Immaculate

Jill Grinberg—my agent, my boss, my guide, my friend. I am eternally grateful that my path brought me to you and to JGLM. Thank you for believing in me as a writer and as an agent—and for always encouraging me to be both. Signing with you and your brilliant arsenal of authors was the day I first considered myself to be a writer.

Cheryl Pientka—my cheerleader from day one, there’s no one else I’d rather have championing my baby all around the globe. Thank you for the endless pep talks and the endless insights. I am so glad that you’re always just a shout across the office away.

Leila Sales—I feel tremendously lucky to have not just an exceptionally talented editor at my side, but an exceptionally talented writer to boot. You have a way of talking to the voices inside my head and making much more sense of them than I ever could. Thank you for being my Book Whisperer, and for making Immaculate everything that it is today. So glad we got that coffee.

To the entire Viking team—I am honored to be a part of your list. Thank you to each and every one of you for working your special magic. I know how much time and energy and passion goes into every single book, and I respect and value your efforts beyond measure.

Leslie York and Sarah Barley, my publishing wing girls—your wise words and your cheers from the sidelines helped transform a questionable rough draft into a living, breathing, viable creation. I will always be supremely grateful for your role in crafting Mina’s story.

Thank you to my OB/GYN experts, Dr. A

Thank you to the authors whom I’m lucky enough to work with firsthand—you motivate me every day to be a better writer.

Thank you to the amazing teachers along the way who convinced me that making a career out of reading and writing wasn’t just a silly pipe dream, and that I only had to keep reaching. Mr. Leskusky, Mr. Quatrani, Mr. McCaig—you made all the difference.

Thank you to Laura, Ashleigh, and Therese, my beautiful roommates who read and reread and let me hole away on Friday nights and su

So many, many thanks to my childhood muses, my Ha

Thank you to my family—the full clan of Detweilers and Noels—for encouraging my nuttiness over the years, and for always making me feel loved and supported (even during the more obnoxious phases). You are the ground beneath my feet.

Thank you to my dearest big brother Peter—I may have scrapped Mina’s brother from the story, but you are still here, on every single page. You are the co-author of my childhood. And Lauren—I feel lucky every day that life handed me a sister like you. (Your vast and inimitable expertise of YA is just a bonus, of course.)

Dad and Mom—it’s impossible to adequately express my appreciation when it comes to you two. There is such a never-ending flow of gratitude for the hope, reason, and inspiration you gift me with each and every day. Thank you, De

Thank you, lastly, to all of the readers. To everyone who gives this story a chance, who pushes themselves to wonder—and maybe even believe—outside of the black and white lines. Thank you to those who dare to venture into the gray.

Thank you, because truly, you are my miracle.

Peter and Lauren Detweiler

Katelyn Detweiler (www.katelyndetweiler.com) was born and raised in Pe

Peter and Lauren Detweiler

Katelyn Detweiler (www.katelyndetweiler.com) was born and raised in Pe

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