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| 2010 Original Cover |
Written by Rachel Cohn & 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."
About the Author
Rachel Cohn was born in Silver Spring, Maryland. She attended Barnard College, and graduated with a B.A in Political Science. David Levithan was born in Short Hills New Jersey. At age 19 he was offered an internship at Scholastic Corporation. This is where he began writing The Baby-Sitters Club series.
Cohn and Levithan have written 3 novels together and both work as full time authors in the United States.
The Story
Our story begins with young Dash taking a stroll around his favourite book shop, The Strand, when he suddenly comes across a red Moleskine notebook. He opens it to find a note, he presumes from a girl due to the neatness of the handwriting, and a list of book names and numbers. Little does he know that by cracking the code in the notebook and passing it on, he finds himself caught in the middle of a goose chase, but nevertheless the romantic adventure of a life time. Dear, sweet and innocent Lily has no idea who has picked up her Moleskine, no clue of his name or what he looks like, just the hope that he is the right guy for her. But with the help of her well connected family, she is able to find ways to communicate with Dash through the notebook, without the pair ever crossing paths.
Is Dash the right guy for Lily?
Or are they only destined to share dreams and desires, and not each other?
Will their personalities connect just like inside the notebook?
Or will they be a mismatch of outrageous proportions?
The Characters
The story has a wide range of characters. Main characters in our story are as follows:
- Lily - The female protagonist, and the reason the notebook began.
- Dash - Young, dashing male lead character, the one to find the notebook and start the journey.
- Langston - Lily's homosexual brother. The person who gives Lily the notebook idea in the first place.
- Boomer - Dash's best friend. Usually sent on an errand by Dash to drop off the notebook in mysterious places.
Keeping in mind that our main characters take quite a while to meet in person, the connection that is built through the notebook is amazing. Lily and Dash are able to get to know each other through the power of writing. By giving each other dares and challenges, they are allowing each other access to their worlds. The relationship between Dash and Lily is extraordinary, They were able to form a friendship, and eventually a romance with one another based on what they had read.
Minor characters related to Lily include; her cousin Mark, and Mrs Basil. E, her Great Aunt.
Mark works at The Strand bookstore and was able to pass on the notebook back to Lily once Dash had figured out the code. Mrs Basil. E was Lily's great aunt who worked at Madam Thussauds NY, and also helped pass on the notebook between Dash to Lily.
Other characters mentioned in the novel include Lily's Grandpa, Sofia, Yohnny, Dov and Priya.
Sofia is Dash's ex-girlfriend from before her family moved to Spain. Priya is a young girl that Dash goes to school with, and is also good friends with Sofia. Yohhny and Dov are good friends of Dash's who help him with one of the notebook swaps, but they fail when Lily makes a run for it.
Plot Lines
I have read many romance novels in the past. Stories that capture your heart no mater what the circumstances, but I love when an author is able to create a new way that a couple can meet. I have read novels when couples will meet unexpectedly, some in high schools, some through pen-pal letters, others when the couple meet through paranormal or supernatural circumstances, but I love how original the meeting of our characters in this story is. The premise of someone leaving a notebook for me to find is quite intriguing. I could honestly say that it would make me want to find out who the person was. Many people are not spontaneous and will refuse to take on a challenge, or will not do something because of what the consequences may turn out to be. Dash, however, surprised me by actually wanting to get to know the girl who caught his attention.
Another aspect that I really liked about the story was the places and people that were visited and met, and how they became involved with the story surrounding the notebook.
In one way or another, each character will eventually be connected to the notebook. Langston and his boyfriend Benny were the idea behind the notebook, Lily placed it, Dash found it, Mark passed it on, Boomer gave it to Lily, and so on and so forth.
My favourite aspect of the book was the challenges introduced by the characters. My favourite challenge was Lily sending Dash to see Santa to receive a letter from her. Little did Dash know that Santa was actually Lily's Uncle Carmine. he was asked to rub Santa's belly if he really wanted to get Lily's letter and was consequently chased around Macy's for the unacceptable touching of Santa.
The novel has been written from both characters points of view. Our first chapter is based from Dash's point of view when he finds the notebook. And then the second chapter is based from Lily's point of view before she wrote in the notebook. Chapters alternate between characters, but also alternate between days of the week. The story starts on December 21st and ends on New Years day.
Sofia is Dash's ex-girlfriend from before her family moved to Spain. Priya is a young girl that Dash goes to school with, and is also good friends with Sofia. Yohhny and Dov are good friends of Dash's who help him with one of the notebook swaps, but they fail when Lily makes a run for it.
Plot Lines
I have read many romance novels in the past. Stories that capture your heart no mater what the circumstances, but I love when an author is able to create a new way that a couple can meet. I have read novels when couples will meet unexpectedly, some in high schools, some through pen-pal letters, others when the couple meet through paranormal or supernatural circumstances, but I love how original the meeting of our characters in this story is. The premise of someone leaving a notebook for me to find is quite intriguing. I could honestly say that it would make me want to find out who the person was. Many people are not spontaneous and will refuse to take on a challenge, or will not do something because of what the consequences may turn out to be. Dash, however, surprised me by actually wanting to get to know the girl who caught his attention.
Another aspect that I really liked about the story was the places and people that were visited and met, and how they became involved with the story surrounding the notebook.
In one way or another, each character will eventually be connected to the notebook. Langston and his boyfriend Benny were the idea behind the notebook, Lily placed it, Dash found it, Mark passed it on, Boomer gave it to Lily, and so on and so forth.
My favourite aspect of the book was the challenges introduced by the characters. My favourite challenge was Lily sending Dash to see Santa to receive a letter from her. Little did Dash know that Santa was actually Lily's Uncle Carmine. he was asked to rub Santa's belly if he really wanted to get Lily's letter and was consequently chased around Macy's for the unacceptable touching of Santa.
The novel has been written from both characters points of view. Our first chapter is based from Dash's point of view when he finds the notebook. And then the second chapter is based from Lily's point of view before she wrote in the notebook. Chapters alternate between characters, but also alternate between days of the week. The story starts on December 21st and ends on New Years day.
OVERALL
Story: 8/10
Characterisation: 9/10
Re-Readable: Yes
Recommend to a friend: Yes
Overall I rate this book: 8/10
I loved this book for a few main reasons.
I loved this book for a few main reasons.
- The authors have found an original way to allow our characters to meet. The fact it had to be by chance adds a little suspense to the story. The tension that built up to the characters meeting makes you want to know how its going to happen.
- The bond that is created between Dash and Lily, even though they only write to each other. They have never met before, have no idea of what the other looks like, yet they have got to know each other through the power of not really knowing each other. "Never judge a book by its cover" is something you always hear in movies or on a television show, but this book just goes to show that you don't need to be able to tell a difference between the way that someone looks, and what is really on the inside.
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| Release Poster (1998) |
I have read that people are describing "Dash and Lily's Book of Dares" as the new "You've Got Mail", because it is based around new young locals of Manhattan. It has been said that the inevitable meeting between the two is similar to the Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan love story, however i do not agree with this, as "Dash and Lily's Book of Dares" introduces two completely new parties and it does not follow the ideas of a regular romance.
The basis of the story is about whether the connection between Lily and Dash will ever be a true connection, or whether it may just all fall through. The love story that could or, could not have a happy ending.
I recommend this book to fans of Young Teen Romance.
Other books by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
- Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
- Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List
For Fans of:
- Rachel Cohn (GingerBread)
- David Levithan (Boy Meets Boy)
- Kate Lauren (Torment)
If you liked this, you'll also like:
- Becca Fitzpatrick - Hush Hush
- L.J Smith - Secret Vampire
- L.J Smith - Strange Fate
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