Have you ever ran a business with a family member?

Ella and Marianne Dashwood clash when it comes to their family party planning business. Ella wants to take their business to new heights and start planning some large-scale parties. But, Marianne is more cautious. She wants to leave the business as is – they seem to have all the business that they can handle at the moment.

However, when Ella makes a major mistake at one of their events, Marianne gets angry. Ella wants to get back into her sister’s good graces, so, she’s snags an event with Ferris Wheel Toys. Hopefully, her sister will forgive her when she announces their new, high-profile client.

Edward, the man who’s taken over Ferris Wheel Toys (his dad was formerly in charge) has decided to throw an impromptu Christmas party in order to impress some potential clients.

I thought the relationship between the sisters was very realistic. I could understand why one sister would want to run the business one way and then the other sister would disagree.

I enjoyed watching the romance unfold between Ella and Edward. Edward is somewhat of a Scrooge, just a little bit, and Ella tries to make him see how Christmas can be enjoyable.

This movie is loosely based upon the Jane Austen book Sense and Sensibility. I went to Wikipedia to read the book summary (since I’ve never read that book.) Other than the names of the characters, and the attraction between Ella and Edward, I saw few similarities between the book and the movie.

My favorite scene was when Edward gifts Ella with a Ferris Wheel Bear. Having the bear is nostalgic for her and I loved how Edward paid attention to what Ella would like for Christmas.

I also loved the Christmas scenery. It was a major feat, Edward having the party at his house. The party looked so beautiful and so perfect – that is, until Ella mistakenly thought that Edward was dating his high school sweetheart. You ever notice how often that happens in a Hallmark movie? There’s a simple misunderstanding near the end which can easily be cleared up with a five-minute conversation.

There’s just something about Christmas that touches the heart and makes you smile. I suppose I may feel this way because my family never celebrated Christmas – so I enjoy seeing the Christmas lights, decorations and snow!

So, have you ever ran a business with a family member? If so, were you able to sort through your differences?

Have you ever had to sell your parent(s) home? Was it hard to let go?

Emma returns to her childhood home to spend one last Christmas with her siblings. They plan to sell the home after Christmas. It’s especially hard for Emma to be home since her parents’ recent passing. The movie shows Emma reminiscing about Christmases in the past – spent with her mom.

I was surprised to see the letters hidden in the secret compartment of her mom’s desk. I was also surprised as to why her mom had been saving those old letters. Since her mom ended up marrying somebody other else – Emma’s dad – who is NOT the author of the letters – I was a bit floored as to why she kept them.

The man who wrote the letters stays in town after Emma’s mom had broken the engagement. Her mom wanted to marry someone else. However, the author of the letters stays in town and marries another woman in town – which is revealed near the end. I found the explanation of Emma’s mom saving the letters to be implausible.

I enjoyed the chemistry between Emma and Morgan. Morgan is hired to go through the house and appraise its’ valuables, including the desk with the secret compartment. Morgan also assists Emma with the mystery of finding the identity of the man who wrote the letters to Emma’s mom.

Of course, it’s a Hallmark movie and you must always have conflict! Emma is a lawyer and she’s recently broken up with her ex-boyfriend. However, he shows up at her family’s home at Christmas – determined to win her back and proposes to her!

Wasn’t it comical when the engagement ring got stuck on her finger?

Her ex had some nerve, especially since he forced the ring onto her finger when Emma didn’t even say yes!

Morgan seemed like a kind and patient man. He was a nice reprieve from Emma’s awful ex-boyfriend.

Didn’t it get on your nerves when her ex-boyfriend made gluten-free pancakes and then wrongly states that gluten-free pancakes are Emma’s favorite? I felt like he was FORCING his likes/dislikes onto poor Emma! No wonder she broke up with him.

Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane is based upon the book by Mary McDonough! Come show Mary McDonough some love and purchase her book! After you read it, let me know how you like it! I’d also like to know how the book compares to the movie!

So, have you ever had to sell your parent(s) home? Was it hard to let go?

Have you ever broken a marriage engagement?

Well, Faith is in a predicament. She’s engaged to Paul. Paul is a nerdy, boring, and not-very-nice international wine broker, or something like that. He’s gone all the time and Faith hardly sees him.

When handsome military man, Cody, swoops into town, her life changes. Cody…well…he’s FINE. He’s so cute and nice. His good looks and charm shine even more when you compare him to boring Paul.

Cody is just passing through town. He appears to be a drifter. And after he saves Faith’s father’s life, her family begs Cody to spend Christmas with them. Faith’s dad wants Cody to help out at their mill, and Cody agrees. After all, he’s attracted to pretty Faith and he wants to spend time with her too.

Cody is glad to connect with Faith – that’s why he’s in town in the first place. Faith sent him a Christmas card and he’s determined to thank her for it. Although they don’t know one another, (Faith sent the card to Cody anonymously), they get closer during the Christmas season.

So, have you ever broken a marriage engagement? If so, why did you break it?