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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
(3.5) I was a huge Sarah Dessen girlie when I'm in high school, and it's comforting to see that she's still writing heartfelt stories about teen girls who feel like they don't fit in, finding a community that feels like home. The Rest of the Story is not a new favorite of mine, but I still enjoyed the read.
adventurous
emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was the first Dessen I've read in a while and I’m so so so happy that I still enjoy her writing! I feel like the troubles and plots in her books are super realistic and relatable, The Rest of the Story being about a teenager, Emma (or Saylor as her mom used to call her) who is sent to North Lake to spend the summer with her mom's side of the family. Saylor spends the summer learning about the family she never knew, how her parents met and fell in love and especially more about the boy Roo, who was apparently her best friend when they were little.
The Rest of the Story was a really great summer read featuring realistic and relatable characters. Emma is trying to find out more about her mom, who she lost at a young age, and this whole new side of the family that she never got to know. This was a really wonderful story about family, discovering who you are and falling in love for the first time. It is a slow burn but it went by fast for me. If you enjoy realistic YA, especially ones that focus more on family rather than the love interest, then you'll really enjoy this one.
The Rest of the Story was a really great summer read featuring realistic and relatable characters. Emma is trying to find out more about her mom, who she lost at a young age, and this whole new side of the family that she never got to know. This was a really wonderful story about family, discovering who you are and falling in love for the first time. It is a slow burn but it went by fast for me. If you enjoy realistic YA, especially ones that focus more on family rather than the love interest, then you'll really enjoy this one.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think my rating would have been higher if I had different expectations heading in. This book was recommended on a romance books forum. And I would say that while, yes, there is romance, it’s not really the focus. Apart from that, I felt like the pacing in the last third of the book was hyper fast compared to the start of the book. I would’ve liked a more even pacing.
As for positives, the setting was vivid, and I felt like nearly all the characters were very likable and realistic. I liked the personal journey the FMC went on. She was a very realistic portrayal of a teenage girl. I think I would have enjoyed this book even more if I was a bit closer to Saylor’s age. But I still found some stuff relatable. Overall, an enjoyable story.
As for positives, the setting was vivid, and I felt like nearly all the characters were very likable and realistic. I liked the personal journey the FMC went on. She was a very realistic portrayal of a teenage girl. I think I would have enjoyed this book even more if I was a bit closer to Saylor’s age. But I still found some stuff relatable. Overall, an enjoyable story.
so incredible!! i was completely captivated by the characters & the journey of
emma meeting family & making friends while discovering the story her family was so inspiring. my favorite thing was the atmosphere that was created, this lake town felt so familiar— like home.
emma meeting family & making friends while discovering the story her family was so inspiring. my favorite thing was the atmosphere that was created, this lake town felt so familiar— like home.
Hands down the best reread of a SD book. The perfect mix of everything here and nothing incredibly unrealistic. 10/10, no notes.
I love Emma learning about her family that as lost to her, but I'm a little shaky on the relationship between her and her dad.
Why did I wait so long to read this book?! It was everything I needed it to be. A lake, a realistic romance, a likeable main character, and an interesting discussion of class differences. LOVE it.