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

Available on
Amazon * Amazon.de * Barnes & Noble * Goodreads
Synopsis:

“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 bestselling authors ofNick & 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.

Review:

Dash and Lily's Book of Dares was a fun read. I really enjoyed having the story told from two distinctly different points of views. While I didn't really see a love connection with the notebook it did work as the start of something that could lead to more. Not my typical holiday read, but fun none the less. 

Dash is an interesting fellow. At times he seemed to be much older than he was, but after getting to know him more he settled into this unique teenage boy. He is not a fan of Christmas, doesn't like all the people and the celebrations and just everything about it. His parents are separated and don't speak to each other so he got them both to believe he was staying with the other over the holidays so they would go have their own holiday somewhere else. He is perfectly happy being left home alone to do whatever he wants. 

Lily is all about Christmas. It is like her favorite holiday. She loves everything about it! Only this year her parents are away, her grandfather is away, it is just her and her brother (who is too busy with his boyfriend to really count as being there). At first she thought it was fine that she would be basically alone for Christmas, but as the day draws nearer she finds out she really is not. It is just not the same when you don't have anyone to share the holiday with. 

To get Lily out of their hair her brother and his boyfriend came up with the idea of leaving a red notebook with challenges on a favorite bookstore shelf. She doesn't really expect anyone to find it and do what it says, but it will be fun none the less. 

Dash loves browsing through the same bookstore and reading works by his favorite authors. He finds the notebook one day and is intrigued. He decides to follow the instructions and there we have the start of the story. The red notebook goes back and forth, each time with new instructions for the other to do. Through the challenges and Christmas season Dash and Lily get to know each other a bit better than they otherwise would. They write their truths in the book and it makes them both feel just a little bit closer to someone. 

I did find it interesting that Dash has quite a few friends, even had a girlfriend for a bit, when he is kind of surly and just doesn't seem like he would be much of a people person. And Lily? Well she doesn't really have any friends let alone a boyfriend. For as warm and bubbly and fun as she comes across in the story she has a hard time actually connecting with people. It was interesting to read as if I didn't know I would have assumed the opposite. 

This was a fun read. The whole time you are waiting to see when the two will take this off of the page and actual meet in person. It was like a fun scavenger hunt where you actually meet in person at the end. I did enjoy the meeting and everything that came after. I liked discussion of expectations and how you can build someone up in your head only to be a bit disappointed when they are not that perfect person you envisioned. Dash's ex-girlfriend warned him of the in your head girl vs real girl and how the two might not be the same. It was a good read. There was enough Christmas time fun in there for it to be a great holiday read as well. Really enjoyed this one. 

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★