This novel is very dark and dreary, a well conceived mystery that jumps right into the shadows and never crawls back out. Satisfying as the twists are, the amount of sadness in this book heavily outweighs its positive plot strides. I really enjoyed it, I just want to emphasize how heavy it is. Trigger warnings should be reviewed, as there's plenty more to be found beyond the suicide mentioned in the book summary. Interesting juxtaposition for a novel with "Bright Ideas" in the title. Darkness aside, it's clever and well developed. A great debut novel.

I put this on audio while doing chores and sped through it. I enjoyed the writing style but that's about it. I was intrigued by the premise, but it failed to deliver. It just ends with no real absolution or hint as to the direction things would go. All 3 characters were lacking any kind of draw so I ultimately ended up not caring. I could tolerate unlikable characters if I'd gotten more drama and a concrete ending. Bummed cuz I was really looking forward to this one, just didn't realize how short it was. Just kind of stopped as soon as things were coming to a head. 

I was just... so bored. I feel like nothing happened even though I'm quite aware plenty happened, especially at the end. Sorry to who recommended this to me, I just couldn't get into it. 

I wish books like this had existed when I was a teen. I didn't expect the end, it snuck up on me and I'm almost desperate to continue with the series, but I've got some other things to read first. Sigh. I shall return to thee, Dash & Lily! Maybe around Christmas... 🤔

Also I adore that Dash & Lily exist within the Nick & Norah universe. I nearly squealed at the mention of Fistfull of Assholes and Azrael.

Nostalgic and new at the same time, I learned a lot I didn't know about for a person who has grown with the scene but didn't live deep enough into it to have first hand knowledge of most of the events as they unfolded. Sometimes it's stuff you really can't know until time has passed and the people who lived it look back. Great read for emo and general music lovers alike.