As I sit and look at the list of verticals I have started reviews for, I also have this feeling of wanting people to love them as much as I do. I have yet to find my vertical fan community, but I will. I know that the community is vast, because I see how many times it is viewed.
I get it, though, that there is a barrier to entry, as it is expensive to love these series. While we can’t say where there are ways around that, there are ways around that.
We’re giving you a list of verticals that you may love. Some are really screwed up, and some are just a lot of fun. But it’s the actors that make the ones that we’ve listed below.
What Happens in Vegas
Starring: Eric Guilmette, Grace Woods Swanson, Clare Louise Frost
Synopsis: After a drunken Vegas wedding to a stranger, Sophie discovers her new husband is billionaire Lucas, hiding from an arranged marriage. Their fake marriage of convenience gets complicated as real feelings develop.
Why It’s A Fave: Well, Vegas has always been a place where bad decisions can be made and will be made. Vegas can also be a lot of fun. Now, there was a lot of trying to escape real life in this one; it’s the feelings that develop that make Sophie and Lucas want to be together. Vegas needs a drive-thru annulment place cause a man getting married in Vegas never works out the way you think it will.
17 Heartbreaks When Love Has No Voice
Starring: Moriah N. Boone, Tim Stein, & Dorothy Mannine
Synopsis: A wealthy heir’s perfectly controlled life between his mute wife and public mistress crumbles when his supposedly helpless spouse presents him with unexpected divorce papers.
Why It’s A Fave: First, men are sometimes (most of the time) idiots. They don’t think that their actions will have consequences. This one infuriated me, as the husband is such a jerk and he takes his wife for granted. Him bringing his mistress around and allows everyone to treat her like nothing, because she can’t speak. The way that he neglects her and the way she has to fight for her freedom is gross. He may realize at the end that he neglected what he had, but as Jojo says, it’s too little, too late. And though a lot of this series made me mad, what I did love was the message of not neglecting or treating people like crap.
Office Enemies
Starring: Noah Fearnley & Rebecca Stoughton
Synopsis: Riley is made to share her office and job with her ex, Owen, while the two compete for a top position at their company. Tensions mount as old sparks reignite amid workplace sabotage and betrayals, and growing pressure from Owen’s family.
Why It’s A Fave: Honestly, I love Noah Fearnley. It doesn’t matter what role that he’s so fun. He can be the CEO or the bad boy or the single dad or whatever – you can’t help but smile when you see him. In the series, he has to deal with his ex and him fighting for the same job. In addition, she also has his family against him. But the chemistry between Fearnley and Stoughton is what will keep you involved and wanting nothing but the best for these two characters, whatever it may be.
His Love Was A Lie
Starring: Michael Allen, Vanessa von Schwarz, & Sarah-Grace Donnelly
Synopsis: After years of emotional neglect, a devoted wife discovers her husband’s secret obsession with his stepsister and escapes a toxic marriage, only to find herself caught in a dangerous web of betrayal, revenge, and forbidden love.
Why It’s A Fave: This one was seriously disturbing. August and Charlotte are married, but he won’t touch her. No matter what she does, he’s like nah, I’m good. I believe he married her because he thought that he would get over his obsession with his stepsister that way. He wants to sleep with and be with his stepsister. She’s cute, but he’s taken it to a whole different level. He’s got pictures of her hidden everywhere and masturbates to them. Charlotte ain’t putting up with his crap, and she’s going to find her way out of this marriage – no matter what it takes. It’s how strong Charlotte is and a reminder that you don’t have to put up with crap that makes it a good one. August, though – ick.
In Love with a Single Farmer Daddy
Starring: Seth Edeen & Lexi Angel
Synopsis: Natalie’s conniving grandmother and sister marry her off to a rural farmer, Rhett. He’s a single father, looking after a mute daughter, Ellie. Natalie’s presence isn’t taken kindly, as she is shunned by Ellie and the woman next door.
Why It’s A Fave: Ok, first let me say that I am really over when they make everything a commercial for Shein. Product placement is one thing, but having it episode after episode is highly annoying and not something that I truly want to partake in. I would normally turn that off with a quickness, but I wanted to see what this series is about. And I loved that there was this man who wasn’t letting anyone know about his wealth, but was doing whatever was needed for his daughter. She came first, and I loved that. I also loved that he wanted to make things work with his arranged wife and falls in love with her because she is a good mother first, and that makes him see the other part of her, and he falls in love with her for her.
The Bad Boy Wants Me
Starring: Joseph Purcell & Makenna Barrett
Synopsis: Skylar fake dates her best friend Jessie, while harboring a secret crush on him, to help make his ex jealous. Unfortunately for her, Jessie’s roommate, the notorious bad boy Reign, sees through their farce and won’t leave her alone.
Why It’s A Fave: Loved this series so much, and it was because we all fell for the bad guy. But also, there is this fact – Joseph Purcell in a vertical is always good. Even the bad guy he plays is always with an underlying good guy feel. I loved the flow of this one and the under-the-sheets scene (it’s not what you think).
The Princess with the Cursed Mark
Starring: Jake Hobbs & Neela Jolene
Synopsis: Chloe always thought she was just a quiet girl with a complicated family-until her birthday party changed everything. Raised by mafia boss Don White, she discovers she was adopted not out of love, but for a reason far darker: a red, heart-shaped birthmark on her neck. According to an old legend, whoever takes her virginity will gain control over the underworld. Drugged and nearly assaulted by her longtime boyfriend, Ken, under Don White’s orders, Chloe manages to escape-running straight into the arms of Don Leonardo, a powerful and mysterious mafia leader. What starts as a moment of survival becomes something much deeper. Unknowingly, the two share a forgotten past… and a spark that neither can ignore.
Why It’s A Fave: Who doesn’t love a good mafia story? While we’re tired of the whole virgin storyline in things, the reason that we loved this vertical was the chemistry between Neela Jones and Jake Hobbs. The two have this chemistry, but also this innocence around each other. Their characters want to protect each other an it is just so good to watch.
True Princess vs Fake Heiress
Starring: Jesse Gallagher & Tim Stein
Synopsis: A mistreated young woman hides her true identity while her stepsister poses as a wealthy man’s lost daughter. When a vengeful man targets her father, unexpected romance blooms, but secrets threaten to unravel everything.
Why It’s A Fave: This felt like a take on Cinderella – in a way. It felt as though the prince wasn’t a prince, though, maybe a Duke at best, and was trying to rescue his love, even though he had a different love. It’s complicated. While it wasn’t our favorite overall, we’ll admit we liked it mostly because of Tim Stein and the way that he carried it. Also, the higher production value than most (with still a long way to go). You should watch because of those two reasons.
MY GIRL
Starring: Mark McClafferty & Savannah Anderson
Synopsis: Two high school sweethearts rekindle after eight years apart. It starts getting complicated when Savannah tells Tanner that her 7-year-old daughter Rosie is actually Tanner’s child, whom he never knew about.
Why It’s A Fave: This is the type of vertical we want to see. A storyline that feels real and like we are watching a movie. We like that feeling.
Taming the Football Bad Boy
Starring: Erin Orcutt & Tyler Johnson Ellis
Synopsis: A troubled NFL star must have an accountability partner per his new contract. He chooses a PR intern with secrets. As they spend time together, feelings develop-but romance could ruin everything.
Why It’s A Fave: Well, besides the fact that we love both actors, we love this because Orcutt shines. Not only is she a sports fan, reminding us all that women can be badasses and love sports too. Just the whole story of embracing who you are and not letting others tear you down? Here for it.
What verticals are you watching? Which ones do you love or hate? Tell us all the things.
