I have to say that I wasn't disappointed. Although I found the book slightly tedious in places as the characters considered what to do next (especially when Lily didn't know how to get the journal back to Dash) I found the story very cute and it perfectly fitted the time of year I was reading it in. I don't think this book needs to be read at Christmas as the romance behind it isn't necessarily fuelled by the fact that it is Christmas (more by the fact that both Dash and Lily's parents went away at Christmas), so I will recommend this book to anyone who wants to read something which isn't too difficult to get through and leaves you feeling warm inside.
As a book and New York lover, this book had it all. Set in New York City, this book follows the story of two teenagers with two very separate personalities, joined by their love of books and a red moleskin notebook. The book starts when Lily leaves the notebook on the shelves of the famous Strand bookstore in New York, in the J. D. Salinger section. I loved the fact that this was basically the story of two people falling in love over their passion for something else, and it made it even better that that passion was books. It made me think about how even though people can be so different, a joint passion can be enough to start something neither one of them would have imagined.
After this event the two characters only converse through the notebook, talking back and forth about their dreams and their ideas. I think this book was perfect because whilst the characters consider their answers to each other's questions, you also begin to think of what your answers would be and how justified yours are. I really loved how the setting constructed their story as they passed the notebook back and forth; from the Strand to Dyker heights, you feel as you are being transported around New York and experiencing the things it has to offer.
I recommend reading this book if you are looking for a light-hearted romance which is centred all around someone's love of books! It's perfect for book-lovers everywhere.
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.
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