Hearts Around the Table: Jenna's First Love

Let's start by summing this movie up with the extremely ridiculous post in the main character's , Andrew, yearbook which read - "You smelt like farts all sophomore year." If you find this humorous or cute, this movie is for you. If you are over the age of 18 and wondering why that was allowed to make it in as a prop, ummm not so much. (Prop person - you had one job). The characters weren't interesting so I wasn't invested in their story. The acting was kind of wooden for such an amazing cast (I blame the director). The storyline had promise but felt so rushed. I think with some more thought and edits, and removal of some of the silly dialogue, this would be a great movie. I would love to see a redo. With a different director.

I wanted to like this movie or start off the series. I'm hoping the other movies are better. This one I didn't want the main ones to get together.

He came off arrogant and dismissive towards her ideas. And when they liked her idea better he made a face.

Like typical Hallmark you have miscommunication between the leads. If she "was the love of his life" why wait till like you're all old. He could have tried harder. Who carries around the old yearbook to an event.

I'm waiting for the next one. The main guy I was not a fan of. Sheri was the best of this movie.

Until the next one. Like the concept of this 4 movie series.

I like another reviewer's comments about the continuation of the Unwrapping Christmas saga.

The story didn't flow well, but that could have been some bad acting by a fairly regular Hallmark star Steve Lund. He looked like he was suffering for playing the part. He didn't seem sincere or natural. I can't see how Jenna could love Andrew so don't even look for chemistry between Lund and Newbrough. Even right up to the climax, Andrew was acting like a loser.

Then there is Sheri. I'm sure she will turn out to be nice when it's her movie, but I thought she was beyond rude. Mostly to Andrew.

The kid, Rory, looked somewhere between asleep and comatose in early scenes at the dinner table.

I couldn't decide how Jenna felt about the way Tom was coming on to her. I wasn't sure she was picking up on it, or trying not to, but it was so obvious. Then a little later it almost seemed like she was giving him a chance, but like Lund, Newbrough didn't seem invested in her role as it related to Tom.

The whole movie felt off.

The new series shows promise. A family of foster children return weekly for a meal with the woman who fostered them all played by Mindy Cohn. They share stories and updates as well as their hopes for the future. And many keep in touch like any family would advising and protecting each other. Each episode like this one will focus on the current situation one of the family members finds themselves in. There may also be a glimpse into the life of a current foster child and how the past fosters bolster and love on the current one. This episode had the usual Hallmark love story but the focus on fostering and a fundraiser for community support of families in need made it more tolerable.

Let me explain why we like this Hallmark movie and gave it a "10." Primarily, the female lead's clothing as well as hair and makeup were a monumental improvement from ALL earlier Hallmark movies. I would bet money that Hallmark (hopefully) fired every single person that dressed the stars in those tacky, ugly, unstylish clothing, especially the women, but men too. There is a saying that fits, which is: There only taste is in their mouth. Hair, makeup, and especially the women's clothing was always garbage. It is like they were trying to start a new and tasteless trend, that would never get off the ground in the real world. Awful. So thanks for giving good taste in clothing a chance.

The show is worth watching if only for the female lead's clothing. Very classy, and very tasteful. It complemented her nicely instead of Halmark's usual Halloween costumes.

Plus the script was pretty good too.