Review: Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares

“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 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.

At the beginning, I was completely captivated in the story. Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan is told from two characters perspective: Dash and Lily. The novel starts with Dash finding a red notebook that has a list of dares in them. He is to complete them and then leave it at a point. The next chapter is from Lily’s perspective and she picks up the book and completes the dares that Dash left for her. The back and forth continues through the novel. I loved the concept, and I couldn’t wait to hear what the next dare would be. Was it slightly unrealistic? Yes, but in the best possible way. I think it was wonderful that the idea that two people could continuously leave notes in the notebook and build a relationship without evening meeting.

I think where I really started to lose interest was in the middle of the book, I felt like it started to get a little bit repetitive. Both main characters were constantly questioning what the other one would be like and it started to get to the point where, as a reader, I was thinking I get it, move on. On top of this, I didn’t really like the main character Lily. Her chapters weren’t something I enjoyed and I found her really annoying. I am trying to decide whether I would have liked the book more if it had been only from Dash’s perspective, but I don’t think I would have. I think the dual narration worked and was nice as the reader to always be one step ahead of the characters.

You can purchase Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares: here*

*Disclaimer: The link I have included to purchase the book from is an affiliate link for the BookShop and I receive a small commission if you purchase anything through this link 

3/5 stars

It wasn’t a bad book by any means, so if you’re looking for a cute, quick Christmas read just before Christmas, I recommend this one!

Have you read Dash & Lily’s Books of Dares?

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