Mira Books
The Matzah Ball
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"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
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Book Details
ISBN:
9780778311584
EAN:
9780778311584
Binding:
Paperback
Pages:
416
Authors:
Jean Meltzer
Publisher:
Mira Books

Loved this book. I handed it on to others and they couldn't put it down either. I loved the creativity in the plot line.
If you are looking for a light hearted, sweet holiday read, this book is for you!The story line is smooth flowing and the author actually makes one laugh.This was one of my Book Club choices and I recommend it for this purpose.So many oof the books we have chosen in the past are beautiful stories, but so very sad. This one will make you smile.
I bought this book on a whim - I'm glad I did. I loved the premise, a rabbi's daughter who loves the aura of Christmas and writes Christmas romances, has a chronic health issue that she hides (as do most of us), and winds up in her own Hanukkah romance. The characters are well developed and their histories are the story. I will read more Jean Meltzer. (Really liked Meltzer's addendum on ME/CFS and the references, too)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book for many reasons. I always love to see books by Jewish authors with Jewish themes and, of course, a holiday book is even more delightful. The love story was sweet and heartfelt and the humor worked well. I was most impressed by the way in which the protag's chronic illness was handled. I felt her pain as she struggled to appear "normal" while suffering and the issues with society's view of some chronic illnesses. Brava to the author for approaching these topics believably and thoughtfully. I plan to read more of this author's work.
*3.5*This was super cute and I read it in one sitting. I do think there were parts that were long winded and needed to be sped up, but I did love story.