Christmas Kisses

starring: YARDEN BARR & THOMAS KING

Independent bartender Kaya and ambitious financial manager Simon agree to pose as a couple over Christmas to satisfy family and career pressures. But the arrangement grows complicated when Simon realises Kaya’s brother-in-law is his workplace rival, and what starts as an act turns real…

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What a super vertical to end the year with. It delivers everything you want, great romance, strong characters, and heart without schmaltz.

@yardenbarr is amazing and I now want to watch everything she has done. Lights up the screen, and is memorable. This is key with so many Verticals, bringing personality and pizazz to the screen, that is what is needed to stand out now.n

And @thomaswk333 is the perfect foil as workaholic Simon. This is well written, we don't go down a lazy Hallmark lecturing route. Instead we learn Simon has fought tooth and nail to get where he is, the emotion when he explains this is real. It makes it much more interesting, that there is a real discussion of the difference in backgrounds and what matters most to both of them

There is just more depth here, Simon's ex Lindsay gives him advice, Melissa @_haleyljohnson immediately throws Greg out when she realizes he is a heel

Even Kaya's parents tell her they are more bothered about whether she is happy.

It's just so well done and makes it look easy. It can be done people. There are even some
interesting camera shots, like when the bar door swings shut after our mysterious stranger and we just see through the round window

I am so impressed with @dramashorts_official at the moment. The best app out there for original content at the moment

Well done all involved.

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

I do love a meaningful gift, and Kaya’s for Simon is perfect. And then we get the big gesture in return. This delivers on every level. It’s so good - Kaya and Simon change each other’s lives, make each other happier, make each other laugh and have chemistry.

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

Gregory is not vertical villain bad, just a bit of a cad, and Simon does get in a satisfying punch at the end. Also very glad that Melissa is the one to throw him out.

😂 Comedy gold:

Did rather enjoy Director Milton deadpanning that he wouldn’t actually ship Simon to South Africa, but him on a plane as quicker.

🎺 Unsung hero:

Our mysterious cowboy at the bar, who gives Simon the advice he needs - and Thomas King for gamely sitting on Father Christmas’s knee, and wearing that Rudolph outfit.

✍🏼 DETAILS

2025

Available on DramaShorts