danielledickow's review against another edition
3.0
An enjoyable holiday story, but just average for me. Yes I liked the change-up to read about Hanukkah instead of Christmas, but I guess I get annoyed when stories about adults put so much emphasis on their childhood - in this case, both of them were overly obsessive about what had happened many years ago in summer camp and they let that impact the trajectory of their adult relationships. I also didn't like that the author referred to Jacob constantly as Jacob Greenberg, as if there were multiple Jacobs and needed to distinguish (there were not). It was not necessary to constantly use his last name. This could have been a young adult book. For a holiday romance, there was nothing more than a kiss and somehow these characters fell in love instantly after not seeing each other since childhood.
nikkihrose's review against another edition
4.0
From the moment I read the description of this book, I fell in love with it. It contained all of my insecurities in a beautifully festive package. I grew up Jewish, in love with the idea of Christmas but unable to actually enjoy it within my Jewish family unless I wanted to insult someone. I grew up sick, with a chronic invisible illness no one truly understood and even more people tried to dismiss with their own made-up solutions.
Reading this book, I know it isn’t my story. I am not a romance novelist, I did not grow up the daughter of a rabbi or even regularly observe shabbat, but I did grow up in a culture where I felt loved and also restricted from enjoying things outside my heritage.
Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is fantastic, but she also has a lot of trouble trusting people and letting go of the grudges she has held onto for years due to being hurt by others. I can relate.
From a romance perspective, this beautifully festive book contains party planning, secrets, pranking, enemies to romance, a second chance romance, an identity discovery, and a coming of age in its own way. It’s truly beautiful – and a phenomenal glimpse into an example of a Jewish upbringing.
Reading this book, I know it isn’t my story. I am not a romance novelist, I did not grow up the daughter of a rabbi or even regularly observe shabbat, but I did grow up in a culture where I felt loved and also restricted from enjoying things outside my heritage.
Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is fantastic, but she also has a lot of trouble trusting people and letting go of the grudges she has held onto for years due to being hurt by others. I can relate.
From a romance perspective, this beautifully festive book contains party planning, secrets, pranking, enemies to romance, a second chance romance, an identity discovery, and a coming of age in its own way. It’s truly beautiful – and a phenomenal glimpse into an example of a Jewish upbringing.
alltheowls's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Loved the disability representation, but the love story felt bland. Two people fell in love at twelve and then things fairly easily worked out for them to be together as adults??
shirly's review against another edition
funny
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
agmaynard's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Just ok, but bumping to three stars for the important chronic illness rep (lived experience for author) and the immersion in Jewish religion and culture, both still pretty rare for Romance. Otherwise, there's madcap forced in, boxes checked here and there, and Jacob as an event planner is a schlemiel--impossible to believe he's highly competent to run a major business as indicated. That's *my* work background and experience coming out. So I did a lot of skim reading to power through.
foreverbeautifulbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Literally adored this book. It gave me everything I wanted out of a holiday book-- and then my fav trope-- enemies to lovers.
I learned about traditions that I wasn't raised with, and it was just a sweet, well written romance.
Highly recommend this one!
I learned about traditions that I wasn't raised with, and it was just a sweet, well written romance.
Highly recommend this one!
slavic_bookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
momentum262's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cmsemonco's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a cute holiday romcom. I loved both the characters and their individual arcs. I also thoroughly loved the disability rep and learning about Jewish traditions and culture.
There was a rather questionable comment on "coming out" but I am neither Jewish nor struggled with coming out so I can't really remark on it, just listened to the community and it's concerns.
Aside from that, it was cute and super enjoyable.
There was a rather questionable comment on "coming out" but I am neither Jewish nor struggled with coming out so I can't really remark on it, just listened to the community and it's concerns.
Aside from that, it was cute and super enjoyable.