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books_and_more_books_byt's review
3.0
3.5 Stars
This was a new author for me, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Overall, the book had a good plot and adorable characters but there were scenes that I thought didn’t transition smoothly. I had to reread parts to figure out what was going on. I loved the characters and the “fake date” was a great storyline. The author was able to get across the difficulties people with hearing disabilities face in the daily world. It certainly made me more aware of the obstacles they must overcome and the strength of character they have. I would have liked to have a more detailed ending, maybe giving us a glance at the couple’s future. It was a fun book to read with lots of humor.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This was a new author for me, and I wasn’t sure what to expect. Overall, the book had a good plot and adorable characters but there were scenes that I thought didn’t transition smoothly. I had to reread parts to figure out what was going on. I loved the characters and the “fake date” was a great storyline. The author was able to get across the difficulties people with hearing disabilities face in the daily world. It certainly made me more aware of the obstacles they must overcome and the strength of character they have. I would have liked to have a more detailed ending, maybe giving us a glance at the couple’s future. It was a fun book to read with lots of humor.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
A fun Jewish fake dating romance that sees Levi and Gab, two strangers who meet at the gym, agreeing to be fake dates over Passover with their families. I loved the #ownvoices Deaf rep with the MMC and the way that communication challenges played a central part in the story. The two leads had to communicate largely through texting which felt really relatable and real. It was also nice to see Gaby making an effort to learn sign language as she spends more time with Levi. Good on audio and perfect for fans of authors like Jean Meltzer or Helena Greer.
curls's review
4.0
Cute contemporary romance with a Deaf hero who goes on a fake date to the heroine’s family Passover
teresajluvs2read's review
4.0
**I received a copy of Matzah Ball Surprise from Entangled Publishing and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinion is my own and not solicited in any way.**
Matzah Ball Surprise by Laura Brown was definitely a pleasant surprise for me and I loved it. Ms. Brown is a new author to me and I love how she wrote the texts back and forth for both Gaby and Levi plus I'm going to be checking out her other books.
Gaby Fineberg needs a date for her mother's Passover dinner as her current boyfriend off just ending their relationship. So even a fake one will do because when her mom is in a match making mood watch out. So when she decides to ask the hot man at her gym little does she know he's deaf but so when Levi Miller suggests using a text messages on their phones she's all in. But Levi has a secret of his own and hopefully Gaby will never know his ex-girlfriend still has his ring. Can two people take a fake dinner weekend where the turkey is gobbled by the dog and somehow Levi and Gaby find out that this date could turn into something forever.
So be prepared to giggle and fall in love with the Fineberg and Miller families as they meet during Passover where you'll fall in love with everyone including Benji the dog.
Matzah Ball Surprise by Laura Brown was definitely a pleasant surprise for me and I loved it. Ms. Brown is a new author to me and I love how she wrote the texts back and forth for both Gaby and Levi plus I'm going to be checking out her other books.
Gaby Fineberg needs a date for her mother's Passover dinner as her current boyfriend off just ending their relationship. So even a fake one will do because when her mom is in a match making mood watch out. So when she decides to ask the hot man at her gym little does she know he's deaf but so when Levi Miller suggests using a text messages on their phones she's all in. But Levi has a secret of his own and hopefully Gaby will never know his ex-girlfriend still has his ring. Can two people take a fake dinner weekend where the turkey is gobbled by the dog and somehow Levi and Gaby find out that this date could turn into something forever.
So be prepared to giggle and fall in love with the Fineberg and Miller families as they meet during Passover where you'll fall in love with everyone including Benji the dog.
inmyhumbleopinion's review
4.0
Matzah Ball Surprise by Laura Brown is a delightfully sweet fake boyfriend tale that takes place during the Passover holiday. Gaby needs someone to distract her family and the hot guy from the gym she’s been ogling for months might just be the thing. Levi has issues of his own. But they may each be just what the other needs. These two are funny, bright and adorable together. I loved that the author featured a deaf hero. You don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy this story.
sandlynn's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
There's wonderful representation of both the deaf community and what it feels like to be deaf among hearing people and there is also Jewish representation and observances of a holiday. However, the story gets bogged down, ironically, in a lack of communication that has little to do with being deaf and in misunderstandings. Also some parts of the story dragged for me while the ending was rushed.
modrallj's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this and all the little ways Levi and Gaby found to communicate with one another.
piddlepiddle's review
2.0
Despite not liking the fake dating and miscommunication tropes I decided to pick up this book because of the deaf and Jewish representation. While I loved loved loved how accurate the representation felt, I did not like the rest of the plot sadly. The whole time I was reading I felt like banging my head on the wall and screaming at them, "Just talk to each other already!!!!" as it would have solved the problem right away. I also didn't really feel the romance, it went to "I love you" levels very quickly.
If you enjoy fake dating and lots of miscommunication I would highly recommend this book for you because of the fabulous representation. But this was just not my cup of tea.
If you enjoy fake dating and lots of miscommunication I would highly recommend this book for you because of the fabulous representation. But this was just not my cup of tea.
ariel937's review
3.0
This is a very cute and sweet book about a girl who invites a cute Deaf guy to be her fake date to Passover. I loved that the writer included so much about Jewish tradition and Deaf culture, but the relationship between Gaby and Levi were very rushed. While this is obviously supposed to be over a one-day holiday, I think it would be been better if they spent a bit more time together. But this is a quick read, and I enjoyed it!
dearbookboyfriend's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Selected this as my April Jewish diversity pick for the #diversifyyourreadswithtlr challenge and also for the #disabilityreadathon.
Gaby needs a fake date to bring home for Passover Seder after breaking up with her toxic ex. Levi is surprised to find how easily he connects with a hearing woman but will keeping his ex-fiancé's secret ruin his chance at love?
Overall, a quick read with really good deaf and hard of hearing rep (the author is HOH), duel pov, open door, moderate spice
Gaby needs a fake date to bring home for Passover Seder after breaking up with her toxic ex. Levi is surprised to find how easily he connects with a hearing woman but will keeping his ex-fiancé's secret ruin his chance at love?
Overall, a quick read with really good deaf and hard of hearing rep (the author is HOH), duel pov, open door, moderate spice
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Sexism, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse