The Matzah Ball

Written by Jean Meltzer

Narrated by Dara Rosenberg

A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK SELECTED BY * POPSUGAR * BUSTLE * BUZZFEED * BOOKPAGE * GOODREADS MEMBERS

"The Matzah Ball had me laughing out loud...an all-around terrific read."—Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Oy! to the world

Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with a shameful secret: she loves Christmas. For a decade she’s hidden her career as a Christmas romance novelist from her family. Her talent has made her a bestseller even as her chronic illness has always kept the kind of love she writes about out of reach.

But when her diversity-conscious publisher insists she write a Hanukkah romance, her well of inspiration suddenly runs dry. Hanukkah’s not magical. It’s not merry. It’s not Christmas. Desperate not to lose her contract, Rachel’s determined to find her muse at the Matzah Ball, a Jewish music celebration on the last night of Hanukkah, even if it means working with her summer camp archenemy—Jacob Greenberg.

Though Rachel and Jacob haven’t seen each other since they were kids, their grudge still glows brighter than a menorah. But as they spend more time together, Rachel finds herself drawn to Hanukkah—and Jacob—in a way she never expected. Maybe this holiday of lights will be the spark she needed to set her heart ablaze. 

"A luminous celebration of all types of love, threaded with the message that everyone is worthy of it.”—Rachel Lynn Solomon, author of The Ex Talk
 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Harlequin Audio
• Release date: Sep 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9781488212505

Jean Meltzer

Jean Meltzer studied dramatic writing at NYU Tisch and has earned numerous awards for her work in television, including a daytime Emmy. She spent five years in rabbinical school before her chronic illness forced her to withdraw, and her father told her she should write a book—just not a Jewish one because no one reads those. Magical Meet Cute is her fourth novel. 

Reviews for The Matzah Ball

[green thunder · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I had to DNF this one at just a little over half way despite being REALLY excited to have a romance book with chronic illness rep.

There were too many red flags for me:

- the protagonist pays to sit on a photo opp Santa’s knee and dump her problems on him because it’s “cheaper than therapy”. The Santa even says something along the lines of “not you again” indicating that this is not an uncommon occurrence. Ew. Don’t do this. People working customer service are not therapists. They don’t “owe you” just because you paid them. This is a gross exploitation of power and creeped me out in a big way.

- There is a comment in the book when discussing the Matzah Ball that the event was going to be less “dreadlocks and port-a-potties and more champagne and whatever. WTF. How did this get past the editor? Seriously. I want to know because suggesting that portable toilets and African hairstyles somehow go together is… yikes. Just yikes.

- I lost all interest in the romance when Jacob makes Rachel wear The Costume. It’s defended as a joke but it just comes across as him bullying her/trying to humiliate her as much as possible. Why would I root for these two to get together after that?

There are other red flags (including a major one) throughout the rest of the book but these are three that I didn’t see being discussed and I wanted to bring some attention to.

It’s too bad because this book really had some potential. Unfortunately, the author makes some mistakes that are questionable to say the least. I also feel that as a debut novel the editor really should have done a more through job of proofreading mindfully and polishing it up. Double failure. I sincerely hope the author takes into account the very valid criticism of this book and uses it to grow and improve. As for the Matzah Ball, I do not recommend this book.

-

[Madison Owens · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The cutest book. Love the Jewish history and the cute romance. I am so glad I found this book.

[Shelly Engel · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It was a little slow start but the story was great. Such a great break from the constant Christmas books to read a different winter holiday. And who doesn’t love to throw a party.

[Su Phillips · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What a great holiday romance! Xmas stories move over! I just loved this wonderful story. A great change of pace from my usual bookshelf. I recommend this to everyone looking for a book to get you in the holiday mood all year long!

[Ana Sofia Aceves · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

After reading this book I can honestly say that contemporary romance is not my cup of tea, but did I enjoy this one, sure.

Here we follow the story of Rachel a Jewish woman about to celebrate Hanukkah but who is secretly a Christmas lover and a writer of Christmas romance books.

Needless to say this has all the settings of a traditional Christmas hallmark type story but set around Hanukkah instead and that I loved.

We get to see her family, her community and it also touches on other topics regarding the Jewish community including the holocaust.

We see also the enemies to lovers story and the classic miscommunication scenarios take place.

It is over all a good contemporary holiday romance book.

I think it was a bit long and it could have easily been 300 pages or less and been the same story.

For me, who now realizes that this is not really my favorite genre of books, I still think is a good one to cozy up on a weekend, reading something light, that's still a bit different than everything else out there.