Critic’s Rating: 4.4 / 5.0
4.4
Hallmark has become exceptional at exploring unexplored possibilities. A chance to revisit old loves with a wingwoman has a certain appeal.
Hallmark+’s Paris is Always a Good Idea is adapted from Jenn McKinlay’s romance novel and retains the heart of the novel while expanding on the characters and family relationships.
Lacey Chabert shines as Chelsea Martin, a driven nonprofit executive who has put most of her energy into honoring her late mother, who died ten years ago.
( ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Eric Caro)
She panicked when she heard she had to return to Paris, since she was supposed to go there years ago to honor her mom with her family, and broke down and canceled.
The first two episodes of Paris is a Good Idea highlight how everyone grieves in different ways, the importance of needing a support system, and why you need answers to those questions.
While you may like some of Chelsea’s connections along the way, you may be surprised who wins her heart and yours.
Paris is Always a Good Idea Showcased Non-Linear Storytelling
Paris is Always a Good Idea highlighted non-linear storytelling, beginning with piquing our curiosity with hints of Chelsea’s wedding day.
Using snippets of her past, present, and future worked well as it kept viewers engaged in Chelsea’s relationships and viewpoints on love.
(2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Eric Caro)
Lacey Chabert proved once again why she’s the queen of Hallmark. Her layered, emotional performance made me feel her grief as she missed her mother both in the past and the present.
Chelsea believed she was honoring her mom by working at a cancer foundation, but she held on so tight that she never let herself truly grieve the loss.
Seeing her pain both when she first came home from overseas and as she tried to avoid saying goodbye to her mom again in Paris was so emotional.
Paris was such an essential part of her legacy, from her parents’ love story to some of her unanswered questions, and she needed to confront the past for her to truly feel alive.
Seeing those flashbacks helped viewers understand those emotions and feel like we were there in the city of Paris or the hills of Ireland.
(©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Eric Caro)
Sometimes, the location is key to the story, and this was one of those moments.
The Family Scenes Were the Best Part of the Paris is Always a Good Idea Premiere
While I enjoyed Jenn McKinlay’s book, I loved that Hallmark+’s version focused more on the Martin family.
I love Henry Czerny (Revenge), and Glenn tried to balance his new relationship with his loyalty to his daughters.
It was important that Paris is Always a Good Idea expanded on that by having the entire family travel to Paris to support Chelsea and honor her mom’s wishes one final time.
People all grieve at different times, and she was ready before, but it was important for all of them to do it now.
(©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Eric Caro)
The sisters were an absolute delight to watch. While Rebecca Hanssen played Annabelle as lighthearted and fun for most of the premiere, she suffered greatly from not going to Paris earlier and seeing their mom’s messages.
Annabelle seemed to brush off her injury most of the time, except when she heard her mom’s voice. Both she and Chelsea only ever wanted to make their mother proud.
Chelsea believed in romance and happy endings because of her parents. Because of them, she struggled to find someone special, and she also had difficulty giving her father her blessing to move on.
She wanted to remember her parents as soulmates, but that wasn’t totally fair, either. Her mom wanted them all to be happy again.
I love that Chelsea decided to take a chance on finding her soulmate, and she brought her sister along for the ride.
(2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Unai Mateo)
Those two were so much fun because they were brutally honest. Only Annabelle got Chelsea to mellow out some, and they hadn’t spent that much time together in ages.
Paris is Always a Good Idea Highlighted Romantic Dreams Versus Career Goals
Chelsea worked for a cancer organization to honor her mother. She devoted hours of her time to research and collecting donations. It was a noble cause, but she’d stopped honoring her real-life relationships.
She barely saw her father or sister, and she hadn’t dated in years. There was a reason she didn’t know her dad had started dating Sherrie seriously.
Chelsea needed time to regroup and find herself again. But so did her sister.
Annabelle only saw herself as the former soccer star with an injury that she barely noticed when Declan flirted with her.
(2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Ulises Proust)
It’s time for these two sisters to have a fun adventure.
Everything Happens for a Reason
Paris is Always a Good Idea showed that things always happen for a reason.
Initially, Colin and Chelsea looked like they were the perfect match. He even played the piano and sang songs to her. How romantic.
Chelsea had big dreams back then and worried they wouldn’t survive, but Colin was a simple country boy who believed his compass would lead Chelsea back to him.
He probably didn’t think it would take ten years. Poor Chelsea sucked up so much courage to meet him again, only to realize it wasn’t the romantic reunion she’d dreamed of.
(2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Ulises Proust)
He should have told her he was married and not assumed she would have known.
It was ironic that her sister seemed angrier than Chelsea was. Chelsea remembered Knightley’s wisdom about how she’d never give up her career and move to Ireland.
I only didn’t like that Colin’s wife almost rubbed it in that Colin was so heartbroken after Chelsea left and she was able to pick up the pieces.
But Chelsea realized she was proud of where she was, and it wouldn’t hurt to explore romance a bit more.
Unexpected Connections Happen in the City of Love
Chelsea and Knightley have such a fun banter, and while they went at each other at work, you could sense an underlying sense of friendship while they were overseas.
( ©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Eric Caro)
It wasn’t only about snagging a huge donation. He seemed to want to support her genuinely. Lacey Chabert and Scott Michael Foster were entertaining to watch, and I’m looking forward to seeing how things develop.
Chelsea may have hated his bluntness, but Knightley got away with telling her to spend time with her family instead of micromanaging his every move. It was priceless since she’s so used to being in control.
I also loved how shocked he looked when he spotted her with her hair down, dancing at a bar. Chelsea usually looked so career-driven, and he never saw her relaxed or on vacation.
It was the beginning of a beautiful friendship since he was determined to learn more about her and not be just the annoying work guy she disliked. I suspect that hurt him more than he let on.
It was entertaining to watch Knightley question Chelsea about meeting her old boyfriends. He’s only a work colleague for now, but she lit up as they laughed about movies on the phone.
(©2026 Hallmark Media/Photographer: Unai Mateo)
Stranger things have happened as rivals turn into lovers.
Will Knightley and Chelsea become more than friends as her journey continues, or will she reconnect with Sebastian?
What has been your favorite part of Paris is Always a Good Idea so far?
Let us know in the comments.
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The Paris is Always a Good Idea series premiere introduces Chelsea, a savvy businesswoman grappling with her grief and embarking on a quest to find lost loves.
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We spent some time chatting with Scott Michael Foster about his new Hallmark+ limited series, working with Lacey Chabert, and more! Check it out!
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Lacey Chabert, Scott Michael Foster, Henry Czerny, and Rebecca Hanssen tease the romance, grief, and family journey at the heart of Paris is Always a Good Idea.
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