Review

Movie Review: Holly & Ivy
Subtitle: “Adopting Kids, Renovating Houses, and Crying Under the Christmas Tree.”

Holly & Ivy is Hallmark’s attempt to remind you that Christmas movies can be heartwarming, tear-jerking, and still somehow involve a ridiculous amount of holiday decorations. It’s a story about love, loss, and the power of a small-town community to come together and solve every problem with a little elbow grease and a lot of twinkling lights.

The plot centers on Melody (Janel Parrish), a kind-hearted librarian (of course) who moves into a fixer-upper home in the cutest town imaginable. Next door, she meets Nina (Marisol Nichols), a single mom dealing with a serious illness, and her two adorable daughters, Holly and Ivy. Nina asks Melody to become the girls’ guardian if anything happens to her, and because this is Hallmark, Melody agrees instantly—even though she has no real plan beyond “Christmas spirit will fix it.”

Meanwhile, enter Adam (Jeremy Jordan), a hunky contractor who’s conveniently single, great with tools, and just so happens to be Melody’s perfect match. Together, they tackle home renovations, holiday traditions, and the growing realization that they’re destined to be Hallmark’s next favorite couple.

Janel Parrish brings warmth and charm to Melody, making you root for her even when she’s diving headfirst into situations most people would think about for at least a week. Jeremy Jordan’s Adam is every bit the Hallmark leading man: helpful, flirty, and always available to hang another string of lights. Their chemistry is sweet and understated, building through shared moments of laughter, paint spills, and awkward attempts at fixing a leaky roof.

The real stars, though, are Holly and Ivy, two kids so adorable they could melt even the Grinch’s heart. Whether they’re baking cookies, decorating the tree, or dropping not-so-subtle hints about how great Melody and Adam look together, they steal every scene they’re in. Nina, meanwhile, brings an emotional depth to the movie that sets it apart from Hallmark’s usual fluff. Her journey is heartbreaking yet hopeful, and her friendship with Melody is the glue that holds the story together.

The home renovation subplot is classic Hallmark chaos. Melody and Adam somehow manage to fix a house that looks one gust of wind away from collapsing, all while bonding over mismatched paint swatches and broken Christmas ornaments. It’s as if Extreme Makeover: Home Edition decided to do a holiday special with fewer tools and more hot cocoa.

By the time the big finale rolls around—a heartwarming Christmas Eve gathering where all the loose ends are tied up with a metaphorical bow—you’ll have laughed, cried, and maybe Googled “how to become a Hallmark librarian.” It’s cheesy, sure, but also undeniably heartwarming.

Holly & Ivy isn’t just a Christmas movie—it’s a hug in film form, reminding us that family, love, and a little holiday magic can get you through anything. Watch it with tissues, cookies, and a warm blanket, because you’ll need all three. 🎄❤️🏠