This book. This book has been ten years in the making. Ten years of starting, stopping it, deleting, and questioning whether or not I’d ever actually tell it. But in that ten years Blaire, Ben, and Ryder stayed with me. They waited patiently until I was ready to tell this story and then they burst forward and demanded that I finally do it—that I take that step out of my comfort zone. I know this book isn’t for everyone—in all honesty, as a reader, it’s probably not something I’d want to read (is it bad for me to admit it) but it’s a story I had to tell. Over the years this story took on many different shapes and forms—in most of them Ben wasn’t a main figure early in the story, but in my mind I knew him and it hurt me that readers wouldn’t know him. You can’t fall in love with a character you’ve never really met. So I knew that I’d have to build his character up before his demise and I also knew that it was going to crush me. I hope I’ve done my job right and that the emotions are there, that you feel everything I wanted you to feel as a reader. …And I hope you don’t hate me too much.
Regina Bartley, you are my partner in crime. Thank you so much for all the writing sprints and always being there for me to talk to. Your friendship means so much to me—more than you’ll ever know.
Hang Le thank you for creating the most beautifully artistic cover I’ve ever seen. It’s exactly what this book needed and I think it truly speaks to the feel of the story, which is what I wanted.
Wendi, formatter and editor extraordinaire, when I say I don’t know what I did before you I mean it. It’s such a relief to have someone I can rely on so completely. You’re a rock star. Don’t forget it.
To the girls in my Facebook group, Micalea’s Minions, thank you so much for all your kind words and help whenever I need it. Creating this group was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. This group has become my happy place and I’m so thankful for each and every one of you.
To my beta readers (you know who you are!) I can’t thank you enough for all your help in making this book, and my others, what they are. I value your opinions and input so much, and I love that you guys love my characters as much as I do.
Haley Douglas I don’t know what I’d do without you. I love our talks and how excited you get when I send you chapter. It always puts a smile on my face. And thank you for being my kinda-sorta-assistant since…you know…I suck at giving you things to do. Sorry. Haha!
Emily. Emily. Emily. What is there for me to say that hasn’t already been said? You’re amazing and I’m so lucky to have a friend like you in my life.
To each and every person that has read this book, and any of my others, thank you. Thank you for allowing me to live my dream. Thank you for your messages, comments, and emails. Thank you for coming to see me at signings. Thank you for everything. I wish I could hug each and every one of you.
Coming this summer
The Game That Breaks Us
A standalone New Adult college romance
Hockey’s bad boy needs to clean up his reputation…
Bennett James has built his career at being the best, on and off the ice, and now it’s come back to bite him. The media has turned against him, and with a near career-ending injury, he needs to clean up his act and prove that he’s serious about the game. For Bennett, working with his old coach at his alma mater feels like a step back, but it might be just what he needs.
…and she’s going to help him do it.
Grace Wentworth has always been the good girl, and she’s tired of that stigma. She wants to prove that she can get down and dirty with the best of them. The problem? She doesn’t know how.
Bennett will teach the good girl how to be bad, if she pretends to be his goody two-shoes girlfriend in front of the media.
But what happens when the game becomes real?
An Excerpt from:
ESCAPING HEARTBREAK
REGINA BARTLEY