Acknowledgments

This novel was a rst for me: my rst historical ction, my rst attempt to write outside of my culture and gender, my rst exploration into tel ing an immigrant story outside of my own experience. I confess that every time I sat down at my desk to write, I did so ful of anxiety and fear. Had I set myself up for failure?

Did I real y have it in me to tel this story? Thankful y, I had my troops around me, ready to ght this battle alongside me.

First and foremost, I would like to thank my second-in-command, my husband, Cory Rayala, for the endless hours of listening to me brainstorm ideas, and then the tedious hours of copyediting that fol owed. Thank you for encouraging me, for believing in my ability to tel this story even when I did not.

I am grateful to my incredible agent, Johanna Castil o, for having my back and supporting me every step of the way. I have so much gratitude for everyone at Atria: my editor, Michel e Herrera Mul igan; the Atria team—especial y Alejandra Rocha, Maudee Genao, and Gena Lanzi—and everyone behind the scenes who helped bring this novel forth into the world. And a special thanks to Edward Benítez, my editor at HarperCol ins Español, who is bringing this story to readers in my native tongue.

My deepest gratitude to Elaine Colchie for her careful edits and for sticking with me to the end. To Leslie Schwartz for her guidance and wisdom. To Cathal Smith for his invaluable help and deep knowledge of Irish language, culture, and history, and Pedro Chávez for his insights into Texas and his assistance in research and fact-checking.

The rest of my battalion is composed of al my friends, col eagues, teachers, and early readers, whose insightful feedback made this novel better than I dreamed it could be: Diana Savas, María del Toro, Ben Carson, Rigoberto González, Jesse Donaldson, Paco Cantú, Norma Cantú, Micah Perks, Julissa

Arce, Macarena Hernández, Je Biggers, María Amparo Escandón, Michael Hogan, Breandan O Scanail , Yareli Arizmendi, Jessica Garrison, Yaccaira de la Torre, Connie Biewald, Monica Tejeda, Robin McDu , Michael Nava, and Carol Ruxton. Thanks to Yvette Benavides, Rosie Castro, Jesus de la Teja, Joie Davidow, and ire’ne lara silva for fact-checking some excerpts and answering my questions.

I would also like to give a special thanks to the Rowland Writers Retreat for giving me a room to work in and feeding me delicious meals. I wil always treasure those ten days in Aurora ful of writing, friendship, and beautiful views.

I’m grateful to the Under the Volcano Writing Residency and the Macondo Writers Workshop for giving me a place where I could connect with others when writing got lonely. A big shout-out to al the Volcanistas and Macondistas who read a chapter of this novel during workshop and to my workshop leaders, Valeria Luisel i, Carla Trujil o, Ruth Behar, and Sandra Cisneros.

And nal y, thank you, reader, for your support.