Reviews tagging 'Chronic illness'

Kissing Kosher by Jean Meltzer

35 reviews

bookcasey's review against another edition

hopeful

• 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

As others have said, the romance aspect wasn’t what I enjoyed most. It’s a far more realistic depiction of chronic illness than we usually see in media, with a little HEA shine. This book feels like one of the many incredible pastries that are baked.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness

Moderate: Drug use, Medical content, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Grief, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content

caseylovett's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Drug use, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Suicidal thoughts

alisiakae's review against another edition

emotional 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? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent

droznowski's review

emotional medium-paced

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

3.5

I got this as a blind date with a book. I was intrigued by the premise but the chronic illness plotline was a lot. I don’t know if that plotline should be chosen for a blind date with a book but if you’re prepared for it the representation felt authentic. 

I liked the concept of the storyline (I wanted to eat all the baked goods described). Some of the plot and romance felt cringey or juvenile to me.

I really appreciated the commentary on generational trauma in the Jewish community and in families. I think that was handled really well. I wish the ending would have been drawn out more than some other parts of the book. The last chapter and epilogue felt so short in comparison to the rest of the book and could have been more in depth. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness and Drug use

thealmightykatt's review

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Chronic illness

Moderate: Sexual content

Minor: Death of parent and Suicidal thoughts

jenniferbbookdragon's review

emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Thank you Jean Metzler for writing about chronic pain in a very real way that balances the impact on daily life, major problems with how the medical community diagnoses and treats patients,  and the ways to live a meaningful life with the pain. The parallels between Avital's pain and Ethan's family trauma creates a relationship between equals, and the exploration of the Jewish teachings on sex and marriage makes me wish Rabbi Jason taught all sexuality education classes.
Kissing Kosher combines well developed characters,  including engaging secondary characters,  and descriptive language that allows the reader to step into the Best Babka in Brooklyn bakery. I could almost taste the delicious treats and smell the challah baking.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Medical trauma, Drug use, Medical content, and Sexual content

Moderate: Ableism and Fire/Fire injury

callidoralblack's review

emotional funny lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Drug use, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Cancer, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Child abuse, Addiction, Abandonment, Alcohol, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts

vagaybond's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Drug use, Grief, Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, and Ableism

Moderate: Car accident, Alcohol, and Child abuse

rachreads925's review

funny hopeful informative lighthearted 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Chronic illness

Moderate: Drug use

wellreadmegs's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring fast-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

3.75

Jean Meltzer is quickly becoming a must-read author for me. After reading The Matzo Ball last year and now Kissing Kosher this year - I'm really enjoying her books. As someone who isn't Jewish, I really enjoy learning more about the religious and cultural traditions through her books. 

Avital was a great character and I love how the theme throughout the book was chronic pain and how you can still have happiness and a love story while living with chronic pain. It reminded me of The Brown Sisters series in that way - beautiful love stories with "imperfect" or chronic issues that often don't get portrayed in media. Although I couldn't relate to these things, I can't imagine how seen someone who does may feel reading this. I know I felt a lot of empathy towards them. 

This was a lovely read to round out the year. I might have to go back and read Mr Perfect On Paper next. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness

Moderate: Chronic illness

Minor: Death of parent