If You Like That, Read This! Chapter 2
The current quarantine has allowed us all time to catch up on streaming movies and appreciate the nostalgia from Disney +. But at this point we are struggling to find movies that we haven’t already watched in the last month and would also just like a change of scenery from our living room couch to, I don’t know.. our bed?!
No fear, Kerry Winfrey is here with the second chapter of: If You Like That, Read This! And this time we’re talking classic: When Harry Met Sally! So brew your tea and warm up one of those brownies you made and let’s get to reading.
If You Like When Harry Met Sally, read Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating!
When it comes to the “best friends falling in love” trope in romantic comedies, it really doesn’t get any better than the Nora Ephron classic When Harry Met Sally. Starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal at their best, it poses the question, “Can men and women ever be just friends?” It also poses questions like “seriously, how adorable is Meg Ryan?” (so adorable!), “Does Billy Crystal have the greatest outfits ever?” (yes, those sweaters!), and “Are Harry and Sally’s best friends, played by Bruno Kirby and Carrie Fisher, actually one of the best fictional couples to ever be portrayed on screen?” (a thousand times yes!). And just like all Nora Ephron films, it spawned about one million quotable lines (sometimes I laugh just thinking about “baby fish mouth is sweeping the nation”).
But WHMS isn’t currently streaming (which is kind of rude, frankly), so maybe you’re looking for a new source to scratch that “best friends to lovers” itch. I’ve found the perfect book for you: Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating by Christina Lauren.
Christina and Lauren (yes, it’s an author team!) are masters of the romantic comedy, and nowhere is that more apparent than in this smart, funny, totally cute novel. Hazel and Josh are best friends…and JUST best friends. They’re definitely NOT going to hook up, despite the fact that they have a ton of chemistry. In fact, they spend their time going on double dates, setting each other up with potential paramours. What could go wrong?
Hazel doesn’t have the exact same quirks as Sally (as in, she doesn’t have an extremely complicated diner order), but she’s plenty quirky in her own way, prone to awkward rambling, blurting out the wrong thing at the wrong time, and embarrassing herself often…but in an absolutely endearing way that will make you fall in love with her.
Just as in When Harry Met Sally, it’s such a delight to watch Josh and Hazel realize what’s been right in front of them the whole time. And you know Harry’s great speech on New Year’s Eve about how all of Sally’s slightly weird, kind of annoying tendencies are why he loves her? Josh has the same devotion for all of Hazel’s quirks, and it will totally melt your heart. If you’re looking for a feel-good read during these stressful times, Josh and Hazels’ Guide to Not Dating will fill your rom-com needs.
When Harry Met Sally available to purchase currently through: iTunes, Google Play and YouTube.
Josh and Hazel’s Guide to Not Dating available on: