My heartfelt thanks to Sally Murphy for reading and editing early drafts of the novel, making sure all the science and nature facts were correct. And she’s fabulous at copyedits, too. Kelly Thorvalson, thank you again for sharing your expertise on the world of conservation and sea turtles. You both are an inspiration to so many.
Love and gratitude go to Gretta Kruesi for helping me introduce the next generation of young, spirited, realistic, and likeable characters. And to James Cryns for giving the men in my novel more bite and laugh-out-loud wit. Thank you both for your ideas, outlines, and edits that helped me deliver a new freshness.
Much love and thanks to Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Patti Callahan Henry, and Meg Walker, (always alphabetical!) my writing friends and sisters, for hanging in there with me, sparking the writing sprints each morning, and generally encouraging us all to move en masse forward with our novels sans fear or distractions. We also surprised even ourselves in 2020 with the creation of the incredible Friends and Fiction online program that seemed both serendipitous and destiny, and that brought to us a legion of new experiences and online friends.
I began this book with a new editor as well. Sincere and heartfelt thanks to Hannah Braaten for taking on the seventh book in a series with fresh eyes and ideas, for check-in phone calls, and for infinite patience as this story took shape. And to my superb copy editor, Joal Hetherington, who may know my backlist better than I do. I am indebted to you both for your skill and sensitivity.
What can I say to the rest of my Gallery team—you who have shown such kindness, and have been stalwart supporters of my novels and me? I am deeply grateful to Jennifer Bergstrom, Jennifer Long, Jennifer Robinson, Aimee Bell, Sally Marvin, Eliza Hansen, Michelle Podberezniak, Bianca Salvant, Lisa Litwack, Andrew Nguyen, and everyone at Gallery who helps brings my words to readers.
A special, sincere gratitude to my agent, Faye Bender. Heartfelt thanks for your calm during this turbulent year and your expert guidance of the ship.
This book is being shepherded by a home team like no other. What stars shined on me as I gathered the best of the best: Angela May, Kathie Bennett, Laura Rossi, and Molly Waring. And to Claire Dwyer for your style and guidance. I cannot thank you enough for your brilliance, your enthusiasm, and your genuine support of my work and me.
I am blessed to have a team of supporters—my ARTists—who shine like the stars they are. Thank you for all your support, for sharing your ideas and suggestions, and most of all, your love.
There are so many people who came forward this year to help me with inspiration, talent, and support. Please know how grateful I am: Polly Buxton, Danielle Fabrega, Erin Kienzle, Alli Steinke, Judy Drew Fairchild, Lisa Minnick, Max Glenn, Danielle Noe, Lowell Grosse of Charleston Coffee Roasters, Loma Wang, Thomas McElwee, Jeff Plotner, Ben Ross of Brackish Bow Ties, Wendy Ellis, Sue Tynan, and Christiana Harsch.
As always, I end with the one person who begins and ends every day, Markus. Here is to living real time with you.
More from this Series
On Ocean Boulevard
Beach House Reunion
Beach House for Rent
Beach House Memories
More from the Author
The Summer Guests
A Lowcountry Christmas
about the author
MARY ALICE MONROE is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty-seven books, including her newest novel, The Summer of Lost and Found, and her first middle grade book, The Islanders. Monroe’s books have been published worldwide. She’s earned numerous accolades and awards, including: induction into the South Carolina Academy of Authors’ Hall of Fame; the Southwest Florida Author of Distinction Award; the South Carolina Award for Literary Excellence; the RT Lifetime Achievement Award; the International Book Award for Green Fiction; and the prestigious Southern Book Prize for Fiction. Her bestselling novel The Beach House is a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. She is the cofounder of the hit Web show and podcast Friends & Fiction.
Monroe found her true calling in environmental fiction when she moved to the Isle of Palms, South Carolina. Captivated by the beauty and fragility of the Lowcountry, Monroe draws from experiences in her new home to give a strong and important focus for her novels. Visit her at MaryAliceMonroe.com and at Facebook.com/MaryAliceMonroe.
FOR MORE ON THIS AUTHOR:
SimonandSchuster.com/Authors/Mary-Alice-Monroe
SimonandSchuster.com
@GalleryBooks
Also by Mary Alice Monroe
BEACH HOUSE SERIES
Beach House Memories
Beach House for Rent
Beach House Reunion
On Ocean Boulevard
LOWCOUNTRY SUMMER SERIES
The Summer Girls
The Summer Wind
The Summer’s End
A Lowcountry Wedding
STAND-ALONE NOVELS
The Summer Guests
A Lowcountry Christmas
The Butterfly’s Daughter
Last Light over Carolina
Time Is a River
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Gallery Books
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This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Copyright © 2021 by Mary Alice Monroe
Maps and family tree by Danielle Fabrega
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First Gallery Books hardcover edition May 2021
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Interior design by Davina Mock-Maniscalco
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