I know Christmas is long gone at this point, but I never got around to reviewing the last 5 movies I watched and I still wanted to get them reviewed on here. I like to keep track of the ones I watch each year, and this is how I plan on doing it going forward. So, here are the final Hallmark movies I watched for the 2020 Christmas season, movies #15 – 19 (yes, I watched 19 this year… so sue me. They bring me JOY!). Anyway, here we go!
Holly & Ivy
Within a minute of this movie starting, the main character tells her new neighbors that her car is full of books because she just finished her MLS degree and is becoming a librarian. Umm hello, I'm a librarian, so immediately I was sucked in. Then, throw in an old Victorian home and vintage Christmas decor, and it’s everything I love. The story follows Melody as she searches for her dream job as a librarian and gets acquainted in her new town. Her new neighbors are a lovely woman and her 2 daughters. Sadly, this single mother’s cancer has returned and she has no one to rely on to help with the children if the worst were to happen. Melody, having grown up in foster homes, is determined to help, but first must finish renovating her home quickly to meet the safety standards required to become their guardian. Along the way, she meets a handsome contractor and finds a unique way to make her dream job become a reality. This movie was super sad, but also incredibly sweet and heartwarming. It wasn’t corny at all and I enjoyed it immensely. 5/5
Swept Up By Christmas
An antique appraiser is selling off a large estate in a stately mansion, and butting heads with the man hired to clean it. They also help the owner reconnect with his family through old family heirlooms they uncover in the house. The lead actors were actually pretty good, and I love old homes, antiques, and estates, but this movie was just kinda “meh.” Didn’t have the usual Hallmark Christmas magic to it and just felt kinda boring. Not sure why. It was okay but nothing great. 2.5/5
Good Morning Christmas!
Two co-hosts of a national TV show are sent to a small town during Christmas to do some filming for their show. They do NOT get along, and have to fake it for the cameras for the last few episodes before the male co-host plans to depart from the show. While participating in the town’s holiday festivities, they discover a lot more about each other and find that maybe they can get along after all. Alison Sweeney starred in this one, and I like her a lot! However, for whatever reason, I think I tend to like the Hallmark movies with lesser known actresses. I liked the small town feel, and the whole enemies to lovers trope never gets old! 3.5./5
Christmas by Starlight
Annie is a lawyer who is devastated to learn at Christmas time that her family’s beloved diner was bought out by a development firm and will soon be demolished. When she meets a careless man who works for that development firm, they strike up a deal: he’ll help save the diner if she does him a favor too (pretend to be his attorney to appease his demanding father). Obviously they fall in love, and obviously, there are several roadblocks in their quest to save the diner. However, I LOVED the actress, and I thought this was a fun and sweet plot. Definitely a winner! 4/5
Love, Lights, Hanukkah!
Christina is a successful chef and restaurateur who has always wondered about her past. She was adopted as a child, and decides to take a DNA test to try and learn more about where she came from. Not only does she discover that she’s Jewish, but she also discovers her birth mother and family. They take her in as their own while she learns about the 8 nights of Hanukkah. She also meets their family friend (Ben Savage) and romance ensues (duh). This one was SO SO good! I loved the actress and just thought it was such a sweet story and very emotional. It definitely delivered important messages about family, love, and loyalty. This was one of my favorites of the 2020 season. 5/5
And there you have it… reviews of all 19 Hallmark Christmas movies I watched in the 2020 season. One of these years, I am determined to watch all of the new releases (which is usually around 40 – ha!). Did you have a favorite one this season?
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