🍨🍨 Sweet Summer Nights: "Double Scoop" and More To Savor

( images via: Hallmark Media - click to enlarge
edit via: itsawonderfulmovie.com )

Happy Weekend, Friends!

Are you ready for two scoops of romance?🍨🍨

This weekend is serving up the sweetest *Summer Nights* treat on the Hallmark Channel with the premiere of “Double Scoop,” starring Taylor Cole and Ryan McPartlin. This ice cream-inspired romance is sure to melt hearts!

Plus, what a treat to have Chonda Pierce (Roll With It), Elisa Donovan (Clueless), Jacklyn Collier (The Engagement Plot), and Patrick Muldoon (A Boyfriend for Christmas) also in the cast!

(By the way, in case you didn't know, Chonda Pierce is a Christian comedienne; I've seen her performance in person and she is fabulous!!! She's hilarious and so down-to-earth. Her testimony and joy for Jesus truly touched my heart! I can't wait to see her role in “Double Scoop”!)

And for your second scoop of romance this weekend... it’s time to say “cheese” with the Great American Family network premiere of “As Gouda As It Gets”!

It’s a double helping of delicious-themed fun movies!

See all of the details below...


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Saturday, August 23rd, 2025:

Double Scoop

Storyline: Nora discovers the best ice cream and hopes to land them as a client. Her sweet dreams hit a snag when her former colleague James has the same idea. Old sparks begin to melt the frosty tension.

Double Scoop

Premieres Saturday, August 23rd, 2025

at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel

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Saturday, August 23rd, 2025:

As Gouda as it Gets

Storyline: Brie Belanger is the maître fromager and owner of Brie’s Cheese, a cute artisan cheese shop located in picturesque Vermont. Looking to boost her business presence and sales, the town’s annual Cheese Festival arrives just in time with a $50,000 first-place prize. Up against her biggest competitor, Brie’s vintage smoked gouda is considered a frontrunner-so much so that Jacob Wolfe, a former chef and influential cheese blogger, approaches about profiling her delectable creation, leading their friendship to take a turn for romance. Complications arise when Matt Lambert, the handsome and charismatic new CEO of Lambert Farms (and Brie’s largest competitor) starts to show his interest in acquiring her shop. Racing against the clock and a disastrous power failure, Brie and Jacob must recreate a prize-worthy entry if she has any hope of keeping her shop and potentially winning more than she initially hoped for.

As Gouda as it Gets

Premieres Saturday, August 23rd, 2025

at 9pm/8c. on Great American Family

Movie Review:

🎬 "I'm glad that I recorded it. Happily, what was missing was the bickering as in Christmas on the Menu. That was nice to see and with no back story to overcome." ~Namegirl

🎬 I saw "As Gouda as it Gets" when it first premiered on BYU in 2021. I remember it being lighthearted and family-friendly, and since it was Kim Shaw and Clayton James' second movie together, they had good chemistry. ~Net

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Weekend thoughts...

For those of you on the East Coast, my heart and prayers are with you as you’ve endured the effects of Hurricane Erin. While I am grateful to hear this storm was not as severe as some in the past, I know it still brought uncertainty, flooding, and damage. May the Lord continue to watch over you and provide safety.

I'm wishing everyone a peaceful, joyful weekend. May the new movies bring comfort to you all, and perhaps you can also enjoy a simple treat, like a scoop of ice cream, to make your movie night a little sweeter!!!🍨🍦

If you’d like to share your thoughts or a review after watching either movie, please feel free to share in the comments below... I always love hearing from you!

By the way, in case you missed it, you can see my take on As Gouda as it Gets and my sweet friend Namegirl shared a movie review - both posted above, under the movie's info.

And if you missed the premiere of Mystery Island: Play for Keeps last week on the Hallmark Channel, you can catch it's premiere Friday night, August 22nd on Hallmark Mystery at 8pm/7c. and another encore Sunday, August 24th at 6pm/5c.🔎🔎

Paula (who is also a great friend and contributor here at It's a Wonderful Movie) recently shared this review with us... “Mystery Island Play for Keeps” - surprisingly I really enjoyed it! The others were not bad, they just fell flat for me, like I kinda got lost and didn’t pay as much attention as I normally do…. **spoiler alert*** This one however kept my attention with the mystery cheating suspicions and how she seemed to have a spark with her ex fiancé. I still didn’t guess the killer at the end though Lol" ~Paula

Happy Movie-Watching, Everyone!

Blessings to you all,

Net

☀SHINING HIS LIGHT:☀

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; 

blessed is the one 

who takes refuge in him.”

– Psalm 34:8

☀️ Hallmark Channel August 2025 Movie Lineup: New Summer Nights Premieres & More! 🌴

Soak it all in! Summer Nights is officially here! The Hallmark Channel announced today premiere dates and more!

Plus, a new "Mystery Island" is set to premiere this August on the Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Mystery.


Here's the info on the movies airing during Summer nights:


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Hallmark Channel Premieres at 8 p.m. ET/PT:

Providence Falls
(*This is a trilogy of movies)

Premiere Dates:
Saturday, August 2, 2024
Saturday, August 9, 2024
Saturday, August 16, 2024

Starring: Katie Stevens and Lachlan Quarmby

Storyline: Newbie police detective, Cora, is partnered with visiting detective, Liam, on her first case. Little does she know, Liam is her reincarnated love here to change her fate.

Movie Reviews:

🎬 Caution: This series explores themes of reincarnation and includes storylines where characters interact with or rival angels. Viewer discretion is advised. ~Net

🎬 Providence Falls is so romantic and amazing! -Maria

🎬 Ok, after watching the preview for Providence Falls. I’m more convinced this is going to involve sorcery. A woman snaps her fingers and transports him into a new life and talks about 7 souls being reincarnated. I’m going to have to pass now, the Lord hates witchcraft and this seems to point to it. ~Abigail

🎬 I have skipped the Providence Falls miniseries. Ugh. Tried watching and never was able to keep my attention. Boring. -Anonymous





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Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Death at the Diner

Hallmark Channel: Sunday, August 3, 2025

Starring: Skyler Samuels, Evan Roderick and Marilu Henner

Storyline: When the owner of the diner where Aurora Teagarden works is suddenly killed, her new boyfriend becomes the primary suspect!

Movie Review:

🔎 Aurora Teagarden: Death at the Diner – This is a cozy, family-friendly mystery, although keep in mind it is still a murder mystery and not intended for young viewers. The victim is shown being stabbed in the back in the first few minutes of the mystery.

I thought this mystery was a little more engaging than the previous, younger “Aurora” stories. Detective Cook (Steve Bacic, Garage Sale Mystery) seems a little nicer in this movie as it goes along, and it was kinda fun to see the friction between Cook and his ex-wife (Kimberley Sustad). In addition to these familiar Hallmark faces, it was also great to see Steve’s fellow Garage Sale Mystery cast member, Sarah Strange, as one of the suspects. She was great in this role.

It was also sweet and bittersweet to see the way Arthur looks out for and cares for Aurora… especially bittersweet knowing they won’t end up together based on the future “Aurora” movies.

Perhaps, I’m over-thinking the series, but since they’ve gone back in time to the younger Aurora years, shouldn’t the year be the early 2000s or so? I don’t recall seeing any reference to the actual year, but I wonder if all of the technology or cars in the show, etc… reflect that time period?

Anyway, as far as the mystery went… it was an interesting one to try to solve and piece together. I had my suspicions about two people, and one turned out to be right.

Overall, if you enjoy a light but clever mystery, you’ll likely enjoy this one. ~Net



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MYSTERY ISLAND: PLAY FOR KEEPS

Hallmark Channel: Sunday, August 17, 2025

Starring: Elizabeth Henstridge and Charlie Weber

Storyline: Mystery Island hosts a corporate retreat with a guest being Emilia's ex-fiancé. Old feelings become complicated, tensions run high, and allegations arise when a guest is found dead.

Movie Review:

🔎🌴 “Mystery Island Play for Keeps” and surprisingly I really enjoyed it! The others were not bad, they just fell flat for me, like I kinda got lost and didn’t pay as much attention as I normally do….

**spoiler alert*** This one however kept my attention with the mystery cheating suspicions and how she seemed to have a spark with her ex fiancé. I still didn’t guess the killer at the end though Lol ~Paula



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Double Scoop

Premiere Date: August 23, 2025

Starring: Taylor Cole and Ryan McPartlin

Storyline: Nora discovers the best ice cream and hopes to land them as a client. Her sweet dreams hit a snag when her former colleague James has the same idea. Old sparks begin to melt the frosty tension.

Movie Reviews:

🍨🍨 Oh my!!! Double Scoop is adorable and a yummy delight!!! The small town people are so kind and positive. A breath of fresh air. And the dairy farmer family is so cute. Both main actors were great with each other and had great chemistry. I really enjoyed this and it was family friendly.

Also which was fun to see was the bed Nora slept on, I grew up with that headboard and it was my mom’s since her high school days. 😊

But blue cheese in ice cream. No thanks!!! ;) ~Abigail

🍨🍨 I wanted to love "Double Scoop" but my husband and I just thought it was okay. Taylor and Ryan had a bit of chemistry but not enough to hold our interest. The storyline was kind of boring as well. I don't know what was missing but something was. Yes, it was clean and sweet and the setting was lovely. But, it was a one-time watch for us. ~Joan

🍨🍨 Watched Double Scoop and just loved it! The scenery was incredible and really enjoyed Taylor and Ryan together-they had great chemistry. This was family friendly! ~Sarah

🍨🍨 I'm with Joan on this one! One time watch for me. It is family friendly, but it's like something is just missing. ~Joyce in Carolina

🍨🍨 Double Scoop is cute. Hope you really like ice cream. -Maria

🍨🍨 Double Scoop – Sugar, and ICE (cream), and Everything NICE!!!

If you want to visit the country for a feel-good, lighthearted movie, then this is the rom-com for you! It’s the kind of movie that the whole family can watch, chuckle a little at the corny cow jokes, and just relax and enjoy. There’s the comfort of knowing, even though the leads may be at odds, that in the end everything will get worked out and true love always finds a way.

All in all, it’s a really sweet movie, and yes, I just bet you’ll have an ice cream craving while watching!!! ~Net



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Catch of the Day

Premiere Date: Saturday, August 30, 2024

Starring: Emilie Ullerup, Michael Rady, and Katie Lee Biegel

Storyline: On the eve of becoming a NY executive chef, Sophie returns home to help her family's flailing restaurant and runs into Cam, an old crush who makes her question everything.

Movie Reviews:

🐟 I enjoyed Catch of the Day. ~dstoutholcomb

🐟 Catch of the Day is Family Friendly and a very cute movie! Chemistry between Emilie and Michael was really good! Was great to see Michael Rady back. This movie was more like the Hallmark movies we were use to back in the day! Will be watching this one again! ~ Joyce in Carolina

🐟 I loved Catch of the Day! Those are 2 of my favorite actors and the story was very clean and sweet. The acting was excellent, chemistry very believable. Beautiful family movie. ~LR

🐟 Catch of the Day – You’ll definitely want to catch this movie! I absolutely loved the chemistry between Sophie (Emilie Ullerup) and Cam (Michael Rady). The fishing community seemed friendly, fun, and so welcoming, and I enjoyed the scenes with Sophie reconnecting with her family.

While this story has the familiar rom-com trope of the lead female returning to her hometown and rekindling things with her childhood crush, there are also many other layers to this heartwarming story - it felt very much like the drama-type movies that used to air on Hallmark Mystery.

Overall, Catch of the Day definitely has a charming Summer nights feel. Even though it premiered over Labor Day weekend, there are several references to the 4th of July and there are also fireworks!!! This movie reeled me right in, and I hope it does the same for you! ~Net



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Whether it's a rom-com or a mystery, I hope you all find something to look forward to watching in August!

Would love to hear your thoughts on these new movies in comments below.

Happy movie-watching,

Net

🐟 Hallmark Announces Summer Nights Movie "Catch of the Day" (Plus, an Extra Tasty Treat 🍨)

Wonderful news! Hallmark Channel is reeling in romance and flavor this summer with the movie, Catch of the Day, starring Emilie Ullerup (Chesapeake Shores) and Michael Rady (A Joyous Christmas).

This new film, revealed by TVInsider, is part of Hallmark’s Summer Nights lineup and is set to premiere Saturday, August 30th, at 8/7c.

Also, spicing things up is culinary expert and bestselling author Katie Lee Biegel, who not only co-wrote the movie but also appears on screen, bringing her passion for food to life in a story that blends heartfelt connection with coastal charm.

It's Not Complicated: Simple Recipes for Every Day
by Katie Lee Biegel

Set against the picturesque backdrop of Montauk, Catch of the Day is described as a feel-good celebration of seaside living, great food, and the ties that bring us home.

Storyline via Hallmark Media: Sophie (Ullerup) is a rising culinary star on the verge of becoming executive chef at a high-end Manhattan restaurant. But when her sister Abigail calls with news that their beloved family seafood spot in Montauk is floundering, Sophie returns home to help. What was meant to be a short visit turns into a journey of rediscovery, of her roots, her passion for cooking, and a surprising second chance at love with her teenage crush, Cam (Rady), a local fisherman whose quiet strength and charm leave Sophie rethinking everything she thought she wanted. Lee also appears in a cameo as a food blogger who plays a pivotal role in the plot.

On the set of Double Scoop - images via: Chondra Pierce Instagram

Plus, I also wanted to mention, there's another Hallmark movie anticipated to premiere during Hallmark's Summer Nights in August, titled Double Scoop! And if you're guessing it has something to do with ice cream, you're right!

The movie stars Taylor Cole and Ryan McPartlin and there's a wonderful supporting cast that includes: Elisha Donovan, Patrick Muldoon, Chondra Pierce, Jacklyn Collier, and more!!!

Storyline via IMDB: Nora (Taylor Cole) and James (Ryan McPartlin) were once the dream team at a top New York ad agency, but now they're locked in a frosty competition for the sweetest client of all: a charming small-town dairy farm that churns out the most delectable artisan ice cream in the country.

I'm hoping this ice cream-themed movie will turn out to be a tasty treat!

Two side notes:

#1 - As I mentioned above, Christian Comedienne Chondra Pierce is among the Double Scoop supporting cast. I have seen her speak in person, and she was absolutely wonderful. I laughed so hard, and through her testimony, I cried. If you have the chance to see her speak, I encourage you to do so. You can see her tour date schedule - here.

#2 - If you haven’t checked out Chonda Pierce’s comedy Roll With It yet, it’s currently streaming on Roku (free with ads). It’s seriously funny and a great watch from start to finish! One small caution: Roll With It is generally family-friendly, though there is a brief conversation about online dating that may not be ideal for younger viewers. A woman also mentions she is a single mother of a young child. Overall, the heart and humor in this movie are such a joy to watch!

Happy Movie-Watching!

Net