A Season for Family (2023 Hallmark)
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Cast: Brendan Penny, Stacey Farber
Director: Kevin Fair
Writer: Steven Sessions
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlySynopsis (via Hallmark)
Maddy’s adopted son Wesley has just one Christmas wish: to meet his brother Cody, who was adopted into a different family. Cody’s father Paul is a widower who is not ready to have this conversation with his son, so he turns down a meeting. However, circumstances bring the two brothers unknowingly together and they become fast friends, while sparks fly between Maddy and Paul. Starring Stacey Farber and Brendan Penny.
Recap/Wine Thoughts
Maddie is up for the Assistant General Manager at the swanky hotel she works for. She doesn’t have time for family but makes an exception this holiday season. Maddy takes a trip to visit her family.
Maddy’s parents have plans for Maddy and her son. Christmas tree lighting, chili, and her father’s hotel remodel that she would like. Maddy takes her son for some ski gear at the local ski shop.
The handsome owner, Paul, doesn’t bat an eye when Maddy and Wes enter the store and knock over a ski display. He laughs it off and can’t help but perk up when Wes tells Paul that his mom is a SINGLE MOM!
Paul has a son and is co-parenting with his ski instructor sister, Taylor, who has been helping since Paul’s wife, Susan, passed away two years ago. Cody is socially awkward, and Paul is struggling.
Wes attends his first ski class and gets Taylor as his instructor. Cody and Wes become friends in class, and when Paul and Maddy come to pick up their kids, they are surprised at the reunion. Maddy agrees to keep the party going and has the kids over for dinner. Paul is happy his son made a friend.
Paul gets a call from the social worker who helped with Cody’s adoption and is nervous about her reaching out on behalf of Cody’s birth mother, Rosey.
Maddy makes cookies, and they turn out not so great. Paul comes over and helps himself. He talks to her parents and learns that Maddy’s full name is Rose Madison Peterson. Is she Cody’s birth mother?
So, Wes was working on a school project, and Maddy explained that Wes was adopted too and wanted to find his biological brother. Maddy reassures Paul that she didn’t know Cody was his brother and that it was just a coincidence or fate! Paul asks Maddy to keep the news a secret until he figures out what he wants to do.
Paul talks to Taylor, but she isn’t much help. He wants to get through the holiday, but FATE has other plans. They run into one another at the Christmas Tree farm, and the kids want to decorate together. Paul is invited in to join Maddy and her family as they trim the tree. Then, they gather around the piano and sing Christmas songs.
Maddy’s dad gives her a tour of the new hotel, and they talk shop. Her father worries about his daughter because she is a single mother. (By choice! She adopted Wes on her own. Good for her!)
Paul asks Maddy why she never worked for her father, and she shares that her dad is “old school” and doesn’t want to be seen as playing favoritism, even though she is very qualified.
Maddy and Paul go to the Christmas Tree lighting, and Paul sees Taylor and his co-worker, Jeremy, holding hands. Paul asks Jeremy about it and is clearly bothered by the relationship.
Maddy’s dad offers her a job as the General Manager, and she considers it because she is falling for Paul. When she tells him, he tells her things are moving too fast. Paul is also considering moving and selling the business.
Jeremy talks with Paul and tells him that he should take the job if he is running towards something and not running away. He calls the job and is put on hold, then reads Cody’s Christmas letter to Santa. He hangs up and decides he needs to tell Cody the truth.
Paul sits Cody down and struggles to get out his words. Cody already knows he is adopted because he has heard the grown-ups talking. Cody is excited because he is adopted like Wes!
Maddy and Paul make up and decide to tell the boys that they are brothers for their Christmas present. The boys are pleased! The end!
Note/Stray Thoughts
I thought the adoption story would play more into this, but it just was added to a romance story.
Overall rating
Pour it up
Put a Cork in It
Christmas Feels
🎄🎄 (2 Christmas Trees)
Enjoyment Level: 🍷🍷 (2 glasses of wine.)
What did you think of the movie? Let me know in the comments or on social media @LifetimeUncorked
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*Photo Credit: © 2023 Hallmark