Five Date Rule (2025)

Hattie Fisher is a happily single children's author living alone with her dog, Utah and her goldfish, Fred. Her lifelong besties, Jill and Arya, both married, give her a subscription to an online dating app for her birthday. Reluctantly, Hattie tries it out, only to feel like she's in perpetual episodes of Punk'd from the disastrous mismatches and becomes more convinced than ever that she's meant to be single. However, shortly after that declaration, Hattie meets Henry who's mowing her neighbor's lawn. He's handsome, well-spoken, kind and seems like a decent guy. Shortly thereafter, they realize they attend the same mega church when they run into each other in the parking lot. Henry asks Hattie out. And, insists that you can't really get to know someone unless you commit to having five dates. The challenge will be pulling off this plan without the interference of Hattie's well- intended friends who don't think Henry's good enough. After all, he's a lawn guy. On the other hand, Hattie has learned not to judge a book by its cover. Henry is very resourceful and has an idea to squelch the resistance. He invites Jill and Arya to come along to a dinner with them and welcomes them to vet him, using any means they choose including an interrogation lamp. Jill has five children under ten and Arya is eight months pregnant. Hattie has no idea how this story will end but loves that Henry has checked one of her "must have" boxes - he makes her laugh. —Donna Douglas Walchle