This just came out and I've seen it twice already. It was even better the second time. I knew nothing about Sarah Ramos before watching this but I really liked her portrayal of Sarah Collins aka Sarah Grace. She was quite effective and very appealing in a sexy bookworm/librarian kind of way. She also did an impressive job of conveying both her character's initial teenage insecurities and her growing confidence. And I like the explanation given for her pen name Sarah Grace. Carlo Marks was likable, as usual, playing Sarah's childhood friend/crush Travis. He and Ramos had really great chemistry together. They walked and talked and looked like a real couple. I always love seeing couples tease each other and engage in fun banter. There's plenty of that here. All without a single appearance by any past or present significant others. That was refreshing.
Another reviewer commented that it was "absurd" for young Sarah to be unaware that her childhood friend Travis was getting married. That's fair, but given that she was just a teenager, 4 years younger, and only around during summers and the Christmas holiday, it's not inconceivable. I actually found it harder to believe that she hadn't returned to visit her beloved grandmother since the day she crashed Travis's wedding.
That same reviewer asked: "What did that boring bear story have to do with anything?" First, I didn't think it was boring and it struck me as one of those fun stories that results in a nickname, some good natured teasing, and ends up being the kind of story that becomes part of family lore. But second, and perhaps more to the point, there's a key part of that story that isn't revealed until the end. No spoilers here. But after that important reveal, Sarah says: "That was the day I fell in love with you Travis Walker." In short, that bear story said more about Travis than it did about Sarah Bear.
Another reviewer seemed to find it unlikely that Sarah would be famous after just one book. The author who immediately came to mind was Harper Lee, who became VERY famous after her first book- To Kill a Mockingbird. Rowling's Harry Potter, Tolkien's The Hobbit and Mary Shelley's Frankenstein also come to mind.
Admittedly, there were a series of unlikely circumstances and coincidences that keeps Sarah from Travis, and then brings her back to Travis, but once that's overlooked, the movie becomes quite enjoyable and heart warming. As for the annoying critics who unfairly disparage Hallmark movies as being "all the same", I thought the whole magical kismet cookies plot line was fun and rather unique. I don't mind a little Christmas magic, especially if it doesn't involve yet another magical Santa and acts more like a nudge or a mechanism of enlightenment, as opposed to something that wipes out free will
I was also impressed with the other actors. Marilu Henner (Grammie) Michele Sacarbelli (Patsy) and Barbara Pollard (Raylene) were all solid as usual. I thought Rubi Tupper was great as Travis' daughter Jazzy. Someone complained about all her hugs (really; in a Hallmark movie?) but I melted every time that little girl hugged Sarah. I kept thinking how she was desperately in need of a mother figure given that her own mother would rather "travel with her band" and just "check in" from time to time. I really have no patience for parents who won't fulfill their responsibilities as parents.
This movie was very well written by Betsy Morris and Lori Wilde (she wrote the Wedding Veil trilogy). Just a few of my favorite lines:
"If there's no love, there's no magic"
"You mean the book marked 'private, keep out, especially Travis'?"
"Come on dad, these books aren't going to read themselves!"
"Chopping down tree thingy.... writers have a way with words"
"I've seen scary movies start this way"
"What's the bear population around here? Asking for a friend."
"I think it's good, but I'm also a writer so I'm needy and thin-skinned."
"Jaded literary agents need love too you know"
Loved the Die Hard Christmas reference. There were also some neat subtle touches by director Mark Jean (the Nine Lives of Christmas), like when a vendor in the public square throws his hands up when the place becomes deserted during the scavenger hunt.
I loved it when Benny spelled out the facts for Sarah's "crippling difficult decision"
There's a lot to love about this movie.
