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

Title: Dash and Lily's Book of Dares
Authors: Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Published: October 2010
Source: The Library
Synopsis from Goodreads:
“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.

I went into this book with super, super high expectations. As in, I don't think that I've ever expected a book to be as good as I expected this book to be. I mean, why shouldn't I have had high expectations? It's written by two fantastic authors, it's a romance, it's set in New York City, it has alternating narratives, and the cover is cute as can be. So did it live up to my expectations? Not only did it live up to them, it exceeded them. That's because of one thing that I couldn't tell before I read it: the characters are fan-freaking-tastic.


I have to say that this book is exactly what it looks like: a fun, light read with heart. But it's so, so much more than that. It's hilarious, heart-warming, heart-stopping, has some really kick-ass quotes, and manages to make you think. I liked it even more than I liked Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, and I loved that book.


The characters are really what makes this book. Dash, who's so intelligent it's almost hard to think of him as an actual teenage boy, and Lily, who's probably one of the most kindhearted people ever, are just the beginning. There's Lily's gay older brother and huge extended family, and Dash's quirky best friend and ex-girlfriend from Spain. They're all dynamic and so real it's ridiculous.


Something else that I loved about this book is that it's set at Christmas time. I love love love Christmas, and Dash and Lily's feelings about it play a large role in establishing them as characters. Being set at Christmas gives the book a very holiday feeling to it, which just makes it seem even more magical. You don't have to love Christmas to love this book though, nor do you have to read it at Christmas (but if you don't you might find yourself longing to hear some carols or eat gingerbread men). 


Basically I loved, loved, loved this book. If you have even a vague interest in it you should read it, it's definitely worth it!


Characters: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
Originality:10/10
Writing: 10/10
Ending: 10/10
Overall: 50/50 A+
Cover Comments: I love this cover! I think that it captures how big a role New York City at winter plays in it while also being playful. I love the heart snowflakes!