review ~ dash & lily's book of dares

Title: Dash & Lily's Book of Dares
Authors: Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
# of Pages: 260
Publication date: October 26, 2010
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
My copy: Paperback purchased by me
Average Rating: 3.92 / 5.00
My Rating: 5.00 / 5.00


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 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 cosmic mismatch of disastrous proportions?

My Review:
This is the first book I've read by either author, and it was definitely a good one to start out with. I had heard about it on a few bookish blogs I follow and thought it sounded super cute, which it totally was. As the holidays approached, I really really wanted to read this book plus I loved the cover, so I bought myself a copy.

Dash and Lily seemed to be opposites in the beginning. They view the world in different ways partially due to the different familial environments in which they grew up. Lily has lived a very sheltered life with a large extended family who are all very involved in her life. She's upbeat and happy-go-lucky, looking out for the positive in even the most negative situations. She's entranced by the holidays--she absolutely adores Christmas. 

I found her to be funny and cute--one of my favorite quotes was when she was talking about the Christmas spirit: "...(special shout-out to my Ariel mermaid, who presides over the shabby chic flower power pillow on my bed--love you, girl!)."  I couldn't help but laugh, and Ariel was my favorite Disney princess growing up, so I could relate. Lily is super girly, and I was charmed by her sweet innocence. She should be my youngest sister!

I felt bad for her since her parents decided to spend the holidays away from home on a honeymoon. I wouldn't want my parents spending Christmas away from me--I'd be upset, too. She's only sixteen--as a parent myself, I'd want to spend the holidays all together as a family. I wouldn't choose that time to go on a honeymoon.

Dash, on the hand, hates Christmas and everything it represents. He went through a lot of pain and turmoil when his parents divorced and instead of spending the holidays with them, he decided to tell them he was spending time with the other. He didn't seem to have a close relationship with either parent, and though he had friends, he also seemed to be a bit of a loner; however, he was very comfortable spending time alone. He also went out with his friends, so he wasn't a total hermit.

I liked that he decided to take on the red notebook's challenges, and Lily had him do Christmas themed dares, which were hilarious when he completed them! I had to stop myself from laughing out loud for fear of waking my husband up! The Santa situation was hilarious!! I won't say anything else about it so I don't give anything away.

Though Dash and Lily have their differences, they share a love for books and end up finding some other commonalities as well, which you'll just have to read this book to find out what those are. I loved both of them as well as Dash's friends and Lily's family. I really cared about both of them. Besides Dash and Lily, Boomer, Dash's friend, was one of my favorite characters as well as Lily's great aunt, whom she nicknamed Mrs. Basil E. Boomer is a sweet goofball, and "Mrs. Basil E" is a wise and awesome great aunt to have.

Maybe it's because I grew up in a small town in Ohio as well as being a mother, but I couldn't imagine letting my teenage son or daughter run around NYC by him or herself. I guess if you grow up in NYC, then you're used to being in such a large city. Several years ago I went there with my husband, and I was super cautious and wary for both of us. I was surprised Lily's family, who are so overprotective of her, allowed her to travel around NYC by herself.

I loved this book--it's one of my favorite reads of 2012 though it's been out for a couple of years. I want to read it again already, and it would be really cool if it was made into a movie!!