Shandi Sturgill

In honor of the Holiday season, this review will feature a duology by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan. Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares is the first in the series. Lily’s older brother convinces her to leave a notebook in her favorite bookstore, and Dash is the one to find it. Against the backdrop of Christmas in New York City the two teens embark on the dares written in the red moleskin they pass between them. Ultimately, they meet in person and develop a relationship.

The first installment of this duology is very light reading, but there are moments of depth. A central theme of this book is being in love with someone, versus being in love with the idea of them. This is wonderfully articulated in a scene between Dash and his ex-girlfriend Sophia.

The second book, The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily, is a bit heavier. The plot centers on Lily dealing with the myriad changes in her life, like her beloved Grandfather’s ailing health and her older brother moving out of the family home. Lily is struggling to find herself, and her Christmas spirit, and Dash knows he must do something to help her. The biggest theme in The Twelve Days of Dash and Lily is change. As our lives progress they change, and, as Dash points out, it is something we are all afraid of, but it is inevitable.

If I have any misgivings about this duology, it is that, the relationship between Dash and Lily was not really developed. They express that they love each other, but nothing is ever given to provide insight as to why. For instance, we are never told any qualities or traits that one respects or admires about the other. The only exception to this is that Lily likes Dash’s love of words, and Dash seems to like her vitality. In all honesty, I felt that Dash and Sophia seemed to be more drawn to each other and had more chemistry. The characters work for and against the quality of these books.

I thought that Dash and Lily themselves were entertaining characters. Cohn and Levithan each take care to put their readers into Dash and Lily’s heads. Langston, Sophia, and “Miss Basil E.” were well developed. The biggest flaw was Boomer. In my opinion, he was not a believable character at all. Lily’s naiveté can be a touch over the top, but is believable for the overprotected girl she is. Boomer’s however, is entirely too much. It’s just not believable that a sixteen year old boy would name Christmas trees, and not understand the expression “needs her space”.

This series is far from perfect. However, it is a quick, feel good holiday read. If you are looking for something to read with a cup of hot chocolate this winter this is a fun selection.