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meganpbennett's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
The Matzah Ball is an interesting, own-voices romance novel, and it has a diverse cast of characters who usually don't grace romance novels: Jewish people and those living with a chronic illness. It's a peak into the lives of people who aren't like me, and that's just plain wonderful. It's sparkly, it's bright, it's everything you could possibly want in a holiday romance novel. If you don't look behind the curtain.
I really didn't like Jacob. He's a walking collection of all of the tropes I don't like in romance novels and he doesn't have enough character development to make up for his behavior. Frankly, I don't know what Rachel sees in the man. He's a bully and a dick.
There are other aspects of the book that I didn't like, but I'm not able to articulate well. There's a remarkably over the top removal of agency that's passed off as a grand gesture; Rachel is pushed to "out herself" by writing an own-voices holiday romance novel, despite not being ready to do so; Rachel and Jacob are still acting like 12 year olds at camp and still holding grudges over what happened; the book is so littered with vocabulary words that a glossary would have helped the Gentile readership.
I really didn't like Jacob. He's a walking collection of all of the tropes I don't like in romance novels and he doesn't have enough character development to make up for his behavior. Frankly, I don't know what Rachel sees in the man. He's a bully and a dick.
There are other aspects of the book that I didn't like, but I'm not able to articulate well. There's a remarkably over the top removal of agency that's passed off as a grand gesture; Rachel is pushed to "out herself" by writing an own-voices holiday romance novel, despite not being ready to do so; Rachel and Jacob are still acting like 12 year olds at camp and still holding grudges over what happened; the book is so littered with vocabulary words that a glossary would have helped the Gentile readership.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cancer, Ableism, and Bullying
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
livslittlelibraryy's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I loved the jewish and chronic illness representation! I thought the storyline was cute. But I really wanted more romance and I didn’t find the love interest all the likeable :( a really cute holiday read nonetheless
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Death of parent
jessitheblonde's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Antisemitism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
kayladaila's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, Death of parent, Grief, and Terminal illness
Minor: Cancer and Antisemitism
lit_with_lauren's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Death of parent
stevie's review against another edition
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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