Home by Spring

Loretta Johnson (Poppy Drayton) is a junior event planner in L.A. When her boss Amy gets sick, she takes over a kiddie party. Paul and Michelle are very impressed with her but they assume her to be her boss 00Amy. Paul needs to impress Michelle's billionaire outdoorsman Arthur before he could ask for her hand. The only problem is that Paul is a clueless outdoors. They need her to teach him and plan an outdoors retreat in the woods. Now Loretta has to pretend to be her boss without telling her and set up the retreat back in her rural hometown. She hires her estranged ex Wayne (Steven R. McQueen) to help.

I don't really understand why she couldn't tell Amy or quite frankly tell the couple. It doesn't make sense because eventually, everyone has to be told. The premise is a manufactured sitcom misunderstanding and it rings hollow. Most of that can be overlooked. Poppy Drayton is a pretty girl and she seems sweet if a little bit on edge. On the other hand, Wayne is a jerk and he is harder to root for. I think he tries to live up to his Steve McQueen name way too hard. The original had the swagger but his great personality allows everyone to love him. This kid is missing that and his character doesn't help. On top of that, this is not much of a backwoods retreat. The movie's saving grace is Poppy and she has the charisma to lead this. That is often enough for a Hallmark romance.

A film in which the crumbs from different references are the best thing. Because, without be boring or bad, it is a Hallmark serie product. You know each step. And, sure, you hope be little different by yours expectations. But... . The couple made by Steven R. McQueen and Poppy Drayton is nice but not real convincing. Katrina Norman reminds a sort of Audrey Hepburn. Mary - Margaret Humes does her best and Vernee Watson ,William Shockley are good pillars for a poor story . So, choices, love, pretext for fake twists .

Loretta (Poppy Drayton) is from a small city in Louisiana, where she now works as an event planner for a lovely country hotel. Despite the place being very beautiful, there are not a great many events to plan in the area. In addition, Loretta longs for a chance to see the world and work in a large city, arranging hoity toity affairs. Therefore, in spite of a longtime boyfriend, Wayne (Steven R. McQueen), Lori makes the decision to move to LA and work with well-known planner, Amy. Wayne is miffed and semi-heartbroken. Fast forwarding two years, Loretta has risen the ranks but when her boss stiffs her for a promotion, she is hurt. By chance, an attorney crosses paths with Lori and, pretending to be her boss, Lori takes the requested job to pair the lawyer with his future pa-in-law in a rustic setting. This is because the older man likes the outdoors and won't give his blessing to his daughter marrying a sissy! What place could be better than Lori's town in Louisiana, where there is fishing, hiking, and bird-watching? That's right, Loretta takes the odd pair there. But, of course, Wayne has to pretend her name is Amy and is not very happy his ex is lying, even if its a white lie. Plus, does Loretta have any feelings for Wayne anymore? Does Wayne still have eyes for Loretta? Will the lawyer gain admiration from his grouchy future relative? This is a sweet and saucy romance from, what else, Hallmark company. It's terrific with spectacular scenery, nice scripting, and fine direction. Spring into action, fans, and bring this home.

I enjoyed this one. Loved that the leads were not the regular Hallmark actors. These two - Poppy Drayton and Steven R. McQueen - were very refreshing. Their relationship was also age appropriate. Keep more of these coming Hallmark!

Paul starts right off with "I hate liars." I do too, at least stories based on lies and impersonations. (I also think a man who answers the phone of a virtual stranger has no room to talk.)

But there is something about Poppy Drayton as Loretta. She isn't the drop dead gorgeous glamorous diva. But the girl inside is sweet. Loretta is a bit uptight. For me, she was the only positive thing about this movie, but even her appeal fades. (Question though - how does anyone believe this spite who looks like a teenager could be the boss of a major agency?)

Steven R. McQueen as Wayne is a jerk. It seems like he goes out of his way to annoy. And does he care about anyone other than himself? Or does he have any particular talents? He even tries to sabotage what he knows Loretta is trying to do. Repeatedly. There is no reason for Loretta to like him in the least.

For me, this type of movie is about the chemistry between the leads. And most of the movie the chemistry between Wayne and Loretta was anywhere from terrible to fair.

The story is about what you'd expect until there is an interesting twist that livens things up a bit about 2/3rds. But overall - No, I don't buy it.

Kix Brooks performs a short song which I'm not sure would appeal that much to anyone not into that style.