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The Matzah Ball
The Matzah Ball: A Novel | Jean Meltzer
Oy! to the world Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with a shameful secret: she loves Christmas. For a decade shes hidden her career as a Christmas romance novelist from her family. Her talent has made her a bestseller even as her chronic illness has always kept the kind of love she writes about out of reach. But when her diversity-conscious publisher insists she write a Hanukkah romance, her well of inspiration suddenly runs dry. Hanukkahs not magical. Its not merry. Its not Christmas. Desperate not to lose her contract, Rachels determined to find her muse at the Matzah Ball, a Jewish music celebration on the last night of Hanukkah, even if it means working with her summer camp archenemyJacob Greenberg. Though Rachel and Jacob havent seen each other since they were kids, their grudge still glows brighter than a menorah. But as they spend more time together, Rachel finds herself drawn to Hanukkahand Jacobin a way she never expected. Maybe this holiday of lights will be the spark she needed to set her heart ablaze.
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review
iread2much
Mehso-so

This was a my first seasonal romance. I really liked the way the author wrote about a Jewish woman who writes Christmas romances but now must try to write a Hanukkah romance. I thought the parts about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome were mostly well done, but I thought the way the plot twist for the romance was handled was really lame and not well thought out.
3:5 stars, read for a holiday romance with an annoying miscommunication troupe

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OriginalCyn620
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Pickpick

Finished this one a little while ago and it was so fun! I‘d definitely check out others by this author.

#wintergames #candycanecrushers #adventathon #AtoZ #bookspinbingo (holiday other than Christmas) #candylandreadathon #ispybingo #promptmaze #RushAThon #wintercosy

Andrew65 You‘re on a roll. Well done 🎄🎄🎄 3mo
BookmarkTavern So cute! 💖 3mo
TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! 3mo
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 3mo
Catsandbooks ❄️🍭❤️ 3mo
39 likes5 comments
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peanutnine
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#DecemberDreams Day 18 🕎 #Hanukkah
Some holiday books I've read the past few years that featured a Hanukkah celebration
#WinterGames #SantasBookshELVES
@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @Eggs

Eggs Excellent 👌🏼 3mo
24 likes1 comment
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Bluebird
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Mehso-so

It‘s me, not you.
I enjoy some of the holiday rom-com movies so thought to give a ‘rom-com‘ book a try. I just couldn‘t get into it. I found the typical misunderstandings and rom-com foolery I like in a movie were just annoying and silly in a book. I came close to bailing. The 2nd half of the book was better, so ultimately was glad I finished. On the bright side: there were good explanations of Jewish/Hanukkah traditions—and Bubbe was a delight!.

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Kar2b
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Pickpick

This is a cute book. I don‘t know a lot about Jewish customs, so it was interesting to learn the various terms and better understand how Hanukkah is celebrated. I liked Rachel, Mickey and Jacob, but my favorite was Jacob‘s bubbe.

I also think it‘s important to note the chronic illness/ invisible disability representation. It was well done.

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MidnightBookGirl
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Pickpick

This has been on my TBR for awhile, and I'm glad I made time for it this year. It's not a perfect book, but I liked the romance and the hijinks, and points for invisible disease rep- the heroine has Myalgic encephalomyelitis, which is more commonly known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.
#WinterGames #GangstaWrappers @Bookwormjillk @Clwojick @StayCurious
#WGWordsearch 6750 pts

Bookwormjillk ❄️💙❄️💙 3mo
bthegood 🥳🎁 3mo
31 likes2 comments
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OriginalCyn620
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This #hanukkah book is on deck for me this week! Can‘t wait!

#wintergames #photochallenge #decemberdreams #candycanecrushers

Eggs I enjoyed this one 🎄 3mo
Julsmarshall I loved this too! 3mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Pretty tree 💚 3mo
Catsandbooks 🕎🍭❄️❤️ 3mo
35 likes4 comments
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K.Wielechowski
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Pickpick

I liked it a lot. It was a nice change from Christmas novels and, while it had elements of the “holiday romance” it didn‘t totally read like one.
Rachel and Jacob were summer camp sweethearts when they were 12 but when a misunderstanding ends their friendship, it takes them 15 years to find their way back to each other, with plenty of speed bumps and one horrifying matzah ball mascot costume along the way.
Finished 11/29/2022

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DimeryRene
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Pickpick

Finished this one right on time. Great romance! Extra light on the steam. I think there was one huge kiss and that‘s it. Light longing and pining. It was a friends to lovers and enemies to lovers since the hero and heroine were childhood friends who fell out of favor. So cute and loved the Jewish rep. This is my first Jewish story that wasn‘t WWII related. Tips for more welcome! ⬇️⬇️

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CoffeeNBooks
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#12BooksOf2022 Day 12- December
Rachel is Jewish, but is secretly obsessed with all things Christmas and writes Christmas romance novels for a living. Her childhood summer camp crush comes to town to throw the event of the year, The Matzah Ball Max, just as her publisher decides that Rachel needs to write a Hannukah romance.
@Andrew65

Andrew65 A great choice. Thanks for playing along, it‘s been a grest way to review the Reading year. (edited) 1y
68 likes1 comment
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Deblovestoread
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My final #WinterReadathon post. My favorite holiday/winter book of the 5 I read is tagged. I only did one word bingo card for all of my reading. And my favorite December book was Murder in Chelsea.

Bklover I loved The Matzah Ball! 1y
43 likes1 comment
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DimeryRene
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Only two hours in to the audiobook. It‘s really cute and I love the chronic illness rep.

10 likes1 stack add
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Nebklvr
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Pickpick

Fun, heartwarming, and just lovely. The characters were all fantastic and the growth of the protagonists was exceptional.

gossamerchild I really, really liked this one. 1y
Nebklvr @gossamerchild Yes! Liked the childhood history and Bubbe and liked the honest portrayal of chronic illness. (edited) 1y
43 likes2 comments
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StaceGhost
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Pickpick

This is such a great book 📖 I‘m so glad I‘ve found my bashert ❤️ this describes our relationship very well ⚔️ Seeing myself in a romcom shows me just how lucky I am 💕

This is a romance but it‘s also about living your truth, dealing with chronic illness and abandonment issues, the many kinds of unconditional love, and the beauty of faith, among other things.

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StaceGhost
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Pickpick

Love this! Thank you so much @Scochrane26 the chocolate was delicious 🤤 as for the book, it‘s just what I needed!

@MaleficentBookDragon thank you for organizing! This is my favorite swap— simple & sweet #jolabokaflodswap

Scochrane26 Glad you are enjoying it! 1y
StaceGhost @Scochrane26 I opened it at midnight and then stayed up way late to read it it‘s sooo good lol 1y
Scochrane26 @StaceGhost I think I‘m going to read it, too, it sounds good. 1y
Tove_Reads I‘ve been wanting to try endangered species chocolate for years ❣️ Lucky you! (edited) 1y
StaceGhost @Scochrane26 I thought your pick looked good, too! @Tove_Reads endangered species is my favorite! 1y
48 likes5 comments
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GondorGirl
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Between the storm blowing through and the terrible cold my partner and I caught Christmas is officially canceled in our house. My folks were supposed to stay with us for a few days before heading south for the winter, but instead they stopped by to exchange gifts from across the room and then headed south. I'm glad they made it out before the storm hit last night, but I'm really bummed all our holiday plans for the weekend are out. 💔

TheBookDream Feel better! 1y
BarbaraJean 😭Hope you‘re able to get some rest and are feeling better soon! 1y
Bookwomble I hope you're both feeling more comfortable soon 💖 1y
50 likes3 comments
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Sresendez12
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Pickpick

There was so much hype around this book last year that I was nervous it wouldn‘t be as good as everyone said it was. I actually really enjoyed it! A good holiday romance that gave me more information about a holiday other than Christmas. #winterreadathon

Andrew65 One I have yet to read. Well done ☃️☃️☃️ 1y
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 1y
23 likes2 comments
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CoffeeNBooks
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Pickpick

Rachel is Jewish, but is secretly obsessed with all things Christmas and writes Christmas romance novels for a living. Her childhood summer camp crush comes to town to throw the event of the year, The Matzah Ball Max, just as her publisher decides that Rachel needs to write a Hannukah romance. Can she get a ticket to the ball from him in order to find inspiration for a Hanukkah-themed book, while also navigating life with Chronic Fatique Syndrome?

gossamerchild I really enjoyed this one! 1y
72 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Bklover
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Pickpick

This was such a good book! I learned a few things and was completely entertained! Happy Hanukkah! 🕎

Kerrbearlib Such a good book! 1y
Bklover @Kerrbearlib Yes it was- I loved it! 1y
74 likes2 comments
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DebinHawaii
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Pickpick

Finished this week. I read the author‘s Mr. Perfect On Paper back in August & saved this one for the holidays. Sweet, fun & wholesome romance that explored the MC‘s chronic disease in a way that seemed very real. I had to Google some of the Jewish words & customs for better understanding, but I always take that as a good sign as it means I am interested. Great non-Christmas holiday romance—I enjoyed the couple & loved the supporting characters.

67 likes1 stack add
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CoffeeNBooks
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Saturday morning #coffeeandabook

Booksblanketsandahotbeverage Love bones coffee ❤️ 1y
Bklover Peaches and Scream for me today! 1y
CoffeeNBooks @Bklover I love Peaches and Scream! 1y
See All 6 Comments
Bklover I‘m also reading that book! Didn‘t notice before. Bones always catches my eye! 1y
CoffeeNBooks @Bklover 😆 I'm loving this book, too! 1y
CoffeeNBooks @BookHoarder32 It's my absolute favorite brand of coffee. I tend to buy way too much because I always want to try all of the flavors! 😄 1y
77 likes6 comments
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Deblovestoread
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#WinterReadathonDailyChallenge Day 15 #Cupcake

Today is tax education day…8 hours worth…but it‘s at home and the first half was completed in my pjs so not all bad. But let‘s face it a book, a treat and some tea would be better..

DieAReader Agreed!🤓📚🧁 1y
Andrew65 Ouch! Definitely agree with you! 🎄🎄🎄 1y
55 likes2 comments
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DebinHawaii
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About 1/3 of the way through this holiday read & it‘s cute so far. I was only able to sneak a chapter in with my desk breakfast of fried rice with an over easy egg & coffee before the rest of work showed up.

It‘s another crazy work week. Any #PemberLittens & #HeiressPride 🏳️‍🌈 participants, I am still working on tallying comment scores & hope to have a winner announced by this weekend. Thanks for your patience! 🤗

51 likes1 stack add
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wanderinglynn
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Pickpick

Now this is a holiday romance book! The best one I‘ve read this month (and I‘ve read quite a few 😁).

For those looking for holiday romance diversity, look no further. Not only is this about Hanukkah, the MC has a chronic illness, CFS. And it‘s beautifully written.

Book 18 for #winterreadathon
Character obsessed with Christmas for #holidayromancebingo (this also could have fit 3 other prompts too!)

peanutnine I also really enjoyed this one! Very unique! 💖🕎🎄 1y
DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 1y
bnp Glad you found a good one! 1y
See All 6 Comments
bnp Glad you found a good one! 1y
Andrew65 This looks great 🕎🕎🕎 1y
barzanna I‘m reading this one for Hanukkah! Love it! 1y
91 likes3 stack adds6 comments
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wanderinglynn
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“. . . the world is filled with angry and miserable people. Those people are never going to be happy for you. So you go out there and live your truth.

You be the person the universe asked you to be.

And anyone who doesn‘t celebrate you for it, anyone who doesn‘t love you through it, screw ‘em.”

For anyone who needs to hear this today. 🤍

jen_the_scribe ❤️ this 1y
Aimeesue ❤️❤️❤️ 1y
TheBookHippie 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 1y
Bookzombie ❤️! 1y
60 likes4 comments
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julesG
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tracey38 I read this one last year and really enjoyed it! 1y
53 likes1 comment
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Kerrbearlib
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Pickpick

Really enjoyed this Hanukkah second chance romance. The characters were well-developed and the romance was sweet. It would make a lovely holiday film!

#WinterReadAThon #Romantsy #Hanukkah

DieAReader 🥳🥳🥳 1y
Andrew65 Great ☃️☃️☃️ 1y
15 likes2 comments
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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

I loved this so much! A great story about a MC living with a chronic illness and trying to live up to her parents expectations instead of her own. The Jewish perspective was fresh and interesting, it is unfortunate that we don‘t see more of this in romance. The characters were genuine, funny, and fully realized, loving and frustrating at times. #WinterReadathon #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks @andrewwehmann @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES

Cinfhen I really liked this one too!!! 1y
DieAReader 🎄🎄🎄 1y
Andrew65 This sounds good, I need to search it out. 🎄🎄🎄 1y
56 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Julsmarshall
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Pickpick

I loved this so much! A great story about a MC living with a chronic illness and trying to live up to her parents expectations rather than her own desires. The Jewish perspective was fresh and interesting, it is unfortunate that we don‘t see more of this in romance. All of the characters were genuine and fully realized, loving and frustrating at times. #WinterReadathon #BookspinBingo @TheAromaofBooks @Andrew65 @DieAReader @GHABI4ROSES

DieAReader 🎄🎄🎄 1y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 1y
Andrew65 Brilliant 🎄🎄🎄 1y
43 likes3 comments
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Kerrbearlib
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Just got this from #cloudLibrary. #romantsy

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julesG
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Pickpick

@Cinfhen, you were right, I enjoyed this very much.

MC has chronic fatigue syndrome. MC's love interest's mother had MS. I have both (yeah!); you have no idea how often I thought "wow, the author is spot on with the symptoms."

Jewish enemies(?)-to-lovers romance with a large dollop of chronic illness as a reason for not getting together (I so relate). Loved how tough the MC was.

Suet624 You have both? I‘m so sorry! 💕 1y
julesG @Suet624 Thank you. I'm fine most days. And on the other days I'm extremely sarcastic. 🤪 1y
Cinfhen I somehow missed this tag!! I‘m glad you enjoyed this book and really sorry that you have to deal with that double whammy of chronic fatigue and MS!! Did you read this book - character and author both have chronic fatigue syndrome 1y
julesG @Cinfhen Thanks for the recommendation. I've put it on my "to read" list. 1y
Suet624 Sarcasm may be the only way to get through. My Lyme kept me down for 7 years and I could have used that quality. 1y
59 likes5 comments
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erickahhh
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Pickpick

I think Rachel is a factional me. I also am obsessed with all things Christmas. The only difference is that I shamelessly flaunt my obsession. This holiday rom-com mixes Christmas with Hannukuh into a beautiful love story. This has all the enemies to lovers conflict we all know and love. This debut novel mixes in holiday cheer and wraps you up in a big blanket of Jewish culture.

3 likes1 stack add
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Skeeterisme
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Pickpick

Quirky

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LaurenMicheleOnline
Pickpick

A Hanukkah Gift!

Rating: 4 Stars

Full Review & Content Breakdown: https://laurenmichelelifestyle.com/2021/12/08/the-matzah-ball-by-jean-meltzer-bo...

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SheReadsAndWrites
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Pickpick

This was a fun, cute read. 😊

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Erynecki
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Pickpick

Looking for a schmaltzy Jewish romcom that‘s about Jewish summer camp arch rivals, the daughter of a rabbi who loves Christmas, and making Hanukkah magical? Then perhaps The Matzah Ball is for you. A totally predictable love story (complete with a delightful bubbie who makes to die for rugelach) it is at times, over the top and face to palm ridiculous, which is probably why it‘s been optioned to be a feature film.

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Eggs
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Day 9: 12 audiobooks, 1 physical book, 1 ebook

Favorite=One Italian Summer❣️

#MarvellousMay #Readathon @Andrew65

Thanks for hosting🙌🏻💕🎈

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Eggbeater
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Mehso-so

I appreciated this book for its normalizing the difficulties of living with chronic illness. There aren't enough books out there that do this and this book addresses these issues perfectly. The storyline and the romance was a little too wholesome for my taste, but I am not a huge fan of the genre in general, so please don't make a decision solely based in my review.

54 likes1 stack add
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rebbyj
Pickpick

Good schmaltz

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Cinfhen
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Pickpick

A sweet holiday romance where Hanukkah gets to sparkle & shine.

Rachel Rubinstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with two secrets. 1. She‘s a Christmas romance writer who LOVES EVERYTHING CHRISTMAS and 2. She suffers from ME/ CFS. When her first love renters her adult life she has to decide how much she‘s willing to share with him. This is very much the meet cute trope with a hint of seriousness. #PoP22 #SetAroundAHoliday

Megabooks I actually think I may like this. 2y
Cinfhen It was an enjoyable listen @Megabooks and it‘s on #Hoopla 💕 2y
71 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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bookwrm526
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Pickpick

I thought this was an excellent romance - as a person who loves Hallmark Christmas movies both ironically and completely un-ironically , I don‘t think it could have been more perfect!!

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Cinfhen
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#AudioBaking All the food descriptions in this audiobook have me reaching for my mixing bowl 👩‍🍳🍪

Cathythoughts These look divine 😋 2y
79 likes1 comment
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Cinfhen
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TrishB This made me laugh- immediately after your weekly forecast- where there is no sign of this book 😁❤️ wherever the mood takes you! 2y
julesG It's on #MountTBR. Going to push it closer to the summit. 😉 2y
BarbaraBB @TrishB Haha, I noticed too 🤣 2y
See All 10 Comments
Cinfhen Hahahaha @TrishB @BarbaraBB EXACTLY 😜 2y
Cinfhen It‘s a good cute @julesG totally what my brain is needing #BrainCandy 🍭🍫🍬🍡 2y
KarenUK I hear you! #braincandyftw !!! 😘 2y
Megabooks Lol! Cute title! 2y
Cinfhen My brain is a happy camper @Megabooks @KarenUK - book is a bit characturite but that‘s ok! It‘s working in this situation 2y
alisiakae I'll probably read the same book for this prompt! 2y
Cinfhen Go audio @4thhouseontheleft it‘s REALLY fun and I think even Maya would enjoy it 2y
61 likes1 stack add10 comments
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Brooke_H
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I don‘t know anything about this book, but I kind of want to read it because the title makes me giggle.

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HufflepuffBruja
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Made a currently reading box. Just returned some library books this morning & brought home 3 more 😬 Tagged book I'm reading at the moment, the other 3 I need to get to ASAP cuz I'm back at work which severely cuts into my print book reading time (but it's prime time for audio books! I also downloaded a lot while at the library) #IDontHaveABookProblem #LibraryHaul #BookHaul (it's hard to see the smaller book but it's Before the Coffee Gets Cold)

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MindyK59
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Pickpick

This was a very cute romantic story. It was the author‘s 1st novel. I enjoyed the story and the characters. The writing was good but there was at least 1 part that seemed somewhat far fetched to me. I appreciated that the author brought a little of herself into the main character. I enjoyed all the Jewish references.

3 likes1 stack add
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Bookishgal71
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Pickpick

Super cute holiday romance. Feel good contemporary love story about two people who met at Jewish summer camp as kids and became enemies. Reacquainted as adults and hilarity ensues.

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Zuhkeeyah
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

This was a cute holiday season romance with a twist. The daughter of a famous rabbi is secretly a popular Christmas romance novel writer. In search of inspiration for a Jewish themed novel, she tries to find a way to attend the upcoming Matzah Ball which is, of course, being hosted by her childhood sweetheart/nemesis.

The romance had a nice build to it, but the ending was a little much for me. The Grand Gesture was too over the top ⬇️

Zuhkeeyah For me. I liked so many parts of this book which made the ending all the less believable. Still a solid recommend though. 2y
9 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Emily2002
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I‘m loving this book so far y‘all! It‘s so entertaining and really amazing! I‘ve never really read a book about Hanukkah before, and I‘m loving it! I highly recommend!