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teresajluvs2read's review
4.0
**I received a copy of Matzah Ball Surprise from Entangled Publishing and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinion is my own and not solicited in any way.**
Matzah Ball Surprise by Laura Brown was definitely a pleasant surprise for me and I loved it. Ms. Brown is a new author to me and I love how she wrote the texts back and forth for both Gaby and Levi plus I'm going to be checking out her other books.
Gaby Fineberg needs a date for her mother's Passover dinner as her current boyfriend off just ending their relationship. So even a fake one will do because when her mom is in a match making mood watch out. So when she decides to ask the hot man at her gym little does she know he's deaf but so when Levi Miller suggests using a text messages on their phones she's all in. But Levi has a secret of his own and hopefully Gaby will never know his ex-girlfriend still has his ring. Can two people take a fake dinner weekend where the turkey is gobbled by the dog and somehow Levi and Gaby find out that this date could turn into something forever.
So be prepared to giggle and fall in love with the Fineberg and Miller families as they meet during Passover where you'll fall in love with everyone including Benji the dog.
Matzah Ball Surprise by Laura Brown was definitely a pleasant surprise for me and I loved it. Ms. Brown is a new author to me and I love how she wrote the texts back and forth for both Gaby and Levi plus I'm going to be checking out her other books.
Gaby Fineberg needs a date for her mother's Passover dinner as her current boyfriend off just ending their relationship. So even a fake one will do because when her mom is in a match making mood watch out. So when she decides to ask the hot man at her gym little does she know he's deaf but so when Levi Miller suggests using a text messages on their phones she's all in. But Levi has a secret of his own and hopefully Gaby will never know his ex-girlfriend still has his ring. Can two people take a fake dinner weekend where the turkey is gobbled by the dog and somehow Levi and Gaby find out that this date could turn into something forever.
So be prepared to giggle and fall in love with the Fineberg and Miller families as they meet during Passover where you'll fall in love with everyone including Benji the dog.
tiggeruo's review
3.0
I have never read anything from this author so I wasn't sure what to expect. The story was completely predictable and I felt that the author tended to repeat herself on certain topics a lot. I did like Izzy and Gaby and their relationship they seemed to have this unbreakable bond between them. Also really enjoyed the relationship between Faith and Anne. I did enjoy reading about Levi and Gaby and the way the stubbled through their situations. This book does contain sex and cussing. Over all there were some laughable moments, the book is a quick read. I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a review and have given my honest opinion.
inmyhumbleopinion's review
4.0
Matzah Ball Surprise by Laura Brown is a delightfully sweet fake boyfriend tale that takes place during the Passover holiday. Gaby needs someone to distract her family and the hot guy from the gym she’s been ogling for months might just be the thing. Levi has issues of his own. But they may each be just what the other needs. These two are funny, bright and adorable together. I loved that the author featured a deaf hero. You don’t have to be Jewish to enjoy this story.
sandlynn's review
emotional
funny
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? Yes
3.25
There's wonderful representation of both the deaf community and what it feels like to be deaf among hearing people and there is also Jewish representation and observances of a holiday. However, the story gets bogged down, ironically, in a lack of communication that has little to do with being deaf and in misunderstandings. Also some parts of the story dragged for me while the ending was rushed.
modrallj's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this and all the little ways Levi and Gaby found to communicate with one another.
piddlepiddle's review
2.0
Despite not liking the fake dating and miscommunication tropes I decided to pick up this book because of the deaf and Jewish representation. While I loved loved loved how accurate the representation felt, I did not like the rest of the plot sadly. The whole time I was reading I felt like banging my head on the wall and screaming at them, "Just talk to each other already!!!!" as it would have solved the problem right away. I also didn't really feel the romance, it went to "I love you" levels very quickly.
If you enjoy fake dating and lots of miscommunication I would highly recommend this book for you because of the fabulous representation. But this was just not my cup of tea.
If you enjoy fake dating and lots of miscommunication I would highly recommend this book for you because of the fabulous representation. But this was just not my cup of tea.
ariel937's review
3.0
This is a very cute and sweet book about a girl who invites a cute Deaf guy to be her fake date to Passover. I loved that the writer included so much about Jewish tradition and Deaf culture, but the relationship between Gaby and Levi were very rushed. While this is obviously supposed to be over a one-day holiday, I think it would be been better if they spent a bit more time together. But this is a quick read, and I enjoyed it!
dearbookboyfriend's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-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? Yes
4.0
Selected this as my April Jewish diversity pick for the #diversifyyourreadswithtlr challenge and also for the #disabilityreadathon.
Gaby needs a fake date to bring home for Passover Seder after breaking up with her toxic ex. Levi is surprised to find how easily he connects with a hearing woman but will keeping his ex-fiancé's secret ruin his chance at love?
Overall, a quick read with really good deaf and hard of hearing rep (the author is HOH), duel pov, open door, moderate spice
Gaby needs a fake date to bring home for Passover Seder after breaking up with her toxic ex. Levi is surprised to find how easily he connects with a hearing woman but will keeping his ex-fiancé's secret ruin his chance at love?
Overall, a quick read with really good deaf and hard of hearing rep (the author is HOH), duel pov, open door, moderate spice
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Death of parent, Grief, and Sexism
Minor: Emotional abuse
ammalek's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
courtsbooknook's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
This book was so Jewish and I loved it! I thought the plot was bit rushed, but I loved that both main characters were Jewish and a Passover seder was at the forefront of the storyline. I really liked the fake dating aspect too and I thought the deaf representation was done really well. Levi and Gaby were cute, I just think their overall love story was a bit rushed. I got a little lost towards the end of the story and kept having to go back and figure out what the characters were doing. Overall, it was cute and very Jewish, but just a bit all over the place.