And to Stephanie Garber, who loved this idea from the very beginning and knew what it could be. Thank you so much for reading the entire manuscript at a moment’s notice, for telling me everything I did right, but more important, for your honesty when I lost my way. Your support will forever mean the world to me. I can’t wait to bake a thousand pumpkin-flavored things with you.
To all of the wonderful authors who blurbed What The River Knows: Ava Reid, Elizabeth Lim, Mary Pearson, Amélie Wen Zhao, Stephanie Garber, Rebecca Ross, Rachel Griffin, Heather Fawcett, Jodi Picoult, and J. Elle. Reading your gushing emails gave me so much joy.
A million thanks to Emily Henry, who listened to me despair on how to handle the romance in this story I don’t know how many times. Thanks for distracting me with an impromptu Sherry Thomas book club session. Reader, if you’ve made it this far, please pick up The Luckiest Lady in London. You’re welcome.
I’m incredibly lucky to have wonderful support in my family, friends, and writing community. They cheer me on, and celebrate my wins, and stick with me through the ups and downs. You all know who you are, and I love you all so much.
To my parents, thanks for fostering a love of reading in me at such a young age. For fostering a love of Egypt as a little girl, and for not blinking when, as a seven-year-old, I said wanted to be an Egyptologist. I’m a storyteller because of you both.
Rodrigo, read this one. I think you’ll enjoy it. [smiley face emoji]
Andrew James Davis, the love of my life. Thanks for not blinking an eye when I said I wanted to go to Egypt. For three weeks. In October. Also known as the most beautiful month in Asheville, when all the leaves turn red and gold. When I was terrified to write this book, scared I’d get it wrong somehow, you reminded me that I was doing the very best that I could, and that I was human. Thank you for reminding me that I wrote from my heart. You were right. I absolutely did. Here’s to more Octobers in our favorite city. I love, love, love you.
And to Jesus, for loving me where I am.