Review: “Destined at Christmas” (2022)

Fancy banner done in a navy ground. On either side, Hollywood red curtains tied back with pearl-white cords. In the center of the banner are four gold-navy-&-red art deco-styled brackets framing out the words “Books by Alicia Presents” (in gold), an art deco element beneath, then “Christmas Romance Reviews” (in pearl white).
Basic banner of navy ground and very light gold art-deco brackets in the upper left and bottom right corners. In bolded pearl white, a movie title is written. This one says, “Defending Santa.” Beneath it, in gold, is the date (2013) the movie came out sandwiched between two gold art deco elements.

~ When One Black Friday Chance Meeting Becomes a Christmas Treasure Hunt ~

Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “Movie Details” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

  • Shae Robins as “Dr. Kim Fenech”

  • Casey Elliott as “Theo Hall”

  • Eve Elliott as “Ashley”

  • Weixin Le as “Vickie Fenech”

  • Matt Koenig as “Zach”

  • Platform: Tubi

  • Date: First viewing December 2023; Second viewing May 5, 2025

  • Location: Utah (filmed in Orem, Springville, Rocky Ridge, Ogden, Provo, and Cottonwood Heights)

Classic Cinema Scale: Fancy banner with a thick gold border. In the center, in Hollywood red, the words, “Classic Cinema Scale.” Beneath it, three film reels—the top in gold, middle in silver, bottom in bronze. Each has words done in navy. For the gold reel, “Golden Age Worthy: Exceptional performances, chemistry, and production that capture the magic of classic Hollywood.” For the silver, “Matinee Material: Good entertainment with solid elements, though not quite reaching classic status.” And the bronze, “B-Movie Blues: Missing the mark despite potential.”

  • Golden Age Worthy — One I think about every year since first viewing and remember fondly

Tissue Box Scale: Fancy banner with a thick gold border. In the center, in Hollywood red, the words, “Tissue Box Scale.” Beneath it, a column of tissue boxes, all in red, gold, and navy—the top is a single box, middle is two, bottom is three. Each has words done in navy. For the single box, “One Box: Keep a tissue handy, but your makeup is safe.” For the duo, “Two Boxes: You’ll definitely need those tissues, but you’ll still be presentable after.” And the trio, “Three Boxes: “Is pepperoni okay?” territory — don’t even bother with mascara!”

  • One Box — A couple moments when this sentimental sappy girl started leaking tears

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I originally watched this in 2023 and REALLY liked it — which surprised me because I’d watched quite a few Christmas movies that break, and this was the ONLY one that actually worked. Acting, script, chemistry — everything meshed and left me with favorable impressions and fond memories.

Today I rewatched it on a crappy day (the 7th anniversary of my mom’s death, laid up with a bad back). I thought revisiting it might cheer me up and remind me why it resonated so deeply. Plus, now I’m doing reviews, so this treasure hunt deserved recording.

Gold-framed banner with Art Deco brackets in top corners. The banner reads: “Reality Check: Filmed primarily in and around Utah with locations including University Place in Orem, Springville Museum of Art, Quality Craft Wood Work in Rocky Ridge, Dinosaur Park in Ogden, and The Shops At Riverwoods in Provo. Also filmed in Cottonwood Heights neighborhood of Salt Lake County. All of which makes me a fan of Utah — they decorate for Christmas right!”
Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “The Chemistry Test” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

Kim and Theo have GREAT chemistry.

The actors are very natural onscreen together. There are some weaker supporting actors and moments, but thankfully they don’t detract from the overall film.

The leads carry it beautifully, and Vickie and Ashley do solid backup work. Ashley isn’t an annoying child either — refreshingly, she wasn’t made artificially “cute.”

Gold-framed banner with Art Deco brackets in top corners. The banner reads: “Classic Connection: This is absolutely something that would’ve been made in the Golden Age. I can see elegant Loretta Young with Cary Grant (no shocker there), Jimmy Stewart, or maybe even Gary Cooper leading a star-studded cast in this exact story.”
Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “Behind the Scenes” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

The shopping scene has a very attractive, festive display that sets the mood perfectly. Kim’s modern townhouse is decorated nicely for the holiday (though I hate modern architecture personally), but her parents’ house is very nicely done exteriorly.

Gold-framed banner with Art Deco brackets in top corners. The banner reads: “Decor Pro Tip: Let your home’s architecture dictate the types of decorations you choose. What works in a Victorian will look WAY too fussy in a modern home. Straight lines and blonde wood of Danish modern will look odd in Art Nouveau or Italianate. But whatever your architectural style, remember to have fun! Decorating should inspire laughter and creativity, not stress and doubtfulness.”
Subsection Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in Hollywood red, are the words, “Wardrobe & Styling” that are sandwiched between gold-&-red art-deco elements.

Scarves, coats, gloves — it’s Christmas in snow country!

As a paleontologist, Kim wears a lab coat that’s short and looks less like a doctor and more like a waiter or busboy. But she does wear some really nice coats and tops overall.

Fashion Miss: In one work scene, you see her wearing cigarette pants that stop above her ankles paired with ankle boots — a definite no-no.

Gold-framed banner with Art Deco brackets in top corners. The banner reads: “Fashion Pro Tip: Short pants with ankle boots break the visual line, making your legs seem short and stumpy. Keep the eye flowing if you want to seem tall and slender. Continuous lines are your friend!”
Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “The Story's Heart” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

Boy and Girl meet on Black Friday but forget to exchange contact info. They part thinking about “the one who got away.”

From bits and pieces shared during their time together, they try figuring out where the other might be. But they always miss each other — a true star-crossed lovers setup.

Complicating matters: Girl has an ex who’s horrible (broke up with her because he “didn’t see their relationship going anywhere”), but her family liked and who wants back.

Plus, another woman wants to start something with Theo, and matchmaking family members are determined to help.

The treasure hunt element: Kim’s mom tells her to “find him” when she learns Kim’s heart was won by her shopping companion.

Basically, Kim and Theo spend the entire show “hunting” each other — which is exactly why I love this so much. It’s a Christmas romance TREASURE HUNT!

Gold-framed banner with Art Deco quote marks in top left and bottom right corners, done in red and shadowed in navy blue. The banner reads: “ ‘It doesn’t matter what I got for Christmas because I have everything I want right here” — Kim (see “Personal Notes” for more).”
Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “The First Kiss” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

Very tasteful but also very lovely. No sloppy tongue action, but nothing awkward or uncomfortable either.

And there were three kisses in all — building perfectly through the story.

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100% okay for family viewing. No swearing, no off-colored humor. And a genuinely good ending.

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I’m so glad this movie is STILL a favorite.

It really does have everything that makes a Christmas movie work: romance, laughter, decorations, tears, and a happy ending.

Another beautiful thing about this film: Sharon and Zach end up together.

Neither is BAD, so the notion they might end up together feels organic. The scriptwriter didn’t leave any loose threads behind — everything wraps beautifully.

Subsection Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in Hollywood red, is the words, “Highlights” that’s sandwiched between gold-&-red art-deco elements.

  • Great chemistry between leads

  • Natural, elegant heroine who doesn’t use Valley speak

  • Treasure hunt concept brilliantly executed

  • Well-written screenplay with steady “will they meet here?” tension

  • Tasteful, lovely kisses

  • Non-annoying child actor

  • Supporting characters given proper closure

  • Utah decorations are chef’s kiss

Subsection Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in Hollywood red, is the word, “Lowlights” that’ sandwiched between gold-&-red art-deco elements.

  • Some weaker supporting actors

  • Lab coat looks like waiter uniform

  • Cigarette pants and ankle boots pairing

  • Modern architecture (personal preference!)

Section Header: Basic banner with a pearl-white ground. In the center, in navy, are the words, “Personal Notes” that are sandwiched between gold art-deco elements.

I think I know why I love this movie so much.

It’s a Christmas romance treasure hunt!

The entire film maintains a steady beat of “is THIS where they’ll meet?” which propels the star-crossed-lovers trope beautifully.

I forgot how much I liked Shae Robins as an actress. She has pretty hair, lovely eyes, and a nice smile — very elegant, carrying herself in a chic manner. She’s natural on film in a way that feels genuine rather than performed.

Kim’s final sentiment captures everything: “It doesn’t matter what I got for Christmas because I have everything I want right here,” glancing around their blended family of her parents, Vickie, Ashley, Theo, his brother Hunter, Clarissa, and baby Victoria.

On a day like today — the 7th anniversary of losing my mom — revisiting this film reminded me why it resonates so deeply.

It’s about finding what matters, the people we love, destiny working in mysterious ways, and the magic of actually showing up for each other.

That feels particularly important to remember.

Have you watched this Black Friday-to-Christmas treasure hunt?

Share your thoughts on star-crossed-lovers stories, Utah Christmas locations, and whether you believe in destiny in the comments below!

Related topics: Christmas romance, star-crossed lovers, treasure hunt romance, Black Friday Christmas, holiday movies, Utah filming locations, destiny movies, holiday chemistry, blended family stories, seasonal entertainment

This review is the final installment in “BBA’s Christmas in July Romance Reviews Week” series. Check back in December for more reviews!

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Color photo of me, Alicia, authoress and writer of this blog. Because these specific posts are all about Christmas romance movies, I enhanced my photo with a Santa hat and with a bough of holly bracketing the bottom right. In the center of the holly bough are two candy canes crossed like lovers in a romantic embrace. (See what I did there? 😊)

Alicia Strickland

As a romance novelist with expertise in fashion, interior design, and a deep love of classic Hollywood, I bring a unique perspective to holiday romance reviews. Join me in exploring the magic (and occasional missteps) of Christmas movies!

Alicia Strickland

Hi! I write across multiple genres under various pen names. But for nonfiction, I write as myself.

As a designer with a love of Old Hollywood and all things creative, I bring diverse perspectives to my storytelling... and to my blog.

In the unlikely event that I’m not writing, I enjoy crafting, gardening, or spending time with my flame-point Siamese, Hunter.

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