Sarah Dessen is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, particularly in the young adult romance genre. Dessen’s first novel, That Summer, was published in 1996. At the time, there was no identifiable young adult section in bookstores, so her books struggled to find a classification and location that fit their subject and content. Since then, Dessen has experienced the young adult genre transformation. She’s the author of over a dozen young adult novels, her most popular being The Truth About Forever (2004), Just Listen (2006), and Along for the Ride (2009). Her novels have been published in over 30 countries, and millions of copies have sold worldwide.

Dessen is an American novelist born in Illinois but currently resides in North Carolina. Her passion for writing began early, as she was inspired by her parents, both English professors at the University of North Carolina. She graduated from the University of North Carolina with a degree in English and creative writing.

Many of Dessen’s novels are set in the same fictional universe and interconnected in minor ways. The allusions that occur in The Truth About Forever are as follows:

• When Macy watches the news, Lorna McPhail—Haven’s stepmother from That Summer—is mentioned.