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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-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
It's a Sarah Dessen Summer ladies and gentlemen. For how much I enjoyed this book, I could not tell you how it was any different from any of her other books. Like I can, but I also had no idea what the title was when I was going to put this in. Still love it though. Who knew I was such a Sarah Dessen Stan? I could never get into them when I was younger. There's just something so nostalgic about the fact that she likes to start things in the summer, regardless of whether or not we then go into a school year there is always some element of summer in these books. And honestly, even if that's not true (I still have many left to read), I think there's a hint of summer that just runs in the veins of a Sarah Dessen book. Like, if you were to read it in the dead of winter, it would be the kind of winter day that's so cold the minute you step out the door your nose is red, but it's not windy. Instead, the snow is super crunchy and the sun is blinding because it's being reflected off the snow and you're in the height of winter semester where responsibilities are piling up but they're not overwhelming and you're just feeling good about where you're at. Apparently I have a lot to say about Sarah Dessen. Did not think that would be the case.
This was the perfect YA novel for me with just the right balance of intrigue, drama, and realness. Such a feel good read with great lessons on conquering fears and taking control of your life!
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I love Sarah Dessen books, but this one is a bit slow for my liking. I also find some of the characters quite annoying. The story is still interesting and I enjoy the plot good for a summer read, but it does take a bit to get into the story proper.
The Rest of the Story is the first book I have read by Sarah Dessen, and I decided to put in on my TBR after I saw other bloggers recommending it a while back. The Rest of the Story follows Emma Saylor who has been living with her dad after her mother’s death when she was 10-years-old. When her dad remarries and leaves for the honeymoon, Emma is unexpectedly sent to spend the summer with her mother’s family who she has not seen since she was a little girl. Emma soon realizes her mother’s hometown is split into two with North Lake home of the working class and where her mother grew up and Lake North resort where the wealthy tourists including her dad had previously spent his summers at. Emma feels divided between the two communities and struggles with her identity. Her dad knows her as Emma, but her mother’s family knows her a Saylor. When the summer ends, which side of her will win out?
First of all, I listened to the audiobook of The Rest of the Story through Libby, and I loved Rebecca Soler as a narrator because she changed her to voice to match the characters. As far as the characters, Emma Saylor is a likable and relatable character because while she is staying with her grandmother and cousins, she is figuring out who she is as a person. Emma does have a large family, and it was a bit overwhelming at first when everyone was introduced, but her family members have their own distinct personalities, and listening to the audiobook helped distinguish everybody even more. I also liked seeing how Emma’s relationship with her mother’s family developed over the course of the book. I also like Roo, who was Emma’s best friend when they were children because he is such a sweet character. Even though the characters were likable, the plot bit slow. The focus of the plot is on Emma getting to know her mother’s side of the family and the stories from her family’s past, but the book does pick up in the second half, and the ending is fast-paced. However, because of the slow plot, I did have to put the book down for a bit around the halfway point before I could get back into it. I did think the ending was fine, but apparently the Barnes and Noble edition of The Rest of the Story has an epilogue, which I would have liked to read especially because an individual on Goodreads said it provided closure and gave an update on the characters. Despite not being able to read the epilogue, one of my favorite parts of the book is the contrast of the two settings of North Lake and Lake North and how Emma reconciled her divided identity. For the most part, I did like The Rest of the Story, but I am unsure if I want to read more of Sarah Dessen’s books.
Overall, The Rest of the Story is a nice summer read that focuses on family and identity, but the plot was slow and I do not like that the epilogue is not included in all versions of the book.
You can read my full review here: https://talesofbelle.com/2020/06/10/the-rest-of-the-story-book-review/
First of all, I listened to the audiobook of The Rest of the Story through Libby, and I loved Rebecca Soler as a narrator because she changed her to voice to match the characters. As far as the characters, Emma Saylor is a likable and relatable character because while she is staying with her grandmother and cousins, she is figuring out who she is as a person. Emma does have a large family, and it was a bit overwhelming at first when everyone was introduced, but her family members have their own distinct personalities, and listening to the audiobook helped distinguish everybody even more. I also liked seeing how Emma’s relationship with her mother’s family developed over the course of the book. I also like Roo, who was Emma’s best friend when they were children because he is such a sweet character. Even though the characters were likable, the plot bit slow. The focus of the plot is on Emma getting to know her mother’s side of the family and the stories from her family’s past, but the book does pick up in the second half, and the ending is fast-paced. However, because of the slow plot, I did have to put the book down for a bit around the halfway point before I could get back into it. I did think the ending was fine, but apparently the Barnes and Noble edition of The Rest of the Story has an epilogue, which I would have liked to read especially because an individual on Goodreads said it provided closure and gave an update on the characters. Despite not being able to read the epilogue, one of my favorite parts of the book is the contrast of the two settings of North Lake and Lake North and how Emma reconciled her divided identity. For the most part, I did like The Rest of the Story, but I am unsure if I want to read more of Sarah Dessen’s books.
Overall, The Rest of the Story is a nice summer read that focuses on family and identity, but the plot was slow and I do not like that the epilogue is not included in all versions of the book.
You can read my full review here: https://talesofbelle.com/2020/06/10/the-rest-of-the-story-book-review/