The Hallmark Channel has announced four new romantic comedies for February, also known as Loveuary!
The last pairing for the month reunites Alison Sweeney and Gabriel Hogan, from the "Hannah Swensen Mysteries."
See details below...
The Way to You
Saturday, February 7 8/7c
Starring Kim Matula and Aaron O'Connell
New Yorkers Emma and Conrad agree to help each other find their missed connections after a subway blackout. Their search might lead to love, but not where either of them expects.
Movie Reviews:
💕 The way to you is such a great movie. Enjoyed it very much. Highly recommended. ~Oksanka
💕 I watched The Way to You and it was really good! It was nice to see Aaron again. He seriously never changes. ~Allie B
💕 Hi! Oh, my goodness, "The Way to You" was so magical! We thought it was the best non-Christmas movie in quite a while. There was so much to savor. The sister relationship was authentic and touching and felt so real. I actually believed they were sisters. The writing was both witty and touching. I have always been a huge fan of Kim, and I was so happy to see Aaron again in a role where his strengths were used wisely. He and Kim together were sublime. The slow growth in the romantic arc worked within the storyline and as it unfolded it felt grounded in reality. Their chemistry was not phony in any way. I fell in love with them by the end of the movie. I was rooting for them to finally say how they felt. :-) This was a beautiful film that I will be adding to my DVD collection whenever it is released. ~Joan
💕 The Way to You is family friendly and very cute rom com. Good chemistry between the leads. ~Joyce in Carolina
💕 Review: The Way To You -
Family-friendly? Yes -
Recommend? Oh Yes! -
To add to Joan's wonderful review of this movie, I would give this a recommendation even it wasn't for Kim Matula's outstanding performance, but it is because of it I am giving this a high recommendation! Simply, she knocks this role out of the park. Her range of emotions are spot-on, and it never feels like she is acting. I was smiling throughout this entire movie because of her. Aaron also does a really good job, and like Allie said, he never changes...he looks exactly like he did 10 years ago in 12 Gifts of Christmas! (Wow, has it been that long ago?!) Also, the storyline made for a fun adventure, and the supporting cast was really good too. So for lots of reasons - but especially for Kim's performance - this one is a definite watch! – Mark 25
💕 I was finally able to watch “The Way to You” and i absolutely loved it! I thought the storyline was interesting, the supporting cast worked and the chemistry between the leads was just so good- they got to know each other gradually and you could see their feelings for each other grow, very believable, not rushed at all, which is sometimes hard for avoid in a 2 hour movie Lol. Definitely recommend! ~Paula
💕 The Way to You was pretty good. –Maria
💕 The Way to you was very good. Loved the pace of the movie, Kim and Aaron were great, just a top notch movie. Almost forgot it was Hallmark. Probably the best movie of the year for Hallmark. ~Sabrina
💕 The Way to You – This story has such an easy-going feel to it that easily felt like a classic 90s rom-com… two people (sort of) working together – but not instantly seeing their own attraction – but once they do they aren’t sure if the other person feels the same.
Both Kim Matula and Aaron O'Connell are truly great as Emma and Conrad. Kim, as usual, is quirky and down-to-earth, and Aaron is a little serious and straight-laced, but that makes for a perfect combination. There is definitely lots of chemistry with their characters… you literally feel yourself pulling for them to figure out they were meant for each other!!! Overall, I must say it’s a very sweet story with an equally satisfying ending.
Side note: Family friendly, but there is some brief talk about horoscope signs with Conrad and another woman.
If you’re looking for a slow-burn romance with great chemistry – this is it! ~Net
💕 The Way to You - KIM MATULA DELIVERS OSCAR WINNING PERFORMANCE AS AARON O'DONNEL COMES OF AGE
I've been a big fan of Kim Matula (Emma) since Ghosts Of Christmas Always and The Finnish Line was my #1 Christmas movie of 2024 (although admittedly the standards were poor that year) and while I've always liked Aaron O'Donnel I generally regarded him as a B-list actor coming over as slightly stiff and awkward.
Whether it was the influence of Ms Matula the two turned in magnificent performances here with the chemistry off the scale.
The banter flowed effortlessly as they played off each other, so many strands to their performance as one scene moved flawlessly into another even a simple action like choosing a shirt and tie for Conrad had so much meaning pushing the two further together
The dialogue was intelligent, the facial expressions conveying so much
There was a pleasing "nod" to my all-time favourite movie GHOST with a pottery making scene!!
The beginning was intricately played, the timing perfection as only Hallmark can - having each met someone on the metro when it temporarily lost power and then immediately losing them Conrad places a ad on an Internet site which Emma answers hoping it is the guy she met.
Not to be but Emma suggests helping Conrad to find his"girl" and the fun begins both becoming involved in each others' interests which they wouldn't have imagined before.Just as she is realising her feelings for Conrad Emma stumbles across Simone, the girl Conrad met on the train. This is the most poignant moment of the movie as you can see the desolation and vulnerability on Emma's face as she briefly questions whether she shoud tell Conrad but does the right thing and the pair say " goodbye."
There was the bonus of Emma's relationship with her sister and brother-in-law which felt so real and Conrad's easy camaraderie with his boss.
i was initially slightly disappointed with the ending when both had decided to take the bull by the horns and confess their feelings for the other - it seemed messy and slightly rushed but after several (and now many!!) viewings I actually think they got it right.
No mention of the LOVE word but instead "like" - how refreshing.
A truly incredible movie worthy of the big screen and one of the All-Time Hallmark greats.
Hallmark don't let Kim Matula go - she's pure gold ~ Florence
Because of Cupid
Saturday, February 14 8/7c
Starring Amy Groening and Evan Roderick
Best friends Naomi and Marcus participate in a Valentine's Day mocktail competition but things go awry when Cupid interferes with a love potion that affects Marcus and several of their friends.
Movie Reviews:
💕 Review: Because of Cupid -
Family-friendly? Yes -
Recommend? Not my taste -
I just couldn't get into this movie, mainly because of the whole mythological slant. You have Cupid, who is...what, a magical figure who has come to earth in the form of this mischievous guy Hal, who concocts a love potion and antidote that doesn't work on everybody, and who can make himself (and his tea shop!) appear and disappear? If you say yes and can buy into this, then okay, maybe it's a good movie since it has a heart and wonderful acting by both Amy and Erin. But for me, I prefer my rom-coms straight and without relying on "magic", so this was a one-time watch for me. –Mark 25
💕 Hi Mark, I totally agree on the movie! I was thinking “hhmmmmm” throughout the first 1/3 of it and I don’t know, I just couldn’t get through it, so I ended up deleting it. But to add to what Net mentioned, I absolutely do not mind the magic elements in Christmas movies, I make the exception for that 😊🎄🪄 ~Paula
💕 The Cupid movie from HM last week, I didn't love it, it was silly. I did like Amy and Evan I just thought it was too much and the whole love potion stuff to me was silly. Maybe I missed it cause I did ff some, but weren't all the couples still together even after the "potion"? Just strange. ~Sabrina
The Stars Between Us
Saturday, February 21 8/7c
Starring Sarah Drew and Matt Long
Seven years ago, Kim made a connection with a stranger during an eclipse event. Now a fledgling news reporter, Kim returns to Illinois for this year's eclipse, unaware that their paths may cross again.
Movie Reviews:
💕 Hmmmm “The Stars Between Us” was okay. The talk about horoscopes I ignored since I don’t believe in that stuff. I thought their “almost running into each other” dragged on for far too long, they finally reunited at the last 15 minutes of the movie. I was more interested in the budding relationship between her friend and his friend. One time watch only for me unfortunately, just fell flat. ~Paula
💕 Disappointed in The Stars Between Us. I love Sarah Drew, but something about this movie felt rushed/fell flat for me, and as a Christian, I had to cringe at all the “the universe provides”/“everything is random” talk, and the MC’s mom’s firm belief in astrology, which is encouraged at points throughout the movie. ~Anonymous
💕 The Stars Between Us is a one time watch for me. Didn't like the horoscope aspects and felt Sara was over acting in the first hour of the movie. Little on the silly side and unbelievable that the main characters would be so close to one another and not see each other. ~Joyce in Carolina
💕 The Stars Between Us - I had high hopes, but it was not my favorite. There was just so much bad about it, it was very slow, Sarah Drew's character was so bad behind the camera I do not know why she would ever have been hired. I mean all the practice takes and she was just bad. I would think by the time you got to go be on tv at all, and for such a big story, you would at least be decent. Then suddenly it was going to be national, her little tv station? Come on. If so, they would have got someone else to drive in and do it.
All the near misses, we saw them together for 2 mins in beginning and 2 mins at end. And it was not enough at all of a spark for me to want to see another movie or sequel with Sarah Drew and Matt long's characters to star in.
The camera girl and the other guy had way more chemistry and felt like the movie was about them.
Only good I can get on this, love Sarah Drews characters little daughter in the movie. She was so cute when mom was putting her to bed.
And those solar eclipse places, the epicenter, there would have been hundreds of news people there to cover, not just that rude guy. The movie was dumb and lacked any kind of chemistry or care from me for anyone in the movie, besides camera lady and guy and little daughter. ~Sabrina
Romance at Hope Ranch
Saturday, February 28 8/7c
Starring Alison Sweeney and Gabriel Hogan
Hope Morgan sets out to begin a new chapter of her life-fulfilling her childhood dream of running a ranch in the picturesque town of Ruidoso, New Mexico and reviving the beloved Giddy Up Gala.
Movie Reviews:
💕 Romance at Hope Ranch is so sweet! –Maria
💕 Romance at Hope Ranch - I agree with Maria, this movie is just as sweet as can be! I love that Alison’s character, Hope, sets out with determination to purchase and run her own ranch. And while, sure, she faces some bumps in the road, it’s heartwarming to see the kindness of good neighbors who are always willing to lend a hand, even if Hope sometimes has a hard time asking for help.
I also truly enjoyed seeing Alison act alongside her real-life daughter, Megan. Her portrayal of Hope’s daughter, Maggie, who has just headed off to college, fits her perfectly. Their scenes together have such a warm, authentic mother-daughter feel.
And it was so fun to see Alison paired with Gabriel Hogan in this movie! He plays a very handsome cowboy named Jack, who’s hoping to win back Hope- the love of his life. Watching the two of them together is especially satisfying for those of us who adore them as Hannah and Norman in the Murder, She Baked / Hannah Swensen Mysteries. There’s even a cute little nod to that series, a photo of them from the mystery hanging on the wall in Jack’s new business, simply explained as an old picture of the two of them. Mystery fans will definitely love that. I know I did!
This movie truly looks like it was a joy to film, and it’s just as joyful to watch. It’s wholesome, family-friendly, and perfect for all ages.
Overall, I loved the down-home country ranch setting, the beautiful wide-open scenery, the animals… and one little chicken named Houdini absolutely steals the show and our hearts! ~Net 🐔💕
💕 I did watch Romance at Hope Ranch and although there were many plot holes, I did like it a lot. Apparently it got the highest ratings of the year so far, higher than Lacey and any other movie. Some people have been down right out rude about the ratings and the movie.
One girl out on a twitter who really thinks she knows it all, even went as far to say the reason the ratings were so high, is cause Hallmarks linear cable audience are fox news watchers. I mean really?????? Funny cause I am part of a group of fox news watchers, we had a big Tucker Calson group back when he was on and killing it, and many groups out there watching Gutfeld, who is one of the highest rated shows even over late night shows, and NONE of them watch Hallmark. Most have never watched or stopped a long time ago. And if she is right, which not sure why fox news watchers get brought into the highest rated HM movie of the season, but Fox news has way more viewers than CNN and all their shows at night beat all competition. I bet they even beat some network shows. So.
But anyway, some even went as far as to say it was nepotism at its best having Allison's daughter on the movie. People are just rude and some will find anyway to connect things to Trump. Cause of course fox news watchers love trump. I am sure many don't even watch any news and still love Trump. But of course, trump might now be blamed, by one person out there, for Allie Sweeneys movie beating Lacey's or any so far this year.
But I did like the movie, even though I still wonder who is Hope's daughters father, did he die, did Hope every marry him. I LOVED Gabriel Hogan in it. He and Allison have great chemistry though I always loved her with Mike but haven't watched a Murder she baked since Mike left. I feel the point of the movie was that it is hard for some people to ask for help when they have done it all alone, most of their life. And Hope had to learn to ask for help, from some great new neighbors and town that is her new home. ~Sabrina
Hopefully, we will all find something
to love this February!
Happy movie watching,
Net
