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Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares

--Staff Picks Teens

Dash & Lily's Book of Dares

Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Published: 2010
Age Range: 12+
Genre: young adult fiction, holiday, romance

Dash & Lily’s Book of Dares by Cohn and Levithan is perfect for anyone wanting to read a quick (and adorable) Christmas book this season! Lily decides to leave a red notebook nestled between her favorite books at famed NYC Bookstore, The Strand. In the notebook are a series of a clues and dares for whomever (ideally a single, teenage boy) finds it. They are to complete the tasks and leave the notebook. Dash happens upon the notebook and decides to play along. What follows is Dash and Lily sending each other on a scavenger hunt across New York City while slowly falling for each other through their notes and dares.

Both characters are great and well written, and the side characters are a wonderful addition as well. Dash is a bit surly and is glad to be spending the Christmas season alone (both parents think he’s staying with the other). Lily is a bit eccentric, has a huge family, and LOVES Christmas. Will these two contrasting personalities find love?

Netflix has recently adapted this book into a series starring Austin Abrams and Midori Francis.