Public Service Announcement: A Hallmark + Review from a Not-So-Hallmark Girl

This is a Public Service Announcement to anyone who loves watching Hallmark movies—especially during the holidays. Full disclosure: I am not normally a Hallmark watcher. They’re usually way too sappy and have far too many happy endings for me. If only life really could be wrapped up with a beautiful bow and topped with glitter and rainbows!

But somehow I found myself watching a Hallmark series that made its way to Netflix: The Way Home. I’d seen it pop up on the Top 10 list a few times, so I finally decided to give it a try. And let me just say…I was immediately hooked.

Maybe it’s the idea of time travel (which, honestly, would be amazing—especially around the holidays). I’d give anything to go back and enjoy more time with my brother and nephew. Whatever the reason, I binged Seasons 1 and 2 in record time.

Once I finished the final episode of Season 2, I did what any reasonable person would do: consulted my trusted advisor, Google, to find out when Season 3 drops. And that’s when I learned the heartbreaking truth—Season 3 is only available on Hallmark+ right now. I was beside myself. I had to watch it… but I did not want to add another subscription to the pile. What a dilemma.

And then—saved by a Reddit post. (How many people can say that with confidence?)

Enter: Hoopla, My Unexpected Hero

If you have a library card, you can download the Hoopla app, sign up, and get a Hallmark+ BingePass for FREE. Truly, this is the kind of plot twist Hallmark itself would be proud of.

There are a few caveats, of course:

• You have to renew the pass every seven days.
• You can watch as much Hallmark as you want during those seven days.
• You cannot download anything for offline viewing.
• It only works on mobile devices.

But still—free is free. And it got me right back to watching Season 3 of The Way Home. I haven’t finished it yet, but rumor has it a Season 4 is already in the works.

So if you enjoy Hallmark movies and you have a library card…
✨ Hoopla might just be your new holiday best friend. ✨

“Do you have any Hallmark favorites—or any budget-friendly hacks I should know about before I dive into the next season?”

With love & glitter,
Valerie