REVIEW: The Hallmark Sequel "Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up" Is as Silly as the First One

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Emily and Jared are looking forward to celebrating the holidays together as a couple, and they prepare to work with their neighbors on Evergreen Lane to make this year's Christmas celebrations the best yet.  When a house on the block goes up for sale, the soon-to-be-neighbors are holiday royalty, but they are so competitive that they nearly ruin Christmas for everyone. Starring:   Lacey Chabert, Wes Brown, Stephen Tobolowsky, Ellen Travolta, Melissa Peterman, Seth Morris, and Jennifer Aspen Image:  Hallmark Media Haul Out the Holly:  Lit Up Has a Moral When the residents of Evergreen Lane learn that their new neighbors are the Jolly Johnsons--famous holiday reality stars--they are thrilled to welcome them to the block.  Everyone assumes the Johnsons will fit right in since they share their same affinity for elf culture. Emily, Jared, and the rest of the holiday crew quickly realize that the Johnsons aren't interested in joining in on the fun--they plan to take over. Image:  Tw

Christmas on My Mind QUIZ!!!

Starring:  Ashley Greene and Andrew Walker

Released:  2019

Summary:  After a woman gets short-term amnesia from a bump on the head, she returns to her hometown in Maine for their annual Christmas celebration and finds love.

Image:  Crown Media

So Much for Unconditional Love!

Lucy Lovett (Greene) is engaged to Brad Martin, but after bumping her head, her mind rewinds two years, and she thinks she's marrying her ex-boyfriend, Zach Callahan (Walker).  

Brad tries to be understanding when he learns Lucy doesn't even remember him, but it's clear he's miffed.  He postpones their wedding until things get back to normal, but then within a week or so, they break up.  So much for unconditional love!  If Brad can't even give her enough time to recover, he certainly isn't prepared for sticking by someone "in sickness and in health."  


Why Aren't Lucy and Zach Together?

Lucy assumes if she and Zach are no longer an item, she must have been the one to call it quits.  She inserts herself back into her hometown and Zach's life, hoping something will jar her memory.

Despite getting together with Zach numerous times, it remains a mystery why they are no longer together, and Hallmark drags the secret out a........very..........long........time.

I'm a direct person.  The second I realized I was no longer engaged to Zach, I would have point-blank asked him, "Why did we break up?"

Of course, when Lucy or Zach attempt to broach the subject, they are interrupted a thousand times.  Regardless, many of us would have quickly circled back to the crux of the issue immediately following the disruption.

The big bomb shell finally comes--Zach had been the one to end their relationship.  

That's it?  After a herniated wait, that's all we get?  Big whoop.

There was no scandal or cataclysmic event that ruined their relationship--it was simply that she became too consumed with her work.  As in every Hallmark romance of this nature, Zach "didn't want to get her in her way" or "hold her back."  


The Jilted Woman

Meanwhile, Zach recently moved on and is dating Morgan.  Morgan keeps catching Zach with Lucy, and this apparently doesn't set off alarm bells.

If your significant other was spending an inordinate amount of time with his ex, wouldn't you be asking questions and at least mildly flipping out?

Insane jealousy doesn't exist in Hallmark land.

When she can't convince Zach to go away with her for the weekend, Morgan advises him to sort out his feelings for Lucy.  They cordially break up, and everyone goes on their merry way.

If only real-life relationships were that simple!  No crying.  No catty retaliation.  Just a big smile to accompany the pleasant good-bye.

Image:  Crown Media

Hit the Reset Button

You have to love how Hallmark allows life resets.  In reality, we have to deal with the consequences of our choices (good and bad), and we have to pick up and go on from there.

With Hallmark, life can be reset back to when things were perfect.  

Lucy decides to move back home where it all began, and she plans to reestablish the art education program she had eliminated from her business plan.  She and Zach are still in love, so they proceed with their lives together as if they were never apart.  

The answer to fixing everything is just a small case of amnesia.  

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