It’s scary not knowing what comes next.
But not knowing might also be the best part.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Writing is something you mostly do by yourself (or in my case, with an entitled Chihuahua on your lap), but publication is a journey that involves a whole team—and I’m lucky enough to have the best team of all. Firsts would still be a Word document on my computer if not for several supremely wonderful people to whom I’m eternally grateful.
First (pun intended!), a million thanks to my rock star agent, Kathleen Rushall. This has all been possible because of you, and your fearlessness and unfailing positivity made this process not only less stressful, but a whole lot of awesome. Thank you for sharing your great instincts and your listening ear, for your words of encouragement, for believing in this book (and in me), and for making my dreams reality. I’m so very thankful to have you in my corner.
To my brilliant editor, Kat Brzozowski: thank you for taking a chance on Mercedes and turning Firsts into the best book it could ever be. You are full of amazing ideas and understand me and my book in a way I never could have imagined anyone would. Not only that, but working with you has been incredibly fun—I’m glad we were able to bond over haikus and nostalgia for the Backstreet Boys. (I’m still Team Brian.)
Before I had an agent or an editor, I summoned up the nerve to enter a contest called Pitch Wars. Massive thanks to Brenda Drake for organizing this contest, because it played a huge role in Firsts getting out in the world. Thank you to Evelyn Skye for teaching me the fine art of pitching and supporting me at every bend in this crazy road to publication. Enormous tackle hugs to Lori Goldstein, who saw the potential in an edgy manuscript and continues to provide guidance and advice whenever I need it. Lori, Firsts wouldn’t be Firsts without you. I never thought when I entered Pitch Wars that your mentorship—and friendship—would last long after the contest ended, and I’m so happy it did.
To Emily Martin, my fabulous critique partner, thanks for being everything—an honest critic, a passionate cheerleader, a trusted confidante, and a good friend. Your sharp eye helped Firsts become a stronger manuscript, and your willingness to read over anything I write is appreciated more than words can say.
To the members of The Sweet Sixteens and Sixteen to Read debut groups—thank you for being so welcoming, supportive, and enthusiastic. You’re all so talented and kind and I’m honored to be sharing this journey with every single one of you. Group hug!
Thank you, or should I say grazie, to Taryn Fagerness, foreign rights agent extraordinaire, for bringing Firsts to new audiences around the world.
To the amazing people at Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press who helped Firsts become an actual book—you have made me feel like the luckiest writer out there. Special thanks to Karen Masnica and Michelle Cashman for your stellar marketing and publicity efforts, and to Danielle Christopher for designing a gorgeous cover I still can’t stop staring at. To Kristin Roth, thanks for being so incredibly perceptive and polishing Firsts to a shine.
To Fernanda Viveiros at Raincoast, thank you for handling the Canadian sales and events for Firsts.
To Amanda Maciel, Caisey Quinn, Jennifer Mathieu, and Lori Goldstein (again): thank you for your generosity in providing blurbs for Firsts. I admire your writing so much and your support means the world to me.
To my fourth-grade teacher, Ms. Parrack—thank you for always looking excited when I asked for more paper to write on because my stories were taking on a life of their own.
My friends and family all deserve a huge round of applause. Thank you to Tory Overend and Lauren Badalato for keeping my secrets and loving me even when I’m a hermit. To my in-laws, Jim and Doreen Flynn, thank you for taking such an interest in my writing (Dad Flynn, you and your blacksmith may be on to something). To my brother-in-law, Jermaine Shakes, for your optimism and faith that good things will happen. To Erin Burns, my sister and best friend, for sharing a thousand inside jokes, being proud of me no matter what, and always wanting to celebrate my successes with wine and shopping.
My parents, Denis and Lucy Burns, were my very first supporters. They always knew I wanted to be a writer and gave me everything I needed to make it happen. Thanks, Mom and Dad, for being there through the highs and lows, for putting up with all of my crazy whims, and for supporting me in every way possible. You taught me that the most important thing in life is to try, even if you fail. I’ve fallen down many times, but because of you, I’m never afraid to get back up. You’re my heroes.
Last, but definitely not least, thank you to my husband, Steve Flynn, for marrying and loving a writer who spends an awful lot of time with made-up people. Thank you for not getting mad when I spend hours holed up in my office, for buying me the best desk chair imaginable, for our walks and talks in the woods, for endless pots of coffee, for endless hugs, and for just being you.
And to all of you, my readers—thank you for being the reason I do what I do, and for giving me the chance to do it. I couldn’t be happier to be sharing this first with each and every one of you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
LAURIE ELIZABETH FLYNN became hooked on writing in the fourth grade, when she repeatedly bugged her teacher for more paper to write her stories on. She later went to school for journalism, where the most important thing she learned was that she would much rather write fiction than report the news.
Laurie has also worked as a model, a job that took her overseas to Tokyo, Athens, and Paris, and spurred her obsession with all things fashion. She and her husband, Steve, divide their time between London and Ontario, Canada.
Laurie can mostly be found at her writing desk with the world’s most spoiled Chihuahua on her lap. Laurie drinks way too much coffee, snorts when she laughs, and times herself when she does crossword puzzles. Firsts is her debut novel.
You can visit Laurie’s Web site at www.laurieelizabethflynn.com or find her on Twitter at @laurellizabeth. You can sign up for email updates here.
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Contents
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
THOMAS DUNNE BOOKS.
An imprint of St. Martin’s Press.
FIRSTS. Copyright © 2015 by Laurie Elizabeth Flynn. All r
ights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.
www.thomasdunnebooks.com
www.stmartins.com
Cover design by Danielle Christopher
Cover photograph © Samantha Scott/ImageBrief
The Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available upon request.
ISBN 978-1-250-07596-3 (hardcover)
ISBN 978-1-4668-8732-9 (e-book)
e-ISBN 9781466887329
Our e-books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945, extension 5442, or by e-mail at [email protected].
First Edition: January 2016
Firsts Page 28
