'Tis the Season to be Merry

I can't say I've ever loved the premise of a relationship expert writer who loses or doesn't have a boyfriend/fiancé. Throw in that she is an "influencer" on social media. The truth comes out a little earlier than usual and then things get interesting. Sure, overall, it's predictable, but this kind of ending is what the viewers want. The way it gets there is kind of different.

There is some good dialogue, especially when Rachael Leigh Cook is involved. Cook and Travis Van Winkle have great interplay and chemistry.

There is at least one other romance going, but Cook and Van Winkle dominate most of the story.

Well, the movie was fair; your typical made-for-tv Christmas movie. But what made me submit this was IMDB's own description, where it says Merry "finds a new perspective and Christmas cheer with charismatic aid worker Chris." Who is Chris? There's no Chris in this movie. Obviously, they mean Adam, the male lead opposite Merry.

Merry (Rachael Leigh Cook) goes to Vermont for the holidays to escape her problems. She has written a self-help book about relationships that is based on a fabrication and her publisher is demanding a rewrite. While away from the city, she reconnects with Chris (Travis Van Winkle), a free-spirited altruist who rubs her the wrong way. When her publisher follows her to Vermont, it looks like Merry's holiday will be a bust.

Cook does a fine job playing the lovable dork. Her awkwardness around Van Winkle works well to make this film a comedy-based romance. Like all Hallmark romances, the end results are fairly predictable, but solid acting by the entire cast keeps the story enjoyable.

This Hallmark offering, though plight with the usual cliches (small town, childhood friends, affirmative action CEO, token lgbtq assistant, predictable plot etc.) was a breath of fresh air!

I usually watch these movies because they are easy on one's brain cells but this one was surprisingly different: it was really very very funny and, moreover, funny in a smart way. There were a few cringeworthy moments involving the publishing company CEO but they were few and far between: The chemistry and the banter between the leads was greatly enjoyable!

Rachel Leigh Cook seems to have a knack at choosing her Christmas movies at Hallmark!

I can never understand people being surprised by a Hallmark production. Yes, it's completely unbelievable and at times you feel in need of a bucket because the dialogue is so sickly sweet, but at it's core it's what a lot of people love / need, especially at Christmas. This movie might not be their best, but it made me feel good.