S

Sarah Dessen

Bestselling Author • 3 Series • 20 Books

3
Series
20
Books
3
Active

🎯 Where Should I Start?

Best Starting Point
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Start with: That Summer (1996)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas
Start with: Infinity (2010)
Popular Choice
Publication Order of Anthologies
Start with: One Hot Second: Stories About Desire (2002)

About Sarah Dessen

Sarah Dessen was born in Evanston, Illinois where she lived with her parents and her brother. Her parents were professors at the University of North Carolina. Her brother is a musician. Sarah is married to Jay and has a daughter named Sasha Clementine. Sarah loves pets and has dogs, chickens and lizards in her house. Sarah has graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with the highest honors in creative writing. She had a rough life during her teenage years which she admits as being her fault. She loves teaching and Starbucks mochas. She is still trying her hand at gardening and cooking. She taught at the University of North Carolina for sometime. She however started writing stories when she was eight years old thanks to a typewriter that she gifted to her. Rising to prominence with the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, Sarah Dessen has since expanded their repertoire to include numerous successful works across various genres. Their writing style, characterized by compelling narratives and memorable characters, has earned them a dedicated global readership with millions of fans worldwide.

📚 All Book Series by Sarah Dessen

Publication Order of Standalone Novels
16 books 1996–2026
1

That Summer

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with That Summer, another outstanding contribution from Sarah Dessen.

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1996
2

Someone Like You

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Someone Like You, another outstanding contribution from Sarah Dessen.

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1998
3

Keeping the Moon

Keeping the Moon continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Sarah Dessen's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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1999
4

Dreamland

Dreamland is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sarah Dessen have come to expect.

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2000
5

This Lullaby

This Lullaby is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sarah Dessen have come to expect.

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2002
6

How to Deal

How to Deal is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sarah Dessen have come to expect.

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2003
7

The Truth About Forever

The Truth About Forever is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sarah Dessen have come to expect.

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2004
8

Just Listen

Just Listen continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Sarah Dessen's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2006
9

Lock and Key

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Lock and Key, another outstanding contribution from Sarah Dessen.

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2008
10

Along for the Ride

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Along for the Ride, another outstanding contribution from Sarah Dessen.

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2009
11

What Happened to Goodbye

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with What Happened to Goodbye, another outstanding contribution from Sarah Dessen.

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2011
12

The Moon and More

The Moon and More continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Sarah Dessen's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2013
13

Saint Anything

Saint Anything continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Sarah Dessen's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2015
14

Once and for All

Once and for All continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels story arc with Sarah Dessen's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2017
15

The Rest of the Story

The Rest of the Story is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sarah Dessen have come to expect.

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2019
16

Change of Plans

Readers dive deeper into the world of Publication Order of Standalone Novels with Change of Plans, another outstanding contribution from Sarah Dessen.

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2026
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas
1 books 2010–2010
1

Infinity

Infinity continues the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas story arc with Sarah Dessen's signature blend of plot twists and unforgettable characters.

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2010
Publication Order of Anthologies
3 books 2002–2006
1

One Hot Second: Stories About Desire

One Hot Second: Stories About Desire explores the depths of love and connection in this compelling entry of the Publication Order of Anthologies series by Sarah Dessen.

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2002
2

Sixteen

Sixteen is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sarah Dessen have come to expect.

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2004
3

Twice Told

Twice Told is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, delivering the tension and character depth that fans of Sarah Dessen have come to expect.

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2006

? Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Sarah Dessen?

Sarah Dessen is a bestselling author known for 3 book series containing over 20 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Standalone Novels, Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas, Publication Order of Anthologies. Their work spans multiple genres and has captivated millions of readers worldwide.

What is the best Sarah Dessen series to start with?

For readers new to Sarah Dessen's work, the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series is the ideal entry point. It showcases the author's signature style and contains 16 books. Begin with That Summer to start from the very beginning.

How many books has Sarah Dessen written?

Sarah Dessen has written over 20 books across 3 series. This prolific output covers multiple genres, making them one of the most versatile authors in contemporary fiction.

Should I read Sarah Dessen books in order?

Yes, reading Sarah Dessen's series in publication order is strongly recommended. Most series feature evolving character arcs, ongoing story threads, and references to earlier events that are most rewarding when experienced in sequence. Our complete reading order guides are listed above.

What genre does Sarah Dessen write in?

Sarah Dessen writes primarily in fiction. With 3 series across 20 books, the author has explored a wide range of themes and storytelling approaches throughout their career.

Are Sarah Dessen's books standalone or must they be read as a series?

Most of Sarah Dessen's books are part of ongoing series and deliver the most satisfying experience when read in order. However, several standalone novels and short story collections provide excellent entry points without requiring prior knowledge of other series.

What is Sarah Dessen's most popular book?

Based on reader reviews and sales data, Sarah Dessen's most celebrated works come from the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series. The first book, That Summer, is widely considered the ideal starting point and consistently receives outstanding reader ratings.