Plot

Arien is the successful author of the book God And I. However, this has led to everyone seeking his advice on various life issues, causing him to withdraw and avoid meeting anyone. An acute back problem, however, forces him to seek help from chiropractor Elizabeth. To his surprise, she significantly improves his condition, and he becomes fascinated by her. Numerous follow-up visits ensue, and gradually, Arien is compelled to emerge from his sheltered existence. He also connects with bookseller Kris when he attempts to dispose of books. Now, Arien is forced to confront the expectations resulting from his book.

Short review

A bit more of a Hollywood production. A romantic drama that's quite well-made.

Plot

Fiona loses her job once again in favour of an audition where she doesn’t get the role. When she discovers that her mother long ago received a letter from her biological mother—Fiona’s grandmother—who apparently lives in Ireland, she persuades her to take a holiday together to Ireland. They rent a cottage in a small coastal town. It becomes an eventful stay where Fiona encourages her mother to search for her real mother, while her mother challenges Fiona to embrace the Irish way of life—and perhaps most importantly, the local pub owner, Liam.

Short review

A romanticized view of Ireland, but a good one. A lot about daring to question one's life goals. The way the grandmother is tracked down is also well done and has a feel-good touch. The Irish tourist board called to say thank you.

Plot

Joel och Clementine har haft ett förhållande men Clementine har valt att låta minnet av deras förhållande raderas. Joel bestämmer sig till slut för att också låta sitt minne av förhållandet raderas. Men under proceduren så börjar Joel ångra sig.

Short review

This is a very different kind of romantic film, and the plot isn’t easily described without giving away too much. It also demands a bit from the viewer, which might be one of the reasons why it’s so good. My alarm bells goes off as soon as I see Jim Carrey in the cast, as he often tends to overact and ruin things, but this time he manages to hold back. The result is a film worth watching, with several twists in the storyline.

Plot

Megan has left her marketing job because she didn't like the changes the company was undergoing. She travels to her sister's home to celebrate Christmas. While there, she gets an opportunity for a new job but must demonstrate her passion for cooking and baking by producing a video showcasing her skills. Her niece suggests she reach out to the local baker, Aaron, who runs his own baking vlog. She manages to enlist his help in exchange for assisting him with marketing his bakery and the charity work he is involved in.

Short review

A good romantic film without any major drama. Everything flows relatively smoothly, with feel-good vibes and all that comes with it.

Plot

Rick's girlfriend's father, who is also his boss, wants Rick and his daughter to travel to Rick's hometown to secure a deal that essentially involves transforming the entire town into a resort. Rick hopes to make a quick visit and then head to a secret location where he plans to propose to his girlfriend. However, it turns out that the opposition to the deal is being led by his ex-girlfriend, Lisa. To make matters worse, their car breaks down when they try to leave, leaving them stranded in the town. Slowly, Rick begins to see how negatively the changes will impact the town.

Short review

We have seen better versions of this storyline. Here, the town's residents don't actually seem that opposed to the city's changes; instead, their focus is more on Rick and Lisa getting back together. A generally anti-progress film (it fails to portray the changes as terrible enough for the story to work).

Plot

Riley has just successfully carried out a downsizing and is then sent off to Vermont to shut down a factory within the company that manufactures outdoor clothing. She is hesitant about the assignment, as it is just before Christmas, but she travels there to see how she can liquidate the assets. At the factory, the employees assume she is there to save the business, but the CEO, Wyatt, believes he can handle it on his own. Riley enlists the help of the factory’s retired founder when Wyatt proves reluctant. However, she soon starts to wonder whether the factory might be saved after all.

Short review

It's not exactly bad, but there are better films with the same plot.

Plot

It's the first Christmas since Kate took over the Santa school from her father. With help from her sister, she is now trying to keep it alive. At their biggest competitor, Dan works—a man who once had a date with Kate, but she wants nothing to do with "the enemy."

Now, Dan gets fired just before the Christmas season. He takes the opportunity to seek out Kate and offer his services. At first, Kate refuses, but when he hints at a chance to win the important Santa school competition—which Kate has always lost—she decides to give him a chance.

Short review

This film is made for those of us who have seen many romantic Christmas films – in that case, it becomes really funny. It is full of film references (not just to romantic films), and perhaps the funniest part is Paul Campbell playing himself in a small role, with several nods to other similar films in which he has starred.

Plot

Andie runs a Christmas decoration business that she hopes to take to the next level. She has now landed a major assignment with an investment brokers family to decorate their villa and plan their Christmas activities. The family is going away on a short trip, and Andie arrives to decorate before they return. However, upon arrival, she discovers that the house is not empty—there is also a handyman, Mason, on-site, taking care of the property. Now, Andie must prepare everything while Mason carries out repairs. Mason has a grumpy attitude towards Christmas, making the task even more challenging, all while they both struggle with personal issues of their own.

Short review

A good romantic film, slightly better than I expected. They did a great job portraying how both characters hide their respective personal issues and how they are eventually revealed.

Plot

Emma lives with her adopted daughter, Lily. As Christmas approaches, they visit a department store to buy gifts for charity. In the children's section, there is an opportunity to submit wishes to Santa, and the best wish wins a prize for a chosen charity. Lily writes a wish for Emma to find true love by Christmas.

Zach works at the department store, and the competition was his idea. When he reads Lily’s wish, he and his colleague think it’s so good that it deserves to win. Now, Emma is swept into a whirlwind as the department store, under great publicity, arranges dates for her— all organised by Zach.

Short review

The film delivers a good romantic story that is at times quite amusing (in a more subtle way). It also has a proper ending, meaning it doesn’t just stop at the first kiss. The fact that it didn’t get a five might mainly be due to Emma not reacting more strongly to her daughter’s wish – but perhaps I should have overlooked that?

Plot

The board of Nora's company wants her to write a series of articles about using a dating app and finding love by Christmas. The goal is to retain existing readers while also attracting a new audience. Nora is completely against the idea, but under the threat of losing her job, she feels forced to go through with it. However, she plans to make up the entire story to avoid actually doing it. Then she discovers that the chairman of the board has hired photographer Jack to follow her during the activities. Now, she has no choice but to go through with them—under Jack's watchful eye.

Short review

In terms of production, it holds a fairly decent quality, but it falls short on two points. Firstly, the entire plot is quite silly, like a board would subject an experienced CEO to this. The second problem is Teri Hatcher's age. I don't have a problem in principle with an older woman falling in love with a younger man, but pretending in the film that she and her surroundings are essentially of the same age just seems ridiculous. She is eight years older than Dan Payne. If they had made a point of this, it might have worked.

Plot

Ashlyn tvingas följa med sin styvmamma och sina halvsyskon till Karibien till styvmammans bröllop med en ny partner. Hon har egentligen inte tid då hon måste ta ledigt från både jobb och studier. Det är dock viktigt för styvmamman att visa upp en hel familj (på ytan) inför bröllopet. När hon kommer dit träffar hon brudgrummens son, Noah, som hennes halvsyster gör allt för att snärja. Det blir en utmanande vecka där mycket går ut på att hålla uppe skenet men mycket är som tidigare. Men Noah verkar mer intresserad av Ashlyn än hennes syster.

Short review

Maybe not a solid 4, but in some ways, it holds up. Perhaps worth watching, but if you're looking for a romantic Cinderella story, I’d rather recommend Not Cinderella's Type.

Plot

Fashion designer Grace is persuaded to spend Christmas with her mother and sister in their old cottage. When she arrives, she discovers that her mother has hired Luke as a handyman to fix up the cottage. But who is Luke really?

Short review

For once, a royal from an unknown African country rather than an unknown European one. But it doesn't help—this film is a complete disaster. Terrible quality all the way through.

Plot

When the company she works for not only ends its collaboration with the small alpaca farm but also dismisses her idea of locally produced sweaters made from alpaca wool, Jess resigns. She sets her sights on a competition where the prize is a major design contract. She travels to the alpaca farm that her company abandoned to try and convince the owner, Andrew, to form a partnership for the competition. Andrew flatly refuses, but Jess accidentally stumbles into Andrew's sister's shop. When his sister hears about the situation, she tags along and persuades Andrew. Now, a tough job begins to get their entry ready in time for the competition.

Short review

Maybe a bit too polished, but as an average romantic film, it holds up.

Plot

Valerie runs the family's maple syrup farm with her father, where she also makes a highly regarded ice cream. When she goes to the bank to apply for an investment loan to enable her to localise the entire production chain for the ice cream, she is shocked to learn that the bank has found that all the land surrounding the farm has been owned by a mysterious old company called D since 1946. She must now find out who the true owner of the land is, and if it is not her and her father, they risk losing everything. She is aided in her search by the doctor and veteran, Walker, who has an interest in history.

Short review

A very good and well-composed romantic Christmas tale, where one simultaneously follows what happened to Valerie's grandparents, particularly her grandmother, during the Second World War while searching for the mysterious D. The film ends in a true feel-good extravaganza.

Plot

When children's book author Sara's grandmother is admitted to the hospital and then sent home to Sara's parents with orders to take it easy, Sara's father persuades her to come home a little earlier for Christmas. Sara is reluctant, as she and her mother have a tense relationship. Once home, her grandmother asks her to complete a list of Christmas chores with her mother. Believing that her mother is dying, Sara’s mother is suddenly very keen to go along with her wishes. Before long, Sara finds herself working through the list with her mother, despite their differences. Meanwhile, her grandmother's house doctor, Brandon, also enters the mix.

Short review

It's a bit funny to see this right after A Novel Christmas, which also revolves around a children's book author. It seems to be a profession with star status. However, this film is much better, so if you have to choose between the two children's book authors, go with Sara. It also actually features a Christmas tree theft.

Plot

Children's book author Chloe concludes her book signing tour in her hometown, where she plans to stay with her family over Christmas. The signing takes place at the local bookshop, run by Ethan. Ethan's daughter is a huge fan of Chloe, but Ethan barely knows who she is. His daughter arranges a magnificent welcome for Chloe, and they form a strong bond as the girl also dreams of becoming a writer.

At the same time, Chloe wants to move on and write a novel as her next book. However, her publisher insists that she continue with children's books. As Chloe gets to know Ethan better, she suddenly finds herself torn between her career and the possibility of a new life in her hometown.

Short review

On the surface, a relatively generic romantic story, but I felt there was a bit too much focus on angels and church elements for it to truly take off.

Plot

Elsie struggles with Christmas after having spent her entire childhood forced to help her parents sell Christmas trees in New York. This year, she also loses her job just before the holidays. When her father injures his foot and she has no job to fall back on, she is left with no choice but to help with the Christmas tree sales once again. However, this year, the shop outside which they have been selling trees since the very beginning has changed ownership, and the new owner wants them gone. A battle ensues. In the midst of it all, teacher Darren starts showing up at the Christmas tree stand suspiciously often.

Short review

It delivers a good romantic story, although one might feel that the ending comes a bit too easily.

Plot

Danielle is home for Christmas to help plan her sister’s wedding. She meets Trevor in town when his dog drinks her coffee, and she thinks he should have kept better control. It later turns out that Trevor, who is a firefighter, is the best man at the wedding, and he and Danielle end up spending a lot of time together—including when they have to solve a muffin crisis before the big day.

Short review

Here’s a bunch of people who have watched loads of romantic films and thought, "That looks easy," then gone ahead and packed in all the typical elements. The problem is, they haven’t realised that the actors actually need to be able to act, and the film needs to be edited with feeling.

Plot

When Jodie’s boyfriend and co-host on the TV show once again talks over her live on air, she becomes so angry that she throws a glass of water over him. This leads to her being fired. However, there is a small chance she could get her job back if she finds a good story. To get away for a while and find a story, she heads to the family’s house in Montrose. It turns out, however, that William is living there after being forced to sell his house to afford his mother’s cancer treatment. Now, Jodie must live with William while searching for a story to get her job back.

Short review

Poor quality throughout the entire production. You don’t need to lose any sleep over having missed this film.

Plot

Olivia, a journalist, has been looking forward to an interview with the mayor. Instead, she is assigned to do an exposé on Mistletoe Match, a dating company. Not only does she have no interest in dating, but she doesn’t want the assignment at all—though a promotion might be at stake.

At the event, she meets Thomas, who has been persuaded by a good friend to take part, even though he doesn’t want to date either. After a few encounters, they agree to pretend to "hit it off" to avoid the other participants. But as things start to shift between them, how can Olivia deliver a critical report without exposing Thomas?

Short review

A typical romantic film set in the dating industry. It does what it’s supposed to and, of course, is quite predictable, but delivers the feel-good factor as expected.

Plot

We follow three different time periods unfolding in the same house across different generations. The first, set in 1960, revolves around Eli and Penny, who are hosting Eli's father over Christmas after he has injured his hip and needs to stay with them. The second takes place in 1998 and follows Regina, who is spending Christmas alone but encounters trouble with her water pipes. After struggling to find a plumber—which is nearly impossible over the holidays—construction worker Nelson shows up after hearing about her problem. The third is set in 2015 and follows Jessie, who suddenly finds herself having to plan her sister’s wedding on Christmas Eve at her home. Among the guests is Pastor Tim, whom Jessie once dated during her college years.

Short review

I was about to give this film a lower rating because the three parallel storylines make it very messy. And even though it remains a bit disjointed, you get into it after a while, and it turns out to be fairly good in the end.

Plot

On her way home from work one day, Mia comes across a stray dog, and despite her intentions, the dog follows her home. The next day, she tries to take it to a dog shelter, but the owner, Max, has no room for it and bluntly refuses. However, one of the shelter's dogs takes a liking to Mia’s dog, and when they happen to meet on a walk, Mia, who works as a web editor, films them and posts the video online. The clip goes viral, and her boss wants more. Mia must convince Max to let the dogs meet, which could provide much-needed publicity for the shelter. In return, he agrees to show Mia, who is new in town, around.

Short review

As a romantic story, this works well. It's a bit fun to see Jessica Lowndes (Mia) in a role that isn't quite as polished as usual.

Plot

Eve, who became a star as a child, needs to get away before Christmas to avoid any more viral blunders. She borrows her sister’s house, but when she arrives, she discovers that stuntman Ace is there to dog-sit. Now, Eve wants to get rid of him as quickly as possible, and to do so, she must help him win back his ex-girlfriend.

Short review

No, I never really got into this film. A bit low-budget and too stereotypical.

Plot

John lost his wife five years ago and has completely focused on work ever since. However, every year he travels to Keestone Resort to celebrate Christmas alone. He and his wife used to do this, and he keeps the tradition alive without her.

Madelyn works at Keestone, where she bakes cookies, among other things. When John tastes them, he thinks Madelyn should take her cookies to a national level.

At the same time, John's assistant arrives, as they are trying to secure a major deal before Christmas.

Short review

Low-budget trash all the way through.

Plot

Victoria lives with her daughter, who has Down's syndrome. She is trying to make ends meet as a vlogger, but the situation is tough since her ex-husband, a musician with big dreams, left her without support. Now she has a new neighbour, Gavin, who comes from New Zealand. He has chickens and a rooster and is also renovating his house, which disrupts Victoria’s vlogging. However, Victoria's daughter soon begins to befriend Gavin, which makes Victoria uneasy, as Gavin is also a musician, and her experiences with musicians have not been positive.

Short review

A film that initially gives off some low-quality signals but improves over time. Overall, it’s a good romantic movie that delivers what it should. The theme involving a daughter with special needs is not overdone but works well too.

Plot

Andrea is working on the final book in her successful series when the last chapter leaks, and her fans are upset that she lets one of the main characters die. To escape the uproar, she travels to the family home in her old hometown to find some peace and quiet and finish the book. She is surprised to find Seth, her boyfriend from college, temporarily using the comforts of the house while building a new one for himself. Much of the town burned down in an accident a few years ago, and Seth is deeply involved in helping the community rebuild.

Short review

A good romantic film among many. It features plenty of feel-good moments and just the right amount of tension-building misunderstandings. A strong emphasis on acts of kindness.

Plot

Michelle's sister is losing her home and needs a new place to live for herself and her daughter. Michelle, who approaches life with unbridled optimism, reads about a boy who, over two years, traded his way up from a rubber band to a house. Inspired, she decides to trade her Christmas stocking all the way up to a house for her sister. She posts a request on social media to start the trading chain. This catches the attention of the local newspaper, and journalist Dan is reluctantly assigned to cover the story. He seeks out Michelle, who is adamant that the story should not be published, especially if it reveals who the house is for. However, Dan persuades her, promising not to disclose that particular detail. Before long, Dan finds himself getting involved in the trading venture as well.

Short review

Perhaps not particularly remarkable at first glance, but I was soon captivated by Michelle's (Italia Ricci) unabashedly positive drive and determination. The plot is well-written, and the film exudes plenty of feel-good energy.

Plot

Since they were young, Sarah and Nick have been building a snowman every year, meant to represent Sarah’s dream guy. This tradition has continued over the years while Sarah has started and ended a series of relationships, never feeling like they were quite right. This year, she has recently gone through another breakup when she and Nick build a snowman again. This time, the snowman gets her mother’s scarf, the one her mother wore when she met Sarah’s father. The next day, the snowman is gone, but a man named Cole appears with the found scarf. He meets all of Sarah’s criteria for the perfect boyfriend, and the two begin a romance. Nick, who secretly has feelings for Sarah, can only watch from the sidelines.

Short review

The concept of snowmen coming to life is not unique, and it doesn’t work well here either. The film would have been fine if Cole had been a real person, but this just feels mostly ridiculous.

Plot

Christina is fired for expressing her opinion about the artist the company wants for the charity event they are planning. She makes a wish that everyone could say what they truly desire, and the next morning, it partially comes true when she notices that everyone involuntarily reveals what they really want for Christmas presents. She meets Robert, a real estate agent struggling to give his son the best Christmas he can, as he has to break the news afterwards that they are moving to California. When Robert realises Christina’s ability, he persuades her to use it to find out what his son whishes. In return, he promises to connect her with an artist who could help her get her job back.

Short review

No, this plot doesn't hold up. Besides, they exaggerate the moment when people reveal what they truly wish for at Christmas.

Plot

Dallas is working hard to get into CalArts' dance programme, following in her mother's footsteps. Drayton has his sights set on getting into a specific college as a quarterback, driven relentlessly by his father. Drayton takes notice of Dallas while she performs as a cheerleader for the school’s football team, but she is completely dismissive of him. She finds him arrogant and hopeless, and she’s entirely focused on achieving her own goal. However, Drayton doesn’t give up, and over time, Dallas begins to see other sides of him that are more appealing. Despite everything, a romance starts to blossom. But their ambitions are worlds apart, and many obstacles stand in their way.

Short review

I thought this would be more of a collage film, but it actually picks up. Drayton is annoyingly arrogant at the beginning and should never have made it past the starting line, but somewhere along the way (without me really noticing), he becomes more humble. It turns into a good film in the end.

Plot

The single mother Neve works as a cleaner at an upscale hotel. One day, a colleague convinces her to try on an elegant dress that arrived with the luggage of a guest who has yet to check in. By chance, Prince James happens to pass by at that very moment, and to cover up what they’re doing, Neve's friend introduces her as an influential philanthropist. Soon, Neve becomes more deeply entangled in the situation as James insists that she show him around New York and introduce him to the play she is helping to produce. The charade becomes increasingly difficult to maintain, leading to an inevitable and awkward revelation.

Short review

Another prince from an unknown European country, and it doesn't work this time either. The fact that they've also blatantly stolen the plot from the film Maid in Manhattan does not help matters either. However, it's not entirely worthless but not half as good as the original.

Plot

Ethan is struggling to become a writer, but his publisher doesn't think he's ready. One day, he’s sitting in a café where Jesse works. They start talking, and it ends with him getting her phone number. They begin dating, and their romance blossoms. At the same time, Ethan's writing takes off, and a new story starts to take shape. However, there’s something Jesse isn’t telling him, and when Ethan finally proposes, she says no. But why?

Short review

In this plot, they build tension by making it seem like Jesse is dating two guys, Ethan and Troy. If you know what I’m about to reveal from the start, I think the film becomes even better. SPOILER ALERT: Everything that happens with Troy is actually what Ethan is writing about in his new book, meaning it’s not real. Jesse’s reason for hesitating is something entirely different. The film would have benefited from being upfront about this from the beginning, as her reason is serious enough. However, the movie is very good, combining romance with a feel-good vibe.

Plot

The company Gracie works for has purchased a plot of land to build a hotel in Happy Hollow. However, when she reviews the plans, she realises that there are five very small parcels of land in the middle of the site. The entire project is now at risk unless they can also secure these small land rights. She travels to the town to sort it all out. It turns out, however, that finding the owners of these parcels isn’t so straightforward. Soon, she has to enlist the help of the local historian, Jack, to track down the owners and convince them to relinquish their land rights.

Short review

The film is like most romantic stories. It doesn't really offer any unique angles, and the plot itself is a bit weak. One could also question the film's title; she's definitely not on holiday in Happy Hollow. But then there are at least two other titles it's been released under as well…

Plot

Abby is known for her role as Gabriella Grace from a TV series where she played a wholesome mother offering advice to her viewers. Although the series has been cancelled, she remains just as popular. When she learns that her ex-husband, who was also her co-star on the show, is getting married and expecting a child, she is completely taken aback. To make matters worse, she gets into a conflict with a shop owner, and the incident is filmed and goes viral. To escape the chaos, she decides to go on holiday to Vermont, but it turns out her hotel booking was incorrect, and she ends up staying at a small inn run by Tom.

Short review

The film holds up as a good romantic movie. Some might find Tom's character a bit overly nervous and clumsy, but it’s something one can overlook.

Plot

The company Juliet works for needs a new product to launch before Christmas to attract more visitors to their online sales. In search of inspiration, Juliet goes for a walk and ends up in Tom’s candle shop. Tom makes and sells handcrafted scented candles. Juliet gets the idea that this could be exactly the product the company needs for Christmas. She convinces Tom to develop products they can launch and becomes actively involved in the process, spending quite a bit of time with Tom and his daughter.

Short review

The concept of scented candles as a revolutionary product meant to turn the company’s sales figures around feels rather far-fetched. The film is like most others and doesn’t stand out in any way. It’s simply not good enough.

Plot

When Rose is faced with the ultimatum of losing her job if she attends her mother's funeral, she chooses the latter. She travels with her teenage daughter back to her childhood town. There, she confronts a life she left behind over a decade ago following her marriage. She soon realises that her best friend is still there, along with Everett, who attended the same school. It also turns out that her mother made a blueberry jam that was beloved throughout the town, and before long, Rose finds herself making her mother’s recipe to raise money for those in need. Amidst it all, her ex-husband also turns up to try and benefit from Roses new situation.

Short review

This is a film that gives off low-budget vibes, and I initially expected the plot and acting to match. However, it turned out to be really good if you can overlook some flaws in the production quality. The story develops nicely with feel-good moments, romance, and a significant dose of strong female characters. The ending alone is worth the whole film. If it weren’t for the production quality, I would have rated it a 6. It’s definitely worth watching.

Plot

Elara is attempting to establish an exchange programme with a school in France, but she needs to convince the school board to allocate funds. She has invited Gabriel from the French school to help persuade the board. However, it turns out that he has misunderstood the situation and believes the programme is already approved and finalised. The first students from France are already booked and set to arrive at Christmas. Elara, who had planned for this to take place next year, now faces a challenging task to resolve the situation. Meanwhile, her sister gives her 12 challenges to complete before Christmas, designed to push her out of her comfort zone.

Short review

A relatively generic romantic story. It doesn't quite take off and leaves somethings to be desired.

Plot

Princess Violet of Wingravia is destined to become queen one day, but she struggles with the many obligations that come with her role as a princess. Her mother, the queen, is worried that Violet may not be fit for the responsibilities of a queen and believes they might need to find another ruler. Violet's uncle suggests sending her to an American military-style boot camp to learn leadership skills. She agrees to go and ends up in a group of various celebrities who are also there for training. The camp leader, Ryan, takes on the challenge of managing this disparate group, who find it quite difficult to embrace the rules and training programme.

Short review

Stories about royalty in unknown European countries are plentiful, and they are rarely good. This one is among the worst of them. Not only is the backdrop of a kingdom where a goat selects the Christmas tree of the year ridiculous, but the military boot camp is equally absurd. It resembles a summer camp more than a military training facility. The entire film falls flat.

Plot

Grace and her best friend Olivia, who is married to her brother, run an interior design firm together, where her brother also works. Grace is also casually dating Quinn, albeit half-heartedly. As Christmas approaches, their former schoolmate Ryan returns to town to handle his grandmother's house, which he plans to sell. However, the town's mayor wants them to revive the charity event his grandmother used to host and promises Grace more commissions if they take on the task of decorating Ryan's house for the event. Old feelings resurface as Grace and Ryan are forced to work together, while Olivia frantically tries to hang mistletoe all over town to encourage a potential romance.

Short review

The film turned out to be better than I feared when I saw the movie poster. It's a decent romantic story that holds up all the way through. No surprises, but good.

Plot

Sarah and Steve both have their birthdays on Christmas Day, which meant they missed out on traditional birthday celebrations. Over the years, they've made up for it by celebrating Christmas together in ways that also acknowledge their birthdays. Now grown up, Sarah works in marketing, and Steve has moved away to work as a veterinarian. However, this Christmas, Steve is moving back to town to take over a local practice and gets help from his friend Sarah. Will their friendship blossom into something more?

Short review

A real dud of a romantic film. A low-quality production with a flimsy plot interspersed with pointless segments featuring real people talking about the challenges of having a birthday at Christmas. Worst of all is Todd Thomas Anderson. In the first scene as an adult, when he calls Sarah, I thought he was hiding something serious because of his nervous laugh. It turns out this wasn’t part of the story but rather Todd’s normal laugh—a nervous chuckle he maintains throughout the entire film. Awful.

Plot

Charlotte is the mayor of one of four cities, connected by a railway network, that used to celebrate Christmas together. However, this tradition ceased a few years ago. When Charlotte's son, Benny, learns about it from his substitute teacher, Zackary, he wants to see it revived. Meanwhile, the cities are under threat from a development plan that the state governor is pushing them to accept. Charlotte sees an opportunity to counter the governor’s plans by rekindling the collaboration between the cities. It’s not an easy task, as she must convince the other mayors, but she receives valuable support from Zackary.

Short review

No, the entire story feels a bit contrived and at times somewhat ridiculous. It becomes so trivial that you might as well skip it. It’s worth noting that one of the main attractions in the film is the steam locomotive pulling the train, but on the film poster, they’ve depicted a diesel locomotive. Careless.

Plot

After losing her mother, her father takes her to her grandfather Tom's farm to spend the summer at his horse ranch. On the farm, Blake, who is the same age as Joy, usually helps out. After a while, Aiden also appears, and soon Joy finds herself in a love triangle. At the same time, Joy struggles with the loss of her mother.

Short review

A total low-budget film with poor quality all around. This is a film you should be glad you haven’t seen.

Plot

Cara and her daughter Megan are hosting Cara's ex-husband, Megan's father, and his new girlfriend over Christmas. It's a slightly unusual and not entirely comfortable arrangement. Megan writes a letter to Santa asking for her mother to find a boyfriend by Christmas, and the letter blows away, ending up at the town bakery where it's photographed and goes viral. This is picked up by Chet at the local TV station, who tracks down Cara to do a report. The situation escalates as he encourages Cara to start dating some of the people who write to her after the report. Eventually, Cara agrees to this. However, finding someone suitable proves to be more challenging than expected.

Short review

Perhaps not flawless, but it still received a rating of 4. It holds up as an average romantic film, even though it has some flaws.

Plot

The property lawyer Sophie learns that she has inherited her uncle's maple syrup farm and quickly heads there to arrange the sale of the property. It turns out that she has inherited 60% while her childhood friend, Sam, has inherited the remaining 40%. He is a screenwriter and travels around in his trailer with his dog. Although Sophie holds the majority, she wants them to jointly decide what to do. There are people connected to Sophie's job who want to buy the property and fully exploit it, but both Sophie and Sam do not want the house to be demolished nor the maple syrup business to cease.

Short review

It seems there’s something special about maple syrup, which is so common in these films. This movie delivers romance and feel-good vibes on the theme that large corporations are something evil that threatens tradition.

Plot

Tory loses her job as a lawyer just before Hanukkah, something she wants to keep hidden from her family. Her grandmother tasks her with finding a specific brand of Hanukkah candles, and during her search, she meets Jay, who is in New York to persuade his grandfather to move to the family home in Florida. They both end up at Rocky's Bar, a place Jay's grandfather frequents. The bar is short-staffed, and Tory steps in as a bartender for the day to help out. One day turns into several, and Tory comes up with the idea for the bar to celebrate Hanukkah, naming the event "Hanukkah on the Rocks." As she and Jay get to know each other better, the question remains: how long can she keep her job loss a secret from her parents?

Short review

A well-told romantic story with Hanukkah as its theme. It develops nicely, delivers plenty of feel-good moments, and even includes a little side romance. It's also fun that it takes place entirely in New York City rather than in a small town. There's almost a "Cheers" vibe to it (but better).

Plot

The widower Ben lives with his daughter, Annie, and makes a living creating ice sculptures. For Christmas, Annie wishes for a life-sized ice sculpture of a princess, and Ben crafts one for her in their yard. That evening, Annie wishes that the princess could be real and become a good friend to her lonely father. Ben is also persuaded to accept a commission to create a large ice sculpture to be delivered to the town’s Christmas celebration. He hesitates, as the client is somewhat unreliable, but after receiving half the payment in advance, he decides to take the job. Meanwhile, the ice princess disappears, and Annie encounters a bewildered Jade in the forest. Her wish has come true—but how will she explain this to Ben?

Short review

No, the plot is too fairy tale-like. Of course, the concept of an ice sculpture coming to life is far-fetched, but the idea that said figure, which has simply materialised out of nowhere, could form the basis for a long-term relationship is too much.

Plot

Colbie is an interior designer, and as Christmas approaches, a client specifically requests her to decorate a house for a prestigious Christmas gala. If she succeeds with this assignment, it could mean a promotion to partner at the firm where she works. The client wants her to collaborate with the house's property manager, Ben, to plan the design. Colbie has encountered Ben before and found him intriguing, but he soon proves to be overly traditional and struggles to accept Colbie's ideas. It becomes a challenging task to persuade Ben while Colbie tries to uncover why she was specifically requested for this project.

Short review

A relatively ordinary romantic film that delivers what it should and turns out well with a happy ending after the usual twist in the tale.

Plot

Charlotte and Austin were in love in their youth, but class differences and Austin's father's expectations led them to take separate paths in life. Now, Charlotte and her two brothers return to settle the inheritance of their late aunt and the chairmanship of the family corporation, a position all three of them desire. Charlotte also brings her son, who remains withdrawn after the loss of his father. Austin has also returned and now serves as the steward of the family estate. Without warning, Annie Merkel appears, claiming she has been entrusted by the aunt to handle the sale of all belongings. She possesses an uncanny ability to know exactly what is needed in various challenging situations.

Short review

The film works excellently as a feel-good romantic Christmas tale. One could have managed just as well without Merkel's magical bag, which might be questioned a little too little in the film, but that can be overlooked. It is better than the older Mrs. Miracle films.

Plot

Tiffany heads to the Christmas celebration fully determined to confess her love to her childhood friend Brett. However, she’s caught off guard when Brett shows up with his girlfriend. Seeking solace at the bar, she meets Peter, who’s also there hoping to win back his ex-girlfriend—only to discover she now has a new boyfriend. Tiffany then comes up with a plan: she and Peter will pretend to be a couple to make their respective soulmates jealous and win them back. Peter reluctantly agrees to the idea and joins Tiffany, being introduced as her new boyfriend. And so, the circus begins.

Short review

This film is occasionally a bit overacted, and I thought it might be too much, but it actually picks up and turns out to be quite decent. A funny detail is that the bartender and Tiffany's sister in the film actually point out how everything resembles the plot of a romantic movie, and they therefore predict how things will unfold.

Plot

Rebecca has a hectic Christmas season in her shop where she sells wreaths. One morning, on her way to work, she slips on the stairs at home. Her neighbour, Jason, happens to pass by, and despite Rebecca insisting on going to her shop, he takes her to the hospital, where it turns out she has injured her elbow. This poses a significant problem, as a large part of her business depends on sales during the festive season. Rebecca tries to hire extra help but can't find anyone suitable for the job. Then Jason stops by the shop, and when he realises the challenge, he offers to help during the hours he’s not needed at his family’s bakery.

Short review

This film is rather clumsily executed, and the acting performances (as well as the direction) leave somethings to be desired.

Plot

When Emily was young, her mother bought a farm, something Emily did not want, and as soon as she could, she moved away. Now her brother has taken over the farm, and he faces the challenge of organising the Christmas festival their mother hosted every year. He convinces Emily to, reluctantly, come and help him save their mother's tradition. Living on the farm is also Luke, an artist and a friend of Emily's brother, who has retreated there after his girlfriend and muse left him. He is doing his best to help out on the farm. Emily persuades him to create new artworks for the Christmas festival.

Short review

This film doesn't exactly offer any surprises, but it works well as a romantic movie.

Plot

Superstar Bowyn is at the peak of her career as an artist, while Drew's career as a professional football player is also thriving. For his niece's birthday, Drew gifts her tickets to a Bowyn concert. After the show, they go backstage, meet Bowyn, and snap a few selfies. Encouraged by his teammates and niece, Drew posts an invitation to meet up with Bowyn on social media. To Drew's surprise, Bowyn responds with a yes, and they secretly arrange a meeting, as their celebrity status could otherwise spark a media frenzy. The date goes well, and they both want to see each other again, but what will happen to their budding romance if it all comes into the spotlight?

Short review

I didn't have high expectations for this film, but it was a pleasant surprise. It wasn't quite as superficial as I thought it would be (don't get me wrong, it's not a deep drama). As a romantic tale, it works well.

Plot

Abby works as the communications manager at the prestigious Greenbrier Hotel. In the midst of all the Christmas preparations, professional footballer Ben shows up at the hotel. Their reunion is awkward, as Abby and Ben used to date during college, but their relationship ended abruptly when Ben left to pursue his football career. Abby is now a widow, and things are complicated further by the fact that her son idolises Ben. Abby tries to keep her distance, but her son wants to meet Ben, and Ben seems keen to reconnect with her. At the same time, rumours swirl about Ben and a famous actress.

Short review

As usual, I’m sceptical of films where they try to rekindle an old relationship, and they also let the resolution come far too late (I understand they want the dramatic effect, but that can be achieved without dragging it out ridiculously long). Despite this, it still turns out to be a good romantic story with all the feel-good vibes.

Plot

The publishing house where Sarah works is in desperate need of a new cookbook to stay afloat. When Sarah, who grew up in an Amish community, casually suggests the idea of an Amish cookbook, her boss sends her home for Christmas to develop one. Sarah hasn’t been home for years, having left the Amish life behind. Upon her return, she not only reunites with her family—where her sister runs a bakery—but also meets Dean and his daughter. Dean isn’t Amish but sought refuge in the Amish community after his wife died in a car accident. Sarah cautiously introduces the idea of creating a cookbook based on her family’s recipes.

Short review

As a romantic film, this one holds up well. The depiction of the Amish feels a bit more nuanced in this movie compared to others with the same theme. (And yes, it’s better than the poster suggests.)

Plot

Morgan leads a luxurious life, drifting aimlessly among the elite circles. However, as Christmas approaches, she is given an ultimatum by her aunt, who controls the family business and wealth. Morgan must achieve five specific goals before Christmas, or she will be cut off from all her resources and forced to fend for herself. She is assigned two representatives from the company to check on her, one of whom is Andrew. Now, she must manage without her wealth while accomplishing the five tasks—something she is far from prepared for. But after the initial shock, she is compelled to reevaluate her life. Andrew is there to ensure everything is done by the book.

Short review

On some level, this film might work as a romantic movie, but the plot becomes a bit ridiculous. Morgan's personality shift from a spoiled brat to a compassionate individual happens all of a sudden. The film mainly focuses on her deeds and less on the romance, which could be fine if only the romance had been more convincing. It could have played a role in her transformation for example.

Plot

Maggie's opening act gig is cancelled, and her manager advises her to go home for Christmas. She’s struggling to book performances and needs new material. In fact, he even gives her a phone loaded with music apps to inspire her, something she immediately dismisses. Meanwhile, Archer travels to the same town, wanting to relive the only Christmas he has fond memories of, spent with his parents and sister. He meets Maggie, who, upon realizing that he develops music apps, becomes hostile, as she believes such technology represents everything wrong with the industry.

Short review

This film is better than it sounds from the description, as it contains an additional dimension. Maggie and Archer come from very different backgrounds, and their interaction is about discovering new perspectives and finding new ways to tackle old habits, for both of them. It's a great story with plenty of feel-good moments.

Plot

Noah has arrived in town to demolish the old post office and build an office complex. However, he faces opposition, primarily from Tessa, a historian who is also deeply committed to preserving the post office. She temporarily manages to halt the construction, but at the same time, the residents vote for her to work with Noah to find a solution. Noah discovers a stack of old Christmas wish lists to Santa that had been left behind at the post office. To break the ice, he suggests that he and Tessa try to fulfil some of these old wishes. The process brings new insights to both of them.

Short review

As a romantic story, it works. They could have done more with the conflict between Tessa and Noah; it doesn't amount to much. The real highlight is perhaps the side romance between their friends rather than the main romance.

Plot

Dodi and her partner are about to open their new antique shop before Christmas. While preparing, Dodi cleans out a cabinet they recently acquired. In the cabinet, in a hidden compartment, she discovers a box filled with keepsakes from a romance long ago. Being a romantic at heart, she gets the idea to track down the owner of the box to see how their story turned out. In her search, she visits a street mentioned on an envelope found in the box, where she encounters Edward, who had passed by her shop earlier. He is in the process of renovating a house on the street, and soon he, too, becomes involved in the search.

Short review

This film didn’t engage me. The plot feels a bit contrived, and the romance comes across as not heartfelt.

Plot

Bella runs a clothing shop and hopes to expand her business. Duke Stefan arrives in the USA but has lost his luggage. On his way from the airport, he stops by Bella's shop to order some essential clothes. The following day, he realises he will need more and also a "plus one" for several events he is attending over the coming weeks. He hires Bella to solve both problems. She agrees, which has consequences not only for her business but also for Stefan's publicity.

Short review

A duke story, which means there is no need to invent an unknown kingdom in Europe. However, it does not rise above other prince stories for that reason.

Plot

Melanie's daughter, Jenny, who is autistic, had a bad experience at the last school dance. Now it's time for the final school dance before college, and Melanie wants to ensure it goes better than the previous one. To achieve this, she plans to make the dance more inclusive for children with special needs. She also wants this to be a surprise for Jenny. Melanie is supported and assisted by Jenny's literature teacher, Daniel. Meanwhile, Jenny and her best friends are secretly planning an alternative prom that suits them better. During the preparations, Jenny meets the school's new student, Will, who is also autistic.

Short review

This film does not depict severe autism, and it is, after all, a romantic film, not a drama. With that in mind, this is a very good and heart-warming movie. The autistic traits are certainly present and portrayed reasonably well, and Melanie's dedication to her daughter and growing interest in Daniel provide a good romantic framework.

Plot

Chelsea, once adopted, now works as a dance instructor. Guided by an old photograph of her relatively unknown mother, she embarks on a journey to the small kingdom of Havenshire in Europé in search of her roots and her mysterious father. Upon arriving, she wishes to visit the library, but the entire area is closed off due to preparations for the upcoming royal ball. However, the royal household is seeking a dance instructor to teach Prince Phillip the crucial waltz he must perform at the ball with the one he chooses to marry. Seeing an opportunity to access the library and uncover her roots, Chelsea accepts the assignment.

Short review

Another unknown kingdom in Europe and yet another subpar romantic film. It was released in 2024 but feels older. The whole thing has a very pastiche-like quality.

Plot

Desi's diner is in debt, and she feels compelled to sell her late father's old pickup truck—a tough decision. However, during the process, she discovers a cassette tape where her father has left a message and instructions for her to embark on a road trip and visit certain people along the way. Meanwhile, a man named Greyson appears, seemingly spying on Desi. When she is about to set off on her road trip, he asks to join her, claiming he has business at her destination. It turns into an intriguing journey where Desi learns more about her late father and discovers who Greyson truly is.

Short review

Quality-wise it's okay, but the plot feels a bit contrived at times, and the message about salvation is somewhat tiresome.

Plot

Luke's wife is going on a business trip, and at the same time, their son is preparing for the school’s annual Christmas show. Through a series of mishaps, Luke’s two brothers, Stephan and Taylor, soon get involved. When the school’s music teacher quits, they have to step in and try to save the show from impending disaster. Meanwhile, to the brothers’ dismay, their mother introduces her new boyfriend. In reaction to this, Taylor suggests they move back home for a few weeks. In reality, he wants to hide the fact that he has been evicted and needs somewhere to stay. During the show rehearsals, Taylor also meets Barbara.

Short review

This is the sequel to Three Wise Men and a Baby, and it’s not as good. However, it does include some funny moments and is fairly entertaining. This time, though, it’s just one new romance.

Plot

Anya's father lost his dog sledding championship title in an unfair way, but it also led to him meeting Anya's mother and moving from Finland. Anya grew up and, like her father, competes in dog sledding. Now, she has the chance to travel to Rovaniemi, Finland, to compete for the title her father once lost—and the person who took it from him is still the reigning champion. Anya heads there with her best friend, who acts as her equipment manager. During the qualifiers, her lead dog becomes exhausted, putting her participation in jeopardy. That's when journalist Cole steps in—he has a lead dog from his own sledding days and offers it to Anya.

Short review

It seems popular to make romantic films set in exotic countries; I'm waiting for one about Sweden. I hope it won’t be as weak as this one. If I were Finnish, I’d be quite upset about how Finland is portrayed. The actors playing Finns in this film are all Icelanders, which says a lot…

Plot

Alice and Max attended the same college but hardly spoke to each other until the last Christmas. Both are aiming for careers in theatre and film, but it’s tough. Alice takes on a side job at a catering company, and it turns out that the company is run by Max’s sister, with Max often helping out around Christmas. This way, they meet every year during the holidays and develop a friendship, even though their differing ambitions prevent it from turning into anything more, despite the connection between them. This continues over five years as their careers experience ups and downs.

Short review

I am generally sceptical of these actions where they meet once a year and yet develop something between them. However, this one holds up fairly well.

Plot

Avrey and Logan were a couple, but when Avrey moved away to focus on her education, Logan became so frustrated that their relationship ended quite dramatically. Ten years later, they each have a new boyfriend and girlfriend, and it's time to meet their parents for Christmas. To their surprise, they realise that their respective partners are siblings, and they will now have to spend Christmas in the same house. Avrey forces Logan to keep their past relationship a secret, as she's already facing challenges with her boyfriend's mother. It’s going to be an interesting week, with more secrets than one hidden away.

Short review

A somewhat crazy story that has its points and becomes entertaining and good. The big confrontation has several dimensions, and the film offers a good epilogue.

Plot

Mayor Brian discovers a wish list he wrote as a child. Suddenly, his wishes start coming true—he dances like Fred Astaire in the middle of town, receives his dream car as a loaner when his own breaks down, and more. Meanwhile, the town is under threat from a businessman planning to build new developments that would completely change its character. On top of all this, Nina, Brian's childhood crush, reappears in town.

Short review

A rather lousy story. I don't buy into mystical santas granting impossible wishes. The story just comes across as ridiculous and doesn't work.

Plot

Layla meets a charming man while waiting for a connection at the airport on Christmas Eve. They agree to meet one year later at a special concert if they are both still single. The following Christmas, Layla is single and decides to try to meet the man who could be her true love. The only problem is that the concert is sold out, and Layla can't get hold of any tickets. Her best friend suggests a concierge service that might be able to help. She gets in touch with Tedd, a concierge, who takes on the task, but Layla wants to be sure and joins him in the search.

Short review

A slightly different plot (nothing revolutionary, but still). Maybe not entirely cohesive, but it works as a romantic story and turns out quite well in the end.

Plot

Teacher Avery's sister signs her up for a national competition that combines physical activity with puzzle-solving. Avery initially refuses but is eventually persuaded to participate. Meanwhile, former hockey player Wes enters the same competition to gain some publicity. When the competition begins, it turns out that participants must compete in pairs, and Avery and Wes are teamed up. Neither of them is pleased, as they don’t particularly like each other. Now, they are forced to travel across the country, competing in various challenges while teams are eliminated one by one. Despite their differences, Avery and Wes manage to stay in the game.

Short review

I don't think the concept holds up. You don't really get a proper sense of the storyline. Perhaps it's partly because both Ashley Williams and Andrew W. Walker have been in so many films by now, most of which are better.

Plot

On a New Year’s Eve, Andi meets a man in a bar. He gives her a jingle bell, said to bring good luck, on the condition that she must pass it on once she has received her luck. She then loses sight of him in the crowd.

Many years later, Andi has become an intellectual property lawyer. One day, on her way to work, she calls a radio station and shares the story of what happened all those years ago. The story captivates the producer, and Jack, the host, is tasked with bringing Andi on the morning show to find others who have experienced good luck thanks to the jingle bell.

Short review

The story works as a romantic film, even though there's, of course, a bit of a fairytale quality to it. But then again, name a romantic film that doesn't have that.

Plot

Alana and her family have been devoted Kansas City Chiefs fans for generations. Over the years, their lives have revolved around the games, and Alana is, in a way, a product of this passion. This year, the title of Fan of the Year is up for grabs, and Alana and her family are doing everything they can to win the coveted honour.

At the Chiefs organisation, Derrick works in marketing and the fan club. He is tasked with getting to know the family and representing them within the club during the competition. However, things get off to a rocky start as he first encounters the family incognito and dares to question whether their "lucky hat" has really influenced the game results over the years.

Short review

Well, as a romantic story, it holds up. Perhaps one might think the family’s worship of the team gets a bit over the top, but they’ve still managed to handle it in a relatively decent way.

Plot

Audrey's grandmother used to track down lost items and find their rightful owners. After her grandmother passes away, Audrey, who is striving to make it as an artist in New York, returns home for Christmas. There, she discovers that her grandmother has left her a task: to find the owners of five rings before Christmas. The task also encourages her to seek help from her childhood friend, Finn, who now runs his late father’s private detective agency. Together, they begin the search and soon manage to locate one owner after another, but finding the owner of the final ring turns out to be more challenging than they anticipated.

Short review

Perhaps there isn't anything fundamentally wrong with the film, but I find the plot to be weak. Too much of it feels implausible. For example, the order in which they solve the five mysteries is crucial, particularly the last one, yet there’s nothing in the grandmother’s instructions that specifies the order in which they should tackle them. She only says the most important one should be last—but who decides which one is the most important?

Plot

Rose works as an interior designer in Chicago. When her brother, who is working on a project to renovate a house for the local council, faces budget cuts, he calls on Rose to help complete the project. Rose travels back home to Ohio to assist him, but this also means she has to work with her brother's business partner, Brysen. And if that weren’t enough, she discovers that Brysen is living with her brother and aunt, meaning she also has to share a bathroom with him—a real challenge since she doesn’t like him at all. There’s a lot to handle, and not just the construction project.

Short review

I think it was a good romantic film. It's clear that Rose and Brysen don't like each other at first, and it takes a while for the ice to break. The film also includes a side romance that might be a bit unexpected.

Plot

Harper works as a teacher but dreams of becoming an illustrator. When her sister, an editor, encounters problems with a children’s book author, Caleb, who has struggled to collaborate with any illustrator since his first partner left their project, Harper persuades them to give her a chance. They head off just before Christmas to work on the book, as Caleb faces a tough New Year’s deadline to deliver results or risk losing his entire contract. Harper tackles the challenge with her usual positive attitude, gradually getting Caleb to open up to new ideas.

Short review

A romantic film among many. It delivers what it’s supposed to in a fairly decent way, with a very enthusiastic Harper. Perfectly fine as a romantic film.

Plot

Every year, the town holds a competition to determine who writes the best Christmas letter. Settie always puts in a lot of effort, but her neighbour wins every time. This year, however, she comes up with the idea of hiring an author, Juan, to compose the letter. Juan is suffering from writer's block and reluctantly agrees to spend a couple of weeks with Settie's family for a change of scenery. When he arrives, he is mistakenly assumed to be Lily's boyfriend—Settie's daughter—who has just returned from a trip to Italy and is struggling to find her place in life. Now, the focus shifts to Juan getting to know the family so he can write the letter, all while his true identity must be kept secret from the rest of the town.

Short review

Quality-wise, it’s not particularly great; the plot is somewhat weakly executed, and the romance isn’t convincing. However, it does have its funny moments and, in some respects, it still works. But overall, it’s just a three.

Plot

Asha and Jake are old school friends who reconnect in the emergency room, where Asha works, after Jake has fallen and injured his wrist. They start dating, and a year later, Jake proposes to Asha. But then comes the challenge – Christmas – when they must visit each other's families. Asha comes from a Christian Indian home, and her father is very committed to a traditional Christmas celebration. Moreover, Jake hasn’t asked Asha’s father for her hand in marriage. Jake’s parents are divorced and lead very different lives. Amidst all this, Jake and Asha must navigate their way through the holiday season.

Short review

Even though the core romance is resolved relatively early in the film, it remains engaging, with much of the plot revolving around the differences between Asha's and Jake's families and how these differences may not be as significant or insurmountable as some might think.

Plot

Erin is struggling with writer's block as she works on her new book when her father persuades her to join him on a trip to Canada, where he plans to finally sell his old family home. Erin hopes the change of scenery will help her overcome her writer's block and give her a chance to see the northern lights. Through an old friend, her father has also hired a local guide, Trevor, who runs a small, locally-focused guiding business. Unfortunately, the conditions aren't right for the northern lights day after day, but Trevor offers plenty of other activities to explore. Both Erin and her father find themselves re-evaluating their perspectives.

Short review

A relatively straightforward and enjoyable romantic story that delivers as expected, with the anticipated outcome. Complete with computer-animated northern lights and all.

Plot

Mia is taken aback when she learns that her grandmother has sold the plot of land where the mill housing her woodworking workshop stands. However, her grandmother has been assured that they will be allowed to keep running the business. Mia is even more shocked when she discovers that the person coming to draft plans for the new hotel being developed on the neighbouring land is Brady, her college boyfriend who left her without explanation. Brady, too, faces challenges when he finds out that his company has no intention of honouring his promise to let the workshop remain and instead plans to demolish the mill.

Short review

I thought this movie would go off the rails since Chad Michael Murray usually comes across as rather insufferable and a bit superior type in most films he’s in. However, here he manages to tone that down, and you almost believe in his sincerity. The movie holds up as an average and fairly decent romantic film.

Plot

Beatrice isn’t much of a Christmas person and usually spends it quietly with her best friend Emilia. This year, however, Emilia has won a trip for two to Christmasland, a town entirely dedicated to traditional Christmas celebrations. After much persuasion, Beatrice finally agrees to go along, as she needs inspiration for an article her editor wants for the holiday season. Emilia is all set to fully immerse herself in the romanticised Christmas spirit, but the more sceptical Beatrice is paired with Ethan, the son of their inn’s owner, as her guide around the town. But what is real, and what’s just there to create the perfect Christmas atmosphere?

Short review

As a romantic Christmas movie, this works well, and even better if you’ve seen romantic Christmas movies before. They’ve made a thing out of the town being a spectacle, which means you can’t quite trust what’s real and what’s made up for the sake of the illusion.

Plot

The siblings Lindsey and Brad have been summoned to Scotland by their mother to celebrate Christmas. Having grown up in California, they don’t quite understand why their mother wants to celebrate Christmas in Scotland. Lindsey and Brad also have a somewhat strained relationship, and Brad’s marriage is facing some challenges as well.

When they arrive in Scotland, they find themselves at an estate where they will be staying. They assume their mother has booked it as a hotel, but there is an entirely different reason why they are meeting at this particular estate. The visit gives them cause to reflect on their lives and relationships, and Lindsey also meets Mac, the estate manager.

Short review

This received a six for its rich and romanticised depiction of Scotland (which holds a special place in my heart). The plot feels somewhat unique and is occasionally entertaining, with romance perhaps not taking centre stage. The family's decidedly complex challenges take precedence. However, the romance is present, and it is a film worth watching, especially if you have a fondness for Scotland.

Plot

The maritime archaeologist Bree is struggling to secure funding for her research, so when the opportunity arises to dive at a newly discovered shipwreck off the coast of Ibiza, she seizes the chance to present some exciting new findings. In the wreck, dating back to the mid-1800s, they discover several wine bottles that are still sealed. Bree wants to take samples to determine if the bottles originated from Ibiza, but they have been seized by the local authorities and placed under the custody of Ibiza's Wine Association. Bree contacts its chairman, Mateo, and convinces him to join her in uncovering the history of the wine.

Short review

A relatively mediocre romantic film with some weaknesses. I don't think you can be an archaeologist and watch this without being upset by all the improbabilities.

Plot

Violette travels to New York to participate in a Broadway musical, but when she arrives, she discovers that it has been canceled. Instead, she gets a job with her aunt’s friend, who runs a restaurant with singing staff. Alex is assigned to train her for the job. Alex’s cousin, Brad, is immediately smitten with Violette and asks Alex for help in dating her. Alex gets caught up in a charade to help Brad, who, with Alex’s assistance, manages to pique Violette’s interest. Meanwhile, the restaurant is planning a Christmas performance that could attract prominent Broadway producers, and Violette and Alex are tasked with creating the main act.

Short review

This is quite an entertaining movie, especially the dynamic between Alex and his enthusiastic and pushy cousin, which I think elevates the whole experience.

Plot

When Katie speaks her mind to a horse owner, he withdraws his support for their horse sanctuary. Now, they must raise money to save the operation. The next day, the horse owner’s son, Grant, comes to collect the horse at the center of the argument. He immediately recognizes his father’s misguided stance and tries to find a way to fix the situation. His idea is to organize a charity concert, but they need a major attraction to draw in funds. Katie’s grandfather is a famous bluegrass star, but he refuses to participate since he hasn’t performed since his wife passed away. Now they have to come up with another plan.

Short review

The movie might be somewhat okay, but in my opinion, it doesn't quite reach the average.

Plot

Lucy has just become a partner at the law firm where she works, achieving her long-term goal. However, it has come at the cost of friends and family. After celebrating her promotion alone, she takes a car-share home. But when she arrives, she discovers that it has taken her back to 1999. Suddenly, she’s a teenager again, and it’s the first Christmas after her father’s death. The driver informs her that everything she does will affect her future. Determined to hold on to her promotion, Lucy wants to avoid changing anything, but she’s forced to reconsider her decisions. And what about the boy next door, Matt?

Short review

As a romantic film, it's good. However, I'm a bit sceptical about the concept of traveling back in time and then returning to an alternate future. I also think they could have done more with her return. Still, it gets a four because it delivers on romance and feel-good vibes.

Plot

Abby is a skilled producer who is used to solving any crisis. Despite this, their morning show is struggling. To address the viewer crisis, the TV network brings in Mike, who hosts a show called The Ugly Truth, where he conveys a chauvinistic message that men only care about women's looks and sex appeal. This goes completely against Abby's values, and she sees the move as a disaster. However, the ratings improve, and she is forced to work with Mike, who also takes it upon himself to help Abby with a new boyfriend.

Short review

I consider this film a disaster. There are some half-hearted attempts to explain Mike's behaviour, but he still comes across as a major jerk, and if Abby were the woman she is portrayed as at the beginning of the film, she wouldn’t touch him with a ten-foot pole. The fact that Mike isn't forced to grovel and apologize is a complete failure.

Plot

Devon is schizophrenic, and his brother struggles with his illness. Life is a roller-coaster for Devon, and during a particularly rough period, he finds himself standing on the edge of a building, contemplating ending it all. However, before he makes a decision, he falls. When he regains consciousness, he is with Lucy, and they have an amazing day together. But the next day, she is gone. Devon becomes obsessed with reaching Sydney, where he believes she is, and disappears. His brother grows worried and tries to find him. The question is whether Lucy is real or just a figment of Devon's schizophrenic dreams.

Short review

I thought this movie was really good. It about a somewhat serious subject (even if it's in a romanticized way), and it's also difficult to determine what is real and what are Devon's hallucinations. However, the movie is worth watching, if not only for the resolution, where some things become clear, and the brother's reaction is priceless.

Plot

Caroline, through her boss at the interior decoration company, has been able to rent an apartment. She has just moved in when she starts being disturbed at night by her neighbour's activities. They bang on the wall so hard that a painting above her bed falls down. Caroline begins to observe who visits her neighbour and becomes upset by his promiscuous lifestyle. Caroline’s two best friends each find a new romantic interest, and as it happens, they are friends with Caroline’s new neighbour, Simon. Now, they start running into each other not only at home in the stairwell. But is Simon really as hopeless as he seems?

Short review

This one had a certain quality, and you get drawn into the story. It might be a bit more explicit at times compared to typical romantic films, but it makes for a good story.

Plot

Tina and her three best friends run a gift-wrapping shop. Ahead of Christmas, they sponsor a holiday gala, a very important event for the shop. However, it soon becomes clear that the venue for the event has been sold, and the new owners have canceled the booking. It turns out that the deal, which is not yet finalized, was made by Michael Alonzo, who also happens to be the same man Tina met while out shopping. She sets out to try to convince Michael to save the situation. His daughter also wishes that Tina could see Michael as more than just an obstacle, but Tina is scarred after being left at the altar by her ex-fiancé.

Short review

This is a movie in the Unwrapping Christmas series, which features standalone parallel storylines. It's quite fun to watch them together. However, I thought this one might go off the rails since Michael comes across as a pretty slimy character at the start. But the movie redeems itself as it progresses and ultimately lands at a four.

Plot

Olivia and her three best friends run a gift-wrapping shop. Just before Christmas and the shop's very important event, Olivia goes out to deliver presents they’ve wrapped. When she arrives, it turns out the only person home at the address is her ex-boyfriend, Benjamin. The rest of the family is away on a skiing trip. Their reunion is awkward, and Olivia quickly tries to drop off the presents. But as she’s about to leave, a snowstorm rolls in, closing the road. Now, she’s stuck in the house with Benjamin while the storm rages on. They are forced to confront and reflect on what happened between them four years ago.

Short review

This is a movie in the Unwrapping Christmas series, which features standalone parallel storylines. It's quite fun to watch them together. In this one, the story revolves around reconnecting with an old boyfriend—a topic I'm generally quite sceptical about. If it didn’t work the first time, why would it work now? However, they've managed to create a good romantic film, so it works.

Plot

Mia and her three best friends run a gift-wrapping shop. After her sister visits with her cat, Mia, being allergic to cats, goes to sleep on the shop's couch. In the evening, Beau notices the shop lights are on and knocks on the door, needing a gift wrapped. He reminds Mia of the hero from her favorite book. Later, Beau hires Mia to showcase her gift-wrapping skills at a book club hosted by his mother, where it turns out they belong to the wealthy Cavannagh family. It also becomes clear that Beau is engaged.

Short review

This is a film from the Unwrapping Christmas series, which features standalone, parallel storylines. It's quite fun to watch them together. In this one, as in the others, they've managed to create a good romantic story. Refreshingly, they avoid including a prince from an unknown European country, despite the title. I thought this was one of the better films in the series, though not quite enough to warrant a higher rating.

Plot

Lily and her three best friends run a gift-wrapping shop. She’s about to go on a date with one of the town’s most sought-after bachelors, Owen. Before that, however, she manages to squeeze in an interview with Sean, who wants to write an article about their gift-wrapping business. It turns out they attended the same university at the same time but never knew each other. The date with Owen goes so-so, but well enough to lead to a second date. Meanwhile, Sean has some follow-up questions regarding the article. Suddenly, Lily finds herself caught between two men, both intriguing in very different ways.

Short review

This is a movie in the Unwrapping Christmas series, featuring standalone parallel storylines. Quite fun to watch together. They've put together a good romantic story that works well, even if it's naturally rather predictable.

Plot

The successful food critic Halle's sister is getting married, and for the wedding, she wants Halle to meet the pediatrician Peter. However, just in time for the wedding, the catering provider breaks her leg and instead sends her brother Jamie. Jamie is a celebrity chef who has just been fired for refusing to allow food critics into his restaurant. Halle and Jamie, who have met once before, have completely different attitudes and immediately start bickering. But they also spend some time together as Halle tries to avoid her sister, who is stressed out with wedding preparations. Meanwhile, Halle also meets Peter, as her sister had planned.

Short review

A very good romantic movie that takes its time with the story and offers high quality in terms of plot, acting, and direction. It might not stand out with any major surprises, but as a romantic film, it works well.

Plot

The astronomy professor Celeste stays on campus over Christmas and sets her sights on participating in the annual quiz competition. When the team’s star player and also Celeste’s romantic interest drops out at the last minute, it so happens that the university’s new football coach, Max, steps in to join the team. This greatly annoys Celeste, as she dislikes sports and has no confidence that he can help the team. The quiz competition begins, and they face tough competition from a team of young contestants. Celeste focuses on preparing for the quiz as much as possible, while Max prefers to focus on team spirit.

Short review

This is a romantic story that delivers what it should without any surprises. It might teeter on the edge of a three, but it still ended up being a four.

Plot

Rose moves around and renovates homes, which she then sells. Her mother once visited Ireland and described it as the place where wishes come true. Inspired by this, Rose decides to buy a cottage there as her next project. However, when she arrives, she discovers it’s a real wreck and requires far more work than she had anticipated. On top of that, Sean, a jack-of-all-trades in the village and also its heritage conservation officer, has opinions about what Rose can and cannot do during the renovation. She dives into the work while getting to know the village, its visitors, and Sean.

Short review

A typical romantic story that works. However, one might question how she manages to completely renovate the cabin in such a short time.

Plot

Allie runs a café. Across the street, her rival—her cousin Marily—has her competing café. Now, Prince Henry is coming to town in search of the cake he remembers from a previous visit, which was the signature cake of Allie and Marily’s grandmother. He is looking for the perfect cake for his brother’s coronation. When he realizes that neither Allie nor Marily is willing to make the cake together, he announces a competition between the two to determine who will create the coronation cake. The rivalry between the cousins grows even fiercer, especially since Marily is willing to cheat her way to victory.

Short review

A story about a prince from an unknown country in Europé. Yes, you could pretty much guess in advance what rating this would get, and it didn’t surprise.

Plot

Ashley is fired from The Jinglebells on Broadway. Disappointed, she returns to her parents' home for Christmas. Once there, she realizes that her parents' club is struggling and that their debts threaten to force them to close down. Determined to save the club, Ashley takes action. Inspired by her sister's ex-boyfriend's line of work, she comes up with the idea to put on a male dance performance focused on sexy routines. She recruits local talent, including Luke, the carpenter who often helps out with repairs at the club.

Short review

This movie didn’t really appeal to me. I suppose I’m not exactly the target audience, but I also find it a bit hard to warm up to Chad Michael Murray, who often comes across as slightly cocky and arrogant, even though he does his best to tone it down in this film.

Plot

Sharon and Badi both come from immigrant Iranian families in Canada. However, their family backgrounds are very different, both in terms of social class and when they left Iran. Sharon's parents are very focused on her fitting into Canadian society, while Badi, who immigrated later, is still grappling with his ties to Iran. They happen to meet, and although they are initially wary of each other, they soon develop feelings and reconnect with their Persian culture. However, Sharon's family, particularly her father, is against her being in a relationship with someone like Badi.

Short review

This film might not focus on the romance as much as on how they struggle with their respective immigrant backgrounds. It's a very good film from that perspective, and I included it in this collection anyway since the romance is still present.

Plot

Hannah works for a bridal shop, but on the side, she runs her own business where she breathes new life into old wedding dresses that people want to reuse. Will wants to take over his father's company, which owns the shop where Hannah works. However, his father believes Will lacks experience in the industry and sets a condition: he must complete an internship on the shop floor to prove he understands the business. The internship takes place at the shop where Hannah works, and she becomes his mentor. Will immediately comes up with a lot of ideas, but it's clear he doesn't understand what he's gotten himself into.

Short review

A relatively straightforward story that delivers a good plot for a romantic movie. It can probably be considered fairly average, but it gets a slightly better rating because I like both Rhiannon Fish and Marcus Rosner and think they work well together in this film.

Plot

Amber, who runs an animal shelter, visits a military rehabilitation center with some of the shelter's dogs. There, she meets Caleb, who is working on rehabilitating his injured leg. A year later, Caleb is back in town after trying out a marketing job that wasn’t the right fit for him. Feeling a bit lost about what to do next, he stops by Amber’s animal shelter and asks if he can help out as a volunteer. Grateful for any help she can get, Amber immediately agrees. It doesn’t take long for Caleb to become deeply involved in the work and to bond with the dog Rex. His collaboration with Amber also leads to new insights.

Short review

The movie, and especially Eric Guilmette as Caleb, completely lacks depth and engagement. It falls rather flat, and the religious undertones certainly don’t help with the stiffness. A pity—it could have been something.

Plot

The TV station where Gwen works as a meteorologist is struggling and needs a boost to save their jobs. Gwen comes up with the idea that they should partner with a suitable charity to generate goodwill for the station. Lacking better options, the station manager agrees to the plan. Gwen happens to meet Adam, who runs a toy drive for Christmas, and convinces him to feature his charity drive on TV. The idea is that they will challenge viewers daily while promoting the charity campaign. However, it turns out to be more difficult than expected when Adam's very serious demeanor dampens Gwen's cheerful holiday spirit. But Gwen refuses to give up.

Short review

It has a certain charm that elevates it to a 4. I found Adam's ongoing relationship rather unclear, and his hockey-obsessed son can be considered a bit of a dud. However, the film is somewhat lifted by the positive Gwen and her old nanny.