... fabulous ... The cultural aspect of this book is spectacular. Rachel’s Judaism is more than just the typical window dressing of lighting a few candles – we’re shown how her faith affects every aspect of her life, from what she eats to a world view that places family and community central to her identity ... The author also does a great job of showcasing living with a chronic illness...Ms. Meltzer captures with complete credibility the impatience and intolerance of others who don’t understand what being chronically ill means and the frustration and hurt caused when people accuse the sufferer of faking or exaggerating their illness to get out of things they don’t want to do ... And Rachel is, frankly, fabulous ... I loved their romance in spite of the above foibles. The author does such a wonderful job showing us who these people are and why they’re perfect for each other that I found myself rooting for them from the start ... Ms. Mehtzer’s love for Judaism and her real-life experience with myalgic encephalomyelitis help The Matzah Ball to ring with sincere, heartfelt authenticity. I was completely charmed by the story and think readers looking for a poignant, slow burn romance will enjoy it too.
Up close, it’s centered around Judaism and chronic illness. From above, it’s about the universality of love. Melded together they create a story accessible to readers across categories ... Many absurd and sometimes slapstick things happen among the characters—especially the heroine and hero—that bring laughs (or groans) ... All this is carried along by light, clear prose, making Matzah Ball readable and entertaining even while it examines profound questions many people grapple with during their lives ... a holiday second-chance romantic comedy with literary underpinnings told by diverse, often ignored, voices. Something for almost everyone!
In her first novel, Meltzer makes sure that, despite some misunderstandings and hurt feelings, Rachel and Jacob do find their bashert (soulmate) in the glow of the Hanukkah candles. Fans of second-chance and holiday romances will find much to enjoy in this welcome variation on the holiday theme.
Meltzer’s enemies-to-lovers debut romance hits all the high points often found in holiday romances—the love who got away, misunderstandings from past and present, humorous and heartfelt interactions that draw the couple back together, as well as interfering but well-meaning family members. The story also incorporates Jewish traditions in a way that will be accessible to many readers, and it does the same for ME/CFS. While some events are predictable, getting to the HEA is an enjoyable journey ... A fun read and a good addition to holiday romance collections.
This story is filled with lots of love in the best tradition of any romance novel, but it's so much more. Meltzer provides us with an inside look at a protagonist who is strong and successful while struggling with a chronic disease ... Meltzer is an expert at describing ME/CFS because she, like Rachel, has it ... The plot isn't especially creative, but in some ways, romances are all the same. We know there will be a happy ending and lots of misunderstandings from the first time the couple meet until they declare their love for each other. What makes a romance stand out is all the in-between: the setting, the personalities of the characters, the type of problems they face. And it's here where Meltzer's writing shines ... This holiday romance will go down as easily as a perfectly made matzah ball and will sweeten your day like a chocolate rugelach. But be warned: it also will make you crave Chinese food, which is a Jewish staple during Christmastime. The characters partake liberally of Kung Pao Chicken and spring rolls over the course of the book. Really.
... charming ... Refreshingly, Rachel’s illness is not one of the barriers to their happy ending; instead, the pair weather the typical misunderstandings of a contemporary rom-com. Rachel is a fully formed character whose illness has shaped her choices, but doesn’t define all of who she is. Meanwhile, Jacob’s bubbe, who serves rugalach for every occasion, and Rachel’s best friend, Mickey, are scene-stealers—and deserve happily ever afters of their own. This heartfelt rom-com should be unwrapped by people of all faiths this holiday season.
Meltzer's debut romance is a reminder of the genre's ability to tell a wide variety of stories from different perspectives—it presents Rachel's lived experience with religion and chronic illness while being wrapped in the most comforting of familiar tropes. Every subject is handled with care, from the main characters' Judaism to the heroine's chronic (and often seemingly invisible) illness, and the end result is a very satisfying addition to the holiday romance subgenre that will be enjoyed at any time of year ... A sparkling holiday romance told with both honesty and heart.
