Acknowledgments - The Idea of You

My heartfelt gratitude goes out to so many who accompanied me on this journey.

My agent, Richard Pine, who fell in love with this story the second it crossed his desk, and who generously shared his brilliance and expertise. I feel so lucky to have had such an enthusiastic champion in my corner! His assistant, the invaluable Eliza Rothstein, for her keen input. And everyone at InkWell Management.

My supremely talented editor, Elizabeth Beier, who believed in the magic of Solène and Hayes and made it possible for me to share them with the world. My copy editor, Mary Beth Constant, who has an exquisite eye for the finest detail. Danielle Fiorella, who designed a mesmerizing cover. Nicole Williams, for keeping everything organized. Brittani Hilles, Marissa Sangiacomo, Jordan Hanley, and the rest of the exceptional team at St. Martin’s Press.

My team of beta-readers: My sister, Kelley, for always being my first and most appreciative; Colette Sartor, Lisanne Sartor, Laura Brennan, Aimee Liu, Gloria Loya, and the incredibly supportive, accomplished women of the Yale Women L.A. Writing Group; Monica Nordhaus, for insisting I accompany her to the AMAs and for opening doors; Hope Mineo, Colleen Cassidy Hart, M. Catherine OliverSmith, and Dawn Cotton Fuge (my expert on all things British), for reading, for listening, and for being there when I needed to cry; and Mary Leigh Cherry, whose art world expertise was essential to creating Solène’s universe.

My support system: My friends who were sounding boards and who encouraged me to tell this story: Louise Santacruz, Emily Murdock, Carrie Knoblock, Michelle Jenab, Julie Simon, Kate Seton, Mia Ammer, and Meghan Wald; my fellow Joy Luckers, especially Denise Malausséna, for tweaking my French; Bestie Row, for enduring my crazy, with an extra-special thank you to Amanda Schuon, for the phone call; my fellow writers on a mission: Jennifer Maisel and Dedi Feldman; my FB family, for answering so many random questions—from Scotch to seaplanes and everything in between. Collectively, they are better than Google.

My darlings, Alexander and Arabelle, who allowed me the time and freedom to write around their crazy schedules, and never once lost their patience with me.

My mom and dad, who have always been the biggest fans of my writing.

And above all, my extraordinary husband, Eric, who when I joked, “I’m thinking about leaving you for a guy in a boy band,” responded, “That would make a great book,” and in doing so, gave me the gift of a lifetime. (Thank you, Sweet.)

And lastly, my most favorite muse. I might have still written this story had I never seen his face. But I doubt it would have been as enjoyable.

All the love,

Robinne