The movie receives the worst rating possible because it is not a complete movie. Without any prior warning in repeat performances, the movie ends with "to be continued". (I don't know if there was warning when it was first broadcast.) While this is done in some regular TV shows, or in mini-series, I believe it is unprecedented in a full two hour TV-movie where the continuation is not shown until a year later. In TV shows, one at least learns to be wary of such things and hopefully the conclusion is not delayed too long. In a mini-series, it is usually obvious. I consider this irresponsible broadcasting and I'm really glad I never saw this until it was shown with the sequel immediately following it. Hopefully, no one finds a DVD somewhere with only the one movie without realizing it is a two part story.I also feel justified in rating it poorly because it is incomplete as it stands. I am posting a review of the complete two part story under Part 2.

I loved the movie! The characters were what I like to see in a movie , warm and helpful, (unlike the real world at times!) and caring. I loved the Bookstore/ café and thought it was a great idea. I've always loved bookstores and the idea of having both together to read and relax with two owners that are just as caring, to me, is a town I'd love to live in! The storyline and was what you expect from Hallmark, but that is why I watch them. The scenes were beautiful and I loved the idea of two people connecting so well! I was curious as to why certain parts of the film were lengthened. I can hardly wait for the next episode, I just wish it had an ending, not be continued to next year, hard to wait to see the ending of a movie I enjoyed so much!

As already highlighted by other reviewers, the part-one status of this movie was indeed a let-down. Hard to believe we have to wait 12 months to see more. Even more disappointing to me was how the young couple so in love was so easily broken up in classic overwritten dramatic irony.Parts of the storyline were perhaps corny, but my wife and I were pulled in by the cute young couple who were such good kids, the altruistic older couple (who ran the bookstore), and even the young man's singing. Hallmark movies seem a little less well-done than a few years ago, but this one was working. I liked almost all the acting (my wife liked a little less). But the overprotective father seemed way overwritten and the young man's IQ seemed to plummet only so that the writers could have their part-one ending. Come on.

Hallmark is seriously delusional if they think anyone will care in 12 months what happens in this movie. The story is almost nonexistent, the young malelead is vapid and has only one facial expression, and nothing really happens until the token "misunderstanding" that could have been resolved with one good question. The down and out bookstore seems to be the biggest game in town and has no problem staying vital to the community. Every cliché in the book is well covered in this trite and stale offering. I do like Faith Ford and she does bring the only depth and story line to this sad effort.A big letdown from the Hallmarks of the past. This is a clunker.