Naomi and Ely’s No Kiss List by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan
Genre: contemporary, romance, LGBT
Published by: Electric Monkey (Egmont)
Pages: 238
Format: Paperback
Rating: ★★
Where to find: Goodreads | Amazon

I’ve already read Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist and Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares and Naomi and Ely’s story was probably my least favourite of the three. I couldn’t connect with the characters as much, and I just din’t really like them. What I did like, that was different to their other co-written works, was the added perspectives of the eponymous character’s friends. If you liked A Little Something Different you would probably like this style of writing!

Naomi: was ridiculously whiny. One of the things I struggle on with this book was the premise in general. I mean, breaking up with your best friend over a boy? So, it happens in real life, but it was hard to imagine that it happens to the same scale. Naomi was over the top and selfish, and ultimately I couldn’t connect with her.  However she was witty, and I liked the use of symbols! In the end, I suppose, she was supportive, but other than that I didn’t think she had very any redeeming qualities.

Ely: was slightly better. He was just as over the top as Naomi, but he was far more understanding. Although Ely had his flaws, I enjoyed his perspective more than Naomi’s. You  might be thinking, what made me keep reading if I didn’t enjoy the main characters, and I’d reply with it was the minor characters that make this story enjoyable.

Each of the secondary characters has a perspective, and it makes them feel like real people with real issues. I love sub-plots and when the secondary characters go through their own story arcs of development. But the main positive of Naomi and Ely is the writing style. Every character has their own distinct and unique voice, and how they tell their side of the story reflects that. Plot wise, it was nothing different to Nick and Norah or Dash and Lily. Two people coming together in NYC, with trials and tribulations and that club they all go to.

Overall, I give this book two stars, because I didn’t enjoy it as much as the other novels Levithan and Cohn have written together. My advice would be to pick up either N&N or D&L first!