After Laura Osnes’ Hallmark debut last year in One Royal Holiday….I was so excited to see this movie…

my expectations were so crushed, I still don’t think I’m over it.

What am I missing on this one?

I feel like I was in the twilight zone the entire time I was watching this….

also, I spent way too much time googling who “Train” was than I care to admit.

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

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️There was just something about Claire and Ryan I couldn’t get behind. I didn’t buy this relationship at all…..I have to admit that it had something to do with the fact that although Kyle Selig is 29, he looks like he’s closer to 20….and Laura Osnes is a gorgeous 36 year old woman….who needs a MAN. Sorry. I said what I said. They did make out up with it at the end with the longest kiss ever in the history of Hallmark movies though….where in the world was that heat all movie?

STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️ok, so here’s what I don’t understand….you have cast Laura Osnes, a killer broadway star as your lead, and she doesn’t sing? And, Kyle Selig (who I had to google) a broadway star in his own right….is the “CELEBRITY SINGER” but only sings backup….to Pat Monahan of Train (who I ALSO had to google–that one embarrassed me), who is hiding that he wants to be a singer…but ends up as an opening act to an acapella group that WAS NOT GOOD…AT ALL. Was this suppose to be a parody?

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️So, Train. At first I thought I hadn’t heard of this band because I was too young….I mean, Jackson looks like a lounge singer, right? Turns out, after a little research….I’m too old? Listen, I KNOW all of the songs Train has made famous. I just didn’t know who sang said songs….or what the group/singers looked like. Apparently when you are pregnant forever and raising little babies, you don’t take the time to looks up band names or singers anymore. LOL! Oops. Sorry, Train, I actually love a lot of your songs. Now, was Pat Monahan an amazing actor. Short answer: no. Songs were good though.

FEELS ❤️❤️Aside from the BIG OL’ Monster Kiss at the end….this movie was fairly blah for me….they could have at least gave us the whole variety show! That would have been entertaining!

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(what made this different from typical Hallmark movies)} ❤️3 HUGE musical talents in one movie…and barely utilizing them. Surprise in the wrong direction.

9/25 Sadly, do not want to ride this Train again

Dare I say….this may be my favorite CCB Christmas movie….

….so far….

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

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ with all the hype about a DJ & Matt reunion…I really went into this guarded. I didn’t love Fuller House. (Full House was far superior in every way…I’ll fight you on that) BUT. This Ben and Lana: sign me up for everything they do together! Wow! The bickering, the flirting, the honesty…whispering in her ear….I loved it all! Something about this relationship just seemed so real…like, not Hallmark hokey. yes 👏 to 👏 it 👏 all 👏

STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ This competition was so fun! Loved how they shot it like a reality show and had them speak to the camera! Loved the moms, grandmas, and kids playing a part. Again, this was just written so well! Our characters both grew and learned so much over the course of the story!

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Lana’s mom was like a REAL mom! Not Hallmark perfect and I was here for it! I loved how she was totally a mama bear on her daughter’s side….but then also saw how life just isn’t black/white…and Ben’s grandma was so sweet too! Gotta love when the moms/grandmas shake their groove thangs!

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ Ben and Lana made me laugh out loud so many times! Too many cute lines to name…and then too many moments that made me swoon. Ben was a smooth operator! I’ll tell you what, I’ll never get over being charmed by him 😏 and then the head-to-head convo by the fire….and just when I thought I wasn’t going to cry this movie….CCB goes and rips apart her Christmas tree in tears 😭

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(what made this different from typical Hallmark movies)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️ there were so many times I felt like the writers poked fun at typical Hallmark plot points! “Like what, she’s just going to burn her MBA and buy a tree farm in the country?” 😂 but mainly, I was surprised by the real conversations and dialogue in general…..just when I thought it would get cheesy, it didn’t.

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. This contest! How fun! What a great Christmas activity!
2. Also, going to look up those gold bling glasses 🤓 the ladies were wearing! I want!

24/25 this will be added to my “watch every year” list!

Nothing about this was Unexpected.

Tyler Hynes and Bethany Joy Lenz= Hallmark Magic.

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

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ well these two. 🥰😍 Jaime & Emily, why did you EVER break up?!?!? We all know you’re both madly in love with each other still!!!! Loved every second. The fighting, the banter, the flirting….the angst and the MAKE UP!!!! They are both so funny and sassy and I’ll take a million more of those kisses please 😍😍😍😍

STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️ it was so interesting watching Tyler play a man that was sure of himself. He usually plays a very confident leading man….but he did well with this! Plus, I love when our leads “fake it til they make it”

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️ This whole family was so sweet, but dad and mom stole my heart over and over. How cute were they?!?! Dancing and plotting in the kitchen 😍 Then, Grandma swooped in to give some heart tugging wisdom too. And i loved Becca & Jamie’s close relationship too…what a great sibling bond!

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️ So much LOVE and Christmas feels in this! Emily and Jamie commanded my entire heart this whole movie…I could watch them again and again. They both were hurting so much ….and yet made me laugh along the way. How do they do that?!?

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(what made this different from typical Hallmark movies)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️ that play 🤣 what in the world was that with the unicorn??? What a hot mess! ….and speaking of HOT… Andrew Walker CAMEO!!! Heeeyyyy!!!!

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. OVER THE TOP Porch decor…did they have a fire on there????
2. Blinking Lights VESTS!!! Too much? Or not enough? 🤣

21/25 Yes please. More of this. I haven’t seen a movie with either of these leads that I didn’t love…glad this lived up to that!

A tale as old as time….children of two feuding families…caught in the tangled mess of Christmas lights!

Started this one thinking it was going to be too ridiculous to hold my attention, but I actually really enjoyed it in the end!

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

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Tony & Grace….so smitten with each other from day one. While the plot of this story had me hesitant…as soon as these two ran into each other at the bar…I couldn’t look away. The playful banter was on point. And honestly, Carlo Marks smiling at anyone like he does makes it hard not to swoon….but can someone call this man a barber?!? That hair was not right….

STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️❤️ the start crossed lovers plot meets a Christmas decor and lights business? Um, okaaaaay…not really high stakes, but they got me good in the end.

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️ the dad’s in this movie were so iconically DADS, they made me smile. I actually loved how they ended up working out their differences and becoming friends again. And honestly, it’s refreshing to have the main conflict of the movie NOT be between the the romantic pairing, ya know? ….oh my goodness: WADE. What a Chach!

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I LOVE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS!!!! The ending reveal of the Christmas Lights display actually really impressed me! Made me want to drive around a look at the lights in our city. Also LOVED the caroling…even if it was really bad….it made it cute!

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(what made this different from typical Hallmark movies)} ❤️❤️ there wasn’t too much surprising here except for the main conflict not really affecting our romantic leads. Kind of a nice change of pace

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. I actually just want to hire someone to do my outdoor Christmas decor….how does this small town have 3 businesses doing this when I’ve never heard of a single one where I live???

16/25 surprised I didn’t score this higher as I really liked it! And I would definitely watch it again!

Christmas movie set in Ireland….

Lacey Chabert in a romantic-comedy….

This had me SMILING the entire time!

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

CHEMISTRY _{(between the leads)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Aiden was obviously smitten with Brooke from the beginning even with the sassy banter….but when he took her hand and told her he wouldn’t help her with the star but they could do it together, they had me hooked. This Earl is SMOOOOTH! Now he just needs a hairstylist 😏

STORYLINE _{(overall plot of the movie)} ❤️❤️ I don’t like these “lying about who you are” plots. How do you come back from that? Personally and Professionally? I didn’t really like how this resolved, but hey, it’s Hallmark….I guess we are just going to forgive and forget 🤷‍♀️.

SUPPORTING CAST ❤️❤️❤️❤️ I LOVE me some accents! So that was amazing to listen too, no matter who they were or what they said 😉 Margot was over the top cheesy…so you probably have to be in the mood to watch that, but I actually loved her.

FEELS ❤️❤️❤️❤️ most of this movie I was just giggling and having fun watching Brooke and Margot with their shenanigans…but when their lies were catching up to them, they tackled the serious well too. AHHH!!! Brooke! Tell the truth!!! The baking scene/the chapel/the dresses….my heart 💔 Final Scene was Hallmark Gold tho…..

HALLMARK SURPRISE _{(what made this different from typical Hallmark movies)} ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ ooh, QUEEN with the smack down! Loved that! But honestly, she didn’t have too…they kind of deserved it ….but the FAMILY REVEAL!! That knocked my socks off!

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. The metal tree sculpture was actually really pretty! I wish we got to see more of it!
2. IRISH DANCERS! 👯‍♀️ 👯 YES!!!
3. Seriously, just every single shot of the castle decor inside AND out

19/25 ALL the SIBLING LOVE! This was so fun AND still managed to grab my heart strings!