HomeSweetHeartie

I expected Villa Amore to be just another ho-hum Hallmark formula flick - but the moment Liara set foot in Italy, I found myself unexpectedly connecting with her in deeply personal ways. I came for Kevin McGarry (my favorite!), but Eloise Mumford completely drew me into her character's heart and soul.

Filmed on location, Villa Amore is steeped in vibrant small-town Italian culture. The setting felt so rich and authentic, it was like getting my own mini-vacation.

I don't usually get too invested in side characters, especially when their roles are small, but here, each one added humor, warmth, and context - with satisfying, sometimes hilarious resolutions to their arcs. And that surprise twist at the end with the realtor and Leo's Nonna? Absolutely delightful. My laugh-out-loud moment: the Rome hotel concierge scrambling to erase the "honeymoon" vibe from Liara's suite!

The real surprise, though, was the love story. Sure, the bones of the plot follow the Hallmark template, but the performances, writing, and camerawork elevated everything. Leo and Liara's chemistry made it feel fresh and cinematic - many fans I've chatted with said it's worthy of a big-screen release. And let's be honest: some of the details were just straight-up clean sexy.

Villa Amore played to Kevin McGarry's strengths while giving him room to stretch - from sweet domestic moments and smoldering kisses to speaking Italian and portraying a panic attack with surprising depth. He's at his best as a romantic lead, and this film gave him plenty of chances to shine: tender gazes, hand-holding, soft touches, and yes - multiple swoon-worthy kisses.

If I were asked to come up with some criticism, I would mention the following weaknesses: 1. Although Leo is a skilled handy-man, we never actually saw him work on anything at the Villa. We would have really enjoyed some short clips of him working!

2. In regards to Liara's fiance Kyle, that relationship was so clearly over from the very first scene. It wasn't necessary to bring him back for final closure.

The season twelve finale, "Must Be Gold," like episode 10, was joyful-until the final five minutes delivered yet another dramatic shift. Still, it ended on the most hopeful cliffhanger in seven seasons. While there was no engagement or wedding, fans were left excited and, for the most part, satisfied.

A time jump moves the story into spring-final presentations, graduation, and, of course, the search for the missing golden treasure. Little Jack's diabetes treatment appears to have gone smoothly.

Foreshadowing begins early when Elizabeth receives a letter about a new insulin clinic in a nearby city. From that moment, though reluctant to admit it, she slowly begins to realize what she may need to do.

Elizabeth would NEVER leave Hope Valley. This theme has remained constant through twelve seasons. But never say never. In moments of crisis, life-altering decisions become clear in an instant.

Nathan and Elizabeth share significant "forever" conversations-Nathan's "Where you go, I go" and talk of their future together in Hope Valley. The highly anticipated "One Breath, One Heartbeat" scene, though not as grand as previews suggested, remains a touching moment that fans will treasure. Nathan still seems to be waiting for Elizabeth to take the lead in their relationship, but the man is utterly besotted-thinking of her constantly.

Meanwhile, romance is thriving in Hope Valley, with at least five new couples forming. There's rich potential to explore these relationships, but first, Nathan and Elizabeth must be settled. They need to be married-to make their family official. It's TIME.

The episode's main weakness was the time jump. A montage was needed to fill in the gaps-especially regarding Little Jack's care and holiday milestones over the winter. Aside from Elizabeth stating that time had passed, there was little proof of the jump-making it seem like nothing significant happened in seven months.

Much gratitude is owed to Lindsay Sturman, who, as showrunner for the last three seasons, breathed fresh life into the show and corrected many wrongs. She will always be a hero to fans. The show is renewed for season 13 under new showrunner Joy Gregory.