PRAISE FOR MAGICAL MEET CUTE
“The slow burn of their romance along with plenty of humor amid the serious concerns make Meltzer’s latest, following Kissing Kosher (2023), an excellent blend of Jewish culture and romance.”
Booklist
“Meltzer combines magic and Jewish mysticism with a searing indictment of antisemitism in this nuanced rom-com…. {her} timely exploration of antisemitic propaganda is sensitive while never overshadowing the cute romance that blossoms between Faye and Greg. This is Meltzer’s best yet.”
Publisher’s Weekly
“VERDICT: Meltzer’s latest is a page-turner, and readers won’t be able to stop until they have all the answers.”
Heather Miller Cover, Library Journal Review
“My only question after finishing the book was, When is her next novel being published?”
Rabbi Rachel Esserman, The Reporter
“A laugh-out-loud funny romance with depth and heart, readers will love this spellbinding novel!”
Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Magical Meet Cute is the Jewish joy we all need in our lives right now. It’s a funny and playful page-turner, but with so much heart you’ll be bursting by the end. It doesn’t shy away from everything scary about being Jewish today, but it gives us the magic and romance we all deserve in our stories. I couldn’t put this enchanting novel down.”
Ali Rosen, bestselling author of Recipe for Second Chances
“Jean Meltzer strikes again with Magical Meet Cute. With her signature blend of wit, warmth, and whimsy, Meltzer turns the story of Faye Kaplan’s quest for love into a narrative so engaging, you’ll swear the pages turn themselves. This book is a masterclass in how to blend heart, humor, and a touch of the mystical, proving Meltzer isn’t just spinning clay—she’s spinning gold.”
Arden Joy, author of Keep This Off The Record
“One of the best novels of 2024.”
NYT bestseller, M.J. Rose, Forgetting To Remember
“Magical Meet Cute is sure to enchant you with its humor and heart. This book and its message is an antidote that’s sorely needed in today’s world, and a powerful reminder of the magic behind our words.”
Heidi Shertok, Author of Unorthodox Love
“Magical Meet Cute is a poignant, timely, story about learning when to be brave, when to be soft, and the people you can trust in a storm. It’s a story with so much heart and so much hope that is absolutely needed right now.”
Felicia Grossman, Author of Marry Me By Midnight
“Magic and romance collide in this heart-squeezing story of two lost souls finding that imperfections can turn out to be quite perfect. Meltzer’s pen weaves charm with flaws in remarkable harmony that will leave readers enchanted.”
J’nell Ciesielski, Bestselling Author of The Socialite
“This book is magic – in every sense. Jean Meltzer knows how to fire up tension and will keep you guessing almost to the end. More importantly, this book is about courage. It is raw, it is real and very timely. The emotions are deep – I laughed, and I cried, and I swooned, and I couldn’t put it down. I love Faye and Greg’s Love. I’m so grateful this book was written!”
Maan Gabriel, Author of Twelve Hours in Manhattan
“Meltzer charms in Magical Meet Cute. Faye Kaplan relishes life in Woodstock making pottery, but when faced with anti-Semitism in her bucolic town, she decides to craft a golem protector. No one’s more surprised than she is to crash into Greg the following day, a man who checks all the right boxes. So begins Kaplan’s journey to self-discovery, rife with acceptance and fate, amnesia and timely issues. Throw in the magic of Meltzer’s depth and wit, the extraordinary power of love, and you have a five-star tale that’s far from ordinary. Meltzer manages to teach and dazzle in one single sitting.”
Rochelle Weinstein, Bestselling author of What You Do To Me
“In her bewitching new novel, Jean Meltzer conjures an otherworldly tale that interweaves the difficult subject of antisemitism with a healthy sprinkle of Jewish magic. The result is an unforgettable story that explores the universal desire to be protected, while reminding readers that love is the most powerful force of all.”
Lindsay Hameroff, author of Till There Was You
“Smart, timely, and deeply powerful, Jean Meltzer’s Magical Meet Cute is so much more than the romcom adventures of a woman who may have summoned a super sexy Golem. A testament to the power of survival in the face of both generational and personal trauma, Magical Meet Cute presents a portrait of modern antisemitism, while reinforcing the need to thrive and find joy. Reminiscent of Practical Magic in the best of ways, Meltzer is truly the queen Jewitch of Jewish romance.”
Sara Goodman Confino, Bestselling author of Don’t Forget to Write
PRAISE FOR KISSING KOSHER
“Meltzer’s latest novel follows a vulnerable, authentic journey about learning to navigate pain of all dimensions—individual and generational—and the boundaries people can set for themselves while also advocating for others who might not be capable of speaking up for themselves. Avital and Ethan approach their steadily deepening relationship with understanding and maturity, learning to embrace one another for who they truly are without caveats… An unflinchingly honest romance.”
Kirkus (STARRED REVIEW)
“Meltzer turns a heroine struggling with serious, chronic, pelvic pain into a winning romantic character… a wonderful, insightful, and humorous love story.”
Booklist (STARRED REVIEW)
“Meltzer’s excellent writing transports readers to the rich, lived-in world of Best Babka in Brooklyn… She deftly weaves both Jewish culture and Avital’s chronic illness into this poignant, brutally honest story and does an excellent job of tackling serious topics…a great addition to romance shelves.”
Library Journal
“Meltzer’s depiction of Avital’s chronic illness–which leaves her unable to have sex–is frank and nuanced. While romance is unable to fully fix each other’s problems, Avital and Ethan’s love lessens both of their pain. It’s a winning recipe for contemporary romance grounded in real-world issues.
Publishers Marketplace
“Jean Meltzer returns with a delightful romp in KISSING KOSHER, the story of Avital, a woman who runs her family’s Jewish bakery in Brooklyn despite a painful health condition, and Ethan, a charming man who comes to work at the bakery with a secret agenda of his own. When their lives connect in unexpected ways, plans are upended and humor abounds. KISSING KOSHER is everything readers could want a Jewish romantic comedy to be: sweet, soulful, spirited and stirring!”
Pam Jenoff, NYT Bestselling Author of CODE NAME SAPPHIRE
“Kissing Kosher by Jean Meltzer is one of those books you get so absorbed into, the entire world around you fades away. I was transported to the Best Babka bakery in Brooklyn, could feel the rising tension between Avital and Ethan, and cheered them on every step of the way. Daring, poignant, brutally honest but also exquisitely romantic, Kissing Kosher is an absolute delight!”
Holly Cassidy, author of The Christmas Wager
“A truly fabulous story about finding your soul and your soul mate and getting high on edibles and life. Jean Meltzer has written a powerfully heartwarming, passionate, sometimes painful, but endlessly entertaining Jewish Romeo and Juliet with a happy ending that had me wiping away tears. The characters leap off the page and into your heart and you’re rooting for even those who seem irredeemable. Kissing Kosher is chronic joy! “
NYT bestseller, M.J. Rose, The Jeweler of Stolen Dreams
“Kissing Kosher is full of heart, wisdom, and poignancy without sacrificing the fun and exactly what I want to read over and over again.”
Felicia Grossman, Author of Appetites & Vices
“Kissing Kosher is the story Jean Meltzer was born to tell—propulsive, sexy, brutally honest, and overflowing with heart and hope. Readers will devour this one-of-a-kind novel, that covers everything from relationships, intimacy, and sex, to family dysfunction and intergenerational trauma. Jean writes romance the way your Bubbe bakes challah—with devotion, delight, and loads of love.”
Lynda Cohen Loigman, bestselling author of The Matchmaker’s Gift and The Two-Family House
“Jean Meltzer has a gift for weaving truly hilarious dialogue and narrative with important chronic illness representation and heart-tugging family drama. The grandchildren of feuding grandfathers, Ethan and Avital in Kissing Kosher are a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, but with a much happier ending. I loved every word of this proudly Jewish and sexy romance that highlights the importance of finding joy even in the most painful of times. Simply put, Jean Meltzer is a gem and so are her books.”
Meredith Schorr, author of As Seen on TV and Someone Just Like You
“Take the sweetest, most tender love story, braid it with the beauty of Jewish tradition, bake until it heats up with a family feud, and you’ve got Kissing Kosher. This delicious romance is more satisfying than the best dessert.”
Amanda Elliot, author of Best Served Hot and Sadie on a Plate
“Long after I finished Kissing Kosher, I found Avital and Ethan taking space in my head. Their love story is a triumph as delicious and sweet as a babka on Friday night. A good portion of Kissing Kosher takes place in a Brooklyn bakery–and the book is baked just right.”
Marilyn Simon Rothstein, Author, Crazy to Leave You, Husbands and Other Sharp Objects
“Jean Meltzer’s writing sparkles! Kissing Kosher is a beautiful babka of a book, with multiple layers tied together by a romance that is as sweet as it is vulnerable.”
Stacey Agdern, author of the B’nai Mitzvah Mistake
“Better than babka! A dash of Romeo and Juliet, a helping of much needed chronic pain representation, and a whole lot of love: Meltzer delivers the perfect recipe in this delightful romance! This book is an absolute treat.”
Haley Neil, author of Once More with Chutzpah and Planning Perfect
“Jean has done it again! Another chronically fabulous heroine, stumbling her way – with multiple toilet breaks – to personal fulfilment and love. Kissing Kosher is funny, heart-breaking, hunger-inducing, honest and surprising in the best way. I loved this book but more than that, I needed it. It made me laugh – a lot – and cry, it ripped my heart out and filled me up with love – though unfortunately it did not fill me up with pumpkin-spiced babka! This story is bursting with kindness, understanding, forgiveness, and swoon worthy romance. Simply put, Jean’s writing is joyous, and you need it in your life! And now I’m off to try and score myself some babka!”
Jenny Bayliss, author of Meet Me Under the Mistletoe
“Kissing Kosher is everything my big Jewish food-loving heart could ever want in a book – mouthwatering babka (I would give anything to get my hands on the recipe!), a sexy but sensitive lead, and a heroine struggling with chronic pain who finds a way to love and live and not give up on her dreams. I laughed, I cried, I craved Pumpkin Spice Babka! A powerful read about faith, family and fabulous dessert.”
Rena Rossner, author of THE SISTERS OF THE WINTER WOOD
PRAISE FOR Mr. Perfect on Paper
“Meltzer delivers an upbeat and relatable romance that features an adorable supporting cast while exploring subjects like identity, acceptance, and grief. A sweet, quirky, and enjoyable romance.”
Kirkus
“Meltzer’s refreshing characters and the grounded, real-world obstacles to their relationship make them an easy couple to cheer. Jewish readers will enjoy seeing their culture reflected, and Meltzer provides plenty of context on Jewish holidays and culture for the nonobservant and non-Jewish audience. It’s an accessible, adorable romance.”
Publishers Weekly
“A delightful romantic comedy that reminds us to follow our hearts.”
Brenda Novak, New York Times bestselling author
“Wise, witty and warm.”
Sarah Morgan, USA TODAY bestselling author
“Grab some popcorn! Mr. Perfect on Paper reads so cinematically, I felt like I was watching my favorite rom-com for the first time. This book is delightfully Jewish—it had me absolutely kvelling over the representation. What a joy to read!”
Haley Neil, Author of Once More with Chutzpah
“Meltzer has a knack for creating characters we really care about, which is certainly the case here. She also is able to share Jewish holidays and culture… Perhaps it’s because of this honesty and self-reflection that the characters seem so real and vivid.”
–Pamela Kramer, The Book Reporter
“One of the best books of the year.”
-TheRomanceDish
PRAISE FOR The Matzah Ball
“A sparkling holiday romance told with both honesty and heart.”
Kirkus
“A charming holiday romance… This heartfelt rom-com should be unwrapped by people of all faiths this holiday season.”
Publishers Weekly
“A trendsetter in holiday romances”
Bookpage
“So delightful!… If you love charming romance novels, or just like fun, this is a wonderful book for readers year-round.”
BookRiot
“Meltzer’s enemies-to-lovers debut romance hits all the high points… A fun read and a good addition to holiday romance collections.”
Library Journal
“Fans of second-chance and holiday romances will find much to enjoy in this welcome variation on the holiday theme.”
Booklist
“This holiday romance will go down as easily as a perfectly made matzah ball and will sweeten your day like a chocolate rugelach.”
BookReporter
“An enjoyable romantic novel that will appeal to readers who want a balance of humor, pathos, and relatability.”
Association of Jewish Libraries
“Thus the deeper exploration of love in this love story… all this is carried along by light, clear prose, making Matzah Ball readable and entertaining even while it examines profound questions many people grapple with during their lives.”
New York Journal of Books
“This clever and endearing enemies-to-lovers comedy captures the magic of the holiday season… Meltzer does an excellent job of creating believable characters with full (and sometimes messy) lives.”
Washington Independent Review of Books
“The Matzah Ball had me laughing out loud. It’s witty, funny and an all-around terrific read.”
Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“A love letter to Judaism and an utterly charming romance. With two irresistible leads, a scene-stealing bubbe, and plenty of holiday magic, The Matzah Ball is 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
“Funny, bright, and lovingly crafted! The Matzah Ball healed a piece of me I didn’t know was hurting.”
Rosie Danan, author of The Intimacy Experiment
“I devoured this book like a batch of Jacob’s Bubbe’s Rugalach. It is the perfect blend of funny and magical but also tender and thoughtful. It lit me up like a menorah.”
Jenny Bayliss, author of The Twelve Dates of Christmas
“A warm, heartfelt ode to self-acceptance, honesty, and tight-knit Jewish communities, The Matzah Ball gently—and rightfully—insists we don’t need to be perfect or ‘normal’ to deserve and find love. The story was a true pleasure to read.”
Olivia Dade, author of Spoiler Alert
“Heartwarming, romantic, and funny. The Matzah Ball is simply a joy to read.”
Sarah Morgenthaler, author of The Tourist Attraction
“What do you get when you cross the holiday of Hanukkah with a summer camp feud on steroids and a slow-burn romance? You’ll have to read this heartwarming novel to find out!”
Yaffa S. Santos, author of A Taste of Sage
“Heartwarming and hilarious, The Matzah Ball is a fantastic, festive, fresh take on a holiday happily ever after.”
Karen Schaler, Emmy Award-winning writer
“A funny, fresh holiday read to tickle your funny bone and warm your heart.”
Sheila Roberts, New York Times bestselling author
“A laugh-out-loud treat. Written in bright, witty prose and with a heroine to root for, it’s a light holiday concoction that delivers a deeper message about love and acceptance at the same time. The perfect addition to your holiday reading!”
Anita Hughes, author of Christmas in Vermont
“Grab a jelly doughnut and get ready for a holiday rom com unlike any other! The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer brings the fun while also delivering an important message about being true to yourself. A refreshing and delightful read.”
Brenda Janowitz, author of The Grace Kelly Dress