Dash & Lily (2020) User Reviews

Cliched and cheesy, but in a good way!

[mapika · 7/10 · 10 November 2020]

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!

A prime example of how to make an original show

[mrashtastic89 · 8/10 · 30 May 2021]

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

Great idea for a show but....

[chiefgame1 · 7/10 · 13 November 2020]

Loved the whole storyline for this series but why make them teenagers if you are casting people that obviously don't act or even look like teenagers. These characters clearly don't look 17. At least make them college students

Cute and a cliche, but in an original way

[bcostley-79940 · 10/10 · 11 November 2020]

This tv series was addictive from the pilot. Despite how cliched it was sometimes, it was also original and refreshing. The characters weren't your average 10/10 models, but normal people who were both relatable and interesting. Netflix did very well with this cute Christmas series.

A New Christmas Classic!

[camilla-988-333867 · 9/10 · 10 November 2020]

Okay it´s Cheesy,but I LOVE Cheesy...

A romantic story about two loners in NY at Christmas time. They start a back and forth dare challenge, through a notebook at a bookstore. And slowly they develop a deep connection but is it real or just fiction. Will they dare to see each other face to face or is it safer to keep it on the pages.

Overall a well acted feelgood for the whole family.

So to all other romcom lovers ,a must see!!

Cute

[paloma-73370 · 6/10 · 13 November 2020]

When you get yourself into a teenage Christmas love story, you know what you expect to get, and this series will definitely give it to you. Actually it's quite cute, and even though it's filled with cliches, it's original.

I admit, the first episodes were better (solid 8 stars), but as the story progresses some things start to fall out of place (barely a 5 or 6 in my opinion). It's presented in a way made me expect it to be a little more introspective and serious, but at some point it evolves into a typical cheesy drama. It became disappointing at some point, but it's quite short, so it wasn't hard to finish it at all.

The biggest flaw is that the characters supposed to fall in love have no actual chemistry. The whole story was quite engaging while they were apart, but as soon as they started to approach, that couple stopped making sense. Don't get me wrong, I do not dislike the characters or the acting, it's just that they do not have that "something" as a couple.

Other things that may upset you are poor acting from some side characters or annoying cliches, but when you watch this kind of shows it's highly unlikely you can avoid those things, so I'll assume you already expect it.

A love story and a love letter to NYC

[Havan_IronOak · 8/10 · 31 January 2021]

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.

Cute and Christmassy.

[Imme-van-Gorp · 7/10 · 2 January 2021]

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.

LOVE

[T2TLED · 10/10 · 28 November 2020]

Just stayed up til 12:30am and watched the whole thing, love this series. What a sweet treat.

Fairytale of New York

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 25 July 2021]

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.

what a sweet tv show

[karlaciobanu-07276 · 10/10 · 10 November 2020]

I do recommend this one. It's very cute and emotional and I love it!! One of the best. Really originally and refreshing!!

Unequal

[in-imdb-1 · 6/10 · 11 November 2020]

I hesitated between giving this 6 or 7 stars. I still do. The first 5 episodes are okay. Not impressive, not bad, good enough to keep watching. I watched not because the story is great but because once you start watching, you need closure. But then episode 6 till the end is a bit too long and stretched, I started getting bored and even irritated. The ending looks very artificial, too much actually. It could have been better. Not sure if this is because of the book the show is based on or the series writing. In the end those 8 rather short (under 25 minutes each) episodes look like a single romcom feature film with a lousy ending. Especially the guy, he looks artificially too soft in the last episodes and I did not find him credible anymore, unlike at the beginning. He even looks like he is high in the finale. Bizarre. I am giving 7, because it made me watched the entire season. But as I said, it is short (few episodes, and short ones). I wish I could give 6.5 stars, 7 is for the first 5 episodes only.

Started interesting, then it was just meh

[spongeval · 5/10 · 11 November 2020]

The first few episodes I thought it was a cute series with some promising ideas, considering it was focused on teen romance. It seemed that this series was going to be more balanced between being cheesy and an attempt of portraying teens with a more introspective point of view. But at the end the writers didn't seem to know how to write the last episodes, even though is a short series.

I was hoping this was not another fiction where starting a relationship equals happiness. I was expecting for the characters to meet mid season, and see more realistic problematic related to the start of a loving relationship. But well, nope... Writers chose the easy and cheesy... These kids won't be together until the very end, and that's a happy ending. It's so unrealistic and kind of boring.

The whole story felt rushed and very often cringy, but the last 3 episodes are the worse. The editing also gets bad by the end, with some voice over obviously added to some scenes to make us think characters are having conversations. Very unpolished. Actors were good in my opinion. I have seen worse, that's for sure. Maybe the characters could have been written better? Sure. Maybe the story should have been about kids in their 18s instead of teens? Probably, but then, apparently, the writers wouldn't know how to write something dramatic without having ridiculous plots to get to the climax.

Good formula romance

[jsaus63304 · 8/10 · 11 November 2020]

We have all seen it before. Boy meets girl. They are attracted to each other. Things get complicated and they part just to end up together.

Difference here is that this one is worth watching. There is a bit of a twist as to how they meet and what their relationship is. Watched it straight through this evening.

Good holiday movie.

So cute!

[SavedSoul-595-524403 · 10/10 · 15 May 2021]

I really enjoyed this! I hope they do another season!

Season one is like a Christmas postcard from New York

[cgvsluis · 6/10 · 28 March 2021]

Sweet and sentimental with a little snark on the side. Dash and Lily, which is based on a series of books by Rachel Cohn and David Levithan, starts with a really fun premise...Lily who has never had a boyfriend and isn't really in a situation to meet one as she goes to an all girls school doesn't go out and her idea of fun is playing cards with her grandfather and his friends, leaves a red notebook with a message and a series of clues including a dare next to her favorite book J. D. Salinger's Franny and Zooey in The Strand Bookstore in Manhattan. Enter Dash, another loner and persnickety book aficionado, who takes on the challenge presented in the red notebook. Then he proceeds to try and set a trap to get a glimpse of this illusive red notebook girl with his friend, Boomer. Boomer ends up meeting Lily, but plays along with her and doesn't tell Dash and thus begins their back and forth of dares, challenges and in general getting to know one another through experiences and the written word.

What is a romantic story without obstacles or challenges? Dash and Lily's come in the form of his ex-girlfriend and her childhood bully. This is filled with quintessential New York Christmas locales and lots of literary references.

It is a lighthearted fun teen holiday romance that is fun for the whole family.

Totally and completely loveable.

[majoq · 10/10 · 4 November 2021]

I'M SO IN LOVE WITH THIS SHOW.

One of my Christmas favourites!

Sweet, fun, great actors!!

What's NOT to love about the show?

It's a pity we won't have a second season.

Better than expected

[saadgkhan · 7/10 · 15 November 2020]

Dash & Lily - B+ (Memorable)

Perfect holiday show, you can binge watch during holidays. It has enough sugar, and brains to keep you hooked into watching till the end. It is far better than Netflix holiday movies parade dropping every week.

The leads are charming along with supporting cast especially Sophia and Bummer. Though, Not sure why they would cast a 26 years old actress to play 17 years old. The guy atleast look like a teenager but Lily at times looks like an old actress trying hard to sound like an underage teenager. Sometimes due to story line she has to keep reminding us she is 17 but unfortunately she doesn't look like 17 years old. That's the only thing sticks out like soar thumb at times, but otherwise it was thoroughly entertaining.

Excellent!

[adithyanuae · 9/10 · 10 November 2020]

This series is a really good one, I was waiting for this series to be released for a long time because of midori Francis. She has portrayed a really good role as lily as well as dash. This series as over all its nice. All the color grading, script, direction, acting, I like them all.

A Connector Of Feelings and Faith

[musicalfreakgurl · 11 November 2020]

I've never read the book but now it's ok my TBR list. When I saw the trailer I knew this would a sweet addition to the YA genre. The main characters due a excellent job or portraying the opposite of each other. A Grinch and a Christmas Enthusiast. The idea that you can convey your feelings through a notebook isn't new but the setting is. And each transaction the two go through to get to the end result is. The push and pull of each to get them to see the others side of life was compelling and sweet but not overly done.

Absolutely Refreshing

[sketchpoetjon · 7/10 · 10 November 2020]

Very cute, clever and endearing. Hooked from the pilot. Looking forward to seeing how this pans out. Makes a nice change from teenagers swearing, using drugs and trying to get laid - that just gets old and poisons our youth.

So good you'll watch it twice

[msanabelwest · 10/10 · 11 November 2020]

Ok full disclosure I LOVE xmas movies or shows but this one is not your usual cheesy like nachos fest about two middle aged people falling in love setting up a Christmas carnival. It's heartfelt and genuine, allows you take a side of happy go lucky or cynical and slightly bitter (the side I'm choosing this year personally). It's also got a bit of mystery to what comes next and it's written and acted well. The leads are amazing and you definitely should try it.

Great First and Last Episodes!

[hussain-ayaz · 6/10 · 16 November 2020]

Its a different show and I'll give credit to writers for that but I have to say that this season could have been wrapped up in four episodes. I enjoyed first 2 episodes and last 2 episodes, but to be honest, in the middle it was just waste of time for me.

Ridiculous

[DanyDanyShopper · 1/10 · 11 November 2020]

I was cringing at every step by the cheesiness. The diversity was cute. I have so much to say about this Ridiculous Sudo Disney mess, but I'm going to give one Ridiculous concept. The reaction of how the grandfather reacted to her holding hands with or kissing a guy, or going out or whatever, and was completely fine with catching the gay brother having sex in the apartment, and do not give me the double-stranded between the sexes bull crap, he is GAY. The grandfather's reaction was Ridiculous and unrealistic.

To the Boy: "I see you're having sex in my apartment with a guy, so you got over your heartbreak and are ready to go back to school"

to the Girl: "you went out with a boy, you will be punished and sent away to FIJI"

Da F!@K! Hahaha.

Wonderful Holiday Series!

[henryshear · 9/10 · 17 November 2020]

This show is now going to be a Christmas tradition for me. I am known for playing Christmas music any time of the year and the soundtrack of this series is amazing! Last Christmas, River, A Holly Jolly Christmas are some of my favorite songs and each one is played throughout the course of the show. Now, let's get into the show.

Austin Abrams plays Dash, a recluse who associates Christmas with loneliness and pain. The viewer thinks of him as snippy, depressed and witty. I loved Dash's sense of humor and his intellectual curiosity. In the Strand (the bookstore in NY), it becomes apparent that Dash is not only extremely clever, but he relentlessly searches for answers to the code found in the notebook.

The whole premise revolves around a notebook. Lily (Midori Francis), a radiant and intelligent teenager, devises a way for her to meet a cute boy with the help of her brother Langston. She plants the notebook next to The Catcher in the Rye in the Strand and waits for someone to go along to play the game.

As someone who loves to read novels, it was so refreshing to see two teenage protagonists my same age who have the same love for reading that I do. There are so many literary references sprinkled in each episode. One character's nickname was a reference to a novel that I read in 4th grade. Every little detail in the series is so impressive, even the perfect titles for episodes. The title of the fourth episode is very appropriate.

What impressed me more was how they both changed each other. The notebook becomes a character as both give each other tasks to perform. Lily tries to make Dash see the positivity in the world and Dash forces Lily to come out of her shell. By the time that we are adults, we are completely set in our ways. We have decided if we are going to be cruel, use hateful language, give compliments to others or just be kind. During our teenage years, we can truly find out who we are and who we want to be. I think that there are plenty of people who have had a toxic relationship or are currently in one, but Dash and Lily are so good for each other. They force each other to decide who they want to be. Will they continue their destructive habits or change for the better?

I keep trying to think of what I can compare the show to and Notting Hill is coming to mind. However, Notting Hill does not really explore Julia Robert's character and instead focuses entirely on Hugh Grant. Both Dash and Lily are explored, but so are their social lives. Boomer (Dante Brown) is amazing as Dash's best friend, he adds moments of levity that are dearly needed just like Spike (Rhys Ifans) in Notting Hill provides. Boomer is the moral conscious of the show who acts almost like an advisor or person of wisdom. He is easily one of my favorite characters. Lily's brother Langston is very humorous and I greatly enjoyed his scenes too.

Someone reading this review might be asking why I rated the show a 10/10. For me to rate a show 10/10 signifies a personal connection. I felt a personal connection to all of the music, but also to Dash and Lily. In a weird way, I am a perfect amalgam of the two of them. It's rare for me to come across two characters who love books as much as I do, love Christmas music and embrace their weirdness or their quirks. Both also have support systems, whether it is through friends or family. I love this series very, very much and I wish teenagers were depicted like this more often.

I do have a very minuscule critique. The cameos of the Jonas Brothers were somewhat awkward. I realize that is a slight spoiler, but it doesn't change the story. Nick Jonas was also an exec producer which is interesting to me. I wonder if he is friends with the authors of the books or if he read the book himself and loved the concept. Their cameos were still funny and if you are a Jonas Brothers fan then you will love it.

I will probably watch one of the episodes again Christmas morning. I love the idea of going through a book store in search of clues. I would definitely not mind if I were locked in one, it would be a Christmas present for me. Please watch the show! If you are a parent, it would be great to watch as a family! Thank you so much for reading my review and please be sure to suggest it to your friends and family!