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Jean Meltzer
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The Matzah Ball: A Novel Kindle Edition

by Jean Meltzer (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,970 ratings
Editors' pick Best Romance
See all formats and editions
A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK SELECTED BY * POPSUGAR * BUSTLE * BUZZFEED * BOOKPAGE * GOODREADS MEMBERS

"The Matzah Ball had me laughing out loud...an all-around terrific read."—Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Oy! to the world

Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with a shameful secret: she loves Christmas. For a decade she’s 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. Hanukkah’s not magical. It’s not merry. It’s not Christmas. Desperate not to lose her contract, Rachel’s 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 archenemy—Jacob Greenberg.

Though Rachel and Jacob haven’t 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 Hanukkah—and Jacob—in a way she never expected. Maybe this holiday of lights will be the spark she needed to set her heart ablaze. 

"A luminous celebration of all types of love, threaded with the message that everyone is worthy of it.”—Rachel Lynn Solomon, author of The Ex Talk
 
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  1. Print length
    400 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    MIRA
  5. Publication date
    September 28, 2021
  6. Reading age
    18 years and up
  7. File size
    1125 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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From the Publisher

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9780778311584 image 9780778386162 image 9780778334408 image
The Matzah Ball Mr. Perfect on Paper Kissing Kosher
Customer Reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars
1,970
4.3 out of 5 stars
459
4.3 out of 5 stars
363
Price $12.59 $11.29 $13.90
More laugh-out-loud reads from Jean Meltzer frenemies-to-lovers workplace romance rivals-to-lovers

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The Matzah Ball had me laughing out loud. It’s witty, funny and an all-around terrific read."—Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“A love letter to Judaism and an utterly charming romance. With two irresistible leads, a scene-stealing bubbe, and plenty of holiday magic, The Matzah Ball is a luminous celebration of all types of love, threaded with the message that everyone is worthy of it.”—Rachel Lynn Solomon, author of The Ex Talk

“Funny, bright, and lovingly crafted! The Matzah Ball healed a piece of me I didn’t know was hurting.”—Rosie Danan, author of The Intimacy Experiment

“I devoured this book like a batch of Jacob's Bubbe's Rugalach. It is the perfect blend of funny and magical but also tender and thoughtful. It lit me up like a menorah.”—Jenny Bayliss, author of The Twelve Dates of Christmas

"A warm, heartfelt ode to self-acceptance, honesty, and tight-knit Jewish communities, The Matzah Ball gently—and rightfully—insists we don’t need to be perfect or 'normal' to deserve and find love. The story was a true pleasure to read."—Olivia Dade, author of Spoiler Alert

“Heartwarming, romantic, and funny. The Matzah Ball is simply a joy to read.”—Sarah Morgenthaler, author of The Tourist Attraction

"Heartwarming and hilarious, The Matzah Ball is a fantastic, festive, fresh take on a holiday happily ever after.”—Karen Schaler, Emmy Award-winning writer

"A funny, fresh holiday read to tickle your funny bone and warm your heart."—Sheila Roberts, New York Times bestselling author

"A laugh-out-loud treat. Written in bright, witty prose and with a heroine to root for, it's a light holiday concoction that delivers a deeper message about love and acceptance at the same time. The perfect addition to your holiday reading!"—Anita Hughes, author of Christmas in Vermont

“Grab a jelly doughnut and get ready for a holiday rom com unlike any other! The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer brings the fun while also delivering an important message about being true to yourself. A refreshing and delightful read."—Brenda Janowitz, author of The Grace Kelly Dress

About the Author

Jean Meltzer studied dramatic writing at NYU Tisch and has earned numerous awards for her work in television, including a daytime Emmy. She spent five years in rabbinical school before her chronic illness forced her to withdraw, and her father told her she should write a book—just not a Jewish one because no one reads those. Kissing Kosher is her third novel.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08QZFJDSD
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ MIRA; Original edition (September 28, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 28, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1125 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 400 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 1,970 ratings

About the author

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Jean Meltzer

Jean Meltzer

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Jean Meltzer is a nice Jewish girl with a not-so-secret love of Christmas. After a childhood steeped in Jewish tradition, kosher food, loving bubbes, and awkward Jewish summer camp romances, she found her way to NYU Tisch, where she studied dramatic writing and earned numerous awards for her work in television, including a daytime Emmy. She spent five years in rabbinical school, finally discovering the magic of Hanukkah for herself, before her chronic illness forced her to withdraw, and her father told her that she should write a book—just not a Jewish one because no one reads those. The Matzah Ball is her first novel. It combines all of the things she loves: warm and supportive families, tight-knit Jewish communities, Ashkenazi baked goods, big and swoony endings, Jewish shtick and humor, Judaism... and, of course, Christmas.

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
1,970 global ratings
Hanukkah meets Hallmark in this cute holiday romance!
3 Stars
Hanukkah meets Hallmark in this cute holiday romance!
“Christmas is sooooo last year. It’s time to spice things up! Bring in the Jews!”Rachel is a world renowned Rabbi’s daughter and also a closet Christmas romance best seller. She’s kept her career quiet up until Jacob flew in from her past and started giving her a reason to unapologetically be her true self.This was very cute, with a sweet fairytale ending that brought Hanukkah to Hallmark! I always see an abundance of Christmas books for the holidays, but was looking for something to soothe my Jewish soul. Thank you Jean Meltzer for sharing your story through Rachel and giving us a beautiful Hanukkah Romance 💙
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Top reviews from the United States

Patricia Ianni
5.0 out of 5 stars Learn what true love really means
Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
I am an avid reader and this book was unlike none I’ve read before. At first, I thought it was a cute little Rom-Com but I was wrong. It is so deep and passionate in every way that matters in life. I loved the character of Rachel, who was smart and determined, A lover of Judaism, someone who had a vengeful streak, and was hysterically funny. The author is quite brilliant, and somehow made all of the characters seem like people you actually knew. I hated to say goodbye to them all when I finished the book.
Buy this book and read it from cover to cover. You will remember it. I am looking forward to reading more from this exceptional author. Thank you, Jean Meltzer!
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B. Hamlin
4.0 out of 5 stars A lot of fun and a nice change of pace...
Reviewed in the United States on January 9, 2024
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I cannot read enough holiday novels around the season. That is the thing that I start the soonest when it comes to getting into the season. I was excited to see this come through as it promised to be a change from the traditional holiday novel. It truly was. The author blended the two holidays perfectly making it both fun, spirited, and a bit educational. I loved reading this and it helped me find my spirit and put a smile on my face.

The story, like all novels like this is steeped in romance. Boy meets girl at summer camp, they drift apart, and eventually overcome their obstacles. So nothing special there. What I did find interesting was how the author weaved in details about the characters illness. I thought this was incredibly clever and also incredibly real. I appreciated her not painting a perfect picture of a human being. This was told with a welcome dose of reality to a difficult situation. That isn't the focus and isn't done in a way to make it any less upbeat, it just gives the book depth.

I also love the family storyline. Again, this is outside the box in that it doesn't just focus on the two characters that are supposed to fall in love. It is a story about family and I quite liked that.

Anyone who likes holiday, seasonal, Christmas, Jewish holidays, whatever holiday you want will enjoy this novel.
One person found this helpful
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Suzanne
3.0 out of 5 stars Great!
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2023
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I read this to help broaden my book choices and I don’t regret it! It was funny and cute! Although I don’t always prefer closed door, this was a cute read. I did have to look up a lot of the Yiddish but I wouldn’t let that deter you. I rated it three stars because it wasn’t as swoon worthy as I expected it to be but I still enjoyed the read.
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Baird-Greene
5.0 out of 5 stars I Couldn't Put it Down! This is a Fun, Interesting Read.
Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2024
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Jean Meltzer is an excellent writer --- vivid characters, fast pacing, and so much interesting information about Judaism. Although, it's almost unheard of to have a romantic heroine with a chronic illness, Rachel has Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Her character is feisty and she won't give up. Rachel has carved out a successful writing career around her illness. She's a woman of secrets. Then, suddenly Jacob, her first crush, comes back into her orbit. He has something Rachel wants -- a ticket to his wildly anticipated Matzah Ball. Jacob wants something from Rachel too. Her heart. Secrets come cascading down one after the other. Can Rachel and Jacob be themselves long enough to fall back in love?
One person found this helpful
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Carmen
4.0 out of 5 stars Matzah fun!!
Reviewed in the United States on December 8, 2023
Verified Purchase
Though the two main characters, Rachel and Jacob, had different upbringing as Jewish people. They still were perfect for each other. Their banter was too much fun even though I knew that someone was keeping a secret that started all this mess but that’s ok because it made the story so much more entertaining.
I’ve never experienced a Jewish holiday or any other religion. So reading this was actually interesting and fun as well. I do see a resemblance of the feeding family members as a way of showing love but I also find it funny too that we think the same way about too much food.
Mickey, Rachel’s best friend and bubbe, Jacob’s grandmother are a hoot! Both are important people to each of these characters and so sweet and fun.
I really enjoyed this story.
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Kindle CustomerNL
5.0 out of 5 stars As good as bubbe's rugelah
Reviewed in the United States on December 24, 2021
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I loved, loved, loved this book. I don't know if anything I can say will do the book justice.
The hero and heroine: I felt so close to Rachel and I'd love to have her as a friend. I don't have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome but a
relative of mine does. I have arthritis and sometimes I'm in a lot of pain but I can't imagine what it would be like to have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The rabbi's daughter who loves Christmas and writes Christmas romances? Yes, we could definitely be friends. I'm Jewish and I love Chanukah. Jelly donuts, latkes, and eight presents? What's not to like? I also like Christmas. I like the snow and cold weather, not to mention, the lights and decorations, and the old school Christmas movies like Meet Me in St. Louis and Little Women. And oh, the songs! I like to change the words and make them Chanukah songs.
Then there's Jacob who turns out to be a mensch. I'll admit I wasn't too impressed with him when I thought he humiliated Rachel at camp or when he made her wear the matzo ball costume. I'm glad I found out what he was really like.
Bubbe and Mickey: I loved them both so much! Tobe was sweet and fun and reminded me of my grandma. My grandma wasn't a world traveler, but she watched the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show with me and fixed me wonderful things to eat like rice pudding and rum balls. And she called me Nancele. And Mickey was a true friend who did anything for Rachel.
The writing and the descriptions about Jewish traditions and Christmas was terrific. I did think Rachel and Jacob were a little young to fall in love. Maybe if they had been childhood friends and then fallen in love at camp, it would have been less of a problem.
I got the audio version of this and the narrator brought the whole story to life for me. I'll keep it on my tablet so I can listen to it every year. I can imagine it as a movie. It's the best Chanukah story I've read in a long time! I can't wait to read more from this author.
5 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars What a magical book
Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2024
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And they say us Jewish people can't write happy endings... This was so sweet and perfect! Love Jean Meltzer and would definitely recommend her to my friends!
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Top reviews from other countries

Melodious
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, romantic, perfect for a lazy beach or fireside read.
Reviewed in Canada on July 3, 2023
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A fun romantic comedy book. It feels like reading a Christmas hallmark movie but with a bit more substance. Interesting insight into the world of Jewish Hanukkah traditions.
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Cliente de Amazon
1.0 out of 5 stars awful
Reviewed in Mexico on December 28, 2021
Verified Purchase
One cliche after another, a book based on characters hung up on something that happened when they were 12 ?! Come on, we romance readers like fluff but we are also looking for a logical interesting Story….
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Feel Good Story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 13, 2022
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Loved loved loved this story. Was fun but at same time covered a serious issue in an interesting, easy to read/understand way. The characters are so likeable
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Juline
5.0 out of 5 stars great read
Reviewed in Australia on October 21, 2023
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A feel good book with a happy ending. But not just a fun book. There were thought provoking messages throughout. Loved it.
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D
3.0 out of 5 stars This is a Christmas gift
Reviewed in Canada on December 18, 2021
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It's a Christmas gift
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