Dissonance

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

During the first conversation we ever had, Joanna Volpe said: Write this book. So I did, because she is fierce and brilliant and tireless and never wrong. (All excellent qualities in an agent, not to mention a human being.) I am continually grateful for the opportunity to work with her. I’m also thankful for the amazing team at New Leaf Literary: Kathleen Ortiz, for her foreign rights wizardry; Danielle Barthel, for cheering me on at every turn; and Suzie Townsend, Jaida Temperly, and Pouya Shahbazian, for all-around awesomeness.

Zareen Jaffery’s intelligence, clear-sightedness, creativity, and heart brought this book to life, and shaped it into the story I had only dreamed it could be. Working with her—and learning from her—has been an absolute gift. The people at Simon & Schuster BFYR have given Dissonance the best home a girl could ask for, especially Justin Chanda, Julia Maguire, Jenica Nasworthy, Brian Luster, Paul Crichton, Katy Hershberger, Siena Koncsol, Alexandra Cooper, and Amy Rosenbaum. Lizzy Bromely’s beautiful, breathtaking cover captures Del’s story perfectly.

The women of Chicago-North RWA have been a source of inspiration, learning, and support. I’m particularly grateful for Clara Kensie, Lynne Hartzer, Ryann Murphy, and Melonie Johnson—supremely talented, wickedly funny women. I’m equally indebted to Paula Forman, Lisa McKernan, Genevieve O’Keefe, Lexie Craig, and Judy Bergman for their willingness to drag me out of my office when I need it most. Jenn Rush, Susan Dennard, Leigh Bardugo, Sarah J. Maas, and Monica Vavra gave me knowing nods and supportive e-mails at every turn.

I begged Holly McDowell, Thomas Purnell, and Joelle Charbonneau for assistance on all things musical, which they graciously provided. My genius cousin, Dr. Katie Woodhams, explained genetics using small words and pictures, which was exactly the right speed for me. Lisa Tonkery has provided encouragement, snarky texts, and basketball pointers as only a Hoosier can. KC Solano provided key plot-bouncing services yet again. Kim McCarron, Vanessa Barneveld, Sara Kendall, and Hanna Martine read countless drafts and gave invaluable feedback and encouragement. Loretta Nyhan is wise and kind, a true storyteller and an incredible friend.

Without my beloved Eliza Evans, this book wouldn’t exist. I’d also be a much crankier person, with a much shakier grip on pop culture. She is astonishing in the best sense of the word, and I am so thankful for her insight, her humor, and her generous soul.

Thank you to my parents—not only for their love and support, but for teaching me that books were as essential as food or air. In doing so, they gave me the world, a million times. Thanks also to my amazing sister, Kris, who inspires me with her strength and bravery. My entire extended family has cheered me on, but none more so than my aunt, Patricia Layton, who loved romance novels and Christmas and family, and who is dearly, dearly missed.

Every single day, my daughters delight me with their intelligence, their wit, their independence and their boundless hearts. Thank you, my loves, for being excited about my writing, entertaining yourselves during deadlines, and being exquisitely, unequivocally you.

Above all, the biggest thanks go to Danny, for making me laugh and swoon in equal measure, for giving me solid ground and space to dream, for building this life with me. You are my heart and my home, for infinity.