This was ok, not great, not much story really and it all appears to take place within a couple of days. I was however very surprised by what happened towards the end and then felt silly given the title. That whole "situation" made this Hallmark movie worthwhile to watch.The story follows a young (high school) woman who falls in love with a soldier about to ship out just before Christmas. Her overprotective mother wants to spare her heartache similar to what she felt when her husband was killed on active duty, so she tries to persuade her daughter to end the romance while at the same time also not allowing herself to open her heart to a possible romance that's been right in front of her for years.Decent enough acting for what's involved here, The daughter did come across older than high school age, very together and kind of mothering the mother (Catherine Bell). I also enjoyed Victor Webster as the potential boyfriend.

...and maybe, more. because it is a realistic portrait of family, relations, love and insecure feelings. because it has few nuances defining it as different by many Hallmark Christmas films. and, not the last, it is a good picture of the fears, dreams and hope at different ages, after different experiences of life. so, after the final credits, few scenes are more present in memory. about options, solutions, reactions. and this does it a good support of reflection. sure, it is not original and predictable. but few nuances are enough for defining it as different. or special. or, only, a decent Christmas film.

My wife and I love Hallmark Christmas movies but agreed that this one was one of the worst we've seen.The least of its offenses is that it's not even really a Christmas story at all, but rather just happens to take place during the season without much that actually ties in. Not a very 'Christmasy' feel to it.The mother's poor parenting skills are another frustration. The teen-age daughter keeps lying, disobeying, making immature choices, etc. over and over again, then merely offers an excuse and apology (or not) and the mom never punishes or disciplines her. Perfect way to turn out a spoiled, self-centered, enabled brat.We also really hated seeing Victor Webster, one of Hallmark's strongest male stars, reduced to a cardboard stand-up with very little of his typical charm and humor put to good use. His only purpose seems to be listening to the mom's (numerous) self-indulgent monologues.Another letdown is the laughably contrived and manipulative 'surprise' ending, requiring at least two gaping plot holes (pointed out by another reviewer) to get there. We really wanted it to induce warmth and satisfaction, but alas, prompted eye-rolls instead. The biggest problem, though, is the movie's lack of rhythm, flow and genuine-feeling drama, the blame for which should probably be shared equally between the overly melodramatic script and the sleepy performances. It's just two hours' worth of one drama queen conversation after another, accompanied by a nearly non-stop hypnosis-inducing music track that turns the whole thing into a flat, unsatisfying experience.

If you watched Army Wives which starred Catherine Bell also this slightly reminded me of it. Catherine Bell plays an army widow. Her daughter about to go off to college falls hard and fast for a sweet soldier (Anthony Konechny) who is about to be deployed. Of course she is worried about her daughter loving a soldier who could be killed too. Meanwhile she herself has been resisting love although there is good friend (Victor Webster) who is about to give up waiting for her to love again.Not too much story to make a movie and there isn't that much Christmas stuff either for that matter. The actors are quite sweet and likable. Don't know why they chose such a short actress to play the daughter - they didn't look related.There is a satisfactory ending as expected.