by Dee Lagasse
This is it. This is the fairy tale. In fact, it’s better than the fairy tale. Because it’s real.
THE END
Acknowledgments
After I finished Without Warning, I had a plan. A very particular, mapped out plan for what was going to come next. But sometimes you need to take a step back and follow your heart. So, I did. And, now I’m sitting here writing my acknowledgements just a few weeks shy of release day, still not believing I managed to pull this off in just a few months. There’s absolutely no way I would have been able to do it without the amazing group of people I have in my corner though.
Starting of course, with Jeffrey. Thank you for always standing right next to me, supporting me on the good days (and the bad ones too), for late night snack runs and for always keeping my hand full of vanilla chai. Thank you for always being hands on with the Minis, so I never have to worry or feel guilty for spending hours behind a locked door with headphones in. You’re amazing. I love you. Forever.
Dillon, Kallie and Hunter. My Minis. My babies. You are the reason I do this. You’re the reason I never stop, even when I want to. You are the light of my life. I love you the most.
My family - all twenty-seven sides of you. But especially, my parents, siblings and my parental-in-laws. There is no daughter/sister in this world luckier than me. Thank you Nes (SiSi), John and Joe for always having my back and for being my biggest supporters and cheerleaders. I couldn’t do this, or anything else, without your love. And, Don and Cheryl. Thank you for opening your hearts and your home. I will never not be thankful for everything you two have done for me and my family. And, Jeremy, Lily, Nico and Emily, just because. Auntie D loves you!
Aimee Lavoie. The little sister I never knew I wanted. I have absolutely no idea what I would do without you. Thank you for being the kind of friend that truly understands how crazy motherhood, building a career and, well, life in general is. I am so thankful for you and our friendship… and for the fact you don’t hate me for disappearing for weeks on end while I’m writing. I LOVE YOU.
And, Chelsea Davis and Lindsey Batts. Ruby’s may be gone, but the friendship it gave us will last forever. I’m sure of it. I LOVE YOU.
Justine Herrmann. As far as friendships go, ours might be on the newer side, but I can’t tell you how thankful I am you are a part of my life. Thank you for being there, when it came to this book and otherwise. Here’s to many more girls’ nights and world domination.
And, Jonah Lavoie. Thanks for letting me steal your girl’s time so much and for being the best kind of friend to Jeff. He’s lucky to have you. We’re all lucky to have both of you.
Gail Lavoie. I cannot string together any words that can portray how much your blessing means. There isn’t a day that goes by I don’t think of him, and now he’ll live on forever in something that means everything to me. Thank you for letting me honor Jay the best way I knew how.
Abbi Glines. Every brunette needs a blonde partner in crime, and I’m so thankful you’re mine. No words I write will ever properly express how thankful I am for everything you have done for me. Thank you for always being there when I need advice or just an ear to listen.
Kandi Steiner. First, thank you for your blessing to use your beautiful words as my epigraph. Second, thank you for being in my corner and always being such a bright light not only in my life, but in the book community as well. (Also, I told you so.)
Colleen Hoover. Thank you for being the kind of woman that fixes another woman’s crown without letting the rest of the world know it was crooked. I appreciate you!
Staci (Brill)Hart. Thank you for always being down to lend a helping hand and answering even my silly, ridiculous questions. I appreciate your time, your loyalty, and your love more than you know!
Travis Soucy & Kenny Wetherbee. My big brothers from other mothers. Life constantly twists and turns, pulling us in all different directions, but one of the constants in my life is that I know I can always depend on both of you. No words will ever be able to portray how grateful I am for the two of you.
Kelli Spear. If I had a ride or die, you would be it. We’ve seen and been through so much over the five years of our friendship. Thank you for being one of the first and the last eyes on Kismet before I let it out into the world. I wouldn’t be able to do this without you, that’s for damn sure. For the record though, BSB > NSYNC.
Jerilyn Martinez. You are such a glitterific sparkle of joy and I am so thankful for everything you do for me. From reading EVERY version of this book, to sending the best notes and GIF responses to letting me bounce ideas off you and pushing me when I’m ready to give up, I could not have done this without you. You are a unicorn, my friend.
When I changed the game plan, deciding on a whim to write a royal romance, there were a few people that were immediately “all hands in.” Mac Marshall, Julie Moss, Kris Duplantier (with Jerilyn & Kelli) together create the greatest beta team I could ever ask for.
Vicci Kaighan, Cristina Bon, Jessica Downs, Suzy Danylko, Jaime Moss, Tricia Ciak, Nicole Moore, and JoAnna Alsup, always come through with the hype and support.… I am so thankful for each of you. Thank you for your time, your feedback, and your friendship.
Ellie McLove of My Brother’s Editor. WE MADE IT WORK THIS TIME. Heck to the yes. I’m so glad we figured out that I didn’t hate you in time for you work your magic on Kismet. Thank you for bippity boppity booing the heck of out this book. (You’re stuck with me now!)
Alexandria Bishop of AB Formatting. Thank you for putting up with my date changes and for never making me feel like an idiot when I’m like, “but, uhhh… I don’t know!” And, thank you for making the inside of Kismet look so pretty.
Dee’s Bee’s. YOU THE REAL MVPs. Seriously, I cannot thank you enough for everything you did leading up to this release. For all the social media love, for ARC reading, early reviews… you’re the bee’s knees.
Capparelli & Co. My happy little safe place on the interwebs. Named after the family restaurant in Without Warning, my reader group emulates everything Capparelli & Co. stands for – togetherness, unwavering loyalty and endless love and support. I APPRECIATE YOU.
YOU. Yes, you. Reading this right now. Whether you love or hate this book, thank you. Thank you for taking a chance on Kismet and for allowing me to continue to chase this dream of mine.
And, last, but certainly not least, to Penny/Pennini. You’ll never see this, and if you do, you’ll never understand it, but thank you for keeping me company all those hours. Your snuggles are my favorite. (Don’t tell Jeff.)
About the Author
Dee Lagasse is a forever-29-year old, proud New Englander. She’s married to the annoying(ly cute) guy that sat behind her in 11th grade Biology class and together they co-pilot through parenting three (of the world’s best) kids, collectively known as “The Minis.”
When Dee isn’t writing or wandering around a soccer field, she’s busy obsessing over the Royal Family, reading Marvel comics or trying to convince her husband that a lion would, in fact, make a great family pet.
