A Summer Romance (2019)

A Summer Romance is comfort viewing done right: a sunlit Montana getaway where the wide-open skies, horses, and porch-swing conversations feel like a deep breath after a long day. Erin Krakow gives Samantha a grounded warmth and stubborn grace, while Ryan Paevey plays the big-city suit with just enough charm and self-awareness to make his inevitable softening feel earned rather than automatic. Director David Winning keeps the vibe breezy and affectionate, letting the romance bloom through small gestures, scenic rhythms, and a gentle comedic sparkle instead of manufactured drama. If you’re looking for a clean, low-stress TV movie with sincere chemistry and a setting that practically smells like summer, this one’s an easy yes—though viewers craving sharp edges or surprises may find it pleasantly predictable.

A Summer Romance is clearly aiming for that cozy, low-stakes Hallmark-style fantasy: big-sky Montana, a prickly-but-principled heroine, and a polished city guy who learns there’s more to life than deals. The problem is you’ve seen this exact “developer versus legacy ranch” setup a dozen times, and the plot beats land with all the surprise of a brochure for a dude ranch. Erin Krakow and Ryan Paevey are likable and the scenery does a lot of the heavy lifting, but don’t come in expecting sharp comedy, real tension, or anything remotely edgy. If you want safe, sweet, and squeaky-clean comfort viewing, it delivers; if you need originality or emotional bite, this will feel like background noise with a pretty view.