Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing the ARC.

I wasn't entirely a fan of this book. It was equal parts rom-com and the act of overcoming trauma, starting with the main character's past with parental abuse and working it's way to the start of the current conflict occurring with Israel, Palestine, and Hamas. It was a bit heavier than I wanted it to be, and I didn't fully agree with the message the author was trying to convey with her commentary on the conflict.

I don't see a reason why other people wouldn't enjoy it, but it wasn't the book for me.

I have adored every single one of Jean Meltzer’s books.
Magical Meet Cute by Jean Meltzer was a swoonworthy romance.
Her ability to weave the intricacies of romance and cultural nuances into a heartwarming tale is truly commendable.
The charming characters go on a wonderful journey through love and tradition which is beautifully portrayed, creating a captivating narrative that lingers in your heart long after the final page.
Her writing gets better with every book she publishes.

This was not what I expected, and there were parts I really really loved and some parts I didn't totally resonate with. As a Jewish person, it was awesome to read a romance set in a Jewish community. Many of the jokes and bits relied a little on stereotypes, not harmful ones, and I thought they were funny. For example, rather than swearing, the FMC will shout the phrase "Haman's Hat!" Now, I don't know any Jewish person ever who is saying that, but I thought it was funny. I can see, however, how that might not vibe with other people.

Further into the book, there was a reference to October 7th, and it felt to me that the implication is that all Jews are and should be Zionists, which is not something I believe to be true. This part of the story didn't resonate with me.

All this aside, there are some really endearing side characters, and I loved that the FMC was a Jewitch. I think the extent to which this resonates with readers will vary, but it delivers on what it promises!

Magical Meet Cute is a charming romance with magical realism centered around Faye Kaplan, a former lawyer turned pottery maker, who accidentally conjures her dream man while crafting a golem. A golem is part of Jewish folklore, where a creature or human is brought to life. I've always loved stories about golems brought to life, so I knew I would enjoy this one!

Not realizing that her wish was brought to life, she accidentally runs into Greg and learns he is her perfect match. There is an additional serious element to the story, which surprised me, but the author handles it very well, and I commend her for tackling this political and societal issue.

Greg and Faye's blossoming romance is absolutely breathtaking. I loved their connection throughout the story. The secondary characters, Miranda and Cantor, are also a great addition. Although the book has some heavy topics, I still found myself giggling and smiling. I would have liked to see more magical realism, but overall, this story was remarkable.

My new favorite from Jewish romance author, Jean Meltzer!! This story is a reimagining of the Golem story and has orphaned ceramicist and Jew Witch, Fae, crafting her very own ideal man in the form of a clay figure and magically making him manifest (or so she believes). When she accidentally runs into a man on the street with her bicycle, Fae feels compelled to take care of him after the run in causes amnesia and he has no idea who he really is. Full of heart, disability rep (Fae has a deformed finger and chronic pain), battles against Anti-Semitism and a moving dual POV relationship between two strangers. This was also great on audio narrated by Dara Rosenberg and perfect for fans of authors like Amanda Elliot. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

A magical meet cute is a modern day Jewish love story. The author Has found a way to blend real life issues going on in the world with a magical love story. I always learned something from her books about the Jewish culture and religion. Which really helps Connect with these characters. In the story we meet Faye, Former lawyer who now owns her own pottery shop. She originally wanted to go to college to study her art, but had to switch gears because of an injury she suffered as a child. But after being dumped by her fiancé, she uprooted her whole world and came to the town of Woodstock to create a new life. We learn she is a Jewitch, someone who practices the Jewish faith with a little witching thrown in. Sadly, her town has been the victim of a lot of antisemitism, and on her way to a meeting at the synagogue she accidentally hits a man on a bike. After taking him to the hospital, it turns out he has amnesia and doesn’t remember who he is so she takes him home in order to help him remember and care for him.

I did enjoy this book. It wasn’t my absolute favorite by her, but the story was still very good. Also, it does talk a lot about the antisemitism that the Jewish culture faces still to this day which I think is a very important topic. I would say this book is a solid 3 1/2 stars and I would recommend

Fun, romantic, and with just the right amount of mystical components to entrance you. Plus the main character is a Jewitch and how do you say no to that?

“Don’t you see, my love? There’s no difference between a goddess and a monster.”

Faye has always dealt with haters, especially when it comes to her beliefs. But when they get a little closer to home than she’s comfortable with, she turns to her magic to create a golem protector who’s perfect in every way except one - he’s not real. Does she help him find who he is or accept his otherworldliness and fall under his spell?

“Greg was a man without a memory. And she was a woman with too much.”

I had never read a book quite like this before. It was a cute, funny, and whimsical story that I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves cozy feel-good tales! Oh, and Stunzies for Funzies Nelly absolutely stole the show for me! She’s adulting goals.

Thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and The Hive for this book in exchange for my honest review.

While very cute and funny, this book dealt with a much heavier subject matter than I had anticipated. It was very clearly written in response to the tragedy on October 7 of last year, and understandably so, but also to the entire history of anti-Semitism. I can’t relate to the MCs experience of being Jewish in America, but I can relate to her fear of taking chances and feeling of inadequacy and imperfection. I can also relate to her appreciation of hot, hulking red-headed men - yum. 3.5 stars.

After an antisemitic attack in her neighborhood, ceramicist Faye Kaplan is shaken. Having found her connection to her faith through magic, Faye is a practicing Jewitch. On a drunken night after the attack, Faye crafts a golem to protect her…one that happens to have all the qualities of her dream man inscribed on it. The next day, she accidentally runs into a guy with her bike. The man hits his head and awakens in the hospital with no memory. What’s a girl to do but take him home and help him recover? Greg turns out to be a great houseguest; he’s protective, funny, intelligent, kind, enjoys Scrabble…all the things Faye inscribed on her golem. Could it be coincidence or is magic at play?

Magical Meet Cute is a mix of fluffy magical romcom and serious, realistic trauma. It sounds like it shouldn’t work, but Jean Meltzer balances things fairly well, though for me – someone who actually enjoys fluff more as a rule – the heavier topics were more interesting.

Faye is a trauma survivor. She came from an abusive household and though she’s caring and loving, she has high walls to protect herself. She lives with a disability that is a constant reminder of what she survived, and the disability rep is well done. With the rise in antisemitism her trauma response is triggered, and Meltzer handles this heavy topic very well. I really connected with this part of the story, of the small and large ways antisemitism affects people. It’s not something you see in romances and generally not something covered in-depth and I really appreciated the time and care Meltzer took with this topic.

Magical Meet Cute is also a romcom with a quirky dog, nosy friends, and hijinks. For the most part the blend of the heavier and lighter moments work, though I will say that the book isn’t quite as light as the cover and blurb make it out to be. I enjoyed the mystery of whether Greg was a man or a golem, but I do wish it had been resolved a bit earlier to give the romance more time to breathe and develop. The rom of the romcom could have used a bit more work because the chemistry wasn’t as strong as I would have liked. Greg was a wonderful hero, protective and caring to the max. Faye was an interesting heroine, complex and skilled both as a ceramicist and Jewitch. But she also has a few traditional romcom heroine quirks to her that didn’t always work for me.

I struggle with rating Magical Meet Cute because I was so-so on the romance. However, the parts of the book that work really work. The Jewish, Jewitch, and disability representation are solid and the examination of antisemitic attacks through the eyes of the victims really meant something to me. There’s emotional honesty in these plotlines that really stand out and make me recommend this story.

Self-proclaimed “Jewitch” Faye Kaplan sold her law practice and moved upstate to open a pottery shop after her engagement ended. A new start was just what Faye needed, and her shop Magic Mud Pottery in downtown Woodstock felt like the culmination of a long forgotten dream. When her town is covered with anti-Semitic flyers, Faye decides to create a clay golem to protect her home. The next day Faye hits a stranger with her bike and can’t help but wonder if he’s her golem come to life.

This was a very unique romance that wove in some magical realism. When Greg first appeared after the accident, it truly reminded me of Angelika Frankenstein Makes Her Match as he began to regain speech and was *possibly* a golem come to life. This book is much less silly than that one but the romantic storyline definitely added levity throughout.

There are some very heavy topics in this book, including graphic anti-Semitism and past childhood abuse. The author deftly handled both in my opinion but please be cautious if these topics are triggering for you.

MAGICAL MEET CUTE – Jean Meltzer
Mira
ISBN: 978-0-778-33441-5
August 27, 2024
Romantic Comedy

Woodstock, New York – Present Day

Potter and gift store owner Faye Kaplan is Jewish and discovers that she has become the target of a mysterious White Supremacist group. Upset, she creates a golem doll made of clay in hopes that it will ward off evil spirits. Riding her bicycle late one night and in a hurry, she literally runs into a strange man and knocks him out. At the hospital, Faye overhears the nurses talking about how the man has amnesia. A sudden decision is made on her part when Faye lies to the nurses and claims to be his wife. She is going to take him home with her. Has she made a mistake? Is guilt the only reason she wants to take care of him, or is it something else?

Faye names him Greg and nurses him back to health. Unfortunately, he still has no memory and needs to relearn tasks and speaking. A few incidents will have readers laughing as he struggles with talking and doing things. She lives above her business, and a brick is thrown through the front window one night. Faye is saved from being hurt by Greg, who instinctively tells her to duck. Greg, with the help of Faye’s neighbor, Nelly, decides to investigate who is behind the attacks.

MAGICAL MEET CUTE may be a difficult read for some as it deals with antisemitism and White Supremacy. Someone passed out a bunch of flyers in Woodstock and Faye and her business was not only named, but pictures of her included. She naturally feels like a target is on her and she reacts by creating the golem doll. Golem refers in Jewish folklore to an artificial humanoid being endowed with life. She soon begins to wonder if Greg is her golem. Will he be good or bad? The man is sleeping under her roof, and she isn’t sure if she can trust him. Yet, she can’t turn him out into the streets, especially when she finds him attractive.

With a touch of magical vibes and comedy, MAGICAL MEET CUTE is a fun read despite being an emotional tale. Faye and Greg are the main characters, but they are surrounded by several other minor characters who give us plenty of chuckles. Faye’s neighbor across the street is Nelly, who takes a shine to Greg and encourages him to help her investigate the White Supremacist group called The Paper Boys. Readers may end up surprised to learn who is behind the racist attacks. I know I was!

The chemistry between Faye and Greg is slow to build in MAGICAL MEET CUTE as they have to feel each other out. But once they spend weeks together, she finds herself protective of him, as he does of her. Will Greg turn out to be her hero? Will he learn who he really is and why he is in Woodstock? Readers will laugh and cry at the interaction between Faye and Greg. It’s all in fun. If you love a romance that will leave you with a smile on your face, then look no further than MAGICAL MEET CUTE.

Patti Fischer
Roamnce Reviews Today

I am so so sad to say that I am DNFing this book. Personal preference, I don’t like reading about witches. I knew that there was a magical realism element to this book which I love, but I don’t remember the synopsis saying anything about a witch.

I’ll absolutely read another title by this author because I did enjoy the writing. I don’t rate books I DNF but I guess I have to here. So take that with a grain of salt! I just wasn’t the right audience for this title.

I am so privileged to receive an ARC of this book because it was so amazing. I am going to be doing a deep dive on Jean Meltzer's backlog of works because the way she was able to write a beautiful romance while showcasing what modern antisemitism looks like was insightful. There is no correct way to practice religion and Faye was in tune as to what Judaism meant to her and how she wanted to practice her faith. Since I do not practice Judaism, I loved reading this book because of what I was able to learn from it, even the goofiness of creating a golem in her pottery studio.

Another great novel by Ms. Metzler. It is definitely a romance but with more important messages about self love, self worth and standing up for who you are.

Um. I wanted to love this, because it was so cool and it was kind of original, but I just kept picturing a weird looking golem the whole time. That might've been just my only problem...
I heard there was Jewish Folklore that was highlighted in this book, but I was unfamiliar and unaware of what made it as such. Maybe then I would've enjoyed it more as well. I did love that it was a story outside of my comfort zone and gave me insight & a learning experience on Judaism.
I did enjoy the characterization and details, along with some of the fun dialogue.
Though it all came back to some minor plot holes and lack of chemistry.
Overall, I give this book 3 stars.
I want to thank NetGalley & Harlequin Trade publishing/Mira for providing me with this digital copy 🫶🏼

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This books got the perfect witchy feel. I also thought that the setting of Woodstock worked really well for this quirky story.

I only gave this book 3 stars though because to me the characters seemed very unrealistic. Faye was very over the top and I had trouble believing that anyone would actually act like her. I also couldn’t really enjoy the romance because it felt forced. I didn’t feel any chemistry between Faye and Greg.

It is a quick read though with some nice witchy vibes.

This was my first dive into Jean Meltzer’s world, and I’m hooked! Magical Meet Cute is a quirky rom-com with a deep heart, tackling the weighty issue of modern antisemitism while still making you laugh out loud.
Some takeaways that got me in my feelings.
The golem plotline? Utterly hilarious in the best way. Faye’s eccentricities had me giggling one moment and marveling at her unique approach to her culture the next. While the book doesn’t shy away from serious topics like familial abuse, the humorous, offbeat moments create a perfect counterbalance, making it both a delightful read and a thought-provoking exploration of identity.

This won’t be my last Meltzer read for sure—her storytelling has sparked a new curiosity in me, and for that, I’m truly grateful! Big thanks to NetGalley for letting me review this gem.

Faye Kaplan used to be a lawyer, and she used to have a fiancé. Now she is a Jewitch who runs a pottery shop in Woodstock, New York and lives with her neurotic rescue dog. She also may have accidentally created a Golem – a handsome one who she may be falling in love with.
I found the setting of this story to be engaging. The fictional version of Woodstock came across just as quaint and quirky as I imagined it to be. The cast of characters were charming, particularly Faye’s busybody neighbor. Faye’s “Jewitchness” and the elements of Jewish folklore were interesting components to the story; particularly as a reader who is not well versed in this.

There was also a subplot of anti-semitism. Again, as a reader who is not well versed in this, I appreciated learning more about the impact of this on Faye and the others living in the Jewish community. Given that this book is, at its heart, a romance, I did at times find that storyline to be a bit heavy-handed in its treatment.

There are a few mystery elements as well that I was not expecting and which added another layer to the overall story – Did Faye really create a Golem? How does she banish it? Who is responsible for the organized racist vandalism targeting local businesses?
Overall I did enjoy this book and think it is a great read for anyone who enjoys their romance mixed with a smattering of magic and mystery.

Meltzer's story of a Jewitch woman (Faye) who creates a golem in her pottery studio one night after anti-Semitic attacks in her neighborhood had me hooked from the beginning. When Greg shows up on her doorstep (or, rather, in front of her bicycle) with amnesia, Faye can't help to notice how many characteristics he shares with the anthropomorphic clay figure she crafted specifically for protection. Did her Jewitch magic really create a golem or is it a crazy coincidence?

I liked the romance between Faye and Greg as well as the mystery about whether he really was a golem. The ending caught me by surprise. It was a fun twist but also believable. My preferred ending didn't happen, but I did enjoy the author's choice.

Despite what the title suggests, this is not a "cutesy" romance. There are some difficult themes in this story, including anti-Semitism and hate speech, child abuse, fear, and violations to personal safety. Meltzer dives deep into these themes and doesn't shy away from tough conversations between the characters. Sometimes I wanted a reprieve from the heaviness, and the discussion of safety also seemed repetitive. I must admit that it contributed to a sense of authentic growth for Faye and Greg but, overall, I think the story could have been a bit more concise. It started feeling long toward the end.

I would recommend this book to others. It's hopeful and romantic with good character development.

I was really excited to read this book and while it had a lot of things I enjoy in fantasy books like magic and the world building, the romance fell a little flat for me. The main characters were funny at times and I liked their dialogue throughout the books, this just wasn’t my fav compared to her other books.