I think one of my favourite parts of it all was the fact that finding what we had together hadn’t cost either of us a single penny.

Well … with the exception of an engagement ring and a new paint palette for our flat.

Acknowledgements

Writing Down London Road has been one of the best times I’ve ever had. The process of writing the book, and all the exciting things that were taking place in my life during it, made the entire experience wonderful and unforgettable.

Through it all my fantastic agent, Lauren Abramo, has helped me navigate these new waters. Thank you, Lauren, for your kindness, your sound advice, and for being absolutely brilliant at what you do.

Kerry Donovan: It’s been a dream working with you. Your unbelievable enthusiasm, great insights and support are so appreciated. You see into the souls of my characters, you understand my writing and where it comes from, and then you help make it better. Thank you.

I also want to say a massive thank-you to Claire Pelly. Claire, thank you for your support, for believing in this world I’ve created, and for braving the harsh Scottish weather for me. I know that couldn’t have been easy!

Nina Wegscheider: Thank you for embracing Joss, Braden, Jo and Cam and for introducing them to my German readers.

A lot of hard work has gone into reaching new readers and delivering these characters and the streets of Edinburgh to them. For all the interviews, the Twitter and Facebook Chats, the articles and guest posts, I want to thank Erin Galloway at New American Library and Katie Sheldrake and Kimberley Atkins at Michael Joseph. Ladies, you have been phenomenal, and I want you to know, despite my grumbling about getting my photo taken, I appreciate all the hard work.

An extra wee thank-you to Katie for also braving the cold weather in Scotland and enduring an almost fatal toe situation to be by my side and support me through the wonderful madness of introducing my characters to the UK.

The buzz around the series in Scotland has been crazy, surreal and awesome, and I have the kind, enthusiastic, indefatigable Moira MacMillan to thank for much of it. Thank you, Moira. You’ve gone above and beyond, kept my nerves company, and been a very good friend to have through this transition. Anyone who can make me laugh when I’m nervous as hell is a keeper!

To the teams at New American Library and Michael Joseph: Thank you to every single person who has contributed to this series. You’ve helped make a dream a reality.

I’ve always had so much respect for book bloggers and how much time and creativity they put into the love of a book. I want to say a massive thank-you to the ladies at Heroes & Heartbreakers, Smexy Books Romance Reviews, the Christian Grey Fan Page, and the SubClub Books for helping spread the word about these characters. You might just be better than chocolate!

There are also readers out there whose support blows my mind. I wish I could list them all, but if I did, we’d be here forever (and that in itself is an awesome thing that I am so grateful for), so I’d like to thank one in particular who has really touched me with her enthusiasm for my work. Trish Patel Brinkley: Lady, you freaking rock! Thank you for your kindness, generosity and consideration. I love my Keep Calm and Kiss Braden mug and will cherish it always.

Life is hectic these days, and it’s nice to be able to turn to people who understand. To my fellow authors Shelly Crane, Amy Bartol, Michelle Leighton, Georgia Cates, Quinn Loftis, Angeline Kace and Rachel Higginson, thank you for your friendship, insights, advice, genuine support, love and appreciation. To Tiffany King, you are awesome. Your tweets of support are a highlight of my week. And a huge thank-you to Tammy Blackwell. Tammy, it’s brilliant to find someone who shares the same weird sense of humour and enjoyment of numerical lists, but rare to really ‘get’ someone when all you have to rely on is words on a screen. Your friendship and support have meant a lot to me, and I can’t wait to meet you so intonation can finally play a part in our exchanges.

Last but by no means least I want to thank my family and friends for having my back always.

Mum and Dad: Your unwavering belief in me astounds me. I feel lucky every day to call you my parents and two of my best friends. I love you lots.

David: I’m glad we made it through those argumentative childhood years only to come out great friends at the end of it. When you tell me you’re proud of me, I feel ten feet tall. I probably don’t say it enough, but I love you, big bro.

Deeanne: Thank you for being a friend through all this craziness. I appreciate it more than you know.

Shanine: You, my oldest friend, are one of the most genuine people I have ever known. I’m proud to know you, and I can’t tell you how much your love and unbending support have meant to me over the years.

Kate McJ: My beautiful, intelligent and wonderfully mad friend. Thank you for being you and thank you for allowing me to be me. I’ll be forever grateful to that Ong Bak poster we bonded over.

And to Ashleen: We tend to see the world the same way, you and I, and there’s nothing more magical or reassuring than that. Moreover, I think you just might be the busiest person I know, and yet you somehow manage to make time to be there for me. Thank you, hon. It means the world.

To you, my reader: You’ve changed my world, and for that, I am eternally grateful to you. Thank you.

THE BEGINNING

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First published in the United States of America by New American Library, a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc. 2013

Published in Penguin Books 2013

Copyright © Samantha Young, 2013

Cover Image © Ilina Simeonova / Trevillion Images

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