Reviews tagging 'Grief'

The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer

20 reviews

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Moderate: Grief, Cancer, and Ableism

Minor: War, Antisemitism, and Genocide

jenniferbbookdragon's review against another edition

funny hopeful 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

4.75

This is the Hanukkah rom-com I didn't know I needed,  both funny and serious. Both Rachel and Jacob remember their experiences at a Jewish summer camp , but each has a different memory of their kiss and and what it meant. Meeting again as adults, they find a spark is still there but they both have reasons to question whether pursuing a relationship is a good idea. 
Both main characters are well developed,  appealing,  and flawed (as all humans are.) The secondary characters are interesting and create a community that feels welcoming.
* Rachel has ME/CFS (chronic fatigue syndrome) which is presented realistically and compassionately. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness

Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment, and Grief

sarahlovesbooks's review

funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Cute and charming, feels like a Christmas Hallmark movie romance! Good chemistry between the characters, but still a closed door/rated PG romance.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Chronic illness, Grief, and Death of parent

tjazz's review

funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

The MC is unsufferable with so much internalized ableism it hurts. She refuses to let go of a 20 year grudge and shuts out literally everyone in her life to her own detrement and as a disabled reader I wanted to shake the sugar out of her constantly.
I was so in love with the premise and it had so many problems

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, Grief, and Death of parent

Moderate: Medical content

deidrelj's review against another edition

funny inspiring relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Cute romance, bogged down with constant explanations on details of Judaism, Hanukkah and her illness. Wish it was just integrated more seamlessly as part of the story. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Grief

Minor: Religious bigotry and Genocide

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and War

mikaelaandherbooks's review

lighthearted medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Chronic illness and Grief

Minor: Death of parent, Bullying, and Abandonment

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

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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

kaitlinlovesbooks's review against another edition

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief, Alcohol, Chronic illness, and Medical content

Minor: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, and Antisemitism

Although there are no direct examples of Antisemitism in the book, it is referred to a couple of times by the characters. Also, one of the characters describes her experience escaping Germany during the Holocaust.

hanz's review against another edition

lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness

Moderate: Grief and Death of parent

Minor: Antisemitism, Body shaming, and Suicidal thoughts