I think I found it a bit harder to connect to her here, because she is so much larger than life sometimes. Simultaneously, you have Lily’s own struggle with what the future holds. Their expectations of college/university aren’t always going to match up with reality and it takes a whole lot of strength to muster up the courage to find a new path. I think that’s something a lot of young adults have to face. The way his world seemed to close in on him and he just did not know what to do now that what he had always envisioned for himself wasn’t as fulfilling as he thought it would be. I felt Dash’ state of being lost to the core. Basil E.īut once they got over those initial hick-ups, however annoying I might have found them, especially on Lily’s part, the book was really fantastic. She was legit jealous of Dash’ grandmother, a woman who is basically a slightly British version of Mrs. Instead of being glad that Dash had finally found a family member to connect with, Lily was jealous. Oxford had drained him to the last drop and only his previously estranged grandmother, Gem, could raise his spirits.

He didn’t want her to see him in this state of despair he found himself in. While he was glad to see her (because he is always glad to see her), it was also really bad timing. Lily went to London surprising Dash without his knowledge.

I was so frustrated with her, because poor Dashiell was just too overwhelmed. All of that is understandable and just warrants a bit of time to talk it all out, catch up on the things you missed, but what does Lily Bear do? Once again she runs away. Where Dash got disappointed by his own ambitions, Lily was turning into a little dog mogul without her family or friends noticing. Obviously, they were busy living their lives and struggling or thriving (depending on who you’re looking at) and didn’t talk about every little detail that happened while they were apart. They seemed so solid in their relationship that their troubles once they reunited felt … strange to me. Despite being miles and miles apart, Dash and Lily really make the long distance thing work. A lot of it came down to one of my biggest pet peeves – bad communication.

There was much I loved, but also a couple things that bothered me. It’s as if the authors allow you to watch them grow up a little more with each book and I appreciated that the most in Mind the Gap.

I’ve currently really been on a roll when it comes to Dash & Lily, reigniting my love for the characters by binging the Netflix show (several times) and following it up by reading the sequel and now this book that places them in London. *I was provided with an eARC by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!*

Mind the gap dash & lily