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.

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.