The Sweetest Heart

I thought Chris McNally was a little too restrained. so while he and Julie Gonzalo connected, I didn't think there were a lot of sparks. And Gonzalo played insecure for most of the movie which just isn't appealing.

The story was pretty average. Pluses that the rival guy wasn't a cliché. But the ending left me a little flat. Even at best, it was nothing special.

For me the highlight was Andrea Brooks. Yes she overplayed the shy wallflower a little bit. She is far too attractive for that to be believable. But her part was cute even so. I think it is time Hallmark gave Brooks a lead part.

Maddie Strong (Julie Gonzalo) returns to her home town after 14 years to open a cupcake store in memory of her beloved grandma. Her lifelong best friend Sarah is getting married. Chloe is her assistant. Alex Perkins is the handsome investment banker with a potential investor. Maddie is surprised when her first love Nate returns to town. She is still furious at him for getting cold feet a decade earlier.

I like Julie Gonzalo with her nose bridge scar and her personal warmth. This Hallmark romance is actually interesting in the positioning of an old love and a new love. Usually, the old love is the primary love. This one is truly up in the air. It's actually fascinating to have neither guy be an idiot. In the beginning, I assumed the ship would be Chloe and Nate thereby freeing Maddie to pair up with Alex. This one goes down a well established path. I'm not opposed but I would have preferred more back and forth. This is a very solid Hallmark romance. I hope for nothing but the best for Gonzalo although I'm not opposed to her being a Hallmark regular.

Nate and Maddie were childhood sweethearts and they had ambitious plans to open a cupcake store in the old creamery where Maddie's grandparents first met...only something happened along the way. Now Maddie is trying to expand her cupcake business and Nate is back in town to give lectures for three weeks as a cardiologist.

The investment headhunter is young, handsome and interested in Maddie...unfortunately Maddie doesn't feel anything in return...and that is where Nate comes in.

This was a sweet romance, Nate is the perfect gentleman and Maddie is delightfully driven to see her vision through. They have wonderful chemistry and I would recommend this for a great spring romance for all those romantics out there. Although I am not sure I would like pine nut flavored frosting...I was ok with the rosemary in a cupcake, but not the pine nuts.

There were two "when calls the heart" actors in this film and it was fun to see them in a contemporary piece. I particularly enjoyed Chris McNally's performance as Nate the cardiologist.

My daughter and I watched this together. She just loves Julie Gonzalos. I thought it was very well made, and a nice movie to watch with your tween daughter. We both loved the cup cake shop! And all the great colors! My daughter is now driving me crazy for the pink and lilac tops Maddie wore! We can't find them in any stores? Highly recommend for wholesome family tv time. It's a warm and fuzzy feeling move. Thank you Hallmark!

What's there not to like about cupcakes! I like Julie Gonzalo and find her under used by Hallmark. She's not over the top cutsie like many of their leading ladies nor is she an overly made up lead. The movie was cute and yes, of course, it's a sappy story but that's why we watch them. They're predictable happiness and we all need that sometimes. I hope one day Hallmark will cast her with Ryan Paevy, he's also under used.