Dash & Lily's Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn, David Levithan

Title: Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares

Author: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

Release Date: October 26th 2010

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Pages: 260 

Source: Bought

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

“I’ve left some clues for you. 
If you want them, turn the page. If you don’t, put the book back on the shelf, please.” 

So begins the latest whirlwind romance from the New York Times bestselling authors of Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist. Lily has left a red notebook full of challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf, waiting for just the right guy to come along and accept its dares. But is Dash that right guy? Or are Dash and Lily only destined to trade dares, dreams, and desires in the notebook they pass back and forth at locations across New York? Could their in-person selves possibly connect as well as their notebook versions? Or will they be a comic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan have written a love story that will have readers perusing bookstore shelves, looking and longing for a love (and a red notebook) of their own.

It was a great novel. Full of Christmas fun and spirit. It wasn’t too cheesy and cliché. It was perfect for what it was. It was full of humour which I did not expect, but loved. I don’t often find books that make me laugh out loud.

I loved Lily. She reminded me of Luna Lovegood. A heart of gold and a little bit odd. She was so cheery and happy and she always made me smile. Just a girl being herself. She reminded me a lot of myself. A bit of an outsider and a lover of Christmas. She was very relatable and I really enjoyed reading her sections of the book.

That being said I loved Dash just as much, if not more. He couldn’t be more opposite to Lily but I loved his sarcasm and his wit. Levithan is such a skilled writer. Dash was funny and amusing and I would definitely like to meet.

I loved the idea of the two of them conversing through the notebook. It allowed them to get to know each other honestly. They could write things they would never say. It was a very creative idea, something I have never seen before.  The two POV’s also added to the book, giving me a better understanding of the characters.

The secondary characters were just as good as Dash and Lily. Boomer was simply fantastic. He had me laughing out loud a lot. Lily’s family members really amused me too. Lily’s brother was great too.

There isn’t really anything negative I can say about it. It was perfect for what it was and that was a cheery Christmas book. I did feel a little spark that made it amazing was missing. It was still a really great read and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

4 out of 5 stars