I still can't believe I'm sat here writing this part, looking back on everything that I've achieved with this story. Siren first started as a fun little retelling to help get those writers gears moving again, but from the moment I began writing those first lines of the prologue, I just knew this story was going to be so much more than that. As Ashlyn's beautiful story unfolded before me, I knew this story was going to be more than just a fun retelling to rekindle old passions. It became a living, breathing reminder of the courage and the strength we all possess inside, and this story will forever hold a very special place in my heart.

It's been a wild ride for the last year and a half putting this story down on paper, talking to myself while driving, making faces at myself in the mirror, trips to the beach to feel the sand between my toes, and so much research. All that time, effort, and fun has come together and I couldn't have done it without all of you!

A special shout-out needs to go to the following ladies, without whom this moment might never have come. First of all, to the beautiful and always supportive, CelesteABrook - I've cried, I've screamed, I've resisted and wanted to pull my hair out, but through it all, you have been there showing your unconditional support. You've been the voice of reason and the voice behind those difficult questions that I love so much, and you've never shied away from telling me what I needed to hear. You've been there to cheer me on through every milestone and victory, and I will never be able to put into words how much I appreciate you—unless you'd like a novel all about how much I love you—you know I could do it, LOL. You have been one of the best friends I could have ever asked for, and I love you a thousand red roses!! I'll be toasting to you tonight and everything that you are.

A massive thank you also goes to both loiseaublanc and SloanBrady without whom this story wouldn't be what it is that you all are reading today. You've been my rocks throughout this journey, and you've been my cheerleaders since the very beginning. All those late nights spent brainstorming, answering my silly questions, reducing word counts, and providing your second opinions on different scenes and events as I've written them have been invaluable. I wish I could give you both the world for all that you've done, but since I can't do that, I hope that you will accept all of my love, appreciation, hugs (yes Clara, there are more hugs xD), and support in return. You two are incredible and everything I've achieved here is because of you! I love you both, and can't wait to have copies of both your books on my shelves someday ;)

To all my Romance friends out there (you know who you are) - Thank you for being my sounding boards and inspirations, for sprinting with me, and for believing in me. But, most of all, I want to thank you for your passion and your love for Romance, and for being so willing to share it with others. Each and every one of you is an incredibly talented writer, and it has been an honor and a privilege to be part of your Romance family, learning and growing alongside you each day. I can't wait to see you all achieve greatness, while I sit here in my little corner of New Zealand bragging about how I know each and every one of you ♥

Thank you to Wattpad for providing this platform and space where readers and writers can connect and experience the power of words together. And last, but definitely not least, a huge thank you to every single person who has ever read, commented, voted, added to a reading list, recommended it to someone, supported, or encouraged me. Whether you've done so silently or vocally, it has made all the same difference, and this celebration and this achievement's as much yours as it is mine. Y'all are what makes all of this worth it, and it has been an honor to share this story with you all.

Thank you everyone for coming on this journey with me, and I cannot wait to embark on what comes next with you at my side.

All my love, and the biggest of hugs,