Fix page - Page 2 - Romantic Movies

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.

The Merry Gentlemen

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.

Tehranto

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.

Team Bride

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.

Tails of Christmas

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.

Snowy with a Chance of Christmas

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.

Scouting for Christmas

Plot

Angela balances her life as a real estate agent and a single mother. Her daughter, Brooklyn, is active in the Scouts, and Angela tries to be a good mom by participating in their activities, although the Scout leader doubts her ability to do so. Meanwhile, Brooklyn visits the local bakery run by William daily. She likes William and hopes Angela take an interest in him. The Scouts are now planning a Christmas ball, and Angela and Brooklyn come up with the idea of having William's bakery as the event’s catering provider. Now they just need to convince the Scout leader together with William.

Short review

An average romantic movie where everyone, including the threats, ends up kind and happy in the end.

Resisting Roots

Plot

The yoga instructor Genevive has taken on the role of both sister and mother to her younger siblings after their parents passed away in an accident. She struggles to keep daily life on track while trying to provide the best opportunities for her siblings. Baseball player and playboy Trent is attempting to recover from an injury, and his coach forces him to attend yoga sessions to improve his conditioning. Reluctantly, he goes and ends up with Genevive as his instructor. He is instantly captivated and books numerous private lessons with her. They start dating, but can Genevive trust the womanizer Trent?

Short review

Pretty poor quality, unconvincing, and something I would rather describe as erotic romance movie.

Santa Tell Me

Plot

När hon är liten så skriver Olivia ett brev till tomten där hon önskar att få veta namnet på sin själsfrände. Nu är hon programledare i en serie där de renoverar hus och får reda på att hon får en ny producent, Chris, som är känd för ett annat liknande program som hon verkligen inte gillar. Dessutom vill de att hon som sista objekt i serien ska renovera upp sitt eget brandomshem. När hon kommer dit så hittar hon brevet till tomten men också med ett svar att hennes sanna kärlek heter Nick och att hon ska möta honom innan jul. Problemet blir dock att hon på kort tid möter tre stycken Nick som alla är attraktiva.

Short review

A good romantic story, perhaps a bit unusual since she's dating three guys at the same time. And of course, it ends the way it does.

Love in Focus

Plot

Jenna has just finished filming the final season episode of the crime series in which she plays the lead role. She is also romantically involved with the male lead, played by Trevor. However, she learns that the series is being canceled, which comes as a serious shock. Her agent, who is also married to her manager, offers her the use of their cabin for the weekend to escape the pressure. What they don’t know is that her manager has already promised the cabin to their son, Chris, a nature photographer. Jenna and Chris meet at the cabin and are forced to share the space.

Short review

Quality-wise, it doesn't hold up. It's like they haven't put in enough effort. It also falters, for instance, with the supporting character Trevor, who really doesn't work well. It's not entirely without its merits, but…

Jingle Bell Love

Plot

The widower Jack, to his daughter Grace's frustration, has started dating a colleague, Veronika. Both of them have a chance for a promotion if they can close a real estate deal by Christmas. As the holiday approaches, Jack and Grace travel to Grace's grandparents' home in the same town where Jack has the opportunity to make the deal. It turns out the property in question is the town’s beloved café, run by Jessica, who is facing financial struggles after taking over after her mother. To top it all off, Grace believes Jessica would make a much better girlfriend for her dad.

Short review

A good romantic movie with a predictable plot (if you've seen romantic films before), but it's quite well-made and works well as a romantic film. It also has that little epilogue that so many romantic movies unfortunately lack.

How to Win a Prince

Plot

Nina is a successful dating coach and has written a book. However, the publishers want her to add a personal touch at the end of the book, preferably by describing how she herself ended up with someone significant. Nina isn’t too keen on the idea but feels she has to comply. When she is contacted by a European prince, Freddie, who needs dating tips to find love in New York, she comes up with the idea to win over the prince herself to secure her book deal. However, the prince already has a matchmaker, Edward, and now wants Nina to work alongside him — something that doesn’t suit her at all.

Short review

There are several aspects in which this film does not work. It is perhaps slightly saved by Anna Hopkins' performance, but it is definitely not enough.

Hot Frosty

Plot

Kathy lives alone in her cold house, which has been in need of maintenance ever since her husband passed away. She runs a restaurant in the city. Freezing cold, she receives a scarf from the shopkeeper across from her restaurant. However, on her way back, she places the scarf on a snow figure in the square. The next day, she meets Jack, who claims to be the snowman brought to life. Naturally, she doesn't believe him, but soon realizes that the town sheriff is looking for him after he wears clothes taken from a local store. She takes him home and tries to keep him hidden from the police. Easier said than done when Jack has now developed a taste for life.

Short review

I simply don't buy into the idea of finding the love of your life in a snowman that comes to life, even if it's a fairy tale. The movie teeters on the edge of ridiculous but is actually quite funny in parts, so it still gets a 3 out of 6.

Holiday Crashers

Plot

Toni and Bri are best friends who work at a print shop that, among other things, prints invitations for fancy Christmas parties. To break the monotony, Bri convinces Toni to use the invitations and crash the events. This becomes a harmless habit until Toni is mistaken for a lawyer (she studied law but never took the bar) by Justin, who needs help when his regular lawyer is giving birth. He takes both Toni and Bri on a weekend event in Vermont. There, Toni tries to avoid getting into trouble with Justin since she havn't taken the bar, but Bri also meets the doorman, Vinny. But who is Vinny, really?

Short review

A good romantic film that actually delivers two romances. At times really entertaining, and the pieces fall into place in the end. Almost reached a 5.

Hearts Under the Olive Tree

Plot

Melissa has, under a pseudonym, written two bestselling novels and now feels the pressure to deliver the third in the series. At the same time, her boyfriend of three years breaks up with her, claiming they aren't the "power couple" he had hoped for. Melissa's mother, who is also her agent, takes her on a change of scenery to help break her writer's block. They head to an olive farm run by Ben and his sister. After a while, Melissa's mother hires Ben to provide some inspiration and structure to Melissa's writing.

Short review

The movie isn't entirely worthless, but it's brought down by Ben, whose semi-flaky style just doesn't work. The fact that he also has the second most ridiculous hairstyle on the planet, right after the mullet, doesn't help either.

Christmas on Call

Plot

Hannah has recently moved to Philadelphia to work as an emergency physician at one of the hospitals, following in her father’s footsteps. Her job leaves her little time to explore her new hometown. In the ER, she meets Wes, a paramedic from the local fire station. Wes does his best to introduce Hannah to Philadelphia during the Christmas season, though their jobs make it a bit challenging. Meanwhile, we also follow Sanjay, who has been temporarily assigned to the local police station and is paired with Danielle, whom he met last Christmas but who ghosted him afterward.

Short review

A romantic film and community service where healthcare, the police, and the fire department are woven together in one movie. It actually features two romances, although the focus is on Hannah and Wes. They manage to create a reasonably good story that delivers feel-good vibes and romance as it should.

Christmas, Love and Fudge

Plot

Amanda's career as a pastry chef has taken a hit, and she is contacted by Simon, who offers to help with a PR strategy. However, Amanda is not interested. Instead, she is set to compete in a televised competition where she needs to create a masterpiece inspired by her childhood Christmas memories. Her obvious choice is to include a special fudge that can only be found in her hometown. When she arrives there, she discovers that Simon has temporarily taken over his aunt's fudge shop while she is on vacation. Unfortunately, the special fudge is sold out, and the aunt has taken the recipe with her. Now, Simon and Amanda must work together to recreate it if Amanda is to have a chance in the competition.

Short review

An average romantic story elevated by Erin Karpluk, who plays Amanda. She has a positive and slightly bubbly style that fits well.

Christmas at Plumhill Manor

Plot

The architect Margo completes another successful project and secures a new deal. She excels at tearing down the old and creating the new. Suddenly, just before Christmas, she learns that she has inherited an estate from her unknown aunt in England. However, the conditions stipulate that she must travel there and live on the estate for an entire week before deciding what to do with it. Upon arrival, she meets the locals, including Alfie, the estate manager's son, who produces plum cider on the property. Meanwhile, Margo's firm expresses interest in developing the estate. Now, she finds herself caught in a conflict of interest.

Short review

At its core, it's a functional story, but on the one hand, Margo (Maria Menounos) feels almost a bit too much like a model for the role, and on the other hand, I had some issues with the clues left behind by the aunt. Both the fact that Margo actually finds them and that she manages to do so in the correct order felt a bit off. No, it doesn't quite work all the way through…

Branching Out

Plot

Amelia is a single mother to Ruby. They are the only members of their family, as Ruby was conceived through a donation. At school, they are given an assignment to create and present a family tree. Ruby doesn’t want to do it because she has no family beyond Amelia. However, when she learns that it’s possible to trace the donor (her father) through a DNA test, she pressures Amelia into agreeing to it. This leads them to connect with TJ, Ruby’s biological father. It becomes a challenge not only for TJ, who must suddenly come to terms with being a father, but also for Amelia, whose own father betrayed her deeply during her childhood.

Short review

Maybe a somewhat light-hearted approach to a serious subject, but if you're ready to embrace how everything is so relatively effortless and fits together perfectly, it’s a good romantic story filled with lots of feel-good moments.

Beauty and the Billionaire: Bali

Plot

The billionaire Dylan visits Bali to gain some positive publicity. The visit includes a stop at a local clinic to which he donates money. There, he is confronted by Ivy, one of the doctors, who is upset by his unbearable behaviour. Shortly after, Dylan's uncle, who is part of the trip, falls and suffers a concussion. Concerned about his uncle receiving the best care, Dylan insists on having Ivy, reputed to be the best doctor on-site, attend to him. He threatens to withdraw the donations unless Ivy spends all her time with his uncle in case complications arise. Ivy becomes even more upset but feels forced to stay to save the clinic.

Short review

The plot becomes unbelievable on many levels. How can Dylan be so self-absorbed and insensitive one moment and then suddenly turn so kind? How can Ivy be impressed by his kindness after the way she was treated in the beginning? The chemistry between them isn’t there; it just feels forced. No, simply not convincing. We can only hope the crew had a nice time on Bali.

A Reason for the Season

Plot

Evie was born on Christmas Eve under difficult circumstances in a diner. She was saved by the town council, who happened to be gathered there that night. Now an adult, her mother is a successful businesswoman in the beauty industry. However, her mother is concerned that Evie has grown up living an overly privileged life and assigns her the task of traveling to the small town where she was born to give back to those who once saved her. Reluctantly, she heads to the little town incognito and hires the town’s only lawyer, Kyle, to track down the people who saved her so she can fulfil their wishes before Christmas.

Short review

This film focuses on feel-good vibes with a romantic twist, without any complications. One might have some opinions about Evie's transformation, which perhaps isn't entirely clear, and the somewhat rosy portrayal of the benevolent privileged class, but it's something you can live with if you're looking for a romantic movie filled with good deeds.

A Novel Noel

Plot

The book editor Harper has lost her passion for her job and asks for a month off to relax and try to regain her enthusiasm. At the same time, she happens to get an offer to work in a bookstore for the month leading up to Christmas, which seems like the perfect break from her usual work. When she arrives, she is slightly taken aback to discover that Sawyer, who runs the shop, has combined the bookstore with a wine bar. Nevertheless, she takes on the challenge and introduces some new ideas to boost book sales. Soon, she learns that Sawyer has received an offer to sell the store and harbors a dream of becoming an author.

Short review

A good romantic film without drama. Relatively speaking, it’s an easy-to-digest story, but if you’re looking for romance and feel-good vibes without drama, this is the film for you. The plot unfolds at a steady pace and offers a few small twists. The rating of 5 was perhaps given mostly because it avoids the otherwise almost mandatory misunderstanding at the end, which can sometimes become a bit tiresome.

A Missed Connection

Plot

Vickie and Max meet on a platform in New York and strike up a conversation. However, they part ways when the train arrives, unable to exchange contact information despite finding each other intriguing. Five years later, Vickie arrives on a Caribbean island where she is set to get married. Her fiancé, James, has hired Max to photograph the wedding and all the preparations. James himself is stuck at work back home in Duluth. Max and Vickie recognize each other but can't quite place where they've met. Max is attentive and becomes a great support to Vickie and her friends during the preparations. What happens when they realize where they’ve seen each other before? And what happens when James arrives?

Short review

The movie doesn't quite hold up until the end. It can be somewhat entertaining at times, but they've botched the ending. They've taken the easy way out and missed some obvious opportunities. Furthermore, the epilogue is short, empty, and pointless. It's as if they included it just to fit in a kiss, since there wasn’t right for one in the final scene on the island.

A Home for the Holidays

Plot

Ella, who runs the town's hardware store, finally gets approval from the municipality to take over the abandoned house outside of town. However, she barely steps inside before Daniel and his son show up. The house belonged to his aunt, and now he is claiming it as his own. After the initial conflict, they agree to temporarily live together in the house while waiting for the municipality’s decision on who has the rightful claim. Ella takes on the task of starting the restoration in exchange for being allowed to stay there (she had already moved out of her old apartment). It turns into a stay filled with conflict, as both want the house.

Short review

This is a fairly average romantic film that delivers what it’s supposed to. Like most films of this kind, it’s quite predictable, and as is often the case, they wait far too long for the resolution, resulting in a rushed ending without an epilogue. However, it works on some level.

A Bird of the Air

Plot

Lyman leads a reclusive life, working in roadside assistance and living in his trailer. One day, a parrot flies in, and Lyman takes care of it while starting a search for its owner. Fiona, who works at the local library, finds Lyman intriguing and soon joins the search as well. Lyman is fascinated by all the phrases the parrot knows, and the quest quickly shifts from finding the bird's previous owner to uncovering everyone who has owned the parrot and may have influenced its speech. At the same time, Fiona challenges Lyman's withdrawn lifestyle and begins to delve into his past.

Short review

This is a good romantic movie that feels a bit more unpolished compared to most others. It leans more towards being a romantic drama, even though it has entertaining elements. I thought it was worth watching.

'Twas the Date Before Christmas

Plot

Jessie goes from one failed date to another. When her mother threatens to cancel the family’s traditional Christmas celebration to push her out of her comfort zone, Jessie claims she’s planning to bring her new boyfriend. This saves the Christmas celebration, but now she needs a date for the holiday to salvage the situation. She updates her dating app profile to find someone willing to play her boyfriend for the weekend. She gets a response from Bryan, who has no plans for Christmas and thinks it sounds like a fun idea.

Short review

If you're willing to believe that a romance can develop so much in a single day, this film becomes a great romantic movie. Not a heavyweight, but as a romantic film, it delivers.

The Christmas Charade

Plot

The librarian Whitney has grown up with parents working in the security industry, and she is very cautious by nature. Her friend persuades her to go on a date with one of the friend’s acquaintances. Due to a misunderstanding, she ends up at the wrong table with FBI agent Josh and gets caught up in an ongoing mission he's working on. He was supposed to meet another agent to infiltrate a group of suspected art thieves, but instead, Whitney ends up having to play his girlfriend. To Josh's dismay, Whitney agrees, as she is tired of her sheltered life.

Short review

A somewhat unusual romantic movie that doubles as a spy film. Not that it's an action-packed flick, but it's fun to see something that breaks away from the typical romantic movies. It's reasonably well-made and works as a romantic film with some unexpected twists.

Soft Love

Plot

The vlogger Zandi is left at the altar by her boyfriend on their wedding day, turning her world upside down. One evening, her friend takes her out to a club, and on her way out, Zandi spots a man being mugged. She intervenes, but things go awry, and both the man, Edward, and Zandi lose their belongings. To make matters worse, they are later arrested by the police while trying to get into Zandi's car. Despite all this, Zandi and Edward tenatively start dating, but more complications arise along the way.

Short review

I thought this movie was fun to watch. Maybe because it takes place in South Africa (and Nigeria), but also because the plot felt a bit different. Of course, it delivers a romance with a happy ending.

Our Holiday Story

Plot

Chris arrives at his girlfriend Beth's parents' house, but Beth herself has been delayed. While waiting for Beth, Chris asks her parents, Nell, who is Beth's stepmother, and Dave, how they met. Nell and Dave begin sharing their somewhat complicated story over the next few days (Beth unexpectedly takes a long time to return home). They met on a train but lost touch. However, they meet again later, though what they don’t realize is that they are simultaneously involved in a conflict: Dave is organizing a Christmas event in town, while Nell, who is in charge of the municipality's finances, argues they can’t afford it. The issue is that neither of them knows the other's full name.

Short review

This is a well-crafted story that turns out really well. The description of the plot doesn’t quite do it justice, as it’s hard to summarize it properly. The film might not be particularly unique, but it left a good impression and is definitely worth watching.

My Sweet Austrian Holiday

Plot

Charlotte continues her grandmother's chocolate business in Vienna. The shop, which has always been the heart of the business, is now threatened by a construction project that plans to demolish and redevelop the entire neighborhood. Charlotte fights to avoid being forced to sell. She also meets Henry, who has recently taken over as CEO after his father retired. They develop feelings for each other and cautiously start dating. What they don’t know, however, is that one of the companies Henry has now taken over is the very one threatening Charlotte's chocolate business. Will she be forced to return home and to her old career as a lawyer, or is there a solution that can also save their budding romance?

Short review

A good, average romantic movie. You have to accept that no one in Vienna seems to speak German and that all the main characters are expats from the U.S. or the U.K. At least they included some shots of Schönbrunn…

Let Love Grow

Plot

The landscape architect Evie has the chance to secure a prestigious job for her company, but she needs to showcase a successful project to win the assignment. She meets Ryan and his two daughters, who have recently moved to town, and the daughters take a liking to her right away. The youngest daughter finds Evie's contact information and asks her to come to their home to fix up their garden, which is in poor condition. When Evie arrives, she realizes that this could be the perfect project to present, but Ryan, who had no idea his daughter had invited Evie, is reluctant.

Short review

The film doesn't measure up quality-wise. On top of that, the role of Evie, seems to be written for a cheerful and energetic girl in her mid-20s to early 30s, being played by 45-year-old Jennifer Bonner doesn't help matters.

Holiday Mismatch

Plot

Barbara has retired and become involved in the city's Christmas celebrations, where she clashes with Kath, who has been in charge of the event for many years. Both, separately, try to set their children, Shane and Lauren respectively, up on dates through a dating app. By chance, Shane and Lauren match with each other and agree to pretend they are dating to get their mothers to stop trying to pair them up with someone. This delights Barbara and Kath until they, now truly at odds with each other, discover that their children are dating the other’s child. They immediately start trying to break them up, unaware that the relationship is only fake.

Short review

Maybe okay on some level, but the romance never gets a chance to shine behind the moms' somewhat silly "quarrels."

Falling Together

Plot

Natalie is about to start a new job and is moving to Pittsburgh. She is leaving a house where there was a strong sense of community among the neighbours. She gets six weeks off before starting her new job and immediately sets out to get to know her new neighbours. However, this proves easier said than done, as her new neighbours are not nearly as friendly as those in her previous home. Soon, she befriends the owner of the local café. Before long, she also enlists Mark, the building’s superintendent, in her efforts to get the neighbours to loosen up. Natalie also becomes involved in a local campaign against Alzheimer’s.

Short review

A romantic movie that delivers what it should. Perhaps Ashley Williams' smile has been slightly overused…

A Very Vermont Christmas

Plot

Joy, who lost her father less than a year ago, continues running his microbrewery and restaurant together with her mother. They are struggling to make ends meet and have received an offer to sell to the town's competing restaurant, owned by Joy's ex-boyfriend. Into town comes Zac, who is passionate about beer and microbreweries but works for one of the big brewing companies. Joy enters a beer competition where the prize could save her microbrewery, and she gets help from Zac, who is an expert in beer tasting. However, when an exact copy of her competition entry appears from the big brewery, the complications truly begin.

Short review

A good romantic story with a beer theme. It's almost impossible to fail. The movie works.

A Costa Rican Wedding

Plot

Emily is known among her friends for constantly getting into accidents and mishaps. Now, she’s traveling to Costa Rica to attend her best friend’s wedding. She has been entrusted with the task of bringing the wedding rings, which are also family heirlooms. However, during a trip to the beach, her backpack is stolen by some monkeys, and true to her streak of bad luck, the rings were inside. Not wanting to admit what happened, she sets out into the jungle to retrieve the backpack. Much to her dismay, she is joined by Ryan, another friend of the couple, whom Emily really doesn’t like.

Short review

It turns into a good romantic story, mostly set in the jungle. It's mainly elevated by Rhiannon Fish, who does a great job as Emily. Perhaps somewhere between a 4 and a 5, but it ended up with a five in the end.

You, Me, and that Mountain Retreat

Plot

Rebecca is applying for a job as the deputy VP of the design team at her dream company, which specializes in outdoor equipment. She gets a chance at the position but must undergo tests at the company retreat near Lake Tahoe. Participants are assigned to work in pairs, and she is teamed up with Nathan, who is applying for a sales position. Nathan is a challenging partner, struggling to listen or follow the rules, making it difficult for Rebecca as they are evaluated together on their ability to collaborate.

Short review

No, this doesn't work at all. Nathan is an arrogant and hopeless character, and you don't really notice much of his "transformation." I also can't quite see how he helps Rebecca become braver.

This Time Next Year

Plot

On New Year's morning, the luckless Minnie meets Quinn. By chance, she realizes that he is the one born one minute before her in the same maternity ward, and who's mother chose the name Quinn—the very name Minnie’s mother had planned to give her. Ever since, Minnie’s mother has convinced herself and Minnie that all of Minnie’s bad luck stems from this. Over the course of the coming year, Minnie gets to know Quinn, and they also try to help Minnie’s mother forgive Quinn’s mother for the "name theft." Meanwhile, Minnie and her best friend are also struggling to keep their pie bakery afloat.

Short review

A really great romantic film that is warm-hearted, romantic, and entertaining. And naturally it's British too.

The Wishing Tree

Plot

Evan is a teacher with somewhat unconventional methods that he practices at the boarding school where he works. As the Christmas holidays approach, three students remain at the school, and Evan, who is also staying, takes responsibility for them. It proves to be a challenge, as Andrew, one of the students, is a bitter and cynical figure with attitude problems. However, Evan takes it upon himself to try to help the students grow over the holidays. Also working at the school is Clarissa, the art teacher.

Short review

That this movie is marketed, including the poster, as a romantic film is quite misleading. It focuses almost entirely on Evan and the youngsters. It feels like they changed their minds at the last minute and threw in the romance. As a romantic film, it only gets a 2/6.

The Soulmate Search

Plot

The artist Ellen receives an invitation to the dating service Efernity, a highly sought-after and exclusive platform boasting a 100% matching success rate. Imagine her disappointment when she arrives at her date only to find Will, a lawyer who had earlier that day criticized her art. He is equally dismayed, and the two decide to contact Efernity to hold them accountable for the poor match. However, this proves easier said than done. The company appears elusive and difficult to track down, leading Ellen and Will to join forces in their quest for justice.

Short review

Of course, you know how it ends, but it works well as a good romantic movie. This time with a particularly mysterious dating service.

The Real West

Plot

Rebecca is waiting for news about a new research tenure, and in the meantime, she takes her two sons and her eldest son's girlfriend on their annual vacation, along with her mother and her sister, Cassidy. This year, they’ve decided to visit a real ranch. On the first day, Rebecca goes into town to buy herself a proper cowboy hat. There, she meets Jake, a real cowboy, who helps her pick out a hat and also joins her for a long coffee break. He’s the first man she’s felt drawn to since her husband passed away a few years ago. However, everything turns upside down when she returns to the ranch and realizes that Jake is Cassidy's new boyfriend.

Short review

Better than it might sound when you read the plot summary; it's both a bit entertaining and romantic.

The Christmas Brew

Plot

Tori, who has long been in love with her coworker and now boss, is sent to persuade Evan, who runs a brewery, to sell it to the company she works for. He isn’t interested, but Tori’s mission is to succeed, so she stays in the small town and checks into an inn that turns out to be run by Evan’s mother. The negotiations are slow, and Tori raises the offer, promising Evan full control after the takeover. However, she begins to suspect that this might not actually be the case, but at the same time, Evan is facing financial difficulties. Then, suddenly, Tori’s boss shows up to speed up the deal.

Short review

Fun to see a brewery in focus, but the plot has its flaws, and the movie fails to convince.

The Air He Breathes

Plot

Elizabeth has previously lost her husband in a car accident. Now she is moving back with her daughter to their house, which has stood empty since the tragedy. Her new neighbor is Tristan, a somewhat stern and quiet man who has lost his wife and their son. He keeps to himself in his grief, but soon he starts helping Elizabeth restore her neglected garden. Slowly, they build a friendship centered around their respective mourning processes—something that doesn't sit well with Steven, Elizabeth's late husband's best friend. There's more buried beneath the surface.

Short review

A well-made romantic drama. The plot develops slowly towards a dramatic resolution that offers some surprises. Overall, a good romantic story worth watching. The only reservation is the ridiculous fact that Ryan Carnes goes around shirtless all the time. Yes, we get it, he's well-built.

Take Me Home

Plot

Tom is trying to succeed as a photographer but loses his home and is forced to drive a taxi illegally in New York. One day, Claire jumps into his car and tells him to just drive. She has just started to suspect that her husband is cheating on her and has also received news that her father has had a heart attack. Once she calms down a bit, she hires Tom to drive her across the country to her father in California. It becomes a long journey filled with lies, half-truths, and confrontations. Both Claire and Tom find reasons to reflect on their lives.

Short review

This is a romantic drama of the slightly more serious kind (but it stays within romantic movie bounds). It turns into a very good road movie and is well worth watching. Fun to note that the actors, Amber and Sam, have actually been married since 2007.

The Magic of Lemon Drops

Plot

Lolly feels that her life has come to a standstill. She lives at home with her father and works at the family diner. She hasn't found the right one after breaking up with Roy after school when he wanted to go away and train to become a doctor. Now, her aunt gives her four lemon drops. If she takes one before going to sleep, she will experience a day as it could have been if one thing had changed. Of course, she doesn't believe in this, but she becomes convinced after the first try. The fourth candy will make the change permanent, but is any of the alternative lives as she imagined?

Short review

It's hard to describe the plot of this and do it justice. It's a very good romantic film that is well-made. It deals with the insight that alternative developments also come with drawbacks. The ending may not come as a surprise, but it provides a good conclusion. Watch it!

The Heiress and the Handyman

Plot

June has lived her life in luxury since the age of 14, inheriting her parents' wealth. However, she is now shocked to learn that a cryptocurrency crash has wiped out her entire fortune. In her misfortune she finds out she has inherited her aunt's farm. She heads there. After an initial misunderstanding where she assumes her neighbor, Bart, is a servant and handyman on the farm, she takes it upon herself to learn how to manage it. She is soon drawn into the old feud over the best price at the local harvest festival, a rivalry that existed between her aunt and Dotty, who lives in the area.

Short review

The stereotypes are pouring in, and the entire plot doesn't convince. It simply falls flat.

Romantic Friction

Plot

Lea is trying to get a job as a book cover illustrator. During a job interview, where she doesn’t get the job, she accidentally overhears that it’s the famous author Michael behind the latest romantic bestseller. He wrote it under a pseudonym as part of a bet he made with his publisher. It turns out the book has been nominated for a prestigious award, but he doesn’t want to reveal that he’s the author. They need someone to play the role of the unknown author of the romance novel. They recruit Lea with the promise that she’ll get to illustrate Mickael’s next book.

Short review

No, it doesn't convince me. It might hold up in terms of production, but it feels a bit sloppy, the plot feels weak, and the romance doesn't convince.

Romance on the Ranch

Plot

When Sara's sister marries her ex-boyfriend, Sara feels the need to get away, even though she's happy for her sister. She buys a camper and heads west, as she's always dreamed of doing. Her goal is to start a new job as a nurse. However, along the way, her car breaks down, and while it's being repaired, she ends up parking her camper on Aidan's farm. Aidan lives there with his daughter, father, and brother, Porter. During her stay, Sara gets to know the two brothers, who are very different from each other. She particularly likes Aidan, but with her past experiences back home, she’s determined not to come between siblings.

Short review

The theme of the film, sibling rivalry, works well and develops into a good romantic movie.

Passport To Love

Plot

Nicole travels around the world and blogs about her journeys, something she has been quite successful with. During a stay in the Caribbean, she accidentally ends up double-booked in the same accommodation as Kade, who sells ad space for a travel magazine. Despite this, they have an enjoyable stay together. However, Kade struggles to sell ads successfully. Upon returning, his boss decides they need to take business away from travel bloggers and assigns Kade to follow Nicole to make this happen. Kade dislikes the assignment but follows Nicole to her next destination, Turkey. And so it continues. Nicole and Kade genuinely like each other, but Kade’s mission risks getting in the way.

Short review

I initially thought this would be about the theme of being double-booked and reluctantly forced to live together. But it turned out to be something entirely different. I think the movie develops into a really good romantic film, even though one might feel they forced the ending a bit to make it extra dramatic.

Paris Christmas Waltz

Plot

Emma has always loved dancing, and over the past year, she has been attending a dance class after being persuaded by her best friend. When her accounting firm faces downsizing, she quits to save the job of a colleague with a family. Meanwhile, Leo, a former professional ballroom dancer, has been on a break but is convinced by his old dance teacher, choreographer Henry, to compete in this year's dance competition in Paris. By chance, Emma happens to be at the same place where Leo is auditioning with potential dance partners. Leo dances with her and immediately wants her to join him in Paris to compete together.

Short review

The movie works well as a romantic film and delivers the feel-good vibe you're looking for. You also get the impression that Jen Lilley, who plays Emma, is actually the one dancing. It doesn't seem like a stunt double was used.

Operation Nutcracker

Plot

The event planner Lottie gets the opportunity to travel to Boston to secure the assignment of organizing a Christmas charity event for the wealthy Warby family. If she succeeds, it could mean being entrusted with managing her company’s new office in Boston. On the flight there, she unknowingly meets Tristan, the son of the Warby family. She manages to land the assignment, but it soon turns out that the valuable Nutcracker, which was to be auctioned at the event, has gone missing with Tristan's luggage during the flight. Tristan convinces her not to reveal this as they try to recover the precious Nutcracker.

Short review

The movie is of good quality, even though it doesn't exactly offer any surprises. It delivers an average romantic story in true Hallmark style.

My Dreams of You

Plot

Grace makes a living from temporary jobs while hoping to break through as a writer. At night, she dreams of Michael, but even though the dreams feel incredibly real, she doesn’t know who Michael is or if he even exists. A mistake has occurred at the Dream Central. Her dream creator, Alura, has mixed up memories and accidentally planted Michael in her dreams. Now, they need to fix it. But as they try to convince Grace to let them erase the memories of Michael, Grace manages to find him—something that could have serious consequences.

Short review

The entire plot sounds a bit contrived, and I didn't have high expectations for this film. But it's actually pretty well-made with some funny elements, and they tie up the ending nicely, so it won me over.

Mr. Right

Plot

Charlotte is starting her new job as a writer. She will be working on a series of articles under the title "Mr. Right." Her colleague advises her to start dating guys via a dating app to gather material for her writing. She takes on the task while also trying to get to know the city she has recently moved to. Soon, she receives help from Liam, the barista at the local café, who is eager to help her settle into the city. She gathers plenty of material from her dates, but it's never Mr. Right—something that suits Charlotte, who has had a rough experience following her parents' divorce. But perhaps Mr. Right does exist after all.

Short review

This movie felt lightweight from the start, and Charlotte's slightly too polished style didn’t quite fit. But the longer I watched, the better the film got, and Liam's character balanced things out a bit. Sierra Reid’s acting could have been better, but by the time the movie ended, it had actually worked its way up to a rating of 5.

Love on the Danube Kissing Stars

Plot

When Savannah loses her job as a publicist instead of getting a promotion, she's persuaded by her friend, who works as a cruise host on the Danube, to come and be a talent coordinator at an event featuring romcom film stars. She’s assigned to look after the newly famous star, Tripp. Tripp doesn’t like the attention surrounding him and wants to focus solely on acting. Now it’s Savannah's job to get him to agree to interviews and meet his fans on the cruise. It won’t be an easy task.

Short review

One of three films from the same year featuring love on the Danube. This time, they travel westward, while in the other two films, they travel east, so one might assume they managed the filming in three cruises. This time, however, it doesn’t turn out as well. Mainly, it’s Brendan Penny’s somewhat wooden style that doesn’t quite cut it.

Love on The Danube Royal Getaway

Plot

Ava was left by her boyfriend a week before the wedding, and it’s still affecting her a year later. Her employer tells her to take a vacation and use the honeymoon cruise on the Danube, which is already paid for and soon expires. Somewhat reluctantly, Ava sets off. At the same time, Prince Joe goes on a trip to take a break and ask himself if he’s ready to take over as king. His cover is to travel along the Danube to collect donations of artworks for charitable causes. During the cruise, they meet and realize they share the same interest in art.

Short review

Stories about royalty from unknown countries in Europe have, by definition, the odds stacked against it. However, this one does fairly well and actually rates as a four. It's one of three films set on a cruise along the Danube, all released in 2024. They must have gotten a good package deal.

Love on the Danube: Love Song

Plot

Sarah has brought her mother on a cruise along the Danube, where she has convinced her to perform in a Broadway tribute in Budapest. On the same cruise, Jack is also participating, having brought his father along. They meet on the boat, and Sarah and Jack soon agree to try to match their parents, both of whom lost their respective partners a few years earlier. It isn't easy, and they have to work together quite a lot to create opportunities for their parents to meet. But will it be the parents who fall in love?

Short review

A slightly different setting with the Danube as the background (the cruise company greets and thanks for the advertisement). This is one of three films on the theme 'Love on the Danube,' and this one is a good romantic film that holds up (even though it might be a bit too obvious as an advertisement for the Danube).

Love On Retreat

Plot

Jenny works hard as an assistant at the company Senna. Gwenn, the owner and CEO of Senna, is planning to appoint a media and marketing manager, and Jenny hopes to prove she deserves the job. Now, the company is going on its annual retreat, where Gwenn’s brother, Nate, will lead the activities. He usually travels around and seeks adventure. Gwen has also invited Nate's ex-girlfriend, whom she intends to offer the new job to. Jenny faces a stressful week where she does everything she can to secure the position, but Nate also tries to get her to slow down and enjoy life more.

Short review

It's a good romantic movie. I must admit that I might have a bit of a hard time understanding how someone can be so passionate about makeup and beauty products, but as a romantic film, it works.

Love in Wolf Creek

Plot

Samantha runs a wildlife rescue center together with her sister. They are in need of donations for the operation and are hoping for a donor who suddenly informs them that she is coming to visit the facility. At the same time, Samantha meets Austin, who is in town to support his grandmother, who is losing her sight. In the midst of preparing for the visit, Samantha learns that there is an injured wolf nearby. She immediately sets out to find it and is joined by Austin. What they don’t know is that there is a poacher who is also looking for the wolf.

Short review

A relatively average romantic film, but it may not quite make it. However, it deserves some credit for them actually climbing up a cliffside. Usually, in these types of films, it is illustrated by them crawling up an incline.

Junebug

Plot

Juniper works as an editor, and when her boyfriend once again falls short, she takes out her old chest of wishes she wrote as a child and compares them with where she is now. That same night, she wakes to find an eight-year-old version of herself, Junebug, who has come to help her. Naturally, she wonders who’s playing a prank on her, but she soon realizes that no one else can see the girl and reluctantly accepts that this is a younger version of herself. Junebug encourages her to start writing her children’s stories again, and around the same time, she meets Alex, an artist who has given up on the art world after a criticized exhibition. She wants him to illustrate her books.

Short review

When reading the plot, one might be a bit hesitant, but this film delivers a good and also romantic story. Mila Jones, who plays Junebug, her young alter ego, gives a very good performance that is entertaining.

I'm Glad It's Christmas

Plot

Chloe works as a shop assistant but dreams of making it on Broadway. She goes from one audition to the next but always falls short due to some small detail. She bumps into Jason in town, and he shows up again at her workplace. He makes a living writing jingles and moonlighting as Santa Claus while also taking care of his daughter. They are now contacted by Cora, a local businesswoman, who wants to revive the local Christmas concert and needs their help. Chloe is hesitant since she wants to attend all the auditions, planning to give up and return home to Philadelphia after New Year’s if she doesn’t get a role.

Short review

It’s a good romantic movie that ends with a lot of feel-good, just as it should.

Hometown Remedy

Plot

Adele is a surgeon and works hard. However, when her father wins the mayoral election in the small town back home, she takes time off and goes there to celebrate. There, she accidentally backs into Grant, the younger brother of her best friend, who has moved back to town to work as the town's doctor. His clinic is old and worn out, so he's now working to build a new one. Adele steps in for Grant when he rests on her orders. Days go by, and she gets to know Grant more and more while reconnecting with her old hometown. But her job as a surgeon still awaits her in the big city.

Short review

A good romantic movie. Makes you wonder what makes people move to the big city in the first place…

Head Over Heels

Plot

Addison helps out at her father's shoemaking shop. With her sister, she gets the chance to interview for a job with the famous shoe designer Delaney Diaz. Thanks to Austin, who is Delaney's marketing manager, she lands the job as Delaney's assistant. It’s a tough job, and Delaney is a demanding boss, especially since the company is struggling and needs something to turn things around. Austin is planning an event for the marketing company he works for, which is run by his father. Addison persuades Delaney to attend, as Austin has a surprise planned that might be just what Delaney needs.

Short review

Better than expected. It puts the shoe on the right foot, and the movie works well both as a story of success and as a romantic film.

Finding Love in Saint Lucia

Plot

Kennedy is a co-host for a program featuring investigative segments. Now, she has the chance to take over the show entirely on her own if she delivers a good, newsworthy report. She sees a segment promoting a resort where they claim to have spotted an extinct parrot species. She travels there to expose the scam and ends up confronting Ray, an ornithologist working to preserve the island's wildlife.

Short review

A movie from the middle ground, yet with slightly lower quality than it could have had.

Falling Like Snowflakes

Plot

Teagan is a photographer and is preparing for an exhibition where she has photographed snowflakes. She has captured every type of snowflake except one. Now, she receives an offer to sell the entire collection and secure a much-needed donation for the community center if she can complete the collection with the last type. In town, she runs into Noah, who recently became a widower and has moved back to the area with his daughter. He has taken over her father's snowplow business. As a former meteorologist, he can help Teagan identify the right conditions to find the missing snowflake, and together they set out in one of his snowplows.

Short review

A relatively generic, romantic film. One could perhaps debate the authenticity of the portrayal of snowflakes and scientific accuracy, but that’s not really the focus here.

Boot Camp

Plot

Whitney feels uncomfortable in her life and out of shape. After a disastrous prom, she convinces her parents to let her go to a boot camp to get fit. However, it turns out that her worst nemesis from school is also there (her mom runs the camp). But it's too late to go back, so she has to stay. She gets Axel as her personal trainer, a fit and handsome guy. He pushes her, and slowly Whitney builds up a new sense of confidence, while she and Axel also start building trust – and maybe something more.

Short review

A bit unusual in that Whitney doesn’t quite fit the typical mold of a main character in a romantic movie; she is, comparatively, a bit overweight. It makes for a fairly good romantic film about how what really matters is on the inside.

Blended

Plot

Jim and Lauren are both single parents—Jim with three daughters and Lauren with two sons. After a disastrously bad blind date, they assume they’ll never see each other again. By chance, however, they meet once more, and through yet another twist of fate, they both get the opportunity to take a luxury trip with their kids to Africa. It’s an incredible experience for the children, but Jim and Lauren are not looking forward to spending their vacation in each other's company at a resort tailored for couples. During their stay, however, they begin to gain new perspectives on each other and, through that, also on their children.

Short review

I don’t usually don't like this type of comedy, nor am I generally a fan of Adam Sandler or Drew Barrymore. But this movie surprised me. Amid all the cringeworthy stereotypical jokes, it still managed to capture my attention and be both entertaining and romantic.

Autumn at Apple Hill

Plot

Following her divorce, Elise becomes the sole owner of the Inn that was once started by her grandparents. It’s in desperate need of renovation, but the bank wants to see her business become profitable before approving a loan. Meanwhile, Luke, the CFO of a large hotel chain, is sent on forced leave by his mother, the company’s CEO. He decides to visit his best friend and his wife, which leads him to Elise’s Inn. She assumes he’s there to buy the Inn and treats him with hostility. But maybe he’s actually the one who can help her?

Short review

As a romantic story, this film is good. It may not stand out much from the crowd, but it still has a slightly better overall quality..

Act Like You Love Me

Plot

Dentist Kelly has a complicated relationship with her sister, and when her sister gets engaged and organizes a party at their parents’ home to celebrate, Kelly doesn’t want to go alone. So, she hires Chad, whom she previously met and had an unsuccessful evening with, to play her boyfriend at the family gathering. It turns into a tense event, but is Chad as hopeless as he seems, and what’s really going on with her sister’s new fiancé?

Short review

No, it’s not entirely pointless, but in terms of quality, it doesn’t hold up.

Alex & Eve

Plot

Alex is reluctantly dragged out one evening by a friend who thinks he should meet a girl. During the night, he meets Eve, a lawyer, who has also been brought along by a friend. They get to know each other throughout the evening and really like each other. The problem is that Alex's family is Greek Orthodox, while Eve's family is Muslim from Lebanon. They start dating, but the situation becomes increasingly untenable, and when their relationship becomes known, their families refuse to accept it. To make matters worse, Eve's family is arranging a wedding between her and a Lebanese man.

Short review

A very good film about how love overcomes cultural and religious barriers. It could have scored the highest points if they hadn’t stretched the resolution absurdly long at the end. An example of how tension-building measures can just become silly. It’s also a bit fun that it takes place in Sydney, Australia.

A Homecoming for the Holidays

Plot

Charlotte meets Matt briefly when her brother leaves town for military service. Two years later, she has made a breakthrough as a country star. At Christmas, she returns home to spend it with her family and her brother, who has come back from service. It turns out that Matt is in town and is involved in a charity that creates new homes for veteran families who have fallen on hard times. Charlotte soon becomes involved in the cause while also helping her mom, who is a music teacher at the local school.

Short review

A relatively uncomplicated story that delivers what a romantic Christmas tale should deliver.

A Christmas Romance

Plot

Widowed Julia is trying to get by with her two daughters, but the bills are piling up, and she can’t pay the loans to the bank. Brian, who works at the bank, is sent out just before Christmas to inform Julia that she is threatened with eviction. As he is about to leave, a snowstorm sets in, and his car gets stuck a bit away from Julias house. He is now forced to seek shelter with her and her children while the storm subsides, which takes longer than expected. He now gets to experience a different life than the hectic business world he usually lives in.

Short review

With so many years under its belt, I thought this movie would be pretty bad, but it turned out to be better than I expected. The story didn’t take any shortcuts, and the resolution isn’t miraculous, but it’s still ends well.

10 Steps to Love

Plot

Sophie has succeeded in life by setting goals and creating 10-step lists to achieve them. When her colleague points out that she has accomplished everything except finding love, she immediately makes a 10-step list to achieve that goal as well. Soon, she meets a man who seems perfect and starts putting her list into action. Meanwhile, the same colleague persuades her to help an apple-farming family with their marketing. The son in the family, Mason, is definitely not someone Sophie would apply her list to.

Short review

A run-of-the-mill production that doesn't quite measure up.

2 to Tangle

Plot

Jess is in a relationship with Tom, who has trouble committing to an engagement. He neglects his job in favor of his various inventions. But things start to get strange when Tom begins appearing in different contexts. Little do they know that the son of the lady Jess helped on the roadside, Michael, is an identical copy of Tom. The misunderstandings pile up and get increasingly complicated until suddenly, Tom dies in an accident.

Short review

A really bad movie, as is often the case when a religious production company tries to spread its religion. Poor storyline and unconvincing acting.

With Love, Your Sweetly Salted

Plot

Alison is an anonymous restaurant critic who writes under the pseudonym 'Sweetly Salted'. She receives a call from a publisher who wants to release a book by her on the condition that she reveals her identity to the public. At the same time, she leaves a scathing review for the newly opened Puerto Rican restaurant started by Seb. The review sparks strong reactions, and Alison decides to take a break from reviewing. During this break, she takes the opportunity to work as a sous chef in Seb's restaurant, giving it a second chance while learning more about the industry.

Short review

On the surface, an okay romantic movie, but it has clear flaws. It's a bit too simple and glossy. How does Alison get the position of sous chef without any qualifications whatsoever? They could have made the ending much better too.

Two Scoops of Italy

Plot

Danielle's restaurant has been closed for a month while she tries to come up with a winning concept. Now her investor is giving her a deadline, threatening to pull out if she doesn't deliver. Danielle is persuaded to travel to Italy in search of inspiration. She ends up in a small village in the Italian countryside. There, she finds a café where Giancarlo works with his father. They used to create a new ice cream flavor every year when his mother was alive, and Giancarlo wants to revive that tradition, but his father is against it. In exchange for Giancarlo guiding Danielle around to find inspiration, she agrees to help him develop a new ice cream flavor.

Short review

A romantic film of average quality. No surprises, but it meets expectations. A commercial for the Italian countryside.

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things

Plot

Mark relives the same day over and over again. However, he has grown accustomed to it and has built a comfortable life within the day he knows so well. But then, unexpectedly, he meets Margaret, who, like him, is stuck in the same day. Cautiously, they develop a friendship in their enclosed existence. They begin to collect and map out all the perfect things that happen during this day. Soon, their friendship grows into something more, but there’s something holding Margaret back, something Mark can’t quite grasp. At the same time, there must also be a way to break the cycle and allow time to move forward. But do they even want that?

Short review

One of the best romantic films in this collection. It is well-made with attention to detail (with a small exception, but that's easily overlooked). It feels genuine, the acting is strong, and the plot offers some twists and allusions that elevate the experience. Definitely worth watching!

The Irresistible Blueberry Farm

Plot

In Ellen's grandmother's estate, there is a letter that Ellen is tasked with personally delivering to a man in her grandmother's hometown in Maine. Ellen, who is currently considering a marriage proposal from her boyfriend, a politician she also works for, is persuaded to take time off to go to Maine and complete the task. Once there, she finds a small town and begins to unravel her grandmother's childhood, discovering unexpected things she didn't know about. In the town, there is also Roy, who soon turns out to have connections to the person who is supposed to receive the letter.

Short review

It’s a good romantic movie that perhaps could have been slightly better without the dialogues with the deceased grandmother, which don't add much which couldn't have been handled in a better way.

Swing Into Romance

Plot

Christine's career as a ballroom dancer ended with a failed final jump. Now, eight years later, she visits her parents before starting a new job. While she's there, she realizes that her parents' business is threatened with closure. She tries to find ways to save it, and in the process, she meets Matthew, who has recently moved to town with his daughter and works at the local bank. She learns that the local district championship in ballroom dancing has a cash prize that could save her parents' business. She decides to enter and recruits Matthew as her dance partner, despite his lack of experience.

Short review

Well, it turns out a bit mediocre, and the fantastic 'jump' that destroys her career and then becomes her ultimate triumph is as spectacular as the film. That is to say, not at all.

Savoring Paris

Plot

Ella works for the food company Bistro Bon Vivant, but when she is overlooked for a promotion, she begins to question her life. She decides to go to Paris, where she was a long time ago and where she discovered her passion for good food, especially cheeses. She finds a nice place to stay and starts to explore Paris anew, focusing mainly on its cheeses. She soon gets to know the somewhat grumpy Serge, who runs a cheese shop. She will also soon be courted by the charming Gaston, who is acquainted with her landlady.

Short review

A good romantic movie that meets the standard and surprisingly is free from cheesy jokes. I'm not sure if I should take that as a positive or negative though. However, it feels a bit different since she has two very different guys interested in her for a large part of the film.

Love in Paradise

Plot

Avrey is the star of the Western series 'Aim to Please,' but both the show and his career are stalling, and something needs to be done. At the same time, Heather and her father need publicity for their 'Dude Ranch,' which is also struggling a bit. They invite Avrey to a publicity event. Avrey's manager sends him there despite the fact that he is truly a city boy and doesn't feel comfortable in a rural setting, even though he is known as a cowboy on TV. It becomes a challenging experience for Avrey, and Heather soon sees through his facade.

Short review

Actually, there’s nothing seriously wrong with the film, but it also doesn’t feel entirely believable, and the ending feels a bit constructed.

Love & Jane

Plot

Lilli works in marketing, but in her free time, she runs a book club focused on the novelist Jane Austen. During a meeting, when she urgently needs one of Austen’s books, she is confronted by Trevor, who has just bought the local bookstore. That meeting doesn’t go well. Lilli now faces problems, both with her boyfriend and with the book club’s venue, the local pub. At this point, Jane Austen herself suddenly appears to Lilli to offer support. And to Lilli’s frustration, Trevor seems to have some solutions. Maybe he wasn’t as hopeless as he seemed.

Short review

As soon as ghosts are involved, my alarm bells start ringing, but this one turns out to be better than I expected. Maybe mostly because the ghost isn't part of the romance. It ends up being a cozy little film.

Harvest Moon

Plot

Jenny lives a luxurious life in the city, but one day it turns out that her father has lost everything in business. The only thing left is a farm that is in Jenny's name. Jenny heads there to sell the farm and get back to her luxurious life. The farm is managed by the family that once sold it, and the work is led by the eldest son, Brett, who lives there with his mother, his brother, and his daughter. It soon becomes clear that the farm isn’t worth much in its current condition. Jenny, who is completely out of her comfort zone, tries to fix up the farm and is put to hard work by Brett, who hopes she will give up so they, hopefully, can buy the farm back.

Short review

A film with stereotypes and predictability, but as a romantic tale, it has its charm and works from that perspective.

For Love & Honey

Plot

The archaeologist Austin is on Malta to follow up on the roots of the Jesuit order that established itself in Michigan in the 17th century. He has a chance to receive additional funding to stay and conduct research there if he can make a breakthrough in his studies. The library where he is studying is haunted by bees, and Eva, a beekeeper and bee expert, is called in to find out where they are coming from. She locates the hive, and as she carefully handles the colony, she uncovers an ancient fresco that could be significant for Austin's research. The mayor grants Austin permission to continue the study, provided it is done under Eva's supervision, as she is trusted on the island.

Short review

Some things, like only needing to lift a few stones to find archaeological discoveries that have been hidden for hundreds of years in a frequently visited place, might not seem very realistic, but as a romantic movie, it still works.

Craft Me A Romance

Plot

Nicole struggles to keep the craft store she inherited from her parents alive. Now, the large chain 'Mitchell's Art and Craft Supplies' is set to establish itself around the corner, and the owner's son, Mathew, is sent to the town to ensure that he either buys Nicole's store or finds a way to eliminate the competition. When he meets Nicole, they soon discover that they share a passion for art and crafts, making his mission increasingly difficult.

Short review

The movie feels a bit older than it is, and it doesn’t convince in its execution.

Christmas Keepsake

Plot

Tom and his daughter, Grace, have just moved from Australia to Ashbury Grove, USA. Tom is eager to give Grace a really great Christmas at their new place by recreating the Christmas market they used to have before. However, it turns out to be difficult. Meanwhile, Grace finds a time capsule that someone has left on the property. The contents soon lead them to the local café where Elizabeth works. It soon turns out that Elizabeth's mother is also their new neighbor, and she doesn’t shy away from a little matchmaking.

Short review

No, it lacks depth and feels carelessly executed. Things like the capsule, which has been buried for years, are found by Grace in a snowdrift.

Candid About Love

Plot

Laura works at a gallery and hopes to exhibit her own photographs. She is promised that chance if she can get the famous photographer Shane, who hasn’t published anything new in over ten years, to create an exhibition for the gallery’s annual event. Through diligent searching, Laura manages to track down Shane, who now runs a café with his best friend. Through her persistence, she succeeds in getting Shane, who has put his camera aside, to start photographing again. The day of the premiere of the new exhibition is approaching, and the gallery owner pressures Laura to feature one of Shane's more private works as the main attraction.

Short review

It is a good romantic movie where Laura's positive stubbornness is an important component.

An Easter Bloom

Plot

Amanda is struggling to keep her family's flower-growing business alive after her father's passing. She also works part-time at the local café to make ends meet. There, she meets Derrick, the town's new pastor, who really appreciates a good cup of coffee—something Amanda excels at. Now, it's also time for the annual flower arrangement competition, and the prize money could save the family business. Amanda is persuaded to enter the contest while she slowly develops a cautious relationship with Derrick. But will his new job offer take him away from the town?

Short review

If one can overlook the religious theme, which at times may feel a bit overwhelming, it still turns out to be a good romantic film that holds up as such.

After Everything

Plot

Hardin’s girlfriend Tess has broken up with him after realizing that his debut novel was based on their relationship. Now Hardin is under pressure to deliver a new novel while also feeling depressed because he misses Tess. To get some distance, he travels to Portugal where he also seeks out Natalie, whom he treated poorly in the past, in an attempt to apologize. Hardin struggles with his emotions but also gains some new perspectives. Will he finally find the right path in his life?

Short review

It is a good movie even though it contains elements that I generally have a hard time with, like Hardin's rough and brooding attitude. But as a romantic drama, it holds up.

A Whitewater Romance

Plot

Four regional offices are competing to launch the company’s new app, while the CEO has invited a representative from each office to participate in a wilderness camp in Colorado. Maya is sent as the representative for her office, despite being a die-hard city person who feels completely uncomfortable in nature. At the camp, she meets the other representatives, including Matt, who seems to be her main competitor and quite an annoying person. Maya does her best to avoid the adventurous activities while also trying to win the lucrative project for her office.

Short review

A movie with 'nature adventures' that aren't all that dramatic. As a romantic film, it holds up decently but still leaves something to be desired.

A Harvest Homecoming

Plot

Drew returns home to his parents' home, where he has taken a temporary job as a substitute teacher after the job he was planning to take fell through. His parents are planning changes to their apple orchard business and hire Lainie as a marketer. Lainie has just moved to town with her son, Aiden. Aiden is having some difficulties after the move, and when Drew gets him in his class, he takes it upon himself to help Aiden adjust to his new environment. This also means that Drew ends up spending quite a bit of time with Lainie. Suddenly, he receives a job offer that would require him to move again.

Short review

An average film that doesn't really stand out, neither good nor bad.

Christmas in My Hometown

Plot

Jake is sent to the small town to plan layoffs at the local factory. On his way there, he runs into car trouble and eventually ends up at the home of Emma and her daughter, who reluctantly help him. He begins to get to know the factory, the town, and its residents, and finds it increasingly difficult to proceed with the planned layoffs due to the consequences it would bring. At the same time, he starts to fall more and more for Emma, but she is in a relationship with the town's sheriff.

Short review

The film feels old, older than its release year of 1996. It doesn't hold a higher quality despite their hard work with sentimentality.

A Greek Recipe for Romance

Plot

When Abby's expected promotion instead turns into a layoff due to downsizing, she goes to visit her mother who has moved to Greece. At the same time, Theo is struggling to reopen his mother's old restaurant. Abby's mother's accountant brings Theo and Abby together, convinced that Abby's experience as a deputy hotel manager is exactly the problem-solving skills Theo needs to succeed. What Theo doesn't reveal, however, is that he is the son of one of Greece's most powerful men and that his father wants him to return to Athens and start working for him.

Short review

Feels like a mass production made without any enthusiasm. Lots of panning shots over food and a beautiful Greece, but the acting leaves something to be desired. Not entirely pointless, but still.

A Family Affair

Plot

Zara, who still lives at home with her mother Brooke, works as an assistant to the demanding movie star Chris. She constantly has to deal with his various whims and often handle it when he breaks up with yet another girlfriend. However, his promises to help her become a producer remain unfulfilled. This drives Zara to finally quit. In an attempt to get her back, Chris comes to her house where he meets her mother. He becomes fascinated by Brooke, and one thing leads to another, suddenly presenting Zara with new challenges.

Short review

This definitely doesn't follow any template for a romantic film, maybe that's why it turns out so good. Even though the romance is a main event, the movie is just as much about Zara and how she struggles with it happening. The age difference between Chris and Brooke is also interesting.

Winter's Dream

Plot

Tyler has gone to Colorado so that his daughter can train downhill skiing with the ski star Maddy Morrison. At the same ski resort, Kat works, who was also on the USA's national downhill skiing team but has now retired and works in her father's ski shop and as a ski instructor. Kat is also striving to make the local festival a success to attract more tourists. When Tyler's daughter doesn't perform well due to Maddy's training methods, Tyler persuades Kat to train with her instead. Kat is hesitant, but Tyler promises to help her with the festival.

Short review

A fairly good skiing story with a romantic theme. Tyler's positive attitude works well and is contagious.

Twas the Text Before Christmas

Plot

Addie accidentally receives a text message from an elderly lady, Nana, by mistake, but they connect and get to know each other over the phone. When Addie's Christmas plans fall through, Nana wants her to come and visit her and her family for Christmas. After some hesitation, she accepts the invitation and goes there. She meets Nana's daughter and her family, as well as Nana's son, James. It turns out to be a very successful Christmas, and the following year, they repeat the event. Addie and James get to know each other during the Christmases, and by the third Christmas, they start to wonder if there could be something more between them, but it seems unlikely as they both have plans to travel in different directions.

Short review

As a romantic film, it is good, but as usual, it has a somewhat abrupt ending.

Three Dates to Forever

Plot

Maddie has a radio show, and in it, she questions the dating app TrippleDate, which promises results within three dates. As a result, the app's designer, John, seeks her out live on air. This leads to them both promising to test the app and report on their experiences on the radio show. One date after another fails until they are matched with each other.

Short review

This movie never really takes off. It's a bit too bland without being convincing.

The Love Hunt

Plot

Meg and her boyfriend are real estate agents in Los Angeles. However, one day Meg receives news that her father, whom she hasn't had much contact with for many years, has died. She is forced to go home to handle the inheritance. It turns out that her father has stipulated that she must complete a treasure hunt to gain access to her inheritance. Reluctantly, Meg starts searching and soon gets help from her neighbor Tom, who is trying to save his tomato farm.

Short review

A relatively childish story that feels both very contrived and amateurish. They even have a ridiculous tomato-throwing scene at the end, perhaps a self-aware nod to rottentomatoes.com?

The Bounce Back

Plot

Matthew has written a self-help book about getting over old love by forgetting the past and deciding to focus on future love. Kirstin, who is a therapist, is dragged by her friends to one of Matthew's lectures where she harshly criticizes his theories. This is picked up by a TV channel, and soon they find themselves in a TV studio debating each other. Before long, they are on a tour across the USA where they meet in various TV debates. Meanwhile, Matthew has to deal with his ex and their daughter while becoming increasingly captivated by Kirstin.

Short review

This movie is a good romantic film, even though it might get a bit too sugary sweet at the end. I was worried for a long time that it would take the wrong path, but it turns out well.

Summer Love

Plot

Maya has returned to university after becoming a widow. Her daughter is going to summer camp at the same time that Maya is starting her internship. She has got an internship as an accountant at Kizzmit, a hot tech company where she will be working with the CFO, Collin. As a somewhat older student, she has a bit of trouble fitting in with the other interns, and it doesn't get any easier when she soon attracts the attention of the company's hot CEO, Will. Kizzmit also has an internal competition for the best app idea, something Maya isn't interested in, but maybe she actually has a really good idea.

Short review

Overall, a good romantic movie. As usual, they rush the ending a bit. When will they learn that a brief epilogue tying up loose ends can make the whole movie even better?

Smooch

Plot

Prince Percy arrives in San Francisco for an arranged wedding, but before the wedding, he goes out for a pub crawl and gets robbed on his way home. Zoe, who lives with her mother, Gwen, is supposed to dissect a frog at school but decides instead to release the frog in a park. Before letting it go, she kisses the frog, and just as it hops away, Percy wakes up in the bushes. He has lost his memory, and Zoe believes he is a prince. She takes care of him, and soon she has a plan for how Percy, with his British dialect, will introduce himself and become her new nanny, hoping that he and Gwen will find each other.

Short review

The movie doesn’t lack charm entirely, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark. The overly obvious caricatures can sometimes become a bit tiresome.

Runaway Romance

Plot

Ann moved to Los Angeles to work in catering but instead became a reality star in a show that depicts her relationship with the star Scott. However, the ratings are declining, and the production company and Scott want to fix it by having Scott date another girl and move Ann behind the scenes. Ann, who thought Scott would propose, becomes angry and upset and sneaks away to go home to Pennsylvania. On the way there, she crashes into a ditch and ends up stranded in an Amish town. She is taken in at a small B&B and soon meets Hunter, who works in the town. Meanwhile, the production company has realized that the audience wants Ann back and starts looking for her.

Short review

A good romantic movie that might even have been worth a five-star rating if it weren’t for the fact that it leaves too many loose ends. It would have benefited from a proper epilogue. Unfortunately, this is all too common in romantic films.

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