This book was so cute. I loved the writing style and the humour in it. I'd say the humour was my favourite part and I literally laughed out loud several times while reading it. I absolutely loved Penina. She was so funny and awkward and real.

I liked the Jewish representation - I was raised Jewish but not Orthodox so it was interesting to read about a character who is. I liked that Penina wasn't portrayed as a stick in the mud because of her religion - she had secular friends and she loved fashion and she admitted to having broken the rules sometimes and didn't act like the world was ending if she did.

I had a hard time warming up to Sam, but he eventually grew on me in the book's last third. And I will say that this is a very slow burn. A VERY. SLOW. BURN. I wish we got to see more of Sam and Penina's relationship after they actually got together. I also wish that there was less going on (the family issues, the whole thing with Zevi, Sam and Penina trying to figure out if they can make a relationship work while having religious differences, the self-worth issues, Penina feeling like she's responsible for everyone's happiness - ALLLL of that - so that we could focus more in-depth on just a couple of those things).

Overall, there were a couple of things that I would've liked changed, but it was a cute, funny and easy read - definitely would recommend.

Unorthodox Love by Heidi Shertok is a delightful and heartwarming romantic comedy that explores the journey of Penina, a twenty-nine-year-old Orthodox Jewish woman navigating the challenges of finding love while staying true to her beliefs. With its witty humor, relatable characters, and a unique twist on the quest for soulmates, this book is a captivating and enjoyable read from start to finish.

Penina's struggle with her single status and wavering faith sets the stage for a relatable and engaging story. As she endures a series of disastrous dates, her optimism begins to wane, and she finds herself questioning the notion of one true soulmate. This internal conflict adds depth to her character and allows readers to connect with her on a deeper level.

The introduction of Zevi, a charming and successful Orthodox singleton, brings a ray of hope into Penina's life. Their shared desire for love and commitment creates an instant connection, and Zevi's unique proposal promises to fulfill Penina's longing for a partner. The ensuing journey of their relationship is filled with laughter, heartwarming moments, and unexpected twists that keep readers engaged and rooting for their happily ever after.

Amidst the pursuit of love, Penina faces a professional challenge in the form of her difficult boss, Sam Kleinfeld. The chemistry and tension between Penina and Sam add an intriguing layer to the story, making readers question whether true love might be found where they least expect it. The dynamic between these characters is expertly crafted, combining humor, banter, and genuine emotion that keeps the pages turning.

The humor in Unorthodox Love is one of its strongest elements. The author's witty writing style infuses the story with laugh-out-loud moments, clever dialogue, and amusing situations. The comedic timing is impeccable, and the humor serves as a perfect balance to the deeper themes of faith, self-discovery, and the search for authentic connection.

The book's pacing is well-managed, maintaining a steady flow of events that keep readers engrossed throughout. The supporting characters are well-developed and add richness to the narrative, providing a diverse range of perspectives and personalities that enhance the overall reading experience.

Unorthodox Love is a romantic comedy that stands out for its unique protagonist and the exploration of love within the context of religious beliefs. It offers a fresh perspective on the complexities of modern relationships while capturing the essence of hope, self-acceptance, and the unexpected twists that life can bring. Fans of authors like Ali Hazelwood, Sophie Kinsella, and Emily Henry will find themselves captivated by this charming and hilarious tale.

Overall, Unorthodox Love is a delightful blend of romance, humor, and relatability. Heidi Shertok has crafted a story that will capture readers' hearts and leave them with a warm and satisfying feeling. This book is a perfect choice for anyone seeking an entertaining and uplifting read that reminds us all that love can be found in the most unexpected places.

This book is so sweet!

This is my first time reading Heidi Shertok's work and I really enjoyed the book. Not knowing much about Jewish traditions this book not only was a great love story it was also interesting to read about other religions and cultures.

Thank you to Netgalley and Alcove Press for the ARC!

I liked the cover and was drawn to this book as someone how is Jewish and from Minnesota (where the story takes place). But, I had a hard time getting into the story and felt like it was more explanation on Judaism culture and tradition that I needed. I couldn't really get into it and gave up at the 20% pioint.

Thank you for the advanced reader copy Alcove Press and Netgalley.

This was a cute and funny romcom set in the world of Orthodox Jewry and giving an insight into dating in this world. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review.

This was so cute, funny, and heartfelt. I'm so excited for more people to get to read it soon!

Penina has spent most of her life feeling like something's wrong with her, that's she's broken. Being infertile, and an Orthodox Jew, has meant that her prospects are... limited. For 10 years, she's been matched up by the community matchmaker with men who aren't the most desirable. But what can she expect, who would want to marry her when they know she can't give them children? She's been told many times to stop being picky, and how lucky she is to be considered in the first place. She's resigned herself to the fact that she's never going to get married, or fall in love.

Penina volunteers her time at the NICU, to hold preemies so they can get that dose of human contact. And she can get that dose of something she's missing. When she runs into a handsome - strike that, gorgeous - hospital donor, who walks in right in the middle of an embarrassing conversation, Penina can't believe the fool she's made of herself. But it's not like she's ever going to see him again, so she plays it off. Only to realize he's her new boss - taking over the jewelry store from his ailing father.

Sure, Sam is handsome. Devestatingly handsome, in a way that Penina tries not to think about. At first she can't seem to stop embarrassing herself, or putting her foot in her mouth around him. Instead of seeing the funny side, he's brusque and at times downright rude. Penina's normally a nice person - she goes out of her way to help people, even if she thinks it's perfectly normal. But Sam manages to bring out the feisty, sarcastic side of her.

Penina's set up one more time, with a man named Zevi who she tries to brush off. He's persistent though, so she finally agrees to a meeting. He's handsome, successful in his business and wealthy, which doesn't add up. Why hasn't he been married by now? Why would he want to be paired up with her? But Zevi has his own secrets - he's gay, something he's kept from his family for fear of rejection. He's determined to fulfill his mother's dying wish to see him married to a nice Jewish girl, and asks Penina to be that girl. He'll pay her, even save her sister from losing her house, and Penina could see them being friends.

It should be a no brainer, right? This is Penina's one chance to get married, and sure, she'll never get to experience the intimate touch of another person, but it's not like she's a catch. So why does something keep telling her it's the wrong thing to do? Why is Sam so against her marrying Zevi?

I went into this not knowing anything about Orthodox Judaism, and I still feel like I know very little. Some customs or celebrations are explained, but for the most part things are mentioned in passing. For Penina, her religion is part of her life, something normal for her. She doesn't stop to think how odd it might be, or question it, and so by not going into detail to explain things, it helps the reader to see things from Penina's view. Not that part of me doesn't want to be like Sam's aunt Leila and constantly ask "so what does this mean? Why do you do this again?"

The religious side might turn some readers off, but I thought it was handled very well, not coming across as pushy or preachy. Just another side of her character. The romance and banter are so worth giving this one a try!

I loved this sweet, charming romance. It was everything I was hoping it would be! The characters were relatable and easy to connect with and the writing was strong. I'll definitely be looking for more from Shertok.

I'm not Jewish, but it's really interest to read about characters who are. It is very interesting and I would really like to see more books like this in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley for a chance to read this before it releases in June!
I honestly had very little knowledge of the Orthodox Jewish culture prior to reading this book, but one great thing about fiction, is that it can make a totally new environment accessible through characters and situations which feel universal. So much of Perinina’s situation was relatable, the way she struggled to solve her family’s problems, the insecurities she faced because of something over which she had no control. All of these things transcend her Orthodox Judaism and gave me a common ground to begin to understand her faith more easily.
The one issue I did have was the way Sam kept touching her, even though he knew that was not allowed. Like, dude. Uncool. It seemed as though he didn’t take her faith seriously.

This was quite cute, funny and hopeful although extremely predictable. Still, I had a nice time reading it.

Some very minor (vague) spoilers ahead

This was such a cute book. I wanted to read it immediately when I saw it on NetGalley, and I was so excited when I finally got the ARC. I am such a sucker for literally any Jewish romance novel I see.

Penina was a delightful character. I loved how kind and headstrong she was, as well as how much she cared about every single person around her. I also liked Sam a lot as a love interest for her, even though I didn’t really get to know him as well. And of course I absolutely adored how they finally got together (after the third act break up).

I really liked Penina’s story and how she found developed as a character, though I did feel as though things all wrapped up really neatly at the end and there wasn’t necessarily much conflict with all of the different storylines. But at the same time this is just a fun romcom and sometimes you don’t want to read about a bunch of complex struggles.

I had a really good time reading this and would definitely recommend. Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book!

A fantastic book - I loved every second!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a review.

Unorthodox Love
Heidi Shertok
Pub Date: UK-June 6, 2023 and US: July 11, 2023

I just finished Unorthodox Love by Heidi Shertok and I cannot stop smiling! This book was just perfect! I can’t think of a single thing I did NOT like about the book! I certainly hope this will not be the authors last, because she will now be an auto-read author for sure!

Penina, an Orthodox Jew, has been using a matchmaker to try to find her future husband. At the age of 29, she is considered ‘old’ and therefore, it’s hard for her to find a suitable match. On top of her age, she is infertile due to being diagnosed as a teenager with Uterine Hypoplasia.

After numerous failed attempts to find a match, she finally meets Zevi, a handsome Orthodox Jew, and the perfect match! The only problem is, Zevi is gay and wants to pay (a lot of money!!) Penina to marry him to fulfill his dying mothers wish of seeing him married to an Orthodox Jewish woman. With Penina’s sister in financial trouble, marrying Zevi seems like the perfect solution.

Penina is always looking out for others and the person that is constantly volunteering herself to help others in need. It’s no surprise that she would put her sister and her happiness above her own by marrying Zevi for money.

While volunteering at a local hospital in the NICU, Penina stumbles (literally) into Sam, a hospital benefactor on a tour of the facilities. Soon after their awkward encounter, Sam also ends up being the son of the owner of the jewelry shop Penina works for, and Sam takes over as her boss while his father handles some personal problems. Sam is grumpy, and Penina is the complete opposite. Penina is attracted to Sam, but the main problem, besides Sam being an absolute grump, is he is not Orthodox.

Will Penina put the happiness of others above her own and marry Zevi, or will she follow her heart to Sam?

Read Unorthodox Love if you like:
💙Opposites Attract
💙Grumpy x Sunshine
💙Workplace Romance
💙Enemies to Lovers
💙Slow Burn
💙Jewish Representation
💙Laugh Out Loud Funny Characters/Banter

I would give this book 10 stars if I could! I just loved it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Favorite Quotes:
“I’m a daughter, a sister, aunt, and friend, and a very fine sales associate. Peoples’ lives are messy and complicated, and even though we don’t always see it, everyone has struggles. You can’t be human and go through life without some kind of trauma or pain, but those experiences don’t define who we are.”

“I’m sweating like a mohel about to perform his first circumcision.”

“Every girl, every woman, every human deserves to have a sister like Libby—the kind that sees the best in you and builds you up instead of tearing you down.”

Thank you to Heidi Shertok, Alcove Press, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Unorthodox Love!

Posted on Instagram on April 23, 2023 (Currently Reading): http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
Posted on Goodreads on April 24, 2023: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/144922955?ref=nav_profile_l
**Posted on Instagram (full review) on July 11, 2023: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Instagram (mini review) in June 2023: http://www.instagram.com/nobookmark_noproblem
**Posted on Amazon on July 11, 2023
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I enjoyed this sweet, funny, unique story so much! I have never read a romance book with strong religious ties like this, and I absolutely loved it! Penina is a sweet, loving woman who just wants love and a family of her own, but has resigned herself to thinking she may never get it because she can't have children. I loved (and cried alot) seeing her realize she is worthy of everything and anything regardless of her fertility, just as she is. Sam helps her see that and I love him for it. I had a hard time warming up to Sam-- I found him unnecessarily rude and condescending for the first half (two-thirds) of the book and felt like Penina deserved better than him. But then Sam redeems himself (in my eyes at least) in the end of the book when he makes his larger than life grand gesture to be worthy and loving to Penina in the way she deserves. While I loved the Orthodox Jewish representation (I learned a lot about this side of the faith!), and the endless humor from this story, I mostly loved the themes of family/found family love and acceptance throughout the story. Penina, Sam, Zevi and all the friends and family of them show such a healthy depiction of love and acceptance that is religious- based, and from ourselves and our friends and family. The overarching theme of being worthy of love and friendship regardless of health, religion, identity, personal history, etc., ANYTHING is so beautiful and made me love this story so much!
Thank you for the ARC!!!

I found this book so interesting. While there are plenty of romances these days exploring different religions and ethnicities, I haven’t read many that centered on an Orthodox Jew. Penina is the heroine and she’s simply a lovely character who is kind and nurturing and strong. She suffers deep pain because she can’t become pregnant and thus, within her Orthodox community, is just not desirable as a wife. She has a lot of love to give and so she spreads it to her family, friends, and people she just meets on the street. She is witty and I enjoyed her snarky replies to the hero of the book.

Sam, the hero of the book is Jewish, but not Orthodox. He is clearly attracted to Penina even though she doesn’t realize it since he often acts like a grump around her. As he gets to know her and her beliefs, he has a hard time accepting some of the limitations this puts on her but he’s willing to learn.

I’m more of a secular Jew like Sam so some of the laws of Orthodox Jews are new to me. When it came to laws that were limiting solutions to Penina’s happiness such as restrictions on intimacy between married couples or on adoptive parents and a child of the opposite sex, I wanted more from her character. I wanted an explanation of why she would follow such laws that doomed her to unhappiness. I would have liked her to question them or maybe search out a rabbi to discuss them with her. I googled some of these restrictions and, especially concerning adoption, it seems like there are disagreements among Orthodox rabbis. Sam was willing to do the research; she might have also been willing.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

The title "Unorthodox love" was the first thing that caught my attention and while the story was slow to get out of the gate at the start , the storyline was interesting enough to snag and keep your attention. Penina's compassion and empathy led her to get involved with not only infants but with complete strangers. While her religious beliefs and traditions had a significant influence on her actions from one day to the next, it also became the bane of her romantic expectations and future life plans. Her moral stance was admirable and was pivotal in her journey to find the elusive forever love that she has been chasing. In the end she had to make the difficult decision between selfish or selfless love. Miss Shertok's debut novel was well paced and flowed seamlessly, the dialogue realistic and raw at times with a heartwarming finale.

Unorthodox Love by Heidi Shertok is a quirky romcom romance that you are going to fall in love with as soon as I started reading it. Penina is a 29 year old Orthodox woman who longs for true love, but being given an infertile diagnosis at age 17 has made it very difficult for matchmakers to find her a husband. She also is a fixer of everyone’s problems in and outside her family which takes up to much of her time and does not help her love life. I loved every page of this book and didn’t want it to end and also this book will make you laugh one moment and in tears the next. This book is a not to be missed book and it is a feel good book to dissolve yourself into. I look forward to reading Heidi’s second novel and all that I can say about her debut novel is bravo and kudos to an amazing author and promise me you are writing your second book as I write this review. 🙋‍♀️🇨🇦🥰💐👏🤞👍Bravo

This book was too cute! I will say I had doubts and wasn’t sure what to expect. I often feel rom-come/contemporary romances can be a bit cheesy/cringey, but this read did a great job of toeing the fine line of cute and a little bit of cheesiness!

Penina was a a great protagonist and you can’t help but root for her. She was a fun introduction to a community I wasn’t familiar with but excited to learn more about. I also appreciated that her character was celibate but not at all devoid of desire. Her relationship with same is well developed as a fated match, and you can’t help but feel excited for them!

Overall, very happy with this read!

A delightful and heartfelt romance! I truly appreciated the representation of Orthodox Jewish communities outside of New York, and particularly in the Midwest. The author successfully balanced the discussion of some serious topics with a lighthearted plot and very funny dialogue and characters (I particularly loved Freydie).

This cute book was a fun read. Penina is an Orthodox Jew who is trying to fix everything for everyone she loves. This is a little different than most romances because she's not even supposed to touch a man! The small glimpse into Orthodox Judaism is interesting and not something you see much in fiction, especially romance. While the author does a good job of bringing it all together in the end, there is a lot going on...fake relationship, infertility, family secrets, etc. It felt a little like the author wanted to include every idea she had, and could maybe have use a little editing. Overall, it was a cute, quick read with a satisfying ending.