A Sweet Christmas Romance

I tend to love schmaltzy Hallmark movies around the Christmas holiday season. You tend to see sane actors over and over again, but this movie contained many new faces. The best part of the movie was Loretta Devine, and the rest if it was truly awful. The acting was terrible, particularly the female lead. Wooden, self conscious, unbelievable performance. The male lead was only slightly better. Unbelievable story line. Spare yourself the agony of watching this train wreck.

We really enjoy the Hallmark movies. Sure, they are very predictable and if you a few minutes while you run and get a snack, it's easy to pick up the plot when you get back. That being said, this one was one of the worst we seen. Actors and actresses were annoying and the story just totally unbelievable. Interesting that one reviewer thought Loretta Devine was the best part of the show. We thought just the opposite. Way over the top with her acting and reciting lines. Nice to see new faces in the stable of Hallmark performers, but I know they can do better.

Notice no one ever wears gloves when taking cookies out of the oven? Not just in 'A Sweet Christmas Romance' but all the Christmas movies on Hallmark and Lifetime that are baking themed!

That aside, A Sweet Christmas Romance - starring Australia's Adelaide Kane and Greyston Holt - is set at a bakery in a small town in Maine. The original owner of said bakery is retiring and moving to Alaska, and there is uncertainty about whether it will be sold off or whether someone will take over running.

Enter Holly (Kane) a food stylist from New York City and Brad (Holt), a Florida refugee.

If you've seen even just one of these festive films, you don't need me to tell you that sparks fly between these two. Their chemistry is good, and the movie trundles along at a gentle pace, a slow burn romance between the two leads, with a handful of the usual tropes making an appearance.

Not the best Lifetime Christmas movie ever, but also far from the worst. An easy watch, and an enjoyable one.

I like Adelaide - she's a good actress and above the usual Hallmark standard. She and Greyston Holt make an acceptable couple. But this baking competition story lacks substance. Should have saved the two for a better story.

A wonderful movie. The Light hearted and inspiring!