Engaged by Christmas (2024 Lifetime)
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Cast: Brittany Bristow, Marcus Rosner
Director: Dylan Pearce
Writer(s): Emily Duncan
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Synopsis (via Lifetime)
Recap/Wine Thoughts
Zoe is a proposal planner/director. She does this year-round but is striking out to start her own business. Zoe wants to plan many other things, not just proposals. Zoe writes to an advice columnist, Dear Adora, about her own relationship and hopes her boyfriend, Cary, will pop the question for Christmas. Dear Adora’s advice is as follows:
“Want him to get the hint? Stop hinting and be upfront about your wants and needs. Remember, not everyone is on the same time clock. You can’t decide if HE is ready to get married, only if YOU are.”
It’s good advice; it’s too bad it is written by a hot writer named Adam and not dear Auntie Adora. ( I mean, who would want to take advice from Marcus Rosner with his shirt on?!) Adam is trying to find a work-life balance, but moonlighting as Dear Adora has been making him extra holiday bucks.
Zoe goes to dinner with Cary, and they are on totally different pages. He wants to break up because she is too smothering, and he isn’t even into the idea of marriage. Zoe starts freaking out because she is launching her blog and has scheduled Christmas events as a couple for publicity. Cary is going to make her look bad being single for the holidays and helping clients with their special days. Cary just dips! (I would too, TBH. Zoe is INTENSE!)
Zoe’s friends, Lauren and Emma, bring her wine and hugs. They tell her that she doesn’t need a man! Zoe tries to use words of affirmation, but they don’t work, so she eats cookies and wine instead. Zoe starts to write a letter to Dear Adora but then decides to go in person and rushes to the address listed in the paper.
Adam is surprised to see Zoe in his office and makes an excuse for where Dear Adora is. Zoe won’t take no for an answer and starts to look around the office and realizes that Adam is the writer of the Dear Adora column. Zoe feels tricked, and Adam explains that he is a licensed couple counselor but is not actually married or in a relationship. (Which is good news for me!) Zoe blackmails him into helping her for the holidays, or she will expose him as a Dear Adora FRAUD. Adam reluctantly agrees.
Zoe shows Adam her date planning binder and talks about the 12 dates of Christmas she wants to try out. Adam doesn’t think the whole thing is particularly inspiring romance, and he tells her to chill out. When she mentions wanting to get back with Cary, Adam reminds Zoe that she doesn’t have to plan romantic dates. You can have a date with yourself or a date with friends. (She isn’t really open to “Adam Advice”, and wants to know what Dear Adora would say.)
Adam can’t help but let the advice flow, and he takes Christmas photos with her and tells her to have fun/ Zoe is stuck on Cary and wants to get back together with him. Adam promises if she lets go and has fun, she won’t even remember his name.
The blog doesn’t take off initially, and Adam suggests that Zoe share more about herself. If she makes something great, the people will come. ADAM can’t stop giving advice. Zoe sends out Christmas cards with Adam on them and opens up on her blog about being single. She also tells her friend about Adam being Dear Adora.
Zoe and Adam start spending a lot of time together. They take a dance class and bake cookies with Lauren. He decides to recommend Zoe’s business to Dear Adora’s readers. (So, not only is Zoe blackmailing Adam, she is getting FREE PUBLICITY!) Zoe actually starts helping Adam write advice for letters that didn’t make it into the newspaper. We learn that Zoe’s parents are divorced, which makes her skeptical of relationship counselors like Adam. Adam explains that Aunt Adora was his actual aunt, and when she felt ill, he helped her write her columns as she dictated to him. When she passed away, Adam took over, knowing how his aunt would respond. He didn’t want her readers to be upset at her death. (which is a secret?!?!)
Caroling happens, and they actually sing. (No lip-syncing here!)
They also go skating, and Adam is very bad at ice skating. Zoe catches him and helps him get off the ice. They are there for one another, and things seem to be working out for the best! Zoe’s blog is a hit, and her new tone resonates with readers.
Emma is ready to quit her job and work for Zoe’s company. Joe, Emma’s boyfriend, wants to use Zoe’s services to propose to Emma. So that is fun!
Zoe and Adam walk by a movie theater, and she flexes her spontaneity muscle and pulls him in to watch “It’s A Wonderful Life.” Adam has never seen it and loves the movie. He can’t believe that an angel gets his wings every time a bell rings.
Zoe and Adam both have feelings for one another but don’t know how to express them. Zoe invites Adam over for wine and charcuterie, but he loses track of time working on his Dear Adora letters. Zoe spends the night alone decorating the tree. She isn’t wholly devastated and learns to be by herself. Zoe doesn’t hold it against Adam but wants to stop seeing him and end the whole blackmail thing.
There is one last date left for the blog. She doesn’t know what to do when Adam shows up to help. They get into an argument, which gets pretty brutal. They both say things they regret.
Zoe throws herself into planning Emma’s proposal with Joe, but as she sets up, Adam interrupts her. He doesn’t have the best timing, but he is cute! The proposal goes well, and it seems pretty basic. I mean, did you need a planner for that? Where were the fireworks?!
Dear Adora writes her last column and is retiring. Adam tells Zoe that it is time for him to move on with his life and focus on new things, like her. Adam tells Zoe that he loves her and asks her for another Christmas date. They won’t plan this one, but they will play it by ear.
They Kiss! The End! Merry Christmas!
Side Note/Stray Thoughts
This easily could have been on Hallmark.
Brittany Bristow is so great at playing annoying characters on paper and making them likable.
Overall rating
Pour it up
Put a Cork in It
Christmas Feels
🎄🎄🎄 (3 Christmas Trees)
Enjoyment Level: 🍷🍷🍷 (3 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: © 2024 lifetime
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