A Blind Date Christmas

**spoilers**😉

Can we all just take a moment to appreciate and enjoy the fact that Amy Groening, seemingly forever relegated to the role of best friend, co-worker, sister, colleague, etc. Has been finally promoted to main girl in a Hallmark Romance? Hopefully this is a trend not a blip. Of course she was wonderful and authentic as usual. And she hit the jackpot drawing Robert Buckley as her leading man. The two had a great natural chemistry.

We meet Jessie and Shelly, her friend and sister-in-law, discussing Jessie’s disappointing luck with dating apps. Jessie is trying to move forward after a mysterious broken engagement (I mean who would break up with Amy Groening?)  She gets a visit from her mother who tells  her that they are foregoing what would be the 23^rd annual  traditional “Chamberlain Family Christmas Olympics” to avoid upsetting her and stirring up old memories of happier days. Jessie loves Christmas and their family traditions and is upset and guilty that it is being canceled because of her. On an impulse, she lies to  her mother that she was going to bring a date to the festivities so they can’t cancel and disappoint him. Her mother does a 180, thrilled and excited that her daughter is finally moving on from her romantic disappointment. But now Jessie has to find a guy that is willing to meet her family on their first date and embrace the Christmas fun for the whole day.

Meanwhile we meet Bryan whose company is about to build an innovative affordable housing complex, replacing existing retail shops. There is one candle shop that is the last hold out and his company is about to serve her an eviction notice to his discomfort. Even though Bryan’s father founded the company and he will eventually be the head honcho, he is not ready for that right now. His interests are more about the actual building and creating, not in being the lord of all he surveys. Bryan reluctantly agrees to the eviction however because the company cannot afford not to build, and he does not have a viable alternative plan.

When Bryan’s friends find out he will be spending Christmas alone and see Jessie’s dating profile which has been altered to make attendance at her family’s wacky Christmas Eve festivities mandatory, Bryan is intrigued. They start texting and then meet up. The two have an easy rapport and share the same sense of humor. It’s A Blind Date Christmas!

I love an ensemble movie and although this one was mostly focused on Jessie and Bryan it was chock full of quirky and amusing family members and warm interactions. The usual plot points crop up: lonely Bryan is fully embraced by the family, many Christmas games and other hijinks ensue including the usual cookie baking, gift wrapping, tree decorating, snow ball fighting, etc. Since no ice skating was involved I was able to tolerate all of the shenanigans. Plus, each event has its own offbeat spin. Some of the family figure out that the couple are not only not almost engaged (yes, that misunderstanding happens) but barely know each other thanks to the Couple’s Quiz.  And, as always, the big conflict/secret is always lurking in the wings. Soon after the Christmas Eve events commence, Bryan finds out out that the little candle shop that his company is about evict belongs to the aforementioned Shelly. What. Are. The. Chances?

It is soon clear that Jessie and Bryan are made for each other even though it is only their first date. Their relationship was fun and sweet, thanks to the two actors and their camaraderie. When  Jessie tells him about her sad broken engagement it brings them even closer together. When the whole truth comes out regarding the couples’ relationship and Bryan’s true identity, the fit really hits the shan. “Are you telling me that a complete stranger might win the Chamberlain Family Christmas Olympics!?” Bryan leaves but soon finds a solution that will benefit the whole community and allow Shelly to keep her store. The family is eager to welcome him back into their good graces. He finally takes control over the direction of his company and scores a second date with Jessie on New Year’s Eve, no less. “ Too Late. I accept.”