The Matzah Ball

''A luminous celebration of all types of love, threaded with the message that everyone is worthy of it'' Rachel Lynn Solomon, author of The Ex Talk

Oy! to the world

Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with a shameful secret: she loves Christmas. For a decade she''s hidden her career as a Christmas romance novelist from her family. Her talent has made her a bestseller even as her chronic illness has always kept the kind of love she writes about out of reach.

But when her diversity-conscious publisher insists she write a Hanukkah romance, her well of inspiration suddenly runs dry. Hanukkah''s not magical. It''s not merry. It''s not Christmas. Desperate not to lose her contract, Rachel''s determined to find her muse at the Matzah Ball, a Jewish music celebration on the last night of Hanukkah, even if it means working with her summer camp archenemy-Jacob Greenberg.

Though Rachel and Jacob haven''t seen each other since they were kids, their grudge still glows brighter than a menorah. But as they spend more time together, Rachel finds herself drawn to Hanukkah-and Jacob-in a way she never expected. Maybe this holiday of lights will be the spark she needed to set her heart ablaze.

Praise for Jean Meltzer

''A seasonal romance with a difference'' People''s Friend

''A funny, fresh holiday read to tickle your funny bone and warm your heart'' Sheila Roberts

''A warm, heartfelt ode to self-acceptance, honesty, and tight-knit Jewish communities, The Matzah Ball gently - and rightfully - insists we don''t need to be perfect or "normal" to deserve and find love. The story was a true pleasure to read'' Olivia Dade