Books
Fiction
Matchmaker, Matchmaker, Bring me a Book

When it comes to Jewish romance novels, there really is something for everyone. Whether it’s waiting for friends to become lovers, savoring the tension of a slow burn, rooting for an unlikely duo or watching fake dating turn into the real thing, these new Jewish romances are full of swoon-worthy stories. Inspired by the spirit of Tu B’Av, the Jewish holiday celebrating love, there’s no better time to add these books to your TBR.
Soon By You
By Dahlia Adler (St. Martin’s Griffin)
27 Dresses meets The Intimacy Experiment in this adult rom-com debut from bestselling author Dahlia Adler. Set in the Modern Orthodox community, the novel follows perpetual bridesmaid Arielle Becker, who doesn’t want to settle down, and popular wedding singer Judah Klein, who is more than ready to find his forever person, as they navigate failed matchmaking attempts, family expectations and being the only singles left in their friend group. Pushed together time and again by their friends, the two begin to wonder if they’re exactly what the other needs.
Purchase the book here.
The Kosher Conundrum
By Stacey Agdern (Tule Publishing)
When wedding and event planner Naomi Nachman’s life is thrown into chaos after her boss retires, then cancels all her big contracts, she must do everything she can to save her reputation—and her cousin Judith’s wedding. That means turning to the one person she trusts most for help: her best friend, and professional chef, Jason Greenblatt (whose family owns a famed knish business). He has his own need to prove himself, making Naomi’s proposal one he can’t refuse. And as they work together, the sparks between them become impossible to ignore.

Purchase the book here.
Match Me If You Can
By Heidi Shertok (Embla Books)
All Ashira Wernick has done for the last five years is keep her late mother’s matchmaking business afloat, dedicating herself to preserving the company that serves the Orthodox Jewish community. But when a small—actually huge—mishap lands her in hot water with one of Brooklyn’s most influential families, her matchmaking future looks a little unsteady. Desperate to save her mother’s legacy, Ashira decides she’ll find the perfect match for Caleb Kahn, NYC’s most eligible bachelor. As each setup goes from bad to worse, Ashira begins to realize that the one for Caleb may have been standing right in front of him all along.
Purchase the book here.
The Slow Burn
By Ali Rosen (Montlake)
After a breakup and a burned-down restaurant, Kit Roth has nothing left in New York. Seeking distance and a much-needed distraction, she heads to the Italian countryside to work for her best-friend’s pasta-making nonna. Much to her surprise, Kit finds peace in her new routine and discovers parts of life she had been missing, including charming olive oil producer Nico Ruspoli. Their connection is undeniable, but while Kit is determined to return to New York, Nico’s life is firmly rooted in Italy, forcing the two to decide whether love is worth rewriting their carefully laid plans.
Purchase the book here.
Love and Other Enchantments
By Masha Zur-Glozman (Union Square & Co.)
When her marriage to the charismatic but unfaithful Halimi begins to unravel, literary translator Idit moves with him and their daughter to a quiet seaside town in Israel in hopes of starting over. There, a mysterious spring transports her back to the year 1240, where she falls for the noble Crusader knight Jean D’Ibelin. As Idit finds herself torn between two centuries and two very different loves, she must decide what kind of future she truly wants.
Purchase the book here.
Falling For the Rabbi
By Jennifer Wilck (Harlequin Special Edition)
Rabbi Josh Axelrod is not happy. His date (set up by the matchmaker) brought along her annoying best friend Emma. This is the same Emma who is turning his former childhood home into the town’s bookstore. While Emma captures his attention, they’re far too different for anything to work. However as much as he tries to avoid her, it seems these two might be meant to be.
Purchase the book here.
Dearest Beast
By Felicia Grossman (Forever)
Felicia Grossman returns to the Once Upon the East End series with an enchanting Beauty and the Beast retelling. After his daughter’s reckless behavior leaves midwife Rebecca Adler injured and her home uninhabitable, widower Roger Berab offers Rebecca a place to stay. Forced to live under the same roof despite their complicated past and lingering attraction, the two must decide whether they can overcome old wounds and regain each other’s trust before it’s too late.
Purchase the book here.
Off the Record
By Sara Goodman Confino (Lake Union Publishing)
Mystery meets romance in this novel set during the Cold War era. While there aren’t a ton of opportunities for Jewish girls in 1962 in Washington, D.C., Judy Greenberg refuses to let that stop her. Focused on building her career rather than finding love, Judy thinks she’s uncovered the story of a lifetime after answering her boss’s private phone line and hearing a cryptic message in a Russian accent. Teaming up with fellow reporter Jack Fields, who also poses as Judy’s fake boyfriend, she soon finds herself navigating espionage, danger and unexpected romance as they race to uncover the truth.
Purchase the book here.
Fire and Ice
By Carly Robyn (Independently Published)
Grab your hockey skates and oven mitts! This spicy romance follows Kennedy Caplan, who wants to open her own bakery, and Cameron Davies, the grumpy NHL goalie who wants to get his ex-girlfriend off his back. His solution seems practical: Start a fake relationship with Kennedy. She gets financial investment for her business, and he gets to relax. But what starts as a simple arrangement quickly turns into real feelings and chemistry neither one of them can deny.
Purchase the book here.
Phoebe Berman’s Gonna Lose It
By Brooke Averick (Crown)
Meet Phoebe Berman, a hopeless romantic who has always believed in love. But after a traumatic first kiss as a teenager left her with crippling intimacy anxiety, she’s spent years keeping romance at arm’s length. Determined not to remain a virgin for the rest of her life, Phoebe drafts the ultimate “Guide to Losing My Virginity” checklist hoping she can put her fears to rest. All of sudden, she goes from a non-existent dating life to juggling three romantic suitors at once, all while uncovering what love truly means to her.
Purchase the book here.
Courtney Shapiro is the Assistant Digital Editor for Hadassah Magazine. She has written for Woman’s World, First for Women and Best Life. Follow her on Instagram for book recommendations, reviews and more.


















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