The overall storyline is cute.
Being raised Jewish I LOVED reading this book!

Editing notes for consideration:
There are some strange edit issues throughout the entire book.

It occurs every time a word has an f followed by an l like ‘floor’ ‘flyer’ ‘flame’ a random space gets put in the word.
It was so jarring I got pulled out of the story.
I don’t know if it is because it is an ARC and in word doc but definitely something to look into before pub date.

This was such a light cute read! Faye is a jewitch, yes you read that right, that tried to use her powers against antisemitism. But then she crashes into a man who she thinks is the golem she created for protection. Faye’s growth and ownership of being Jewish in a group of antisemites was inspiring. Just a great message especially in todays climate.

This book is for you if you enjoy:
- slight supernatural happenings
- quirky neighbors
- slow burn romance
- crime mysteries

By the end of this book, I enjoyed it more than I expected to. I am not Jewish or witchy, but am very good friends with people in both groups. I imagine this book would be even more enjoyable if you were one of the other (maybe Jewitchy too?). I did figure out the main bad guy before that was revealed, but it didn't take away from the overall plot for me. The story moved at a great pace and was cute throughout.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin publishing for the chance to read this for my honest review.

This book was cute. I ate it up and left no crumbs. I enjoyed the magical elements. I loved the interactions between the 2 main characters. This romcom had me giggling a few times.

I definitely recommend this for people who enjoy romcoms with some magical element as a twist.

Magical Meet Cute is a Jewish rom-com that delves into the delicate theme of anti-Semitic sentiments in a feel good & entertaining manner. Meltzer tackles significant topics at hand along w/ informative facts while keeping it lighthearted.

I enjoyed reading Magical Meet Cute however, I felt that this fell short from being a rom-com. There was some love building but it didn’t completely captivate me like other rom-coms do. I want to get lost in the characters & their love & their journey to finding each other.

I completely understand the need to cover certain sensitive topics and Jean does that, however, promotions & marketing for this book made it seem like this was going to be a silly romance book and did not mention covering anti-Semitism and delving deep into the culture/ beliefs. Again, there is nothing wrong with covering anti-Semitism, I think the way Jean does it is informative and lighthearted, as I mentioned above. I learned a lot from reading this book, but it made the overall plot boring, it took away from that romance aspect which is what this book is being marketed as.

I’ve been wanting to read a Jean Meltzer book for a while now, so when given the opportunity to review this one, I jumped at it.

Magical Meet Cute was a love letter to our inner selves and the inter generational trauma that the Jewish people endure everyday. For a cute, quirky rom-com, this book was beautifully insightful and took on the difficult topic of modern antisemitism.

The entire golem idea was preposterously hilarious in the best way. At times I laughed at Faye’s eccentrics, but other times, I found myself fascinated with her take on Judaism and her ability to practice Judaism in a way that was unapologetically herself.

This book took on many harsh topics, including familial abuse, but the goofy, hilariously Jewish moments brought a great counterbalance, creating a story that was easy to read and left you contemplating your own identity.

While this was my first book by Meltzer, it certainly won’t be my last. This book made me want to explore my own Jewish identity even more, and I am truly thankful to Meltzer for that.

Ooh I loved this so much! Immediately I was drawn in. The story, the writing is fantastic. It was such a cute read!

"Perhaps loving someone to the bitter end had always been her downfall".

I'd like to start this review by saying that, to my standards, 3 is a good rating, so, in case I can't put it into words properly: I enjoyed this book, but some aspects kept me from enjoying it as much as I could.

I've never read a Jewish Rom-Com, and since I didn't know Jean Meltzer when I asked for this book, I was kind of expecting something along the lines of "non-Jewish person writes a Jewish novel" with stereotypes and all — thank God, it was not the case (I'm sorry for ever thinking it would be, Jean).

And as a non-Jewish person myself, I have to say that the cultural and religious background of this book was the most interesting part. We've been living in a disinformation era right now, and a lot has been said about Jews, so reading a book written by someone in the community was an eye-opener in a lot of different level. A reminder that people should be able to tell their own stories, use their own voice, without being questioned by someone who's watched the news and think themselves as experts on the topic.

I did struggle with the story, though. While Jean's writing is amazing and entertaining, to the point it had me hooked up until 50% of the book, that's when things went downhill for me.

I loved how the author depicted Faye struggles and beliefs about herself, and her toxic relationships throughout her life; I also loved her relationship with her friends and how the thing with Greg wasn't rushed. Jean took her time building a love story that was believable, considering the bad experiences Faye had in her life, her fear of being abandoned and/or hurt again, and a journey of self-discovery and acceptance. Those are tricky topics to write about without ending in a condescending tone, or a magical (no pun intended) resolution, and Jean is probably one of the few writers who could do it amazingly.

The gollem thing, though... It kinda made me sad, because I thought it would be the funny part of the story, and that it would be a concept that would start being considered from moment one, but it only became a thing (a real thing, for Faye) around 50% of the book, and it endured for more or less 30% — those 30% were when the story started to not work for me anymore.

Faye's reaction to the gollem trouble bothered me, and it wasn't something fun to read — maybe it was Jane's intention, and maybe someday I'll revisit my rating because I finally understood that moment —, to the point that I almost DNF-ed the book during this specific part. I felt like the connection I had built with Faye was being severed at that moment, and all I wanted was to know more about any other character (really, anyone) than her. And while I understood where it all came from, I think it didn't need to happen like that (or if it did, there was no need for 90 pages of it).

Aside from that, I enjoyed this book. Jane's writing reminds me a lot of Ali Hazelwood's (which was probably the reason why I guessed the villain very quickly), and I'd love to read more of her books in the future.

Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin and Jean Meltzer for this book :D

3 stars

Based on the cover I thought this book was gonna be a light romance with Jewish themes like the other books by the author. The book goes deep into anti semitism and what life is like being a Jew in todays society. Faye is a Jewitch and may have conjured Greg up, is he a golem? Or the man of her dreams?

Thanks to NetGalley and the publish for the ebook!

2.5 stars. I’ll preface this by saying that I’m not Jewish, and maybe I would’ve had a different reading experience if I were. Meltzer is clearly working through some (understandably) big feelings about anti semitic attacks and their effect on Jewish communities. But the book itself is kind of underwritten. We get a whole chapter on the history of golem in Jewish traditions. There are long lists of historical attacks and atrocities. The plot is sparse in comparison, and the romance is very thin. The magical realism element was ambiguous and unnecessary.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

This book was just so cute and fluffy. I flew through it with ease and loved the magical elements of the book. Like all her other books, Jean writes this cute meet cute romcom that checks all the boxes and had me giggling a few times at the cuteness.

Definitely a book I enjoyed and would pick up during spooky season.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

Absolutely enchanting! Jean Meltzer's "MAGICAL MEET CUTE" is a captivating blend of humor and romance that sweeps readers off their feet. Faye Kaplan, a young Jewish woman on a quest for a fresh start in Woodstock, New York, takes center stage in this heartwarming tale. As she opens a pottery shop and befriends an unusual hairless dog named Hillel, Faye's journey takes an unexpected turn following an unfortunate anti-Semitic incident in her new town.

Despite the gravity of the theme, Meltzer skillfully transforms the narrative into a delightful romantic comedy. Faye, grappling with a painful past, finds herself in a whimsical situation where, after a night of revelry, she crafts a clay golem to protect Woodstock and fulfill her ideal man fantasy. The plot takes a delightful turn when she inadvertently collides with a man suffering from amnesia, fitting the criteria she had embedded into her clay creation.

While the book addresses serious issues, Meltzer maintains a delicate balance with humor and genuine emotion. Faye's quirky character, her unwavering belief that the man she collided with is her creation, and the burgeoning romance with Greg, who falls for her despite memory loss, infuse the narrative with layers of charm. The supporting character, Nelly, Faye's eccentric neighbor, brings humor to the story with her portrayal of a spirited older lady ready for some mischief.

Navigating the delicate theme of anti-Semitic sentiments, Meltzer artfully crafts a tale that remains lighthearted and entertaining. The book tackles significant subjects while maintaining an overall feel-good ambiance. Despite some character eccentricities, such as Faye's occasional outlandish behavior and Greg's swift affection, the novel remains an utterly enjoyable read.

Heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley for providing an advanced reader copy. "MAGICAL MEET CUTE" is an enchanting narrative that seamlessly blends romance, humor, and meaningful themes, creating a truly immersive and delightful reading experience.

This one was a little out there for me. There were things I truly loved about this book, but the golem storyline—specifically when Faye engages in some sanity-questioning moves in the last half of the book—became too much. I also was thrown by the tone of the book. The book is billed as a romcom, and the title plays off that idea. However, I saw very little “com” in this book. Some very serious and dark themes are addressed here—and they should have been! But they’re not the stuff of comedy.

What I loved about the book was that, like all of Ms. Meltzer’s work, it had a ton of heart. Her writing makes me feel all the feels—it’s what I love about her. I really appreciated what the book had to say about abuse and trauma, including intergenerational trauma. There were light moments in the book that helped us recover from the darker moments. Finally, I loved Greg and Faye, even though I felt like her reality break was too much.

This book wasn’t favorite by Ms. Meltzer (few books can live up to Mr Perfect on Paper for me), but it is a very good book that I enjoyed reading.

It was like no book I ever read before. I was a cute read and I really enjoyed it. I have never read a book with a golem before and it was very interesting.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book before publication.

I wasn’t sure what I was getting into with this one. The cover and title drew me in, as well as the promise of a good time (according to the synopsis). The characters were eccentric and sweet, and I could not get enough of the FMC and MMC (interacting with each other and people within the town). Some authors struggle to dig their way out of the amnesia trope, but I felt that Meltzer came out of it swinging with this one. The magical part of the story was well done and fascinating. I knew next to nothing about the Jewish experience and culture before reading this and now I’m interested in diving into the rest of Meltzer’s catalogue.

I laughed out loud, cringed, shed a few tears, and learned some good lessons from the story. As a slow burn, I was expecting a little more naughtiness toward the end, but the kisses and lack of sex on the page didn’t leave me dissatisfied.

If you want something wholesome and funny, this book needs to be on your shelf.

Magical Meet Cute is a slight departure from her other books, as Ms. Meltzer takes on a bit of Jewish folklore and fantasy. With a small town setting, this book is set up for that cozy romance feel. For me, the best parts of the books are when the author's sense of humor shines through with a little bit of slap stick humor and snappy dialogue between the two main characters. Looking forward to book number 5!

This is a timely story featuring Anti-Semitism and how it plays out in the real world...including ways that may surprise the reader if they aren't part of the Jewish community (no spoilers). Faye has had to start over, and she's overcome her share of tragedy in her life already, so when her community and store are targeted, she reaches to a little magic, molding a golem one night...and then this guy shows up! Is he a golem? Is he not? What is going on in the sleepy little town of Woodstock? And then there's the hilarious little woman next door, Nelly, who is the perfect supporting character! Meltzer doesn't usually write connected stories...but I'd still love to see more of Nelly in the future.

I've loved Jean Meltzer's other Jewish rom-coms, but this one was just awkwardly done. Every time anything remotely sexy was mentioned, it felt like the movie "Meet the Parents" where everything went wrong in the most embarrassing and awkward way possible. The story itself could have been good, but the fixation on certain body parts and the abrupt way the story would stop and then start just couldn't reel me in. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Loved the FMC! Freaking PERFECTION. 10/10. This was just so so good. I couldn’t get enough of it and wanted a thousand more pages of this.

When faced with an act of anti-Semitism in her close-knit community, Faye finds solace in alcohol and takes matters into her own hands by creating a golem imbued with all the qualities she desires in a companion and protector for their town. However, her world takes a surreal turn when, in a drunken accident, she collides with a man on her bike, leaving him with amnesia. As he gradually recovers, he starts displaying the very traits that Faye had instilled in her golem. Now, Faye is left questioning whether her creation has somehow come to life.