Dear Reader,

Thank you so much for reading this book! Give yourself a pat on the back and a shoutout in the comments, especially if you stuck around for the author's note. This story wouldn't have happened without the great support I've received on Wattpad. I love your comments, and I'd love to hear what you thought of the story overall. 

I originally wrote this story as a 5000-word short play seven years ago and then turned it into a full-length stage play. This is the third incarnation of the story, and I've really had a lot of fun working on it, exploring each character in more depth than ever before. I've never written a story this long that didn't involve some magic, so this was both different and challenging. I feel like I've grown so much with this book, both as a writer and as a person. 

A million thanks to the theater that taught me it all. You're part of my inspiration and an amazing chapter in my life that I never want to forget. You taught me so much about lighting, sound, staging, creativity, and improv. A surprising amount of that carries over into writing, whether it's feeling emotions to bring life to characters or simply knowing how to set up a scene. The song above is for you. "Because happiness is anyone and anything at all that's loved by you."

After working with the material for so long, I finally have a fondness for the bard. As You Like It was a big influence on this book, and I felt like I was able to make a lot of parallels. I also want to thank my parents for listening and being patient as I worked on this book. I have the kindest and most wonderful parents in the whole world. You are superstars, and you inspire me every day. 

Thanks to my friends for listening to me. You are amazing and supportive, and I couldn't have gotten through this without you. Thank you for not judging the literal tears that fell when I worked on several sections. This book (and its sequel) is probably the hardest thing I've ever written to date. 

A special shout out to the amazing person who helped me edit the original short version and the longer eight-scene play. You know who you are, and the two hours you helped me on a Google Doc comment section changed this story in ways I never expected. Thank you for talking me out of writing a fictional play for the characters to perform and suggesting As You Like It. Also, thank you for being my Parker and always taking my calls. 

I also cannot talk about this book without mentioning a loss suffered along the way. While no character in this book was inspired by a single person, someone who had a great influence on one of the main characters passed away while I was working on this book far too soon. Rest in peace, friend. You are loved and missed, but I hope this book does you justice. 

You can follow me @eliana_elf for more updates. While the entire plot of this book was fictional writing it was an amazing healing journey. There's a little bit of all of the narrators in me with my flaws too. Jack, Rita, and Shayna forced me to look at parts of myself and be a smarter, kinder person who doesn't hold on to the past or run from her problems.   

I hope you liked what you read. If you're interested in reading more like this, check out Parker's story, Summer Tempest. Unfortunately, it is unfinished because I lack the words to continue the story, but I keep it posted as a tribute to my friend. I also write fantasy so if you like giants, curses, magic, or deep relationships built on friendship, check out more of my work. I recommend starting with The Half-Giant's Guide to Seeing the Future.

Until we meet again,

Eliana Hale