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mj_86's review
funny
hopeful
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Grief, Cancer, and Ableism
Minor: War, Antisemitism, and Genocide
clarke's review against another edition
1.0
I was so excited for this book, looking forward to reading the chronic illness representation. A fictional character with ME?! I couldn't believe my luck. Unfortunately, the majority of the chronic illness content felt like it was there to educate others, not so fellow chronically ill and disabled people could finally see themselves represented. There were some moments of representation, but the whole 'love interest saviour' and running miles in a ball gown by 'just pushing through' was grim, undermines the entire message, and is not how any of it works. Why mention ME, PEM, and flare ups if you’re just gonna do a marathon with ease at the end? (Also why have the (valid) rant about CFS being a shit name for ME to then only refer to it as CFS thereafter?). She goes from hiding her illness, not daring to use a wheelchair even though it would help, and causing flare ups to not appear weak to saying 'fuck em' in a wheelchair whilst confidently giving out orders in about 5 seconds. That is NOT how it feels irl - I've been using a wheelchair for about a year and I'm still not comfortable with it, the weakness, flare ups, etc. Although I will say that the part about pacing being difficult even after years was accurate.
From the other reviews I have read by Jewish people, there was a similar representation issue there (more educating/explaining things to non-Jewish people than representing Jewish people eg explaining that the holocaust was Bad and other basic shit). Some other reviews also had issue with how their faith was represented and the whole 'closet' Christmas fan stuff, which I think are important to read to appreciate perspectives outside of your/my own. This book also unfortunately makes light of the IOF killing people - something other reviewers are much more educated on and I suggest you read their reviews as they helped me understand more deeply.
This could've been good, great even, but I cannot overlook the above. I am begging for good chronic illness rep (especially ME/fatigue based) but even aside from that, I felt the rest of the plot was fairly flimsy and neither of them are very professional. The big 'betrayal' at summer camp reveal was also glossed over very easily when it was the crux of them not trusting each other for at least half the book. Everyone pushing them to get married when they'd only just seen each other after 18y was also weird as fuck and I'd be extremely uncomfortable?? Idk, in summary it wasn't great representation nor a great story, and makes light of atrocities so yknow.
From the other reviews I have read by Jewish people, there was a similar representation issue there (more educating/explaining things to non-Jewish people than representing Jewish people eg explaining that the holocaust was Bad and other basic shit). Some other reviews also had issue with how their faith was represented and the whole 'closet' Christmas fan stuff, which I think are important to read to appreciate perspectives outside of your/my own. This book also unfortunately makes light of the IOF killing people - something other reviewers are much more educated on and I suggest you read their reviews as they helped me understand more deeply.
This could've been good, great even, but I cannot overlook the above. I am begging for good chronic illness rep (especially ME/fatigue based) but even aside from that, I felt the rest of the plot was fairly flimsy and neither of them are very professional. The big 'betrayal' at summer camp reveal was also glossed over very easily when it was the crux of them not trusting each other for at least half the book. Everyone pushing them to get married when they'd only just seen each other after 18y was also weird as fuck and I'd be extremely uncomfortable?? Idk, in summary it wasn't great representation nor a great story, and makes light of atrocities so yknow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Abandonment, and Antisemitism
Moderate: Religious bigotry, War, Ableism, Cancer, and Death of parent
kyrstin_p1989's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.0
Very cute romance story that is traditional and non-traditional at the same time. I appreciated that the story centers around Hanukkah while exhibiting all the tell-tale signs of a typical Hallmark Christmas movie. The themes of this book are lovely and withstand the test of time and the differences between faiths. The love story is a frenemies to lovers with a bit of miscommunication trope thrown in. All in all, I thought it was a good holiday rom-com to read during Hanukkah.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Racism, War, Bullying, Racial slurs, Abandonment, Death of parent, Ableism, Alcohol, Chronic illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
btwnprintedpgs's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and War
annahamburger's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Abandonment, Cancer, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Antisemitism, Grief, Genocide, Body shaming, Alcohol, Ableism, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
Minor: War, Pregnancy, Xenophobia, and Infertility
kdailyreads's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Grief, Death of parent, Bullying, and Ableism
Minor: War and Islamophobia
mcomp's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Antisemitism
Minor: War
blueiris315's review
tense
-Genocide is not funny
-tedious writing
-tedious writing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Antisemitism, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Emotional abuse, Chronic illness, Homophobia, and War
unsuccessfulbookclub's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.0
I’m late to the party for this book, pun intended.
You know that one couple in your friend group that gets in fights every time you go out together? The couple that is always breaking up just to make up? That couple that pretends to hate each other all the time? Rachel and Jacob are that couple.
It was cute, and I actually *loved* the characters, but I am not an enemies-to-lovers fan and this book is the embodiment of that trope. The main characters fight for 80% of the book to finally kiss and then fight again until the very, very end. 😩 There is also conflict driven by lies of omission which drives me absolutely bananas as a reader.
This is Meltzer’s debut novel so I am being a little lenient but I found the writing a repetitive and telling instead of showing at times. There were more than a few paragraphs that could have been eliminated without losing any details. There is also one joke in poor taste regarding the IDF, so if you visit Goodreads for reviews you will see chatter about it. The book could have done without it, but here we are.
👌🏻All that said, if you like enemies to lovers and you’re looking for a closed-door, lighthearted holiday romance that *isn’t* about Christmas, this is a solid choice. I enjoyed the window into Jewish culture, and the chronic illness representation seemed sensitive and realistic (the author has a chronic illness herself).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
Moderate: Antisemitism and War
stevie's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Ableism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and War
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