Natale a prima vista

Super cute, def usual predictable Hallmark fare. But it caught my attention that the main character says 5th Avenue isn't real. I replayed the scene because I did not believe I heard that correctly. I think all the folks who live and work and own shops on 5th Avenue might be surprised to learn it doesn't exist. WWTT??

I very much enjoyed that so many of the characters looked less than shiny perfect, like normal humans. Hair was imperfect, makeup was light, and there was some nice humor. Also the sequin Santa hat one of the guys wore was EVERYTHING. Also nice to see a China pattern besides Old Country Roses used.

Journeyman hockey player Scott meets Ashley in the airport for their "meet cute". They both flew into Idaho Falls, Idaho which happens to be Ashley's hometown and Scott's new home as he has been traded to the local hockey team...the Fighting Trouts! Scott's frustrated because he really wants to be called up the the NHL, but keeps getting passed over for younger and faster kids. He is in his thirties and trying to come to grips with his dream being unattainable.

His real goal is to be as good as his father a Hall of Fame hockey player, who was too busy playing to be a father to his son and considers his team his family instead of his actual family.

At home, after having her real estate parter and boyfriend betray her and steal her client, Ashley begins to realize how great it is to be in her home town with her warm and loving family and friends.

Hockey, Christmas cider, more hockey, and fishing for plastic fish...this was an adorable holiday romance. I loved the focus on family and it's value. Kim Matula (Ashley) and Kevin McGarry (Scott) were wonderful together. The humor was great and I really appreciated the taxi cab callback at the end.

I highly recommend this Hallmark Holiday Romance to my fellow romantics, especially to those like me who like hockey!

I remember feeling like last seasons Hallmark Christmas movie lineup was so much better than previous years. Not as many predictable story lines as in the past. More stories were actually very interesting. After watching this movie, it's my opinion they've kept up the new tradition of crafting a story with actual believable events and endings. Both leads were very good and it's obvious that Keven McGarry can actually ice skate (as I imagine lots of Canadians can). I didn't give this a 10 rating since I felt, as with lots of TV movies and especially Hallmark, the actual sporting event scenes are played out in almost slow motion so us viewers can feel te drama and not miss what's happening. That being said, this movie is well worth watching. I'm looking forward to the next countdown movie!

For me, this movie was unexpected. A bit different from the usual, which made me want to immediately watch it again to see what I missed. Tender and sweet, yet with very funny moments. The goofy family was delightful and relatable. Romance shown differently, with the conflict being within each character; not between the characters. Love how the individual storylines weaved together. The cast was lovely, the scenery beautiful, shot from many locations, the facial expressions were the best. Love how the beginning and end cab scenes book ended the movie, and how the Actors handled those scenes! Great chemistry between the leads, and hope to see them paired together again. If you want to watch a movie that does not gut punch you and leaves you with warm feelings, this is the movie to watch!

Scott Briggs (Kevin McGarry) is traveling to Idaho Falls to join the roster of a minor league hockey team. Commercial realtor Ashleigh Durreau (Kim Matula) is traveling from New York City to her hometown of Idaho Falls for the Christmas holiday. They briefly meet in the airport, where their debit cards are switched by a clerk.

They arrange to recover their cards, then find that they will be living in close proximity. Scott, who has dreams of playing in the NHL, adjusts to his new teammates and the small-town way of life. Ashleigh settles in with her family and finds herself loving life in the town she had been so determined to escape. And the two of them spend some time together.

This is a very enjoyable film. The two stars have a wonderful chemistry that feels organic. The expected Hallmark trope of small-town bliss does not grate; it grows out of the family dynamics and the personal growth of Scott and Ashleigh. And small-town value is not the moral of this story. It has to do with expectations that can limit one's ability to see options---a lesson for us all.