Dash et Lily

Rating: 6.5/10

Themes: Christmas, Romance, Anonymous Letters, Comedy & Drama.

Top five characters: 1) Dash, 2) Boomer, 3) Benny, 4) Lily and 5) Langston.

It's the Christmas season in New York City. Dash hates Christmas. His parents are divorced. His girlfriend had dumped him. While browsing at the Strand bookstore, he finds a red notebook in the shelves. A girl had left it there to dare the reader. He is immediately hooked. They start passing the book back and forth with new dares. Unbeknownst to him, Lily loves Christmas. She is a ball of positivity and refuses to admit any darkness. The two teenagers find a deep connection and push each other to change for the better.

This is sugary sweet and adorably cute. Fairytale of New York is my favorite Christmas song and that's what this is. I also love the sing-along. Of course, I understand cutting out the crass section which doesn't fit. I have no problem with all the plot contrivances. This is a fairytale after all. The one thing that I do have a problem with is the age of the actors. They are so obviously twentysomethings. It was actually deflating when the characters reveal their ages. I understand the labor laws but maybe they should adjust the characters' ages. At least make them twenty. It's actually more compelling and adorably pathetic for Lily. She's a child-like person trying to grow up. It fits. This is an 8-episode series on Netflix. I don't think there is a second season.

It's a great way to relax during the Christmas season.

I read the book that this was based on back in 2013 and loved the book. The way that New York City was almost an additional main character in the book has been carried over into the TV series. How can you not love a series that features the Strand Book Store, McSoreley's Ale House, Two-Boots Pizza and so many other New York City landmarks. And that's not even mentioning punk rock Klezmer players, beared drag queens and Challah Back Boys! I absolutely loved the scenes in the Morgan Library.

It's a simple, lighthearted Christmas - love story about two, a bit nerdy and quirky adolescents finding each other through a paperchase. The story plays with traditions without being too cheesy, just a bit.

A good way to relax during these turbulent times!