You've Got Mail fans will love this new show

Looking through your Queue can be exhausting, and its not always super accurate. So how do you find what to watch next?

I love romantic comedies, and honestly, 90's era romcoms are some of my all-time favorites. Meg Ryan definitely gave us quite a few classics like Sleepless in Seattle, When Harry Met Sally and Kate and Leopold. But my favorite of hers will always be You've Got Mail.

My best friend introduced me to this sweet romantic comedy about eight or nine years ago, and I have loved it ever since.

Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks in You've Got Mail.

This classic 90's rom com brings us into the life of Kathleen Kelly, a small business owner who took over her mother's bookstore. She lives a small life that she is happy with, loves her store and her friends... but is over all unsatisfied. Kathleen (ShopGirl) confides in an unknown person in an over-30s chatroom with the username "NY152", who gives her advice on how to change her life.

When Joe Fox, big time business owner of the book store chain, FOX Books, moves in across the street, Kathleen's small shop is in danger of closing for good.

Little do either of them realize, they have been looking to each other for comfort and advice the whole time.

This romantic comedy is one that keeps you on your toes, and will make you laugh, cry, and want to go read at your local bookstore.

We love the romance between Meg and Tom in this movie, as well as the drama that keeps them at each others throats. The will-they-won't-they, and feel good sentimentality is what has made You've Got Mail such a classic for almost 25 years.

So what do you watch after You've Got Mail?

Usually, when I have just finished a show or movie, I want something that feels similar. I want the show to keep going, I want to keep living it.

Enter, Dash & Lily

Dash & Lily is a new, modern take on a classic story. This Netflix series is based off of the YA book, Dash & Lily's book of dares. Lily is a young woman who loves her life, and doesn't want things to change. She loves Christmas, her family, and her life, but she also feels a little like an outsider at the same time. Her older brother sets her up, telling her to write to "someone" by leaving her red notebook somewhere in her favorite bookstore with a dare inside. This game leads us to Dash, a young man who kind of has everything. He comes from money, is popular and has lots of "friends", but dislikes his life and just about everyone in it.

When Dash finds Lily's book, he takes her dare and the game begins.

I wont give away too much about this romantic series, because I think you should definitely watch this show for yourself. But I will give a few comparisons, and why I think you will adore Dash & Lily if you loved You've Got Mail.

The Mysterious Stranger

The mystery person is a huge part of both You've Got Mail and Dash & Lily. Who is the person on the other end of the letters? What are they really like? And better yet, is there a possibility of romance with this person?

The thrill of writing to them is exciting, and gives the main characters a rush each time they hear back. Both Dash and Lily start creating this image of one another in their heads of what the other person is like in real life, and ask themselves the question Should we meet?

This same feeling can be seen in You've Got Mail, and is pretty perfectly summed up in this quote below:

What will NY152 say today, I wonder. I turn on my computer. I wait impatiently as it connects. I go online, and my breath catches in my chest until I hear three little words: You've got mail. -Kathleen Kelly

The Thrill of Not Knowing

Just like You've Got Mail, Dash & Lily is about two pen palls that have never knowingly met in real life. The two write each other without giving their real names, or giving intimate details about their lives. But in the same way that Kathleen and Joe try to help each other out with life's problems, so do Dash and Lily.

Part of the fun of this show is the not knowing. It's fun to see how these two change each others perspectives on life, without having ever met face-to-face. And of course, we love the not knowing if they'll ever meet and actually get together.

The "Will-They Wont-They"

It seems kind of obvious that Dash and Lily should end up together. But, there is a big IF there. Dash hate's Christmas, and his family, and his life. While Lily loves all those things about hers, and is a very optimistic person. They couldn't be more different.

But, Kathleen and Joe where also as different as night and day, and we all loved how after so much back-and-fourth, they finally got together in the end.

The Books

If you loved You've Got Mail, you probably love books and bookstores.

Dash & Lily also has that in common with Director Nora Ephron's classic movie. Dash & Lily takes place in NY, and focuses around a little locally owned bookstore. Best of all, the bookstore in Dash & Lily, the Strand, is a REAL bookstore in New York.

This is such a beautiful touch, and reminds us of Kathleen Kelly's own little bookstore, the Shop Around the Corner.

Modern love with a classic feel

Overall, Dash & Lily feels a lot like You've Got Mail, but in modern New York, with a different medium. These characters have their own quirks, and their own problems they face. Unlike Kathleen and Joe, Dash and Lily aren't business owners, but young adults trying to find their path in life.

The differences and inclusivity make watching this series fun, intriguing, and will keep you guessing.

I loved watching Dash & Lily when it came out around Christmas last year (2020), and can't wait to start it over again! If you love You've Got Mail, I promise you will fall in love with Dash & Lily as well.

You can currently watch all 8 episodes of Dash & Lily on Netflix

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Cover Image via Racked