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Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

"Seeking Persephone" Review - Plus Sequel News!




I usually focus mainly on sharing TV movies here at It’s a Wonderful Movie, but every now and then, a story comes along that is simply too delightful not to mention - and this is one of them!

First, I must ask, have you heard of, or perhaps already watched, Seeking Persephone? If you have, then I have exciting news for you… Seasons 2 and 3 are on the way, with Courting Miss Lancaster and Romancing Daphne continuing the series!


However, if Seeking Persephone is new to you, I will gladly introduce you to this charming period drama from Candlelight Media Group. Released on March 1, 2026, the four-episode adaptation of Sarah M. Eden’s novel is available to rent or purchase on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Peacock, Angel, etc. And if you don't mind a few random commercial interruptions, the series can currently be streamed for free on the Roku Channel and Tubi.



With its Jane Austen Regency feel, wholesome storytelling, and even a familiar Hallmark connection (Will Kemp has a supporting role!), I was already intrigued. Once I discovered the series was family-friendly, I knew I simply had to give it a watch!

In addition to Will Kemp, Seeking Persephone stars Ryann Bailey, Jake Stormoen, and Toby-Alexander Smith.

And I'm happy to say, I enjoyed this series very much!

I watched Seeking Persephone this spring expecting a pleasant period romance, and the series did not disappoint. There is a definite Beauty and the Beast quality woven into the story, as Persephone, a lovely protective eldest sister determined to save her family from poverty, agrees to a marriage of convenience with a man who is somewhat of a recluse.

The romance between Persephone and Adam is a true slow burn. In the beginning, you may find yourself wondering how on earth these two could ever fall in love. In fact, it feels “ridiculous,” which happens to be one of Adam’s favorite words. But by the end, you may find yourself quite invested in their unlikely romance - and perhaps even longing for a little more.



And then there is Harry.

Adam’s dearest friend is one of the great delights of the series. Loyal, mischievous, and endlessly encouraging, Harry seems determined to make sure his friend finds some happiness, even if that means teasing him mercilessly about his new marriage and taking a rather keen interest in his love life, while being a bachelor himself.



Adam, meanwhile, prefers to behave as though he requires neither companionship nor assistance. A physical abnormality has caused him to retreat from society and the prying eyes of others, and his rather bullish nature certainly doesn't make him the most likable character. But Harry sees past all of that. He accepts his friend exactly as he is, and their friendship is one of the warmest threads running through the story.

Naturally, when Harry’s life is in danger, Adam proves that beneath that guarded exterior lies a man willing to risk everything for someone he loves.

Meanwhile, Persephone must learn to navigate her new life as mistress of the expansive Falstone Castle, far from the comfort and companionship of her family. And if there is one thing she is decidedly not fond of, it is the wolves prowling around the castle walls and their ominous howls echoing through the night!

Still, Persephone is not one to remain confined to her chambers. She gradually begins making the most of her new surroundings, venturing out during the day and even taking riding lessons. Little by little, Falstone begins to feel less like a lonely exile and more like home.



Seeking Persephone is a wholesome, romantic, and entertaining period drama with beautiful scenery, a gentle slow-burn romance, and characters who are easy to grow fond of. If you enjoy stories with a Regency-era atmosphere, unlikely romances, loyal friendships, a little drama, and adventures, then this is a series you’ll want to add to your watchlist!

Caution: While the series is wholesome overall, there are a few scenes involving violence, including men arguing and a particularly bloody injury.

If you enjoy period dramas and have Roku, be sure to search for Seeking Persephone and give it a try, while it is currently available to watch free with ads. And if you prefer viewing without commercial interruptions, you can also rent or purchase the series through Amazon.

And for those of you who love reading, you may want to check out Sarah M. Eden’s book series that inspired the screen adaptation...




If you've read these books or seen the Seeking Persephone series, I would love to hear your thoughts in comments below.

Happy watching!
Net

SEEKING PERSEPHONE | Official Trailer:




Thursday, May 7, 2026

"Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries" - My Review of Episode 3 - airing on UPtv




Hey, friends... I had the opportunity to watch an early screener of the third episode of "Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries" titled "O Little Town of Sugarcreek," and I just had to share that this episode was my favorite one yet!

No spoilers, I promise, but here are a few (or more!) of my favorite details...

⚫ First, these mysteries (so far) are simple mysteries within the town of Sugarcreek that do not involve murder. This episode is about missing jewelry.

⚫ While we've seen Cheryl Cooper's adorable cat, Beau, before, he makes more of an appearance in this episode.

⚫ This series is definitely giving me vibes of the Hallmark series, Mistletoe Murders - the lead women in both series have red hair, and they both own a small store within a quaint town that sells small gifts, knick-knacks, home decor, etc. Both women have cats and employ a teenage girl related to their supposed love interest, and their love interests often help to solve mysteries.

⚫ In this episode of "Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries," there's a bit of a romantic love triangle when Cheryl's ex, Lance, makes a surprise visit!

⚫ And best of all, for this episode, which you might be able to tell from the title, "O Little Town of Sugarcreek," is centered around the Christmas season! It's interesting to see how this quaint Amish town celebrates the holiday; it's even mentioned that their main focus is to celebrate the birth of their Lord!

Storyline via UPtv: Christmas thefts and a returned ex force Cheryl to protect an innocent friend and her heart.

Here's a little sneak-peek:



Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries
airs Thursday, May 7, 2026
at 9pm/8c. on UPtv




If you prefer to stream, "Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries" can also be seen on UP Faith & Family - *click here for details*.

For more Christmas programming, visit the Christmas Schedule!


Happy sleuthing,
Net🔎


Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Reminder: "When Hope Calls" Marathon TODAY on Great American Family + Social Media Reviews


image via: Great American Media 
click here to enlarge


Just wanted to share another quick reminder...
The "When Hope Calls" marathon is airing today
on Great American Family, beginning at 6 p.m. ET.

See all the new episodes from Season 2!



Today's Schedule - Wednesday, May 14, 2025:

Episode 1 - A New Beginning - 6pm/5c :

A lawyer arrives in a small town and uncovers family ties while a new Mountie helps the community. Meanwhile, a gold prospector reconnects with loved ones during a family visit.

Episode 2 - So Long, Not Goodbye - 7pm/6c :

Nora and Charlotte search for a lost foal, while Maggie considers her feelings for Sam with a special birthday surprise from her parents.

Episode 3 - Finding Our Way - 8pm/7c :

A Mountie assists in bringing a new girl to the orphanage. A woman arrives in town to sell her uncle's ranch while another explores life as a rancher.

Episode 4 - The Truth Shall Set You Free - 9pm/8c :

A new orphan arrives and needs help fitting in. Baking creates challenges for one character while an auction takes place. A visitor from the past surprises another.

Episode 5 - Bringing to Light - 10pm/9c :

Nora and Mountie Fletcher track down a dubious claim. Hannah and Wyatt have a tough decision to make. Maggie tends to the orphans. Trouble brews for the ranchers.

Episode 6 - Season of Change - 11pm/10c :
The town celebrates. Love blooms. The Mounties and ranchers team up to protect the ranchers' livelihood.


Programming Note: The episodes will all repeat all over again in order from 12am/11c to 6am/5c.


"When Hope Calls" reviews from social media:

❤️ Absolutely love this show, the best on TV -Nancy (Facebook)

❤️ So very enjoyable! -Kenneth (Facebook)

❤️ Absolutely loved the show… can’t wait for the next season. Love all the talented cast. They are perfect for their characters. And so thankful I can watch and know the material is entertaining and family worthy. -Rita (Facebook)

❤️ Great season! Please renew it and air it this year!!! We waited YEARS to see the completion of season 2, and we were giving 6 episodes. Please give us 12 episodes of 1 hour each and 2 hour Christmas special. Such a wonderful series, great actors and storytelling. BRAVO ! -Patrick (Facebook)

❤️ Wow every single episode has been amazing the writers and actors has made this show one of the best and I’m sad this season has ended hopefully we will see Season three and more episodes thank you so very much Great American Family it’s been a privilege -Rachael (Facebook)

❤️ Thank you for bringing us season 2 of When Hope Calls! I loved every episode ....especially the finale! Congrats to all who were involved in this amazing project. Please announce a season 3 is in the works!!❤️👏❤️👏 -blessedgigi (Instagram)

❤️ I loved the finale! I loved the whole season!! I wish we could get a Christmas special again this year, a season 3 in 2026, and hopefully many more seasons and specials to come!! -morethanahopefulromantic (Instagram)

❤️ What a fabulous season finale! Definitely left us wanting more!! Bring on many more seasons! -lo.bez (Instagram)

❤️ The season finale was great! Definitely left me wanting another season even more than before. Please continue this show (more episodes than 6 ) and would really love another Christmas special. I just love the town of Brookfield and all the characters. Such great writing and actors 👏 -horsecharms (Instagram)

❤️ The finale was so believable! I was holding my breath as the Mounties rode together to capture the rustlers. Very well staged scene in the episode. I do love this show and, dare I say it, I strongly urge you to give us another season with hopefully a few more episodes! The cast is a hugely talented group of actors whose personalities just gel together to make the characters real. You know the show is good when you think to yourself, I wish I lived there now! - Cheryl (Instagram)

❤️ Wow! This season of When Hope Calls kept getting better and better with each episode! The cast is amazing, from the fresh new faces to the established fan favorites! The folks in Brookfield already feel like old friends! The writers have come up with such sweet, endearing, and heartwarming episodes. (And might add completely family friendly!) And the show is so beautifully directed. It's easy to see that each person involved has put his/her heart and soul into this project. Now, THIS is high-quality family entertainment! I cannot wait for Season 3! -Teresa (Instagram)

❤️ What an action packed Season 2 Finale
Please, please bring us another season of Brookfield! -Sandra (X)

❤️ My only complaint is that six episodes are just not enough. Loved everything about this series and wish it had more. Hoping the next season will have a longer season please. ❤️❤️❤️❤️. Loved the finale! Great work!! - BookShelfCat06 (X)

❤️ I loved this entire season! Please renew it for Season 3! -bookreader13 (X)

❤️ This finale was awesome! So action packed with danger & suspense, yet filled with humor, light moments, romance, backstories and great character development. And the cliffhangers!! Wow! Just wow! Leaves us wanting and needing more! We need a Season 3!! -CattLovesMovies

❤️ A very nice season of #WhenHopeCalls 👏👏👏
It was full of heartwarming stories, romance, family, friendship, community, mystery and Mountie action. -wearehopevalley

❤️ My family is hoping for another season since we all enjoy watching episodes together. Brookfield is one of the better shows -- on any platform (not just on GAfamily)! -DoD (X)

❤️ Wow! What a season finale! Oh my! I'm ready for the next season already! What a great show. We love this show. -Bo (X)


----------------------------

Hope you enjoyed reading these reviews!

When Hope Calls, I feel, is truly one of those extraordinary TV series that touches the soul and fills one's heart with an array of emotions! It has really moved me and my family, and I genuinely hope it brings the same warmth and inspiration to you all, as well.

Have a Blessed Day!
Net


Monday, May 12, 2025

How Would You Review "When Hope Calls" Season 2?




For those of you who watched When Hope Calls" Season 2, what were your thoughts on the finale episode and the season overall?

Be sure to send your reviews to Great American Family, but I would also love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

I'm currently on watch for any news on a potential season 3. After that season 2 cliffhanger (not going to spoil the ending for anyone who hasn't seen it, yet), I'm thinking it's gotta be a sure thing. Right? I mean... they can't leave us there. Can they?

Anyway, here is my review of season 2, and I'd absolutely love to know your take on it, too!



------------------------------

My Review sent to Great American Family:

What a truly wonderful and exciting season 2 finale episode and a beautiful season of "When Hope Calls" overall! It was such a joy to see beloved characters return from season one while slowly being introduced to new ones who quickly found a place in our hearts.

What a joy to meet Nora Anderson, Mountie Michael Fletcher, Delores, Hannah Lawrence, Wyatt Parker, Maggie's parents, Mountie Jim Reynolds, and the children... Ruby, Charlotte, Annie, Art, Steve, and Wally. Even Jerry Huntsman was a thrilling new addition!

Thank you, Great American Family, for bringing this inspiring series back to life. I’m so grateful for the uplifting stories, the sweet orphan children, the meaningful touches of faith (would love to see even more!), the tender, gentle love stories—and really, just everything about it!

Each time I watch "When Hope Calls," I'm filled with a deep sense of peace and calmness. My family and I have rewatched every episode more times than we can count, and we're truly hoping for a third season.

God bless everyone at Great American Family for the amazing work you do!

------------------------------



If you'd like to send in your review of "When Hope Calls" Season 2 to Great American Family, click here!

If you haven't seen "When Hope Calls" Season 2, yet, you have either the option of watching on Pure Flix (they offer a one-week free trial - click here for details). Or, be sure to catch the Season 2 marathon this Wednesday, May 14th, on Great American Family - details here.


Blessings to you all,
Net


Tuesday, January 24, 2023

📺 🌟 How the Streaming Service Frndly TV has Changed My TV Viewing Experience... for the Better! 📺 🌟 See Here:




Last Fall, several loyal followers here at It's a Wonderful Movie shared with us how much they enjoyed their streaming service, Frndly TV, which I must admit, made me even more curious and interested in this streaming service I had been hearing so many good things about. With the incredible amount of Christmas movies coming our way then, and with their encouragement, I decided to give Frndly TV a try, with a free trial in November, and now I must share with you all my fantastic experience with this streaming service over the Christmas Season.

I easily set up an account through Frndly TV's user-friendly website, and instantly, I had this excellent streaming service, which I must say, is much lower in price compared to others currently on the market. I access Frndly TV through my Roku device which is hooked up to my television. It was easy as a wink to navigate through Fndly TV's television guide and even easier to select a program and click record with my remote. I love that their service is very basic looking and easy to use - right from the first remote click.




Throughout Christmastime, I recorded many, MANY Christmas movies, old and new, through Frndly TV, which has an unlimited DVR! This was just what I needed since my recorder with my DirecTV was nearly full. Now that it is January, I've been missing the classic Christmas movies I love on TV; however, it's been easy and convenient to go into my Frndly TV recordings and select one of the Christmas movies I recorded back in November or December. And if I watch only a portion of the movie, I can effortlessly pick up right where I left off at a later time.

One of the best features of Frndly TV is that you can do a 72-hour lookback in their TV guide and capture something you may have missed. It's also easy to schedule recordings in advance. Viewers can even record multiple shows and movies at the same time. I love that! Plus, if I miss, say, something in the morning, then I can go back and catch it that night. Or, the next night. Or, even the next - next night! Or, I can simply record it and watch it months later! Frndly TV lets you keep recordings for 3-9 months (depending on your plan).





Frndly TV is also available to watch beyond your TV. You can easily access your Frndly TV account on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc... wherever you are! All you have to do is log-in to your account, and you can watch live TV, and past TV (up to 72 hours), and all of your recordings will be right there, too - to watch at your convenience. Wherever you go, as long as you have your smartphone (or another device) with you, you'll have your Frndly TV, too!

For those of you who have been having trouble getting your current cable provider to pick up Great American Family, if you obtain Frndly TV, you'll have both Great American Family and Great American Living, plus the Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Hallmark Drama, INSP, Lifetime, UP-TV, PixL, and many more channels - see here! Frndly TV has 40+ channels in all!

If you'd like to give Frndly TV a try, click here to visit Frndly TV's website and set up an account with a free trial today!


Happy movie-watching, everyone!

Blessings to you all, Net



*Note: I am an affiliate with Frndly TV; Purchases made through my links will result in a commission. Thank you all for supporting It's a Wonderful Movie. Please know, even though I may earn compensation for this post, this is my honest opinion and review. I have been truly pleased with the ease and convenience of using Frndly TV, and it is my delight to share this wonderful streaming service with all of you.

*Images: All Frndly TV images are courtesy of Frndly TV and are used for promotion only.