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

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

Release Date: October 26, 2010
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Rated: YA 14+
Format: eGalley
Source: NetGalley
Buy: Amazon ● The Book Depository
Goodreads ● Website (Cohn) ● Website (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 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.

I know that this book was published a while back, but I'd never gotten the chance to read it until NetGalley fortunately added it to request for review. Before reading this one, I've never read anything by Rachel Cohn or David Levithan– surprising, because these two names are HUGE within the world of YA. I'd seen the movie Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, yes, but I'd never really had the opportunity to delve into their highly-praised novels. It initially took me a long time to get into the book, because so many things came up, but I'm glad that I gradually got to reading this fabulous book.
Dash & Lily's Book of Dares was amazing. It was everything I'd hoped it would be and even more. From the intriguing premise to the eye-catching title, I was determined to get my hands on this one from the moment I'd heard about it. Reading it reminded me of so many of the romantic-comedy films I love (Serendipity, You've Got Mail) but set perfectly for teens to enjoy.

Dash and Lily seemed at complete opposites. It was cute that they were both interested in the same things, and I loved at how the authors suspend their meeting to the point where you're really anxious for them to finally meet. I loved the alternating point of views, because both characters were so different and this allowed a lasting impression of the both of them. I loved Lily's complete and utter random nature– she's a free spirit and capable of doing what she wants and when she wants. Dash is at the other end of the spectrum, but I still loved him, especially his snark and sarcasm. Both of them certainly made an interesting character couple!
Boomer was a prominent minor character, and so was Lily's brother and his partner. All three characters were hilarious, but I absolutely adored Boomer. He reminded me of an overgrown child forced into helping Dash– I'm telling you, it'll be laugh after laugh with this book. It has such a great cast of characters, with an array of personalities and quirks that you can't help but fall in love with all of them.

My favorite scene would have to be the baby catching scene. I know what you all are thinking: WHAT BABY CATCHING SCENE? Well you'll all just have to read and see. That scene made me laugh and snort so loudly my parents became curious as to what I was actually doing on my laptop. It was just such an amazing blend of the characters and the humor from this book and the authors, it just made this the icing on the cake.
The ending was absolutely great– I thought that the authors tied this up perfectly. I honestly hope that this becomes a movie, because with it's play on fate and the fascinating tasks and characters, it would for sure be amazing on the big screen.

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares was a bag of laughs, heart-warming moments and captures the core of a teenage romance. Rachel Cohn and David Levithan are a very talented duo and I'm looking forward to my next whirlwind adventure with them, wherever it takes me.

If you like this, try...

• Paper Towns by John Green ● Goodreads
• Saving June by Hannah Harrington ● Goodreads
• Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews ● Goodreads