This year I have felt inspired enough to do something a little different. As an avid romance reader, I guess it’s not such a leap that I would wind up falling in love with Hallmark movies, so I decided to feature and review some of my new-found favorites! AND compare – if applicable – the book vs. the movie. I’m starting off with my absolute favorite one so far – A December Bride.
Title: A DECEMBER BRIDE (based on the book by Denise Hunter)
Actors: Daniel Lissing, Jessica Lowndes
Blurb: Aspiring interior designer Layla is dreading the Christmastime wedding of her cousin who is marrying Layla s ex-fiancé. Although Seth is the one responsible for introducing the bride and groom, she begrudgingly accepts his offer to be her date as she s out of options. Seth gets carried away at the reception and announces they re engaged, forcing a mortified Layla to keep up the pretense.
Thoughts: I credit A December Bride with my new addiction for Hallmark movies. I absolutely LOVED this movie, so much that I immediately bought it on DVD and have been watching it at least once a day since then – often rewinding it and re-watching all the good parts…LOL I love when guys lay it all on the line to win the heart of the girl they love. It’s enough to pull at your heartstrings….or start a three alarm fire! (naughty wink)
Not only was this movie everything I love about romance, but the acting was exceptional. Both actors did an amazing job capturing every little nuance of expression that I find myself rewinding it to catch all those little minuscule expressions between them both. Again, such an exceptional job on the acting. I actually found myself liking and following both actors on Facebook and exploring their other works (I was unfamiliar with both of them before this film). However, I think I have some new favorite actors! It takes a lot to pull me away from my books, but I now have a new favorite hobby with Hallmark movies! In regards to the book angle, I also picked up the book A December Bride by from which the movie was based, although I have to say in this case the movie was sooo much better.
If you have even a little romance in your soul, trust me you will fall in love with this movie!
Rating: A++
Buy Link: Amazon
The Book: A December Bride by Denise Hunter
Blurb: What started as a whim turned into an accidental—and very public—engagement. Can Layla and Seth keep up the façade in Chapel Springs this holiday season—for the sake of her career…and his heart?
Under normal circumstances, Seth Murphy—the best friend of Layla O’Reilly’s ex-fiancé—would be the last person she’d marry. But the news of their upcoming (and phony) nuptials convinces a big client that Layla may be high-society enough to work for his agency—a coup that would put her fledgling home-staging business on the map.
Seth has secretly loved Layla for years, even when she was dating his best friend. Maybe she’ll never forgive him for the way he hurt her back then, but he has to try. And Layla is willing to keep up their engagement farce until she’s landed her client.
For Layla, it’s the chance to save her career. But for Seth, it’s his last chance to win her heart.
Thoughts: For the most part, the movie stayed true to the book, with just a few little differences here and there. I enjoyed comparing the book to the movie, but for me the vividness that the characters portrayed and the level at which they brought this to life really made the difference. I liked being able to get even more insight to both characters, but those ‘wow’ moments that I had in the movie? Those were missing from the book. The clincher? The end didn’t nearly have the impact the movie did.
Would I read the author again? Yes. BUT, the movie wins…hands down.
Rating: B
Buy Link:
