Both movies, starting with "Finding Father Christmas" complement each other VERY nicely. Very Well Directed, and 'Miranda' (Erin Krakow) comes across as a very believable / sensitive character, searching for answers leading to the identity of her real father, and her place with a far away unsuspecting family (back east, in Vermont), far removed from her Seattle connections. Her subtle but highly talented acting skills convincingly captures the audience, and takes them on a sentimental journey into solving a family mystery, and her place in not only finding who is 'Father Christmas', but the meaning of Christmas, itself ! Some subtle changes between the first movie, and the second movie are inherent, as you plunge into the sequel: "Engaging Father Christmas"... Daughter Julia Whitcomb changes young actresses (from the first movie), and one of the premises, behind the family mystery.. 'the captivating poem', behind the mystery to: "the beguiling eve".. actually changes content (a subtle line is added to the original poem, in the second movie. as was initially introduced in the first movie); But these are subtle elements / modifications that actually complement the overall finish product. BOTH - GREAT FAMILY HOLIDAY productions - a Must See !! But these are so good, you do not have to wait for the Holiday Season, to enjoy. Can't wait for the third movie to be released, (could it be: "Marrying Father Christmas" (??). High marks in this quality holiday drama series, as we have come to know and love - both Miranda and Ian, in this instant Christmas Classic journey...In writing this review, I am reminded by one of the 'hallmark' quotes, from the movie, that stand out - as that we should be reminded: "May Truth and Grace Reside Here".. how poignant.

Yes, the titles are a twist, but adds to the intrigue! I love both of these Hallmark movies. I missed seeing "Finding Father Christmas", last season, as my dau and grand-dau were visiting from Rio. But WHAT A DOUBLE TREAT this season!! I loved both! And especially Niall Matter as Ian! Yes the story is a bit bizarre, but the acting was superb for me! I liked the array of a strong cast. I hope to see them again next season, having seen them each twice already this year! All Hallmark movies are predictable, but this had a few curves to navigate. They just gave me so much enjoyment and lifted me into the holiday season. Going to get to baking today!! Hope the authors, Gunn & Golden are busy writing next years part 3!

The usual cast of characters, eh?: Hallmark Heroine™ (HH): Miranda, played by Hallmark regular Erin Krakow. More (or less) on her later.Hallmark Good Boyfriend (HGBF): Ian, who is also the Guy Perpetually in Need of a Shave (GPNS). Hallmark Bad Boyfriend (HBBF): Josh, Miranda's ex.Erin Krakow is well cast, she's an attractive woman that regular Hallmark viewers see in her series When Calls the Heart. For some reason, for this installment she has cut off most of her hair and what remains is straight and flat. I may need a new character acronym for when this happens- Hallmark Bad Hair Heroine (HBHH)? Maybe 4H: Hallmark Heinous Hair Heroine (HHHH).This is a predictable sequel to last year's Finding Father Christmas. A plot gap here is why would they wait for a whole year?The HH runs into the HBBF at the airport and feels compelled to tell him she's the daughter of a famous actor. Why? You haven't seen him in like 2 years. No surprise, he turns up in the small Vermont town where she is visiting the HGBF. A misunderstanding ensues when the HGBF/GPNS sees her hug the HBBF. This misunderstanding is resolved early on.As the title would imply, much of the sub-plot involves her father the famous actor. A reporter is in town doing a story aboot her dad and the 30th anniversary of a theater.A couple of funny scenes involved the HGBF/GPNS trying to propose/proposing to the HH. His dad asked the question I'm sure many viewers were wondering- What took you so long? Another funny thing at the engagement announcement was everyone else in winter clothing and the HH wearing a summer dress.The HH is getting mystery texts aboot her father. She laments to the HGBF/GPNS aboot telling the HBBF aboot her dad. She's then grilled aboot her dad's family by the reporter.A Mystery Dude (MD) turns up and feels compelled to stop his car and look at the sign for the town in Vermont. He must be a slow reader since most people can read it while driving by. He of course turns up at the local inn. It turns out he is a writer doing a story on the dad and had overheard her spill to the HBBF at the airport. The HH has a heart to heart with MD to talk him out of doing the story but doesn't change his mind.The HH then decides to bail and the HGBF/GPNS can't convince her to stay. She has a pep talk with her dad's widow and things are set straight. MD is sent packing. A Hallmark Happy Ending is had when the HH and HGBF/GPNS end up together (again) and will stay in town in the house the HGBF/GPNS had been repairing, but they decide to wait another year to get married?

I HAVE REVIEWED OVER 400 Christmas MOVIES.BEWARE OF BOGUS REVIEWS. SOME REVIEWERS HAVE ONLY ONE REVIEW. WHEN ITS A POSITIVE REVIEW THAT TELLS ME THEY WERE INVOLVED WITH THE PRODUCTION. NOW I HAVE NO AGENDA! I AM HONEST! I REVIEW Christmas MOVIES AS A WAY TO KEEP TRACK OF WHAT I HAVE SEEN!In this follow up film to "Finding Father Christmas" It's Christmas time and Miranda (Krakow) leaves Seattle with a suitcase full of presents to join her long- lost family in Carlton Heath. Hoping She will experience the joyful traditions she missed as a child. Last Christmas, Miranda fell in love with Ian (Matter), a local man who helped her as she searched for her father, James Whitcomb, a famous theater actor she believed had a connection to the town. At his widow Margaret's (Malick) request, Miranda agrees to keep it a secret to protect the family from scandal. This Christmas, she fears the warm welcome she received from the Whitcomb family will soon turn cold when Miranda receives an anonymous text from someone who threatens to expose her identity.Well what was great about the original film was a mystery of Miranda's father. there was also Miranda falling in love. In this sequel we only have a very thin plot and it just retreads what was done before. I still admire the cast. It is just needed a little more story to cover.