Love You A Latke by Amanda Elliot

💖💖💖💖💖/5



Love You A Latke by Amanda Elliot is an enjoyable, reverse grumpy/sunshine, fake dating, forced proximity, Jewish romcom that is sweet, full of humor, heart, and holiday spirit. It’s a book that will warm you from the inside out, much like the best latkes do. Trigger Warnings: difficult family dynamics, emotional abuse.

 

Abby Cohen moved from New York City to Vermont with her boyfriend Connor. Following their breakup, she decided to stay and opened up a coffee shop; not wanting to move back to New York and her estranged, verbally abusive parents. The tourism board decided to host a Hanukkah festival to attract more visitors, as the larger neighboring towns already hosted Christmas events. Abby was asked to run the festival, scheduled to take place after the holiday. As Abby started planning the event, the recommended vendors viewed it as a Christmas event with only minor tweaks, such as adding blue and white decorations; which Abby knew wouldn't do. She found help from one of her customers, Seth Abrams, the only other Jewish resident of the town, her annoying customer during his daily coffee visits.

 

Seth agrees to help, but only if Abby will go with him to his parent’s house during Hanukkah and pose as his girlfriend. In exchange, he will introduce her to all the vendors to help her make the festival a success. Over winter adventures in Manhattan, doughnuts, latkes, and a warm, loving family atmosphere, Abby slowly realizes that Seth, her fake boyfriend, and his family, are opening up her abused, shuttered heart; as well as reconnect with her Jewish heritage and the traditions she once loved. 

The food descriptions made my mouth water, but the slow burn, fake dating story was delightful. I might have shed a few tears watching Abby open her heart. I enjoyed all the fun references to the delicious and calorie-rich foods of Hanukkah. As a Jewish person who has spent much of her life in distanced from other Jews, this book made me feel seen in ways I hadn’t even realized I’d been missing. While Abby's backstory adds some seriousness, this is a light, sweet book that can be enjoyed by everyone, no matter which holidays you celebrate.

 

#NetGalley #Berkley  

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