Sarah Dessen is an American author who has been publishing books science 1996. She’s known for taking a specific interest in young adult literature, and along the way has amassed an impressive body of work and the label of #1 New York Times Bestseller, as well.
If you’ve recently finished your current read and happen to be interested in exploring some of Sarah Dessen’s work, rest assured that you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, I’m going to be providing you with a list of all of Sarah Dessen’s books to date, in chronological order. Let’s dive right in!
About Sarah Dessen Books
Before we jump into the order of Sarah Dessen’s book order, I first want to provide you with some more information on what type of writer she is, as well as what type of novels she is known to create. That way, you’ll know exactly what to expect.
Sarah Dessen is a #1 New York Times bestselling author that has currently got over a dozen novels in her body of work that has gained both critical and commercial success. In particular, Sarah Dessen is known for creating books for young adults that typically tend to fall in the romance genre.
More specifically, Sarah Dessen is known for creating novels that are very female-focused. Each novel that she writes focuses on the journey of a female protagonist, and the stories are almost always coming-of-age with an element of romance.
Some of the most common themes that are explored in Sarah Dessen’s books are:
Mother-daughter relationships
Sense of self-worth, usually caused by a love interest
That Summer is a story that centers around the main character: Haven. With her world changing around her, Haven doesn’t know where she fits in, or even who she is, for that matter.
Suddenly, Haven’s sister’s ex-boyfriend shows up, which sparks memories of the summer they shared when everything was perfect. Somewhere along the way, Haven realizes that change can actually be a pretty good thing.
Pros
Relatable and heartfelt.
A page turner, you won’t want to put it down!
Great characters that add to the plot.
Cons
Some readers feel certain plot points could have been explored in more detail.
In Someone Like You, Halley was always content to live in the shadows of her best friend, Scarlett. But, when Scarlett’s boyfriend dies and she learns she is pregnant, Halley has to muster up the strength to take the lead in the friendship and help her friend through it all. After all, friendship is a lifelong promise.
Pros
A realistic look into what it’s like to be a teenager.
Beautifully written and well-paced.
Particular emphasis on friendships.
Cons
The story is broken into three parts, with some readers feeling that the first part is hard to get into.
Another story that focuses heavily on friendship, Keeping the Moon centers around Colle, a girl who plans on spending her summer chilling at the beach.
But, when she meets Morgan and Isabel, Colle gets the chance to learn what true friendship is all about, as well as the chance to experience her very first love thanks to it!
Pros
Well-paced and purposefully used characters that help to drive the story forward.
Coming-of-age style tale.
Cons
Ideal for young adults, so a more mature audience might not enjoy this novel.
When Caitlin’s sister suddenly upped and left, Caitlin felt hopelessly lost with no sense of direction. That is until she met Rogerson.
When Caitlin is with him, she feels happy and free…but what happens when being with the one thing that brings her happiness, Rogerson, becomes dangerous and scary?
Pros
Emotional reading. Ideal for those looking for a book that’s going to tug on the heartstrings!
Truthful and explores real-life issues.
Cons
Some readers feel this novel could have been paced better.
In This Lullaby, Remy figures that she knows exactly who she is and where she is going in life. However, when she meets Dexter, an aspiring musician, Remy’s whole life gets turned upside down.
Is this fresh start with him a chance to finally understand everything that the love songs talk about?
Pros
Excellent ready for young adults and teens.
Great flow and use of characters throughout.
Ideal for those who love romance novels!
Cons
Some readers found this book hard to get into initially.
A book that’s all about expecting the unexpected, The Truth About Forever is a page-turning novel that centers itself around the main character Macy.
She’s a girl that’s got her whole summer planned out, but when she meets Wes and her summer plans are thrown out the window, she soon discovers that the things we don’t see coming are often the most significant.
Pros
Thought-provoking.
Coming-of-age.
Super relatable and covers everything from familial ties all the way to the pressures of school.
In Just Listen, Annabel is a model that’s described as being so beautiful she’s a picture of perfection. Still, in her personal life, Annabel feels that she is anything but perfect!
Luckily, she’s got an amazing boyfriend, Owen, who is determined to show her just how special she really is. All she needs to do is be willing to listen…
Pros
Gripping storyline that will be hard to put down!
Young adult romance.
Plenty of characters help drive the plot forward while adding a complexity that doesn’t compromise the story.
Cons
Some readers find certain parts of the story to be a little repetitive.
Ruby is pretty used to taking care of herself and being independent. Now that she’s moved in with her sister, she’s going to a great school and has a room that she can call her own. There’s even a cute boy next door!
When he shows interest, she backs away…can Ruby take a leap of faith into the unknown and experience the true love she’s looking for?
Pros
Readers love the attention to detail that makes the story super immersive.
Ideal for young adults.
Though it is a romance, it focuses on many other themes such as self-growth.
Cons
Some readers feel this book doesn’t stand up against other Sarah Dessen books.
Set to be a movie on Netflix, Along for the Ride is a thrilling read that centers around Auden. She loves the night because it’s her one chance to escape everything that she goes through during the day.
When she meets Eli, another fellow insomniac, the two decide to spend the summer nights together with Eli as the tour guide. Anything can happen!
Pros
Set to be a major motion picture.
Well paced and compelling storyline.
Easy to read and a real page-turner…the perfect beach read!
Cons
Some readers wish this book was a little more complex.
Infinity is a short story written by Sarah Dessen that is centered around a girl that is currently experiencing a variety of “rites of passage” in her life, including learning to drive.
Pros
Insightful and well-written.
Short story, ideal for those not looking for a big read.
Mclean has spent so many years of her life pretending to be something that she’s not that she’s almost forgotten who she actually is. Luckily, there’s a cute guy next door that’s determined to help her figure it out.
Pros
An excellent writing style that keeps you wanting more.
An ideal summer read.
Good use of characters.
Cons
Some readers found this book a little hard to stick with in the beginning chapters.
A coming-of-age tale, Luke is a perfect boyfriend to Emaline. He’s kind and supportive, and the pair have been together all throughout high school. Now that it’s the summer before college, Emaline is maturing into a young woman and wondering if perfect is ever good enough.
Pros
A simplistic yet heartfelt story that will keep readers hooked from the get go.
Well-paced and has a great use of characters.
Emotional.
Cons
Some feel this book doesn’t compare to other works by Sarah Dessen.
A story that tells the tale of a girl discovering herself, learning the true meaning of friendships, and falling in love, Saint Anything is a beautiful story about forgiveness and new beginnings.
When Sydney’s charming older mother gets involved in a drunk driving accident, her family dynamic slowly begins to unravel at her very feet. She befriends the Chathams, a close-knit family, and soon begins to discover that she is not at fault for the mistakes Peyton has made.
Pros
Described as being “heartbreaking and heartfelt”.
Beautifully written and navigates multiple themes with ease.
Cons
Some feel that one character, Peyton, slows down the plot somewhat.
Louna’s summer job is working for a company that helps brides plan their wedding days. Louna herself has given up on love after her first experience with it ended in disaster, but when Ambrose rocks up to down – he’s determined to win her heart. The only question is, will Louna give love a second chance?
Pros
Emotional.
Coming-of-age.
Full to the brim with humor, romance, and even a happily ever after.
Cons
Written for young adults, so might not be suitable for older readers.
This beautiful novel by Sarah Dessen is about a girl who gets the chance to reconnect with her mother’s side of the family after suffering a tragic loss.
Along the way, she’s able to rebuild family bonds, heal from the past and even experience her very first love all over the course of one incredible summer.
Pros
Described as being a summertime “gem”.
A relaxing and entertaining read ideal for the beach.
Well-written plot with memorable characters.
Cons
Some readers feel that certain plot points were left unanswered/unresolved.
Final Thoughts
Thank you for reading through this guide. I hope that I have been able to give you a better understanding of what type of writer Sarah Dessen is, as well as what order you can read her books in.
Generally speaking, given the fact that Sarah Dessen has not got any series, you can go ahead and read Sarah Dessen’s books in any order that you like.
Still, if you want to read all of her books by order of release date, then all you’ll need to do is follow the order I have provided you with above. Goodbye for now.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Sarah Dessen Books Connected?
Even though Sarah Dessen’s books aren’t connected by plot or characters, there are certain elements Sarah Dessen is known for including in her books that create similarities. For example, many of the stories are set in the same towns.
Does Sarah Dessen Have A Series?
No, Sarah Dessen has only written standalone novels at the time of writing.
Noah Burton works as a Librarian full time, and is a blogger in his spare time. His goal is to write compelling recommendations for all of the most popular books he can find, from science fiction to romance.
With a passion for books, a drive to find new reads to get stuck into, and a love for sharing book recommendations with others, Noah can help you find the next novel for your bucket list.
