User reviews

This entertaining story follows the standard hallmark movie formula but manages to rise above it. Would've been much better if the female lead character hadn't been such an insecure spoiled brat that you wonder why any of the people around her even try. But the guy does and makes up for her shortcomings. It helps that the two actors have good chemistry, and that the male character is so likeable.

Cassie is a new writer and in order to promote her book her editor proposes she goes on a book tour with their most famous writer, Elliot. Road trip time! During the ride, they read each others books and become close. (Don't they always?)

I really liked this concept. If there is a book I will probably love it. Jen Lilley's character, as most of the them, is an amiable person. Kevin McGarry is becoming one of my favorite and I thought their chemistry was good. They actually made me laugh at the end. Speaking of the ending... I didn't think the last three minutes were bad, they did the best they could with the HORRIBLE AND DRAMATIC pre-ending (my word for it) problem. Which I hated. We had had worst endings, that were extremely rushed (proposals), but the last scene was even adorable.

To sum up, it was a cute movie. So was the dog.

I really enjoy Hallmark movies for their gentle stories without bells and whistles. This movie was easy to follow with likable characters, except for Cassie. I found Cassie to be childish and annoying. I don't know if the character would have been more likeable played by another actress, but I have my doubts. I love when Hallmark feature animals and the addition of Bungee, the dog, was wonderful! I will watch this movie again and I give it a 7/10 only because Cassie got on my nerves.

The opening twenty minutes or so 'scene setting' are some of the most compelling screenwriting I have seen for a long time. Our leading lady is both drawn to the leading man and fascinated by the absurdity of the persona he dons in order to promote his book. The arch character she plays and her inability to stop flinging jabs at him are completely compelling and very funny. I have never laughed aloud at or replayed scenes from a Hallmark film before.

Our leading man is content to absorb her constant abuse, as they are obviously enjoying the chemistry together, and this spurs our heroine to yet more acerbic observations about him which, at their worse, she even apologises for. I don't think I have seen better script than this since enjoying the clashes between Elizabeth Bennett and Darcy - it's that good. The usual things Hallmark do to ruin any enjoyment - the irritating background plink plunk music and the sledgehammer subtle a, b, c of how sparring opposites get romanticky, are all here unfortunately. The film gradually trails into banality as the kitsch bonding, inevitable misunderstanding and union in the last five minutes take their effect. But the unveiling of the relationship between the two, Jen Lillie's portrayal of the incredibly insecure yet cuttingly astute author, and our rent-a-chin leading man, aware of his own absurdity is romance itself. Well done writers, Hallmark let them off the leash next time, you could have a classic.

Jen Lilley and Kevin McGarry play authors on a book tour together and of course romance ensues. He is a successful fantasy writer and she does romance. There is some witty banter along the way a bit more sparkling than the usual Hallmark romance.

So cute! I wish the inns and cabins they stayed at were real places to visit - they look so cozy! I actually really liked the ending! Also, it was funny to see what was supposed to be Princeton, New York, Boston, Albany and Buffalo! (all places I've either lived or have close family who live there) I look forward to seeing both Jen Lilley and Kevin McGarry in more Hallmark movies!

As romance movies go, I gave this one high marks because both main characters are wonderful, together, but also very pleasing to the eye. There was eye candy for both of us, watching. At my age, it feels silly to say that, but there it is. What an adorably cute couple they made!!

I had fun watching this one. Jen and Kevin are very convincing and though I think most romance movies are hokey, this one wasn't.

I was especially surprised when I recognized so many of the locations in the movie as being my home town and not the US as the story indicates, so bonus points for that one. It would have been really cool to see them while they were here. I might actually have played fangirl for a day.

Keep 'em coming, you two!

A exceptional Hallmark film.

Funny (much funnier than most of these type of films) and heart-felt this was well performed and written.

Right up there with my favourite Hallmark films.

We couldn't make it through this movie. The male lead character is so charming and sweet but the female character - Cassie- is spoiled, anxious, nervous, petty and very immature. Women are so much better than this! Please write a character that isn't pouting because her room is smaller than someone else's.

Love the quick wit and retaliation that these leads have together - makes it believable and enjoyable. Love Kevin McGarry and Jen Lilley - this is a very good movie.

Cute story and good chemistry between the leads. In my opinion, no one in the Hallmark world does quippy, Type A humor like Jen Lilly. As for Kevin McGarry, I never used the words suave or debonair but they apply here.

HOWEVER. I really dislike commenting on women's appearance, but Hallmark has some of the worst hair/makeup I've ever seen, much less noticed. In this case, Jen's extensions (or wig?) were horribly overmuch and often poorly styled so that it interfered with the story instead of subtly enhancing it. Maybe it was intentional, but every time Jen fiddled with her hair like she was trying to arrange or manage it - yanked me out of the story.

Otherwise, entertaining.

Character development was tiresome. The star's part was written poorly. If I was the character's publisher I would have fired her and moved on to someone that appreciated the opportunity granted. Director should have moved her along to a more positive person way earlier... she sincerely seemed incompetent.

Honestly this was one of the best hallmark movies I've seen. Loved the chemistry between the two leads. Well written, enjoyed the funny banter back and forth between Elliot and Cassie. Would love to see more of these two together. Definitely a new favorite!

I loved this one! The chemistry between the two main stars was huge, and the story was completely relatable. I liked that there wasn't a terribly evil villain. Sometimes it's nice to be feel-good throughout!

This is one of my favorite winter movies. Beautiful story of finding love after being broken hearted. The lead actors are great and this is a feel-good movie that will leave you feeling uplifted.

Why is it that we have to wade through movies like this that the lead female character acts like she's in high school being all insecure (does he like me probably not waa waa) and jumping to conclusions and running away feeling sorry for herself. I got sooo tired of the unhealthy behavior of this lead female character that I was wishing the male lead character wanted nothing to do with her! She wrote a book but doesn't want to do what's necessary to promote it? Why bother? You would think she knew all about expectations with her award winning author mother! Then supposedly she writes a memoir about her moving on from a break up and doing "brave" things out of her comfort zone but it's impossible to believe the way she acts about having to public speak. The way she behaves it's OBVIOUS WHY THE GUY DUMPED HER!!! I don't know if Jen Lilley just isn't a strong actress or she was playing exactly as writer intended her character to be, either way it ruined the movie. I'm annoyed I wasted my time to see if it got better and ended up getting worse! Girl wallows in her assumptions and plays the victim as she supposedly doesn't care and moves on with her life and becomes a "strong" changed woman. Whatever! Grow up and communicate instead of playing games with usual scenario guy has to chase girl when he did nothing wrong. Why is he even interested in a woman that acts this way? So annoying! More I think about this show, the more I dislike it! I'll blame it on the writers this time because lines are lines no matter who is regurgitating them.

I'm a sucker for Kevin McGarry movies. He's the best actor I've ever watched. He can speak with his eyes and brings his characters to life. This movie is a favorite of mine. Kevin and Jen Lilley have such amazing chemistry and it's a feel good movie. I highly recommend.

Just saw Winter Love Story, thought it was great and really wish Hallmark would do a sequel.

Generally I enjoy Jen Lilley. She always brings a realness to her characters who are very loveable. Not sure if it was the writing or direction, but I found Cassie to be a bore, irritating and completely unlikeable. There was zero chemistry between her and the male lead, Kevin McGarry, who made great efforts to try to make their scenes enjoyable but he couldn't save them. Overall, probably the worst Hallmark Movie I have seen this season.

Loved this movie so much.. wish a sequel could be done to see where it goes..

Jen Lilley is a bit hit and miss for me and it is always dependent on how her characters are written, there are times where she is sincere and charming but when she has a character with over-emphasised negative character traits she tends to overdo it. Kevin McGarry is a good deal more consistent, he has been in his fair share of less than average films but he has always been an amiable actor and a saving grace in a vast majority of the average or less films he's in.

'Winter Love Story' is neither among Hallmark's best or worst. Instead the low in between category, leaning closer towards being a lesser film of theirs. There are a few good things that can be found often in Hallmark's work, but there are also most of the usual flaws. McGarry comes over well and is definitely one of the better aspects of what is a pretty mediocre film, Lilley doesn't for reasons fairly similar to her performance in 'Snowkissed' and neither does their chemistry.

Shall begin with the good things. Two things particularly stand out. One is the scenery, which is beautiful to look at and has a lovely festive atmosphere to it. All captured on film with a lot of love. The other standout is the performance of McGarry, his character is actually likeable and while he is cliched too it's not a dull or one-dimensional one. McGarry is a very charming presence too.

The supporting cast are also game. The music has pleasant moments and doesn't annoy or is as intrusive as the music in most Hallmark Christmas, and overall, films.

Unfortunately, 'Winter Love Story' has a lot of drawbacks. Really disliked the female lead character, characters shouldn't be too perfect but if they are characters one is supposed to root for exaggerating their negative traits to an over the top degree that it becomes impossible to see their appeal is not going to do it. She just came over as too unpleasantly petulant and Lilley overdoes it throughout and plays her too neurotically, especially with the insecurity. Instead of allowing her to have a character growth, this is a character that gets worse as the film goes on and at her worst in the final 15 minutes. Which agreed was the worst part of 'Winter Love Story' story-wise, very over-heated dramatically and contrived as well as rushed. How it all ends isn't a surprise but considering one character's behaviour in this portion it comes over as a pretty unrealistic outcome.

Lilley and McGarry also have very little if any chemistry together and actually felt mismatched, it doesn't blossom or glow and it is too distant and lacking in emotion. The relationship doesn't develop really either, not really going anywhere and any crucial decisions are almost out of left-field-like. McGarry's character later on does frustrate a little in how he inexplicably still sees something in her despite how she acts. The story is very thin and predictable, really struggling to sustain material for feature length meaning that the pace really drags. The conflict is bland at best and there is not much of it anyway, while the dialogue is cheese and schmaltz personified wrapped around awkwardly. The direction is indifferent.

In summary, mediocre. 4/10.

I felt compelled to write a review after seeing so many complain about the lead actress. I thought the movie was adorable and I liked the extra witty comments in it. The only thing that could have made it better was more Bungee!