A really exciting premise at the beginning with fascinating characters, but I felt like the major conflict was too easily resolved and the smut scenes had too much dialogue and tags that it killed the tension and the build up in those more romantic moments. The writer has skill, knowledge of the time period, and this really shouldn't be marketed as a "Cinderella retelling," because I think it stands on its own two feet without needing that kind of comparison. If anything, it felt more like "Aladdin retelling," vibes than anything else.

I was really excited to read this book because I love romances but don’t typically enjoy historical romances. I loved parts of this book! The spicy scenes were great, and some other parts were really funny, but other parts felt flat and boring to me. Maybe I’m just not the target audience, though, because other people have rated this book highly. I’ll read more books in the series when they come out, but this book just wasn’t my favorite.

When I heard this was available, I immediately snagged it! I enjoyed Felicia Grossman’s precious books, and I am always here for more Jewish stories. I really enjoyed how Jewish this story is and how much community plays a part in who both Aaron and Isabelle are, as well as the motivations that initially kept them apart. Watching them navigate their desires and the expectations of community and the desire to put the needs of the community above their own desires was really good. I also love the way the Cinderella fairy tale was included/inspired the story and the ways in which it was flipped. Miriam as the fairy godmother was great and I love Isabelle’s family. All around this is a delight, especially if you enjoy historical romances with a Jewish focus.

Marry Me By Midnight hooked me in from the start and I truly loved it! I wasn't sure what to expect because I haven't read very much Historical Romance, but I was drawn to this book because of the amazing Jewish representation including on the cover. I loved the forbidden romance and the chemistry between the two main characters. They had such fun and witty banter. I absolutely loved how fierce Isabelle is! Honestly I keep thinking back on her skillfully wielding her weapons. And as a Cinderella retelling, I thought this was SO WELL DONE and not at all juvenile.

Thank you so much to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) and NetGalley for the eARC.

I will definitely read whatever Felicia Grossman writes next!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the Publishers. I love a good Cinderella retelling. This book was not exactly what I was expecting, but having read many Cinderella retellings that is an extremely good thing. I loved the Jewish spin it made the story that more interesting to me. Get this book I can promise you a good time with these characters. Coming to stores near you August 8th.

I received an advanced copy of “Marry Me by Midnight” by Felicia Grossman from NetGalley, but the review is my own.

This is the first time I have ever read a Jewish historical romance novel – or at least one that is clearly about London UK’s Jewish community in 1832. While there are many standard historical romance tropes, the overlay of specific religious and cultural elements to this genre made the entire reading experience feel fresh and different.

So, some sweeping generalizations. It is common to have two characters from competing socio-economic backgrounds as the narrative structure in historical romances. This often is formulated as two lovers, one a member of the aristocracy the other from the rabble – sometimes a rich industrialist who falls for the duchess’ daughter, or it’s the widowed earl who falls for the gentle governess. In many of historical romance novels there is the conflict between wealth/status and love (ex., is the duchess’s daughter marrying down or has the governess forgotten her place in society). Wealth and social standing always lose out to love (and when one party is rich, is it really a loss?).

In this book, Isabelle Lira is a spoiled rich daughter searching for a rich husband to preserve her dead father’s investment business so she is not bullied by his business associates. She falls for Aaron Ellenberg, the janitor at a local synagogue instead. This adheres to the standard tropes outlined above.

While social standing often is considered in light of the British aristocracy for books set in England, social standing here is very much about the English Jewish community. Besides her father’s business, Isabelle wants to make a match that will benefit “the community.” This overt consideration is different than the subtle ways this similar messaging happens in other books (if it happens at all) – it’s not often a duke contemplates marriage for the express purpose of preserving the British monarchy rather the benefits of a proper marriage are much narrower in focus (the lineage of a family).

Aaron is described as someone unintelligent with limited utility to the community. I found it off-putting that it is commonly accepted the MMC is “without any business acumen or scholarly pedigree” and Isabelle is marrying him despite these failings. This language is repeated a lot even though Aaron clearly understands a lot about human nature and psychology; they marry not because he has true intelligence, but because he’s thoughtful and kind – no Will Hunting hiding here. There was a utility of our MMC as a marriage prospect -or lack thereof- was unsettling to me as a reader. Often, the governess loves the children dearly (rather than the appropriate noblewoman, who would send the kids away) or the rich industrialist can save the crumbling family estate, and these things provide tangible benefits to the couple, their families, their position, etc. Aaron’s job is to love Isabelle and leave the business and the social/political advancement of the Jewish community to those who know better.

As an aside, there were a lot of Yiddish words throughout the book, and I spent a lot of time looking up words.
I really enjoyed the author’s note outlining some of the historical research and considerations that went into the writing of this book. 3.5/5

A fresh take on a classic tale!

What a fun version of the Cinderella story. I am so glad I picked this up. It’s fresh and unique while feeling very genuine to the time period and the character arch.
And the characters! I loved them all, but especially Isabelle. She’s tough and feisty!
Highly recommend! Can’t wait for the rest in this series.

Star Rating: 4/5
Tropes: Class difference, fairytale
CW: Antisemitism, grief, violence

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A reverse Cinderella trope with a forbidden romance element? This book was made for it. I really liked this book. I loved how Isabelle was taking control of her life. I like when the FMC isn’t meek, but she’s not over the top. She knows her worth and that’s important. She wasn’t going to let anyone walk over her. And because of that she goes to Aaron for help. Never knowing she would find more there.

I also liked Aaron a lot. I love when the guy worships the girl and this was that. He deserves the world and I’m glad they found each other.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This was a charming retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale. Grossman does a good job of contextualizing the historical realities of Jews in nineteenth-century London from various social classes. Isabelle's insistence of her need to cement her place in her father's company and in the community became a bit repetitive after a while and the book began to drag a bit around the 30% mark for me. Aaron is a wonderful hero. His friendship with Miriam is quite endearing. Overall, a slow but sweet read.

I flew through this on a cross-country flight and loved it! The protagonists have some serious chemistry and the setting is rich. I loved the supporting cast and will eagerly look forward to more books in the series. This is a serious contender for a 2024 A Bookish Affair pick!

Many thanks for the opportunity to read and review!

This was an absolute delight! I loved delving into the Jewish world(s) of London in the 1830s, and I particularly enjoyed Isabelle and Aaron's cross-class and cross-Jewish sect/ancestry romance. Reading a romance with two Jewish main characters was a delight, but what really shone for me was the very smart commentary on Jewish identity and antisemitism, which both reflected the (mostly) historical world of Isabelle and Aaron, both also our contemporary moment.. As I was reading, I could feel echoes of Dara Horn's nonfiction work throughout in how Felicia Grossman has her characters discuss their Jewish identity, what it means to be Jewish, and antisemitism, and my suspicions were confirmed when I read the author's note, which mentioned Dara Horn. How Grossman weaves Horn's cultural commentary through the book is so well done—as is the author's note. Such a fantastic read, and so needed at this time.

WHAT A PERFECT BOOK! I AM SO GRATEFUL TO FELICIA GROSSMAN & NETGALLEY (St. Martin's Press) FOR THIS eARC!!!!!! All thoughts/opinions are my own.
5 out of 5 stars!!! THIS BOOK IS ABSOLUTE PERFECTION. IT IS SO SPECIAL I CAN'T EVEN PUT MY FEELINGS INTO WORDS.
First: Jewish characters on the cover (like yes, the kippah is iconic, but having what seems to be sephardi & ashkenazi Jews on the cover is magical).
Second: The writing. Incredible. Holy mother of God Felicia Grossman can write >>>
Third: The ROMANCE. Oh my god. Aaron is a custodian of their shul and he's so hot. Isabelle is absolutely iconic and knows that he's hot. She likes for him to beg >>> (also when Isabelle says "I'm a Prince" and he's like oh fuck that's hot and she's on her knees and she's like aha I'm still in control of you. ICONIC).
Fourth: The niche Jewish comfort and safety they find in one another. Like finally TWO Jewish characters in a romance. TWO Jewish characters experiencing antisemitism and knowing that the love of their life who is the same ethnicity as them is going to actually understand it. It was heartbreaking and beautiful to see them find that comfort in one another.
** I will be posting more for a review of how romantic and swoony this book is very soon!

A Victoria-era, Jewish Cinderella in reverse (the guy is the pauper; the girl is the princess), this book takes many different classics and mashes them together. It's an interesting read, with twists, turns, and mysteries that will keep the reader engaged to the end!

I’m a marketing and publicity intern at Forever Publishing, so I am reading this for work! Aaaaaaand there's a character limit on reviews here are some more words