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Please Note: I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence the opinions in my review in any way.
Synopsis (from Goodreads):
This Passover is starting to feel like the ten plagues might be coming back to haunt them before the weekend is over...one hilarious misstep after the next.
Gaby Fineberg just wants to get through Passover Seder without her “well meaning” family playing matchmaker. She needs a date, just for one simple meal—that includes singing, the history of her forefathers, and not one bit of yeast. The hot guy at her gym would be perfect. He probably hates bread, anyway, with a body like that. But when she finally works up the nerve to ask him...he doesn’t hear a word she said.
Levi Miller is deaf and happily single. Initially, he doesn’t know why this beautiful woman is talking to him, but it’s clear she needs help—and suddenly so does he. In a very complicated situation, Levi finds a simple solution. Gaby will pretend to be his new girlfriend to bail him out, and he’ll return the favor. But he didn’t bargain for a family dinner quite like this one...
Review:
If you've been looking for a fun, sexy rom-com, look no further than Matzah Ball Surprise, by Laura Brown. From the cover to the charming characters, this book was super fun to read. A bonus is that one of the main characters is from an under-represented group, and is represented realistically, which makes this a wonderful novel. This comes as no surprise, as the author is from this group. I love that we get a novel about an under-represented group from someone actually from that community. Diverse voices!!!
What I Liked:
Premise:I enjoy the "fake" relationship trope so much. There were strong reasons for both Gaby and Levi to want to present a fake partner. Both had to do with family expectations and pressures. This often become more intense during a holiday, and Passover was the perfect backdrop.
Characters:
Gaby and Levi are both very charming characters. I love how the author delves into each character in a substantive way. We get to understand how they normally relate to romantic partners, and why this new relationship is different.
Portrayal of Deafness:
The author's presentation of deafness and the deaf community is well done and accessible to non-deaf readers. Laura Brown shows how gatherings might be a mixed bag when some people in your family can sign, and some cannot. She also illustrates some of the assumptions hearing people have ("I thought you could read lips", one of Gaby's relatives tells Levi), and how insensitive this is.
Story:
This was a fun story about a Passover weekend with family drama, humor, and sexy romance. I liked that the author went through the entire ritual meal of Passover, with all it's meaning and symbolism, As with any holiday, Gaby's family has a few of its own traditions and family dynamics that make their Passover dinner unique, but also universal.
What I was mixed about:
Insta-Romance:I thought that the romance of Gaby and Levi was a bit rushed. Even though I could see a strong attraction between the two, I wish the author didn't jump to saying they might love each other. I would have been just as happy for the characters to be excited to keep learning more about each other by the end of the book.
Sex On The Page:
If you enjoy steamy sex, then you will love this book. I have to say that a play by play of everything happening between the sheets is not my cup of tea. But the scenes were well done, with several small moments that built up the sexual tension effectively.Rating:
Release Date: March 16, 2020
Author: Laura Brown
Publisher: Entangles Lovestruck
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Page Length: 249 Pages
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book
Recommendation: A fun, sexy book with a wonderful portrayal of under-represented voices.
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