Vampire Crush wouldn’t be here without the help of a crew of amazing people, including Cristina Hoepker, its earliest cheerleader and official godmother; Meghan Deans, who is not only a critique-giver extraordinaire, but who also wins the prize for enduring more lunches where the main discussion topic is “Vampires and Writing About Them” than anyone, anywhere; Lindsay Ribar, whose enthusiasm has been invaluable; Preeti Chhibber, future publishing star (just you wait); Amy Spalding, generous giver of many Google chat pep talks, and Jenny Jackson, without whose patience and understanding this book would never have been finished. Not to mention the other wildly intelligent readers of early drafts: Laura Brett, Tina Brilej, Lindsey Cuddeback, Mara Dabrishus, Emily Giglierano, Marjorie Hakala, Marisabel Hoepker, Molly Jacobs, Alaya Johnson, Laura Lancaster, Chris Lough, Robin Keller, Liz Kies, Chrissy Marcum, Jessica Sison, and Nikki Wood.

My eternal gratitude to the team at HarperTeen: Erica Sussman, the most talented editor anyone could ask for; Tyler Infinger, who I’m sure has helped in more ways than I know; Alison Klapthor, designer of the kick-ass cover; and Jessica Berg, crackerjack production editor. At Levine Greenberg, thanks should go to Beth Fisher, who helped get Sophie to Germany and Russia, and Victoria Skurnick, the world’s best first boss and an even better agent. And, finally, a million billion thank yous to Sue Robinson, aka Mom, who is not only endlessly inspiring, but who patiently wrote down my stories when I was four and never once edited out the exploding Christmas geese, and to Gary Robinson, aka Dad, who not only read my teen vampire romance, but who finished it first.

You guys are great.