4.5 stars overall

This was such a delightful story and my first book by Jean Meltzer. It will not be my last. I love books set in bakeries and I really enjoyed learning about Jewish traditions that surround food. Although I'm not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope I was so happy that the miscommunication wasn't between our two main love interests and instead revolved around their grandfathers. This book will certainly make you want to visit a Jewish bakery immediately for some delicious baked goods! Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is the second book I’ve read by Jean Meltzer (the first being THE MATZAH BALL), and what can I say except I loved it *even more* than the first?! As with her other books, KISSING KOSHER is unapologetically Jewish and heavy on disability awareness. But the amazing thing is that she does all this without sacrificing any of the pieces that we love so much about rom-coms -- the romance, the comedy, the banter and flirting, the butterflies, the adorable male love interest (Ethan is an absolute dream). I don’t know how she achieves this balance so well, but I love it!

With THE MATZAH BALL I felt seen because I have fibromyalgia, which is in many ways similar to ME/CFS that the FMC has in that book. In KISSING KOSHER, our FMC, Avital, has interstitial cystitis. I so enjoyed and appreciated learning more about living with IC because a good friend of mine has it. I kept telling her, “You have to read this book, you’ll feel so seen!” This is why reading diverse books is so, so important! People who identify with the characters feel seen, and the rest of us learn so much. I didn’t just learn about IC, either, but about Judaism and their teachings on sex and intimacy (which just might blow your mind!). Honestly, if you haven’t yet read one of Jean’s books, what are you waiting for?

RATING: 5 stars!

**Disclosure: I received an early e-copy of this book for purposes of this blog tour. Thanks to the publisher, author, and Netgalley for the eARC!

Avital Cohen, granddaughter of Chayim Cohen, is the manager of her family’s kosher Brooklyn bakery, Best Babka, a role she has reluctantly assumed after being diagnosed with interstitial cystitis, a painfully chronic condition that forced her to shelve her budding photography career and move home with her family. Ethan Rosenberg is the orphaned grandson of Moishe Lippmann, wealthy owner of a hugely successful commercial baked goods company, who has demanded that Ethan go undercover at Best Babka to steal the recipe for Chayim’s famous pumpkin spice babka in retaliation for how Chayim wronged him over many decades. It goes against Ethan’s moral code, but he feels he has no choice if he has any hope of gaining his grandfather’s approval and affection, an impossible task given that Moishe is pure evil as evidenced by the severe verbal abuse he has heaped on his grandsons in the 12 years since their parents’ death. When Avi and Ethan meet at his interview, there’s an instant attraction although neither of them recognizes it in the other. It doesn’t take long for Ethan to realize there’s no way he’ll be able to follow-through on the plan given his growing affection for Avi and every reason to believe there will be no future for them if, and when, the truth of his deception is revealed.

There’s so much to unpack in this novel and a slew of triggers readers need to be aware of, including trauma, death, grief, chronic pain, suicidal ideation, and traumatic brain injury. There is intense focus on Avi’s condition and the way the medical establishment dismisses patients either by minimizing their pain, not investing sufficient money for research into finding a cure or failing to offer ways to alleviate their suffering. As a result, many end up taking their own lives because they can’t see a future free from the pain. At one point, Avi even talks about how chronic pain can steal your life, and people acting like you’re still the same person you were before your diagnosis is a form of ableism.

Although not mentioned in the story, I think it’s worth drawing comparisons to what’s happening today. In the wake of Covid, there are millions of patients suffering with Long Covid who are being villainized for masking and demanding precautions in healthcare settings, being denied coverage, minimizing their suffering or dismissing their problems as anxiety, and finding that there are very few doctors who even understand their conditions. As Avi says, “The worst part of chronic pain had never actually been the disease…it was the lack of hope.” Millions of sufferers (an ever-growing number) are facing systemic ableism that smacks of eugenics and are dying, either from their illness or by their own hands.

As Ethan learns of the challenges Avi’s illness presents, he is compelled to help her find solutions. So, he approaches his pothead brother Randy for answers, which leads the couple to visit a dispensary and learn from the Rabbi Jason, the unconventional owner, all about the benefits of medical cannabis and the elevated role women and intimacy in the Jewish faith. It’s a deep, but illuminating, journey for Meltzer’s readers.

As much as Avi is dealing with physical pain, the emotional pain and guilt Ethan suffer is also a focus and the thing that ultimately binds them together. As an excuse for Moishe’s intense cruelty towards his grandsons (which is referred to it as “bad behavior”), Meltzer gives this explanation: “the by-product of transgenerational trauma. Expulsion. Pogroms. The Holocaust. In every generation, some villain rose up, seeking to destroy them. And sometimes, the parents came home – and collapsing under all those generations of bloodshed, antisemitism, and disrupted family units – traumatized their children, too. It was the dirty little secret of the Jewish world. Abuse.” In her author notes, Meltzer even mentions the growing anti-Semitism today.

Although Meltzer’s Kissing Kosher is, at its heart, a romance between star-crossed lovers, it goes well beyond a simple love story by tackling everything from chronic pain to transgenerational trauma, the role of intimacy in Jewish relationships, medical cannabis, the mysteries of the Jewish faith, unimaginable grief, and even verbal abuse and neglect. At times, it’s difficult to read, but it’s ultimately about hope and joy, managing physical and psychological pain, and finding support from chosen family.

One final note? A better title would have been “What the Heart Kneads” (which becomes obvious near the end of the story).

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from MIRA through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

Kissing Kosher pulls you in from the very first line, and it's not what you think. We meet Avital and learn about her chronic pelvis pain which results in her not wearing underwear. She's trying to manage her family kosher bakery while trying to live through her pain. She needs help in the bakery so she hires the very cute Ethan. Unfortunately for Avital, Ethan is not who he says he is. He's really undercover trying to steal her families recipes for his grandpas and their years long feud. Avital and Ethan decide to move past their families drama and work together as friends but sparks fly. They must figure out how to manage their relationship while Avital manages her Chronic pain and their families are at war. This was a very sweet read full of great representation. It was nice to read about Pelvic Pain as it's not something gets talked about a lot. Ethan was charming and I loved how he stepped up to take care of his family and Avital. Super cute!

Avital Cohen’s life is falling apart. She’s dealing with chronic pain as well as managing her family’s bakery, Best Babka. It’s a demanding job and she agrees to hire some extra help.

In comes Ethan Lippmann. The Lippmans and Cohens have been enemies for years. At his domineering grandfather’s orders, Ethan gets hired at Best Babka without revealing who his true identity is. His assignment is to steal the Cohen’s secret babka recipe.

It doesn’t take long for Ethan to become more interested in Avital than any secret recipe. Unfortunately, there’s no way anything can come out of this relationship which is based on lies. However, Ethan can’t stop thinking about Avital.

This book is an emotional roller-coaster. My heart went out to both Ethan and Avital - two tortured souls trying to deal with the tough obstacles life has thrown in their path. It’s a realistic look at disability and family dynamics. It felt like a huge slice of life.

I’ve read two other books by this author, but this is by far my favorite. It tugs on the heartstrings and makes you truly care about Ethan and Avital. The author, also, mixes in some Jewish history and traditions. This book hooked from page one. I look forward to reading more books by this author.






FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

"Kissing Kosher" by Jean Meltzer is a delightful Romance novel that sweeps readers off their feet. The book expertly explores the complexities of love and relationships, offering a heartwarming and relatable story. Jean Meltzer's engaging writing style and well-developed characters make this novel a page-turner, perfect for those who enjoy a blend of passion, humor, and emotional depth. "Kissing Kosher" is a charming read that captures the essence of romance in a way that leaves a lasting impression on its readers.

Meltzer really brings awareness to sufferers of interstitial cystitis. I felt so bad for Avital with her chronic pain and litany of medicine and routines she had to endure, with very little relief.
I never really cared for Ethan. His entry into the bakery was to steal the family recipe and although he proved to be decent, I was unable to get past the damage he caused.
I also didn’t like Moishe, although sorry in the end, he was unlikable for most of the book.
The ending was positive.

4.5/ 5 stars

Wow. I really enjoyed this book. This book is a romance set in a Kosher bakery. It's full of Jewish rep and chronic illness rep. I loved it!

Twenty four year old Avital Cohen helps run her family's Jewish bakery in Brooklyn NY. She deals with chronic pelvic pain. And honestly it was completely heartbreaking to read this, especially because this is based on the author's real life.

I adore Jewish rep. And this book is full of it. All of the main characters are Jewish. And I just loved everything about the Kosher bakery.

The other POV is Ethan Rosenberg Lippmann (24). The book alternates between the male and female POVs. I really enjoyed the dynamics in his family. And wow his grandfather was too much!

Overall, this was a wonderful romance full of Jewish rep and chronic illness rep. I truly loved it!

Fun, Informative Without Being Preachy - But *IS* Focused On Advocacy As Much As Romance. This is one of those books that works its advocacy into its story in a compelling way that doesn't come across as preachy at all - but *can* feel like a bit of a "Sponsored By" kind of a tale. The issues it discusses, including both chronic pain and medical (and even recreational) marijuana use are very real, and in these areas the book is quite informative indeed - hell, I openly admit I learned quite a bit more about marijuana from reading this book than I ever had in 40+ yrs prior.

But that gets to a bit of a heart of the dilemma - I can now tell you as much about the intricacies of how marijuana actually works as I can about the specifics of this ostensibly enemies to lovers romance tale. I can tell you as much about how chronic pain can completely take over a person's life as I can about the actual character who has it and her budding relationship throughout this tale. Indeed, the actual "conflict" here is largely over just about 50% into the tale, with another blowup a bit later. But it is this section in between in particular where the book is at the height of its paid promotional ad feeling, without ever naming specific real world organizations. (This feeling isn't helped by the fact that several of these elements come back to bear in the wildly extended epilogue - a short (ish) stinger on the end of the story, this epilogue is not. Indeed, it reads and feels more like just another final chapter rather than a true epilogue.)

Overall, there is nothing technically wrong here, so no star deduction. And the tale itself, outside of the advocacy, really is sweet and charming and most everything anyone really wants in a romance with a few comedic moments. But the advocacy, while never actually preachy, is still such a prevalent force here that it does in fact take away from the ultimate feel of the romance. Still, quite entertaining and truly informative. Very much recommended.

Avital Cohen has a lot on her plate. She manages her family's kosher bakery and struggles with the symptoms and crises of a chronic condition that affects her health, sense of identity, and sexuality. She can hardly encompass the idea of making room for romance, but when handsome, friendly, helpful Ethan Rosenberg starts working at the bakery, Avital is hopelessly distracted and attracted. Ethan is just as smitten, but they have a few things standing in their way: the demands of the business, navigating intimacy around the boundaries of Avital's illness, and oh yeah, Ethan's also a corporate spy on a secret mission to steal Avital's signature recipe.

One of my favorite aspects of the novel was the way it leans into representation of Jewish faith and culture in a way that gives meaning and texture to the characters' lives and values. Judaism shows up in every aspect of the characters' experience, sometimes in unexpected and illuminating ways. Avital's journey as a person living with a chronic illness feels honest and lived-in, and the support Ethan gives her is #goals for any relationship.

Some of the writing feels superficial however, with relationships and deep emotional conflicts too easily addressed and resolved. There's a tremendously valuable medicinal cannabis storyline, but it's undermined in its ascending curve by dismissive judgments that create conflict (sort of) but feel honestly outdated, and its descending curve is cheapened with cartoonish hijinks.

In the end I was glad these characters overcame their obstacles and found their happily ever after, but I wished for more emotional grounding along the way.

Many thanks to Harlequin and Netgalley for the eARC.

Let me preface this with I think I didn't enjoy this one very much because I wasn't the target audience. There is Jewish rep and chronic illness rep.

The book was mostly focused on Avi and her IC/chronic illness and the pain caused by it. I like that there is a rep for this here, but it felt a little too focused on this. I've read chronic illness books before and while it was a prominent part of the plot or discussed in length in the book, there were also focuses on the romance and other plot points to make it feel like there was more to the story than pain and suffering. I say this not to take away from the vulnerability the author portrayed in writing about this or the very real disease and pain associated.

On a similar note, the whole book kinda felt like an ad for medicinal marijuana...I don't feel a need to elaborate on this.

Lastly, the rivalry (if it can even be called that) lasted all of two seconds before his identity was revealed. I would have liked more tension, more conflict before things eased up. The book started so strong that I was confident things were being set up for a good plot, but it fizzled out pretty quick with the early revelation.

Overall, it's a no from me.

Kissing Kosher was such a fun book! It's probably my favorite of Jean Meltzer's books!

When I started reading I wasn't so sure since it has a little bit of a Romeo/Juliet with 2 feuding families. Ethan is secretly sent to Avital's family bakery to spy and steal back the pumpkin spice babka recipe. Of course, as he starts working he finds he's getting closer to Avital and what does that mean...

The way this book looks at chronic pain and shares so much about Jewish customs was enlightening. I learned so much reading and loved the depth of these characters. I really liked how the reveal that he was the enemy was handled and this was such a fun book to read!

Thanks to the publisher an advanced copy of Kissing Kosher! It comes out Tuesday August 29th and you should read it!

4 1/2 glowing stars.

I've read every book from this author, and if I'm not mistaken, she just keeps getting better!

This is the story of Avi and Ethan, they come from feuding kosher bakery families and should not even be talking to each other, let alone, ahem, schtupping? Ha. Avi has a chronic illness that sometimes presents as debilitating, and has come home to run the family bakery because she needs the flexibility her disease requires.

Ethan has been brought up with money, excellent schooling, every single task and chore taken care of for him, but very little love. His grandfather raised him and is grieving the loss of family members and friends who were like family. To appease his grandfather he gets hired at Avi's bakery to steal their most famous recipe.

This was beautifully written, you could feel the chemistry on the pages, and honestly? I didn't want it to end. Also, I learned SO much about medical marijuana, marijuana in general, and found that to be a fascinating addition to this story.

3.5 stars

I’m a big fan of this author and really loved her previous two books. I really appreciate the Jewish and chronic illness representation in her books and her fearlessness with writing characters who struggle with difficult health issues.

I liked this story centred around a woman running a kosher bakery in Brooklyn and felt immense empathy for her and anyone who struggles to live a full life while dealing with debilitating pain. I think this book will appeal to people who want to see this type of representation in romance but I didn’t find this book as comedic and romantic as her previous books.

The beginning was tough-going and, for a moment, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this book, but I’m glad I kept reading because "Kissing Kosher" ended up being an enjoyable read. I loved how it normalized open conversations about health and wellness. It was explored so well under the backdrop of feuding family-owned rival kosher bakeries.

Avital’s passion for photography has fallen to the wayside ever since she was diagnosed with chronic illnesses: Interstitial Cystitis [IC] and associated chronic pelvic pain. She feels bogged down by her responsibilities managing her family’s store, Best Babka, AND her pain.

Some of her chapters detailing how her condition affected her mental health were gut-wrenching. I don’t have chronic pain and only know a little from what I’ve heard from those who do have it. You could feel how real Avital’s pain was whenever she thought or talked about it. It’s been a nightmare for her, especially when seeking medical care has been unreliable or inconsistent. I wish I could take the pain away because she is such a good person who just wants to be happy and lead a fulfilling life.

This story is more of a one-sided enemies-to-lovers since Ethan is working undercover to steal Best Babka’s famous pumpkin spiced baka recipe for his family’s company, Lippmann’s Baked Goods, at his grandfather’s command. Ethan doesn’t want to but feels he has no choice so that his siblings are taken care of. Because he blames himself for both their parents’ death and his sister suffering a traumatic brain injury, Ethan does whatever his grandfather demands.

Ethan is such a gentle soul and he and his siblings deserved someone better than a spiteful and selfish old man. I hated that he felt like a failure, a disappointment, someone unworthy of love because his grandpa would always tell him so. Although Ethan’s at Best Babka for ulterior motives, I’m glad he could find companionship among the amazing staff, learn to be independent (his family’s very wealthy), and thrive.

One thing I appreciated about "Kissing Kosher" was the many candid and positive conversations about healthy boundaries, safe spaces, relationships, intimacy, health issues, and faith. It gave a sense of normalization of these often awkward or taboo-like topics. Instead, the story encourages openness about our experiences and the things we’re going through because it helps us deal with what we’re experiencing and know we are not alone.

Another thing I appreciated and found thought-provoking was the discussion about the differences between intimacy and sex. Because of her chronic pain, Avital had been worried she’d never be able to physically satisfy a partner or enjoy sex ever again. Avital and Ehtan are given good advice to consider if they want to have a satisfying romantic relationship (during and after the story).

"Kissing Kosher" was a good story with a warm-hearted romance. Both main characters were instantly attracted to one another and felt safe together. I learned a lot from the strong Jewish representation within the story. I know nothing about the recreational or medicinal use of cannabis, but it was interesting learning about it. The book also includes a reader’s guide with questions, which is great to have for this particular story. And I liked the emphasis on finding the joy in life that keeps you going and is fulfilling.

CW: chronic pain/illness, survivor’s guilt, emotional abuse, transgenerational trauma

Thanks again MIRA and NetGalley for the eARC to read in exchange for an honest review!

I liked this book, I really did. I liked that it highlighted struggles that people with chronic pain, or chronic illnesses deal with. I think that that is often an overlooked group of people. And they are often left to suffer on their own, with no real hope of help, or relief.

And while I find it important that this is being highlighted, I just felt that it became more of a endorsement and advertisement for marijuana. I 100% believe that people with chronic illnesses and diseases should use marijuana if it will help relieve their pain and symptoms... But, perhaps the entire plot of the story should not be about that? And on the other hand, I do see why it would be a big part of the story. I am so conflicted!

Avital is a pretty human character. Dealing with everyday struggles, trying to find a balance, and trying to understand her life now with a chronic illness. And I feel like she's also apeople-pleaser, which I identify with. It's very hard to let go of that, even when it is detrimental to yourself.

I like that Ethan arrived knowing absolutely nothing, but left with more knowledge not only about baking, but about himself. I like that he learned that he is worthy, and worth loving, and that he deserves love in general. I like that he learned to stand up for himself, and I also really liked that he found a friend and a companion in Avital. I just wish that their meeting had happened more organically, instead of because of Ethan's grandfather. However, I realize that there would not be a story otherwise.

I am glad that Avital and Ethan paved their own path. And I am glad that the grandfather's put their hurt, and animosity aside, and were able to come together at the end.

Again, overall a good story that I enjoyed reading. Possibly a 3.5 star rating.

I enjoyed this! It had me hooked with the first line, and I couldn't put it down. I did struggle with a few elements within as they're personal triggers for me, but that's not something that the book did. I think this is an important read and hope that Jewish readers, chronically ill readers, and chronically ill Jewish readers enjoy this!

Another cute story from Jean Meltzer. Love her Jewish representation and her vulnerability with showing women with health problems. Talk about real life characters!!
The bakery was a great place for this setting...babka..YUM!

WARNING: the unpopular opinion train has made another unscheduled stop...

There is just something about a good contemporary with a food angle that I never seem to be able to resist, so of course I was drawn to Kissing Kosher straight away. I loved the sound of the bakery, the family feud and the focus on chronic illness, and I've been looking forward to dive in. I fully expected to enjoy my time with this story, and the reviews have been raving so far... But somehow I ended up having mixed thoughts instead.

First of all, I have to stress that I still love the premise of this story. If you like a food angle in your stories, you will be in for a real treat Kissing Kosher, and you will be craving all kinds of Jewish treats long before you reach that final page. While it's true that I've never personally tasted many of those treats mentioned in this story, it's definitely made me want to look up recipes and try. The Best Babka bakery plays a central role in the plot, and I really liked what both the setting and the characters working there added to the plot.

I also have to stress that my mixed feelings might just have to do with the fact that my (apparently extremely) fickle reading mood has been acting up more than usual lately, and it might just have been the wrong time for me to read this story. That said, there was just something about the writing style, tone and word choice that really started to grate on me. Don't get me wrong, I did love the inclusion of Jewish terms and customs... The explanations helpful if you are not that familiar with certain aspects of the religion. BUT. There was also quite a lot of repetition going on and the word choice in certain descriptions just didn't feel natural to me. Especially Avital and Ethan's interactions can be considerably cringeworthy, and I just never felt their chemistry.

I mentioned repetition before, and I also have to say that certain parts of the plot were way too slow and too much like a big old info-dump. While I appreciate certain information being provided, was it really necessary to do so in such a detailed and scholarly way? Like I said, there was just something off about the tone, which was a bit all over the place. As for the main characters... I also ended up having mixed thoughts. While I can appreciate some aspects of their personalities and the challenges they face, I somehow never connected to them, and especially the romance lacked chemistry as well as credibility.

I also wasn't a fan of how chronic illness was incorporated into the story; I understand the importance of shining a light on just how much chronic illness can affect your life, but somehow the constant repetition and aggressive way of describing everything had an opposite effect on me. (I have Hashimoto's disease, so I do have some experience dealing with chronic illness even though it's not chronic pain; it's not like it should be hard to relate to Avital on paper, but somehow I struggled anyway.) I also don't find it credible that medical marijuana was never mentioned as an option for Avital, and especially in this day and age.

All in all there were things I liked in Kissing Kosher, while other aspects didn't work as well for me personally. Fickle reading mood or simply not for me... Either way, if you like the sound of this story, please keep in mind that most people do seem to love this book.

A big thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Jean Metzler, an author who has recently written her third book, which I've had the pleasure of reading. The main character in this book battles a chronic medical condition—a daily trial that shapes not only her routine but also her career path.

The story has Ethan Rosenberg caught up in a predicament orchestrated by his grandfather, Moishe. The mission -- To steal the coveted Pumpkin Babka recipe from Chayim Cohen, a long-time adversary. The twist is that Chayim and Avital's grandfather were once close comrades and business partners, their bond shattered by a bitter feud that spiralled into a war in the courtroom.

Ethan's journey takes an unexpected turn when Avital employs him at her bakery. As he unravels a complex web of inconsistencies woven into the stories surrounding the historic feud. A friendship blossoms between Ethan and Avital, igniting a relationship that begins to glow brightly.

This book is a seamless blend of easy reading and thought-provoking themes that subtly simmer below the surface. It unveils the seldom-spoken condition of interstitial cystitis—a medical mystery to many, including myself. Additionally, it led me to read more about the medicinal uses of cannabis, a topic that piqued my interest due to my past experience using CBD for my elderly cat. This book, with its tenderly crafted narrative brimming with depth and emotional resonance, is a treasure for those who relish rom-coms laced with poignant representations of chronic illness. I highly recommend it.