Review

Movie Review: Two Turtle Doves
Subtitle: “Love, Grief, and the Healing Power of Christmas... and Turtledoves.”

Two Turtle Doves is a Hallmark movie that hits you right in the feels, balancing heartfelt emotions with just enough holiday charm to keep things festive. It’s a story of loss, love, and learning that the best way to heal is through cookie decorating and meaningful snowball fights.

The plot follows Dr. Sharon Harper (Nikki DeLoach), a big-city neuroscientist who returns to her small hometown for Christmas after her grandmother passes away. In her grandmother’s will, Sharon discovers a mysterious holiday scavenger hunt that might just lead her to the true meaning of Christmas. Because in Hallmark Land, wills aren’t about assets—they’re about festive life lessons.

Enter Sam (Michael Rady), her late grandmother’s lawyer and single dad, who just so happens to be ridiculously charming and conveniently available. Sam and his adorable daughter, Mikayla, team up with Sharon to complete the scavenger hunt, which involves everything from baking to caroling to—of course—finding two actual turtledoves. Along the way, sparks fly between Sharon and Sam, because what’s a Hallmark movie without a little holiday romance?

Nikki DeLoach brings warmth and relatability to Sharon, a character who’s somehow both a brainiac and an absolute holiday newbie. Michael Rady’s Sam is the quintessential Hallmark leading man: kind, patient, and good with kids and power tools. Together, they have undeniable chemistry, even when Sharon insists on being “too busy for Christmas” (classic Hallmark denial phase).

The scavenger hunt is the movie’s centerpiece, and it’s both heartwarming and hilariously elaborate. Who knew a small-town grandma could orchestrate such a complex series of tasks? From crafting ornaments to staging a surprise snowball fight, the activities are so wholesome you’ll forget they’re all part of a legal document.

Unintentionally funny moments include:
- Sharon’s bafflement at basic holiday traditions, like decorating cookies, as though she’s never encountered sprinkles before.
- The town’s obsession with turtledoves, which are treated like mythical creatures that only appear during the holidays.
- Sam’s ability to balance being a lawyer, a dad, and a full-time scavenger hunt assistant without breaking a sweat.

The emotional beats in Two Turtle Doves are surprisingly touching, as Sharon learns to process her grief while rediscovering the joy of Christmas. It’s a delicate balance of tears and laughs, with just enough holiday fluff to keep it from feeling too heavy. The supporting cast, including Mikayla (the unofficial Queen of Christmas Spirit), adds plenty of heart—and a few well-timed one-liners.

The romance between Sharon and Sam is sweet and slow-burning, with plenty of Hallmark-approved moments: accidental hand touches, decorating trees together, and heartfelt conversations in the glow of twinkling lights. By the time they reach their big mistletoe moment, you’ll be rooting for them as though they’re the last couple standing in a holiday rom-com Hunger Games.

Two Turtle Doves is equal parts tender and cheesy, delivering a holiday movie that feels a little deeper than your average Hallmark fare. It’s perfect for anyone who loves a good cry with their cocoa and doesn’t mind the occasional overly symbolic bird. Watch it with a box of tissues and prepare for your heart to grow three sizes—just like a Grinch discovering mistletoe. 🎄🕊️❤️