I so appreciate Felicia Grossman's Once Upon the East End series, and Wake Me Most Wickedly, for the Jewish representation. I love books that have Jewish rep where 1) the characters' Jewishness is an integral part of their identity, and not just a throwaway line, and 2) the characters are doing things other than just being Jewish. It's also so cool to have the historical element here, which is also important rep (because most other Jewish historical rep is Holocaust-related) -- these are Jewish characters living their lives and being Jewish but being whole people. I also really liked the story, and the genderbent Snow White retelling. I'm excited for what comes next for Felicia Grossman (and I'm definitely going to read Marry Me By Midnight!).

Oy. I had difficulty getting into this book. It seemed the beginning was mainly about the machinations of society since it seemed the focus was on the people, in both Hannah’s and Sol’s separate worlds, and their wheeling and dealing. Maybe because I am not Jewish and am not knowledgeable with the customs and vernacular but I was overwhelmed with so many references. Someone more familiar with this would probably understand better. I really liked Hannah’s character. She was a business person in a world where women were not accepted as such. As a pawnshop owner, she was savvy enough to interact with customers of dubious backgrounds. Sol, on the other hand, seemed very young and naïve. I just did not feel the chemistry between them. I could maybe understand the initial spark/interest because of their differing socioeconomic levels but from where I read up too, I felt Hannah was too mature and cynical for Sol.

Another excellent historical, Jewish, gender-swapped, fairytale retelling, romance from Grossman. I loved it! Just as fantastic as the first in the Once Upon the East End series (Marry Me By Midnight) with plenty of cameos from Aaron and Isabelle and the other cast we love, this one is a twist on Snow White (loosely, but plenty of easter eggs throughout).

It’s a great story with our main character Hannah raising her sister after her parents were “sent to Australia” (basically for being Jewish in a time that was a bad thing, for a small infraction), and after serving time in jail herself, she returns to running the family pawn shop and also various shady dealings in the underworld just to survive. Solomon (Sol) is newly returned to London and his family (aka, he and his brother Frederick) is slowly returning to social good graces. His brother has converted from their Sephardi Judaism and is trying to find a match with a good gentile family. Sol just has to behave so his brother can get married and get money infused into the family banking business…. And befriending an Ashkenazi Jewish girl with a bad family history is definitely not what Frederick has in mind.

In line with the Snow White story, we have the mirrors, the evil queen (who, swapped, is one of the men, but not telling who!), we have female dwarves but they’re not little people, just helpful and hide Sol at the right time, and we have a “poison apple” and lifesaving kiss right when it’s time. Perfect timing for all the parts!

I loved it, the similarities to Snow White plus how it was its own unique plot, which was excellent, and how the pair had such an interesting relationship throughout. The Jewish storyline was also great to learn about the history from the time period and how they were truly treated - author notes at the end give more of their insight into how it was (I still cannot understand why these incredible people have been persecuted through history and still are! Why!!). I definitely recommend this to all - such a great, and super steamy, read!

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing), and this is my honest feedback.

Snow White retelling with a twist....

I enjoyed the twist. Solomon Weiss is the Snow White in need of rescuing when he is being robbed. Hannah is the huntsman. She runs a pawn shop and hunts down information and pieces for shady characters. There is a villain.

Sol is good natured and sweet. In some ways he's very innocent and sheltered.
Hannah, on the other hand, has had to survive by her wits for crimes not perpetrated by her but she's dealing with the consequences.

I do like this look into historic Jewish life. There isn't nearly enough representation in this area, so I really enjoy the author's writing.
Recommend.

Hannah spends her days running her family’s pawn shop and her nights tracking down whatever her clients want her to find. One night she comes a mysterious man being robbed and saves his light. Several months later she is surprised to run into him at the synagogue. Solomon has been intrigued by Hannah since she saved his life, but he knows he needs a rich and proper wife, two things Hannah is not. Each encounter leads to sparks and eventually an affair that leads to love between the pair.

I really liked both Solomon and Hannah and their fun story.I am always entertained by how authors choose to adapt fairy tales, especially the less common ones like Snow White. It was fun to have Solomon be the Snow White character and Hannah be the Huntsman and be able to identify several of the other characters from the fair tale as well. I absolutely love the cover for the book and kindly ask that all romances have hot covers especially when they match the heat level of the story. I really like that this series centers Jewish characters and culture in a historical romance. I will happily read the next book in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This one is a Snow White retelling, where Solomon Weiss is the innocent dandy who needs rescuing. He’s trying his absolute darndest to help his older brother achieve his ambitions, while also working at a new job with the prominent Jewish families in town, and also flirting with the rogue of a woman who saved him from being robbed. The infamous Hannah runs a pawn shop and also is an informant-for-hire to the thugs of the night. Despite her unsuitability for Sol, he pursues her anyway because he can’t seem to get her out of his mind. She’s determined to keep Sol safely away from her because her reputation will ruin his, but he’s an incorrigible flirt and succeeds in at least seducing her into a physical relationship. Things take a dangerous turn for Sol though when he gets chased into the night in what feels like more than just an ordinary robbery. While we have initial suspicions of who the villain could be, it’s still a huge let down for the ever loyal Sol.

After loving the first book in this series, I was really disappointed with this one. For one, it’s described as a Snow White retelling and the only parallels happened around the 60% mark, which I was bummed about. I was bored with the first half of the book and I didn’t feel the chemistry between the two MCs. By the time the story actually got somewhere, I just wasn’t invested in the rest of it. Just ok for me. Would read the author again though.

Thank you to Forever and NetGalley. I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.

I love to find a good book with Jewish representation- so when he lovely ladies @forever reached out with asking for Jewish Readers I was all in. I am all about trying out new authors and writing styles too!

Wake Me Most Wickedly is definitely a different type of historical fiction, set in 1830’s Jewish Community in London. Hannah, the FMC, has taken over the family pawn shop and the care of her sister, after both their parents have passed. Hannah lives on the fringe of society and will stop at nothing to better their life, specifically for her sister.

While out at night, Hannah helps to rescue Sol from attackers, but what is unexpected is an instant attraction between them, two people who come from vastly different lives. Interesting plot twist is this story is actually a Jewish Regency retelling of Snow White, but in a very subtle manor.

There is great chemistry between Hannah and Sol, lots of twists and turns and even though it’s book 2 in a series it can be read as a standalone novel.

Wake Me Most Wickedly was a delight!! This was my first Felicia Grossman novel and I am charmed. I love an adult, independent women as the romance lead. Plus it was so interesting to lean about Jewish culture in England. I’ve added her backlist to my TBR immediately.

Thank you to #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an enjoyable historical romance. I liked that our main character Hannah is running her family's pawn shop, and maybe doing a few shady under-the-table deals to give her sister the life she deserves. Sol was interesting, and while I'm not sure I felt them as a couple I did like them separately. I loved the first couple of times they met, and I enjoyed the little bit of mystery involving Sol.
While this one didn't completely work for me in the chemistry/couple department, I would like to read more by this author.

While I enjoyed "Wake Me Most Wickedly," especially with the integration of Jewish romance (which I have not seen enough of!) The ending grew a tad repetitive, especially with Sol's decisions. I also felt we weren't given enough insight into Hannah's sister, despite the fact she is supposedly an important character, However, the grumpy sunshine trope, the MMC's transparency with how he felt about Hannah, and the Snow White themes (one of my favorite fairytales) merged quite seamlessly to create a book I adored reading! While Sol was a little bit naive, especially for his period, I loved him, and I admired the way the author even put in the "dwarves," apples, and the mirrors, drawing back to the original tale while also showing this to be entirely new and entirely wonderful. Felicia Grossman is an author worth reading again and again, and I can't wait to re-read Wake Me Most Wickedly.

Thank you, NetGalley, for an e-ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.

Solomon Weiss has little interest in power, but to repay the half-brother who raised him, he pursues money, influence, and now—a respectable wife. That is, until outcast Hannah Moses saves his life, and Sol finds himself helplessly drawn to the beautiful pawnshop owner. Forever tainted by her parents' crimes, Hannah sees only a villain when she looks in the mirror.
The first book I’ve read by the author & it won’t be the last. It was different as both Solomon & Hannah were Jewish & I enjoyed the customs & history included in the story. I really liked both Solomon & Hannah & was drawn in from the beginning & engrossed until the end, life in the East end of London was well described & it was chilling at times. I well written book, which I thoroughly enjoyed
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

GENERAL INFO

Wake Me Most Wickedly- Book #2 Once Upon the East End

Publication date: 4-9-24, Read 4-6-24

Format: eBook, 358 pages kindle

Source: Thanks to NetGalley and Forever/ Hachette Book Group for this ARC💛 !  I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Setting: London 1832

Genre: Historical Romance, Adult Fic

Tropes: fairytale retelling(Snow White), Jewish rep, , forbidden romance, age gap

 HEA/HFN ending: HEA

Epilogue Included: yes
 
BOOK DESCRIPTION

Synopsis/Plot Summary: Hannah has raised her younger sister Tamar outside London's underbelly. She runs her family's pawn shop but has been shunned by the Jewish community. Her family was arrested and tried for stealing, which caused a stain on them in the eyes of the Jewish community. Solomon Weiss didn't marry the heiress Isabella Lira, so his half brother Frederick wants them both to marry well. Unfortunately he can't get Hannah out of his mind after she saves him from a robbery. He is torn between his loyalty to his brother who pursues wealth and acceptance, and his deep attraction for Hannah.

M/F-M/M-M/M/F-etc: M/F

Flashbacks: Hannah remembers all the sacrifices, her time in jail, and her parents' trial.

Amount of Sex In The Book: a few scenes, neither h/H virgins

CHARACTER DESCRIPTION

Solomon "Sol" Weiss-26, a Jewish male banker. Torn between loyalty to his brother and attraction to criminal outlier Hannah.

Frederick Weiss-Sol's half brother who raised him after their parents died. He wants money, power, and influence by distancing himself from Jewish culture. He wants Sol to be on his best behavior in his quest to marry Viscount Penrose's daughter Drucilla-a gentile.

Hannah Moses-32, works in her family's pawnshop and steals objects to sale for her sister's dowry. She also does information hunting, but hasn't heard from parents in 12 years, believes they are dead.

Tamar Moses-20, Hannah's younger sister. Hannah wants her to marry well

The Berab brothers-Roger + David both business partners w/ Isabella

Isabella Lira and Aaron Ellenberg-a wealthy heiress and custodian who marry for love. MC from book #1

H /h RELATIONSHIP INFO

OW/OM/Exes: Sol wanted to marry Isabella Lira from book #1, Hannah had a lover and was made to trade sexual favors to Ned.

AUTHOR OVERVIEW-Felicia Grossman- I read book #1 and gave it 4

PERSONAL OVERVIEW

Overall Rating: 5/5

Do You Recommend This Book: yes

Will You Re-read This Book: yes

Would You Read More Books by this Author: yes

COMMENTS/NOTES

I loved the gender reversal again in this Snow White retelling. Solomon is betrayed and Hannah has to rescue him. I loved Hannah's devotion to Tamar but she should have told her what was going on. Tamar had the right to decide if all the danger was worth it.

Wake Me Most Wickedly is book two in the Once Upon the East End Series by Felicia Grossman.
After reading book two I’ve got to get my hands on Marry Me by Midnight.
This was a compelling Regency Jewish retelling of Snow White.
And my oh my was I hooked once I started!
Hannah and Sol are fantastic together. They have great chemistry and compliment each other so well.
Slap full of romance, passion, and swoon worthy moments.
This story has wonderful world building, the characters are multifaceted and easy to connect with, and the writing is well-paced- all of this makes for a story that is easily read and enjoyed.

Thank You àNetGalley and Forever for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

4.5/5 stars

I didn't love the first one in this series, but wanted to give this one a go since the author will be at an event near me soon and I am so glad I picked this one up! IT WAS SO GOOD?!

Felicia Grossman effortlessly weaves in so much Jewish culture and history into her books and her characters' lives (make sure you read the author's note at the end) and this also is a Snow White and the Huntsman retelling. Everything is done so well! And the stakes are so high and the chemistry is on point? AND Hannah is an older sister doing everything for her younger sister? Truly amazing at how she was able to blend all of this into such a good story because that is a lot.

I had such a good time reading this one and can't wait to see what she writes next!

A sweet story, chock full of Jewish rep (and terms) and swoony scenes, this book is a lovely historical romance.

Solomon is such a dandy, and Hannah seems like a terrible fit for
him at first, but he finally convinced her she is worthy of his love. I got frustrated with her, but she was just playing the hand she was dealt.

I wish there had been a bit more between them, but I couldn’t put my finger on what was missing. I’m very glad I read it though!

This was an enjoyable historical romance. It was a nice change to read a historical romance about two Jewish characters in 1800s England. I really liked the romance between the two main characters. While it did feel like the MMC feel in love quickly it worked for this story.

Wake Me Most Wickedly is a fantastic historical romance. Not only does it feature well-researched Jewish characters, but Felicia Grossman’s fairytale inspired romance is filled with engaging characters and storylines.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Hannah Moses has been running her family’s pawnshop and taking care of her younger sister Tamar since her parents were arrested. She manages to take care of them while mostly staying on the straight and narrow, but the rest of the Jewish community looks down upon them. Except for Solomon Weiss. Once he meets Hannah, he can’t stop thinking about her. But an association between them can only hurt his employment prospects, as well as his older brother’s courtship of a wealthy gentile woman. But can a pair with this much chemistry actually stay away from each other?

Hannah and Sol are such wonderful characters; while both are likable, both have their flaws and blind spots. The attraction between them is evident from the beginning, and it’s fun to watch them together. And the gender swapped nods to Snow White are simply a bonus.

The detail and amount of research that went into this book is impressive. I personally didn’t know much about Jews in England during the regency, but Grossman creates three dimensional characters who embody their time and place. From the hierarchy within the Jewish community to the Yiddish words sprinkled throughout the dialogue to Sol’s brother’s attempts at assimilation, it all rings true of 1830s London. Life here is a little grim, and it’s not all regency balls and parties, but it doesn’t make the story any less enjoyable.

Wake Me Most Wickedly is a wonderful, satisfying historical romance. Not only is it a fantastic, fairytale inspired story, but the Jewish representation is impressive. Don’t miss out on this creative and engaging series.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I loved "Marry Me at Midnight" by Grossman before however, with this book I decided to DNF at 42%. I did not feel any chemistry between Hannah and Soloman and didn't particularly love either of their characters. I liked learning more about the Jewish community in this period as we did in the first book, but that wasn't enough to keep me entertained.

My first Jewish romance! Also set in London! A likable FMC which is to be expected since this is a Snow White retelling. I think historical romances with a fairytale spin or aspect is a new favorite genre of mine.