Magical Meet Cute by Jean Meltzer

This early review copy was provided to me by Harlequin Trade Publishing through The Hive. This in no way impacts the rating of the book. All of my reviews contain my honest opinions.

Title: Magical Meet Cute

Author: Jean Meltzer

Release Date: August 27, 2024

Publisher: Harlequin Trade Publishing

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Magical Realism

Source: paperback, The Hive

TW: antisemitism, religious bigotry, hate crimes, child abuse, moderate sexual content, excrement

Synopsis

Is he the real deal…or did she truly summon a golem?

Faye Kaplan used to be engaged. She also used to have a successful legal practice. But she much prefers her new life as a potter in Woodstock, New York. The only thing missing is the perfect guy.

Not that she needs one. She’s definitely happy alone.

That is, until she finds her town papered with anti-Semitic flyers after yet another failed singles event at the synagogue. Desperate for comfort, Faye drunkenly turns to the only thing guaranteed to soothe her—pottery. A golem protector is just what her town needs…and adding all the little details to make him her ideal man can’t hurt, right?

When a seriously hot stranger mysteriously turns up the next day, Greg seems too good to be true—if you ignore the fact that Faye hit him with her bike. And that he subsequently lost his memory…

But otherwise, the man checks Every. Single. Box. Causing Faye to wonder if Greg’s sudden and spicy appearance might be anything but a coincidence.

Thoughts

I found this book really cute and thoroughly enjoyable. One of the standout aspects for me was how eccentric Faye was, especially when she started getting obsessed with the idea of Greg being a golem. Her little bout of craziness was hilarious and added a lot of charm to her character. Nelly, on the other hand, was an absolute riot. Her Nazi hunting antics constantly had me laughing out loud, providing a perfect balance of humor to the story.

Greg was such a dream. I adored how kind and thoughtful he was, making it easy to see why he would be the perfect man Faye dreamed up. His character added a lot of warmth and depth to the narrative, making me root for him and Faye throughout the book.

The book also touched on a lot of sensitive and important topics such as child abuse, emotional abuse, racism, and anti-Semitism, among a few others. I appreciated how the story didn't shy away from these issues but instead, addressed them head-on. It really felt like a reflection of today’s society. The author did a commendable job of delving deep into the fear and anxiety someone can feel as a victim of anti-Semitism. These elements added a layer of seriousness and depth to the story, making it more than just a light-hearted romantic comedy.

Despite the darker elements, the book maintained a light, cute, and adorable tone, making it a perfect romantic comedy. The blend of humor, romance, and serious issues was handled beautifully, making the story both engaging and thought-provoking. I really enjoyed Meltzer’s writing style. It was easy to read, yet rich in details and emotions. I am very much looking forward to reading more of her books in the future.

Overall, "Magical Meet Cute" was a delightful read that I would highly recommend. It had everything I look for in a good book – humor, romance, depth, and memorable characters. Jean Meltzer has definitely become one of my favorite authors, and I can’t wait to dive into her other works.