There isn’t much I don’t love of about a Kristoffer Polaha Hallmark movie…..until this one.

I’m so sad I have to type that!

I knew this would be different as we start with a married couple going to a counseling sesh….but I was truly hoping it would take my heart on a journey, and I guess it did. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the warm and cozy kind.

So here’s how I break it down:
5 categories, 5 hearts possible in each

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️ Is it just me, or could Polaha have chemistry with an alpaca? When he delivers the sweet, romantic lines, they just land. I’m not sure if it was the storyline or his partner that made it hard to get into…..but the spell was broken every time Becca spoke to Robby. I never believed she wanted the relationship repaired…..and yet, poor, lovesick Robby tried his darnedest time and time again.

STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️Ugh. When you come to Hallmark Christmas movie universe….you want love and magic and romance…..not real-life marriage struggles and full-town immersion therapy. I get that it’s nice to mix it up a bit, but we don’t even get a glimpse of happiness hope until the very end….it all felt very depressing 😦

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️ ❤️ Hey Pascale! Cute little Therapist Cameo from another Hallmark leading lady! I would be remiss if I didn’t point out the real star of this entire flick: JERRY the dog. Also, I did giggle at the inn owners, Cindy, and the Cheese Guy. Where do I get a shirt that says “Sweet Dreams are made of Cheese. Who am I to Dis-a-Brie?” Sign. Me. Up.

FEELS ❤️❤️ ❤️ So much of this movie made me feel icky….or sad….but the parts when Robby is trying to melt Becca’s heart: Those were sweet moments. That, and when they watch Jerry in the parade like proud parents…my heart warmed. Also the town decor was amazingly-over-the-top Hallmark magical, and I loved that!

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(what made this different from typical Hallmark movies)} ❤️❤️❤️ Starting off with a married couple is obviously different…but I was actually expecting the alpacas to have a larger role in this film with all the advertising and the movie poster focus. LOL! Again with the excessive drinking and hangover at the Sip and Shop? Hmm, Hallmark…. this is the wholesome, “family friendly” content you’re pushing? Not a fan of that.

14/25 I do not care to watch this again. It made me sad. I would, however, love an Alpaca-gram. That would be cool.

WELCOME BACK to the MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!!!!

I honestly wasn’t going to do reviews this year……I gave it up mid-2021 season after getting a little burnt out. Since watching the first movie of Christmas 2022 though….I feel like I need to sit on my hands cuz I’m too darn excited to contain the urge to start writing these things up!

So, here goes nothing! I’m watching all Hallmark AND GAC Family movies this year, so we will see how this plays out (or, more to the point….how long I can keep up) That’s 58 movies, my friends. Pray for me.

Straight out of the gate, Hallmark packed some BIG punches with “Noel Next Door”. Is this Hallmark’s new direction? Or were they just trying to turn all the heads right away?

So here’s how I break it down:
5 categories, 5 hearts possible in each

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Holy smokes! Natalie Hall & Cory Sevier made the best of every scene they were in together! The flirting was cute and sincere….the quiet moments were very heated. It all worked between these two!

STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I was nervous that the storyline would be similar to “Christmas Next Door” circa 2017, but was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t resemble it at all. It was nice to see Jeremy’s character have two very different sides….I think that’s super important for people to see/realize….not everyone is all bad/all good. The conflict and resolution had me on my toes too…unexpected in a good way.

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Did we have some characters! Dearest Henry: I feel for this kid, but dude’s a little liar….happy he fessed up in the end. Noel’s blind date: every internet troll rolled into one? Jeremy’s blind date: most uncompassionate person ever? Horrible customer man? Ex-husband that cheated on his wife with dental hygienist/living in family home/trying to take Christmas day away from mom? Noel & Jeremy’s friends and family were alright…..but really, the only person that I liked was Luis, the poor HOA guy, and obviously he is getting great therapy wherever he is going because he deals with some real crap and still manages positivity!

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️ Noel and Jeremy’s chemistry really carried this movie for me. Every diner scene made my heart swell! The leaning in over the apple pie….the smooth talking Jeremy forgetting his food….so much good dialogue between these two!

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(what made this different from typical Hallmark movies)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ This entire movie was pushing the boundaries for Hallmark Channel. I thought it was a Lifetime movie, but and the very least it deserved to be on “Hallmark Movies & Mysteries”: Multiple mentions of Ex-husband’s mistress, heavy drinking, custody battles….sure, it’s “real life” but is that why we come to watch Hallmark? I mean, unless we’re just waiting for the “plug” for Tampax 😉 See what I did there?

Oh, and real quick….can a person who walks with a cane really ice skate that well? or kick a soccer ball like that? Honestly asking here…….

21/25 I feel like I almost need to watch it again to truly feel the warm & fuzzies that Natalie & Cory brought to the plate while being prepared for all the hot buttons Hallmark was trying to push.