Swept Up By Christmas stars Lindy Booth and Justin Bruening as Gwen and Reed, respectively. The movie follows Gwen, an antique dealer who has been hired by The Hawthorne House to auction off its items. Reed, who co-owns a cleaning company with his friend Mike, is brought in to clean the house as well. After discovering that they’ll be forced to work together to get the job done, they find that the Christmas season may be the key to helping salvage their past while also shaping their future — together.
The characters of Gwen and Reed were fun to watch, especially as they decorated the manor. A perfect yin and yang couple, they bring out the best in each other which is especially fun to see when it comes to how they handle their respective jobs. I also loved that Reed was not the typical leading man that Hallmark usually has in their films. The character is more reserved than the usual leading man on this network, but it was fitting for the character. Being a veteran and having a history of being burned before in the love department, I think anyone with his past would be more of an introvert and less open to being vulnerable with new people. That’s also what made him so endearing and why I really rooted for him and Gwen to get together.
While Gwen and Reed’s romance was great, I have to say that Mike and Vanessa (Gwen and Reed's best friends) were also super adorable. I really want Hallmark to give us a story with both of them next year. We got so little of it in this movie and their love story warrants more screen time. I also think I found a kindred spirit with Mike’s character — we’re both foodies. Watching him and Vanessa taste new and different treats as they fell in love was almost too much for my romantic heart to handle.
This movie did a great job of showcasing how important it is to take care of our veterans without being too preachy about it. With Alan Hawthorne's, the head of Hawthorne House and a veteran himself, resolution about using Reed’s company for his house as a means to support other veterans to Reed’s determination to make the world a better place with his business, it's not hard to find something to love about this movie. In addition, Mike and Reed’s name for their company, Dirt Force One, made me chuckle out loud when I saw it. I just love a good pun and that one was too good. So good, in fact, that I hope someone uses it in real life (if they're from the same background, of course)
As a whole, this movie was easy to enjoy, but it did have its flaws. One of them being that it took forever to figure out how Gwen and Reed knew each other. The first time we see them on screen together, Gwen is trying to run away before Reed can actually see her. Once they realize they have to work together, all we get is awkward encounters without any mention of their past until Reed brings up the first time they worked together while out shopping for Christmas trees. I’m still a little confused about their past together but I guess we’re not meant to understand? I honestly need a Hallmark official to confirm their history for me.
Booth has been a favorite of mine since I saw her in a non-Hallmark Christmas film years ago called Christmas in Boston. Since then, I’ve seen all of her Hallmark movies over the years and she’s never disappointed. I can’t help but wish that she makes it to Lacey Chabert/Candace Cameron Bure-level status just to guarantee that I’ll get to see her in a Christmas film every year. Who's with me?
"Cozy" is the first word that comes to mind when describing Swept Up By Christmas. You’re surrounded by Christmas decorating, a sweet romance, and a heartwarming ending that will make any day feel like the holidays if you snuggle up with a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate. Definitely one that I think everyone can enjoy, this movie will certainly be watched over and over again — at least by me.
What did you think of this movie? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
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