Wow I’m just gobsmacked by this funny and scary set of circumstances the MCs find themselves in, as well as the deft hand of the author navigating the rocky coastline of bad plot devices which befall so many other writers. Jean Meltzer has crafted a love story that honors the legacy of a race of survivors who have endured literal hell on earth at many points in history, both recent and ancient, yet have persevered and flourished. Despite the ripped from the headlines awful threats and attacks leveled at the female protagonist and her circle of friends and neighbors, there is much humor and great joy to be found in this book.
Perhaps the greatest love story contained therein is that of Faye, who finds love and acceptance of and for herself. Greg is an ideal man for anyone but especially Faye. The pair, as well as Faye’s delightful found family have so many lessons for each other, with love and loyalty shot throughout.
I devoured this novel in an eighteen hour period between sleep and obligations, and my dark circles this morning were a small price to pay for having been gifted this advance reader copy from the author and netgalley. I’m pleased to share my honest review.

Another sweet and engaging read with magical elements from Jean Meltzer, blending Jewish folklore with self-explanatory inspirational elements.

I wish there were more magical elements throughout the story, but I still appreciate the author's approach in taking readers on a historical journey through Semitic history and addressing the attacks against it, intertwined with the characters' traumatic yet self-healing experiences.

The story centers around Faye Kaplan, once a successful lawyer in New York, happily engaged, but now the owner of a pottery shop in Woodstock, leading a different and peaceful life after breaking off an engagement with the wrong guy at the last minute. The only thing disrupting her fresh lifestyle is the antisemitic attacks in her new small town, manifested through hateful flyers scattered around random places.

One night, after drinking too much wine, Faye creates a list for her dream guy and molds all those attributes into a clay man she names Greg, formed by her own hands. The very next day, still reeling from her drinking stupor, she accidentally collides with a man while riding her bicycle, only to discover that this gorgeous redheaded man is also named Greg and has no memory of his past. Could she have given life to a gnome and literally manifested her dream man into reality?

Greg possesses all the qualities Faye desires in a man. Could she finally find love in a magical way she never imagined before?

I enjoyed the creative plotline and well-developed, realistic characterization. My only issue lies in some plot holes and the lack of chemistry between characters. However, despite this, the book provided insightful information about Judaism, and I easily connected with Faye's journey of self-growth and exploration of new life opportunities. Therefore, I'm rounding up my rating from 3.5 stars to 4, finding the right guy in the most unexpected circumstances.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing/Mira for providing me with a digital review copy of this heartwarming romance in exchange for my honest opinions.

Big thanks to Jean and netgalley for the arc. This book took me a while to get into because of the fantasy/magical elements but once I got hooked, I couldn’t put it down. Greg and Faye’s relationship was magnetizing and the whole golem storytelling piece was unique. Nelly was hilarious and made me want to know her. It felt so brave to write about antisemitism during such a difficult time for the Jewish people so I was grateful to the author for tackling the subject. Docked a star as the previous traumas integrated and spell casting all felt like a bit too much going on.

Faye is a Jewitch who, after a bit of a quarter-life crisis, moves to a small town to open a pottery shop. In the midst of an act of anti-Semitism in her neighborhood, she (after drinking some wine) makes a small clay man known as a golem in jewish folklore and does a spell to bring him to life. Within 24 hours, she hits a man named Greg (with a lot of similarities to the clay figure she made) while driving and he wakes up in the hospital with no knowledge of his past. As they navigate the outcome, they connect in their pursuit of the identities of those behind the continuing anti-semitic attacks. They struggle with their connection since Greg still can’t remember his past and Faye is wondering if he is a clay figure brought to life.
I really enjoyed this book! It was so different and interesting. The plot was more complicated than your average romcom, but it certainly kept me engaged. I honestly didn’t know what direction the plot was going to go at certain points. Faye is definitely a little crazy and the plot is certainly WILD at some points, but it was entertaining!

This was my first Jean Meltzer book and let me just say I’m HOOKED. I loved everything about this book. I dont see a lot of Jewish main characters in stories so I thought this was so unique. And then our main character is also a witch so that makes it even better! This book was so unique and fun. I really enjoyed Faye and Greg as main characters and even our fun side characters. I also loved the little twist about Greg’s back story. I can’t wait to read more from Meltzer and I can’t recommend this enough!

Magical Meet Cute is a jewish rom-com that follows the protagonist Faye, who just to be engaged and also used to have a legal practice in New York and now works in her pottery in Woodstock. The only thing missing for her is the perfect guy. And when she creates a golem protector adding all the details for an ideal man, she finds herself wondering if this guy named Greg, who turns up the next day, if he is really real or if she summoned a golem.

I think i went into this book with the wrong expectations. I liked the protagonist and the generational trauma awareness was done very well, but i think i missed some magical aspects. I thought there were some plot holes that bothered me and since the storyline also takes place in times of covid, i didn’t find myself ‚escaping‘ reality into a fluffy rom-com but rather being thrown back into isolation.

Thanks you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

If you're a reader who relishes contemporary romance stories infused with a touch of magic, Magical Meet Cute deserves a spot on your reading list. Written by the talented Jean Meltzer, this novel weaves together well-drawn characters, a unique premise, and a cozy setting. Whether you're a fan of romance, intrigued by Jewish folklore, or simply seeking an uplifting read, Magical Meet Cute promises a delightful escape into a world where everyday moments hold hidden enchantment.

I was excited to read this novel, but I feel like the description wasn’t accurate leading to an overall feeling of disappointment. I was expecting more magic and whimsy, but there were several surprisingly dark subjects addressed. I also thought the dialogue at time was forced and awkward. All that being said, there were some cute moments that left me desiring more. I did appreciate the information about Judaism because I feel like I learned a lot reading a romantic novel. However, that’s not really what I’m seeking when choosing this genre. Would not purchase this, but I’m still thankful to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC. I have read other Jean Meltzer books and they can be hit or miss for me. I enjoyed this on. It was fun mix of romance and Jewish mysticism and the anti semitism story line felt very timely. The “thriller” felt a little forced but I really enjoyed the characters.

Once again Jean Meltzer writes an adorable Jewish rom com. This is very different from her other books (my favorite being Kissing Kosher), but is very timely with what is going on related to antisemitism right now.

Faye Kaplan is Jewitch (yep, you read that right), something I never heard of before! As always with Jean Meltzer's books, I learned a lot about something related to Judaism that I never knew before. In the wake of antisemitic activity in her town and still reeling from her canceled wedding to the wrong guy, Faye hits a stranger on her bicycle. When it is revealed he has amnesia, Faye takes a big risk in nursing this handsome redheaded stranger who appeared at the same time the antisemitic attacks started back to health-- especially because Faye fears she created him out of clay (long story, must read the book!).

You can expect laugh out loud moments, lots of heart, and plenty of hard salami (not a euphemism if you can believe it).

This review is published on Goodreads and Storygraph.

This was a new-to-me author who was recommended to me by a friend and, oh, I liked this book! Faye is a "Jewitch" potter who meets Greg, an amnesiac she hits with her bike. But is Greg really the clay golem she created the night before when a hate crime is committed that hits close to home? Read the book to find out! If only finding the perfect man was as easy as making one out of clay. A mix of the serious and comedic, this is a wonderful story about finding out who you are, and learning to live with generational trauma and love yourself despite your flaws. My only complaint is that the title, the description, and the cover of this book belie the serious themes that run through this story. I felt like they really made it seem like it was going to be a much lighter story than it was, which is an injustice to the author's work. I will be reading more by this author, her ability to mix light and dark (as well as her comedic voice) made this an enjoyable read.

I’d give this a 3.5, if I could. This was a story that I expected to be light, but was surprised to see how much depth it had. While some parts were hard to follow, it all came together in the end. The story had topics of culture, antisemitism and abuse, while weaving together magic, love and friendship. I look forward to reading more by Jean Meltzer!

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin/MIRA publishing for sending an ARC of this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

I loved this magical, Jewitch, hilarious Rom Com by the incomparable Jean Meltzer.
I laughed, a lot, I learned a lot and looked up a lot of amazing things along the fun ride of this fabulously sweet trip of a book.
Great Characters, small town, and a bit of a mystery. A beautiful HEA after dealing with some evil folks. I could read this over and over. Loved it so much!

Wow yikes this book was bad. The dialogue was so awkward and uncomfortable. I couldn't get into the story with the two main characters, if Greg can even be considered a character? And DNF at 31%

In Jean Meltzer's enchanting tale, "Magical Meet Cute," Faye Kaplan embarks on a journey of self-discovery, finding love and healing in the most unexpected of places. Once engaged and successful in her legal practice, Faye now finds solace in her new life as a potter in Woodstock, New York. Yet, despite her contentment in solitude, she longs for the perfect companion. When anti-Semitic flyers surface in her town, Faye seeks comfort in her pottery, drunkenly creating a golem protector. Little does she know, this magical creation takes a life of its own, materializing as Greg, a captivating stranger who seems to fulfill every desire on Faye's list. However, fate throws a curveball when Greg loses his memory, leaving Faye to wonder if his sudden appearance is merely a coincidence. As Faye and Greg navigate the complexities of their newfound connection, they delve into the hidden depths of their own hearts. Faye must confront her fears and insecurities, while Greg grapples with the fragments of his forgotten past. Along the way, they discover the transformative power of love and the resilience of the human spirit. Meltzer's writing is a delightful blend of humor, heart, and magic. She deftly weaves together themes of identity, acceptance, and the search for true love. The characters are well-developed and relatable, with Faye's journey of self-discovery particularly poignant. The supporting cast adds depth and humor to the story, creating a tapestry of small-town life that feels both authentic and enchanting. The pacing of the novel is steady, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the world Meltzer has created. The plot unfolds naturally, with unexpected twists and turns that keep the pages turning. The prose is clear and engaging, with vivid imagery and a keen eye for detail. "Magical Meet Cute" is a captivating read that explores the complexities of love, identity, and the human condition. Meltzer's skillful storytelling and memorable characters make this book a must-read for fans of contemporary romance and magical realism. With its heartfelt themes and enchanting atmosphere, "Magical Meet Cute" is a story that will stay with readers long after the last page is turned.

Ahhhh! There is so much to love about this book and then it goes slightly off the rails.

It does have some sweet and loveable characters that give it a rom-com quirk. However the MC's obession with the fact that she believe's she created a gollum really starts to take you out of the story around the 60% mark. I found myself trying to justify her actions as though it was a literary critism class and I was looking for a more metaphorical reason for her choices.

I thought with the openess to her lusting after a man, we were going to get a bit more steam in this one. I did read The Matza Ball by Meltzer and loved it. My only complaint was that I wished the sexual tension would have taken us a bit further. That's how I also felt with this book. For all the talk of wanting to jump his bones, we are left with only a few kisses. (I am not taking that into consideration with my rating, just want to note it for other readers)

I did enjoy this overall, and will give Jean Meltzer's work another try.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for an arc. All opinions expressed are my own.

Huge thanks to Harlequinn/Mira for giving me access to an arc but this one, for me, missed the mark. I think the way it was advertised does a disservice to this story. I wanted to like this but I found myself having a hard time w/ it. I just don’t think this one is for me.

I am squarely the target audience here—liberal feminist spiritual semi observant Jew who splits her time between NYC and upstate NY. I get all the references.

- felt a lot of the book was repeated, more than usual for the genre

- a lot of history of antisemitism—maybe people need it—I didn’t

- barely any spice! It’s a heavy subject matter, it could use some levity

- used jewitch instead of Jewish in many places. I get the premise but also it felt out of place. Especially centering the main character in antisemitic circumstances—acknowledge she is Jewish

- I know many shulamits and Shuli in my brain makes more sense then shully (sounds like a dog)

- is hamans hat a real expression? Never heard it before. Felt forced.

I liked the characters and the ending!

This book was just so cute and fluffy. I flew through it with ease and loved the magical elements of the book.

A sweet story with a lot of heart. As a non-Jewish person, I really appreciated the history and cultural information through the story. Thanks for the ARC. Jean Meltzer continues to be an author I will always pick up.