After reading the reviews here I'm guessing someone from hair & makeup got fired from this job now they're obsessed.with bashing it. Aaaaaanyway, I like this movie a lot. Rachel Skarsten and Trevor Donovan did a great job, they have good chemistry, they're very likeable, the movie has a good pace and an interesting story. What's not to like? Emily Tennant sort of steals the show here, she plays her character to PERFECTION and you will fall in love with her and her fiance Blair Penner. This is well worth a watch

I can't resist Hallmark's Countdown to Christmas. As a result, I was psyched for the first premiere movie. I enjoyed getting to know Maddie and Johnny and watching them get to know one another. I especially liked that Johnny didn't start out as a arrogant celebrity, despite a couple of instances where he assumed he was the center of attention when he wasn't.

(Revised after 3rd viewing) Rachel Skarsten and Trevor Donavan have amazing chemistry. From the beginning, it's like they have been together for years. I loved the scene with her ex. When Johnny walks in, the ex's girlfriend loses it and Skarsten does the neatest thing with her eyes - says it all in about one second. And that's not the only time in the movie that her eyes say volumes.

Skarsten is very striking in close ups. The more I see her, the more I like her look and her It is not a soft look typical of many Hallmark leading ladies.

I have seen Emily Tennant previously and she was also clicking with Skarsten as a friend. I'm ready to see Tennant in a lead role of her own in one of these TV movies.

But as the movie progressed, the leads were trying so hard not to "date", or at least Maddie was. I thought it was overdone.

The dual conflict situations were forced. Neither one resonated as natural.

Second time I watched it, I enjoyed it for the most part which is a positive indicator. Third time through, I am really enjoying so many things, but especially the interactions of the three main actors. I also noticed little touches by the director. This is one of my top rewatchable Christmas movies.

8/10 - fantastic Christmas romance about a famous actor falling in love over the holidays