Burning Bright: Four Chanukah Love Stories

So I will be completely blunt! I am not Jewish or even overly religious. But I was very curious to read this Chanukah romance. So I settled down, thinking that I would read the first book and four hours later, I surfaced from my reading haze, completely in love with this book. I LOVED Megan Hart's book Miracle, not just because she is an amazing author, but because she set the book in a city close to me. Jennifer Gracen book A Dose of Gelt; is a story about when you allow the outside world to affect your feelings. This book had me crying in sadness and Happiness. Home for Chanukah by Stacey Agdern, was an enlightening tale of the generosity of such a wonderful women and a man that struggles with change. Finally All I Got by KK Hendin story is about finding love, when you were least expecting it. These are four completely different books, written by four amazing authors that embrace not only finding love, religion but also sharing what Chanukah means to them. With all that being said, I give Burning Bright a very heartfelt 10 out of 10!

The first I have read by any of the authors in this anthology, the chance to read the first ever collection of holiday stories that utilize Chanukah to set the scenes. Each story is so sweet and heartfelt, it was hard to pick a favorite, and every story fairly screamed with feelings of home, family, tradition and hope that are common to ALL Holiday celebrations, no matter the faith belief behind them. Ben, searching for a new sort of balance and redefining his life in the secular world when it is upended by the very modern-thinking and bubbly Amanda. Miracle by Megan Hart is just a wonderful story of a new relationship as the two learn and enjoy one another. In A Dose of Gelt by Jennifer Gracen, Shari and Evan have been happily dating for a while, when Evan is overwhelmed by his own prejudices against marriage and his family’s perceived push for him down the aisle. Shari is going to make him atone (as well she should) before resuming his place in her good graces. Stacey Agdern brings an interesting (and withdrawn) Jon into whirlwind Molly’s life. Focused on his career, Jon is faced with someone who matches him perfectly, and the two seem fated. But Molly’s determination that his house should be more than a place to crash, and his own issues about being “told” how things should be bring an emotional roller coaster to both Jon and Molly. Rounding out the anthology we have All I Got by K.K. Hendin. I loved Tamar’s voice and her self-deprecating humor as she travels in Tel Aviv for winter break. The love at first sight moments are strong and well played, and the relationship between Tamar and Avi is wonderful, until she has to return to the states. Overall, this little collection is full of heart, with lots of humor and some emotionally trying moments, bringing much for everyone to enjoy. While occasional words may trip readers up, they are easily translated, and the joy of the holiday and the importance of connections shine through. I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.