Sarah Dessen was born in Evanston, Illinois on June 6, 1970. She moved with her family to West Virginia, and then North Carolina where she now resides.

Two of her novels, That Summer and Someone Like You, were the basis for How to Deal, a 2003 movie starring Mandy Moore. Her novel Just Listen was released in April 2006 and subsequently reached number two on the New York Times Book Review. Dessen's ninth book, Along for the Ride, was released June 16, 2009.

Annabel Greene is a girl who has it all- at least, that's what it may seem on TV commercials. Annabel's life is far from perfect. Her friendship with cruel, dramatic Sophie ended on a night she can't bear to remember; her sister Whitney moves back home because of her eating disorder, making her moody and distant, she wants to quit modeling, but can't bear to tell her mom, and she is now an outsider at her school. Then, she meets Owen Armstrong, a boy who has anger management problems and is obsessed with music. He always tells the truth no matter what, and Annabel starts developing a close bond with him, even though they are nothing alike. With his help, Annabel may start facing her fears - and more importantly, speaking the truth.