Dedicated a book to friends dcs and she's not mentioned it

[Trampire]

I'm braving AIBU. To be honest I'm not sure where to put this...

I'm feeling a little confused. I'm a professional illustrator. I've had hundreds of books published. I often get asked to include a dedication in the book. Over the years I've included my own dcs, my dh, my mum and dad and friend's children.

I few years ago I reconnected with an old school friend who is shared a flat with in London when we were in our 20's. We're in our mid 40's now. My dcs are slightly older than hers but we met up a few times and had a great time, all got on well. We regularly sent birthday and Xmas cards. I sent through copies of my new books to her dcs etc. When my dad died earlier this year she was really supportive, lots of phone calls and we met up for a dog walk. She sent through a photo of her daughter on World book day dressed up as one of my book characters - I was really touched.
So when I was asked for a dedication for my latest book I put her dcs names forward. When the title came out I sent her a few copies along with a birthday card for her. I explained that I'd dedicated the book to her dcs as they were always supportive and interested in my books.

Thing is, since then I've heard nothing. I left it a whole as I know life is busy. We normally communicate by text. I sent her a text a month later asking if she was ok and did her dcs like the books? No reply.

Wtf? Could anyone possibly be offended by a book dedication? Maybe it's nothing to do with that and I'm over thinking it? She doesn't do SM but her husband does. I've taken to looking at his fb page to see if something tragic had happened but from what I can see it's business as usual.

I'm so confused. Shall I leave it? I'm not offended or angry about the book really (I dedicated a book to my dh's niece once and my BIL and his de could not have been less interested!) and just so confused as it's do out of character.

Sorry for typos. I'm on my phone and have fat fingers.

That is pretty strange. I’m assuming there was nothing controversial about the book?

Not at all. It was a children's fiction book.

Try calling. If it rings but no answer, send another text asking if everything is ok as you havent heard back from her

Do you think she be jealous?

Maybe she's jealous of your success?

*could be

That is odd. I had a book dedicated to me by a family member. I was very surprised and a little overwhelmed but also appreciative. Maybe she found it too much? Still odd though to break contact

She never got the book?
Was it sent recorded delivery?

Weird! You have to ask her, don't you.

"Hi friend. Not heard from you in a while and wondering if you and yours all ok?"

I've been an illustrator for 24 years. I doubt she's jealous. She's always been very supportive. It's such a mystery. Maybe it was too much?
It's just that her dcs especially have always been so enthusiastic.

I'm too scared to call.

Did you misspell one of the kids names? 😂

I think she's never received it and feels embarrassed.
What a lovely thing to do op.

I can’t imagine anyone not loving that, tbh. Would be a weird thing to take offence at!

No it wasn't special delivery. I didn't think to do that as I've always sent her gifts/parcels and never had a problem. I was just sending her a normal birthday parcel and included the books in it.

Oh maybe it's lost!...

Why is the first answer always "she's jealous"? It doesn't make any sense anyway, a dedication wouldn't make her jealous if she wasn't before.

In all likelihood she has shit going on and it has nothing to do with you, and your dedication doesn't even register as a thing.

Maybe she felt overlooked, as in she is your friend so why didn't you choose her for the dedication.

I don't know really, just guessing.

Is definitely assume it's lost - text and ask if she got the book and liked the dedication.

This may sound silly but is something I would(have) do:

Is it possible she's been meaning to text to say thank you and hasn't got round to it, and now feels rude for not saying they love it so feels uncomfortable about the whole situation and doesn't know what to say. Obviously you can't know for sure but may know her well enough to know she might feel like that. Anyway, a theory.

That's a bit strange isn't it? If it were lost surely she'd have responded & said she hadn't received it?

It's probably lost -- there's no way on earth that a normal person wouldn't at least drop a text to say 'thanks' for a book dedication.

Can you casually ask if she's received the books? I hate doing stuff like that because I think it looks as though I'm fishing for thanks, but I always actually foreground that ie 'I'm not fishing, honest, just hope you got it...!'

I'd assume for now that they got mislaid, rather than immediately assuming there was a problem. It seems odd otherwise not even to say thank you for the copies of the book or her birthday card.

I don't mean mislaid, I mean haven't arrived.

Missing point but I really want to know who you are now

The only thing I can think of is that she is one of those private people and didn't want her children to be identified by those who read the book. Otherwise can't think of any reason why she should be annoyed. I think you maybe should have run it past her first.