Excellent, Without a doubt!!

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

This film is so real. It treats its characters with so much care and sensitivity.

Kristy Swanson stars in this Christmas film about a woman with three kids in search of a new job and place to call home after her toad of a husband skips town with all the family's cash. To make matters even more complicated one of the kids is a stepson, who isn't happy about being separated from his father (even though he is much better off for it!). They eventually land in a town where the residents are mostly helpful, but a few are out to scam her out of every dime she has. In the end Christmas spirit is out in full force!

I have watched this movie every Christmas since it was first on in 2011. In fact, I'm watching it now.I have a fond memory of this movie because I watched it the first year that it was on with my mom. That was 6 years ago. My mom passed away in December 2015. So, it reminds me of us sitting in her living room watching it. Mom thought that it was a good old fashioned sentimental movie that did make our eyes a little misty. I remember her saying that Kristy Swenson was a pretty girl. Mom was 91 at the time, so Kristy was a girl to her. Mom had some tough times too and she related to her character.I like it because of the same reasons. It is about kindness to people struggling, but trying to improve their situation and hope that things will get better. I thought that the acting was realistic. Kristy was great, Edward Hermann gave a good performance, as usual. Page Petrucka who plays Lola is a hoot and a half. The only thing, and it's minor, the time line of the story is a bit rushed. But, they had to fit a lot of story in less than 2 hours.If you like old fashioned, sentimental Christmas fare, this is for you.

The drama rose above the clichés because of excellent performances all around, especially by Kristy Swanson. There was enough material, and enough characters (mostly endearing), for a regular TV series spanning a year. This single mom had a TERRIBLE two weeks. My only regret was the inevitability of everything winding up in a hurry.I got a laugh from the review saying that at 42, Swanson was too old to play the part of someone who should be around 30. For this role, you need someone who might be thirty but who shows the prematurely ageing effects of too much worry and too many sleepless nights. I thought she was perfect. Lots of good characters, so this Hallmark Christmas movie is recommended. However, I'd steer clear of the menu at the diner, far too much gravy.

A woman has just been left by her husband and takes her two children and stepson away to find a better life. They end up in a small town where a friendly cafe owner gives the woman a job. The movie then explores how this woman tries to make a new life for herself with the help of the kind townspeople including a handsome deputy whose interest in her hints at the possibility of romance.I wouldn't say this film is awful...just mediocre. And the frustrating thing is that it didn't have to be. It creates some interesting characters that are portrayed well by the actors involved. It has a heartwarming theme about faith and love but ultimately the writer(s) fails to make the story compelling.