In a world full of parodies and remakes of A Christmas Carol, it was only a matter of time before there was a Jewish take on it. Luckily for us, Jean Meltzer is the one who did it. She combines her signature elements of swoon worthy heroes, complicated heroines, Jewish representation and deftly drawn characters with chronic illness.

Jean Meltzer is one of the authors that is helping to establish a new genre - Jewish romance novels.

The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah is a second chance romance novel, Meltzer employs a fascinating storytelling device that takes her FMC back to eight heartbreaking episodes in her past. It's not until the very end of the novel that the FMC understands what these eight episodes actually have in common and that moment engendered a sigh of satisfaction from me as a reader.

I wish I could say something as positive about the Jewish aspects of the book. I recently heard a different Jewish novelist share her definition of what makes a novel Jewish. She said that, if you can remove the Jewish elements and the story falls apart, you've got a Jewish novel. But with slight tweaks, if you took the Jewish elements (Jewish main characters and set during Hanukkah) away, in my opinion, the story would still be worth reading. So to me, the Jewish elements were window-dressing on a second chance romance novel.

I appreciate that Meltzer avoided the stereotype of the self-hating Jew. To me, her Jewish characters seemed lukewarm about their Judaism, but they certainly weren't self-hating. That was a refreshing change.

Thank you to NetGalley for the chance to read this novel before its publication.

Nevertheless, I hope this genre continues to grow and deepen.

“The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah” ohs by Jean Meltzer. In so many ways I really liked this book - I really liked David, bless him. David put up with a lot and for a long time, seemed to get very little in return. Eveyln took me a long time to like - and while I think I’d like her in my corner, she’d also drive me nuts. I did like that this had Jewish main characters - just living their lives and celebrating their traditions (more please!). But this book in so many ways was so over the top that my mind felt like it was having whiplash … time to be serious or time to laugh, it was a bit confusing. The heartbreaks hurt - and sometimes one doesn’t realize something in the past is a heartbreak - and in some of those moments Ms. Meltzer shone. I did like the Author’s note about the background for the story. I did read this rather quickly and it held my attention.

I really loved this Jewish reimagining of A Christmas Carol. When I began reading I was a little worried that eight different ghosts/heartbreaks would become tedious, but that was not the case. Instead, I felt swept away and really enjoyed using the flashbacks to learn more about the main character. I really found her to be charming-- and the love interest was absolutely swoonworthy. It's a beautiful exploration of growth and second chances that I am certain I will pick up again!

The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah by Jean Meltzer
Rating (5/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loved this one! My first read by Jean Meltzer. Can’t wait to check out her backlist of titles. Thank you Jean for making Judaism in all its ways the theme and anchor of this story. And also making it such a wonderful Jewish love story. This one should be on everyone’s tbr list for 2025.

This author is really hit or miss for me, because while I crave Chanukah themed holiday romcoms, there's a lot of christmasy elements involved. This happened in the Matzah Ball and it happens strongly here too, the plot is a Christmas Carol retelling. Putting that aside, there's still some good Chanukah moments. This book was also darker in tone with more serious themes, which were done well.

Even though I'm not Jewish at all, I've always loved Jean Meltzer's work! I appreciate how she writes about real issues and sets them within a religious community, but it's not a religious book by any means! This is the first book I've read that explicitly deals with infertility and related issues and having no context for that myself in any sense, I was fascinated. I also always love a second chance trope and this was a unique twist on that in a good way. Great story with lots of depth.

4.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for honest review.

Oh my goodness, nothing gets me like a holiday romance. Add in a second chance Romance and I'm swooning!

Evelyn and David met as children, drifted in and out of each other's lives for years until they reconnected after college. At this point, they started dating, realized they had insane chemistry, got married, went through an awful tragedy and ended up divorced.

Now, it's 2 years later and Evelyn is the producer of a live action Christmas Carol retelling. David is living as an orthopedic doctor/animal rehabber in Pennsylvania but gets called back to be the on-set doctor unbeknownst to Evelyn.

After Evelyn's migraines flare up and she accidentally runs into a piano, she's brought to see David. Shortly after, Evelyn is visited by the ghost of her former boss and told that she'll be visited by the Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah.

As Evelyn goes through each heartbreak, she realizes how David has been there for every one of them. Slowly but surely, these 2 exs realize they've never stopped loving each other but have to figure out how to make it work with Evelyn's workaholic tendencies.

Overall, I absolutely adored this book! I want more David and Evelyn! I loved the descriptive language used, the side characters cracked me up, especially the lead of the Christmas Carol production. I cannot wait for everyone to read this in the fall!

3.5⭐️

La historia se centra en las ocho noches de Hanukkah, cada una marcada por un viejo amor que dejó su huella en la vida de Rachel. Estos recuerdos no solo reflejan su evolución como persona, sino también los errores, las pérdidas y los momentos en que eligió cerrarse al amor para protegerse.

Todo cambia cuando regresa Jacob Greenberg, su primer amor. La tensión entre ambos no solo revive antiguos sentimientos, sino que empuja a Rachel a enfrentarse a su miedo más profundo: volver a abrirse. A medida que avanza la festividad, cada noche se convierte en una oportunidad para sanar, reconectar y redescubrir lo que significa amar de verdad.


..


Rachel fue un personaje difícil. Durante su matrimonio, cada vez que surgía un desacuerdo o una pelea, en lugar de intentar dialogar como Jacob deseaba, ella lo ignoraba y se refugiaba en el trabajo, dedicándose por completo a él durante semanas. Llegó un momento en que ocurrió una tragedia, y Jacob, sintiéndose emocionalmente afectado, propuso ir a terapia porque ambos estaban mal. Sin embargo, Rachel prácticamente vivía para trabajar. Él se cansó de hacer sacrificios e intentar que su matrimonio funcionara, por lo que decidió irse y pedirle el divorcio.





Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest

Charm, humor, and happy endings are Meltzer's signature style in her Jewish romance. novels. TV producer Evelyn and her ex-husband David are suddenly working together while. she manages a high stress live tv musical production and everything does not go smoothly. Both the novel and the muscial production are based on Dicken's A Christmas Carol, only for Evelyn, there are 8 ghostly visitors (for 8 nights of Chanukah) who revist past traumas with her and help her heal. Meltzer's books are deligtful and accessible to all, whether they have a background in Jewish life or not.

Oh Jean!! You did it to me again!! A Jewish twist on A Christmas Carol, this book delivers a heartfelt and sometimes hilarious journey through the life (and regrets) of Evelyn—our deeply flawed but ultimately lovable protagonist. I adored Evelyn, even if I sometimes wanted to throttle her. Her long-suffering ex-husband, David, brings warmth and groundedness to the story; it’s refreshing to see a character who can see beyond the chaos of Evelyn’s workaholism and self-absorption.

The cast of supporting characters is delightfully ridiculous, especially the various "Ghosts of Hanukkah Past," and Jared, the typical rock star, who bring much-needed comic relief and emotional depth. I especially loved the Easter eggs—er, Hanukkah gelt?—when past characters from the authors’ other books made appearances. It added richness to the world and a sense of continuity that fans will appreciate.

Though the story handles some heavy emotional material (definitely check the trigger warnings), it wraps up in a way that feels earned and satisfying. My only minor quibble was with the timeline—it got a bit confusing when Evelyn was experiencing one ghost while David was on a different night of Hanukkah. I found myself stopping and going backwards a few times to confirm which night of Hanukkah it was since it seemed the characters were on different nights.

Overall, this was a warm, smart, and moving story that reimagines a holiday classic through a fresh, culturally rich lens.

The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah: A Novel By Jean Meltzer
Pub Date: October 21, 2025

Second Chance Romance 💘
Classic Retelling 📖
Christmas 🎄/ Hanukkah 🕎
Jewish Joy ✡️

Another smash hit from Melterz! If you liked the Matzo Ball, you will LOVE this new romantic comedy. Meltzer is a nice Jewish girl with a not-so-secret love of Christmas.
I don't know how she does it, but ever book gets better and better! I would recommend reading the trigger points for this book. They do get quite intense in the latter. I usually do not cry, and I'm sobbing, packing boxes at work. I only have two more books in the Melterz catalogue and I am super sad :(

I highly recommend everyone read this book this holiday season. I love a good Christmas Carol rewrite, and this one does not disappoint.

#adult #Hanukkah #christmas #jeanmeltzer #jewish #netgalley

Jean Meltzer continues to not disappoint with her books. I first found a giveaway for The Matzah Ball a few years back and it caught my interest since my mom's side is Jewish. I absolutely loved how Jean Meltzer made mentions of all the characters from her previous books in this book.

This book pulls at your heartstrings but knows how to make you laugh to pull you out of it. If I had to make one complaint, it felt like I was having to re-count the nights of Hanukkah as the book progressed. For example, on heartbreak 1 David asks Claire on a date for the next night which is night 3. Then he asks the next night if she wants to go out again and says the event is only for night 3. It just became a little confusing at some points.

.Jean Meltzer’s The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah takes on the theme of A Christmas Carol. The two main characters Evelyn and David have such a long and deep connection. The reader feels each of Evelyn’s heartbreak as she is visited by her heartbreaks. Evelyn struggles with chronic medical conditions. David has such compassion for others. . The reader is taken on an emotional, spiritual, and humorous journey from the beginning to the end. There is a bit of romantic spice as well. As well as the main characters, there are well developed secondary characters that add to the overall story. In addition, these characters in my interpretation are bit more of reformed Jews as I am. I enjoyed the references back to her other writings. In conclusion, The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah is well worth the time.
I received The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah as an arc reader from NetGalley.

I haven't even finished the book yet, but I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS BOOK!!! Last night while reading the Sixth Heartbreak (which BTW Jean....I'm not even a mom and I was almost crying!!!!) I was wanting to laugh out loud at Jared Sparks' antics. There are so many emotions that I feel while reading this. I've been having a hard time with the relationship that I'm in right now, and there's been a lot of great advice hidden between the lines (and also right in front of my face).

Jean, thank you so much for writing such a beautiful book. I think this is one of the first books that I've read of yours, even though I swear that I have a few of your previous books on my Kindle. I truly appreciate that you have brought more information forward about autoimmune disorders and chronic migraines! I was in complete agreement with Evelyn's struggle of making sure that she had enough of the "attack" medication on hand.

I also want to thank your publisher for allowing me the opportunity to ARC read this amazing book! Can I give you more than 5 stars?!

I love all of Jean Meltzer books so I was so happy to receive this book. I love the Jewish representation and the humor she brings in each story. This might be my favorite as the characters felt very real to me with divorce and second chance romance. There is a bit of some heavier topics but that just makes it some much more relatable. This a a perfect holiday book or really any time book for when you want to feel joy.

Jean Meltzer always comes through with the representation! I love how comedy & Jewish identity are always interwoven in her books. I loved David and Evelyn from the moment we met them.

This was absolutely beautifully written - and even though it has a mostly happy ending - it absolutely shattered my heart.

Whilst our situation was a little different, the major trauma that happens in the book had some similarities to a past trauma of our own. Doing my best to not give spoilers here in relation to how the trauma occurred - but it is mentioned as a trigger warning right at the beginning of the book. Whilst we were so blessed that our story surprisingly had a happy ending in our similar trauma, this book gave me so much extra compassion for those who have experienced this, and my heart breaks for them. 🥺😔💔

I adored Evelyn and David, and found them both relatable and loveable for all of their flaws. I loved the Christmas Carol Jewish retelling. In doing my ancestry not that long ago it came up for me that my Great paternal paternal Grandmother was most likely Jewish, it helped to connect me with that likely lost part of my ancestry and gave me a newfound respect and love for traditions I didn’t otherwise know about.

I also liked that trauma and chronic illness were a part of the storyline. My family has dealt with, and continues to deal with and heal from both, so it was nice to feel a little less alone, even if through a fictional character.

Jared’s banter was hilarious, and added an air of lightheartedness to the book as it dealt with some extremely heavy topics.

However, those topics were handled with immense sensitivity, care, love, respect, and kindness, both for Jean (the author’s) own familial experience with that trauma as mentioned in the author’s note, and those others for whom this is a reality.

Whilst raised a Christian, I am quite Spiritual and open to healthy religious beliefs of all kinds, I also liked the spirituality storyline in regards to Jared, even if he was the butt of a lot of jokes and wasn’t always taken seriously.

As someone taking a permaculture diploma who loves animals, I adored the elements that David’s farm added to the storyline.

As a Priest’s daughter, whilst I’m quite open minded, I liked that sex scenes weren’t a major element to the plot, and that it instead focused on Evelyn and David’s healing.

Whilst you’ll definitely need tissues, if you love books that break your heart to put it back together in the best of ways, this is your book.

Thank you NetGalley and Jean Meltzer for the ARC. It was an absolute pleasure to read it. 🥰❤️🫶🏻 5✨

A Jewish take on A Christmas Carol, this book highlights what is frequently missed in the classic tale. Set against the backdrop of people who are hurting from one of the worst experiences life has to offer, this book does an excellent job of revisiting the theme with characters who are more realistic than most. Well worth the read!

Such a fun book to read! It’s a breath of fresh air to read a book tied into Jewish holidays and traditions instead of the thousands of Christmas themed stories that are out there. I had warm fuzzies reading this book and couldn’t wait to finish it.

The story was very cute, even if it was a little cheesy. Regardless of the cheese factor, I smiled, laughed, and cried during this book. I loved that the author tied in real life experiences and turned it into something anyone would enjoy reading.