The Christmas Contract (2018)

As the Christmas season descends, web designer Jolie Guidry, a recent transplant back to New York City, is filled with dread rather than holiday cheer. The heartbreak of her high school sweetheart, Foster Broussard, ending their relationship still lingers, and the thought of returning to her hometown of Lafayette, Louisiana, for the holidays is unbearable. Not only will she have to face the festively decorated streets of Lafayette, but she also has to confront Foster, who will be arm-in-arm with his new girlfriend, Amy. The Guidry/Broussard ties run deep in Lafayette's history. Their fathers, Tim Guidry and Rocky Broussard, are esteemed founders of the annual Lafayette Christmas Market, a tradition that's now thirty years old. Their upcoming honor at a civic ceremony only adds to the emotional turmoil Jolie is feeling. In an attempt to avoid the awkwardness of being single at such an event, Jolie's best friend and lawyer, Naomi, suggests a creative solution. She proposes that Jolie should bring a "pretend" boyfriend back to Lafayette. Among their acquaintances, Naomi's older brother, Jack Friedman, stands out as the best candidate. A writer, mostly known for ghostwriting novels, Jack has no holiday plans except to write. Despite their strained relationship, stemming from a failed set-up date, they reluctantly agree to Naomi's idea when she offers a binding contract. In exchange for playing the role of Jolie's boyfriend, she would design a website to promote Jack's personal novels. Unbeknownst to Jolie and Naomi, Jack has an ulterior motive. His latest ghostwriting assignment is set in Louisiana, and the plot points he must include are unfamiliar to him. They are from a cheesy romance series, a genre he's never dabbled in. His editor advises him to draw from real-life experiences, which he intends to do while pretending to be Jolie's boyfriend. As they navigate the holiday season together, trying to convince her family and Foster that their relationship is genuine, genuine feelings begin to bloom. Jolie finds herself caught in a tricky predicament, torn between her past with Foster and her newfound feelings for Jack. The scales might tip when Jolie uncovers Jack's secret writing assignment, leading to a holiday season that neither of them will forget.

The Christmas Contract is a drama movie featuring Hilarie Burton.

The Christmas Contract is currently streaming on Hoopla.

It is also possible to buy The Christmas Contract on Amazon Video.