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February is brimming with love--just in time for Valentine's Day! Hallmark Channel has spilled the candy hearts on all the new movies that are just around the corner. An Unexpected Valentine Premiere Date : February 1 at 8pm Eastern on Hallmark Channel Starring : Lacey Chabert & Robert Buckley SYNOPSIS : A chance encounter on Valentine's Day brings Hannah and Finn together as they race through New York City to return a lost engagement ring and save one couple's special day. I am looking forward to this one the most! The plot has been done before (think "A Little Christmas Charm"), but with these two actors as leads, it's bound to be special! Reality Bites: A Hannah Swensen Mystery Premiere Date : February 6 at 8pm Eastern on Hallmark Mystery Starring : Alison Sweeney, Victor Webster, and Barbara Niven Hannah's favorite reality show takes over The Cookie Jar. When the producer is found dead, Hannah and Norman team up to track down the killer. Chad invites Hannah to court. Cozy mystery fans can't get enough of Hannah Swensen, so another installment to the franchise will be a treat. Let's just hope they tone down Barbara Niven's character because her behavior in the last one was over-the-top. Sisterhood, Inc. Premiere Date : February 8 at 8pm Eastern on Hallmark Channel Starring : Rachael Leigh Cook, Daniella Monet, and Leonidas Gulaptis SYNOPSIS: Corporate exec Megan starts a board of directors to improve her younger sister's chaotic life and finds romance with a psych professor who uncovers her tough demeanor. New leading man alert! Leonidis Gulaptis was born in Australia, and this movie marks his Hallmark debut. Return to Office Premiere Date : February 15 at 8pm Eastern on Hallmark Channel Starring : Janel Parrish and Scott Michael Foster SYNOPSIS : After making the return to the office on a hybrid schedule, two coworkers known to each other only as Ms. Monday and Mr. Tuesday start sending friendly notes, sparking an office romance. I like the plot because working remotely is a trend that has continued post-COVID, so it is modern and relatable. However, I'm not a fan of either lead, so we'll see if they can deliver on the entertainment. The Wish Swap Premiere Date: February 22 at 8pm Eastern on Hallmark Channel Starring : Emily Tennant and Jake Foy SYNOPSIS : When Casey and Henry find themselves celebrating their birthdays at the same restaurant, they make birthday wishes at the same time which are granted. However, they end up getting each other's wishes. The touch of Valentine magic sounds fun, but since Jake Foy is gay and acts effeminate, this movie will be a hard pass for me. Hallmark Loveuary 2025 Is Like a Box of Chocolates It's exciting to see four new movies on tap for Hallmark's Loveuary 2025 along with a new mystery, even if they are like a box of chocolates--you won't know if they are good until you try them (unless you're struck with Cupid's arrow and automatically love them all!). Join us on Facebook to discuss all the new movies as well as receive daily schedules and other Hallmark news! Follow our PAGE: Hallmark Ever After . FOLLOW OUR PAGE: HALLMARK EVER AFTER

The yule log isn't even cool in the fireplace yet and Hallmark Channel is already "resolving" to bring us some interesting new movies in January 2025! In the past, the January movie season had been branded "Winterfest" and "New Year, New Movies." In 2025, that changes. Since all the new January premieres are destination movies, Hallmark has rebranded as "Winter Escape." Love of the Irish January 4: 8pm Eastern on Hallmark Channel Starring : Shenae Grimes-Beech, Stephen Hagan and Moria Kelly Tired of her bad luck, Fiona takes her mom on a trip to Ireland to turn things around where she meets a charming single dad who helps her make her own luck. Polar Opposites January 11: 8pm Eastern on Hallmark Channel Starring : Rhiannon Fish and Markian Tarasiuk Emma needs to get to Antarctica to reach her father and travels to South America but can't get on a boat for the last leg. She sneaks onto a cruise ship and meets engineer Andy. The Perfect Setting January 18: 8pm Eastern on Hallmark Channel Starring: Laci J. Mailey and David Elsendoorn An aspiring jewelry designer returns to Belgium to visit her grandfather and hopefully win the Valentines Day Diamond Contest. My Argentine Heart January 25: 8pm Eastern on Hallmark Channel Starring: Julie Gonzalo and Juan Pablo Di Pace Abril goes to Argentina to save her family ranch from being bought by her ex. But when outside forces threaten the ranch the pair must come together, rekindling their love in the process. Thoughts on Hallmark Channel's "Winter Escape" 2025 Movies Since My Norwegian Holiday , I've been waiting to see David Elsendoorn again, so I'm glad Hallmark has offered him another role. Juan Pablo Di Pace is always charming and swoon-worthy, and it's interesting that he is paried with Julie Gonzalo. Both of them are from Argentina, and that's the setting for their movie! Which of these movies looks the most appealing to you? Share your thoughts in the comments! Hallmark Channel's Winter Escape Movies 2025

The Christmas Quest marks the first Hallmark project to pair Lacey Chabert and Kristoffer Polaha--two A-listers in romantic comedy. Chabert shares that the two have talked about filming a movie together, but scheduling conflicts have made it impossible until now. If you can only picture Polaha with Bethany Joy Lenz after their blockbuster movie, A Biltmore Christmas and can't imagine Chabert with anyone other than Brennan Elliott or Will Kemp, you're in for a holiday treat! The two are magical together and take us on an adventure that is loaded with mystique, romance, and the gorgeous backdrop of Iceland. What Is The Christmas Quest About? An archeologist and her ex-husband, an expert in ancient Norse languages, are sent to Iceland at Christmastime to search for the legendary treasure of the Yule Lads. When others join in the hunt, the pair find themselves swept into a thrilling adventure as they race to keep it from falling into the wrong hands. Review of Hallmark's The Christmas Quest If you are weary of Hallmark's worn plots, you'll appreciate the creativity of the story. In 1994, Stefanie Baxter's mother discovers an old journal that tells the story of the Yule Lads--mischievous Icelandic trolls who come down from their mountain on Christmas to bring treats for good children and rotten potatoes for the naughty ones. Lore has it that the scrolls, once decoded, will lead to the Lads' hidden treasure. Victor Grimes presents Stefanie with the key to deciphering the scrolls and underwrites her expedition to Iceland for a treasure hunt. Stefanie assumes with his high esteem for preserving history that Grimes will donate the findings to a museum, but it turns out that he has other motives. The first clue leads them to an ancient horn that is a cypher likened to the Rosetta Stone--it will help them decode the remaining 13 clues that will ultimately lead them to the treasure. The only problem is that Stefanie can't translate Norse runes, but her ex-husband can. Stefanie convinces Chase to accompany her on the treasure hunt, and as the two spend time together, they reconnect. Chase had grown to resent how she had prioritized her adventures over him, but he comes to realize he should have found a way to include himself on her expeditions while Stefanie discovers that the most valuable treasure has been right in front of her all along. There is a healthy dose of humor in the movie that works. Chabert attempts comedy in both Haul Out the Holly movies, but it is forced, silly, and doesn't land. In The Christmas Quest, the wit is integrated naturally, and both co-stars exact a flawless delivery. One amusing scene happens when the two are rooting around the basement storage area at a black-tie event they lie their way into and nearly get caught for being in a restricted area. To provide cover, Chase dips and passionately kisses Stefanie so that the uncomfortable woman who spies them hurries along rather than busting them. The look on Stefanie's face after that kiss is priceless--it clearly curled her toes! She even fakes an Icelandic accent in one scene that sounds authentic. It's nice to see Chabert play a role where her many talents are highlighted. The scenery is stunning. Besides the icy landscape, the movie is also shot in a lava cave, on a glacier, and near a waterfall. The movie is suspenseful , but to the degree that it's exciting rather than scary. There are chasing scenes, being trapped in a cave, and competing with someone they think is a rival treasure hunter. The Christmas Quest is tinged with a few flaws , but they don't detract from the overall enjoyment of the movie. The first is that treasure hunters have been searching for the Yule Lads' treasure for decades, yet Stefanie and Chase quickly solve all the clues, and their search leads them to obvious spots that aren't remotely hidden and could have been stumbled upon by passersby a gazillion times. When they enter the Yule Lads' treasure chamber, neither Stefanie nor Chase question how this age-old hovel could be decorated with Christmas garland and completely illuminated by burning candles if it has been abandoned for centuries. Yeah, I know it's staged for a movie, but this part is laughably far-fetched. Even if you hypothesize that the troll-like lads still exist in some mystical way, you would expect Stefanie and Chase to marvel that the chamber still looks lived in rather than in deep decay. There are also references to Icelandic names and places that are hard to understand, but you don't have to be able to pronounce them to follow the story. Incorporating them, however, makes the movie more credible and authentic. It's interesting that the network chooses to air The Christmas Quest on Hallmark Channel rather than Hallmark Mystery. When Hallmark Movies & Mysteries rebranded to Hallmark Mystery, the network stated that Miracles of Christmas would include more holiday mystery movies, and The Christmas Quest certainly fits that genre. The Christmas Quest Is Definitely Worth Watching Chabert and Polaha project star power in The Christmas Quest --a movie filled with a perfect combination of adventure, mystery, suspense, holiday magic, history, humor, reconnection, and romance. Viewers will also appreciate some unexpected twists throughout. Let's hope Chabert and Polaha will team up again for another hit as enjoyable as The Christmas Quest ! Review of The Christmas Quest

You might be wondering why Hallmark would produce a CHRISTMAS movie featuring an Indian family when the vast majority of Indians are Hindu. While people of all backgrounds appreciate the warm fuzzies of Christmas, the reason for the season is to celebrate Jesus--our Lord and Savior. Only 2.3% of India's population is Christian--quite a minority--and most of the population celebrates Diwali. Scriptwriters, Patricia Isaac and Emily Ting , attempt a work-around to reconcile these disparate elements, and although they create an amusing story, it's clear they have zero understanding of Christianity and should have invested a little research. What Is Christmas with the Singhs About? For Asha Singh (Joshi), Christmas is the most important time of the year. But when she’s stuck working at the hospital during the holidays, she wishes for some much-needed Christmas magic. Enter Jake (Hollingsworth), her former high school classmate, who unexpectedly reappears in her life. After a magical year together, Jake proposes. But their first Christmas as an engaged couple isn’t exactly the fairytale they imagined. When they head home for the holidays, they quickly discover their picture-perfect romance is about to get a serious reality check: their families couldn’t be more different! Juggling various holiday traditions, big personalities, cultural differences and complicated family dynamics proves to be a challenge as Asha and Jake have to learn if they can bridge their two families and survive a Christmas with the Singhs. Hallmark Is Becoming Increasingly Godless Why do fans frequently lament on social media that the older Hallmark movies are vastly superior to the ones produced after 2020? Hallmark's origins are Christian. It originally launched as part of ACTS-- American Christian Television System --but later rebranded as The Faith and Values Channel . In 1996, after Liberty Media acquired 49% stake in the company, it was relaunched as Odyssey Network and religious programming was replaced with family-oriented films and TV series. Soon after, Hallmark Entertainment and The Jim Hensen Company acquired increased stakes, which led to a corporate reorganization and another rebrand in 2001, this time as the Hallmark Channel . The emphasis shifted to romance films and comedies themed around seasonal celebrations. Hallmark Channel viewership peaked in 2015 with 90 million viewers, and as of 2023, it has progressively declined to 70 million. It's clear that Hallmark Channel has steadily devolved from its faith-based roots, but even worse, the network increasingly embraces secularism and wokeism, which is why many no longer trust the brand to deliver the wholesome, family-friendly programming of years past. As one fan posted on social media, "Every Hallmark movie looks like a meeting of the United Nations." Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a huge emphasis at Hallmark, and while viewers have no problem with diversity in and of itself, the way Hallmark incorporates it into storylines is forced, unnatural, and smacks of left-wing identity politics more than a genuine effort to invite everyone to the table. Every black character has to have a white BFF and vice versa. Even though a mere 10% of Americans are in a biracial relationship, every movie has to include one. The biggest blight on Hallmark is the inclusion of LGBTQ characters, and stories that attempt to normalize sexual deviancy are a deal-breaker for many viewers. The faith-filled stories of the past are gone, and in their place are watered down versions that reek of pantheism. Instead of crediting God for divinely arranging circumstances, movie characters now say things like, "The universe brought us together," or "The universe is trying to tell us something." Past CEOs like Bill Abbott (who now heads Great American Family) made sure that no character shared a bedroom, vacationed together unwed, or stayed overnight under the same roof without supervision. Hallmark movies in the past were squeaky clean. Not anymore. While liberals and progressives applaud Hallmark's movement toward wokesim and try to shut down critics by saying things like, "Welcome to the 21st century," or "Go clutch your pearls and watch Great American Family instead," the bottom line is that Hallmark's viewership is dwindling because loyal fans feel abandoned by a network that no longer reflects their values of faith, family, and country. This review of Christmas with the Singhs will explain how the movie is riddled with several of the issues mentioned above. Review of Christmas with the Singhs : Scriptwriters Bungle the Singh Family's "Christian Faith" Jake is surprised to learn that Asha's family is Christian. She explains that her father's family was one of the few Christian families in India and that her mother converted to the Christian faith when they were married and emigrated to the United States. Okay. The writers explain why an Indian would celebrate Christmas, so now the movie's premise doesn't seem far-fetched. It falls apart after that. Asha's mom is superstitious and won't leave shoes lay upside down. Asha and her brother light candles in front of the pictures of their grandparents and bow and pray before them. When the Singhs invite everyone to their house, guests are handed stringed good luck charms, and one family member waves what appears to be incense to newcomers to ward off the "evil eye." The engagement party isn't discussed as an "Indian tradition" but as a "Hindu custom." The women, even Jake's mom, wear bindis on their foreheads, which have both social and spiritual Hindu implications. None of this tracks with Christianity. Anyone who truly accepts Jesus Christ and becomes biblically literate would soundly reject all past rituals, beliefs, and pagan Hindu practices. While it makes sense for the Singhs include Indian customs in their celebrations, linking any of them to the Hindu faith is completely anti-thetical to Christianity. Nearly 70% of Americans identify as Christian, and the writers just slapped all of them in the face by watering down the Christian faith to not only make it unrecognizable, but to add insult to injury by lacing it with Hinduism. BOO to writers Patricia Isaac and Emily Ting! Jake also references vacations the couple has taken together, and then he's shocked when Asha's parents won't let them sleep in the same bedroom. This is a bold step for Hallmark--a network that once stressed purity and avoided even the remotest hint of sexual immorality. It might be the 21st century, but sin is still sin, so shame on Hallmark. The Salvageable Parts of Christmas with the Singhs The humor is the best part of Christmas with the Singhs , especially the part where Jake freaks out when he learns that Asha's father had expected him to ask for her hand in marriage before he proposed. Jake's reaction to spicy Indian food, his parents' disregard for taking off their shoes in the Singh's house, his fall from the ladder, and his mom's only understanding of Indian culture stemming from the movie Eat, Pray, Love are fun parts of the film. Ultimately, the family learns to blend their cultures for the sake of their children, but real-life rarely works that way. Christmas with the Singhs is another attempt by Hallmark to impose their woke ideals on loyal viewers. It's no wonder their ratings continue to plummet.

Grab the popcorn and cozy in for SIX more new Christmas movies coming to a living room near you! Included in this week's batch are the highly anticipated premieres of Three Wiser Men and a Boy and A Little Women's Christmas . November 21: A Novel Noel Hallmark Mystery : 8pm Eastern Starring : Julie Gonzalo & Brendan Penny A successful New York City book editor (Gonzalo), who is losing touch with her passion after a few setbacks this year learns she was chosen to run a bookstore in the small town of Saint Ives for the month of December. While realizing a childhood dream but butting heads with the handsome son (Penny) of the bookstore owners, she comes to realize that her love for bringing out the creativity of others is still her true calling, and untapped talent (and love) can be found anywhere... even in the writings of a cranky business-minded man, especially at Christmas. November 22: Christmas on Call Hallmark Channel : 8pm Eastern Starring : Sara Canning & Ser'Darius Blain with a cameo appearance by Donna Kelce In the lead-up to Christmas, emergency room doctor Hannah Michaels juggles her demanding job and a budding romance with EMT Wes Sullivan in Philadelphia. They spend time together as Wes helps her become more acquainted with the sights, sounds and tastes of Philadelphia, it’s clear that they’re starting to fall for each other. As the local First Responders balance duty with holiday celebrations, they come together to face challenges, support each other and find moments of joy. November 23: Three Wiser Men and a Boy Hallmark Channel : 8pm Eastern Starring : Paul Campbell, Tyler Hynes, Andrew Walker, and Margaret Colin The story begins five years later with the Brenner brothers preparing for another memorable Christmas. In a crazy turn of events, possibly brought on accidently by the brothers themselves, the director of Luke’s son Thomas’ school holiday musical steps down. Luke is desperate to make his son’s stage dreams come true, so he enlists the help of his brothers Taylor and Stephan. Meanwhile, the trio navigates meeting their mom Barbara’s new boyfriend and the brothers grapple with their own feelings about this relationship. In true Brenner brother fashion, they are all in for a Christmas they will never forget. November 23: A Little Women's Christmas Great American Family : 8pm Eastern Starring : Trevor Donovan, Jen Lilley, Jillian Murray, Laura Osnes, Julia Reilly & Jesse Hutch A Little Women’s Christmas  is a contemporary retelling of the beloved classic novel, following the lives and loves of the March sisters in a small Tennessee town at Christmas. The one-and-only Gladys Knight performs “Joy.” November 24: To Have and To Holiday Hallmark Channel : 8pm Eastern Starring : Madeleine Arthur, Robert Bazzocchi, & Eric Close When Celeste (Arthur) gets engaged to Jason (Bazzocchi) after just a few months of dating, her father and the couple’s would be officiant, Pastor Mark (Close), insists on putting them through a pre-wedding “bootcamp” filled with Christmas-themed challenges. As the couple grows stronger through the festive activities, Celeste considers following her dreams in the fashion industry. Meanwhile, Pastor Mark learns to trust his daughter’s choices, leading to a heartwarming holiday season for the whole family. November 24: Christmas by Candlelight Great American Family: 8pm Eastern Starring: Erin Agostino & Harmon Walsh Juliet pitches Christmas candles to her boss to earn a promotion and enlists the help of a candle store owner (Tom) who refuses at first but reluctantly agrees when he realizes the money will help make his daughter’s Christmas wish come true. Never Miss a New Christmas Movie! Follow Our Hallmark & Great American Family Pages on Facebook Stay in the loop and share your thoughts with other romcom fans on social media by following our Facebook fan pages. Hallmark Ever After Fan Page Great American Family Movie Fans

Hallmark fans have been pining for a reunion between Erin Krakow and Daniel Lissing , and this holiday season, fans get their wish--a magical movie wrapped up in a big, red bow. The best part--we don't have to wait until December 25 to open it! What Is Santa Tell Me About? When Olivia, a successful interior designer, finds an old letter from Santa promising she’ll meet the love of her life by Christmas Eve—and that his name will be Nick—she’s stunned to meet not one, but three guys named Nick. As she navigates these holiday romances, Olivia also finds herself drawn to her charming co-worker, Chris, throwing her magical Christmas quest into question. With the clock ticking toward Christmas Eve, Olivia embarks on a heartwarming and humorous journey to uncover her true soulmate. The Best Gifts Are the Ones Worth Waiting For As a little girl, Olivia writes a letter to Santa asking him to tell her the name of her "one true love." Twenty-five years later, Santa finally delivers. As Olivia's mom used to say, "The best gifts are the ones worth waiting for." The Christmas magic in this movie is beautifully and naturally woven into the story, and since her sister witnesses the odd occurrences, Olivia knows it's real. Her old letter is contained in an envelope that glows when Olivia needs to see an updated message about her wish. The gilded letters shift and cryptically foretell what must happen next. The letter always reappears in Olivia's possession, even when she tries to trash it. Since Olivia's wish has an expiration date--Christmas Eve--she meets three Nicks in rapid succession and starts speed dating each one to figure out which one is her true love. Santa Tell Me Packs in Laughs Dating three men at once while trying to produce a Christmas special that could lead to her own series on Style Home Network is a layup for laughter. Benjamin Ayres plays Nick A. He's a pediatric neurosurgeon and the most romantic of the three. He and Olivia first meet in a coffee shop when their orders are swapped. He rents her favorite ice-skating rink for the perfect date (which he later begrudgingly divulges is quite expensive) and even has champagne chilling after their final lap; however, when Olivia pops the cork, it almost takes out Nick's eye, landing him in the ER. Olivia spills coffee on Nick B. after bumping into him on the sidewalk. Instead of being annoyed, he's instantly smitten. This Nick owns a home furnishing store in town and provides Olivia with several pieces for her TV special. When Nick takes her to the Christmas Market, she plays a snowball toss game and accidentally hits him in the head, giving him a concussion. Nick sees this as proof that Olivia is a "knockout," while co-worker, Chris, jokes that she "swept Nick off his feet." Nick C. is a firefighter who can't stop bragging about being a calendar model. He also is rushed to the ER after Olivia gives him a cookie with nuts, not realizing he's allergic. Even though a local restaurant owner watches Olivia come and go on several dates a week with three different men, she manages to keep her dalliances quiet until near the end, where all three men collide on the set of her show in a hilarious scene. The three Nicks demand that she makes a choice, but how can she? Nick A. seems the best pick, but when he kisses her, she feels nothing. Nick B. doesn't have any sense of adventure, and Nick C. is too narcissistic and shallow. Olivia's heart is leading her to Chris, but how can he be her soulmate when he has the wrong name? Santa Tell Me Is One of the Season's Best New Movies Frosty's hat off to scriptwriter Ryan Landels for such an enchanting Christmas story. A heroine meeting three men simultaneously and having all of them fall for her would ordinarily be a far-fetched plot, but with the right amount of Christmas magic, it makes complete sense! Santa Tell Me is the closest movie so far this season to tap into the vein of Hallmark Movies of Christmas Past to bring us an entertaining romcom that is heartwarming and fun. A fabulous script combined with a talented ensemble cast earns Santa Tell Me 4.5 out of 5 stars at RomCom Review. Follow Our Hallmark Ever After Facebook Page! Happily ever after starts here! Follow our Hallmark Ever After fan page on Facebook for daily schedules, Hallmark news, updates on your favorite stars, pics, celebrity birthdays, & other unique Hallmark fandom!

You must be on the Nice List this year because Hallmark and Great American Famil y are gifting you with SIX new Christmas movies this week. That is something to ho, ho, ho about! Check out the schedule listings below along with my prediction about how each will rate. November 14: A Reason for the Season Hallmark Mystery : 8pm Eastern Starring : Taylor Cole & Kevin McGarry In order to earn her trust fund, Evie is tasked with granting Christmas wishes to the people who saved her life on the night of her birth. To aid in her cause, she employs Kyle, a handsome local attorney, to track down those who helped and attempts to secretly learn what they might want while maintaining her anonymity. With Christmas fast approaching, the heiress and the attorney can’t resist falling for each other's charms as they ramp up their gift giving efforts. But as time ticks down, will she be able to accomplish the mission and grant all of the wishes by Christmas Eve? MY PREDICTION : Everyone will love watching Cole and McGarry, but the movie will be a bit far-fetched and dull. November 15: Christmas with the Singhs Hallmark Channel : 8pm Eastern Starring : Ben Hollingsworth & Anuja Joshi For Asha Singh (Joshi), Christmas is the most important time of the year. But when she’s stuck working at the hospital during the holidays, she wishes for some much-needed Christmas magic. Enter Jake (Hollingsworth), her former high school classmate, who unexpectedly reappears in her life. After a magical year together, Jake proposes. But their first Christmas as an engaged couple isn’t exactly the fairytale they imagined. When they head home for the holidays, they quickly discover their picture-perfect romance is about to get a serious reality check: their families couldn’t be more different! Juggling various holiday traditions, big personalities, cultural differences and complicated family dynamics proves to be a challenge as Asha and Jake have to learn if they can bridge their two families and survive a Christmas with the Singhs. MY PREDICTION : This is a DEI movie. Christmas is about the celebration of Jesus Christ, so centering a movie around an Indian Family, who are Hindus, is absurd. Pew Research says only 1 in 5 of Indians participate in Christmas festivities, whereas 95% of them celebrate Diwali. This movie will be focused on "wokeism" rather than good storytelling. November 16: Jingle Bell Run Hallmark Channel : 8pm Eastern Starring : Ashley Williams & Andrew Walker Avery is an unadventurous schoolteacher whose sister secretly signs her up for The Great Holiday Dash, a Christmas-themed reality competition show where she's paired with former hockey player Wes. Despite clashing at first, Avery’s puzzle-solving skills and Wes’ physical prowess help them excel as they travel from city to city and compete in festive feats that have a local flavor. It’s not long before a real connection between these opposites begins to blossom. But when Avery overhears a conversation between Wes and a show producer it threatens to derail their budding romance. Keeping their eyes on the prize, the duo continues to dash to the finish line but there may be a more personal adventure for them still in store. MY PREDICTION : This movie is going to be a crowd-pleaser. Walker and Williams are proven Hallmark staples. They are terrific actors, they engage viewers, and they each have an enormous fan base. I expect this movie to be very entertaining. November 16: A Christmas Less Traveled Great American Family : 8pm Eastern Starring : Candace Cameron Bure & Eric Johnson “The Dine and Dash” diner has a stack of mounting unpaid bills, forcing its owner, Desi (Bure) to sell her beloved, mint condition, cherry red 1964 Ford F-100, a gift from her deceased father. As Desi visits the vintage truck one last time, she discovers a recorded message from her dad on an old audio cassette. Desi’s Dad’s voice sends her and “Old Red” out to retrace her family’s most memorable moments one last time. Just as the journey begins, Desi meets Greyson (Johnson) who offers her a generous payment in exchange for a ride to “close the most important deal” of his life. Little do Desi and Greyson realize the less traveled road will reveal more about each of them than they could have ever known. MY PREDICTION : This will likely be a heart-warming story, and CCB will pull in a huge viewing. However, the plot isn't particularly fresh. I expect viewers to rave about the movie, but I'm guessing it will be a tad underwhelming. November 17: Confessions of a Christmas Letter Hallmark Channel : 8pm Eastern Starring : Angela Kinsey, Alec Santos, & Lillian Doucet-Roche Settie Rose, a quirky family matriarch, enters her town’s annual holiday letter-writing contest but needs help, so she hires struggling novelist Juan to craft the perfect letter. When a mix-up leads to the rumor that Juan is engaged to Settie’s daughter Lily, the whole family scrambles to keep up the charade. As Juan bonds with the Roses and overcomes his writer’s block, Settie learns that embracing her imperfect family is what truly makes her story special. MY PREDICTION : I expect this movie to be a dud. Writer's block and fake dating have been done TO DEATH. Lillian Doucet-Roche always overacts, so she will likely be terrible. November 17: A Christmas Quilt Great American Family : 8pm Eastern Starring : Ferelith Young & Harmon Walsh Liam Sullivan, a firefighter, and Amy Walker, a quilting teacher, are drawn together to make the perfect quilt for Liam’s sister's Christmas wedding. After a rocky start, the pair is forced to put differences aside and decide what is most important this Christmas.  MY PREDICTION : I think this movie is going to be forgettable. The actors aren't familiar in romcom world, and the flimsy plot will likely drag. Subscribe to the Blog & Follow Our Hallmark & Great American Fan Pages on Facebook! If you want to stay up-to-date on Hallmark and Great American Family news and programming, be sure to subscribe  to this blog. For unique and engaging content, including daily movie schedules, follow our fan pages on Facebook :

Part of the charm of Hallmark movies is their predictable, cookie-cutter plots. Fans find the recycled tropes oddly comforting. However, My Sweet Austrian Holiday is unimaginative filler used to beef up Hallmark's seasonal slate, and the lack of originality in this movie is pitiful. What Is My Sweet Austrian Holiday About? Charlotte recently moved to Vienna and became a chocolatier after inheriting her grandparents’ chocolate shop. She soon finds herself in a battle against a ruthless developer who wants to buy the building and sadly she can’t locate the proper records that prove that the shop is a historical landmark. She meets Henry, a businessman, and soon there is a romantic spark. Henry is a billionaire bachelor who has just taken over his father’s company. Eventually he realizes that he owns the company that is responsible for trying to take over Charlotte’s shop. When Charlotte finds out, she is hurt and angry that Henry was not honest with her once he discovered the truth. Thankfully he finds a compromise, with the new design incorporating her chocolate shop as the featured store within the development project. Charlotte forgives Henry and they spend their first Viennese Christmas together as a couple. My Sweet Austrian Holiday Feels Like a Spoof of Romcoms There is literally no out-of-the-box thinking involved in the script--just a cut and paste of every Hallmark movie ever made. A business that is inherited from a relative that must be kept afloat to honor a memory A building that needs to be given historical status to prevent its destruction A person vying for chocolatier of the year Someone who tries to unsuccessfully ice skate Food accidentally smearing someone's lip A character who wasn't "up front" with someone about their identity My Sweet Austrian Holiday is practically a Love, Romance, & Chocolate reboot--a movie set in Belgium that also starred Bristow and Kemp, but with Kemp being the one vying for a special chocolatier title. Kemp is an accomplished dancer, but when he waltzes with Bristow, it simply doesn't measure up to his stint with Lacey Chabert in Christmas Waltz or T he Dancing Detective: A Deadly Tango . With a 5-inch height advantage over Chabert, Bristow's movements lack grace and look too lanky. The dancing scene is far too short to impress. My Sweet Austrian Holiday Is Well-Received by Hallmark Fans Despite the Lack of Plot Creativity Kemp fans adore watching him in anything, and Bristow is a passable actress, so Hallmark fans embrace this movie even though there is literally NOTHING new to see here. Bristow's mother wrote the script, and her father directed it, so it seems her parents create projects in which they can get their daughter cast, which was also the case for A Safari Romance and A Tail of Love . Try as they might, Kemp and Bristow fail to generate a tangible connection, so the chemistry simply isn't there. Whether the lack of a spark stems from a 13-year age difference, boredom with the recycled script, or something else, the wow factor is missing. Though the acting cannot be faulted, the utter lack of originality lands this movie at a 2 out of 5-star rating here at RomCom Review.

Is your DVR filling up with new Christmas movies? I hope you have room for six more that are premiering this week, November 7-10. NOVEMBER 7:  Five Gold Rings HALLMARK MYSTERY:   8pm Eastern STARRING: Holland Roden and Nolan Gerard Funk When New York City painter Audrey Moss returns to her small Minnesota hometown for the holidays, she’s met with an unexpected quest from her beloved late grandmother: find the owners of five mysterious gold rings and return them to their rightful home before Christmas morning, only nine days away. In her bequeathment, Grandma also urges Audrey to team up with local private investigator and childhood friend, Finn O’Sullivan. From gingerbread house building to the annual Giving Gala, these two begin to bond over more than just their quest. As Audrey and Finn unravel the mystery of the missing rings’ owners, they discover there is more to their relationship than they ever expected to find. NOVEMBER 8:  Trivia at St. Nick's HALLMARK CHANNEL:   8pm Eastern STARRING: Tammin Sursok and Brant Daugherty When students all flee an elite university in Vermont for winter break, the locals and faculty hunker down for their favorite time of year - the annual Christmas Bar Trivia Tournament! For Celeste (Sursok), a Type-A astronomy professor, this event combines the magic of Christmas with her greatest comfort in life: knowing the right answer. But when her colleague drops out of the tournament to do a month-long lecture tour in Asia, Celeste’s team must adopt Max (Daugherty), the football team’s new offensive coordinator. To Celeste, Max seems like nothing more than a grown-up class clown - though he brings an undeniable knowledge of sports trivia (a category their team has always fallen short in). Initial clashes between the two eventually turn into mutual appreciation as the team enjoys scavenger hunts on campus, decorating the international house with Christmas lights, baking Christmas cookies, and advancing toward the championship trivia game. Celeste can't help but delight in Max's infectious enthusiasm, love for all things Christmas and perhaps most importantly, his comfort with the unknown. And after a romantic wintery night at the campus observatory with Max, Celeste starts to wonder if being open to life’s surprises is more important than knowing the answer to everything. NOVEMBER 9:  Santa Tell Me HALLMARK CHANNEL:   8pm Eastern STARRING: Erin Krakow, Daniel Lissing, Benjamin Ayre, Christopher Russell, and Kurt Szarka When Olivia, a successful interior designer, finds an old letter from Santa promising she’ll meet the love of her life by Christmas Eve—and that his name will be Nick—she’s stunned to meet not one, but three guys named Nick. As she navigates these holiday romances, Olivia also finds herself drawn to her charming co-worker, Chris, throwing her magical Christmas quest into question. With the clock ticking toward Christmas Eve, Olivia embarks on a heartwarming and humorous journey to uncover her true soulmate. NOVEMBER 9:  Christmas Under the Northern Lights GREAT AMERICAN FAMILY:   8pm Eastern STARRING: Jill Wagner, Jesse Hutch, Lauren Holly, and Bruce Boxleitner Erin (Wagner) joins her dad Doug (Boxleitner) for a Christmas in the family’s former hometown of Aurora on a mission that is part business – selling the family home – and major bucket list item for Erin to see the Aurora Borealis light up the Northern sky. Realtor Lori (Holly) and family friend and local tour guide Trevor (Hutch) create a Christmas inspired at every turn by faith, love, and hope, so much so that Christmas bells hung over decades in a forest grove ring an unbroken song, a harbinger of miracles to come. NOVEMBER 10:  Coupled Up for Christmas GREAT AMERICAN FAMILY:   8pm Eastern STARRING: Sara Canning and Marcus Rosner Two heartbroken strangers pretend to be dating others to win the affection of their true soulmates. (This movie is from 2023, but it's the first time it will be airing on Great American Family). NOVEMBER 10:  'Tis the Season to Be Irish HALLMARK CHANNEL:   8pm Eastern STARRING: Starring Fiona Gubelmann and Eoin Macken Rose, a nomadic house flipper, heads to Ireland to renovate and sell a cottage, but her plans are upended when she meets Sean, a local realtor determined to preserve his town’s heritage. As she works on the cottage and embraces Irish Christmas traditions, Rose finds herself falling for Sean and questioning her fear of settling down. Together, they must confront their pasts and discover if love is worth taking root. Subscribe to the Blog & Follow Our Hallmark & Great American Fan Pages on Facebook! If you want to stay up-to-date on Hallmark and Great American Family news and programming, be sure to subscribe  to this blog. For unique and engaging content, including daily movie schedules, follow our fan pages on Facebook :

If you've already watched A Carol for Two , you probably agree with fellow viewers who say the singing is fantastic but Brad, the eventual third wheel in the love triangle, is a very annoying character. What you may not know is that the scriptwriter deliberately adapts a famous play to fit the framework of a Hallmark movie, and it's genius. What is a Carol for Two About? After moving to New York to make it on Broadway, Violette Wagner (Ginna Claire Mason) gets a job at Fiore’s , a legendary theater district diner, famous for its singing wait staff, who bide their time there, while awaiting that big break. Luck seems to be on her side when she gets a coveted slot, singing during Fiore’s annual Christmas Eve concert, which is attended by a who’s who of the theatre world. But her big opportunity turns out to be a duet with Alex (Jordan Litz), who has been less than welcoming, and believes she was only given the job because the owner of Fiore’s is a family friend. They're stuck with each other, though, since people have been plucked out of that show and put right on Broadway. As they rehearse together, Alex’s cousin, Brad (Gino Anania), takes an interest in Violette, and they begin dating but, unbeknownst to her, Alex has been feeding Brad information about her, Cyrano-style, to win her over. However, when Alex begins developing feelings for her as well, a love triangle ensues, and things come to a head when their deception is uncovered, which, in turn, threatens Violette and Alex’s big opportunity. Ginna Claire Mason and Jordan Litz Are Real-Life Broadway Stars A Carol for Two seems tailor-made for Mason and Litz, who are both Broadway stars. Mason has toured as Glinda in Wicked , while Litz has assumed the role of Fiyero in Wicked both on Broadway and the tour. Mason shares with Swooon that the two sing live on set, and Litz writes arrangements and harmonies for them while actually playing the piano. If you watched the movie and wondered if Mason and Litz were doing their own singing and piano playing, now you know! Another layer to the story is that Alex had been working on a musical with his ex, but when she left, he felt like he couldn't finish it on his own. Violette inspires him, and he finishes it just in time for them to use one of the central songs for their performance in front of Broadway talent scout, Marty Levin. (This original song was actually written in 40 minutes by a friend of Mason's!) You can listen to Mason sing the catchy tune, Who Knew It'd Be You This Christmas , with Jimmy Needham: After saying he loved what he heard, Mr. Levin excused himself to take a call from Kristen Chenoweth--a subtle reference to Wicked , since Chenoweth played the original Glinda. Mason points out that the movie isn't just about romance but about artists pursuing their passions and dreams. My favorite line from the movie is one Violette quotes from her dad, "It's never too late to be who you might have been." Brad Is Like Christian from Cyrano de Bergerac Cyrano de Bergerac was a French novelist and playwright from the 1600s who became the subject of a play by Edmond Rostand in 1897. According to the fictionalized account, Cyrano had an enormous nose, which kept him from pursuing romance. Cyrano falls in love with a woman named Roxane, but he doesn't let her know because he thinks his nose ruins his chances. Roxane actually loves a man named Christian, but Christian is too tongue-tied to express his feelings, so Cyrano writes love letters to her, pretending to be Christian. You can see how Brad's character parallels that of Christian. He doesn't listen to Violette and seems more interested in being liked by her than getting to know her. Alex, like Cyrano, tells him all the thoughtful moves to make to win Violette's affection, but since Brad's actions aren't from the heart, he makes several ridiculous blunders that lead her to feel like he's "two different people." When she learns the truth--that the loving gestures originated with Alex--both of their dreams come true. You may have seen other modern retellings of Rostand's play. In 1987, Steve Martin and Daryl Hannah starred in the comedy Roxanne . Peter Dinklage headlined Cyrano in 2021, and instead of a big nose, his short stature served the same purpose. While Brad may seem chronically obnoxious, when you view his behavior in light of the Cyrano storyline with a Broadway backdrop like a Rostand play, it clicks! A Carol for Two Gives You a Small Taste of Broadway! The carols and Christmas hymns included in A Carol for Two are simply gorgeous, many of them pointing to the true "reason for the season." The singing staff at Fiore's diner makes the viewer feel like they are visiting Broadway. The cast is incredibly talented, and the fusion of a Christmas movie with a Broadway play is integrated beautifully. It's a movie with a fresh feel from the standard holiday romcom, which earns it 4 out of 5 stars here at RomCom Review. Let's hope Hallmark produces more future movies that will include such exquisite vocal talent.

Hallmark and Great American Family are serving up new Christmas movies faster than Mrs. Claus can bake sugar cookies! Check out the FIVE new movies that are premiering this week from Thursday, October 31, through Sunday, November 3. OCTOBER 31:  My Sweet Austrian Holiday HALLMARK MYSTERY:   8pm Eastern STARRING:  Will Kemp & Brittany Bristow Charlotte recently moved to Vienna and became a chocolatier after inheriting her grandparents’ chocolate shop. She soon finds herself in a battle against a ruthless developer who wants to buy the building and sadly she can’t locate the proper records that prove that the shop is a historical landmark. She meets Henry, a businessman, and soon there is a romantic spark. Henry is a billionaire bachelor who has just taken over his father’s company. Eventually he realizes that he owns the company that is responsible for trying to take over Charlotte’s shop. When Charlotte finds out, she is hurt and angry that Henry was not honest with her once he discovered the truth. Thankfully he finds a compromise, with the new design incorporating her chocolate shop as the featured store within the development project. Charlotte forgives Henry and they spend their first Viennese Christmas together as a couple. NOVEMBER 1:   A Carol for Two HALLMARK CHANNEL:   8pm Eastern STARRING: Ginna Claire-Mason & Jordan Litz After moving to New York to make it on Broadway, Violette Wagner gets a job at Fiore’s, a legendary theater district diner, famous for its singing wait staff, who bide their time there, while awaiting that big break. Luck seems to be on her side when she gets a coveted slot, singing during Fiore’s annual Christmas Eve concert, which is attended by a who’s who of the theatre world. But her big opportunity turns out to be a duet with Alex, who has been less than welcoming, and believes she was only given the job because the owner of Fiore’s is a family friend. They're stuck with each other, though, since people have been plucked out of that show and put right on Broadway. As they rehearse together, Alex’s cousin, Brad, takes an interest in Violette, and they begin dating but, unbeknownst to her, Alex has been feeding Brad information about her, Cyrano-style, to win her over. However, when Alex begins developing feelings for her as well, a love triangle ensues, and things come to a head when their deception is uncovered, which, in turn, threatens Violette and Alex’s big opportunity. NOVEMBER 2:   Our Holiday Story HALLMARK CHANNEL:   8pm Eastern STARRING: Nikki DeLoach & Warren Christie As Dave and Nell recount their love story to their daughter’s boyfriend Chris, we follow them through one special Christmas where fate routinely brought them together - and kept them apart. But as Dave and Nell tried to find one another, they were oblivious to the fact that they were work nemeses paired together to throw a Christmas festival for their town. Meanwhile in the present, Chris struggles with relationship issues of his own as he attempts to say “I love you” for the first time to his girlfriend Jo. As our two couples and storylines intersect, lessons are taught and learned about communication, honesty and the capacity for change - in ourselves and in others. NOVEMBER 2:   Tails of Christmas GREAT AMERICAN FAMILY:   8pm Eastern STARRING: Ash Tai & Eric Guilmette An Army vet wounded in service who recovers with the help of therapy dogs from a local shelter run by Amber. As a sign of gratitude, Caleb volunteers at the shelter, though he notices one wealthy donor has his eye on Amber. Despite the patron’s help, the shelter needs additional funds to stay afloat, so Caleb produces a holiday pet fair to bring community together. As the pair become closer, Caleb confides a desire to repair the relationship with his parents that became strained after his injury. Amber has the perfect plan! NOVEMBER 3:   Holiday Mismatch HALLMARK CHANNEL:   8pm Eastern STARRING: Caroline Rhea & Beth Broderick When free-spirited Kath (Rhea) and uptight Barbara (Broderick) clash at a Christmas committee meeting, they’re shocked to discover they’ve accidentally set up their adult children via a dating app. Determined to stop the romance, the two mothers team up, only to realize they have more in common than they thought. As their kids’ love blossoms, so does an unexpected friendship between their meddling moms, bringing both families together for a festive Christmas. Subscribe to the Blog & Follow Our Hallmark & Great American Fan Pages on Facebook! If you want to stay up-to-date on Hallmark and Great American Family news and programming, be sure to subscribe  to this blog. For unique and engaging content, including daily movie schedules, follow our fan pages on Facebook :

Corey Sevier and Rachel Skarsten are reunited in this Christmas movie about intrigue after their last venture, Jazz Ramsey: A K-9 Mystery , failed miserably. This time around, they share a very entertaining story that is filled with action. What Is The Christmas Charade About? Whitney (Skarsten), a cautious librarian raised by home security experts, finds herself in a real-life adventure when a blind date mix-up leads her into an undercover FBI operation. Forced to pose as the girlfriend of Special Agent Josh (Sevier), she helps him track down an art thief targeting the Heart of Christmas necklace at a Christmas Eve charity ball. As the stakes rise, Whitney must embrace her inner action hero to save the day-and her family-just in time for Christmas. It's not the first undercover role for Skarsten, who also played a spy in 2022's The Royal Nanny . Did You Catch the Cameos in The Christmas Charade ? Whitney leads a boring life. As the only child of her over-protective parents, she always plays it safe. In the opening scene, she loses herself in a fast-action crime movie, and who are the two actors in the program she's watching? The first is Kristin Booth --the beloved star of Hallmark's Signed, Sealed, Delivered . The other is Jefferson Brown , another Hallmark staple who has appeared in supporting roles in several movies and series, like The Way Home . Hallmarkies LOVE surprise cameos! The screenwriter for the movie is Kate Pragnell --Corey Sevier's wife--and Corey directs the film in addition to headlining it. The Christmas Charade Is Over-the-Top at Times but Still an Enjoyable Ride! Sevier sometimes over-acts, but he reins himself in quickly. His character is a cool and aloof loner who grew up in foster care and can't grasp what a family Christmas is like, let alone a pretend girlfriend partner. The risk-taking and high stakes are invigorating and make Whitney feel alive. She proves to be a resourceful asset rather than a hindrance to the case. Along the way, a family secret is uncovered that makes sense of everything and helps solve the case. There are several comedic moments in the movie. My favorite scene occurs when Josh is teaching Whitney basic skills for the job, such as texting while the phone remains in her pocket. He is able to text her complete sentences without looking, while hers are just a mass of random letters. Whitney also claims to be a former ballroom dancer, which seems totally out of context for her life, yet when she's put on the spot at the Mistletoe Ball to dance, she leads Josh in a tango. It's not Lacey Chabert and Will Kemp worthy, but it's passable! One of the most far-fetched scenes is when Josh and Whitney are chasing a perp onto the roof of a building until they realize he's just a decoy. Rather than race back down the stairs to safely apprehend the right person, Josh lassos a post on the first try, and the two jump off the roof. It is likely meant as a spoof of the genre, but it's still cheesy. Another implausible scene is when Whitney and Josh commission a woman to craft a duplicate of the real necklace, and she manages to produce one in only two hours--as if she would have the exact gems in her inventory and could keep her business doors open that long without interruption. By the end of the movie, Whitney jokes that she might want to join the FBI, which has fans wondering if a mystery series could spring from the movie. If so, we would all likely tune in! The action, adventure, mystery, romance, and comedy of The Christmas Charade earns it 4.5 out of 5 stars at RomCom Review.