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A Carpenter Christmas Romance – Review
A Carpenter Christmas Romance – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Novelist Andrea Metcalf interviews for her latest novel before its release in January. The reporter heard a rumor that Andrea plans to kill off a prominent character. Andrea avoids the question and ends the interview with a teasing smile. Andrea and her sister, manager Ella, panic in the car. A fan got a hold of an unpublished manuscript and put the pages online. The fans call for a boycott. Andrea arrives home to a swarm of reporters. She and Ella decide Andrea should leave. They contact their Aunt Rosie to ask if their grandfather’s cabin is available. Aunt Rosie says yes. Andrea and Ella fondly remember their Christmases at the cabin and the small town. Ella wants Andrea to write a new ending, but Andrea declines.
Andrea settles into the cabin when she hears a noise in the kitchen. She grabs a frying pan to investigate. She calls out, and the man, Seth, screams. Andrea was Seth’s tutor, but they didn’t attend the same school. Seth was a jock, and she a bookworm. They would make out during their tutoring session, but Seth would be mean to her in public. Andrea asks Seth why he’s there. Rosie lets him use her barn to create his artwork. Also, she allows him access to the facilities until his home is ready. Andrea agrees to let him keep working their while she hides and writes.
Andrea sits at her laptop and hears banging coming from the barn. She investigates and sees Seth with a crew and his father, William. Seth works as a carpenter on the property. The barn requires a lot of work after the fire. Andrea heard about the fire but didn’t know how bad it was. William explains that the fire wiped out half the town’s homes, forestry, and businesses. They work together to rebuild, but it’s going slowly. Andrea spends time with Seth around town and uncovers how much he’s changed. He impresses her until she unveils the secrets lurking beneath the surface. Can their budding relationship start when Seth repeats old mistakes?
This film is a steamy version of a Christmas movie, but it’s not a classic. You yearn for an apology when Andrea shares her history with Seth. Andrea must accept that her life affects her writing. She must reconcile with the past to fix her career. Seth must stop looking at the past. He doesn’t think the community will adore him if they learn the truth about the fire. They hold him as a hero because he won championships and fought in battle. Seth also bends over backward to help everyone. He thrives on being the hero, but every hero has a dark origin story. His is no different. While the movie is sexy, the plot is foreseeable. The film entertains with beautiful art.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
Are you on the lamb – Seth
I didn’t love him, I was addicted to him – Andrea
Don’t google yourself – Ella
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A Country Music Christmas – Review
A Country Music Christmas – UPtv – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Songwriter Brooke gets coffee for her team from her mother’s bakery. Booke works at Mountain Lake Records. She is close to Chance, the owner, and the sound engineers, Laura and Devon. Brooke has worked on a Christmas song called Merry Go Round for weeks. She sings the songs and sells them to other artists. She’s too nervous to sing in front of a large crowd after freezing in high school, but now Chance wants Brooke to sing the song at the Jamboree.
During a recording session, Rob enters Mountain Lake Records. He heard Brooke’s song. He doesn’t want just the song. Rob wants to offer Brooke a recording contract. Chance enters the room and says Brooke has zero interest in singing to a crowd. Then, Rob offers to buy the song for $100,000 and 100% of the rights. Chance says no. He knows the song is a platinum hit. Chance counters with $100,000 for the song and 10% of the rights. Rob states that his company doesn’t split royalties. Brooke walks into the room and wants to sell. Chance pulls her aside and explains his position. Also, he doesn’t know how a New York label got a copy of the song because he only sent it to Nashville labels. Brooke admits she sent it to other companies. She agrees with Chance’s decision. Rob accepts and asks for good places to eat. Brooke recommends a place and leaves with him.
Brooke discovers that Rob is staying in town for the Jamboree. He says he’s scouting talent, but he learned she will sing there. He wants to hear her perform. Rob meets Brooke and offers to take her to a Parisian restaurant. She has no idea where they can find the cuisine in her small town. Rob has an idea. He takes her to a tarmac to board his company’s private jet to New York. At the studio, Chance asks Devon and Laura for Brooke’s location. When Chance learns that Rob took her to New York, Chance stands shocked. He believes Rob will take Brooke from him and make her a star. Can he convince Brooke to stay?
While this movie appears sweet, Chance and Rob are manipulative and controlling. Rob is the sleazy guy from New York who promises Brooke the world. She goes to his home alone and falls for fake celebrity calls. Chance lied to Brooke for years. He hid opportunities from her to keep her with his record label. Some viewers will want her to dump them both and start something new. However, this movie is a romance. So, it must end with love, understanding, and apologies. On the upside, the music is catchy, fun, and original. And Steve’s a decent guy.
I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars
Willy tops Dolly – Devon
If he’s so great, then how come there’s no Willywood – Laura
She’s mine – Chance
Is she yours – Rob
And what are you chasing after – Daisy
Fortune and fame, of course – Steve
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Trading Up Christmas – Review
Trading Up Christmas – Hallmark Mystery – 2 hours and 0 minutes
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Michelle’s niece, Rosie, warns Michelle that her mother, Keri, has bad news. Keri preoccupies Rosie and tells Michelle she has terrible news. Her landlord wants to sell the building. This transition will be the 3rd time Keri and Rosie moved in 5 years. Keri worries that she’s not providing Rosie stability. Michelle feels awful because she found that apartment for Keri and Rosie. Michelle brainstorms about a way to help her sister and niece. She reads about a person who traded a paperclip for a house by trading up. Michelle shows the article to Keri. Michelle thinks she can trade a stocking for a home by Christmas. Keri points out that the originator had 2 years of trading. Christmas is in 10 days. Michelle believes she can do it with the internet behind her. Keri agrees but has some conditions. First, they can’t tell Rosie. She doesn’t want Rosie to get her hopes up and not get a house. Second, Michelle must keep their names out of the post. She doesn’t want to look like a charity case. Michelle agrees. Then she makes a heartfelt post about trading a homemade Christmas stocking for a house.
Dan’s boss brings Dan the post about Michelle trading up. He wants Dan to contact the author and do a story about her motivation. Dan wants to write hard-hitting news stories, but his boss believes readers want feel-good stories during the holidays. Dan agrees to do the fluff piece and locates Michelle by offering to trade her stocking for a sweater.
Dan and Michelle meet, and he tells her about the article. Michelle doesn’t want a story about Keri, Rosie, or the trades. However, Dan thinks the publicity can garner more and better trades. Michelle says no and demands the trade he promised. She leaves with his sweater and posts it on the site. After a few terrible offers, Michelle contacts Dan. She agrees to do the article. However, she won’t reveal who she wants the house for. Dan writes it, and his boss loves it. Now, it will be a series. Dan will stay by Michelle’s side and document her trades. But her optimism clashes with his cynicism. Can Michelle trade her way to a home for Keri in 10 days while falling in love with Dan?
The plot feels wild, but people have traded up for a house. Although, 10 days is a deep stretch. Viewers should remember this is a Hallmark Christmas movie, so everything is possible. Michelle’s attitude is to dream bigger. However, Keri focuses on reality. She doesn’t believe it’s possible but gives Michelle the benefit of the doubt. The script paints Dan as a Scrooge until viewers discover he is a man with a wounded heart. This movie is endearing but doesn’t require your undivided attention.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
We’re gonna need a bigger tree – Eli
And I sat on your face before – Keri
You say hair-brained schemes. I say imaginative solutions – Michelle
She’s trying to trade a sock for a house – Dan
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My Husband’s Other Face – Review
My Husband’s Other Face – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Nicole returns home and looks for her husband, Jim. She enters his basement writing room, and he jumps out to scare her. She isn’t happy, and he apologizes. Nicole and Jim have dinner, and Jim demands to know her whereabouts. He catches her in a lie before she tells the truth. Nicole took a pregnancy test, and the result was positive. She went to the hospital to confirm, and the positive was false. Jim says he’s sorry for yelling at Nicole. Lately, he’s been distraught because he can’t start his book. The publisher needs three chapters, and nothing’s good enough. Nicole is an editor. She asks Jim to allow her to read his pages. He tells her, ‘Those who can’t write, criticize’ before leaving the house. Nicole reads the manuscript, makes edits, and falls asleep. Later, Jim burns the pages when his boss likes Nicole’s edits more than his writing.
Nicole confides to her work friends, Stuart and Kara, about Jim’s behavior. Stuart believes Nicole is too good for Jim, but Kara says Stuart secretly loves Nicole. Nicole and Kara leave for their lunch break to talk privately. Nicole wants Jim’s adversarial attitude to change because she lied to him. She’s pregnant. Nicole considers therapy but believes Jim won’t be receptive. Kara has an idea. Kara went to Agnes for guidance. Agnes made Kara an elixir to fix her troubles. Kara believes Agnes can do the same for Nicole.
Nicole meets with Agnes and tells her about her desires. She wants Jim to be the man she married and love her again. Agnes warns Nicole that gaining the heart will make her lose something equal. She gives Nicole an elixir. Agnes instructs Nicole to put one drop in each of Jim’s eyes. Nicole comes home and waits for Jim to fall asleep. She puts the elixir in his eyes and goes to bed. Nicole wakes to Jim cleaning and cooking. She believes her husband’s back. Nicole has no idea about the danger in her life.
This movie feels lost in the weeds, but you must give it a chance. It leaves breadcrumbs about the plot without revealing the culprit’s motive. When Nicole pieces everything together, the audience uncovers the clues they missed. The fight scene between the two men starts funny but becomes more serious when they throw punches. The plot uses Lifetimers’ knowledge against them. You believe you know the story’s conclusion, but you’re wrong. There is a more devious plan at play.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
I’m so sorry this keeps happening – Nicole
I don’t think I made a very good first impression, honey – Jim
Why would I be jealous of a pretentious hack – Stuart
Two drops. One in each eye. That’ll make your husband love you – Agnes
He’s still Jim deep down – Kara
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Following Yonder Star – Review
Following Yonder Star – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Abby purchases a custom ornament for her ex-husband, Julian. He and Abby starred on a TV show where she played the perfect mom. The show ended years ago, but they keep in contact. Julian calls because he wants to get ahead of the story. His girlfriend, Veronica, is pregnant. Abby can’t believe it because he didn’t want kids when they were married. Julian still wants to see Abby on Christmas, but she doesn’t think it would be a good idea. Abby hangs up and tries to cancel her order, but the salesperson won’t let her. Then, he compares Abby to her character on TV. Abby gets angry while people record.
Abby drives home, and her agent, Oliver, is in her driveway. Abby was in the running for a new show. He worries the negative press could negatively impact her chances because Abby’s meltdown went viral. Fans want to cancel her because the posts paint her as an entitled starlet. Oliver tells Abby to leave LA until the news dies down. After a tabloid news show interviews the clerk, Abby books her trip to Vermont.
Abby arrives at the resort, but the concierge, Clara, tells Abby she mistakenly booked the trip for next year. The resort has zero vacancies because guests are there for the Christmas star and masquerade ball. Clara informs her that a small inn has a room. Abby drives to the Maguire Inn and meets the owner, Nick. He stumbles into Abby and recognizes her. However, he promises to keep quiet about her.
At first, Abby decides to hide in her room, but Clara convinces her to go out and have fun. Clara doesn’t believe the naysayers should affect Abby. Abby discovers the community center will have a Christmas show starring kids. Nick is the director, and his daughter, Lucy, is the lead. Abby offers help after seeing Nick lose control of the young actors. She snaps them to attention, and Nick begs her to co-direct the play. Nick and Lucy are Abby’s first step away from Hollywood. Will it all come crashing down when Hollywood hits the small town?
Abby faces the issues of many wholesome actors. No matter how long they were out of the role, fans expect them to be flawless and kind 100% of the time. Abby finds the perfect vacation at the inn. She rediscovers her love for acting and falls for Nick. However, the gossip follows her, and Nick’s sister, Zoe, becomes a perpetrator and victim. Abby’s meltdown became a filmed game of telephone that almost destroyed her career. When the paparazzi appear in town, the audience can guess how they found her. The ending is foreseeable, but the journey is terrific.
I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars
That’s a plot twist I didn’t see coming – Abby
Sometimes, an unexpected change in plans can be a blessing – Clara
What? I take my profession very seriously – Lucy
Ready to get your cookie on – Zoe
I must have missed it – Nick
Abby, you can’t hide forever – Oliver
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Christmas on the Alpaca Farm – Review
Christmas on the Alpaca Farm – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Jess is a sweater designer for the high fashion brand Gwen Sutton. Jess sees an attractive man, Andrew, with an alpaca sweater and raves about the sweater’s origins. It’s from a small alpaca farm and is sustainable. Jess hopes to bring recognition to the local farm. Jess then directs Andrew to the casting area. Andrew laughs because he owns the alpaca farm. Gwen grabs Andrew and directs him to her office. Soon, Jess hears Andrew yelling before he storms out of Gwen’s. The yarn Andrew provided wasn’t the quality Gwen expected for her brand. Gwen will destroy the merchandise. Jess can’t believe the waste and thinks Gwen should use and rebrand the line. When Gwen refuses, Jess quits.
Jess returns home, and her friend, Dina, asks what Jess will do to survive in New York. Jess wants to enter a fashion contest. She always wanted to start a fully sustainable fashion line. The winner gets a cash prize, and their line will be in stores worldwide. Jess must make six original pieces and a manifesto in a few weeks. And she knows the best material.
Jess drives for two hours to Andrew’s farm. She wants to use his alpacas for their fleece, but he says no. He fired all his ranch hands after Gwen dropped him from her line. Also, Andrew was counting on that deal to keep the farm. Jess feels horrible and travels into town. She finds an alpaca store and looks around. Jess finds alpaca yarn from Andrew’s farm, which has adorable facts about the alpaca. The store’s owner is Andrew’s sister, Kristine. Kristine divulges that Andrew has to sell the farm after losing his deal with Gwen. Jess returns to the farm and spills that she knows about the sale. She tells Andrew about the contest. It will bring much-needed attention to his farm and save it. Andrew reminds Jess that caring for the livestock is complex and he needs help. She offers to help the alpacas and learn how to care for the fleece. Andrew agrees, but Jess can’t blend the material, and it must be 100% sustainable. Can Jess win the contest and save the farm with Andrew’s stipulations?
The alpacas are lovable. The movie shines a light on the fashion industry’s waste. They scrap tons of clothes because the yarn isn’t perfect. They don’t donate the items but trash them. The plot follows the typical pattern. Jess is career-driven and falls in love with the small-town guy. She has to choose between work and him. Viewers know what Jess will choose, and the fashion line resolution is predictable, too. It’s difficult to tell this movie apart from a Hallmark movie. This film is background noise for the fashion lover.
I give it 2.5 out of 5 stars
This is very impressive – Andrew
It feels like joy – Jess
Welcome to the world of high fashion – Gwen
What did that woman say to you? Do you want me to go after her – Dina
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A Novel Christmas – Review
A Novel Christmas – UPtv – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Chloe finishes the signing and reading for the latest installment in her children’s book series. She calls her publisher, Heather, to update her on her plans. Chloe wants to travel to Noelleville, do a signing at their small bookstore, and visit her family. Afterward, Chloe wants to finish her first novel. Heather thinks Chloe should stick to children’s stories because they sell well for her. However, Chloe wants to try something new. Chloe calls her sister, Trisha, to get an update about their father’s health. After their mother died, their father, Clark, moved in with Trisha. He mourns his wife and is adjusting to the surroundings.
Ethan makes repairs around his bookstore while his daughter, Alex, moons over her favorite author coming to town. Their small bookstore rarely gets famous authors, so Alex wants to make a great impression. She begs Ethan to buy more decorations, prizes, and cookies. Ethan laughs and relents. He hadn’t seen Alex this excited in years. Her mother died years ago, and Alex hasn’t been the same.
Chloe arrives in Noelleville and stops at a bakery. She steps out of line to answer a phone call and lets the guy, Ethan, behind her order first. After getting off the phone, Chloe asks for two gingerbread cookies, but Ethan buys them all. He feels badly about it and gives her a dozen cookies. She asks to pay him, but Ethan tells Chloe to pay it forward. Then he recognizes her face but can’t remember her name. Ethan says he’s too preoccupied with the famous author coming to his store. He asks Chloe to attend, and she guarantees she will be there.
Alex stains her dress and panics about Chloe seeing her. Chloe enters the store and relaxes Alex. She takes Alex to the back room to clean her dress. Alex confides in Chloe that her dream is to become a writer. She has an idea for an adventure novel but doesn’t know how to start. Chloe offers to mentor Alex while in town. Chloe is glad to pay Ethan’s favor forward. Alex beams with joy. As Chloe spends time with Alex, she falls in love with Ethan. Will that love last when work calls?
The main plot isn’t captivating. It’s the growing bonds that melt your heart. First, Chloe guiding Alex’s writing while having Heather snuff her dream is inspiring. Chloe understands Alex’s desire and won’t let the pitfalls of her career alter her advice. The next bond is Chloe’s with her family. Fans don’t know that Chloe’s mother inspired her children’s series. Your eyes fill with tears when you see Chloe and her family reminisce about their mother. Then, Mrs. Jenkins is the spirit of the neighborhood. She gives encouragement and words of wisdom to everyone. Finally, it’s Ethan’s bond to his faith. He prays often for help and support. These bonds are the driving force of this plot.
I give it 3 out of 5 stars
I’m not sure the Zs are going to make it – Ethan
Every place counts, Heather – Chloe
It’s always about the sales, Chloe – Heather
I just wanted to make it look perfect for you – Alex
Who needs caffeine when you can downward dog – Trisha
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Mistletoe & Matrimony – Review
Mistletoe & Matrimony – OWN – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Olivia and her assistant, Dominique, put the final touches on their client’s wedding. Both are ready to return to their families for Christmas. Olivia walks into her parents’ kitchen and sees her sister, Rosemary, and Rosemary’s girlfriend, Gwen. They got engaged. They want a small wedding in 2 weeks and for Olivia to plan it. Rosemary doesn’t believe it will be difficult because it’s Olivia’s job. Stunned, Olivia agrees but begs Rosemary to manage her expectations.
Olivia answers a knock at her parents’ door and sees her ex-boyfriend, Isaiah, on the porch. She wonders why he’s there after 5 years. Isaiah is Gwen’s best friend. Gwen asked Isaiah to photograph her wedding. Isaiah and Olivia were planning to start a destination wedding business years ago. However, she couldn’t leave after her mom’s injury, and he called her from their airport to break up. Isaiah enters the home and hugs the happy couple. Rosemary thinks Olivia can put their issues aside and work together to create her perfect wedding. What could go wrong?
Viewers need to take a deep breath. Rosemary’s flighty attitude, entitlement, and guilt trips make her easy to slap. She says she wants a small wedding but adds new things on a whim. Rosemary whines and storms off when Olivia attempts to control the situation. If you are an older sibling or planning a wedding, your blood will boil with each change. However, the plot focuses on Olivia’s inability to ask for help. She takes the burden on her family and business. Isaiah shows her he is a person she can depend on. As she opens her mind, it breaks down the walls around her heart. All the characters grow in this movie and have a moment of redemption.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
That’s so great and exciting – Olivia
I come in peace – Isaiah
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The Santa Class – Review
The Santa Class – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes
Kate works at her father’s Santa school. They train people to be the perfect Santa, but Kate is done with Christmas and finds another job. She walks to her father’s office to inform him, but his top teacher, Blaise, is there. Kate overhears Blaise giving suggestions to her father, Richard. When Richard chooses not to implement them, Blaise quits. Kate enters Richard’s office, and he offers her a promotion. She regretfully accepts.
Twelve years later, Richard retired, and Kate runs the school. However, the school is a former shell of itself. Kate needs to do something new or lose the school. The annual Christmas Cup is soon, and Blaise’s school always wins. If Kate wins, she can raise the school’s profile and save it. Blaise runs the number one school in the country. Blaise calls his top teacher, Dan, to his office. Dan trained the Santas and the teachers. He did such a magnificent job that Blaise no longer needs him. He fires Dan and offers Dan an Uber and severance package.
Dan shows up at Kate’s door. He wants to help her business grow. Kate and Dan have a professional and personal history together. However, she needs the help and hires him. They drive to work together and see a Santa standing in the street. They get out to help, but he doesn’t know his name, where he came from, or where he was going. Dan and Kate hear a sound in the woods and walk to it. They see a large sleigh with nine reindeer. They fly off, leaving Santa behind. Dan and Kate realize they have the real Santa Claus. They decide to hide Santa among the students and not tell anyone. Can they keep Santa a secret while competing for the Christmas Cup to save Kate’s school?
This movie has the perfect amount of holiday magic to pique your interest. Santa doesn’t remember who he is but has a magic sack. He inspires Kate and Dan to take a new approach to the Christmas cup and allow the training Santas to be themselves. This script is funny, charming, and insightful. It won’t be a favorite during the 2024 Hallmark Christmas season. But it will capture your attention. Also, Blaise is a compelling villain. As you watch the movie, keep an eye open for your favorite Hallmark leading man.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars
Kate, how does a promotion sound – Richard
Translate this – Kate
To lose patience is to lose the battle – Bailey
Stop. You’re making me blush over here – Dan
I’m for employer-employee-conscious uncoupling – Blaise
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Categories: A Carpenter Christmas Romance, A Country Music Christmas, A Novel Christmas, Alexandra Harris, Ariella Cannon, Ashlei Sharpe Chestnut, Benjamin Ayres, Braxton Angle, Brigitte Kingsley, Brooke Burfitt, Brooke D'Orsay, christmas, Christmas on the Alpaca Farm, Countdown to Christmas, Courtney Elvira, Dana Anderwald, Etienne Maurice, Following Yonder Star, hallmark, Hallmark Mystery, holiday, Italia Ricci, Its A Wonderful Lifetime, John Brotherton, Jonathan Stoddard, Kimberly Sustad, Kirsten Comerford, Landy Cannon, lifetime, lifetime movie network, lmn, Made for TV, Matt Wells, Michael Xavier, Mike Boland, Miracles of Christmas, Mistletoe & Matrimony, Mitchell Slaggert, Most Uplifting Christmas Ever, movie, My Husband's Other Face, OWN, OWN For The Holidays, review, Sasha Pieterse, Slay Bells, The Santa Class, Trading Up Christmas, tv review, UPtv
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