7.4 stars.
I feel the writer's goal was to misdirect the audience beyond a simple cookie mystery. While I find this story to be fun and engaging, the real mystery here is about how a once tenacious woman who was the "princess" of a cookie company (Nod to Little Debbie) has lost her confidence and become very lonely.
There are a few mysteries being solved throughout this story, which is why it should be named 'A Christmas Cookie Mystery'. By the way, I had several suspects in mind and the true thief was my third pick, so good job Hallmark and writers for the subterfuge. The other mysteries to be solved are the cookie caper itself, and the third and most puzzling one is regarding the male lead's inability to open his heart to a struggling woman. Her attempts at loving him in a most innocent and profoundly vulnerable way are shunned and regarded as too invasive or assertive. Good job for the realistic and nuanced portrayal as she is overly apologetic for being genuine and putting herself out there. To think that he felt she was trespassing on his fragile sensitivities, such a travesty. She was not being pushy, she was being honest. In the end, she is rewarded for her courage. For you women, I believe there is a lesson to be learned. Take a chance, be vulnerable, many guys are clueless and we need the woman to make the first move.
