This is pretty good low budget autumn Reel One Entertainment TV movie in 2023 season. IMO it's overall one of their better. It targets the famous Hallmark autumn TV movies which are mostly tied to Halloween, and shot in summer with various fake props. There is nothing like that here, and it's a proof you can make a good one without faking and adding orange theme.
It's pretty good technically. Finally ROE TV movie which was not just shot in Kelowna, Canada, it even takes place there, and not pretending to be insert random US West Coast city. They even used a real DIY store. Stock footage was minimal. Music score is passable. AAT makeup was a bit off, but later improved. There are few minor bad cuts, but nothing serious.
Cast was good acting wise, but I have one issue with Shay Galor. No, she didn't act bad. I simply don't buy that there is enough age gap between her and Ashley Argota Torres. Speaking about the lead, this is the first time I watched her, and I think she was great. Furthermore, Marnie Mahannah who played her best friend and coworker in the movie was also great, and too bad she didn't have more screen time with her secondary story. After watching her several times, I would say that Marnie M. Is probably and currently the best supporting ROE actress in the last year.
Writing is good but with some lows. There are few typicall filler scenes, and movie around mid already started to drag out. However, Acts I and III are pretty good, and Act II closer to both of it. I liked dialogues, and I really liked that kid Maya was actually a kid and not typical acting your intellectual age trope. And now reason why I rated it above average (7*) even it's probably not. It's the business side of the movie which I actually liked. This is obviously not a movie centered around business, it's just used as a plot device for a romance between between leads. However, that part is actually done much better than for example in Hallmark TV movies. I'm actually impressed.
Overall, don't expect some great romance movie, because it isn't. There is just enough romance to be called one. Watch it for great acting, most of the movie is written well, and is technically compentent.
And obligatory don't watch trailer as it's the ROE one and for some unknown reason(s) it shows whole movie compressed.
