue in a book—solidifying a location for the characters. I just kept placing Kenna in different towns while writing her story, and none of them felt right because they all felt right.
There are people like Kenna everywhere, in every town. People who feel alone in the world, no matter where they’re located. When I finished the book, I realized I still didn’t pinpoint the exact setting, but the ambiguity of where Kenna’s story unfolds somehow felt right. So this is your permission to imagine this story takes place wherever you are in the world. No matter how whole our neighbors appear on the outside, we have no idea how many broken pieces they’re made up of on the inside.
Reading is a hobby, but for some of us, it’s an escape from the difficulties we face. To all of you who escape into books, I want to thank you for escaping into this one. But I also want to apologize for never being able to write romantic comedies, no matter how much I try. I started this one thinking it was going to be a romantic comedy, but obviously the characters weren’t in the mood for that. Maybe next time.
I also want to thank those who read this book early and gave me such helpful feedback: Pam, Laurie, Maria, Chelle, Brooke, Steph, Erica, Lindsey, Dana, Susan, Stephanie, Melinda, and I’m sure there are more who will read it and give me feedback after these acknowledgments are submitted, so this is also a thank-you to those who help me out last minute but don’t get the public credit.
And a huge thank-you to two sisters, Kenna and Rowan. I saw your names in my reader group and stole them for this book because I thought they’d make a great character name, so I hope I did your names justice!
I want to thank my agent, Jane Dystel, and my foreign rights agent, Lauren Abramo. You ladies and your team of coworkers are so attentive and amazing and patient.
A huge thank-you to Montlake Publishing, Anh Schluep, Lindsey Faber, Cheryl Weisman, Kristin Dwyer, Ashley Vanicek, and everyone else who had a hand in the creation and distribution of this book. You guys have been a dream to work with, and I appreciate the entire Montlake team so much.
Thank you to my hype team, Stephanie and Erica.
Thank you, Lauren Levine, for believing in me. Always.
A huge thank-you to all the people who work so hard for the Bookworm Box and Book Bonanza. The charity wouldn’t exist without any of you.
Thank you to my sisters, Lin Reynolds and Murphy Fennell. You’re both my favorite sisters.
Thank you to Murphy Rae and Jeremy Meerkreebs for answering my early questions. Your advice resulted in the idea for this novel, so thank you both!
To Heath, Levi, Cale, and Beckham. Thank you for treating me like a queen. I’ve been gifted the best four men on the planet, world. Don’t @ me.
To my mother. Thank you for being my first and most enthusiastic reader of every single book I write. Not sure most of them would get finished if it weren’t for you.
Also, um, TikTok! What the heck? WHAT IN THE HECK? I don’t even know what to say. Those of you on the BookTok side of that app have helped not only my books reach new readers, but the books of so many authors. Your love for reading has made new readers and has helped the entire publishing industry in huge ways. It’s a beautiful thing to witness.
And lastly . . . thank you to the members of Colleen Hoover’s CoHorts on Facebook. You guys brighten my day every day.
Thank you, world, and all who inhabit it!