“Look,” he said, “the point is there’s no way to be a hundred percent sure about anyone or anything. So you’re left with a choice. Either hope for the best, or just expect the worst.”If you expect the worst, you’re never disappointed,” I pointed out.Yeah, but who lives like that?”

American novelist of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Sarah Dessen writes coming-of-age stories that explore teenage resilience and family dynamics with quiet empathy. Her novels, like *The Green Glass Sea* and *Just Listen*, blend realism with emotional depth, offering nuanced portraits of young women navigating love, loss, and self-discovery.