Bottled With Love

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Bethany Joy Lenz and Andrew Walker

Synopsis: After being stood up, Abbey gets inspired to open her heart in a letter, put it in a bottle and toss it out to sea. Months later, a man fishing discovers it and opts to reach out.

Review: This is such a special movie.  Abbey is communicating via messages with the man who found her letter but slowly developing feelings for her coworker, Nick.  Nick, the son of Abbey’s boss, is falling for the mysterious message woman but not sure about Abbey.  We watch as they have a layered and realistic relationship in person and an ideal one via message.  Waiting to see what will happen when they figure it all out made this movie really hold my attention.  It’s a step above your typical love story.

Scoring: 5

A Brush With Love

Rated: G

Genre: Romance 

Starring: Arielle Kebbel and Nick Bateman

Synopsis: Jamie Spellman struggles to balance her dream of painting with the reality of such a difficult career choice, while having to choose between two men who seem perfect, but for very different reasons.

Review: I loved the beauty and (pardon the pun) art of this movie. We see a woman trying to find herself but hesitating because of a lack of confidence in her abilities, the men in her life, and her own judgement. Using art to wind her path is an interesting approach and it’s a sweet story. 

Scoring: 4

Campfire Kiss

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Romance 

Starring: Danica McKellar and Paul Greene

Synopsis: Feeling disconnected with her teenage son, a protective mother decides to step outside of her comfort zone and take him camping. But as soon as she arrives, she begins butting heads with her handsome cabin neighbor, a single father and outdoorsman who is also in search of a connection with his teen daughter. Friction soon sparks a flame as these opposites attract. 

Review: Yes, I know this has many typical plot points. The single parents, opposites attract, and a vacation. But McKellar and Greene do such a good job with their characters, as do the children, that you can’t help but get sucked into the story. I won’t spoil the end, as if you didn’t predict it before watching it, but I’ll say this is one I enjoyed. 

Scoring: 3

Fashionably Yours

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Kat Graham and Kendrick Sampson

Synopsis: After years organizing fashion in the city, Lauren decides to move home.  In exchange for her organizing services, mover Rob makes it his mission to help her see the beauty of Seattle.

Review: This was a sweet movie.  It was a little blah at times where the story lagged but when Lauren and Rob are together it’s always interesting.  It’s one of those romances where you know the ending from the beginning but there are a few surprises along the way.  I just wish the ending had a little more oomph.

Scoring: 3

Flip That Romance 

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Starring: Julie Gonzalo and Tyler Hynes

Synopsis: Rival house flippers, Jules Briggs and Lance Waddell, renovate dual sides of a duplex and rekindle an old romance.

Review: I love the way this relationship unfolded.  It wasn’t completely expected or full of surprises.  It was just the right combination of both.  The remodeling of the duplex was more of a background setting.  It was a means to an end rather than the main focus.  It’s definitely worth a watch.

Scoring: 3

Hearts of Spring

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Romance 

Starring: Lisa Whelchel and Michael Shanks

Synopsis: A successful mommy blogger decides to re-enter the world of dating and discovers the man she has been falling for is the same man she has been sparring with online.

Review: We expect the combating duo to eventually fall for each other. It’s only natural. Here we get to see the point of view of a super Mom blogger and her detractor. Of course, they’re falling in love in real life and eventually real life and the cyber relationship shall meet. The anticipation for that event, the fallout, and the reconciliation keep it interesting to watch. 

Scoring: 3

Home By Spring (2018)

Rated: G

Genre: Drama

Starring: Poppy Drayton and Steven R. McQueen

Synopsis: When an ambitious event planner gets an opportunity she can't refuse, she goes undercover as her boss and returns to her rural hometown. With the help of her family and the man she left behind, she pulls off the perfect spring retreat, but will she discover home is where her heart is?

Review: This is a standard Hallmark movie.  I liked the city boy in the country as a side story.  I knew the ending but I wasn’t 100% sure how they’d get there.  It was nice and relaxing.  The scenery is beautiful.  If you like Hallmark romances, this is for you.

Scoring: 3

In The Key of Love (2019)

Rated: G

Genre: Romance

Starring: Laura Osnes, Scott Michael Foster, and Andrea Brooks

Synopsis: Two years after leaving town, photographer, Maggie, is reunited with her ex, Jake, when his sister is getting married and wants Maggie to shoot the wedding. When she and Jake decide to sing the bride's favorite duet, the sparks are reignited.

Review: The movie was really slow.  You knew the ending early on but there were a few surprises along the way.  I do applaud Hallmark for adding cultural and weight diversity to a movie.

Scoring: 2

Just My Type (2020)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Starring: Bethany Joy Lenz and Brett Dalton

Synopsis: Vanessa, a pop culture writer in NYC, lands the interview of a lifetime with renowned mystery author Martin Clayborne. It's a rocky start, but as they spend more time together, she learns there is much more to him than meets the eye.

Review: I found this to be incredibly slow and even boring.  I was very disappointed as I always like Hallmark movies.  This one was just filled with so many uncomfortable moments.  By the time the story picked up, I was already mentally gone from it.  The main redeeming feature is the scenery.

Scoring: 1

Like Cats And Dogs

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Cassidy Gifford and Wyatt Nash

Synopsis: A reservation goes awry when two renters one with a dog and one with a cat must share a house.

Review: Boy and girl clash before falling in love.  Predictable?  Yes.  Enjoyable?  Yes.  The dog and cat are so adorable.  This is a good relaxing spring film.

Scoring: 3

Love Takes Flight

Rated: G

Genre: Romance 

Starring: Nikki Deloach, Jeff Hephner, and Barbara Niven

Synopsis: Old, widowed Walter invites Quinn and her mom, Dr. Lizzie, for tea. There, Lizzie meets his son, Charley, a pilot she's just hired for the hospital. Both Walter and the 50+ years younger Quinn need a friend. Lizzie and Charley, too?

Review: It’s everything you’d expect from a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie. The story, acting, everything is top notch. The characters have depth and their relationships move the story. Walter and Quinn are really special. There was even a moment where I held my breath. Don’t miss this one. 

Scoring: 5

Love To The Rescue

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Family, Romance 

Starring: Nikki Deloach and Michael Rady

Synopsis: When two families want to adopt the same rescue dog, single mom Kate faces her fear of falling in love again after agreeing to shared custody of the pup with single dad Eric and his son.

Review: This one is so much fun. Kate who is just like Eric’s son and Eric is just like Kate’s daughter. This enables them to relate to each other and get along. The parallel between her animated short development and their relationship adds depth. Of course, the kids and dog add that extra awwww.

Scoring: 4

Moonlight In Vermont 

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Romance 

Starring: Lacey Chabert and Carlo Marks

Synopsis: After Fiona gets dumped, she escapes to her family's Vermont Inn for a few days to evaluate her life. When her ex Nate shows up with a new girlfriend, Fiona devises a plan to win him back: pretend head chef Derek is her new boyfriend.

Review: I know all Hallmarkies can predict the ending just from the synopsis. Don’t let that turn you away. There are some silly antics and some moving moments. I can’t talk specifics without ruining it but all the relationships and interactions are worth watching the movie for. 

Scoring: 3

Nature of Love (2020)

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Romance

Starring: Emilie Ullerup and Christopher Russell

Synopsis: City girl Katie is writing a magazine feature on a glamping resort.  Far from sporty, she faces her fears trying the camp’s activities with Will, a rugged outdoorsman and nature guide.

Review: The scenery alone is worth watching the movie.  It manages to not only show the camping experience but has the slower feel of relaxing in nature.  The relationship between Will and Katie even evolves slowly and organically. 

Scoring: 3

The Perfect Catch

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Family, Romance 

Starring: Nikki Deloach and Andrew Walker

Synopsis: Jessica, a single parent, owner of a struggling diner, finds the inspiration she needed when her high school boyfriend, Chase, a professional baseball player returns to town.

Review: The story has so many levels and moving parts yet stays so centered it’s easy to follow. It shows us that all too familiar situation where you let yourself hurt to make the person you care about happy. It also reminds us we have choices. What will Chase do?  Will he follow his dream of a second chance or will he stay with the people he loves?  Watch to find out. 

Scoring: 4

Royal Matchmaker

Rated: G

Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family, Romance 

Starring: Bethany Joy Lenz and Will Kemp

Synopsis: An NYC matchmaker is hired by a king to find his son a suitable wife in time for a national celebration. As the clock ticks towards her deadline, the matchmaker finds him the perfect wife -- only to realize that she's fallen in love with him.

Review: From the beginning I had trouble understanding how this American matchmaker was going to another country where she doesn’t understand royal ways to find the prince a match. It seemed far-fetched even as the story goes on. However, if you love the regular girl falling for the prince, and you’re willing to look past the oddness of her being hired, you’ll love that fairy tale aspect of it. 

Scoring: 3

The Sweetest Heart

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Romance

Starring: Julie Gonzalo and Chris McNally

Synopsis: Maddie, who owns a cupcake business, gets help from an investment banker, but a potential new romance between them is complicated by the unexpected return of her first love, Nate.

Review: This movie does a good job of highlighting how a first love always stays in your heart as well as how growing up can sometimes mean growing apart.  It’s a little slow and expected but it’s still an enjoyable movie.  Nate’s fellow doctor and Maddie’s assistant going back and forth with each other is an extra layer to enjoy.

Scoring: 3

True Love Blooms

Rated: G

Genre: Romance 

Starring: Sara Rue and Jordan Bridges

Synopsis: Spring is in full bloom when urban gardener Vicki fights to save her community garden from a handsome real estate developer. Both are caught off guard when it's not just the flowers that are blooming, but also love.

Review: This is one of those movies where you can feel the passion the characters have for their points of view. They communicate it without making you feel preached to. I wasn’t sure how they’d find a compromise that would allow them to stay together and I was quite surprised. 

Scoring: 3

Tulips In Spring

Rated: G

Genres: Drama, Comedy 

Starring: Fiona Gubelmann and Lucas Bryant

Synopsis: An interior designer must halt her work on a big project in order to return home and assist her injured father at her family's tulip farm in rural Washington state.

Review: The movie manages to highlight tulips, as if they were another character, without getting so specific and wrapped up in the technicalities of growing them. The closeness of the family and the addition of Tom is moving. 

Scoring: 3

You’re Bacon Me Crazy (2020)

Rated: G

Genres: Family, Romance

Starring: Natalie Hall and Michael Rady

Synopsis: Cleo Morelli, an aspiring Portland chef, tries to win a food truck competition while the competition tries to win her heart.

Review: The movie was cute.  It was a relaxing watch.  The only thing is there were too many moments where it felt like it slowed down.  It almost felt like a cliff’s note of the food part of the story.  They didn’t do enough to transition from her making sandwiches the way her grandfather always did to making entrees.  The romance was well done.  Rady never disappoints.

Scoring: 3