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A review by kellbraun
Mr. Perfect on Paper by Jean Meltzer
3.0
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing-MIRA and Netgalley for an ARC of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Though the concept of MR. PERFECT ON PAPER is not necessarily a new one (high-powered business woman searching for man who checks off all the boxes of her ideal match, only to fall for someone who checks none of them), there were definitely some aspects that make it unique. Not only is Dara, a third-generation matchmaker, Jewish, but she also deals with general anxiety disorder. One of the things I’ve appreciated in the now two books I’ve read from Jean Meltzer are how the characters have struggles that are often not talked about openly. Meltzer’s characters, however, are honest about these struggles because that’s simply another aspect of their life, much like a physical feature or an aspect of their personality.
There were also so many other things to enjoy about MR. PERFECT ON PAPER. I loved the meddling bubbe and her nursing home friends, as well as the neighborhood fire crew who come to the rescue in more ways than one. I also loved the inclusion and explanations of the Jewish high holidays that I have heard of, but didn’t necessarily understand the meanings behind and the traditions that came with them. My one main complaint, however, is that, for a story that was about these two main characters falling in love, I didn’t necessarily feel any sort of connection between them. It felt as if they spent a few hours at a time together over a few months and suddenly were so in love that Chris was ready to convert to Judaism—another huge life change for him and his daughter—despite never having even kissed Dara (the only reason Dara knew Dr. Daniel wasn’t right for her, even though he checked all of her boxes). I wish I had seen more scenes where the two interacted and delved deeper into their personal lives so I could actually feel the love between them.
Though the concept of MR. PERFECT ON PAPER is not necessarily a new one (high-powered business woman searching for man who checks off all the boxes of her ideal match, only to fall for someone who checks none of them), there were definitely some aspects that make it unique. Not only is Dara, a third-generation matchmaker, Jewish, but she also deals with general anxiety disorder. One of the things I’ve appreciated in the now two books I’ve read from Jean Meltzer are how the characters have struggles that are often not talked about openly. Meltzer’s characters, however, are honest about these struggles because that’s simply another aspect of their life, much like a physical feature or an aspect of their personality.
There were also so many other things to enjoy about MR. PERFECT ON PAPER. I loved the meddling bubbe and her nursing home friends, as well as the neighborhood fire crew who come to the rescue in more ways than one. I also loved the inclusion and explanations of the Jewish high holidays that I have heard of, but didn’t necessarily understand the meanings behind and the traditions that came with them. My one main complaint, however, is that, for a story that was about these two main characters falling in love, I didn’t necessarily feel any sort of connection between them. It felt as if they spent a few hours at a time together over a few months and suddenly were so in love that Chris was ready to convert to Judaism—another huge life change for him and his daughter—despite never having even kissed Dara (the only reason Dara knew Dr. Daniel wasn’t right for her, even though he checked all of her boxes). I wish I had seen more scenes where the two interacted and delved deeper into their personal lives so I could actually feel the love between them.