by Kata Čuić
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@katapretends
Website: katacuicbooks.com
Acknowledgments
Ironically, I have no idea what to say. No clue how to adequately put all these intensely personal, emotional thoughts onto paper. Real life isn’t fictional at all, and this has been a long, hard road since 2014 when my brain first birthed these characters.
I’m afraid I’m going to do this wrong.
I guess that’s the biggest takeaway from this series. It’s named Moving the Chains for a reason—forward progress, no matter how small, counts for something. I have made so damn many mistakes along the way. I hope I’ve learned and grown, too. Just like these characters. Yet, there’s always a sense of melancholy when it’s time to close and lock one door while getting ready to either open a new one, or—at the very least—turn down a new hallway.
I’ve made friends; I’ve lost friends. I’ve had my trust smashed to pieces, only for it to be rebuilt in other ways. I’ve blamed; I’ve introspected (is that even a word?). I’ve struggled; I’ve “quit” too many times to count. I am wholly different than when this series began. I want to thank the helping hands and also thank the damaging ones. I’m here because of you—for better or worse.
First and foremost, I have to thank my daughters. You’ve grown up with me writing this series as much as I’ve grown up as an author. I’m the parent, but you’ve given me nothing but unconditional support, love, and encouragement whenever I needed it. You were 10 and 8 when you first had to learn how to share me with fictional characters, and you have never resented Mommy trying to find her place in the world as you’ve blossomed into some of the most intelligent, witty, thoughtful, and gorgeous young women I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing. I am so freaking proud of you. You’re going to read these books someday—even though I keep telling you not to—and I want you to know that you have been on my mind with every romance I create. Never settle. Never accept less than someone else’s best. We still haven’t decided if manwhores > himbos or vice-versa, but suffice it to say:
Find a partner you can imagine growing old with. Someone who will be your best friend through the worst times and someone who will laugh with you during the best. Your dad and I strive to be that example for you every day, even when we’re contemplating marr-der.
Speaking of daddies…Thank you, babe. This hasn’t been an easy road nor an easy book. You continue to not only fulfill every vow you ever made to me, but you also work your hardest every day to surpass them. We’re still living the greatest story I’ve ever written. You’re the best co-writer imaginable.
For my son, whose voice cracking and hiding away in his room has brought me to tears more than once while writing the end of this series. It’s abundantly clear you’re beginning a new chapter in your life as well. My greatest wish is for your happiness, but I selfishly hold out hope that you will also find the Liv to your Ollie someday. She’d better be worthy enough that I don’t have to bring out my claws.
There are a million other people to thank, and I can’t list them all. Just know I think of you and appreciate everything you’ve done to make this wild hair a reality.
Cheers to many more!
Personal Foul Playlist
New Rules | Dua Lipa
Up in the Air | Thirty Seconds to Mars
Sit Still, Look Pretty | Daya
I Warned Myself | Charlie Puth
Castle | Halsey
Civil War | Andy Grammer
Beautiful Tango | Hindi Zahra
The Man | The Killers
Stressed Out | Twenty-One Pilots
Champion | Fall Out Boy
In My Blood | Shawn Mendes
Tell Her You Love Her | Echosmith ft. Matt Kearney
Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) | Kelly Clarkson
Everything Has Changed | Taylor Swift ft. Ed Sheeran
Jealous | Labrinth
Basket Case | Green Day
Body Party | Ciara
Controlla | Drake
Me & U | Cassie
Pillowtalk | Zayn
You Don’t Own Me | SAYGRACE ft. G-Eazy
All Over You | Leisure
Breathin | Ariana Grande
When a Man Loves a Woman | Percy Sledge
Just a Kiss | Lady A
Death of a Bachelor | Panic! at the Disco
Lovely | Billie Eilish ft. Khalid
Make You Feel My Love | Bob Dylan
Young Blood | Birdy
Sorry | Justin Bieber
Conversations in the Dark | John Legend
I Would Do Anything for You | Foster the People
Unconditionally | Katy Perry
Not a Bad Thing | Justin Timberlake
All We Know | The Chainsmokers ft. Phoebe Ryan
I Fall Apart | Post Malone
White Horse | Taylor Swift
Close | Nick Jonas ft. Tove Lo
Layla | Eric Clapton
If It Feels Good (Then It Must Be) | Leon Bridges
All I Know So Far | P!nk
Lay Me Down | Sam Smith
I Choose You | Sara Bareilles
End of an Era | Marianas Trench
You can listen to the playlist on Spotify