I don’t mean to brag, but my skills are uncanny.
Despite all my undeniable successes, I never thought to write a book until the red string of fate led me to Ruthie Midona, the person whom I needed to teach me something: my approach needed some flexibility. She shuffled around like an elderly woman until I overhauled her entire way of seeing herself. She was a chronic list maker, and for her it made sense to be led through my program with a series of checklists and journaling prompts, which form the basis of the book you are holding. Love happens at unexpected moments, and we’d agreed Ruthie would not fall in love with the first man she saw.
Now Ruthie’s being smothered with kisses by a man who seemed completely wrong for her, and he’s the first man she laid eyes on. That red string never gets it wrong, and unlikely puzzle pieces always fit together. It gave me a new perspective that has contributed to this book in a fundamental way. Plan, but also go with it. I have to dedicate this book to Ruthie, because without her, I doubt I would have had the inspiration to organize all my various techniques, solutions, and worldviews into a formal document. She loves a procedure manual. Thank you, Ruthie, for being the first participant of the Sasaki Method. I await my call that you are engaged to that rascal Theodore, and I remind you that a lilac bridesmaid’s dress is what we agreed.
I’m sure you’re not yet convinced about why I am qualified to help you break out of your shell and find that special someone, and truthfully, I have no formal qualifications. I’m not a psychologist. I have had every job from A(utomotive Parts Cataloger) to Z(umba Studio Administrator). But trust me, this is my gift. All I ask is that you go with it wholeheartedly. Eight weeks with me will change your life. You will find the book organized into eight parts, as follows:
•TURN-ONS AND DEALBREAKERS
•ME, MYSELF, AND I
•MELANIE’S MAKEOVER MONTAGE
•FIRST DATE MIDPOINT
•COMFORTING YOUR REJECTED INNER CHILD
•WHAT’S COOKING GOOD-LOOKING
•I’M ALL I NEED—BUT YOU CAN JOIN ME IF YOU’RE RESPECTFUL AND SEXY
•GRADUATION DAY
I have the Midas touch, and I want to touch you.
(Okay, maybe I’ll revisit that phrasing in the editing process.)
Copyright
Published in Australia and New Zealand in 2021
by Hachette Australia
(an imprint of Hachette Australia Pty Limited)
Level 17, 207 Kent Street, Sydney NSW 2000
First published in the US in 2021 by William Morrow,
An imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
First published in Australia and New Zealand in 2021 by Hachette Australia
Copyright © Sally Thorne 2021
This book is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be stored or reproduced by any process without prior written permission. Enquiries should be made to the publisher.
978 0 7336 4613 3
978 0 7336 4688 1 (ebook edition)
Cover design and illustration by Connie Gabbert
Cover adaptation by Kinart
Author photograph by Katie Saarikko