Anytime an actor forms a connection with a TV audience, the absence of the actor is missed. So, despite his unfortunate departure from When Calls the Heart, I suspect we haven’t seen the last of Daniel Lissing’s partnership with Hallmark. The proof is in their latest original, Christmas in Love.
Christmas in Love (2018) Hallmark Review
In a small Missouri town, the community thrives in part because of job security. Many of its residents work at Carlingson Bakery, including Ellie Hartman (Brooke D’Orsay). Hard-working with a creative side, Ellie has dreams of something beyond her work in human resources, but she does like her job. When a big-city exec is sent to learn the ropes, Ellie is tasked with showing him their day-to-day operation.
Nick (Lissing) has many ideas on how best to increase productivity, which will decrease personnel. None of these ideas sit right with his boss, who also happens to be his father! As he works with Ellie and gets to know the town, Nick’s plans shift. He begins to understand what his father wants to teach him, and the weight of what he’s about to be entrusted with.
Each Christmas season, Hallmark’s slate of seasonal original romances gets bigger. This year is no exception, especially when you include their sister station (Hallmark Movies and Mysteries). Every year, each production continues to impress. While I have favorites, the quality of the films continues to improve. Christmas in Love is no different, and thanks to its cast, it’s a sheer delight to watch.
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For the first time, Brooke D’Orsay (Miss Christmas, Royal Pains) and Hallmark favorite Daniel Lissing team up. Both of them do appear in Christmas films separate from one other, so neither one of them are strangers to the genre. In this story, they’re both fabulous. I appreciate how Brooke always lights up the screen with her smile and infectious personality. Plus, of course, it’s fun to see Daniel in something contemporary rather than his Mountie uniform (from When Calls the Heart).
(The meet cute in this one is also serendipitous and adorable.)
As so many on the network do, this film promotes a friendly community who helps one another and family. Although one thing that could be toned down is the over-decorated spaces because it’s a lot. Nonetheless, I still enjoy each one. The script even gives the viewer many truisms that we can apply to our daily lives. The stories that can leave us with a smile but still offer some insights are, in my opinion, the best.
Anyone who enjoys watching a few festive films during the season might want to consider Christmas in Love for their next movie night.
Where to Watch: you can see the premiere of Christmas in Love on Hallmark Channel tonight, November 11, and be sure to watch for re-airs throughout the next month.
Content: Rated TV-G, this is another family-friendly Hallmark movie.
Photos: Hallmark Channel / Crown Media Press
OVERALL RATING
“Hello, Gorgeous.”
ROMANCE RATING
“Happiness in marriage is entirely a
matter of chance.”
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