baronessekat | A book review

The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

actually 4.5

Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblat, daughter of a famous Rabbi and a famous doctor, has spent most of her life in the "Jewish spotlight". But at close to 30 years old she has two secrets that she keeps from pretty much everyone. The first - known only by her parents and best friend - is that she suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and is severely disabled by it. She manages but it gets harder to do so. The second secret that is only known by her best friend and employer - good Jewish Girl Rachel LOVES the magic of Christmas season and is actually best selling Christmas Romance writer Margot Cross. She has over 20 books out and 4 made for TV movies to her pseudonym.

But this year things change. Her publisher says the Christmas Romance well is drying up and they do not want to renew Margot Cross' contract. BUT...they want Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblat to write a Hanukkah Romance.

Rachel sees her future of independence fluttering away because, who would want to read a Hanukkah romance? But determined to try she looks for inspiration. She finds it when she learns that her old Jewish Camp Nemesis, Jacob Greenberg, is throwing THE Jewish social event of the Season - the Matzah Ball, guarantied to bring the creme-de-la-crem of Jewish society out and maybe help her find a story to write. Swallowing her pride she approaches Jacob for a ticket, only to find that the old disdain for him just might be morphing into other, stronger feelings.

+++++

I learned about this book through Smart B*tches, Trashy Romance where they praised it. When I saw it just a couple days later in the bookstore, I decided to break my usual rule of "no contemporary romance books" and bought it. I am glad I did. It is incredibly funny, compelling and frankly, very sweet. I have been describing this book as "A Hallmark Holiday movie in book form" and informed several friends that they need too read it.

I highly recommend for a light hearted, no heavy thinking, fun book for the holiday season.

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