This sweet book is an enemies to lovers rom-com! Rachel writes Christmas romance books. The funny part? She is Jewish!! Her publisher wants her to branch out and write a Hanukkah romance book. As she tries to come up with a fun idea for a book she realizes she has zero ideas! She decides to go to the Matzah Ball on the last night of Hanukkah. There she sees her boyfriend from camp when she was 12. Their camp romance ended very badly. As they spend time together as adults, Rachel realizes they can be friends or even something more! Rachel and Jacob are adorable together. Both broken in their own way, and they truly make each other better. I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

I think that Jean Meltzer’s The Matzah Ball may be my favorite holiday read . . . ever? It’s such a beautiful balance of the notes of a romantic comedy (with a great emphasis on the comedy) and more serious content.

Here’s the premise: Rachel Rubenstein-Rosenblatt is the child of a prominent rabbi, and the position of her parents in the Jewish community means that she has been very aware—since she was a kid—that she needs to be on her best behavior at all times. She’s also, secretly, the best-selling author of Christmas-themed romances. You can see the problem.

Real-life romance has never been her thing, and she traces that challenge back to a horrible trauma at her Jewish summer camp when Jacob Greenberg, her first boyfriend, betrayed her.

Then, Jacob comes back into her life in the strangest of ways. He’s an event planner who normally works out of Europe, but he’s in New York to put on the ultimate, Hanukkah-themed event: The Matzah Ball. For true success, he needs the public approval of a pillar of the community, so he approaches Rachel’s father for his support, bringing him back into Rachel’s proximity.

The way this all spins out is great fun, but underlying it all is another of Rachel’s secrets: only her closest friends and family know that she is living with myalgic encephalomyelitis, also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (Meltzer talks in her Author’s Note about why the more medical name is more appropriate). Seeing the way Rachel’s ME affects her life, her choice of profession, and her relationships anchors the extravagance of the romantic comedy in daily reality, and as Meltzer develops those parts of Rachel and Jacob’s histories, what could be an over-the-top rom-com becomes a poignant, nuanced love story.

Go ahead and start the holiday season early and pre-order Jean Meltzer’s The Matzah Ball today!

A fun take on a holiday romance oriented toward Hanukkah. Wide cast of characters from a world of varying degrees of Jewish practice. Main theme of personal identity and self-understanding.

I simply adored Jean Meltzer's "The Matzah Ball." It was fresh, inspiring, and beautifully written. Rachel's plight with chronic illness and struggles to be the child her parents and community would be proud of while being true to herself kept me on the edge of my seat. I flew through this holiday read and can't wait to see what else Meltzer has in store.

This was so cute!!! A super speedy read with meat on its bones, The Matzah Ball is sure to delight fans of contemporary romance, holiday romance, and fans of Jewish fiction. What made the book special, in my opinion, was the inclusion of Rache's CFS chronic illness, something the author has mirrored from her own life. This book was possibly the best description of what it's like to live with a chronic illness I've ever seen. As someone with an often-misunderstood heart condition that often gets labeled as 'lazy' or a byproduct of anxiety (it's not), I completely empathized with Rachel's unwillingness to tell new romantic partners, friends, and colleagues about her condition.

This book is like a big warm hug on a winter day- full of laughs, great, memorable characters, supportive friends and family, and not to mention, enemies-t0-lovers, I cannot WAIT to recommend this book to my patrons!

I was really excited to read this RomCom about a Jewish couple because let’s be honest there aren’t that many and especially featured in romances.

Rachel loves Christmas and is a best selling author of many Christmas romances. Her publisher now wants her to pump out Hanukkah romances! One problem she’s got writer’s block! Oh yeah and she’s is also the daughter of a very popular rabbi, out on Long Island. Enter Jacob who is throwing the biggest Hanukkah party of the season!

I felt like there were so many phrases and explanations that it made the book drag, when you just wanted to get more of Rachel and Jacob. And I totally get why, Meltzer wanted to be a Rabbi and she mirrors Rachel after herself. So if this book is marketed is for religious readers, then I get it but otherwise it was TOO much!

Meltzer delivers an enemy to lovers story that includes Jewish history and traditions, found family and about needing to be yourself.

I have been enjoying all the "Author hitting writers block" books that have been coming out lately. This one has a holiday twist, throwing in some much-needed diversity and representation. Thank you for the ARC!

I quite liked this unique and charming tale. I admit, I am the target audience, and it was very fun to see both a Jewish heroine and one with a chronic illness. The love interest, Jacob, left a lot to be desired in many of his actions (not very modern, imho) but it was a sweet story. Even though I am Jewish, there were expressions that I didn't get, so some explanation might be helpful, especially if the book wants to appeal to a larger audience. Overall, engaging, touching, enlightening and enjoyable!

A sweet, charming rom-com that focuses on second-chance love centered around the holidays. It was a sweet, fun read.

This one was a bit off for me - felt at times too serious and simultaneously too funny. Interesting information about Jewish life and culture, but the story felt forced.

The Matzah Ball, by Jean Meltzer, is a entertaining, romantic holiday book, that is different than the usual Christmas book we’re all used to.

Rachel, the daughter of a famous Rabbi father, and her mother is a top fertility specialist. As a good Jewish girl, she hides her love of Christmas and especially her job as a Christmas Romance writer. Only her best friend Mickey knows her love of everything Christmas and knows her pen name is Margot Cross, the famous Christmas Romance author.

When her publisher tells her to write a Jewish holiday story, Rachel is distressed, as she loves Christmas and can’t find the magic in Jewish holidays that she finds in Christmas. But, when she sees an ad for a huge Matzah Ball celebration, she hopes she can find some holiday magic at the ball. The only problem is the event coordinator for the Matzah Ball is her old summer camp nemesis, Jacob Greenberg, who she hasn’t seen in over twenty years.

The Matzah Ball is a nice holiday story that is so different from the usual Christmas stories, and I enjoyed immersing myself in the different holiday traditions. The book started off a bit slow, there were a lot of explanations about the Jewish holiday traditions of Hanukkah and Rachels’ chronic illness. I only had a very basic understanding of the Hanukkah traditions the author does an amazing job explaining the traditions. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is one of those things that is sometimes brushed aside by doctor while I appreciated the explanations it does drag the story in the beginning making it hard to truly connect with the character.
Here is what bugged me with this story. Outside of having issues with connecting to the main character early on in the book, I wasn’t convinced that the events both Jacob and Rachel went through at 12 were impactful enough to have them realize it was still had feelings for each other. Sure enough, memories can still hurt—and leave their scars way into adulthood. However were these big enough to holding a grudge and carrying that all these years later when they meet as adults. I just feel like life and maturity would not have be this BIG of an issue.

This is a delightful and original book! Rachel, the daughter of a famous rabbi, has kept her career a secret from her family. She is, under an alias, one of the most famous romance novelists in the country -- and her books all focus on Christmas, secretly Rachel's favorite holiday. When her publisher demands that Rachel try her hand at a Hanukkah story for her next book, she is dubious as she is convinced that Hanukkah has none of the magic of Christmas. In her search for some inspiration, she comes across the Matzah Ball, a huge, swanky party that is planned for the last night of Hanukkah that is sold out.

This prompts Rachel to get back in touch with her former summer camp archenemy, Jacob Greenberg, who is organizing the event. After a magical summer 19 years ago, Rachel and Jacob had a falling out, both bitter at each other even all these years later. But as the two spend more and more time together, they are forced to reconsider their relationship with each other, just as Rachel must reconsider her relationship with Hanukkah after years of being devoted to Christmas.

This is a fun and interesting read. Rachel and Jacob are both wonderful and flawed characters. You cannot help but root for them, especially as their family and friends conspire to get them together. The book also contains important representation, which deepens an already great story.

Highly recommended!

I really enjoyed this enemies to lovers rom com. I liked learning about Jewish culture and the ME/CFS that Rachel had and publishing. I loved the humor and writing style. I wasn't exactly a fan of how pushy Jacob was. I kind of shrugged it off because of how it's a rom com. I can't wait to read more by this author.

Okay this is romcom movie adaptation perfection! I was literally laughing out loud more times than I could count. I also loved the witty one-liners and really authentic characters. In looking at a little backstory on the author it seems like she pulled in a lot of personal touches which made the book so much more relatable.
Rachel is a thrilling lead character she has drive, passion, and a spunky personality that allows her to maintain a grudge from childhood. Jacob is witty caring, and pushes Rachel to be the strongest version of herself. I loved their journey.
I also really appreciated that this is 100% a Jewish novel and while I am not Jewish I was able to follow along and learn some new things along the way. The author made all the characters relatable to any reader but kept the Jewish focus as well. Which is great because in many books I find that pushed to the wayside.
Mark your calendars because this is not one to miss.

A delightful rom-com that doesn't shy away from serious issues, this could be the holiday book everyone reads this season.

I love a good holiday rom-com and to see a rare one about Hanukkah and Judaism immediately piqued my interest. Here, Rachel is a Nice Jewish Girl (and daughter of an acclaimed rabbi) who secretly loves Christmas, who even authors several popular Christmas romance books. After her publisher insists she writes a Hanukkah romance next, she faces a bout of writer's block until she comes up with the brilliant plan to attend the glamorous Matzah Ball in the city. Except it's sold out. And run by her former summer camp nemesis, Jacob, who she hasn't seen since he broke her heart that one summer.

Told in dual perspectives, it's a quick read and a cute-enough romance that gives off wholesome yet pretty religious vibes. Like think of a Hallmark holiday movie and it's clean, precious romance: It's like that. It's easy to follow along as a reader and was enjoyable and fun.

Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt adores Christmas and she writes Christmas romance books which wouldn't be a problem except she is Jewish. Now her publisher wants a Hanukkah novel but Rachel does not find it magical. When her first love returns to throw a glitzy Matzah Ball Rachel is determined to attend to find inspiration and won't let anything, including her chronic illness, get in the way. Will Rachel find holiday magic to write about at the Matzah Ball.

Loved this!

It’s no secret I love holiday books. Every year, I spend a good chunk of November and December (and in the case of July 2021) reading holiday romances. Despite knowing Hanukkah isn’t actually a major Jewish holiday, I’ve always wished for more Hanukkah romances, so I was thrilled to discover The Matzah Ball. It sounded so fun and the cover is fantastic. The book started out strong - funny, interesting, compelling - and while there were things I enjoyed in the rest of the book, by about a quarter of the way in, I’d lost interest and never regained it.

What I did enjoy: learning more about Hanukkah and Judaism. I loved getting to see what Shabbot was like in the Rubenstein-Goldblatt household, and seeing some of the differences between how people choose to observe and practice. I found all of that truly fascinating and I learned a lot (and also made notes about things I was curious about and wanted to look up). I also appreciated the representation of Rachel’s chronic fatigue syndrome and the assumptions, stigma, and misrepresentations surrounding the disease. I knew a bit about CFS and how debilitating it can be, but I learned a lot about just how much the disease affects people’s lives. I also enjoyed how everyone came together to save the Matzah Ball, I liked the friendship between Rachel and Mickey, and I loved that Rachel was a romance author.

Where the story fell flat for me was largely in the two Rs: the repetition and the romance. This book was SO repetitive. Rachel and Jacob were constantly going over the same things from beginning to end. As for the romance...these two acted like they had some epic love affair at summer camp, but they were only twelve. Twelve! I’m not denying it’s completely possible they had a connection and felt something for each other, but it felt unrealistic. It didn’t help that in the present day, I didn’t feel any real connection or chemistry between them, and their antics were often juvenile and cringeworthy.

I really wanted to love The Matzah Ball. It started out so strong and had such a fun premise, but the whole thing fell apart and I ended up skimming huge chunks because it just wasn’t holding my interest. Despite this one not working for me, I genuinely hope there will be plenty of people who love it.

Melter managed to bring “Christmas magic” to Hanukkah!

Rachel is the daughter of a Rabbi who writes Christmas romances for a living under a pseudonym. Jacob is the summer camp love/arch rival she hasn’t seen since she was a kid. At the same time her publishers ask her to write a Hanukkah romance (as if that was a thing), Jacob just happens to come back in her life as the event planner for the biggest Hanukkah party New York has ever seen. She volunteers in order to get a ticket to the event, but it is problematic not only because Jacob is trying to humiliate her, but also because she has Chronic fatigue syndrome, which is an invisible illness that she tries to keep that way due to the horrible reactions she has always gotten from disclosure. There are lots of misunderstandings, but it all turns out great at the end as her book is released.

I appreciated seeing a protagonist with an “invisible disease” who was struggling with the social implications of it. And that someone so sweet could find her happy ending. Recommend for all fans of holiday romances.

Big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I should preface this review by saying that I do not identify as Jewish or as someone with a chronic illness. I grew up catholic, celebrate Christmas, and do not have a chronic illness. I mention this because I think it’s important for you to read reviews from people who see themselves in this book.

The authors describes this book as a “super-Jewy, chronically fabulous Hanukkah romance” and that it is.

What I loved: the Jewish customs, and the Yiddish language sprinkled through out the book that had me researching what words meant, the way Judaism is celebrated and as someone not too familiar with Jewish religion, it was a delight to learn. I loved the way the author acknowledges that even though this is her story, she acknowledges that other folks experiences are different than her own. She makes it clear this book does not speak for all members of its community. The ME/ CFS representation in this was eye opening to the hard and good days folks who have ME/CFS experience. I think this book will make folks feel seen and it will make folks like me who knew little about this illness aware of it, understand it a little better, and most important unlearn stigmas that we may have learned about this illness.

If you love hallmark movies I think you will love this book. I think some of the events in the book are kinda unbelievable, specially when it came time for the planning of the Matzah Ball and the event industry as a whole, so I think to enjoy it you really need to not focus too much on reality. I felt there was a lot happening plot wise and a lot wasnt flushed out. I didn’t really feel sparks between the two main characters so I don’t know, I wasn’t sold on their love.

Im torn because I felt that so many things in this book were well done, but the romance of it felt a bit flat. This is a very, very slow burn, and a closed door romance.