I love it when Rachel Cohn and David Levithan get together and write a romance book. Their romances always include quirky teens that are a joy to spend time with and there's always that third character in the romance and this time it's NOT a romantic triangle. The third character is the City of New York. It's as much a character in their stories as either of the other two soon to be smitten protagonists.

This time Dash is at his version of Manhattan heaven, The Strand Book store when he spots a journal that been shelved by Lily with the works of Salinger. The book is a dare and when he takes the dare he starts a treasure hunt/romance that takes us through the city that never sleeps at Christmas time. While Dash and Lily seem an unlikely couple, the two continue to exchange dares in the journal until both are well and truly hooked. As are we the readers.

In addition we're taken to some NYC venues that outsiders seldom see and we meet some very memorable and very lovable supporting characters. Bravo! Can't wait to see what they do next.

Also, one of my favorite Cohn/Levithan trademarks is that the protagonists have really interesting gay friends that are just that, friends who happen to be gay (and who generally have acts together better than our protagonists)

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I grabbed this book at The Strand while I was in NYC for Book Expo America which is pretty cool in it's own right since the book starts right in that very store. I got it to read while I was lounging in the hotel room and ended up finishing it in short order. I loved the beginning of this book more than the ending but I will explain.

This book was a sensual experience for me because it let me explore some of the places I have visited or longed to visit in New York City and live them through someone else's eyes. I loved "the chase" part of this book...in the beginning when Dash and Lily are still shrouded in mystery to each other. It was the best part of the novel, I felt as disappointed as Dash felt the first time he meets Lily when I got to that part too. Maybe it was on purpose.

I liked how Dash and Lily are completely weird in their own individual way. I couldn't decide if they were both too much or if I just have a short view of teenage oddity. Dash and Lily is a cute, sweet, teenage adventure I will probably read again.

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