A summer spent with estranged family forces a teenage girl to confront buried truths and a budding romance.

Emma Saylor is sent to spend the summer with her father and his new wife, a situation she dreads. Her father's family has always been a source of mystery and pain, especially since her mother's death. As Emma navigates this unfamiliar territory, she finds herself drawn to a boy named Roo, who seems to understand her in ways no one else does. The summer unfolds with unexpected revelations about her family's past and the complexities of love and loss, all set against the backdrop of a coastal town.

Sarah Dessen's 'Rest of the Story' is a quintessential coming-of-age novel that resonates with themes of family, love, and self-discovery. Readers often praise Dessen's ability to capture the authentic voice and emotional landscape of teenage protagonists, making Emma's struggles with grief and familial estrangement feel deeply personal. The novel is noted for its exploration of complex family dynamics and the slow, unfolding nature of romantic relationships, often set against a backdrop that enhances the summer's transformative power. The narrative's strength lies in its gentle pacing and its focus on the internal growth of its characters, offering a heartfelt look at piecing together one's past to understand the present.