Review: “Christmas Recipe for Romance” (2019)

Abby’s professional attire earns points for polish, and the costume department deserves praise for one crucial detail: She wears stockings with her skirts!

This elevates her entire look, creating the polished appearance business wear demands.

However, Abby’s hairstyle needs serious reconsideration.

Those four “pigtail curls” (two front, two back, all loose) create a bizarre grown-up Pippi Longstocking effect that’s simply odd.

Some styling choices defy understanding.

Gran Alice has exhausted her personal savings keeping the family inn running while neglecting property taxes to the tune of $43,000.

Now broke and battling Parkinson’s, she faces losing everything.

Enter Abby, who, despite being nicknamed “Five-Alarm Dennings” for her kitchen disasters, enters a prestigious cooking contest for the prize money.

Jason, a celebrity chef seeking redemption after his brother’s death and a cheating scandal, agrees to help her learn to cook.

Cue the sparks — both culinary and romantic.

Their first kiss happens in Abby’s car — nothing spectacular, but competent.

The second kiss in the kitchen proves better, with both actors demonstrating proper puckering technique.

The third kiss at the end, however, feels awkward, with Jason looking like he’s waiting for the director to yell “Cut!”

There’s also a tepid first hug worth mentioning — they sat too far apart on his bed, forcing Abby to hop into position for an unnatural lean-in.

Choreography matters, folks!

Despite its Harlequin origins, this adaptation remains completely family-friendly.

No swearing, no steamy content, no “sheet sweating” — just sweet romance.

The story addresses death, Parkinson’s disease, and business betrayal, so parents might need to field some questions, but the content itself remains appropriate for all ages.

This Harlequin adaptation improves as it progresses, with lead performances becoming more natural (if only slightly).

The premise works, the romance develops believably, and the cooking tips actually prove useful.

However, awkward acting from supporting cast and those bizarre hairstyle choices prevent it from reaching Matinee status.

I’m glad I watched this if only to learn Harlequin can produce sweet romance instead of exclusively spicy content!

The cooking tips were a bonus.

However, this won’t join my annual rotation — I’m just not invested enough in the performances, particularly from secondary characters.

Jason’s accent did grow more charming once his character stopped being a jerk, proving that likability affects everything, including how we perceive vocal quirks.