Were you a Desperate Housewives fan? I watched it for awhile back in the day…but it’s been so long, I can’t really say I was super into it…..but that doesn’t mean I forgot my love for Mike & Susan!

So, we already know these two have what it takes in the chemistry department….it was just a question of what Hallmark hand they got dealt…

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I love these two. So why am I having a hard time giving 5 hearts? So glad you asked. Imma tell you. A huge draw for me is the woo-ing….and the way this storyline was written (which I loved btw) there wasn’t a lot of “woo” But, oh, the last 20 minutes had me in tears! And it was all due to the love Ethan and Joyce poured out for each other! So freaking sweet and beautiful! 😍

STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Don’t question God’s plan! Now I know they didn’t make reference to the Good Lord…but that’s all I kept thinking while watching this. “What if…” I loved this plot! Getting to see how your life would be different if you turned left instead of right…and realizing in the end what’s truly important.

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️no one aside from James Denton & Teri Hatcher stood out for me. Is that horrible? I mean, it almost felt like the other characters could have been completely switched out and I wouldn’t have noticed. 🤷‍♀️

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I can tell you the exact moment this whole movie blew me into “ALL THE FEELS” cuz up until this point, the only ache in my heart I got was when Ethan saw his kids and realized in this alternate life they weren’t his 😦 the moment: at the Christmas Eve party when Ethan doesn’t remember his old life and Joyce remembers for him. Oh my goodness…the scene made this whole movie worth the watch! Of course when he got “home” was amazing too! 😉

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(what made this different from typical Hallmark movies)} ❤️❤️❤️ I loved that our main couple resolved their conflict very quickly. The misunderstanding didn’t last very long at all….and LOVED the scene I described above…it was just the twist needed to make the storyline unique

NEW (ungraded) CATEGORY no hearts given, but I feel like some of the “traditions” or decor in these movies NEED a little spotlight. I mean…

WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?!?!

1. That COFFEE MAKER! Where do I get one of those???? ☕️

18/25 Solid flick. Gave me all the family feels …..different twist on the “be careful what you wish for” plot. I liked it.

Right off the top, I love when Hallmark does movies set in different cites or in countries that I’ve never been to. The opening scenes walking along with the mailman got me really excited that we were going to be “traveling” to Harlem and experiencing what locals experience. Now, while I think they tried to give us the idea or feel of that….it wasn’t as enlightening as I expected.

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️ Jazmin & Caleb…I don’t know about these kids….they could have been so flipping cute. They had so much history together, and I will admit that got me more interested in this paring. Most notably for me was the little drummer boy story and the basketball scene….but Caleb: he could have tried a little harder to win his girl….and Jaz, I couldn’t tell if she was even in to him most the movie. Ugh, I just wish they would have worked harder to show their true feelings, THAT’S WHY I’M WATCHING! I mean, Olivia Washington & Will Adams are beautiful people….give us more!

STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️I really love the idea of Jazmin coming home and reconnecting, not only with Caleb, but her family and her community! This Christmas Jamboree gave me so many items to add to my Christmas activity wish list! Here’s the issue I had though….if my family treated me the way Jaz’s did, I wouldn’t want to come home either! Why are they mad at her? Because she has a successful job? Her parents were even clueless to the fact that it’s “not ideal” to grow up with divorced parents that don’t get along. Really? You want to try and sell me on the fact that shuffling back and forth between 2/3 homes is suppose to be fun? Sorry. Might hit too close to home for me…but I did not enjoy that angle.

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️Lots of Love for Mama Belle. She tries to take care of the whole block and I just love that. While I also love that she dishes out some tough love—it kind of broke my heart that she never seemed to choose Jazmin’s side. Maybe I am just needing more tenderness in my Hallmark mamas/moms this week……………..Also how cute was Catrina, Caleb’s preggo sister? She was such a sweetheart to Jaz and Caleb! Plus she was funny and sassy ta boot!

FEELS ❤️❤️Unfortunately, I got more uneasy feels in much of this instead of the warm and fuzzies. The Little Drummer Boy/Ace nicknames and their meaning were super cute though….and the Fashion Bash left me with a PERMAGRIN!

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(what made this different from typical Hallmark movies)} ❤️❤️Just having a movie set in Harlem and showing all the ways a community can come together to celebrate as one big family was different.

NEW (ungraded) CATEGORY no hearts given, but I feel like some of the “traditions” or decor in these movies NEED a little spotlight. I mean…

WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?!?!

1. Santa Basketball Jam….YESSSS!!!!!
2. Holiday Fashion Bash…those suits! LOVE!

12/25 So, even seeing this 12 makes me want to rethink my ranking….I feel like I enjoyed this movie much more than that. However, due to the lack of romance I got from it….probably wouldn’t watch again…

I really had to think about how I was going to go about reviewing this movie. The cast and storyline was so unique to what we normally expect from Hallmark….

I couldn’t put my finger on what I liked so much about it….until I sat down to write this review: it’s like COLD CASE meets Hallmark…the only think missing was the black and white flashback scenes. Although, I must say, Harry Lennix did a fantastic job painting each picture in my mind….so I was able to see it there as the music played ….

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

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ another movie where this category doesn’t truly fit in the Hallmark box. On paper, Niall Matter & Laura Vandervoort are portrayed as the romantic leads….but their story really felt secondary——nay, tertiary. (Big word-eh?) but this is my system, so I gotta stick with it. Megan and Steve…..if this was left up to you, we may be looking at a solid 3, possibly 4 with that banger of a kiss at the end…..HOWEVER, I must factor in Frank & Claire AND that puts the Chemistry at 5 hearts, no question

STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️COLD CASE + HALLMARK LOVE STORY. What could be better? I loved the relationship between Megan and Frank! Such a sweet friendship to get to ride along with. Now, normally when the secondary love story outshines what should be the main one, it doesn’t sit well with me, but finding Frank’s long lost love was done so well, I 100% approve!

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Frank & Claire. STAAAAHHHPPPP!!! This story was so captivating and emotional. Both Harry Lennix & Liza Huget killed it! They made my heartache for BOTH of them! To be honest Niall’s character Steve seemed more of a supporting role in this! My daughter even said, “I don’t get it, Mom…which couple is this one about?” LOL! I assured her it was okay that there were TWO to root for 😉

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️The Music! Music memory is SO strong! I bet we can all think of a song that takes us right back to a place and time, especially if it’s connected with a love interest! Every time Frank shared a memory….when he SANG! Loved Watching the WOO! Claire’s broken heart….Frank’s broken heart…..the reunions at the end. GAH! Love lasting the test of a whole lifetime…..and if that wasn’t enough, Megan finally allowing herself to love again! GREAT FEELS in this one!

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(what made this different from typical Hallmark movies)} ❤️❤️❤️ Well, I’ll tell you what, that Max sure surprised me! Also, the unconditional love Megan had for Frank. So focused on your friend’s happiness that you ignore your own. We don’t see that too much these days, do we?

NEW (ungraded) CATEGORY no hearts given, but I feel like some of the “traditions” or decor in these movies NEED a little spotlight. I mean…

WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?!?!

1. Was that a giant Ornament Hot Potato Game? I kind of LOVE it!

22/25 Again, Hallmark making me love a movie for reasons I wasn’t expecting to! I was so focused on Frank & Claire that I might have missed some Megan/Steve action. Might have to watch it again 😉

Ok, bear with me folks…

I had the pleasure of watching this with a friend…and was a bit distracted by laughter and children….but I did manage to find some light (possibly from the light house?) in this flick.

And if you watched it….you might find that quite surprising 😏

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

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️ I know I’ve seen both theses leads in other movies which I have enjoyed…but at Christina and Andy….I just could not get into this paring. Um, that campfire scene was nearly cringe-worthy…too awkward for me

STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️ typical Hallmark trope: big business coming into small town to destroy a treasured landmark. The way the told this story though: I didn’t care either way…and that made me sad. Oscar the Grouch was TOO mean…Christina was a stand alone (island, shall we say?) even her fellow business owners didn’t care….and Andy wasn’t really making an effort either way. Meh to the Meh meh meh. Plus, like, just because Andy looks good in every color suit possible, he really should have spent more time being a dad.

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️ These two hearts are going up for Oscar Bittleman the Grouchiest Grouch ever. He actually made me hate him, even though I knew where it was coming from! But he turned it around with his speech at the end. Got me right in the feels.

FEELS ❤️❤️ as I said…Oscar’s speech to Chrsitina at the end was very heartfelt and probably moved me more because it was such a huge 180* ….and speaking of Oscar….that kiss he plants on Janice! Well done, sir! Wink, was cute. Felt really sorry for that kiddo.

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(what made this different from typical Hallmark movies)} ❤️❤️❤️ besides Oscar’s whopper of a smooch…I’m more surprised with what DIDN’T happen in this movie: wharf doesn’t get saved…and Christina didn’t see a mermaid (major bummer) 🧜‍♀️ 😢 oh, and one MORE surprise: A WHOLE CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE!!!! (Christmas Sail could’ve taken notes)

NEW (ungraded) CATEGORY no hearts given, but I feel like some of the “traditions” or decor in these movies NEED a little spotlight. I mean…

WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?!?!

1. When decorating for a seaside Christmas: DO use a lighthouse for your tree topper DON’T wrap an entire Christmas tree in a white sheet with a red sash and call it a lighthouse
2. When shooting a movie in warm climates…. DO use fake snow, CGI, etc. DON’T use cotton stuffing and batting ….this reminded me of the spring movie “Just My Type” and their overuse of fake flowers. Gave us a good chuckle though!

10/25 Stuck it out until the end. Got to see multiple blue suit looks, one green suit…and a purple jacket/green pant combo on Oscar. If the highlight of the movie is the men’s wardrobe…..I think it’s safe to say, I won’t be watching this one again.

I should have know that turning on a Miracles of Christmas movie would be a “watch at your own risk” situation….

This one told stories that I wasn’t expecting to have to navigate in a Hallmark movie….I’m glad I didn’t watch this one with our kids. There would have been lots of questions that I would have had to address….very adult storylines here….

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

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️❤️ J-Bug & Q-ball are all grown up and looky there, they fall in love! The romance really took a back seat to the heavy, heavy drama their dads were dealing with, but Jason and Quinn were adorable together. The secret tree operation leading to the most perfect Hallmark kiss was to die for. And I could probably watch Eloise Mumford shyly smile and giggle all day. She’s the cutest!

STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ I said I didn’t expect this storyline…and that is the understatement of the year. It was very different. Not that is was bad, but discussing alcoholism and how that affected Mike and his family/career was a pretty big part of the movie. Definitely Not a warm and fuzzy Hallmark Plot. Steve’s diagnosis with Alzheimer’s also was so heart wrenching. I gave this 5 hearts because the whole movie was woven together so well, and presented in a way that made me super invested…..I was just surprised that this plot line made it into a Hallmark lineup.

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Bedford & Sullivan were so amazing! I actually loved these guys! I felt like they both could be my dad….which made many scenes funny and others so hard to watch. (But obviously that means they were performed well) and THEY CAN SING! and speaking of singing: Addison (Jasmine Forsberg) AMAZING VOICE! Even the dorky producer dude was good in this! (Shout out to Miss Beauty School Drop Out….still waiting tables, huh, Didi Conn? Gosh, I’d know her voice anywhere!)

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️ so many hurtful feels in this! It was just constant heartache for me the whole darn time. For the kids…for the dads…for the dads as friends and partners…for the dads as they are dealing with the trials of growing older and having their stars fade….ugh, the romance between JBug & Qball just wasn’t enough to give me happy feels…..this movie hurt my heart

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(what made this different from typical Hallmark movies)} ❤️❤️❤️the whole plot line was surprising to me! Wow. Just wow. 😕 also….the singing all around was GOOD! I don’t think we’ve had original songs this year that were actually good. I am super impressed!

NEW (ungraded) CATEGORY no hearts given, but I feel like some of the “traditions” or decor in these movies NEED a little spotlight. I mean…

WHY DIDN’T I THINK OF THAT?!?!

1. Bringing boxes for Christmas decor to hotels you stay in during the holidays…we actually talked about possibly doing that 😏
2. What was with the city center tree topper? Fiber optic firework looking thing????

20/25 Very well acted. Super heart-aching storylines. I even think I’d watch it again if it came one. I’d like to hear those songs!