A flipped fairy tale. I liked that Aaron was the “Cinderella” figure but the narrative didn’t follow what I was expecting.
Isabelle hires him to gather intel and also be of service to her in other ways.
There are steamy naughty scenes in the gardens that apparently aren’t as private as previously thought.
Immersed in the Jewish culture, readers get an inkling of what life was like in the early Victorian era for British Jews.
The author’s note goes into further detail.
Check it out.

Marry Me by Midnight by Felicia Grossman
1st book in the Once Upon the East End series. Historical Jewish romance, 1832. Cinderella twist.
Isabelle Liva is in search of a Jewish husband. Her father has just died and his business partners are insisting on a husband or she will lose any ownership rights to the company. Three festivals are arranged so that men may present themselves to Isabelle and she will decide who she will marry at the end of the parties. After spying Aaron Ellenberg telling a story to the children in the synagogue, she follows him into the basement levels to find out more about the interesting man. She hires Aaron to be her bodyguard / thug. He’s to investigate whoever is making a case for her hand in marriage to make sure they have no illegal or illicit plans. Isabelle and Aaron become friends and more on the journey through the festivities.

Class plays a role in this story since it’s 1832. Aaron knows he has nothing and has no inclination beyond a better position or perhaps enough money to start some type of business. It’s a bit sad. But the difference doesn’t slow their passion. Turns out they were observed by multiple people though (how embarrassing!) and at least one of her suitors tries blackmail.
Someone is off to America! Read the story to find out who.
Engaging and frisky passion.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

Marry Me by Midnight is a captivating novel that effortlessly blends history and romance. Set in a mesmerizing backdrop, this book is a must-read, not only for the summer but for any avid reader seeking an enthralling story. The author skillfully crafts a narrative that transports readers to a different era, immersing them in a world filled with love and intrigue. The hero of the story is utterly besotted, adding an extra layer of charm and allure to the plot. With its meticulous attention to detail and seamless blending of historical elements, Marry Me by Midnight captivated me from beginning to end.

Marry Me by Midnight is delightfully rich and layered. This is my first book by Felicia Grossman but won’t be my last. This book hit so many of my sweet spots. Definitely recommend.

It’s no secret that I’m a HUGE fan of fairytales and Cinderella just happens to hold a very special place in my heart. Felicia Grossman delivered a captivating historical romance with a fun Cinderella twist and I simply could not put this book down once I started it.

I loved the Jewish representation and all of the research that the author did to paint the whole picture of what it was like to be Jewish in England during this time period. It was equal parts entertaining and educational. It was extremely insightful and a truly beautiful romance (with some fun spice, of course 🌶️).

Isabelle was such a fiery, fun FMC and I loved Aaron for his heart and his savvy. Fans of historical romance, go pick this one up!

Forgot to mark this as read earlier, but now I've finally finished it and it is EXQUISITE. Exactly the kind of breath of fresh air the histrom genre needs, with a refreshing twist on the Cinderella trope that feels entirely appropriate for who these characters are and their particular love story. Also, I will be thinking about that moonlit garden scene for a very, very long time (even if I was a little sad to see a timejump at one point and hoped it would be returned to in flashbacks, but alas!).

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really loved Aaron as a character. I love when the male heroes are unexpected and not the typical wealthy, successful rake. I also loved the backdrop of the Jewish community within London. Isabelle is also a very unique heroine; she's resourceful, cunning and determined. The writing itself felt a little off to me, however. We got a lot of information told to use in kind of awkward places. I wish the book could've been edited just one more time and some of that clunky expository dialogue reworked and it would've been perfect.

What did I love? Well, first, as a histrom reader and writer, I was obsessed with the impeccable research that went into this book. I am familiar with certain aspects of Jewish history in this period in Britain because of my work in 19th c lit, but this book went WAY beyond my cursory familiarity. The nuances that Grossman details between the Sephardic and Ashkenazi communities in London, the way she discusses the pressures between assimilation and discrimination for Jews in the period—it’s all SO well done and really just is overall such a wonderful integration of real historical detail into a histrom.

I also adored the reverse Cinderella dynamic between Isabelle and Aaron. It’s still relatively rare to see a hero who is so relatively disempowered vis-a-vis a heroine—for most of the book, Aaron is the one who lacks position and money. But his sweetness and emotional charm really make him stand out from the beginning to Isabelle because he is what she—fierce, at the center of her community, powerful—really needs. In short, their dynamic was hot and fresh and just 🥵🥵🥵.

FANTASTIC. I absolutely loved this, let me count the ways:
1) Isabelle is smart, driven, ambitious, fallible, and stubborn but willing to reevaluate. I loved her, your honor.
2) Aaron is kind, supportive, NOT successful in the eyes of the world, and yet desirable.
3) Queer side characters are embraced by their families
4) Jewish community not presented as a monolith
5) So much to learn about Jewish history and English politics and the fight for rights.

I tend to read ARCs months after I read the summaries (or not reading the summaries at all) and when I realized this was a gender-swapped Cinderella, I laughed out loud. Grossman did such a great job of making the fairy tale structure into a believable story.

Highly recommended and I’m going to read it again.

I got an ARC from Netgalley and the publisher; thoughts are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced reader’s copy.

I should trust my gut. I don’t typically read romance novels (though I like a little romance in the books I read). I couldn’t resist this Regency Jewish retelling of Cinderella though.

Stars - As a Jewish woman, it was fun to read a historical fiction love story between two Jews.

Wishes - I just didn’t buy it. The language, sentiments and actions were just too contemporary for me. A lot of repetitive exposition. The male lead wasn’t a good student? Seems like he was pretty smart. A woman in business? Doubt it. It just didn’t ring true for me at all.

Thanks #NetGalley for the advanced copy of #MarryMebyMidnight by Felicia Grossman in exchange for an honest review.

I am pretty sure this is the first historical romances I've ever read with Jewish MCs and I found it extremely interesting. I found the author's note at the end even more informative. It took a little while for me to really understand everything that was going on but once it all clicked for me, then things really took off and made the overall reading experience very enjoyable. I really liked the MMC - a cinnamon roll hero that reminded me how much I want more cinnamon roll heroes in my life. And I really enjoyed watching the FMC go through a great character arc and especially how she grew as a person not just with the MMC but with her business relationships. This was also a love triangle done really well and I loved this gender swapped Cinderella retelling. Looking forward to more books by Felicia Grossman.

Do you like fairytale retellings? Marry Me By Midnight is a reverse Cinderella story complete with fairy godmother. Isabelle Lira feels pressured to marry to keep her stake in her late father's business. Aaron Ellenberg is the synagogue custodian who has had a rough start in life.

Isabelle is a very strong and determined woman. Aaron is a quiet man with hidden strengths. Their path to happily ever after was not easy given the circumstances. The author also did a great job in showing the issues facing Jewish society in 1832 London. Don't skip her author's note at the end. The reader also meets some interesting secondary characters which I thought might be setting things up for future books.

Thank you to the publisher for my e-copy of this book.

Everything I love about historical romance! I loved the Jewish representation and Yiddish incorporated effortlessly. I have never read Jewish characters in 19th century England that were stereotyped or in a sad story. So much Jewish joy reading this book!

Thank you Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for access to this arc.

Having finished this book, I find myself still in love with the blurb, cover, and the idea of the book. There are parts I did end up enjoying a lot but unfortunately, the romance fell short for me.

One thing that I had to get used to was the choppy writing. Several times I had to stop and reread a sentence that initially tripped me up and made no sense. I kind of got used to the writing style but I didn’t grow to love it.

Aaron was definitely a wanna-be family man. Whenever he thought of the payoff from Isabelle for his work, it was in terms of how he could leverage that into a way to support the wife and children he so desperately wanted and also to gain respect in the community. It was not all “MONEY, MONEY, MONEY, I’m gonna go out and blow it having a good time.” No, he had goals for a better life.

I like that Isabelle was clever and ruthlessly determined to maintain her control over the family business. She wasn’t trying to find the perfect man just for fun, on a whim, or for lurve. She wanted to be physically attracted to her husband but love was a distant item on her list. She wanted someone she could respect, who was kind as well as someone who would help her keep her family name on the business. This was something Isabelle felt she needed to do in order for her father not to be forgotten. It was also seemingly the way her father had raised her – to think of the business first.

The “fighting with edged weapons” thing that Isabelle and her father’s valet did was silly and never truly explained. But what I really didn’t care for were the spiced-up scenes between Aaron and Isabelle which were totally unnecessary for me. I could see their growing attraction for each other without the “we can kiss and then more without losing control” Isabelle wanted to play. Really Isabelle, you’re going to show up in the garden in nothing but your night rail and can’t see that this could be a problem? I will admit that I laughed late in the book when another character told a stunned Aaron “You think half the Synagogue plus her family don’t know you two were schtupping in the garden??” This character then laid out how this was handing Isabelle’s enemies blackmail on a silver platter. Aaron had a habit of saying “Oy” and I did then. The discussions Isabelle and Aaron had about the Jewish community in London were far more interesting to me.

his one entertained me but also frustrated me at times. Isabelle and Aaron did a lot of character growth. Well, mainly Isabelle who grew up, realized some home truths and apologized for some thoughtless things she had done in the past. Seeing the community show Aaron how they truly felt about him was sweet. I hope he managed to bring the menagerie with him after the wedding. I loved reading about the late Georgian Jewish community in London. But no, I really didn’t need Isabelle knife fighting (why?) and the sex scenes were more juvenile than hot. C+/B-

A reverse Cinderella story, this book delivers on everything I want in a historical romance. 
Isabelle must marry to save her late father's company. People are trying to coerce her into marrying someone from one community and Isabelle refuses to be strong armed. She wants to marry for love. She enlists help from the most-unlikely person, but he has a way of finding out information incognito. 
Aaron is on the fringe of society because he doesn't have family or monetary connections and is forced to live a meager life and dependant on others. While he longs for a family, it may never happen because of circumstances. When Isabelle offers him a possible way out, he takes the chance.
Working together to find Isabelle a match before the end of the ball, there is danger and intrigue, and a spark. But it can never be... there are too many obstacles between them. The clock is ticking, and a love match might just be the answer.
This story has a lot of Cinderellaesque elements set in the world of the Jewish community in London. It's a beautiful romance and great retelling of a beloved fairy tale.
received a netgalley from the publisher

I wasn't a fan of this one. I never really connected about the characters or the story very well. It seemed dull to me and I didn't enjoy it much.

[4.5/5⭐️]
It has come time for Isabelle Lira to marry, but she must do so wisely in order to maintain control of their portion of her father’s business that has been sought after by their former partners since her father’s death. In order to find a suitable match, her family will host a series of festivals to which every eligible Jewish man would be invited to attend. Aaron Ellenberg is the synagogue custodian and thus too poor to be a contender for Isabelle, but he can prove useful in other ways by vetting potential suitors. Though the more time they spend together, Isabelle discovers she wants it all with Aaron.

I had never read a Jewish historical romance, so this was different and fantastic! Isabelle is feminine, seductive, and so incredibly powerful - and when she declares that she is the prince is such a satisfying moment. I loved how clever Isabelle was and Aaron’s pure heart. This story had a unique plot with a fairytale twist and was all around such a great read!

You’ll Find —
Class Difference
Jewish Main Characters
Strong FMC
Twist on Cinderella

Thank you to NetGalley, Forever, and Felicia Grossman for the gifted digital review copy!

I’ve been looking forward to reading Marry Me by Midnight by Felicia Grossman ever since I saw that gorgeous cover - including a male main character wearing a kippah! I am so grateful to NetGalley and Forever for letting me read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Jewish historical romance novel?? Yes please! In terms of representation I feel like this book really delivered. I loved the discussion of the place of Jews in British society in this era and how Jews had to bend around the more puritanical rules of the British gentile ton. It was so smart and clever and I adored it.

Isabelle was such a cool, competent character and I really appreciated her desire to be taken seriously while she tries to take her place as head of her late father’s business. The reverse Cinderella conceit fits really well here with Isabelle trying to find a suitable husband and synagogue custodian Aaron being just around the corner.

The romance between Isabelle and Aaron was electric and I loved the pages with them together. Aaron isn’t the typical mmc I gravitate towards and a few times I wish he would sort of…stop feeling so sorry for himself. I do love the way this ended and I’m excited to see more from Grossman in this world!

Definitely a different take on the Cinderella story, Marry Me by Midnight takes you into the Jewish world of the 19th Century. There is a lot of history here that will intrigue some and maybe bore others. I was of the former and really enjoyed learning new aspects of their culture.

Isabelle is, of course, Cinderella in this tale. With her father's death, she must find a way to save their family's part of the business. The only way, in this day and age, is to marry. Thus she sets out to find a husband, a little different from the original fairy tale, but it works. There are festivals, lots of humor, and some sneaky dealings going on. Of course, the story gets steamy as well, so there is something for everyone.

This was an enjoyable read and certainly a delightful twist on a popular fairy tale.

Thank you to Forever Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

A Jewish, Own-voices regency romance with a gender flipped cinderella story 🩵

This book was just so lovely! I loved Aaron's and Isabelle's banter and chemistry. I do love a good 'different side of the tracks' love story. The beginning half was a bit slow and kinda hard to get into - as this is the first book in the series, it felt like the author focused a little too long on world building rather than the romance itself. I would have loved more Isabelle and Aaron!! I did really enjoy the world itself. The historical details of the Jewish community in the 19th century felt well-researched and had me longing to learn more. Now that we met the key players in this series, I'm excited to read the next book!

Things to look forward to:
-Aaron interacting with little kids
-cheeky banter
-a cat named Sir-Naps-A-Lot!!!!!
-sexy/steamy scenes
-the action going from 0-100 in the last 30 pages

As someone who is not Jewish, I felt I was learning quite a bit - from the history to the Jewish/Hebrew vocabulary. I always love it when a book expands my horizons and teaches me something new.