Hallmark Is Starting Its Christmas Movie 2019 Schedule with Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses

Hallmark Christmas Movie Schedule starts with Movie Based on Book
The 2019 Hallmark Christmas Movie Schedule starts with Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses based on the book by Jenny Hale.

 

Hallmark is beginning its Christmas Movie 2019 schedule with a movie based on the book, Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses by Jenny Hale, and all of us Hallmark Christmas movie lovers can finally put on our fuzzy socks, park ourselves by the fireplace, and rejoice!

 

What To Expect Based On The Book

In preparation for watching the very first Hallmark movie of the 2019 Christmas season this weekend, I devoured the book and am happy to report the plot is right up our alley. A brooding, extremely handsome millionaire (who also happens to be fiercely protective and loving) meets his match in a hardworking, persistent single-mom, who’s also extremely talented and dedicated to both her son and her work. This is trademark Hallmark stuff and, of course, it makes for the perfect storyline for a snowy holiday movie.

 

My Take On The Book

I didn’t expect to love the book as much as I did, because unlike my love for Christmas movies, when it comes to reading I tend to lean towards the paranormal or suspense genres. However, the romance between the main characters, Abbey and Nick, was very well written and I found myself so invested in their story that I read the book in a straight four hour sitting. I needed to make sure Abbey had her happy ending.

Although the plot isn’t super original, Abbey’s character is authentic and her struggle as a single mom is convincing. I really wanted to see her get her fairytale ending.

I liked that Nick was a little broken and that Abbey was persistent enough to push through his rigid exterior and find the thoughtful, protective, loving guy underneath. I’m a total sucker for those types of romances.

 

Will The Movie Do The Book Justice?

So with that being said, I’m super excited about watching the movie… but also worried. As with all book to movie adaptions casting is KEY. So, I did a little digging to get an idea of how their picks for the main characters might pan out. Here’s what I found…

Abbey is being played by Jill Wagner. Honestly, I wasn’t that familiar with her. Lacy Chambert, Autumn Reeser, Candace Cameron-Bure, and Alicia Witt are some of my favs and I tend to watch their movies and skip a lot of the others. Hey, I like what I like.

That’s why I’m loving this movie review blog series, it introduces me to some potential new favorites. I’m hoping Jill will be the absolute perfect Abbey, because after reading the book, I want to see the movie hook me like the book did. We will see. I have hope!

 

Hallmark Actress Featured In First Christmas Movie On The 2019 Hallmark Christmas Movie Schedule
Jill Wagner plays Abbey in the 2019 Hallmark Christmas movie based on the book Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses

 

Will Jill Wagner Portray A Believable Abbey?

A little background: apparently, Jill grew up in my home state of North Carolina and went to NCSU, which is only about an hour away from where I live. My husband also graduated from there and I attended Peace college whose campus is only a couple of miles away. Small world!

Besides Hallmark movies, she’s been in Teen Wolf, Dancing with the Stars, and a bunch of other shows and movies I hadn’t realized.

The real catch will be if she and Matthew Davis (Nick) can bring the romantic connection that’s so apparent in the book onto our television screens. A believable romantic connection really is essential with all of these Hallmark movies. If the chemistry isn’t there, it just doesn’t work.

Okay, here’s a few pictures of Jill Wagner with Matthew Davis, who plays Nick in the movie:

Hallmark Actors Featured In First Christmas Movie On The 2019 Schedule
Hallmark Actors Featured In First Christmas Movie On The 2019 Schedule

Click here to watch an interview with both Jill and Matthew about the movie, Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses. Just from viewing this, I’m already seeing some things that are different from the book… hmmmm…

As long as the connection is there, a little bit of straying from the book should be okay? We will see!

Regardless, I can’t wait to update this post after watching the movie. Jill and Matthew, PLEASE be perfect together!

Have you read Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses yet? Will you be watching the new 2019 Hallmark Christmas movies with me starting next Saturday, October 26th? I really hope so. Let me know in the comments below!

XOXO,

Erika

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2019 Hallmark Countdown to Christmas Movie Reviews

2019 Hallmark Christmas Movie Reviews

 

2019 Hallmark Christmas Movie Reviews
Your Guide To Every Movie On The 2019 Hallmark Christmas Movie Schedule


There are two times of the year I really look forward to. One is Christmas and the other is Christmas in July, for one simple reason: Hallmark Christmas movies on repeat 24/7. This year I’ve decided to review each and every movie on the Hallmark Christmas Movie Schedule! Time is precious during the holidays and this guide will help you decide which of the 2019 lineup to add to your must-watch list.

 

Why I watch

Just playing a Christmas movie in the background while I’m doing all of the mundane things in life (ie dishes and cleaning and folding laundry) somehow makes those tasks not seem so bad. Of course, nobody does Christmas movies like Hallmark, so the channel is always my first choice when needing a good Christmas movie.

The combination of hearing Christmas music, seeing the snow and decorations, and the cozy fireplaces in the background, lifts my mood tenfold. Even if it is July and 99 degrees outside, after a day of folding laundry and watching Christmas movies, I’d swear to you I’d spent a chilly day by the fire.Plus there’s something about the sweet storylines focused on love and family that make me happy, even on days that aren’t the best. I love that I can watch a Hallmark Christmas movie without having to worry that there will be any content I wouldn’t let my nine year old see. In fact, she loves them as much as I do, and I love that they’re something we can watch together.

 

What I Will Tell You

When Hallmark released their 2019 Countdown to Christmas schedule I decided to watch each and every one and let you know how they compare to the books (when available), let you know the movies that have the secret sauce (aka romantic chemistry), and the overall watchability of each one (so you can decide if you should add to your 2019 must-watch list).

I’m pretty excited about this as I think it’ll make the Hallmark Christmas watching season so much more interesting!

 

 

I’ll give you insight into each movie, how the book compares, and help you decide which ones to watch first, because we all know the holiday season is busy, busy and if you don’t have time to catch them all, at least you’ll have an idea of which ones you’ll want to invest time in.

2019 Hallmark Christmas Movie Reviews
The First Christmas Movie On The 2019 Hallmark Christmas Movie Schedule Is Christmas Wishes And Mistletoe Kisses

 

First Movie On The Schedule!

First up on the Hallmark Christmas 2019 Schedule is Christmas Wishes & Mistletoe Kisses. I’m starting this book tonight in preparation for the Saturday, October 26th airing on The Hallmark Channel.

***UPDATE: I read the book in ONE NIGHT. It was SO good. There were a couple of cheesy moments that I thought were unrealistic (such as their first telephone conversation I just felt like it was a little contrived), but the relationship as a whole felt authentic and real. It sucked me in and I was definitely invested in the ending. I am very excited to look into the cast and see if I can dig up some behind the scenes before it airs this weekend. In fact, I’m going to sneak in another post with that info tomorrow. I’ll link the post HERE, when it’s finished. 

 

I hope you’ll join me in either reading and watching, or at least check back here to help you decide which movies to move to the top of your must-watch list! Who are your favorite Hallmark Christmas movie actors? Let me know in the comments. 

 

XOXO,

Erika

 

 

 

 

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WHAT ALICE FORGOT

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Oh boy, has it been awhile since I’ve read something this juicy!

Alice is a newlywed, 29, and pregnant. She has a loving, close relationship with her husband and the world at her fingertips. Except she doesn’t.

She wakes from a fall to find she’s 39 years old with three kids (who she doesn’t remember) and a soon-to-be ex-husband who can’t stand her. She’s lost a lot more than her memories from the past decade: somehow she’s managed to lose her marriage, relationships, and her self. Alice spends most of the book weeding through the shreds of what her life has become, and trying to figure out how she became someone she wouldn’t even like.

This book kept me up at night. I couldn’t put it down. At one point I was literally holding my eyes open just to finish.

It was. that. good.

Five stars all the way. *****

 

If you’re looking for a book, don’t forget – you can always check out my Book Reviews section. I have listed it all there to make it easy to find your next read. I’ve also filtered everything so you can search based on genre (romance, thriller, historical, non-fiction, ect.) Just go to the category box on the right side of your screen to search. 

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A Simplified Life: Tactical Tools for Intentional Living

 

By Emily Ley

 

I love this girl. If you don’t already follow her on Instagram, go do that now. You won’t regret it. Her posts are filled with life and organizational tips, product recommendations, and adorable (yet real life) pics of her kids. It’s an overall aesthetically pleasing feed that’ll brighten and enlighten your day.

 

Then, get this book.

There are so many great ideas to make your life more simplified and less hectic. My favorite, and one I’ve recently put into action, is to donate your current towels (all those mis-matched, stained up ones) and order inexpensive all-white towel sets from Walmart or Target. I ordered these when they were on sale, and got two sets for $25 including shipping. I wash them twice a week and add either bleach or oxyclean to the load to keep them fresh and clean. The best part: I never have a 4-foot high mound of stinky towels to wash. Plus, my linen closet looks so much neater and more organized now.

 

My other favorite tip from the book: wash a small load of clothes daily, no matter what the colors. She recommends adding a ColorCatcher sheet to the load to prevent color bleeding. I have to admit, I was leery of this, but I gave it a try (even including reds in the loads) and I’ve had no problems. This is now part of my daily routine and has really made laundry a little less overwhelming for me.

Target 4.39

 

Trust me. You need this book in your life.

 

Not a big reader? Order the audible version. I listened to this book while cooking and cleaning and really enjoyed it. The narration is good and it allows you to accomplish other things at the same time. Win-win.

 

XOXO,

Erika

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Big Little Lies


 

“Sometimes it’s the little lies that turn out to be the most lethal…

A murder…a tragic accident…or just parents behaving badly?  

What’s indisputable is that someone is dead. But who did what?

Big Little Lies follows three women, each at a crossroads:

 

Madeline is a force to be reckoned with. She’s funny and biting, passionate, she remembers everything and forgives no one. Her ex-husband and his yogi new wife have moved into her beloved beachside community, and their daughter is in the same kindergarten class as Madeline’s youngest (how is this possible?). And to top it all off, Madeline’s teenage daughter seems to be choosing Madeline’s ex-husband over her. (How. Is. This. Possible?).

Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare. While she may seem a bit flustered at times, who wouldn’t be, with those rambunctious twin boys? Now that the boys are starting school, Celeste and her husband look set to become the king and queen of the school parent body. But royalty often comes at a price, and Celeste is grappling with how much more she is willing to pay.

New to town, single mom Jane is so young that another mother mistakes her for the nanny. Jane is sad beyond her years and harbors secret doubts about her son. But why? While Madeline and Celeste soon take Jane under their wing, none of them realizes how the arrival of Jane and her inscrutable little boy will affect them all.

If you are a fan of intrigue, subtle, and not-so-subtle hilarity, and just the right amount of serendipity, this book will not only speak to you, it will create an addiction that will keep you up at night, determined to find out what stunning revelation awaits you. The narrating voice of Madeline is genius in its execution and her coined phrase “Oh, calamity” becomes an exclamation point ending many a turbulent scene. What could easily become an annoying catchphrase, manages to make an already endearing character even more so.

BIG LITTLE LIES tackles huge societal issues, yet still manages to serve them to readers with surprising delicacy topped with an interesting drizzle of honey. Consider moving this to the top of your reading queue, and perhaps even abandoning your current read to delve into this one as soon as possible. BIG LITTLE LIES is the dessert of your reading menu, but trust me when I say you’ll want to eat it first.

XOXO,

Erika

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Crimes Against a Book Club

“Best friends Annie and Sarah need cash—fast. Sarah, a beautiful, successful lawyer, wants nothing more than to have a baby. But balancing IVF treatments with a grueling eighty-hour workweek is no walk in the park. Meanwhile, Annie, a Harvard-grad chemist recently transplanted to Southern California, is cutting coupons to afford her young autistic son’s expensive therapy. Desperate, the two friends come up with a brilliant plan: they’ll combine Sarah’s looks and Annie’s brains to sell a “luxury” antiaging face cream to the wealthy, fading beauties in Annie’s La Jolla book club. The scheme seems innocent enough, until Annie decides to add a special—and oh-so-illegal—ingredient that could bring their whole operation crashing to the ground.

If you’re in need of a good laugh, then CRIMES AGAINST A BOOK CLUB is your answer. A light read with lots of wit and charm, you’ll find yourself following eagerly along as the protagonists tackle real life problems with a creative and comical solution. Enjoyable and unconventional, CRIMES AGAINST A BOOK CLUB earns 3.5 stars. This is a fun read to pass an uneventful afternoon, but I knocked a star off for the absurdity of the storyline. While hilarious, I had a hard time seeing this play out in real life. I’d recommend downloading to your kindle or reading app for the next rainy day or long plane ride.

 

XOXO,

Erika

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When Breath Becomes Air

“At the age of thirty-six, on the verge of completing a decade’s worth of training as a neurosurgeon, Paul Kalanithi was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer. One day he was a doctor treating the dying, and the next he was a patient struggling to live. And just like that, the future he and his wife had imagined evaporated. When Breath Becomes Air chronicles Kalanithi’s transformation from a naïve medical student “possessed,” as he wrote, “by the question of what, given that all organisms die, makes a virtuous and meaningful life” into a neurosurgeon at Stanford working in the brain, the most critical place for human identity, and finally into a patient and new father confronting his own mortality. What makes life worth living in the face of death? What do you do when the future, no longer a ladder toward your goals in life, flattens out into a perpetual present? What does it mean to have a child, to nurture a new life as another fades away? These are some of the questions Kalanithi wrestles with in this profoundly moving, exquisitely observed memoir. Paul Kalanithi died in March 2015, while working on this book, yet his words live on as a guide and a gift to us all. “I began to realize that coming face to face with my own mortality, in a sense, had changed nothing and everything,” he wrote. “Seven words from Samuel Beckett began to repeat in my head: ‘I can’t go on. I’ll go on.’” When Breath Becomes Air is an unforgettable, life-affirming reflection on the challenge of facing death and on the relationship between doctor and patient, from a brilliant writer who became both.”

An emotional memoir of a young neurosurgeon’s battle with advanced lung cancer; this novel is an intricate view into life, death, and the grey area in between told by someone experiencing them all. The reader is taken along on a poignant journey that, in time, we all must face. WHEN BREATH BECOMES AIR is raw, poetic and full of thoughtprovoking insights, such as: “There is perhaps only one thing to say to this infant, who is all future, overlapping briefly with me, whose life, barring the improbable, is all but past.”

WHEN BREATH BECOMES AIR earns 5 out of 5 stars for it’s beautiful and profound impact on the reader. Tissues are a requirement, but don’t let that stop you from experiencing the force of this emotional testimony. Better yet, read it, and tell the author’s wife how thoroughly you enjoyed doing so on April 25th 2017. Details are listed below.

 

“Nothing is ours except time” – Seneca

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