The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen Book Review | A Nostalgic YA Summer Read
The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen is a heartfelt young adult novel about family, identity, first love, and the transformative power of one unforgettable summer. In this review, I share why this nostalgic story resonated with me deeply, even as an adult reader.
The Rest of the Story by Sarah Dessen book cover
My Review of The Rest of the Story
I had The Rest of the Story on my shelf for years, unread, until now. I felt compelled to read it before attending Sarah Dessen's signing at The Strand for her new book, Change of Plans. I first discovered Sarah in high school, using her story, Saint Anything, for an AP paper. Her stories fit perfectly for that time in my life because she captures the YA scene so well.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect to love The Rest of the Story as much at this stage in my life. YA has lately felt off for me, and I often feel too old to connect with some main characters. Yet, Sarah writes compelling, nostalgic coming-of-age stories that don’t feel too young. Emma Saylor’s experiences reminded me of my past and even resonated with my current life as an adult.
Themes of Identity, Family, and First Love
Having a cast of characters of varying ages who connect with the main character both matured Saylor and reignited her innocence. Over the course of the summer, she grows into this new woman. She discovers her identity, hears stories from the past, connects with family and strangers in ways she never thought possible, and dives into a bit of “responsible” recklessness (with a little irresponsibility too…they’re teens, I’d expect nothing less). Along the way, she falls in love with a boy who helps her understand her background, simultaneously teaching her about the past and paving a way for the future Saylor.
She is motivated to overcome her fears, break through the stigma surrounding her visit, and speak up for what and who she believes in. There are so many layers to this overwhelmingly heartfelt story. I found myself itching to know what would happen next, what story Emma would uncover, or a new experience she’d embark on. I lived for the connections she made with her cousins, and loved seeing her first crush develop into more across the pages. Watching her grow as the summer progressed was truly rewarding.
At the signing, Sarah Dessen shared her love of writing about summer because she and her friends always felt summer brought change. I feel the same, and seeing it happen to Saylor reminded me of my own cherished summer memories.
Final Thoughts and Rating
Overall, this story was heartwarming, with a calming presence throughout. Though Emma faced stress, the story centers on overcoming challenges. I’m glad I read it now; it filled my heart and reminded me of the value of new and past connections. I know I’d want to share this story with a future daughter. This story, like much of Sarah’s writing, will span generations. I’m grateful to experience her worlds and characters. I am rating The Rest of the Story 10 out of 10 stars for its heartwarming nostalgia.
As always, thanks for reading!💙
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️