The publisher kindly sent me a physical copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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, with cold, clear water and mossy trees at the edges.
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 North Lake, she realizes there are actually two very different communities there. Her mother grew up in working class North Lake, while her dad spent summers in the wealthier Lake North resort.
The more time Emma spends there, the more it starts to feel like she is divided into two people as well. 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 North Lake — and Saylor finds herself falling under Roo’s spell as well.
For Saylor, it’s like a whole new world is opening up to her. But when it’s time to go back home, which side of her will win out?
The Rest of the Story Review
When I first started reading young adult books, Sarah Dessen was one of the first authors I discovered. I’m so happy to have another one of her books to read!
The Rest of the Story follows Emma Saylor who spends the summer with her Mother’s family, who she hasn’t seen in years. As a result she discovers more about her mother as she also learns more about herself.
Emma is such an adorable main character. She’s caring, considerate and just so sweet. She’s desperately trying to navigate a world without her mom as well as her dad’s new married life.
One of the reasons why I love Sarah Dessen so much is because of her relatable characters. Her characters are always so realistic and bring out real emotions throughout the course of their stories. All the characters in this book are enjoyable. Especially, Roo, Bailey and Trinity!
I also just absolutely love the setting of this book. As someone who loves spending time at the lake, it makes me feel right at home. It’s just such a sweet setting for a wonderful story.
The overall plot of this book is lovely! It’s all about self-discovery, which is a common theme for Sarah Dessen. But, for some reason, this book feels different. Maybe it’s the setting or my current mood, but it’s a wonderful book. Emma’s experience in North Lake is relatable, heartwarming and incredible endearing!
Overall, The Rest of the Story is a sweet and charming read. I will forever love Sarah Dessen’s books because they’re easy to read and always enjoyable.
Whether you’re a fan of Sarah Dessen or not, I highly recommend The Rest of the Story! It’s the perfect summer book, especially for the beach or lake!
Rating: ★★★★☆
Favourite Quote
If life is a journey, wouldn’t you rather be the person behind the wheel than the one just being carried along?
About the Author
Sarah Dessen is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of over a dozen novels for teens, including Once and for All, Saint Anything, This Lullaby, The Truth About Forever, Just Listen and Along for the Ride. Her books have been published in over thirty countries and have sold millions of copies worldwide. That Summer and Someone Like You were made into the movie How to Deal. She is the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association for outstanding contribution to young adult literature. A North Carolina native, Sarah currently lives in Chapel Hill with her family.
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I really want to read it
I hope you get to it soon! It’s such a great read 😊