Falling for the Harvest — fangirl, interrupted

Well, we’re almost at the end of the Hallmark Cinematic Universe’s lifecycle and with Fall Harvest, they brough out the big guns, because… I don’t know how they’re going to ease us into the Christmas season when they’re bringing out the hits so close to the biggest season of the year. Still, I’m not complaining. In fact, I’m so happy about it.

Roadhouse Romance

Country music fan Callie is determined to continue her late grandfather's legacy. While TV director Luke is in town, he teaches her that sometimes it's best to look forward instead of back. Stars Lauren Alaina and Tyler Hynes.

So we all know how much I have fallen for Tyler Hynes and this movie is just adding to the reasons why. He just brings his A-game every time and playing a “director” who wants to do more and learn more is such a win. Though I wasn’t that big a fan of the leading lady, I’ll admit that they had pretty good chemistry and I’ll say 95% of that is due to Tyler.

I do appreciate how they made Lauren’s character the veteran because they usually focus more on the leading men as the veteran, so that was a nice touch. I also really liked the small town and all the damn focus on the BBQ sauce. I honestly wanted to eat all the BBQ!

Rating: 🍁🍁🍁

Raise a Glass To Love

Aspiring Master Sommelier Jenna returns to her family vineyard to study and is intrigued by the natural methods of the handsome new, Argentinian winemaker, Marcelo. Starring Laura Osnes, Juan Pablo Di Pace and Jennifer Huether.

We all know we love Laura Osnes but with the latest anti-vax news, it was a bit tough to get into this movie from the get-go. But there is a reason we love her and there is a reason why we can try to separate the art from the artist because damn, this movie made me break open a bottle of wine and dream of a summer on a vineyard.

The leading man Juan Pablo Di Pace needs to be in more Hallmark movies. I know he was in the Lifetime Christmas movie that had a gay love story (YES!) so it’s good to see him on this side of the fence. His accent, the wines! The sunkissed looks, the dancing! Perfect combination. Cheers.

Rating: 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Taking the Reins

A writer goes back to the family ranch to write an article about her passion for horses and discovers what ended her marriage and why she stopped riding horses. Stars Nikki DeLoach, Scott Porter, Corbin Bernsen and Janine Turner.

I am down for any movie that has Nikki Deloach in it and this time we see her as an equestrienne (or a former one that is) who is back home to compete because of her dad’s injury and she bumps into her ex-husband played by Scott Porter who I have missed since the Hart of Dixie days so it was nice to see him back on my screen.

And though Nikki seems to be typecast as the divorcee, I’m all for it. I love that they’re opening us up to more than the widows/widowers. Yes, divorce is real and it happens and Nikki plays it so well. I also loved her family so much and it was so nice to see them revive the business and reconnect with each other. And though I’m not the biggest fan of horses, it was nice to get some belated Heartland vibes too.

Rating: 🍁🍁🍁🍁

Love Strikes Twice

Workaholic lawyer Maggie is having marriage issues. She wishes for a do-over and awakens 15 years in the past. Will Maggie choose college boyfriend Rick or will she stay with husband Josh? Starring Katie Findlay, Wyatt Nash and Marshall Williams.

It’s really hard to make a time travel movie but because of the fresh faces that Hallmark threw at us, I actually kind of believed it. There’s something about Katie Finlday that just made me go all in on this premise that she’s a teen who’s somehow all lawyerly and helping her childhood friend/love save a library. The premise is insane but aren’t all these time travel movies anyway?

It’s a bit funny how they really tried to make the two lead guys look younger because there’s no way they could do this without a laugh. Still, I appreciate the break from the norm. I appreciate the lightness of it all and I would love more of these shenanigans if they do it right.

Rating: 🍁🍁🍁

South Beach Love

A story about rival quinceañeras, glorious Cuban cooking, friendship, family ties- and romance. Starring William Levy and Taylor Cole.

PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR THE KILLER ACCENT AND HANDSOME FACE OF A LIFETIME BECAUSE WILLIAM LEVY IS HERE TO STEAL YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR PANTIES. I kid you not! It’s amazing how one man can transform my feelings about Taylor Cole (i.e. not hate on her). That is a tough job but William Levy does it.

He fills every screen (literally) with his charm and his broad shoulders. He also makes me want to be engulfed in his arms. I also loved that we saw a lot of his family. The quinceanera is not something I’m incredibly aware of so it was nice to get a glimpse into the traditions! And the food! I was so hungry all throughout. This movie had a lot going on but I’m all for it.

Rating: 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Advice To Love By

When a love advice author and a dating columnist cross paths, attraction blooms into more. Using strategies from their own playbooks, is it possible they've both met their match – each other. Starring Erinn Westbrook and Brooks Darnell.

I didn’t think I needed a sixth movie for Fall Harvest but this movie came and delivered the goods in the most surprising way possible. We love a good matchmaker story and this one really put a twist to it and felt so much like a How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days just because they had opposing objectives and eventually fell into the same trap — falling in love against their will.

It was also just nice to see fresh faces (again!). We got a nice side story with the lead’s editor and her bookstore owner and so it was nice to have that distraction without it being better than the lead love story. There were also a lot of authentic conversations in this movie and I appreciated that. There’s substance and emotion and a good framework.

Rating: 🍁🍁🍁🍁