SNOW BRIDE: Love and Gossip in the Snow

Confession: one of my favorite cliches for a romance novel or movie is the one where the hero or heroine gets stuck in the snow and is rescued by the other one. If it’s also Christmas time? I’m there.

Snow Bride involves our heroine being rescued from a snowstorm by our hero while wearing her best friend’s wedding dress, at Christmas time. Plus there’s a stunning cabin, mistaken identity, sizzling chemistry, secrets, a jealous ex, a ball, and lots of amazing cold weather clothes.

Katrina Law stars as Greta Kaine, a Los Angeles gossip columnist in search of a major story to secure a promotion. Jordan Belfi is Ben Tannenhill, son of a Kennedy-esque family who is rumored to be proposing this Christmas. When Greta finds out that her rival is headed to Big Bear, where the Tannenhills are spending the holidays, she races to get there first, forgetting that the weather on a mountain might be a bit different than in sunny L.A.

When she encounters a snowstorm and her car slides off the road, Greta quickly realizes that the shorts and tank top she was wearing when she abruptly left L.A. won’t do much to ward of freezing temperatures. Fortunately she has her best friends voluminous wedding dress in her trunk, having picked it up from the cleaners earlier that day. Wrapped in the bridal gown, she goes in search of help and bumps into Ben.

Greta knows who Ben is, of course, but sensing an opportunity for inside scoop, she fudges her own identity. After a chaste night in the land manager’s cabin, the pair end up at the big house where Ben is faced with his brother Jared and Jared’s new girlfriend – who happens to be the woman who broke Ben’s heart. To save face, Ben introduces Greta as his girlfriend. Fake identities, family issues, and professional integrity are all in the mix as this charming tale unfolds.

I was impressed with Law, who haven’t seen in any other projects. She and Belfi have terrific chemistry, nearly setting a couch on fire during one hot scene (don’t worry, this is Hallmark so things don’t get out of hand). Law holds her own opposite Patricia Richardson, co-starring as the Tannenhill matriarch, and generally proves herself quite capable of handling a lead role.

Christmas romances can be hit or miss, but this is one you’ll want to record and watch again on a lazy Sunday afternoon with a cozy blanket and a cup of hot chocolate.

Snow Bride premieres Saturday, November 8 at 8/7c on The Hallmark Channel.