Dash & Lily is a genuinely charming holiday show that feels like a warm hug and a love letter to NYC bookstores. The red notebook concept is creative and refreshing in our hyper-digital age, and the show models vulnerability, growth, and taking chances on people who are different from you.
It's not groundbreaking television, but it's sweet without being cloying, and the romance is age-appropriate for tweens and teens. The main caution is that Dash's backstory touches on parental abandonment and family dysfunction, which could be heavy for sensitive kids. But overall, it's a solid pick for families with older kids looking for holiday content that's more sophisticated than Hallmark but not as edgy as some teen dramas.
The 2020 release means it still feels current and watchable—no outdated references or cringe fashion. If your kid is in that sweet spot of wanting romance but not being ready for anything too mature, this hits the mark.