The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer ~ a Review

by MK French

Rachel is the daughter of a prominent rabbi and reproductive endocrinologist and has always tried to meet everyone's expectations. Because of that, she can't tell them about her love of Christmas and her life as a writer of Christmas romance novels. Her publisher insists that she write a Hanukah novel instead, so she must find inspiration where she can get it: the high-end Matzah Ball Max that is run by Jacob Greenberg, who she had last seen at summer camp at twelve. Even so, he still irritates her, and she's convinced he's still the awful prankster he used to be.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

September 2021; MIRA; 978-0778312130
audio, ebook, print (400 pages); holiday romance

The title drew me in because I haven't seen too many Hanukah-themed romance novels. On top of that, Rachel has chronic fatigue syndrome, which can leave her exhausted and crashing with too much effort. It's a part of her fear of losing her writing as a source of income, as well as limiting her opportunities to go places. That doesn't limit her spirit, and I really enjoyed seeing her guilty love of Christmassy things, because it's all about the joy that it can bring to people. Her love of her family and friends, especially her best friend Mickey, was wonderful to read, and I loved her before Jacob ever came on the scene. He has his own issues, mostly the fear of abandonment and having no one else to rely on, which leads him to nearly sabotage any burgeoning relationship with Rachel. They're so hung up on what they thought of the other from eighteen years ago, it's amazing

All of the side characters have such wonderful voices, I really enjoyed seeing them on the page as much as Rachel. Her parents (well, mostly her mother) are such great characters, as well as Jacob's grandmother Toby. Every appearance was fun to read, and I loved the influences they brought to our main couple, as well as the circumstances around them. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and stayed up way too late to finish it!

Buy The Matzah Ball at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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