Along for the Ride is the book for this week in the Summer of Sarah Dessen read along. That was the first Sarah Dessen book to come out after I started reading her books. I mention waiting for it in my third post ever on my blog! It was the fourth book I ever reviewed. So, in honor of my nostalgia for Along for the Ride and my love of Sarah Dessen I have a post about the connections between her books.
WAY BACK in 2011 I posted The World of Sarah Dessen. I made graphics for each book and listed the connections between that book and other books. This is still my number one most popular post. I decided to post an update to include new books…. and fix typos from the original! These are all the connections I found doing my re-reads and asking friends (Thanks Mitali!)
First, a list. Whether you’re a first time reader or a Dessen devotee there are some people, places, and things to look out for!
Places:
- Lakeview Mall
- Quik Zip (Thanks to Qing for catching my original misspelling!)
- Colby
- Last Chance Grill
- Bendo
- Wildflower Ridge
- Jump Java
- World of Waffles
- Clementine’s
- The Bike Shop
- Luna Blu
Schools:
- Jackson High
- Perkins Day
- Kiffney-Brown
- The Fountain School
- Difriese University
Things:
- Spinnerbait/”Hate Spinnerbait”
- Truth Squad/”The Potato Opus”
- Key Necklace
- “Gerts” Bracelets
- Lakeview Models
- Anger Management
- UMe.com
- Queen Homes
People:
- Scarlett
- Wes
- Macy
- Jason
- Remy
- Dexter
- Owen
- Annabel
- Mallory (Owen’s sister)
- Lorna McPhail (Haven’s stepmother)
- Kiki Sparks
- Morgan
- Isabel
- Heidi
- Thisbe
- Gervais
- Deb
- Rogerson
- Dave
- Bert
- Kristy
- Clyde
- Nate
I also tried to go book by book and note mentions. I seem to have lost the notebook I was using during my re-read so I know I missed some! For example, I know Lakeview Mall and Quik Zip are mentioned in more books than I’ve noted!
I divided this part into two sections. Sarah’s first few books don’t have mentions of other books in them, but they are mentioned in later books. Then, the later books mention earlier books. I listed all the connections I found there as well.
Mentioned in another book:
That Summer:
The Truth About Forever:
*When Macy is watching the news Lorna McPhail (Haven’s stepmother) is mentioned.Just Listen:
*Annabel models for Lakeview Models
Someone Like You:
This Lullaby:
*John Miller crushes on Scarlett while working with her at Jump Java.Just Listen:
*Whitney reads her poems at Jump Java. This is where Scarlett works.Lock and Key:
*Harriet buys her coffee at Jump Java. This is where Scarlett works.
Keeping the Moon:
Lock and Key:
*Olivia’s cousin Laney was inspired to train for a marathon by Kiki Sparks.Along for the Ride:
*Auden spends the summer at Colby.
*Heidi is friends with Morgan and Isabel.
Dreamland:
The Truth About Forever:
*Like Caitlin, Macy attends Jackson High.Just Listen:
*Boo Connell is mentioned by Owen’s Mom.
*Annabel and Owen go to Jackson High.
*Will Cash attends Perkins Day School like Rogerson.Lock and Key:
*Ruby’s ex-boyfriend Marshall is roommates with Rogerson.
*Ruby attended Jackson High.
*Ruby transfers to Perkins Day School.Along for the Ride:
*Auden briefly attended Jackson High.
*Auden also attended Perkins Day.
This Lullaby:
The Truth About Forever:
*Stella is reading a book by Remy’s Mother when Macy meets her.
*Wes and Macy go to World of Waffles.Just Listen:
*Owen has a Truth Squad CD in the back of his car.
*Annabel and Owen go to the club Bendo. There Annabel is introduced to Remy, Dexter and the rest of Truth Squad.
*The Potato Opus and the phrase Hate Spinnerbait are also mentioned.
*Owen and Annabel go to World of Waffles.
*Whitney reads her poem at Jump Java.Lock and Key:
*Remy’s mother is at a party at Jamie and Cora’s.
*Harriet buys her coffee at Jump Java.Along for the Ride:
*Auden goes to World of Waffles.
*A band with a song the sounds like a grocery list is mentioned. This is likely Truth Squad and The Potato Opus.
Mention something from another book:
The Truth About Forever:
-
Stella is reading a book by Remy’s mother (from This Lullaby) when Macy meets her.
-
Wes and Macy go to World of Waffles from This Lullaby.
-
Like Caitlin from Dreamland, Macy attends Jackson High.
-
When Macy is watching the news Lorna McPhail, Haven’s stepmother from That Summer is mentioned.
-
The beach house that Macy’s sister is fixing up to sell might be in Colby from Keeping the Moon.
Just Listen:
-
Annabel models for Lakeview Models from That Summer.
-
Annabel and Owen go to Bendo from This Lullaby. There the see Remy, Dexter, and the rest of Truth Squad.
-
The Potato Opus and the phrase Hate Spinnerbait from This Lullaby are mentioned.
-
Owen listens to Truth Squad (from This Lullaby) and has their CD in the back of his car. Annabel’s friend Clarke Reynolds wears a Truth Squad shirt.
-
Owen and Annabel go to World of Waffles from This Lullaby and The Truth About Forever. There they see Wes and Macy from The Truth About Forever.
-
Boo Connell from Dreamland (Caitlin’s neighbor) is mentioned by Owen’s Mom.
-
Annabel and Owen go to Jackson High (like Caitlin from Dreamland and Macy from The Truth About Forever.)
-
Will Cash attends Perkins Day School like Rogerson from Dreamland.
-
Whitney reads her poem at Jump Java. This is where Scarlett (originally from Someone Like You) and John Miller work from This Lullaby.
Lock and Key:
-
Remy’s Mother (from This Lullaby) is at a party at Jamie and Cora’s.
-
Ruby’s ex-boyfriend Marshall is roommates with Rogerson from Dreamland.
-
Ruby attended Jackson High like Caitlin from Dreamland, Macy from The Truth About Forever, and Annabel from Just Listen.
-
Ruby transfers to Perkins Day School like Rogerson from Dreamland and Will Cash from The Truth About Forever.
-
Ruby moves to Wildflower Ridge, the development that Macy’s mother created in The Truth About Forever.
-
While working for Harriet, Ruby overhears two people who are likely Kristy and Bert from The Truth About Forever discussing the end of the world.
-
Nate listens to Annabel from Just Listen on community radio.
-
Jamie gets help putting a mixed CD together for Cora from Owen from Just Listen.
-
Mallory (Owen’s little sister from Just Listen) are likely the girls who shop for KeyChains at Harriet’s.
-
Nate puts baskets together for Queen Homes, Macy’s mother’s company in The Truth About Forever.
-
Olivia’s cousin Laney was inspired to train for a marathon by Kiki Sparks from Keeping the Moon.
-
Harriet buys her coffee at Jump Java. This is where Scarlett (originally from Someone Like You) and John Miller work from This Lullaby. Whitney from Just Listen reads her poem there.
Along for the Ride:
-
Auden briefly attended Jackson High like Caitlin from Dreamland, Macy from The Truth About Forever, Annabel and Owen from Just Listen, and Ruby from Lock and Key.
-
Auden transfers to Perkins Day like Rogerson from Dreamland, Will Cash from Just Listen, and Ruby from Lock and Key.
-
Auden spends the summer at Colby like Colie from Keeping the Moon.
-
At one point Auden has a thing for Jason, Macy’s boyfriend at the beginning of The Truth About Forever. He makes an appearance in the story.
-
Jason mentions Wes from The Truth About Forever, calling him “the juvenile delinquent welder with a tattoo.”
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Auden applies to Defriese University like Ruby from Lock and Key.
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UMe.com, created by Jamie from Lock and Key is mentioned.
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Auden’s stepmother Heidi sells key necklaces at her store. There are Harriet’s necklaces from Lock and Key.
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Heidi’s friends Morgan and Isabel were friends with Colie in Keeping the Moon.
-
Auden goes to World of Waffles which is mentioned in This Lullaby and The Truth About Forever. She notices Wes and Macy from The Truth About Forever.
-
A band with a song the sounds like a grocery list is mentioned. This is likely Truth Squad and The Potato Opus from This Lullaby.
-
Auden mentions that she had “awkwardly flirted” with Nate Cross from Lock and Key.
-
Last Chance Grill from Keeping the Moon is mentioned.
What Happened to Goodbye:
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Mclean’s parents are Defriese University alumni. Ruby from Lock and Key and Auden from Along for the Ride applied there (Mclean does as well.)
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Mclean attends Jackson High like Caitlin from Dreamland, Macy from The Truth About Forever, Annabel and Owen from Just Listen, Ruby from Lock and Key, and Auden from Along for the Ride.
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UMe.com, created by Jamie from Lock and Key is mentioned.
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The Fountain School that Rolly attends in Just Listen is mentioned.
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At lunch on the first day of school Mclean sits on the wall just down from Owen and Annabel from Just Listen.
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There is a coupon from Java Jump in the welcome bag. This is where Harriet buys her coffee in Lock and Key. Scarlett (originally from Someone Like You) and John Miller work there in This Lullaby. Whitney from Just Listen reads her poem there.
-
Dave attended Kiffney-Brown like Auden in Along for the Ride.
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Mclean’s mother has a beach house in Colby, the town where Colie stays in Keeping the Moon and Auden spends the summer in Along for the Ride.
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Jason, Macy’s boyfriend at the beginning of The Truth About Forever and the guy who backed out of going to prom with Auden from Along for the Ride is a prep cook.
-
Gervais Lock and Key is mentioned.
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Mclean’s mother is friends with Heidi, Auden’s stepmother in Along for the Ride. We also see Thisbe and Clementine’s.
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Mclean eats at Last Chance Grill from Keeping the Moon and Along for the Ride.
The Moon and More:
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Set in Colby like Keeping the Moon and Along for the Ride.
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Luke (Emmaline’s boyfriend at the beginning of the book) is cousin’s with Wes and Bert from The Truth About Forever.
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Clyde is originally mentioned in Along for the Ride. He owns the bike shop, the laundromat, etc…
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Spinnerbait from This Lullaby is playing a gig when Emmaline and Theo are on a date.
-
Gerts (bracelets first mentioned in What Happened to Goodbye) are worn by numerous characters.
-
The bike shop from Along for the Ride is mentioned.
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Daisy decorates the window forClementine’s from Along for the Ride.
Saint Anything:
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Sydney originally attends Perkins Day like Rogerson from Dreamland, Will Cash from Just Listen, and Ruby from Lock and Key and Auden from Along for the Ride.
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Sydney transfers to Jackson High like Caitlin from Dreamland, Macy from The Truth About Forever, Annabel and Owen from Just Listen, Ruby from Lock and Key, and Auden from Along for the Ride and Mclean from What Happened to Goodbye.
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Deb from What Happened to Goodbye welcomes Sydney to Jackson High.
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There is a beach house in Colby (Keeping the Moon, Along for the Ride, What Happened to Goodbye, The Moon and More)
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UMe.com, created by Jamie from Lock and Key is mentioned.
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The Quick Zip is visited (This Lullaby)
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Dave and Fraizer Bakery fromWhat Happened to Goodbye make numerous appearances.
-
Sydney goes to a show at Bendo from This Lullaby.
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Eric mentions Spinnerbait and Truth Squad from This Lullaby.
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Mac (I think?) has an Anger Management t-shirt. This is Owen’s community radio show in Just Listen.
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Sydney’s mother talks with Rogerson’s (from Dreamland) parents.
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Sydney’s mother wants her to try and get in to Kiffney-Brown like Auden in Along for the Ride and Dave in What Happened to Goodbye.
-
Luna Blu and the fried pickles from What Happened to Goodbye are mentioned.
I’m sure that I have missed connections! Let me know of any in the comments and I’ll update the post to include them (I’ll note the name you posted under as well!)
Qing
Wow this is amazingly comprehensive! I don’t have anything new to add, but I believe Quik Zip is spelled without the “c” in “Quick” (:
Rowena
Wow. This post is full of amazing. Thanks so much for this.
Susy
I love how you have put the pieces to this puzzle together! I have to admit that even though I had already noticed various of the items on your list, there a few which I hadn’t. I will have to re-read the books again and maybe I’ll find some more to add to this fabulous list of yours!
Sara
So glad you updated this list! I love looking back at it. 🙂
Arabella
Macon is actually Mentioned in Along for the ride. He was quoted by Auden when She was writing her valedictorian speech. I never realized it until I reread it. Then I realized it was Macon From Someone like you.
Brianna
Pretty sure she it was a William Faulkner quote in the speech, just a coincidence that Macons last name was Faulkner.
Crystal
In This Lullaby thetes a part where Remy gives Lucas a ride and he turn on the radio and puts on a station with shrieking, it’s on the college radio station. Which could be Owens radio show.
Mic
I love this! I haven’t read every Dessen book, but there are several scenes where those people/places/things are mentioned that feel significant that I don’t always get. This is so helpful! You’ll have to update for ONCE AND FOR ALL. There’s a bunch of stuff in here! And I’m sure lots I’m missing 🙂
Shelby
When did Auden go to the World of Waffles? Did I just completely miss that?
Hilary
I don’t think it’s mentioned by name. It’s the all night diner she goes to when her parents are fighting and she first begins to stay up all night.
Maple
I think I must have missed that too… 🙂
Chrissy
Funny you mentioned that because Auden from Along for the ride was DEFINITELY mentioned in Once and for all, especially if she visits Colby in the summers. I now have to read every. Single. Dessen book. For the connections! I’m so ready! When I saw Auden’s name I flipped.
Ashley
I’m reading Saint Anything and I could swear that Sawyer Ambrose is a character from one of her previous books. Am I right or am I playing mind games with myself?
Skaty
Isn’t he the guy from That Summer that her sister dated? Though I could be totally wrong, I haven’t read either in the last year.
Alyssa
I just want to say that I almost had an aneurysm when Truth Squad and Remy were in Just Listen.
Maple
I actually read Just Listen before I read This Lullaby, so I didn’t notice, but when I saw this, I went back to read Just Listen and I freaked. :0
Ally
Also when Annabel and Owen went to World Of Waffles, Macy and Wes were there. Although, they didn’t specifically say their name, Sarah Dessen describes two people around Annabel’s age and that’s them.
Tara
In Along for the Rode when they go to Last Chance, it’s mentioned that the waitress was “a pretty girl with a lip ring”. It was Colie from Keeping the Moon, she was a waitress there and had a lip ring.
Shelley Anne Harris
I am fairly confident the yellow house from Lock and Key is Corrina’s old house from Dreamland as well.
Maple
That’s exactly what I thought, but I read Along for the Ride before Keeping the Moon, so I had to go back to reread Along for the Ride.
Maple
this was meant for Tara’s comment btw… sorry for the confusion
Shelly
Does someone have an outline of:
Book Title
Location
Main Character
Love Interest
Best Friend
Plot Summary
This would greatly help me tie the books together. Are Lakeview and Colby both in North Carolina? Are there other locations? I’m mixing up details. Thanks!!
Kaitlin
Can you update this to include Once & For All and The Rest of the Story?
Heidi
I plan to! I’m finishing a re-read of all her books to catch as many as I can!
D.
Will you update this with The Rest of the Story?
Heidi
I plan to! I’m finishing a re-read of all her books to catch as many as I can!
Sarah
In Once and For All, Louna and Jilly talk about going to Bendo after Mac’s band Brilliant or Catastrophic (from Saint Anything) play.
Maple
Milton’s Market is a place that repeats. In Someone Like You and The Truth About Forever. Thank you for this! this was amazing!
Maple
I thought that I found a connection in Dreamland, because the said that Rogerson pulled into the McLeans’ driveway, then I realized that it was a last name, and not Mclean’s first name 🙂
Maple
Justin in Along For The Ride also mentions Macy from The Truth About Forever, but i think you only added Wes…
Atty C.
There was a part in The Moon and More where they mention Tallyho which was in Along For The Ride.
Atty C.
It was Ladie’s Night too
Josie
Auden and Heidi were there too
Atty C.
really? oh i must have missed that…
Macy
I remember Auden and Heidi being there, but maybe not in this book…
Eva
Maggie was there too…
Jordan
They mentioned “A terrible sounding band called spinnerbait”
Lola Jane
me too
Nikki
They mentioned Auden, Esther, and Maggie in The Moon And More. They also mentioned Spinnerbait and Tallyho.
Kimberlie F Pagan
Also. In “Once and For All”; Louna brings up the band ‘Brilliant or Catastrophic’ which is Eric/Mac/and Ford’s band name in “Saint Anything”
Brittney
There is a minor character in Lock and Key that goes to Perkins Day with Ruby and Nate named Jake Bristol, who I swear has been mentioned in another book of hers, but I can’t remember which one. Anyone know?
Reyna
Wasn’t there a dude named Jake in Along for the Ride
Brittney
Apparently that’s a different Jake in Along for the Ride. Wikiwand says his name is Jake Stock.
Reyna
Ohhh ok my bad
Jen
In Someone Like You, Grandma Halley starts to lose her memory and her keys, and they encourage her to wear a key on a chain around her neck, which made me think of Lock and Key.
Briana
So I know Jason appears in “What Happened to Goodbye” but what happens after that I wonder? We’ve been told his story through “The Truth about Forever” and he’s mentioned in “Along for the Ride” but what about after he works at Luna Blu? Does he just stay there? They add a little more details and character development to him in “The Truth About Forever” so I would like to see more about him.
Sofia
Reading this scene now and she ALSO mentions a girl breastfeeding a baby, and I don’t know timelines but it seems random unlessssss it’s Scarlett.
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