Acknowledgments - Bound to Ruin

I’d like to begin by thanking you, dear reader, for taking the time to pick up my book. Your support means the world to me.

I’d be nowhere without my team behind me. Thank you to my wonderful agents, Lauren Spieler and Hannah Teachout, at Folio Literary Management. To Hachette for believing in Astoria. And always, to my dear editor, Sophie Judge. You knew exactly when to rein me in and when to let me go wild with this book. Thank you for helping me bring this duology to life. Your guidance honed this complex world into something spectacular.

There is no way in hell I’d survive this industry without my loving partner, Jack. Thank you for solo parenting nearly every weekend while I turned into a shrimp-shaped gremlin in the corner of our room to write and edit. Our feral children always keep life interesting, and I’m so grateful they occasionally force me outside to get sunlight. They remind me every day that taking breaks is important. I love you all endlessly.

Thank you to my in-laws, who forgave all the missed family dinners and even sent me dinners to-go. You ensured that I didn’t die of starvation in my author-gremlin cage.

Of course, to my people who kept me sane—Aspen, Berna, Erica, Kassidy, Dana, Jaclyn, and so many more. I am endlessly grateful to have you all in my life! I was alone in this solitary industry, and you found me. Thank you.

And K.M. Enright, for choosing to be my mentor. Your wisdom, humor, and guidance made me the author I am today. You changed my life.

I saved the best for last…

If you’ve read my dedications, you know I dedicated book one to my Aunt Barb, and book two to my sister. It’s perfectly fitting that Astoria’s journey is paired with such strong women in my life.

Jacquelyn—You are stronger than any obstacle you’ve faced in life, and holy fuck have you faced some obstacles! You may have stumbled, you may have staggered, but you always, always made it through. It is an honor to dedicate this story of rebirth and strength to you. I love you so much, and I can’t wait to see what your new era in life brings. It’s going to be amazing!