Review

"A Taste of Summer: Where Hallmark Movies Go to Sunbathe (and Overuse the Word 'Quaint')"

If you’ve ever wondered what would happen if a Hallmark movie decided to take a vacation, A Taste of Summer is here to answer that burning question. Released in 2019, this film is like a piña colada for your eyeballs—sweet, predictable, and just a little bit sticky. It’s the cinematic equivalent of a postcard from your aunt who insists on writing in cursive: charming, but you’re not entirely sure why it exists.

The plot is as familiar as your grandma’s fruitcake recipe. A big-city girl (let’s call her Claire, because of course her name is Claire) returns to her quaint hometown (population: 12, but somehow there’s always a bustling farmer’s market) to save her family’s struggling bakery. Along the way, she reconnects with her high school sweetheart, Jake, who is inexplicably single, ruggedly handsome, and owns a dog named something like “Biscuit” or “Muffin.” Spoiler alert: by the end, Claire learns that life isn’t about spreadsheets and lattes—it’s about love, pie, and small-town charm. Groundbreaking.

The movie is essentially a Hallmark holiday movie, but instead of snowflakes and mistletoe, there’s sunshine and lemonade. The dialogue is so wholesome it could cure a hangover, and the chemistry between Claire and Jake is about as spicy as a saltine cracker. But hey, that’s what we signed up for, right? If you’re looking for a film that challenges societal norms or explores the human condition, this ain’t it. But if you want to watch two attractive people fall in love while holding a basket of freshly baked muffins, A Taste of Summer is your jam.

The supporting cast is a delightful mix of quirky townsfolk, including a sassy best friend who runs the local flower shop and an elderly woman who dispenses life advice like she’s Oprah with a knitting habit. There’s also a subplot involving a rival bakery owner who’s so cartoonishly evil, you half expect her to twirl a mustache. But don’t worry—by the end, even she learns the true meaning of community (and probably gets a free slice of pie).

Visually, the movie is a postcard come to life. Every frame looks like it was shot through an Instagram filter called “Golden Hour Bliss.” The town square is so picturesque, you’ll start Googling real estate listings mid-movie. And the food? Oh, the food. If you don’t find yourself craving a blueberry scone by the 20-minute mark, you might want to check your pulse.

In conclusion, A Taste of Summer is the cinematic equivalent of a warm hug from your grandma—comforting, predictable, and slightly cloying. It’s not going to win any Oscars (unless there’s a category for “Best Use of a Wicker Basket”), but it’s perfect for a lazy Sunday afternoon when you just want to turn off your brain and watch two people fall in love over a plate of cookies. If Hallmark movies are your guilty pleasure, this one is like a summer fling—short, sweet, and utterly forgettable. But hey, sometimes that’s exactly what you need.