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.

I read The Matzah Ball a few years ago and liked it! And the cover is so cuuuute, so I was happy to request this one! I loved the little parts of this book: Scrabble, her pottery. Greg reading all the books she owned (even her romance books), and Nelly <3

I feel that this book was more a lesson on Jewish history and Jewitchery and anti-Semitism and golems and overcoming the trauma from your past first and romance second. I felt like the author putting this story out in the midst of the current political climate was similar to Faye's new window decal during the Paper Boys' anti-semitic attacks: a stand of bravery and pride of her heritage!

Some stand-out quotes:
"You deserve to be with people who bring out the softness in you, not the survivor in you. You deserve to be in relationships where you are safe, where you have clear boundaries, and they are respected. You deserve to be in relationships where your needs are met. But first, you must untangle the unhealthy knots that have bound you to these patterns."

"Language. The thing that separates us from all the other creatures. The ability to name. The ability communicate, tell stories, transmit those stories to others. For Jews, language is creation.”

"He read all my books… which really, when I think about it today, is its own special and unique type of love language."

"It was the most remarkable type of magic—falling in love, finding your person, crafting your own life, writing a story where you deserved to be valued."

When I tell you I freaked out upon finding out I was approved to read this ARC...it's not an understatement. When I tell you that this book seriously disappointed me...it's also not an understatement, unfortunately.

This book had so much potential - but I'm honestly not sure why this is considered a "romance" novel. The amount of "romance" in this book could have filled a chapter, and that's about it. We are supposed to be convinced that the connection between Greg and Faye is deepening with every page (along with the tension)...but I'm not buying it. It felt forced, and unrealistic.

Another thing that I wasn't sold on was Faye as an FMC. For someone who had been an attorney, she felt really gullible, and insecure. I understand that she went through some SERIOUS trauma when she was younger (and really, no one should ever have to go through something like that), but it almost became her entire personality. The amount of times we went from "Greg is definitely a Golem, and I must destroy him" to "Greg might be a golem, but I really like him" - it gave me whiplash. And the "romance" with Eric - what was the point?

I don't know; I appreciate Jean's books and the history of Judaism and culture of the Jewish people, but this particular book felt like that was more the focus of the book than anything else. This wouldn't have been a big deal except for the fact that this is supposed to be a book about romance, and there was really none of that to be found. Honestly not sure if I'll be recommending this book to any of my friends.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Jean Meltzer for giving me the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I don't know if running someone over with your bike can be described as meeting cute but that's what happens to Faye and the man she names Greg. Faye's a Jewitch ceramic artist living her best life-or the best life she thinks she can have- in Woodstock when the anti-Semitic Paper Boys come to town. Is Greg, who has amnesia as a result of the accident, the golem she made and buried in her rose garden after a drunken night? Or is he someone else? I'm a fan of Melzer and while this isn't my favorite of her books, I do like how she blend topical themes (including the lingering trauma of abuse) with Jewish history and culture with a love story. She also writes great friends for her characters (Nelly is a hoot). And, best of all, I was surprised at the end. Thanks to the publisher for the arC. A good read with a bit of spice.

Faye was a successful lawyer, engaged to her longtime boyfriend Stuart who shy months from their wedding day, called off their engagement while on a snowmobiling trip. Now Faye owns a ceramics storefront where she displays her pottery. And she practices Jewish Magic. Her town becomes littered with antisemitic flyers, naming Jewish business owners. To deal with the stress Faye turns to her pottery, and creates a golem to protect her and the town.

A seemingly perfect red-haired beast of a man, Greg, gets hit by Faye as she was riding her bike and now has amnesia.. He seems too good to be true and Faye begins to wonder who or what he really is! Could Greg be the result of her Jewitch Magic!?

This was a funny read that focused on some very serious notes including: fighting antisemitism, real journalism and not spreading propaganda, and discovering your worth.

Read if you love:
Jewish Representation
LGBTQ Representation
Diverse Reads
Allyship

Thank you @netgalley and @harlequintradepublishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Magical Meet Cute is set to be published August 27, 2024.

3.5 Stars. There were many things I liked about this book. Faye had a lot of growing and understanding of herself to do, plus gaining back her confidence. I do think there are many a trigger warning for parts of this book, so be sure to look those up. Overall I liked the main love interest and the idea she thought she created him since he kind of showed up out of nowhere. The ending was cute. For a rom com there were a lot of heavier themes that I think were done well.

I thought this was really cute! I loved the idea of the golem and creating your perfect man from scratch. The characters were well developed and had good chemistry, and I enjoyed how the plot unfolded related to the amnesia. I struggle in books both when characters seem to be unable to talk to one another and can’t seem to get out of their own way (just talk to each other people!) and this book definitely had both of those issues for me. I felt that the pacing was off and that some things were really drawn out and others resolved too quickly. Overall, I thought it was a solid romance and I enjoyed. I have not read a primarily Jewish focused story before in a romance and really enjoyed that aspect as well

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review

Synopsis: After Faye’s broken engagement, she has sworn off men, and she is happily living on her own in Woodstock, NY, running her own pottery shop. When antisemitic fliers start appearing around town, though, she begins to feel unsafe and drunkenly created a golem out of clay, giving it all the characteristics of her perfect man. When she just so happens to meet the perfect man the next day, it seems too good to be true - is it a coincidence or did she really magic him to life?

Thoughts: I always enjoy how Jean Meltzer has a talent for combining sweet romances with more serious issues. She tackled the relevant and timely topic of antisemitism well, and the Jewish representation was great. I adored the characters in this one - Faye is delightfully charming and chaotic, her friends are lovely, and Greg is such a hulking golden retriever of a man. The romance was lacking a little chemistry for me, but honestly that made sense within the story so it’s fine. I flew through this one with its surprisingly suspenseful storyline. Definitely recommend!

Read this if you like:
🧙 learning about Jewish culture
🧙 folklore
🧙 badass female main characters
🧙 magical elements
🧙 self-discovery and character growth
🧙 contemporary romance
🧙 low spice level

There was many aspects of this book that I really liked. I liked the MC reinventing herself by doing something she is passionate about. I love that she finds comfort in her religion and is exploring that openly. The plot of the story is fun. The main character Faye hits Greg with her bike and he hits his head causing him to have amnesia. Faye feels guilty that no one has claimed him and takes him home to nurse him back to health and hopefully figure out who he belongs to.
I felt like the Golem aspect was strange and didn’t fit well. I like a magical aspect to a story, but thought it took away from the meet cute romcom.

Sweet story blending Jewish folklore & magical elements. But beware -- A big focus of the plot is around anti-semitism acts in the FMC’s community. If anti-semitism is triggering for you, be careful reading this book.

Well-written but slow paced until the end where everything comes to a huge climax! I loved the message in the book about how you don't have to be perfect to be loved or to give love. I love the development of the characters!

I loved the mystery of who Greg (MMC) was and who was behind the anti-semitism acts! I had suspiciousness toward the discovered leader of The Paper Boys way before the mystery was solved in the book.

With the heaviness of the book, low spice/closed door/low chemistry between characters is understandable -- but I really wish there had been one spicy scene at the end.

After a troubled childhood and a traumatizing breakup Faye has finally found happiness asa ceramicist in Woodstock NY, even if she is alone. She also enjoys dabbling in Jewish magic and mysticism. Then antisemitic flyers are distributed around the town, and target her and her store making Faye feel vulnerable so one night she drinks (quite a bit) of wine and creates her own perfect man out of clay (and uses a bit of magic). When she accidentally hits a man with her bike the next day and takes him home to heal, he just seems to be too perfect - could Faye have created a golem the night she created the clay man? Did Faye create her ideal man, did he walk in front of her bike and is he now living with her?

This slow burn romance went into deeper topics than most, it touched upon Faye’s childhood trauma and also present day antisemitism. I think Jean Meltzer did a great job addressing antisemitism (not surprising, her account often addresses Jewish history and antisemitism) and I loved that the seriousness of the topic was mixed with the lightness of a romance. As for the Jewish magic and mysticism - I would love more of this in novels - it’s such a rich topic and I’m so glad Jean went there in this novel (and I am a sucker for a golem). Basically this novel will give you the romance you want but in the end you’ll learn something along the way.

Thank you to Mira Books and NetGalley for the ARC to review

The main character of this novel, Faye, is a ceramic artist who survived a difficult childhood but has now established herself in small town Woodstock, NY, where she also is interested in Jewish magic and mysticism, calling herself a “Jewitch.” One morning she literally runs into a handsome guy with her bicycle - is Greg the perfect guy, albeit with amnesia - or could he be a golem come to life that she drunkenly made the night before?

This certainly was a unique plot for a slow burn romance, and it was a fun one. But the book also gets pretty deep, both about all the trauma Faye has experienced and how it has affected her, but also about antisemitism. Plenty of books deal with historical antisemitism, but few address it in the present day, so I really appreciated how this book dealt with it, especially now when antisemitism is really on the rise. But yet, the book was also a fun read which I appreciated - the way it balances the darkness with lightness. But I guess it shouldn’t surprise me because author Jean Meltzer herself does so much to spread Jewish joy and light in the world. So read this one and you can know you’ll both be getting a good story, and also reading and supporting a truly nice author.

Enjoyable and Informational - I will start by saying that I do not have extensive knowledge about jewish history. I learned a bit and researched a little more as a result of picking up this book. The various characters bring a bit of laughter and levity to the story and overall it is worth the read and am glad that I read it.

ARC Review: Magical Meet Cute by Jean Meltzer ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Thank you to NetGalley and MIRA books for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When Faye Kaplan accidentally hits a handsome stranger with her bike, she doesn’t know how her world is about to change. An avid member of the Woodstock, NY Jewish community and owner of Magic Mud Pottery, Faye has been content in her solitary lifestyle.
Faye decides to take the stranger under her wing when he wakes in the hospital with amnesia. As he heals, the stranger begins to develop the traits of Faye’s dream man. Or at least, the one she wished for when she got drunk and performed a Jewitch protection ritual. Faye is torn between falling in love with the man of her dreams or believing that this mysterious stranger is born of her own magic and could have devious intentions?

Magical Meet Cute is exactly that - cute and magical! Faye is a fantastic FMC, she is dynamic and relatable and learns the important balance between strength and vulnerability. I loved the small town feeling of Woodstock, NY and the close-knit feeling of the Jewish community there. Meltzer’s discussion of how antisemitism affects reach into everyday life was conveyed with emotion, and it was clear that the anxiety and fear on the page wasn’t just fiction.

My struggles with the book came with the handsome stranger, Greg. I learned that the amnesia trope is not my cup of tea. I couldn’t find Greg attractive with no memories or personality, he seemed child-like and I got the ick in a major way.

Please check trigger warnings and take care of yourself while reading, this book discusses themes of antisemitism and depicts crime/derogatory speech. There are also discussions of child abuse and disability resulting from that abuse.

Magical Meet Cute will be published August 27th 2024!

The writing in this book is excellent, and it's my own fault that I had to DNF. I didn't read the description of the book carefully enough and missed the fact that it involves amnesia. Amnesia is one of a very few romance tropes that I just can't tolerate. But already in just the short part that I read, I fell in love with the character, I thought the description of the town of Woodstock was true to life, and I loved her pottery business. Fans of this author who are unbothered by amnesia will love this!

It didn’t take me very long after starting this book to draw a connection between it and a 2023 Hallmark movie named ‘Made for Each Other’. Thankfully, because of that movie the idea of golems was not a foreign concept.

I enjoyed the characters and the setting. Probably the most well-done aspect of the story, in my opinion, was the portrayal of Jewish characters and how each one was both affected and coped with antisemitism. Jean did a wonderful job of portraying this very current topic and putting the reader (no matter their own background) into these character’s shoes.

Where I struggled was the vehicle that theme was shown through. At times it was hard for me to get into the love story part of the book. I also felt a lot of the emotions/feelings were told rather than shown, making Faye and Greg’s relationship one I couldn’t relate to in a lot of ways. I also felt a few scenes/topics could have been removed to help with pacing issues (especially experienced in the first 25-30%).

Still, it was a solid book and my first in Jewish romance. I’ll be back.