A cute romance story with a little more depth than many, thanks to NetGalley for the ARC; fans of the author will enjoy this one as well.

I loved the culture within the pages of this book and how the author took such care writing. The book delves into some heavier topics and isn’t the light fluffy rom com we all know and love the entire way through.

Our FMC Faye is relatable — I feel her pain as I also have dealt with a lot of the same issues and traumatic experiences and it made the book feel a little more special.

This book had just the right touch of magical bits and pieces throughout and the supporting characters were so lovely and endearing.

This was my first read by this author.

I was surprised at how much i loved this book. I loved everything about it and the characters were so easy to like.

The writing was easy to follow and i did not want this to end. I cannot wait to read another book by this author.

Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review.

Jean Meltzer’s Magical Meet Cute is a captivating blend of contemporary romance, Jewish culture, and just a touch of magic. As with all of Meltzer’s books, this novel is deeply rooted in Jewish heritage and traditions, yet it also explores universal themes of healing, trust, and self-empowerment. While it’s billed as a contemporary romance with a sprinkle of magic, I would argue that Magical Meet Cute feels more like a romantic suspense novel, as it delves into some heavy, poignant topics and builds tension with a good dose of mystery and danger. It’s a story that keeps you turning the pages, not just because of the romance, but because of the emotional depth and the stakes at play.

At the heart of this story is Faye Kaplan, a woman who’s spent much of her life recovering from emotional and physical wounds. Faye’s past is marked by betrayal and hurt—from her emotionally distant parents to a toxic engagement that left her questioning her own worthiness of love. This lack of self-trust, combined with her painful past, has led her to create walls around her heart. Faye’s decision to leave behind a high-powered career as a lawyer in New York City and settle in Woodstock, New York, to open a pottery shop—Magic Mud Pottery—is part of her journey to heal and reclaim her life. As a ceramicist, she pours her soul into her craft, but her relationship with herself and others remains fractured.

Faye’s complexity as a character is one of the novel’s greatest strengths. She’s an imperfect yet relatable heroine who’s trying to rebuild her life after years of emotional turmoil. It’s clear from the outset that she doesn’t believe she deserves love, and she’s tentative about taking risks—both in her personal life and in her faith. What I found particularly fascinating was Faye’s identity as a “Jewitch,” a term I had never encountered before. It describes someone who blends the mystical and spiritual aspects of Judaism, particularly in relation to feminine spiritual practices and rituals. Faye’s journey into this unique spiritual space is both compelling and educational. Meltzer’s research into Jewish spirituality is evident, and I found myself captivated by the rituals and practices that Faye uses to heal, as well as her connection to the history of Jewish mysticism. It’s an aspect of the book that adds layers to the story, and it made me reflect on how faith and healing intersect in different cultures.

However, Faye’s peaceful, newly minted life in Woodstock is shattered when her small town is hit with a wave of anti semitic attacks. Flyers are distributed throughout the town, containing hateful rhetoric and listing the names and addresses of Jewish residents, including Faye and her shop. The discovery of these flyers forces Faye to confront the realities of hatred and prejudice in her community, reminding her that no place is immune from the damaging effects of bigotry. This moment serves as a catalyst for the book’s central plot. Faye’s distress is palpable, and it’s clear that the attack shakes her deeply—not only because of the danger it represents but because it stirs up painful memories of her past.

In her emotional turmoil, Faye turns to her craft and, after a few too many drinks, decides to create a clay figure. She envisions this figure as a “golem”—a mythical, clay creature in Jewish folklore that is brought to life to protect and defend the Jewish community in times of danger. The next morning, Faye is surprised to find that the figure has taken on a life of its own in the form of Greg, a handsome, red-haired man with no memory of his past. The meet-cute that follows is less of a traditional romantic comedy moment and more of a shocking twist of fate, as Faye literally collides with Greg while riding her bicycle. From there, the story unfolds in unexpected ways. Is Greg truly the golem she inadvertently created, or is he simply a man with no memory trying to find his place in the world? The tension around Greg’s origins and purpose is what makes the plot so gripping. Is he just a manifestation of Faye’s wishful thinking, or does the magic run deeper than either of them understands?

The supporting characters in Magical Meet Cute are equally rich and endearing, contributing to the story’s warmth and emotional depth. Greg is a fascinating figure—his blank slate of a past makes him an intriguing mystery, and his growing connection to Faye is one of the book’s highlights. As their relationship develops, it’s clear that Greg offers Faye not only the chance to love again but also to confront her own fears and insecurities. Another standout is Miranda, the local synagogue cantor, and her wife, Shulamit, who become integral parts of Faye’s chosen family. In a world that often tells us we must rely on blood relations, Magical Meet Cute celebrates the concept of chosen family, showing how the bonds we form with others can be just as powerful and meaningful as those we are born into. One of the most touching aspects of the book is Faye’s relationship with her elderly neighbor, Nelly. Nelly is a wise and kind presence in Faye’s life, offering both emotional support and a sense of belonging in the small community.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed the magical elements of the story, I do wish there had been more exploration of the mystical aspects throughout the narrative. The concept of the golem and the magical realism that runs through the book is fascinating, but it sometimes takes a backseat to the more conventional elements of the romance and drama. That said, Magical Meet Cute is more than just a romance with a dash of magic—it’s a deeply emotional story about overcoming trauma, finding self-worth, and learning to trust again. Faye’s personal growth is at the core of the novel, and it’s incredibly satisfying to watch her evolve from a woman who believes she’s unworthy of love to someone who is willing to embrace vulnerability and open her heart to new possibilities.

There is also a layer of suspense that adds an intriguing edge to the story. As the mystery surrounding Greg deepens and the danger from the anti semitic attacks escalates, the book shifts from being a light romance to a more intense, suspenseful narrative. The stakes are high, not just for Faye and Greg’s burgeoning relationship but for the safety of the community as a whole. This tension adds a sense of urgency to the story, propelling the reader forward as they try to unravel the mystery of Greg’s identity and the true nature of the threats facing the town.

In conclusion, Magical Meet Cute is another triumph for Jean Meltzer, combining romance, magic, and emotional depth in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking. With well-developed characters, a compelling plot, and a rich exploration of Jewish culture and spirituality, this book will resonate with readers looking for more than just a lighthearted romance. It’s a story about healing, finding strength in the face of adversity, and learning to love again—not just others, but ourselves. While I would have loved to see more of the magical elements explored throughout the book, the emotional depth and rich character development make this a highly enjoyable and memorable read.

This was a super cute read! I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved the characters and found myself very much enthralled with what happens next!

Magical Meet Cute blended magical realism and Jewish folklore with a hint of suspense and traditional rom-com tropes to create an engaging read that did not shy away from current events. Faye Kaplan has dealt with a lot of hurt in her past, including abuse that led to her needing to change her career, which understandably leads to difficulty trusting others. Safety becomes an issue after antisemitic papers are left all over town. Enter Greg, who Faye accidentally runs over with her bike, and he's good-looking, protective, and - uh oh - amnesic. Since no one has come forward looking for him - and his memory is still non-existent - he stays with Faye temporarily and is determined to keep her safe. I enjoyed this read, and recommend it to those who enjoy some magical realism within their romance reads, and aren't going to shy away from a read with real-life current issues. Note: I received an advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

Cute, sweet, fun, and I loved the Jewish representation. Magical realism elements were fun and I related to the characters. The mystery element was also fun. As a Jewish woman I enjoyed the representation of Judaism!! Jean’s romcoms are always great and I enjoy her books very much.

A story that delivers on romance, mystery and a touch of magic.

Love Faye as a FMC she was true to who she was and the choices she made though the book didn’t feel out of character and didn’t created unnecessary friction to move the story along, and yet still finding a way for Faye to grow as a character beautifully done. She has a great support system with many secondary characters that didn’t feel forced even at the beginning of the story you get that sense of community and I just love seeing that as a reader.

As for the romance Greg is the perfect person for Faye, the build of the relationship was done well I just wanted a little more tension but that’s just me.

Regardless an easy read for anyone that wants to read a little romance with a touch of magic

It was a cute book, I wish I could just create my dream person lol I enjoyed reading about the kind of folklore behind golems and I liked the cast of characters pretty well. I didn't LOVE it, but it was cute for sure.

Love anything Jean Meltzer writes! This book has a fantastic story that was so fun to read.

Every time I read one of Jean's books I learn so much about her faith. She is incredibly knowledgeable.

I follow her on Instagram and love everything she posts!

A cute romance book that incorporates Jewish culture which was new to me and enjoyable. Magical, yes, romance, yes. Cute read.

Thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for this advanced copy!

This was a fun tale of a woman who makes a golem to help her community deal with recent antisemitic attacks, then thinks the golem may have come to life in the form of a hot guy with amnesia. Faye and Greg are sweet as they try to navigate his amnesia, her fear of what she's conjured and the community concerns around the attacks. They both are bizarrely reasonable people for a romance novel, but it is kinda great to see two people build a relationship and make good decisions, where the conflict doesn't come from just a simple misunderstanding. Meltzer does a great job of making this book Jewish without leaving non-Jews behind in the story. I really like Meltzer's books, I"m excited for whatever is next!

I found Magical Meet Cute to be a cute read with great characters and a fun plot. I did go into it expecting it to be more of a “magical realism” book and was a tad disappointed that there really wasn’t any magic, but the plot was so charming that it didn't matter!

The meet cute in the "Magical Meet Cute" involved Faye Kaplan running over a man while riding her bicycle. While I can see that resulting in some minor injuries, it's hard to believe it would deal such a blow as to cause the man to have amnesia afterward. So, from the start, the reader has to be willing to accept some ridiculousness. But there were some glaring issues that were hard to let go of.

In a search to figure out where "Greg" belongs and who he really is, he found enough information to confirm where he'd been living before the accident, but never asked the person there (one who recognized him) what his real name was. It was such a natural question to ask under the circumstances. But the story would have had to go in a completely different direction if they had that information. So, rather than addressing the glaring omission, the author just ignored it.

In many ways, I enjoyed the story as Faye and Greg worked together to discover who he is, with each becoming convinced he was something he's not. And I truly enjoyed Nelly and Ruben as secondary characters. There was also a good amount of depth to the story, as Faye is living with issues from past trauma, triggered by present-day anti-Semitism targeting her in her own town. While I've never heard the term "Jewitch" before, it added an interesting component to the story as well. But there was a good deal of repetition, especially of the traumas Faye had experienced.

So, overall, this story was just "so-so" for me.

Thank you to Jean Meltzer, Harlequin, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

I DNF'd the book after the author posted about standing with Israel.
That is her right to voice that position. But as a reader who is pro-Palestinian and is watching what Israel is doing to Gaza and millions of innocent people - many who are children - I can't support an author who is willing to defend the Israeli government when the UN has even called what Israel is doing a genocide.
Reading is political. Writing is political.

I liked the premise of the book, and I liked the story itself. The message of being a proud Jew, of not hiding when antisemites come for you, of letting yourself be imperfect but continually moving forward, all of these were really important, and I loved seeing it as a Jew who is only now seeing her identify in the main characters of romance novels. But the writing did feel forced. It felt like a constant shouting into the universe that this was a Jewish book, rather than simply being a Jewish book. This isn't bad, but it felt like it was an effort to just shout louder than others rather than just showing a Jewish life.

Magical Meet Cute is the literary equivalent of a cozy rom-com with a side of sorcery. Imagine if Tinder had an enchantment filter, and instead of “swiping right,” you just cast a spell to see who’s your soulmate. The book dives into a world where every meet-cute comes with a twist—think awkward run-ins with wizards and accidental broom crashes.

Our protagonist? A bumbling, slightly cursed witch who’s as good at finding love as she is at spilling potions (read: not good at all). Every chapter is a hilariously chaotic adventure in dating, full of misfired spells, accidental love potions, and one scene involving a magical cat who gives dating advice.

With quirky characters and plenty of magical mishaps, Magical Meet Cute is a light-hearted, funny read perfect for anyone who thinks love could use a little more magic…and a lot less predictability.

So I fear I might be in the minority but this book was not my favorite. I had a hard time getting into this romance. I tried a few times but ultimately I DNF'd it. It is important to know that romance is not my typical genre so that may be why!

A fun book with a little magic and whimsy but also had depth and complexity. The writing style wasn’t my personal preference, but that is a personal preference rather than a critique of the book itself.

I much prefer Meltzer’s comedies, with Mr Perfect on Paper being my favourite - but I did enjoy this. Meltzer has a great way of making tropes feel fresh and new.