The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen

The Rest of the Story

by Sarah Dessen

From number one New York Times bestselling author Sarah Dessen comes a big-hearted novel about a girl who reconnects with a part of her family she hasn't seen since she was a little girl - and falls in love, all over the course of a magical summer.

Emma Saylor doesn't remember a lot about her mother, who died when she was ten. But she does remember the stories her mom told her about the big lake that went on forever.

Now it's just Emma and her dad, and life is good, if a little predictable . . . until Emma is unexpectedly sent to spend the summer with her mother's family - her grandmother and cousins she hasn't seen since she was a little girl.

When Emma arrives at the Lake, and spends more time with her mother's side of the family, she starts to feel like she is two different people . To her father, she is Emma. But to her new family, she is Saylor, the name her mother always called her.

Then there's Roo, the boy who was her very best friend when she was little. Roo holds the key to her family's history, and slowly, he helps her put the pieces together about her past. It's hard not to get caught up in the magic of the Lake - and Saylor finds herself falling under Roo's spell as well.

But when it's finally time to go back home, which side of Emma Saylor will win?

Reviewed by nightingalereads on

4 of 5 stars

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4 stars

Sarah Dessen can do no wrong. A bold claim, I know, but every Sarah Dessen book has spoken to some deeply rooted part of me, whether it’s a hidden fear, a longing, or an anxiety. Those of you who’ve read her before know what I mean. Sarah has this incredible ability of blending together family dynamics, romance, and identity so realistically, and with such humor, that I could probably list every single main character she’s ever written - along with their most intimate fears - without batting an eye. They just feel like real people.

The Rest of the Story was no exception. This latest book follows Emma/Saylor as she grapples with identity, love, and the grief of losing a parent to addiction. I loved all the characters, especially Saylor, her cousins, and Roo. Near the end of reading, I finally figured out why I enjoyed this one so much - it reminded me heavily of my favorite Sarah Dessen book, The Truth About Forever. The story has the same chaotic new friends dynamics, the grief of losing a parent, and the struggle to find who you are and what you want your life to be. Also, Saylor and Roo reminded me a lot of Wes and Macy. Not to the point of being duplicates (they are very much different people), but their relationship shared that same thread of truth-telling and understanding.

If you’ve never picked up a Sarah Dessen book, I HIGHLY recommend trying one. This latest by her is a fantastic addition.

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  • 12 November, 2018: Reviewed