3.75 stars

Read just in time for Sukkot! This book is a fast paced, beautiful read *for those who identify as Jewish or truly love Jewish stories*. I would not, personally, hand this book to someone I was trying to encourage to read diversely. It tackles the topic of antisemitism and the fear we have all been facing. The reader is faced with the prospect of changing an antisemites mind. This is quite unrealistic but I found this book to be a Jewish daydream- magic, your own power, finding a voice, healing from generational trauma, changing the minds of those who hate you, a symbiotic relationship with the police, finding your dream man. I genuinely enjoyed the story! But then, I love everything Jean writes. This book is both fantasy and reality blended. She took the plot in unexpected directions with a satisfying ending.

I really enjoy Jean Meltzer books. Great characters and relatable stories. Magical Meet Cute was exciting and new in terms of direction. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Well written and engaging, a good book

After Faye's engagement ended and she sold her legal practice, Faye has been enjoying her new life as the owner of Magic Mud Pottery in Woodstock, New York. When a hate group fills her neighborhood with anti-Semitic flyers, Faye accidently creates a golem protector out of clay to comfort her. When Faye hits a stranger with her bike the next morning and finds that he has no memory of who he is, Faye starts to believe that meeting this stranger might not be a coincidence after all.

There were several aspects of this book I enjoyed and felt that the author did a great job bringing up the difficult topic of antisemitism and how it can affect a community. However, the pacing seemed to drag in certain areas and caused me to be disengaged. I did enjoy the concept of this book and many of the characters. I would be interested in reading other work by this author in the future.

Magical Meet Cute is out now.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to review Magical Meet Cute. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I didn't love this one. I've read a few of Jean Meltzer's other books and really enjoyed them, but I just could not get into this one.

Despite the absolutely horrible anti-semitic things happening, I didn't find Faye very likeable. And because I didn't like her, I didn't really connect to her story with Greg.

A Magical Meet Cute was such a sweet romance/suspense filled with love yet heavy topics. The characters were great, inclusive to religion. Overall a great contemporary romance read.

Faye Kaplan is a Potter in Woodstock, New York, and loves her life. She loves her pottery studio and her life as a Jew-witch. When she finds anti-Semitic flyers around her synagogue and strewn about the town, she is horrified. In an alcohol-induced frenzy, Faye decides that the town needs a protector in the form of a Golem. When a gorgeous, perfect guy shows up the next day (looking exactly like the golem she made), he seems too good to be true. Is it possible she succeeded?

I loved The Matzah ball and could not wait to read this book. I found the book enjoyable but it was not what I thought it would be. It is definitely more fiction than the rom-com I was anticipating. From the cover and the description, I was anticipating a lighter book but the antisemitism in the book gave it a much more somber feeling.

A magical Jewish romance between a pottery store owner and possibly a golem she created. What I liked was what I always like with Jean Meltzer books: unapologetic Judaism, disability representation and acceptance, and hot men who are well adjusted and securely attached. I also enjoyed the way she handled antisemitism, which is especially hard hitting these days.

What I didn't like: some parts of this book were kind of cringe and at times I found Faye annoying.

Overall, a good read but not my favorite of Jean Meltzer's catalogue.

I have long loved Jean Meltzer's books! I think she is not only an incredible writer but her way of bringing forth the Jewish faith in all of her stories has been wonderful for the reading community. I have learned much from her fictional characters and its truly been inspiring. I thought this book while heavy at times did have a unique plotline and a very endearing magical romance. Thank you NetGalley and MIRA for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Magical Meet Cute by Jean Meltzer is a beautifully woven tale that’s more than just romance—it’s a mix of Jewish culture, a dash of magic, and a journey of self-worth. Faye, a former NYC lawyer turned pottery shop owner in Woodstock, is carrying the weight of her past—estranged from family, burned by an ex, and dealing with a hand injury that altered her career. But beyond the external struggles, it’s Faye’s inner conflict about love and belonging that really hooked me.

Her identity as a “Jewitch”—a blend of Jewish heritage and spiritual practices—is such a unique touch, and watching her dive into healing rituals added a fascinating layer. And just when things couldn’t get more intense, antisemitic flyers pop up around town, targeting her and her shop, shaking her already fragile sense of safety.

But here’s where it gets interesting: a glass of wine, a late night, and some emotional turmoil lead her to create a golem—a clay figure straight out of Jewish folklore. And then Greg crashes into her life—literally—on a bike, sparking a meet-cute that’s anything but conventional.

The standout for me was the sense of community and found family—Miranda and her wife, Shulamit, and the wonderfully quirky 80-year-old neighbor, Nelly, who all bring warmth and depth to the story. Meltzer has this incredible way of blending heavy themes with lighthearted moments, and if you’re into books about healing, cultural richness, and a touch of magic, this one’s for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

"And she told herself that all the rough edges of her vases, all missteps and mistakes that made her, were beautiful. She was unique and beautiful. She didn't need to be perfect to be loved."

I’m a big fan of romances that feature diverse religious perspectives, especially Judaism, so I was very excited to dive into Jean Meltzer’s latest, "Magical Meet Cute." We follow our main character, Faye, a self-identified Jewitch, and Greg, the mysterious figure she inadvertently summons. The question of whether he is truly a man or a Golem adds a fun mystery layer to the story. Their forced proximity and work together to uncover Greg’s origins creates a slow-burn, will-they-won't-they, romance between the two.

I really enjoy Jean Meltzer's writing—it's funny, light, refreshing, and easy to read. While this novel definitely captured those elements, a few parts and phrases felt a bit clunky and could have flowed more smoothly. The addition of tackling Anti-Semitism and the magical side of Judaism with a lot of respect for each was really solidly done. This is different from your typical romance and almost feels more like a cozy mystery due to the other elements. The romance absolutely takes second fiddle.

Overall, it kept me engaged throughout.

What I enjoyed:
-Forced proximity
-Jewish representation, including the term "Jewitch,"
-Mystery element

Trigger Warnings:
-Child abuse (on page - in a memory sequence)
-Anti-Semitism

Full disclosure: While I think the message showcasing rising levels of antisemitism needs a greater audience, I could not get past the constant repetition of "hard Jewish salami".

This is my second book by this author and I was going to like it better. It is a cute romance story woven into a story about self discovery. Some of the pieces of the story fell flat for me and I got bored. I set it aside and read something else and came back to it. Overall, I rate it a 3-3.5 stars. I liked that it brought awareness to anti-semitism. I hoped that Greg’s true form would have been revealed a bit sooner in the story so that we could see more of their true love story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own. Jean Meltzer can do no wrong in my mind! I loved the Jewish representation!

’m not going to lie I struggled with this one. I love Jean Meltzer’s books but this one I was not a huge fan of. I just struggled getting through it and I don’t know if it was because I was constantly reading before bed or if I just didn’t love it. It’s really hard to tell for me sometimes. I feel like Faye and Greg’s story didn’t pull me in as much as some of her other books. The Paper Boys were definitely an interesting twist and the amnesia made for an interesting addition but it just didn’t hit right for me. There was still definitely a good story line for this one just maybe not for me.

4.5 Stars: Faye, a former lawyer, has relocated to Woodstock, NY and opened a pottery studio. Recently dumped by her fiancé and fed up with men, she gets drunk and takes her clay to create a golem, a legendary Jewish creature. The golem had every positive trait she could imagine in a man. The next day, hungover, she runs into a man on her bike. She knocks him down and he hits his head. In the hospital she overhears the nurse say he is homeless and doesn't remember who he is. Feeling responsible, Faye pretends he is her husband and takes him home to help him recuperate. She names him Greg because he can't remember his name. At the same time, there is a person or group passing out antisemitic flyers, and harassing businesses owned by Jewish people, or businesses that pro-Jewish. She begins to get suspicious that Greg might be a member of "the Paperboys".

Magical Meet Cute might take it's title from the actual meeting, but this is a serious story. Antisemitism is on the rise, and this book brings that issue to the forefront. I liked both Faye and Greg and thought they were great together. Even though Greg couldn't remember a lot, his morals shone through as he tried to help Faye and others deal with the troubles. There are serious themes in this book including: Mental Health, childhood trauma, antisemitism, poor self-concept, and Corrupt/Bad police. I liked the Jewish Folklore included in this book, and found the information about the Golam interesting, especially as I had just been to Prague. The small community setting and the friendships added to the story. With tropes of forced proximity, amnesia, and bit of magical realism, I enjoyed this romance that eventually has a Happily Ever After.

Magical Meet Cute is a standalone Romantic Comedy by Jean Meltzer, and I appreciated how it featured relatable Jewish characters with chronic illnesses. The story follows Faye, a character who becomes a "Jewitch" after her fiancé dumps her, as she embarks on a journey to find herself. I was intrigued by how she quit her law firm and opened a pottery studio in Woodstock, NY, where she faced anti-Semitic acts. One of the more exciting parts of the story was when Faye created a Golem, a creature that traditionally became a helper, companion, or rescuer for imperiled Jewish communities.

Faye’s relationship with Greg portrayed as the perfect man, feels unrealistic and even frustrating at times. Their relationship never progressed, making the book's romance aspect fall flat for me. While the book has some great messages, I don’t think it lived up to the standards set by Meltzer’s other books, which I’ve found to be more insightful in teaching about Judaism. In this story, there wasn’t much clarity around what it means to be Jewish and a Witch, and at times, the characters came across as ditsy or just plain foolish.

The book’s message, “This is the art of imperfection,” resonated with me as it explored how anti-Semitism affects everyday people. Given current events, this theme felt especially timely and relevant. The story itself is fun and unique, but I was disappointed that the potential for love never truly blossomed. I also didn’t find the dog character all that interesting. While Faye’s use of Yiddish and her knowledge of Jewish traditions added some depth, the book delved into odd topics like hard Kosher Salami and lacked the kind of natural magic I hoped for.

Overall, while I enjoyed parts of Magical Meets Cute, it didn’t live up to Meltzer’s other works, especially in terms of providing more information about Judaism or exploring magical realism in a more fulfilling way. It was an entertaining read, but I wouldn’t recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy for an honest review.

Magical Meet Cute is more than a romance with a sprinkling of magic. It is about more than creating your ‘perfect’ person to love. It is a story about loving yourself, with all of your imperfections and past trauma. It is also a story about the Jewish people. A love story about culture and heritage, shared joy and sorrow.
Magical Meet Cute is a testament not only to romantic love, but a love for the Jewish people. To be Jewish is not just about religion or culture – it is the very blood and the history that it carries through their veins – tying them to all that came before them, and through that blood they will live on and rise once more through the hate that seeks to tear them down.
I loved this book and all that it stands for!

I read the Matzah Ball last year and absolutely adored it, so jumped at the opportunity to read something else by Meltzer. I love the creative, loving community of Woodstock NY she had shared on the pages, and delighted in the fun twist of bringing folklore to life in this story.

This was such a cute book! I loved the Jewish rep and of course the romance. As a rabbi, incorporating mystical elements of Judaism isn’t super common and it’s rare to have so much Jewish content in a book, so that was very cool to see. It almost felt a little heavy handed for someone who is knowledgeable about Jewish customs, but I understand that it has to be accessible to all audiences.

This book had a really unique slow burn romance plot, and I really enjoyed it. At the same time, it delves into some deep topics, especially around Faye’s past trauma and how it's impacted her, as well as tackling the issue of antisemitism. While many books focus on historical antisemitism, not many address it in today’s world, so I really appreciated how this one handled it, especially in the current climate. Despite the heavy themes, it still managed to be an enjoyable read, striking a balance between serious and lighthearted moments. I guess that’s no surprise, since Jean Meltzer is known for spreading Jewish joy and positivity. Definitely give this a read—you'll get a great story and support an amazing author at the same time.