A laugh-out-loud funny romance with depth and heart, readers will love this spellbinding novel!” —Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Meltzer’s timely exploration of antisemitic propaganda is sensitive while never overshadowing the cute romance that blossoms between Faye and Greg. This is Meltzer’s best yet.” —Publishers Weekly
“Meltzer’s (Kissing Kosher) latest is a page-turner, and readers won’t be able to stop until they have all the answers.” —Library Journal
"Magical Meet Cute is a poignant, timely, story about learning when to be brave, when to be soft, and the people you can trust in a storm. It's a story with so much heart and so much hope that is absolutely needed right now." —Felicia Grossman, author of Marry Me By Midnight
"Into her cauldron Jean Meltzer has thrown Jewish witches, Neo-Nazis, childhood abuse, the perfect man, a picturesque town, the best BFFs, a salami-eating ugly rescue dog and poof - out has come one of the best novels of 2024. Read it for the wit, humor, camaraderie and romance and then prepare to spend the next few days in awe, dwelling on Magical Meet Cute’s compelling and poignant plot (including a great twist or two) and all its joyful, life affirming messages." —M.J. Rose, New York Times bestselling author of Forgetting To Remember
“Magical Meet Cute is sure to enchant you with its humor and heart! This book and its message is an antidote that’s sorely needed in today’s world, and a powerful reminder of the magic behind our words.” —Heidi Shertok, author of Unorthodox Love
"With her latest offering, Jean Meltzer continues her trend of fearlessly tackling sensitive, mostly uncharted issues with finesse and humor. Creative, inventive, and romantic, Magical Meet Cute is her boldest novel yet." —Meredith Schorr, author of As Seen on TV
“Magic and romance collide in this heart-squeezing story of two lost souls finding that imperfections can turn out to be quite perfect. Meltzer's pen weaves charm with flaws in remarkable harmony that will leave readers enchanted.” —J'nell Ciesielski, bestselling author of The Socialite
"Magical Meet Cute is the Jewish joy we all need in our lives right now. It's a funny and playful page-turner, but with so much heart you'll be bursting by the end. It doesn't shy away from everything scary about being Jewish today, but it gives us the magic and romance we all deserve in our stories. I couldn't put this enchanting novel down." —Ali Rosen, bestselling author of Recipe for Second Chances
“This book is a masterclass in how to blend heart, humor, and a touch of the mystical, proving Meltzer isn’t just spinning clay—she’s spinning gold.” —Arden Joy, author of Keep This Off The Record
“This book is magic—in every sense. Jean Meltzer knows how to fire up tension and will keep you guessing almost to the end. The emotions are deep – I laughed, and I cried, and I swooned, and I couldn’t put it down. ” —Maan Gabriel, author of Twelve Hours in Manhattan
"A five-star tale that's far from ordinary. Meltzer manages to teach and dazzle in one single sitting." —Rochelle Weinstein, bestselling author of What You Do To Me
"In her bewitching new novel, Jean Meltzer conjures an otherworldly tale that interweaves the difficult subject of antisemitism with a healthy sprinkle of Jewish magic. The result is an unforgettable story that explores the universal desire to be protected, while reminding readers that love is the most powerful force of all." —Lindsay Hameroff, author of Till There Was You
"In Magical Meet Cute, Jean cements her rightfully earned place as the reigning queen of endearingly quirky and complex characters determined to fight for their happiness in a world that is constantly telling them they don’t deserve it." Jessica Lepe, author of Flirty Little Secret
“Magical Meet Cute presents a portrait of modern antisemitism, while reinforcing the need to thrive and find joy. Reminiscent of Practical Magic in the best of ways, Meltzer is truly the queen Jewitch of Jewish romance.” —Sara Goodman Confino, bestselling author of Don't Forget to Write
“An infusion of Jewish Magic brings Jean Meltzer's latest to another level, allowing her and her well drawn characters to grapple with larger contemporary issues without taking away from the heart that sits at the core of Meltzer's books. Brava.” —Stacey Agdern, award-winning author of The B'nai Mitzvah Mistake
"Love, magic, and all the sparks fly in this bewitching romance.” —Rachel Barenbaum author of Atomic Anna
"Jean Meltzer conjures up another winner, blending humor, heart, and a dash of the supernatural in her latest delightful romantic comedy." —Devon Daniels, author of The Rom Con
06/01/2024
When antisemitic flyers are anonymously distributed throughout Faye Kaplan's friendly, quiet town, she is shaken. After a night of fending off her fear with too much wine, Faye, a practicing Jewitch, creates a small golem, inscribing his clay body with all of the traits that her perfect man should have, including being her protector. The next morning, hungover and late for a meeting, she hits someone while whizzing through the main street and knocks him out. He's physically okay but has amnesia. Faye feels so guilty over the accident that she invites the man, whom she calls Greg, to stay with her while he recuperates. Almost immediately, Faye realizes that Greg is displaying the unique characteristics she carved into her golem. Did she manifest Greg? Is she falling in love with a golem? This romance is a unique mix of mystery, magic, and humor. Faye's fears are examined and well-written, creating sympathy for her and disgust for her unknown tormentors. Her subsequent creation of a golem and confusion over Greg is realistic, leading readers to wonder themselves. VERDICT Meltzer's (Kissing Kosher) latest is a page-turner, and readers won't be able to stop until they have all the answers.—Heather Miller Cover
2024-05-31
When a potter meets a handsome stranger with amnesia, she wonders if she’s responsible for conjuring him up.
Faye Kaplan is no stranger to fresh starts. After an engagement failed disastrously and she quit her full-time job as a lawyer, she decided to embrace her second chance at life by opening a pottery business in Woodstock, New York. Despite a much-needed change of scenery and a supportive community of friends, the one thing she’s still missing is romance. After another singles event turns up no potential dates and then, on her way home, Faye discovers antisemitic flyers covering her neighborhood, she reaches for what has always been a comfort to her in times of stress: pottery. Drunkenly making a golem to guard herself feels like the right idea, especially when she molds him with all the traits her dream man would have. The next day, still nursing a hangover, Faye runs into a handsome guy—quite literally, with her bike, knocking him to the ground. By the time the stranger wakes up in the emergency room, he can’t remember who he is or anything about himself. Feeling guilty and responsible for his current predicament, Faye invites the man to stay with her until he gets his memory back, but she can’t shake the growing sense that his arrival in town might just be connected to her clay-made creation. Meltzer’s latest combines endearing characters, magical realism, and much harsher topics, but these elements often feel less than well integrated, and the magic seems more fantastical in premise than execution. The author’s trademark humor provides some much-needed levity, but the central romance isn’t given as much time as it needs to fully flourish, especially given the hero’s amnesia.
A charming story that could have used a bit more magic.