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

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

“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 Timesbestselling 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?

Review: 

I loved this book. Wow, Dash and Lily's Book of Dares was fantastic! I've read a couple of books by each of these authors, but Dash and Lily's Book of Dares truly stole my heart. I know it has gotten mixed reviews, but something about Dash and Lily's really connected with me. I definitely couldn't have read it at a better time- on my Christmas break from school. One of the best aspects of this book was the setting- NYC at Christmastime. Who doesn't love the city? Considering I have been to NYC hundreds of times and visited just about every place they mention in the book made me enjoy it that much more. There really need to be more books about the Strand! 

The alternate perspectives of Dash and Lily's were great, they allowed me to truly connect with each of the characters and get to know them equally. I admit, at first, I wasn't that into Dash. He seemed a little stuck up, but the more I read of him, the more he stole my heart. Dash is a unique guy and his love of words was very endearing. Lily, on the other hand, was an outgoing and energetic girl with a love for life and animals. I loved her! Seeing how Lily and Dash's lives intertwined was great and I found myself having a hard time putting this down, because I just had to see what would happen to Dash and Lily! 

The plot was fantastic. The idea of the notebook was wonderful and it was such a great way for Dash and Lily to get to know each other and reveal themselves to the reader. Each of the dares were exciting and challenged both Dash and Lily.

I found myself highlighting a few passages in Dash and Lily's Book of Dares, which I never do, because they stood out to me so much. I definitely want to read over them again in the future. 

While the book mainly focused on Dash and Lily, the secondary characters were all wonderful. Lily's gigantic family was loving and interesting. They were all great and played some part in shaping Lily's life and her experiences with Dash. Dash also had his great group of friends who always had his back. Of these secondary characters, Boomer, Snarly Muppet, and Boris were my personal favorites. (: 

This was a love story that stole my heart and left me smiling. Dash and Lily's Book of Dares is the perfect read for the holiday season and it left me eager to go stroll the aisles of the Strand. Dash and Lily are two of my favorite YA characters now and I can't wait to share this book with everyone! 

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

October 26, 2010/Knopf Books for Young Readers/272 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Bought (at the Strand!!)

Other books by this author duo: Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List and Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist