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Social influencer who wrote the relationship rules writes a book about finding the perfect man, her publisher wants to do promotions and have the fans meet this paragon of virtue...only he is an imaginary guy.

Her best friend/manager takes her home to come up with a plan or an idea for a replacement book. There they meet her older brother who is home from building homes for the unfortunate overseas, played by Travis van Winkle...who is the best part of this film. He does an excellent job of the older brother and teasing his sister's friend. It was funny and totally made this Hallmark holiday romance. He had me laughing over the breakup and grieving process over the fake boyfriend. He also had it for romance points...making s'mores in your pjs in the fireplace. I was right there.

This moved in to a must see...funniest and most romantic moments I have seen this far from the Hallmark holiday offerings.

Hallmark did a wonderful job of picking the closing act to this year's 'Countdown to Christmas'. 'Tis the Season to be Merry' is a lovely Christmas romance with a well-written and entertaining script, brilliant acting, and some remarkable chemistry between the leads. The story follows Merry (played by Rachael Leigh Cook), a social media influencer who specializes in love and relationships. Merry has just finished her first book on the rules of love based on her relationship with her fiancé named Dale. However, there is a catch, there is no fiancé; she made Dale up. She decides to accompany her best friend and editor, Darlene (played by Amy Groening), to snow-covered Vermont to spend Christmas and to figure out what to do. In Vermont, she soon runs into Adam (played by Travis van Winkle), her best friend's brother, and sparks begin to fly. Will Merry take a chance on her feelings for Adam? Will she figure out what to do about her book and rules of love? The story is an engaging one from start to finish. The writers do a great job of developing and building the romance between Merry and Adam as the story progresses. You, in a way, get to watch this grow on-screen, which is one of the appealing aspects of the movie. The dialogue and interaction between the two are great. Though not a straight-up comedy, there are multiple scenes with some nice banter and comedic moments. The writers also do a decent job of weaving together (in 84 minutes) three different love stories in this one, all of which I enjoyed. As others have pointed out, though a minor shortcoming, I did find the story regarding the parents and the sale of the family farm to be a bit off/odd. Not discussing the selling of the (third-generation) family farm and business with the children seemed in direct conflict with the close family bond that the writers wanted to portray in the story. There is a disconnect between the two, and the writers' attempt to square the circle, so to speak, is unsatisfying, I'm afraid. What makes all this work on-screen, of course, is the acting, and it was brilliant. Cook's portrayal of Merry is fun and playful, and she has this sort of sweet and innocent vibe to her performance that is very appealing to watch in this genre of film. Van Winkle's performance is also impressive. His portrayal of Adam is both fun and easy-going while at the same time warm and sincere. A perfect combination for a romance-comedy of this nature. What stood out for me is the chemistry between the two. Put simply: it is outstanding. They do a great job of building the attraction they have for each other as the story progresses. Indeed, you could feel and see the tension, sparks, and electricity between them. Impressive performances. Finally, the movie also has a nice warm Christmas vibe to it with plenty of Christmas spirit and festive cheer. All in all, 'Tis the Season to be Merry' is a wonderful Christmas romance, one of Hallmark's best this season. I highly recommend it.

I can't say I've ever loved the premise of a relationship expert writer who loses or doesn't have a boyfriend/fiancé. Throw in that she is an "influencer" on social media. The truth comes out a little earlier than usual and then things get interesting. Sure, overall, it's predictable, but this kind of ending is what the viewers want. The way it gets there is kind of different.

There is some good dialogue, especially when Rachael Leigh Cook is involved. Cook and Travis Van Winkle have great interplay and chemistry.

There is at least one other romance going, but Cook and Van Winkle dominate most of the story.

Merry (Rachael Leigh Cook) goes to Vermont for the holidays to escape her problems. She has written a self-help book about relationships that is based on a fabrication and her publisher is demanding a rewrite. While away from the city, she reconnects with Chris (Travis Van Winkle), a free-spirited altruist who rubs her the wrong way. When her publisher follows her to Vermont, it looks like Merry's holiday will be a bust.

Cook does a fine job playing the lovable dork. Her awkwardness around Van Winkle works well to make this film a comedy-based romance. Like all Hallmark romances, the end results are fairly predictable, but solid acting by the entire cast keeps the story enjoyable.

Further proof that Rachael Leigh Cook definitely knows a good Hallmark movie when she sees one. Has she ever starred in a bad one? I don't think so...

What seems like a fairly shallow type of plot actually becomes something more.

Yes, you have the smalltown Christmas theme - all the usual Christmassy events are there - but don't let that discourage you if you're not a fan of that particular trope.

RLC (who I must admit is very easy on the eye) and Travis Van Winkle as Merry Griffin and Adam Walters steal the show. They are fantastic together, and strong in their solo scenes as well. They benefit from a funny, witty and surprisingly heartfelt film. There are a few cringey moments, but they were thankfully few and far between.

Of course it ends with a kiss. They always do. But this one felt less cliched than many others.

As a Clemson Football fan, I loved the nod to Clemson with the orange and purple decorated Christmas tree, along with Joe and Sonia, the two characters with ties to Clemson. I found Rachael Leigh Cook to be really charming as Merry, and this is my favorite movie I have ever seen her in. I specifically liked her supportive friendship with Darlene and the comical moments between her and Adam. All around this is a fun holliday movie.

This Hallmark offering, though plight with the usual cliches (small town, childhood friends, affirmative action CEO, token lgbtq assistant, predictable plot etc.) was a breath of fresh air!

I usually watch these movies because they are easy on one's brain cells but this one was surprisingly different: it was really very very funny and, moreover, funny in a smart way. There were a few cringeworthy moments involving the publishing company CEO but they were few and far between: The chemistry and the banter between the leads was greatly enjoyable!

Rachel Leigh Cook seems to have a knack at choosing her Christmas movies at Hallmark!

I can never understand people being surprised by a Hallmark production. Yes, it's completely unbelievable and at times you feel in need of a bucket because the dialogue is so sickly sweet, but at it's core it's what a lot of people love / need, especially at Christmas. This movie might not be their best, but it made me feel good.

Well, the movie was fair; your typical made-for-tv Christmas movie. But what made me submit this was IMDB's own description, where it says Merry "finds a new perspective and Christmas cheer with charismatic aid worker Chris." Who is Chris? There's no Chris in this movie. Obviously, they mean Adam, the male lead opposite Merry.

I should probably confess that I haven't liked anything Rachael Leigh Cook has done since she destroyed that kitchen in the "This is your brain on drugs" commercial (very hot!).

That hasn't changed after watching this (I like her friend better), but Travis van Winkle makes up for it. He was excellent in this film. He has a comic timing I didn't know was in him.

The plot is pretty thin, author creates a phony character and passes him off as real, then spends the rest of the movie trying to figure out how to fix it.

Does Hallmark have a magical ending? We all know the answer to that.

Supporting cast is good. Familiar faces all. The secondary romance is sweet, and at times a welcome break from the tedium of the main one.

All in all, not awful.

I tried so hard to watch this movie. The actors were good, but the movie was so slow and boring, I gave up half way through. I got to the point that I just didn't care.

Final Verdict: I'm giving 'Tis the Season to Be Merry 3 stars - "Candy Cane Okay." It's a decent holiday movie that offers more than the usual single romance, with a strong supporting cast and multiple love stories to enjoy. However, it's held back by an overly preachy tone and a dorky premise that makes it feel a little too earnest for its own good. Forgettable yet somehow enjoyable, it's the kind of movie you might find yourself accidentally rewatching-and not entirely minding.

Short Summary: In 'Tis the Season to Be Merry, a dating guru struggles to follow her own rules while navigating romance, friendship, and unexpected connections during the holidays. The story also features a refreshing focus on side characters, offering multiple romantic plotlines instead of just one. Themes of giving back and saving the planet add a preachy twist to the usual Hallmark formula, making for a movie that's equal parts heartwarming and a bit awkward.

The Full Review: I don't usually rewatch Hallmark movies, so the fact that I accidentally stumbled into 'Tis the Season to Be Merry for a second viewing says a lot. Whether it's because the movie is forgettable or simply destined for multiple viewings, I'm not sure-but I can say I enjoyed it (again) despite its flaws.

Let's start with the positives. The movie's biggest strength is its ensemble cast, which brings some much-needed variety to the standard Hallmark setup. Instead of focusing solely on the main couple, 'Tis the Season to Be Merry gives meaningful screen time and actual plotlines to the supporting cast. This makes it feel more like a community story than a one-dimensional romance. With three romances unfolding, there's something for everyone, and it's a nice surprise to see side characters get their moments in the spotlight.

That said, the main storyline left me rolling my eyes more than once. The FMC, a dating guru who creates "rules" for finding love but can't seem to follow them herself, feels like a character straight out of a mid-2000s rom-com. It's not a bad premise, just a bit tired and overly cutesy. Meanwhile, the MMC is all about saving the world, building villages in underdeveloped nations, and pondering giraffe rescue missions in Thailand. While admirable, this level of environmental and social justice heroics comes across as preachy rather than endearing. It feels like the movie is trying to do too much, blending romance with a PSA on global issues, and the result is an awkward tonal mismatch.

Despite these quirks, the movie manages to maintain its charm, largely thanks to the holiday spirit woven throughout. The festive atmosphere, paired with the heartwarming side plots, keeps things light and enjoyable. And while the preachy tone might grate on some viewers, others might appreciate the attempt to bring deeper themes to a Hallmark movie.

Would I watch it again? Well, apparently I already did. And while it's not a movie I'd go out of my way to recommend, it's a perfectly fine choice for a cozy night in. The multiple romances add variety, and the holiday cheer is strong enough to overlook the movie's more awkward elements.

I loved the movie!!

The chemistry between Merry and Adam was spot on! (And the kisses between them did not disappoint!)

I enjoyed the friendship between Merry and Darlene, and the brother sister relationship between Darlene and Adam was very believable! This movie put good attention to detail and I noticed! From the looks the characters gave to each other, to their interactions, to the effortless and organic humor!

It just looses a star because I didn't care about the coupling of Joe and Sonia. Those parts were kinda boring.

Everything else was great! Hallmark, please pair Rachael and Travis again!

Such a great movie! Yes, it's the same premise that has been used before of a relationship expert being single... but...Rachel Lee Cook and Travis Van Winkle are just fantastic. They are very funny together and have fantastic chemistry. Amy Groening, Rachel's editor is a very funny sidekick. Really enjoyed this movie.

This story starts out with something we've seen before but with a slight twist. Merry Griffin is a social influencer on relationships. She writes an advice book about how she found the perfect guy that checked all her boxes and has the perfect relationship and how the reader can have the same result. However, this is just a fantasy that she made up, her Publisher finds out and she gives her the ultimatum to FIX IT, they can't publish this book of lies!! Her Editor and best friend, Darlene, encourages Merry to come with her to her family home in Vermont for Christmas, where they can work on a solution to fix the problem. There she gets reacquainted with Darlene's brother, Adam, whom she met before and loathed. Merry's Publisher, Sonia, later follows the ladies to Vermont to give them the ultimatum and a deadline to come up with a new book idea or they will both be fired. Meanwhile, Merry and Adam start to connect and fall for one another. There's a complication, Darlene has a crush on the diner owner's son, James, who also returned to Vermont for Christmas, but it appears he likes Merry, but looks are deceiving. There's also a subplot about Darlene and Adam's parents announcing that they are retiring and selling their farm and store, which upsets Adam. Yes, it all sounds somewhat complicated and also figures to be a promising story to unravel. However, the plot drags horribly in the middle (mostly because of time spent on a romance between Sonia and James's father, Joe, and the sale of the store and farm ). ALSO, parts of the script that were meant to generate suspense FAIL, and all the story components conclude with VERY VERY predictable endings. Although there are entertaining and witty moments, this movie is sadly a disappointment.

Rachel Leigh Cook, (Merry), Travis Van Einkle, (Adam), and Amy Groening (Darlene) all do an EXCELLENT job in their roles, they come close to saving the film, but the too predictable script failed them.

Tis The Season To Be Merry (2021) -

This film was a prime example of when they really do get it right.

Firstly, Travis Van Winkle in the role of Adam was beautiful and you get to see him in just a towel. That in itself was a reason to watch this film - Swoon! If you added Tom Cruise and Matthew McConaughey's few good bits to the gorgeous Channing Tatum, you would get Travis. He was just lovely and very sexy.

I don't know why anyone would be so reluctant to get together with him?

Rachael Leigh Cook as Merry must have been blind not to see his brilliance, kindness and beauty right away. He really did deliver a great romantic lead. He could also act, which in some of these films has become a rarity.

I could clearly see the romance blooming in this one and it was really quite sweet, as she grew to realise that life doesn't always follow the rules.

I also liked the combination of other romances which added a bit more warmth and love for the season. It didn't lose focus on the main one for it either, which was nice, because sometimes they get lost trying to do too much.

I did find it really weird that James (Adam Hurtig) took Merry out for a date though. It didn't quite fit with the other things going on. The only way it made sense was if he was purely asking her out to give him relationship advice, which seemed to be the way that they were trying to make it go. I personally wouldn't take someone out to dinner for that though.

Joe, played by Paul Essiembre was a sexy Mofo as well for an older guy. I wouldn't usually notice him, as one of the incidental characters, but he was so charismatic and relaxed that it was hard not to fall for his charms.

I couldn't help but be beguiled by Travis, even in his clothes, so it was easy to take an interest in what happened with the film and the characters as a whole.

As I stated to begin with, this was the type of film that I trail through all of the "Made For TV" ones to find. It had heart and feeling and Christmas to spare, with actors that knew what they were doing and it seemed liked they had a budget that made it worthwhile to produce.

8/10.

I simply loved it.

I laughed, cried, went through all the emotions watching this movie.

Travis Van Winkle without a shirt is a must watch. Specially because it's so rare in Hallmark movies to see a man like this.

There are people out there that reads and believe in rules that the ones Merry wrote. And relationships are unpredictable. That's what's great about them. There are no rules.

Follow your hearts.

One of my all time favourites.

The good point - the nice friendship between Darleen and Merry. Near the mugs. Near the imaginary boyfriend.

Not impressive acting, not the best story but reasonable steps of romance and nice Christmas traditions.

Not surprising, the supporting cast is the base. And, sure, the predactibility.

The result - a nice Christmas film in Hallmark style, pleasant twists and easy solutions and a fair game with familiar ingredients of genre. A film after a tough work day, proposing only a good state and a decent job of Rachael Leigh Cook and Travis Van Winkle. For many reasons it is just enough for save the fist of mistakes of script.

8.5 Stars.

There are rarely bad Hallmark films, for which I am very grateful, otherwise this Christmas movie marathon journey would be wrought with disappointment. If we need wholesome stories, we can always fall back on Hallmark. Coincidentally, on the other side of the same coin, there are rarely super awesome Hallmark films. You know, the ones where you lost track of time, one moment about 12 minutes in, the two leads are just getting acquainted, next thing you know there's only 25 minutes left. And why would you even take note of the time stamp? Because you realize you do not want the movie to end. This is one of those very few inconceivably great films.

It speaks for itself, needs no advertising, needs no further illustration. If you don't watch this movie, it's your loss my friend.

Rachel Lee Cook's character looks so sad and confused throughout this movie. Never really happy. Always worried about what was coming next and so afraid. She really didn't portray a confident woman at all. Even when she was happy she looked sad. The movie was so slow and boring.

Jennifer Leigh Cook as Merry is in deep doo doo early on. One of the better things about these Hallmarks is that you, inadvertently, can nap and not miss a beat. In Real Life, Cook divorces in the year this movie was made. Reel Life wins hands down over Real Life.