So I tell my sister the truth, what I didn’t tell Liam—that on the day in the tower, Caro cupped some of the light of her heart in her palm as her breathing slowed. That I know without a doubt that she swallowed it, and died with a knowing smile on her lips. That it reminds me of how in another life, I swallowed her heart-stone.
That there are ways of defying death, of coming back again.
Ways for her and me and only us. Because we are different.
Or at least, we were.
Something in me—that part that is no longer afraid to hope—whispers to wait and see. That someday, I might be able to speak to my oldest friend again and everything will be different.
Someday doesn’t carry the weight that it once did, when every day was hard fought, hard won. My life stretches out before me like sunlight on water. I am healing. With safety, with peace, with Liam and Ina by my side—I don’t look forward with dread, but with hope.
I have a future. It’s not infinite, but it is enough.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This book owes its existence to a whole host of people whose love, hard work, and dedication are stamped invisibly on its pages. I owe a massive thank-you to the following people:
To the amazing team at Glasstown Entertainment, past and present: Lauren Oliver, Rhoda Belleza, Kamilla Benko, Tara Sonin, Adam Silvera, Kat Cho, Diana Sousa, and Lexa Hillyer, who is ever wise and clear-eyed about the big picture; Emily Berge, my fearless guide to the wild world of social media; and most of all, Alexa Wejko. Alexa, at the risk of being a broken record, this book really should have your name on it too. You’re the best!
To the brilliant and long-suffering Erica Sussman, whose margin-note cheers and gasps kept me writing through the worst blocks; to publicity superstars Olivia Russo, Sabrina Abballe, and Ebony LaDelle for showering these books with so much love; and to the whole team at HarperTeen, who worked to shepherd Jules and co. into the world.
To my tireless team at InkWell Management: Stephen, Lyndsey, and Claire, for bringing Everless and Evermore to the world—it will never cease to be awe-inspiring, thinking of all the places this story has gone!
To the lovely people at Orchard Books: Jess Tarrant, Stephanie Allen, Naomi Berwin, and Nicola Goode; at Blossom Books: Myrthe Spiteri and Lotte Dijkstra; and to all the publishers around the world who I haven’t yet had the privilege to meet, but hope to someday soon!
To Jenna Stempel-Lobell and Billelis for two incredible covers.
To my first beta readers: Korinne S., Kaitie C., Katelyn G., and Megan M., whose insight and encouragement helped shape Evermore. I hope to meet you in person one day!
To all my writer friends: Patrice, Laura, Sarah, Kit, Mark, Jeffrey, Jeremy, Cristina, Arvin, Kheryn, Lauren, Emily, and more. I’m starstruck by all of you every day, and your friendship and support mean so much.
To my family: Mom, Dad, Rachel, Ben, and Hannah, my first and best fans. And to Henry—did you know you’re my favorite?
And most of all, to you, reader. You’re the one who makes it real.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo by Sub/Urban Photography
SARA HOLLAND grew up between small-town Minnesota and the countless fictional worlds of books. She graduated from Wesleyan University and worked in a tea shop, a dentist’s office, and a state capitol building before heading to New York to work in publishing. These days, she can be found exploring the city’s bookstores or finding new ways to put caffeine in her bloodstream. She is also the author of Everless.
Visit her online at www.sarahollandwrites.com.
BOOKS BY SARA HOLLAND
EVERLESS
EVERMORE
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COPYRIGHT
HarperTeen is an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
EVERMORE. Copyright © 2019 by Glasstown Entertainment, LLC. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the nonexclusive, nontransferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse-engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereafter invented, without the express written permission of HarperCollins e-books.
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Cover art © 2019 by Billelis
Cover design by Jenna Stempel-Lobell
Digital Edition JANUARY 2019 ISBN: 978-0-06-265371-0
Print ISBN: 978-0-06-265369-7 — ISBN 978-0-06-290592-5 (intl ed)
1819202122PC/LSCH10987654321
FIRST EDITION
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