This was an enjoyable read! I really liked a lot of the messages and information in this book. There were themes involving self-help and therapy, abuse, and anti-Semitism. I felt like all of the themes and the overall story flowed really well between the characters' personal struggles and the hate crimes occurring in this small community.


I do, however, think the romance fell a little flat or was maybe sort of lack-luster. I definitely think making it open-door rather than closed-door could have helped especially after we get details of what Greg wanted to do with Faye - I prefer a show me, don't just tell me romance and this tended to err on the side of tell rather than show. I also think the dynamic they had early on mixed with the unsureness of Greg's personality made it difficult to believe the love there. That didn't hurt my enjoyment of the story too much, but I felt myself constantly waiting for more that pretty much never came so that was a bummer.


The side characters were wonderful and I loved how everyone had a well developed personality! The world building overall was excellent in this regard and I'd love to visit these folks again.


I think as a story this book works really well, but as a romance it wasn't necessarily my favorite (although Greg did sound super dreamy!!)


Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC!

In the wake of a lengthy but failed engagement, Faye Kaplan moves to Woodstock, New York. Attempting to reclaim her peace and explore her Jewish heritage, she opens a pottery shop and `begins practicing Jewitch magic, One night after a disastrous speed dating event, Faye finds her town covered with anti-Semitic flyers. Frightened, Faye creates a clay golem, inscribing it with protective traits and everything she could want in a prospective partner. But when Faye runs over a handsome redheaded stranger (who is then diagnosed with amnesia), she begins to wonder if her desperate magic actually created a protective golem...and what her growing feelings for him might mean.

Overall, cute fast read. Not as much spice as I could have wished for, but still enjoyable. Interesting discussion of golem history, although for a "magical" premises, the explanation of Jewish magic/rituals was next to none.

3.5/5 stars

I am big fan of this author. I have liked every single book I have read by her. I was really looking forward to this one. But this was just not good. I really didn’t care about the characters. It was kind of hard to understand. I am so sad because I like this author. Just did not like this book.

This was, okay. I felt the romance to be lacking a bit - based on what I was expecting, so maybe it was just a me thing? I was hoping for more of a rom com read, as I've head Jean excels at those. This was more magic and important topics which were discussed so well, with romance sprinkled in.

I did love the dual POV to it and will read another of her works! Miranda was my fabourite character, with Greg being a close second. I also like that given the topics of the book it did feel both heavy, yet light at the same time, which is a different vibe for me.

A huge thanks to Mira & HTP for my advanced copy of Magical Meet Cute by Jean Meltzer. I've enjoyed her romances and always learn so much about Jewish culture and religion by reading her books.

While Magical Meet Cute isn't a favorite, I still enjoyed reading it. I'm not a huge amnesia or magic storyline fan so I struggled with that aspect, but I did like how this book looked at antisemitism and PTSD. I felt like the romance was a little lacking too .

This was a quick read and I liked the dual point of view.

I absolutely loved Kissing Kosher so I was excited for this book. Then I had the privilege to see Jean Meltzer in conversation with another author at a local bookstore and I was just blown away by what an extraordinary, thought provoking, and engaging human being she is which made me extra excited to read and review this book! So yes, I love her past work and think she is an amazing person but I still am here to share an honest review!

Faye may have been deemed too much by her ex-fiancé, but she has worked really hard to find herself and her place in the world. Life is much quieter since leaving her law firm in Manhattan to find her true calling as a practicing Jewitch and potter in Woodstock. However, the events of October 7th have changed the world for Jewish people and disturbed the peace Faye has worked so hard for; Meltzer illustrates both the anti-semitism that has no place in 2024…but also the love and support from communities that counter the hate. In an exhausted world where ugliness has showed up, Jean Meltzer brings Jewish folklore to life in an enchantingly beautiful and powerful read!

I love Jean Meltzer books so much! This one did not work for me. Greg was the most annoying character. I didn’t feel this book matched the premise at all.

This was a really cute book! Jean Meltzer writes such cute romances and I love that she writes Jewish joy! This one was so funny and such a quick read

I loved Faye and her community of people-the ones who believe in her more than she believes in herself. When the town is faced with antisemitism, Fay wants to stand strong. Around that same time she accidentally hits a man, Greg, with her bike, and he has amnesia as a result. Their meet-cute is fun and their relationship evolves, but Faye struggles to believe in love, so she believes Greg isn’t real, but is a result of her Jewitch magic. This was a heartfelt read with a warm and fuzzy ending.

3.5 stars, thank you to netgalley, Jean Meltzer and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eArc.

I thought this was an inspiring romance story. It was quirky and I usually love that but I might have found this a little too much at times. I loved the magical realism and how the author showed modern day anti-Semitic in the story. It is not your typical romance story because it does focus on some heavy topics but there is some humor to break it up.

I cannot lie; this one got weird. Even though it was written by a Jewish author, the tone felt like it almost fetishized the experience of being Jewish. I am giving it 2 stars because I know that was not the author's intent. I'd genuinely like to see representation and I do appreciate that the author is writing from her heart.

I really wanted to like this book. The author is good: the writing and characters were funny.

I DNF after the first few chapters. I was expecting a spooky, paranormal romcom with a Jewish main character—cool, on board.

But I admit the trauma references and the anti-semitism took me out of the cute vibes and I didn’t want to finish. Obviously, these are real issues many (all?) Jewish people face and it may land differently for them. (I’m not Jewish, but my husband is by genetics and history, though not a practicing).

I like the “Jewitch” references and the experiences of a modern Jewish woman in paranormal romance. But the super serious side made me sad and I didn’t want to be sad when picking up this book. Might be a good fit for other readers though.

I wanted to be more into this book than I was. It had a lot of tropes & plot points that would’ve been right up my alley, but this didn’t click with me. I DNF around 20%.

I think a lot of readers will love it though!
Thank you for the opportunity.

This book embodies the idea of taking the good with the bad. The concept is a little unique and with so much ugliness in the world, it feels very connected to now. Hate is very prevalent in the world today so be careful if this could be triggering for you. The rest of the premise of the story, out of concern for her safety, Faye crafts a Golem and ends up with a man. There is some definite whimsy there to take some of the sting out of the seriousness of the anti-Semitic flyers and hate in the town. The man adds a bit of romcom aspect but only a bit as the romance was not center stage in the book which is fine with me as I prefer a good mystery. Again, we are taking the good with the bad. If you are looking for love or at least looking to read about it this might not be for you. If you don't mind mystery overshadowing romance, then there is some good in this book.
Another unique aspect of this book was Faye herself who was Jewish and her beliefs were part of the story. In part, they may have been a bit much overwhelming reads with Jewish history and words that we don't understand. The amnesia storyline is fairly commonplace but it was more than amnesia because he forgot how to do basic stuff.
So again, we have to take the good with the bad. However, the one thing i couldn't get over was how could a woman targeted by hate invite someone, a stranger, into her home so easily. Yes, it is possible to feel bad for someone but the better option was to get them help not take them in. People aren't strays and strays can bite the hand that feeds them.
I will say it again. If you read this book, you take the good with the bad. There was a lot you have to overlook and some of it you can overlook because the book is meant to entertain. I just couldn't abide by her reckless with taking in a strange man. Some might enjoy this book but it was not for me. I'm giving it three stars when it reality it is more like a 2.5-2.75.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Dual POV, Jewish Rep, Magic Element, Meet Cute, Amnesia, Forced Proximity

I wish the romance would have been a bigger focus in the book, it felt the romance took a back seat to the mystery elements. I appreciated the Jewish representation (although as a non-Jewish reader I could have used some more information and detail rather than having to put the book down to Google certain things) and the funny full cast of character but ultimately found the tension between Faye and Greg to be lacking the usual spark and tension that's there in romcoms.

I have read Jean Meltzer’s books and often felt so connected to them. Magical Meet Cute started and finished strong, but there were some parts of the story that seemed a bit far-fetched for me. The characters of Faye and Greg were likeable and throughout the pages needed to find themselves and understand the importance of embracing imperfection. The story sheds light on antisemitic acts happening in communities and how it impacts the people living there. There is a lot of power in searching for the truth, trusting your instincts, and surrounding yourself with people who care about the real you. Meltzer also explains some Jewish history throughout her pages, which was fascinating to read about. I am giving it 3.5 stars because some of Faye’s actions were a bit grandiose for me. It was a quick read. Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an opportunity for an early and honest review.

Did not finish.
I dnf’d this book at 15%
I am somewhat familiar with Jewish culture, but the frequent use of Hebraic terms with no explanation left me confused.
I also didn’t like the combination of Judaism and witchcraft.
And I do not care for queer books and the main characters best friend was a prominent character.
All in all, this book was simply not at all for me.

This ended up being just average to me. I love the combination of jewish folklore that was new to me and traditional romance. I would recommend this to others during spooky season when they need something light. Even though it's light it does take on more serious topics that I thought were well done. The twist was predictable for me which drew me away from the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first book by Jean Meltzer and I was initially intrigued by the storyline and Jewish representation. Faye is a self-proclaimed “Jewitch” with a history of childhood trauma and traumatic breakup who encounters antisemitic hate crimes (specifically antisemitic flyers) in her small town of Woodstock, NY. Faye is a gifted ceramist who owns her own ceramic studio and is targeted by a hate group called The Paper Boys. After coming across the antisemitic flyers, Faye drinks a bottle of wine and crafts her own Golem, which is a creature made from clay designed to protect the Jewish people in times of trouble. When she gets into an accident with a mysterious man named Greg the next day, she brings him home under her care as he suffers from a bout of amnesia. As Faye and Greg grow closer, she can’t help but wonder if her Golem came to life in the form of Greg.

Overall I appreciated reading a book with positive Jewish representation and Jewish folklore. This is actually the second new release I’ve read in the past year with a Golem as a main character. Given the rise in antisemitism in recent years, it sadly comes as no surprise to me. I struggled with remaining interested in the romance, however. At times it felt forced and the genitalia references were a little much. That said, the book has led me to follow Meltzer on social media and I look forward to trying out another book by her.

The story is compelling, but I’m not really seeing it as a romance. I wasn’t expecting the mystery to take up the majority of the plot. It’s ok, but not really my thing.