(Plot/Story: 7) A story of a woman rediscovering herself, and finding out what is most important to her. Though simple, the story was simply refreshing, without any gimmicks. (Believability: 6) I can believe two people in a new relationship who are just trying to be their best selves and show kindness to each other. But I found it hard to believe that another divorced parent would have no hurt feelings if his child bailed on their vacation to Hawaii. (Drawn in: 8) This movie has a lot of appeal to it mostly due to the cast. (Uplift: 8) Very positive vibe as is typical from Hallmark. (Acting/Directing: 7) The story did not demand great performances, but the acting was still very good. (Characters: 7) The characters were likable, easy to invest in. (Emotion: 5) A feel good movie, but without significant emotional impact. (Production/Quality: 5) Typical quality for Hallmark. (Visuals: 5) Some nice but average Christmas scenes. (Overall Entertainment Value: 7) I really enjoyed this one. Even with a very simplistic plot, it was refreshing to see people just trying to be sincere and compassionate towards each other. And I was inspired by the main character discovering new talents and taking some big chances in altering her future.
30 Reviews
Pretty standard Christmas story
Jackbv12321 November 2018
It's a nice story, but nothing unusual. Many of the regular Christmas movie traditions. There were a couple of plot leaps that had me shaking my head to catch up. The acting was fine and the leads,Scottie Thompson and Ryan Paevey were comfortable with each other and the story revolved mostly around them.
There was a sweet pre-teen daughter.
That liar Santa Claus.
drdennisblue24 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I liked the movie even though it follows the standard Hallmark Christmas story template. They are, in fact, uplifting, even though first kisses are always interrupted. My one big complaint points to the lame conflicts that always show up near the end. The one in this movie is particularly ridiculous. Anyone who would back out of a budding relationship over a harmless Santa Claus issue is someone you should probably steer clear of. It didn't even make sense and lacked credibility. Why bother? Just scrub the conflicts and go strait to the happy endings. Something needs to be done to shake up the predictability of these otherwise warm and fuzzy Christmas romance stories.
Too depressing
NicoletteSteele21 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
First of all, bravo to Hallmark for finally allowing divorced characters in their movies this year. It's always been taboo with them when in reality, millions of people are divorced. But that being said, having a super depressed, divorced heroine who never smiles absolutely destroyed this movie. Millions of divorced women raise their children alone and they aren't this mopey. When your child has to ask Santa repeatedly to make you happy, you need to see a shrink. There's something seriously wrong. Her husband didn't die. They got divorced. Big whoop. The overall depressive tone of the heroine killed it for me.
Hope at Christmas
JoBloTheMovieCritic20 July 2019
Festive Christmas
TheLittleSongbird15 December 2020
2018 was an inconsistent year for Hallmark, which was not unexpected as all of their films from all the years they've been active varied in quality. Expectations were admittedly not massive for 'Hope at Christmas', they never have been for Hallmark Christmas films. Nor were they low or was the mentality of wanting to hate it, as that's not fair on anything. The story did not sound very exciting, but Hallmark have proved more than once that they can do Christmas films that are actually above decent.
'Hope at Christmas' was above average fare, if not quite ever living up to its lovely uplifting title. Not one of the best 2018 Hallmark films, but not one of the worst. Somewhere around the middle if anything, and while not considering it a must watch it is worth watching. There are a lot of good things about 'Hope at Christmas', but there are a fair few things that also could have been executed better if it tried to have more originality and take more risks.
Plenty of good things here. The production values are quite nice, especially the scenery. The decorations are nostalgic and affectionately festive, not looking cheap. There are plenty of nice light-hearted and heart-warming moments when the film improves, namely down to the chemistry between the two leads. Which was very genuine and sweet without being sugary. It was actually their chemistry that helped improve the film when it picked up.
Scottie Thompson and Ryan Paevey are both very appealing in the lead roles, and adorably supported by Erica Tremblay (who isn't too sickly sweet or bratty, actually thought she provided some of the film's heart). Personally don't agree that Sydney isn't likeable or that her abrasiveness is overdone, as far as female leads for Hallmark's 2018 festive output go she was one of the ones that irked me least and found her to be quite charming. The supporting performances are good and the characters were actually worth connecting with.
For all those good things, 'Hope at Christmas' had short-comings. The story is rather too low key at times and is very formulaic. It's all pleasant and neatly done, but it also feels a little too safe and doesn't stretch itself an awful lot. There is very little conflict and the central relationship actually doesn't really develop due to starting off too perfectly straightaway. Hallmark's endings do tend to be too pat and the ending here is no exception.
While it could have been worse, the dialogue is pretty corny and over-sentimental in particularly the first half. The pacing has dull stretches.
In conclusion, nice watch and above average but didn't wow me. 6/10
'Hope at Christmas' was above average fare, if not quite ever living up to its lovely uplifting title. Not one of the best 2018 Hallmark films, but not one of the worst. Somewhere around the middle if anything, and while not considering it a must watch it is worth watching. There are a lot of good things about 'Hope at Christmas', but there are a fair few things that also could have been executed better if it tried to have more originality and take more risks.
Plenty of good things here. The production values are quite nice, especially the scenery. The decorations are nostalgic and affectionately festive, not looking cheap. There are plenty of nice light-hearted and heart-warming moments when the film improves, namely down to the chemistry between the two leads. Which was very genuine and sweet without being sugary. It was actually their chemistry that helped improve the film when it picked up.
Scottie Thompson and Ryan Paevey are both very appealing in the lead roles, and adorably supported by Erica Tremblay (who isn't too sickly sweet or bratty, actually thought she provided some of the film's heart). Personally don't agree that Sydney isn't likeable or that her abrasiveness is overdone, as far as female leads for Hallmark's 2018 festive output go she was one of the ones that irked me least and found her to be quite charming. The supporting performances are good and the characters were actually worth connecting with.
For all those good things, 'Hope at Christmas' had short-comings. The story is rather too low key at times and is very formulaic. It's all pleasant and neatly done, but it also feels a little too safe and doesn't stretch itself an awful lot. There is very little conflict and the central relationship actually doesn't really develop due to starting off too perfectly straightaway. Hallmark's endings do tend to be too pat and the ending here is no exception.
While it could have been worse, the dialogue is pretty corny and over-sentimental in particularly the first half. The pacing has dull stretches.
In conclusion, nice watch and above average but didn't wow me. 6/10
Plot Holes Not So Big, But Very Lame Conflict
alphaglobedancer25 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
To the reviewer who mentioned "plot faults," in fairness and for accuracy's sake, the realtor said the buyer planned to "tear it down and build condos," not convert the existing store into condos. A typical 6-story could hold 3 duplexes or w/two units per floor 12 luxury condos. But aside from that, looking beyond the clutter plus considering the two closed gray doors and unseen rear space, that store was easily large enough for 3 or 4 650 sq ft units after a gut reno. Don't know where you live but in and around NYC (we see the town is a short MetroNorth ride to Grand Central Station for Mom) these type/size condos are very common... and not inexpensive. So plot wise, unfortunately store-to-condos in that area is all too realistic.
As for mom knowing Ray's wish, Christmas in Paris is pretty specific... Mom would have to be pretty thick not to immediately realize Ray spoke to Mac, upon finding out he was the helper Santa. She even came right out and asked "are you the Santa Ray spoke to... so you're the Santa she asked to help make Mommy happy for Christmas?" We needn't have heard every single conversation between mother & daughter for this to make perfect sense, so no plot hole there either. The bigger problem is the super-lame requisite 11th hour conflict, i.e. her credulity-stretching, over-the-top reaction to what he did. For her to attribute everything he, a red-blooded intelligent male, expressed and did for her, a smart, kind, beyond gorgeous woman, as pity-driven acts for her daughter's sake is just silly and lazy writing. Come on, even being divorced, with the inevitable baggage and trust issues, what sane woman would leap to he was just pretending to want me because he's subbing as the town Santa?? I don't expect film festival caliber writing in these movies, but a plausible conflict whose resolution delivers a satisfying conclusion isn't asking much.
All that said, the two leads had nice chemistry and all of the performances were good. I also really enjoyed all the random little details that convincingly create a festive holiday vibe, eg gingerbread houses, busy foot traffic around the characters, a warmth of an old church and steeple illuminating the wintry night... Enjoyable overall.
As for mom knowing Ray's wish, Christmas in Paris is pretty specific... Mom would have to be pretty thick not to immediately realize Ray spoke to Mac, upon finding out he was the helper Santa. She even came right out and asked "are you the Santa Ray spoke to... so you're the Santa she asked to help make Mommy happy for Christmas?" We needn't have heard every single conversation between mother & daughter for this to make perfect sense, so no plot hole there either. The bigger problem is the super-lame requisite 11th hour conflict, i.e. her credulity-stretching, over-the-top reaction to what he did. For her to attribute everything he, a red-blooded intelligent male, expressed and did for her, a smart, kind, beyond gorgeous woman, as pity-driven acts for her daughter's sake is just silly and lazy writing. Come on, even being divorced, with the inevitable baggage and trust issues, what sane woman would leap to he was just pretending to want me because he's subbing as the town Santa?? I don't expect film festival caliber writing in these movies, but a plausible conflict whose resolution delivers a satisfying conclusion isn't asking much.
All that said, the two leads had nice chemistry and all of the performances were good. I also really enjoyed all the random little details that convincingly create a festive holiday vibe, eg gingerbread houses, busy foot traffic around the characters, a warmth of an old church and steeple illuminating the wintry night... Enjoyable overall.
Books! Books! Books!
adamjohns-425758 December 2020
Ryan Paevey is divine, but I'm not keen on Scottie Thomson and not just because I only like men, but because the character is a bit weak. Her reason for accepting him is because she reads a good book?
The film features a book shop and lots of seasonal activities, so it ticks a lot of my boxes. I would also very much like to sit on this Father Christmas's knee and other things.
Set in the usual small town environment, there's love and lots of Christmas to be had.
The film features a book shop and lots of seasonal activities, so it ticks a lot of my boxes. I would also very much like to sit on this Father Christmas's knee and other things.
Set in the usual small town environment, there's love and lots of Christmas to be had.
A sweet Christmas tale
kahast6 December 2019
Some plot faults, otherwise a fairly decent movie.
bonniejeanne23 November 2018
In the first place, the little girl never tells the Mom that she asked Santa to make her happy, so how did the Mom know? She told her Mom that she couldn't tell her what she asked for because it was a secret. In the second place, how on earth could they possibly turn a tiny little bookstore into condos? They never mentioned that any other people were selling, and all of the other folks seemed happy with their businesses. Otherwise a decent movie with decent acting. The little girl is the one who totally makes the movie.
Engaging but Predictable
kz917-112 August 2019
Amazing
ehennig-2255026 November 2018
Mmm...ok but average stotytelling
Lew7777 November 2019
I was hoping I was going to like this film more than I did. It had all the usual ingredients - recently-divorced single Mum with cute-as-a-button daughter , death of a spouse at Christmas, saving a beloved store from being torn down, potential top job awaiting in the city etc etc. It's that some of the plot points were too ineffectual and the love interest didn't spend long enough building their relationship. The actors were a good choice Scottie Thompson & Russ Paevey looked good but seemed to be going through the motions of a limited script. Shame - but it's still a fair film & you'll while away the time watching it.
Another disappointing Female lead!
lyndavanleeuwen16 November 2019
The leading male had an appealing temperament, but the female was abrasive and the ideal of she'd been hurt and so was unapproachable is so annoying! The idea of the female acting more like a child than the child, is just too much like the current political situation to be appealing!
C'mon folks, you've created hundreds of these cookie cutter stories! Try to develop more maturity and originality! Sad indeed.
What happened to Hawaii?
rugle11123 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Through most of this movie, the talk was about the daughter spending Christmas on a trip to Hawaii with her Dad. About 1 1/2 hours in to the movie the girl decides she wants to change her plans, at the last minute, and stay with her friends and not go with Dad. After discussing the change with her Mom, who says that she knew her Dad wouldn't mind the flip, because he would want her to be happy. Christmas Eve, the time of departure came and went with never another mention about it. I don't think this is realistic. Yes he would want her to be happy, but I believe this was shared custody and if this was arranged, like it seemed to be, the Dad would not be too thrilled with his exwife's lack of involvement to make it happen; not to mention the expense lost for the cancellation. She should have offered to at least partially reimburse him, for her involvement in the change of plans. However, this is Hallmark and we can't have any conflict😏
Decent but unrealistic romance about a divorced, guarded woman with an adorable daughter
MichaelByTheSea20 November 2022
Some reviewers didn't like Sydney, the lead character played by Scottie Thompson. But I found her quite sympathetic. There was a lot of judgment about how she acted, and how guarded and skittish she seemed. I suspect those judgments were by people who haven't experienced a gut wrenching divorce involving children. For those of us who have, one year is not nearly enough time to heal completely, especially after a long term marriage. Given the timeline presented, it appears that Sydney was married for 12 to 15 years. It would be weird if she wasn't sad and guarded.
That said, the drama over the Santa gig seemed a little ridiculous.
As for Mac, played by Ryan Peavey, I found him initially annoying. He objectively appeared to be shoplifting and Sydney was rather brave and well within her rights as Bea's friend (and as a good citizen), to confront him. His reaction was to call her out as an obvious city slicker who can't understand small town ways:
"Hopewell is probably a little slow for someone like you ... a glamorous city girl."
Then, Mac tries to guess which city:
Mac: "New York?" Sydney: "Why do you say that?" Mac: "You seem a little tense."
That reminded me of how much women hate when men say: "you're acting hysterical" or "you should smile more." And Mac had a pretty condescending attitude towards someone who reasonably believed he was shoplifting. His character did, however, perpetuate the fantasy of finding a handsome, nice man who's also an accomplished repairman. Aren't most 4th grade teachers? Here, Mac the intellectual novelist, who loves kids, can also diagnose a bad fuel pump in a car AND fix an old furnace. That's impressive.
I thought Sydney's daughter RayAnne, played by Erica Tremblay, was adorably sweet and lively. She kinda stole the show. But the Hawaii plot line was unrealistic and could have earned mom a trip back to court.
I liked this exchange about the joy of being single:
Mac: "I don't know about you, but I like being single." Sydney: "So do I. You can do whatever you want." Mac: "Whenever you want." Sydney: "If you want to wake up in the middle of the night, and dance around in your living room to your favorite song, you can." Mac: "Do you do that?" Sydney: " Sometimes, yeah. Why are you looking at me like that?" Mac: "So do I." Sydney: "No you don't." Mac: "I don't, but I could." Sydney: "I'd like to see that."
Unfortunately, there was some sloppy set design with respect to the "book" store which appeared to be filled with walls covered with posters, framed art, decorations and very few books. The shelves were stocked with lots of knickknacks instead of books and, of the few books that could be seen, many were law books that you would NEVER see in a book store. The ones displayed contain published cases that only lawyers (like me) would buy, and then only in a complete set of hundreds of volumes containing cases dating back to the 1800s. No one ever buys single casebooks and, in fact, few lawyers buy the sets at all anymore. Instead, nearly all lawyers have moved on to online legal research. We still have the books on our shelves in our offices but we never use them.
And the idea of a bookstore being closed during the day, 2 days before Christmas (probably the busiest shopping day after Black Friday), to "decorate" is just ridiculous.
And as much as we all love the "idea" of a bookstore, and love seeing them depicted in Hallmark movies and romance novels, buying and owning a bookstore in the age of Amazon and eBay may not be the smartest investment. All of the ones in my town have gone out of business. The only stores around me that sell books (and are still in business) sell a lot more than just books.
The movie was OK. Not great, not bad, but worth watching for Hallmark movie fans, if only to see the joy on RayAnne's face throughout the movie.
That said, the drama over the Santa gig seemed a little ridiculous.
As for Mac, played by Ryan Peavey, I found him initially annoying. He objectively appeared to be shoplifting and Sydney was rather brave and well within her rights as Bea's friend (and as a good citizen), to confront him. His reaction was to call her out as an obvious city slicker who can't understand small town ways:
"Hopewell is probably a little slow for someone like you ... a glamorous city girl."
Then, Mac tries to guess which city:
Mac: "New York?" Sydney: "Why do you say that?" Mac: "You seem a little tense."
That reminded me of how much women hate when men say: "you're acting hysterical" or "you should smile more." And Mac had a pretty condescending attitude towards someone who reasonably believed he was shoplifting. His character did, however, perpetuate the fantasy of finding a handsome, nice man who's also an accomplished repairman. Aren't most 4th grade teachers? Here, Mac the intellectual novelist, who loves kids, can also diagnose a bad fuel pump in a car AND fix an old furnace. That's impressive.
I thought Sydney's daughter RayAnne, played by Erica Tremblay, was adorably sweet and lively. She kinda stole the show. But the Hawaii plot line was unrealistic and could have earned mom a trip back to court.
I liked this exchange about the joy of being single:
Mac: "I don't know about you, but I like being single." Sydney: "So do I. You can do whatever you want." Mac: "Whenever you want." Sydney: "If you want to wake up in the middle of the night, and dance around in your living room to your favorite song, you can." Mac: "Do you do that?" Sydney: " Sometimes, yeah. Why are you looking at me like that?" Mac: "So do I." Sydney: "No you don't." Mac: "I don't, but I could." Sydney: "I'd like to see that."
Unfortunately, there was some sloppy set design with respect to the "book" store which appeared to be filled with walls covered with posters, framed art, decorations and very few books. The shelves were stocked with lots of knickknacks instead of books and, of the few books that could be seen, many were law books that you would NEVER see in a book store. The ones displayed contain published cases that only lawyers (like me) would buy, and then only in a complete set of hundreds of volumes containing cases dating back to the 1800s. No one ever buys single casebooks and, in fact, few lawyers buy the sets at all anymore. Instead, nearly all lawyers have moved on to online legal research. We still have the books on our shelves in our offices but we never use them.
And the idea of a bookstore being closed during the day, 2 days before Christmas (probably the busiest shopping day after Black Friday), to "decorate" is just ridiculous.
And as much as we all love the "idea" of a bookstore, and love seeing them depicted in Hallmark movies and romance novels, buying and owning a bookstore in the age of Amazon and eBay may not be the smartest investment. All of the ones in my town have gone out of business. The only stores around me that sell books (and are still in business) sell a lot more than just books.
The movie was OK. Not great, not bad, but worth watching for Hallmark movie fans, if only to see the joy on RayAnne's face throughout the movie.
Ryan is worth watching. Plot is EXACTLY the same as several other Hallmark movies
mamachikn3 September 2021
I agree with many of the reviews here after having watched this. It isn't a spoiler to say this is the same plot, same script as so many other Hallmark movies. There was one difference - the standard interrupted kiss has never been because the car alarm went off! How refreshing! Lol
The conflict is the standard annoyance at a perceived deception, which made no sense at all in this movie. It was ridiculous. Then she decides all is forgiven because she finds out something else about him, having nothing to do with the reason she was annoyed. And he still likes her! Amazing!
One must feel very sorry for the realtor in this movie who loses tens of thousands of dollars in commission because people change their minds about selling.
And we hear the ex-husband's voice once, via phone, recognizable as Peter Benson. But decisions are made in the movie that affect him and we hear nothing more about him.
So this is city girl comes to home town, and we have tree lighting, gingerbread decoration, tree trimming, caroling, etc etc etc. Just different actors.
The conflict is the standard annoyance at a perceived deception, which made no sense at all in this movie. It was ridiculous. Then she decides all is forgiven because she finds out something else about him, having nothing to do with the reason she was annoyed. And he still likes her! Amazing!
One must feel very sorry for the realtor in this movie who loses tens of thousands of dollars in commission because people change their minds about selling.
And we hear the ex-husband's voice once, via phone, recognizable as Peter Benson. But decisions are made in the movie that affect him and we hear nothing more about him.
So this is city girl comes to home town, and we have tree lighting, gingerbread decoration, tree trimming, caroling, etc etc etc. Just different actors.
Well Nothing New To See Here
Christmas-Reviewer9 July 2019
Review Date 7/9/2019
I have Reviewed OVER 500 "Christmas Films Christmas Television show episodes and Television Specials". Please BEWARE Of films and specials with just one review! For instance When "It's a POSITIVE" chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. "If its Negative" then they may have a grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare about these films. I am on a mission to watch every Christmas Movie ever made. Since 2014 I average 100 a year.
Recently divorced Sydney and her daughter Rayanne are seeking a fresh start and begin by visiting Hopewell, the small town in North Carolina where Sydney spent holidays with her grandparents as a young girl. Initially they're only there to sell the house she inherited, Sydney and Rayanne are embraced by the town in ways that only fate and the magic of Christmas can explain.
The story is not very exciting. The cast is okay but the story I never fully embraced because it felt to "By the numbers".
I have Reviewed OVER 500 "Christmas Films Christmas Television show episodes and Television Specials". Please BEWARE Of films and specials with just one review! For instance When "It's a POSITIVE" chances are that the reviewer was involved with the production. "If its Negative" then they may have a grudge against the film for whatever reason. I am fare about these films. I am on a mission to watch every Christmas Movie ever made. Since 2014 I average 100 a year.
Recently divorced Sydney and her daughter Rayanne are seeking a fresh start and begin by visiting Hopewell, the small town in North Carolina where Sydney spent holidays with her grandparents as a young girl. Initially they're only there to sell the house she inherited, Sydney and Rayanne are embraced by the town in ways that only fate and the magic of Christmas can explain.
The story is not very exciting. The cast is okay but the story I never fully embraced because it felt to "By the numbers".
Baby it's cold outside...
DownTime4Mummy16 December 2021
I loved the bookstore concept. I liked the decisions she had before her to make re: her career. But I just couldn't connect with Scottie. I don't think she needed to be so cold. I understand the heartbreak and protecting herself and her daughter...but even when happy...she seemed a little 'too cold'.
Hope for Hallmark
cammietime1 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
My name is CammieTime and I've reviewed over 20 Hallmark Christmas movies on IMDb since 2016!
Hope at Christmas is your above average Hallmark Christmas movie despite 37 year old Scottie Thompson (Sydney) looking at least 42 and Ryan Paevey (Mac) looking much younger. Thus, this was a nice Christmas movie with a bit of single cougar on the prowl elements.
Hopewell is "special." It is your standard over-zealous for Christmas town with ridiculous holiday traditions such as organized caroling, ginger bread house making contests, and a commercial main street competition. Also, the town is apparently a short car drive from New York City AND it's shown to be in North Carolina...Hopewell is VERY special indeed. And the town having a local fancy french restaurant...yeah right.
Sydney works as your cliche ad agency director (yawn - under qualified), while Mac is a 4th grade teacher (yawn - over qualified). Somehow the sophisticated classy ad director from NYC hits it off with a small town 4th grade teacher who moonlights at the Christmas tree farm. The magic of this movie is that this all comes across as quite believable despite the odds of these two actually hitting it off in real life.
There is some manufactured Santa drama toward the end that is neither fully explored nor taken advantage of and we also get to see yet another holiday ginger bread house making contest.
The whole Book Bea concept was clever and was the movie's foundation and strong point. The empty Grandma's house we start with is quickly forgotten and discarded as a plot point in favor of the bookstore, for better or for worse.
Everyone gives up something to stay in the small town. Ray the daughter gives up a trip to Hawaii with her dad, but it's never explained how the custody requirements from the divorce allow for that. Bea gives up the bookstore, and Sydney gives up a dream opportunity at a top New York ad agency to - you guessed it - stay in hopewell and run the bookstore and spend more time with Mr. Mac. Boring on paper but acted well enough to make it all work for the most part.
Doesn't get 10 stars because: Plot is not fully aligned beginning to end and the Santa subplot felt forced, misused, and underutilized (if you're gonna do that, then do it right!). Also, can't ignore the glaring errors in Geography. I'll give them a pass on the French restaurant :)
Hope at Christmas is your above average Hallmark Christmas movie despite 37 year old Scottie Thompson (Sydney) looking at least 42 and Ryan Paevey (Mac) looking much younger. Thus, this was a nice Christmas movie with a bit of single cougar on the prowl elements.
Hopewell is "special." It is your standard over-zealous for Christmas town with ridiculous holiday traditions such as organized caroling, ginger bread house making contests, and a commercial main street competition. Also, the town is apparently a short car drive from New York City AND it's shown to be in North Carolina...Hopewell is VERY special indeed. And the town having a local fancy french restaurant...yeah right.
Sydney works as your cliche ad agency director (yawn - under qualified), while Mac is a 4th grade teacher (yawn - over qualified). Somehow the sophisticated classy ad director from NYC hits it off with a small town 4th grade teacher who moonlights at the Christmas tree farm. The magic of this movie is that this all comes across as quite believable despite the odds of these two actually hitting it off in real life.
There is some manufactured Santa drama toward the end that is neither fully explored nor taken advantage of and we also get to see yet another holiday ginger bread house making contest.
The whole Book Bea concept was clever and was the movie's foundation and strong point. The empty Grandma's house we start with is quickly forgotten and discarded as a plot point in favor of the bookstore, for better or for worse.
Everyone gives up something to stay in the small town. Ray the daughter gives up a trip to Hawaii with her dad, but it's never explained how the custody requirements from the divorce allow for that. Bea gives up the bookstore, and Sydney gives up a dream opportunity at a top New York ad agency to - you guessed it - stay in hopewell and run the bookstore and spend more time with Mr. Mac. Boring on paper but acted well enough to make it all work for the most part.
Doesn't get 10 stars because: Plot is not fully aligned beginning to end and the Santa subplot felt forced, misused, and underutilized (if you're gonna do that, then do it right!). Also, can't ignore the glaring errors in Geography. I'll give them a pass on the French restaurant :)
Pretty Blah
VetteRanger9 December 2022
Although we like the actors in this movie, really nothing stands out for us. It's the same story as dozens and dozens of other Hallmark Christmas movies, and nothing about the acting really brings life to it.
We have the big city professional spending time in a small town after inheriting her grandmother's HUGE house. Everyone remembers her. She's divorced and sad. Of course she meets a great looking local man with sadness of his own. Of course she has an adorable daughter, and of course she has a big city job offer waiting take her back away from the small town.
Everything in the movie is a scripting cliche ... really nothing in the story or the acting to make it stand out from the crowd.
We have the big city professional spending time in a small town after inheriting her grandmother's HUGE house. Everyone remembers her. She's divorced and sad. Of course she meets a great looking local man with sadness of his own. Of course she has an adorable daughter, and of course she has a big city job offer waiting take her back away from the small town.
Everything in the movie is a scripting cliche ... really nothing in the story or the acting to make it stand out from the crowd.
All the elements but one
ed-2636 January 2022
How in the world can you ruin a movie featuring a little girl, a bookshop, and Ryan Paevey? By casting the charismaless Scottie Thompson as the female lead. In the hands of an actress with more of a personality or connection to Paevey, this might have worked. But alas, it didn't.
Reading books in a charming little town
MickyG33311 December 2022
7.7 stars.
The daughter steals the show from scene 1.
I really enjoyed this movie, the casting was perfect. The lead female seemed to have an off day, no big deal, she is a bit wooden in this. She gets one free pass for the minor lack of charisma because she's drop dead gorgeous. The leading guy is probably one of the best looking men in Hallmark movies, and as a bonus he has a deep radio deejay voice. My hunch is the ladies find him to be a heartthrob. I enjoyed his performance, and feel he's the primary reason for high ratings.
The story is average, nothing special, but the interactions between the two families is really fun and inviting. I felt very comfortable with them, and if this were real life I'd wish to be a part of this little town of Hopewell full of people with such convincingly big hearts. It's something about the familiarity and cordial nature of everyone, bringing such good feelings, more than the run-of-the-mill. The book store owner, the mayor, they are so welcoming. The leading male's sister and family are so relaxed, yet very warm and likable. The whole town is chummy, and it feels genuine.
All of the usual requirements are met. The usual cliché is present: the interrupted kiss, the dead family members, the absentee father, one of the leads is an author, and one is disenchanted by Christmas, lighting the town tree, ginger bread contest, and someone owns a bookstore... The romance is only average, but it's the charisma and interactions between all of the people as a whole that brings me good cheer.
The daughter steals the show from scene 1.
I really enjoyed this movie, the casting was perfect. The lead female seemed to have an off day, no big deal, she is a bit wooden in this. She gets one free pass for the minor lack of charisma because she's drop dead gorgeous. The leading guy is probably one of the best looking men in Hallmark movies, and as a bonus he has a deep radio deejay voice. My hunch is the ladies find him to be a heartthrob. I enjoyed his performance, and feel he's the primary reason for high ratings.
The story is average, nothing special, but the interactions between the two families is really fun and inviting. I felt very comfortable with them, and if this were real life I'd wish to be a part of this little town of Hopewell full of people with such convincingly big hearts. It's something about the familiarity and cordial nature of everyone, bringing such good feelings, more than the run-of-the-mill. The book store owner, the mayor, they are so welcoming. The leading male's sister and family are so relaxed, yet very warm and likable. The whole town is chummy, and it feels genuine.
All of the usual requirements are met. The usual cliché is present: the interrupted kiss, the dead family members, the absentee father, one of the leads is an author, and one is disenchanted by Christmas, lighting the town tree, ginger bread contest, and someone owns a bookstore... The romance is only average, but it's the charisma and interactions between all of the people as a whole that brings me good cheer.
Ryan Paevey gets a 7
druatlax1 July 2022
The disjointed script gets a 4 at best.
Paevey was fairly new to the Hallmark family here, but he delivers. Scottie has the more unbelievable aspects of the script to deal with. But there is no way to save her "hurt" level when she knows Paevey was Santa. Really?
Writers fir have little prayer for story denouement. Not enough time or space.
Still a Short, warm Christmas offering for the now "legion" of Ryan Paevey fans.
Paevey was fairly new to the Hallmark family here, but he delivers. Scottie has the more unbelievable aspects of the script to deal with. But there is no way to save her "hurt" level when she knows Paevey was Santa. Really?
Writers fir have little prayer for story denouement. Not enough time or space.
Still a Short, warm Christmas offering for the now "legion" of Ryan Paevey fans.
She doesn't deserve him
phd_travel14 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This is really the epitome of fantasy for housewives. A rather testy and irritating divorced mom goes back to a small town for Christmas. There, a hot guy conveniently widowed is all sensitive and kind and totally into her. What a perfect guy would be so gaga for a single mom. She can treat him badly and it's alright cause it's Hallmark. The little drama at the end is annoying.
Hallmark should concentrate on making slightly different stories for their Christmas movies. It's the same story again. Give up big city for small town.
Hallmark should concentrate on making slightly different stories for their Christmas movies. It's the same story again. Give up big city for small town.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
