Mr. Perfect on Paper: A Novel

by Jean Meltzer

Overview

From the author of The Matzah Ball comes a pitch-perfect romcom following a third-generation Jewish matchmaker who unwittingly finds her own search for love thrust into the spotlight...

The perfect Jewish husband should be:

• A doctor or lawyer (preferably a doctor)
• Baggage-free (no previous marriages, no children)
• And of course—he must be Jewish

As the creator and CEO of the popular Jewish dating app J-Mate, matchmaker Dara Rabinowitz knows the formula for lasting love—at least, for everyone else. When it comes to her own love life, she’s been idling indefinitely. Until her beloved bubbe shares Dara’s checklist for “The Perfect Jewish Husband” on national television and charming news anchor Chris Steadfast proposes they turn Dara’s search into must-see TV.

As a non-Jewish single dad, Chris doesn’t check any of Dara’s boxes. But her hunt for Mr. Perfect is the ratings boost his show desperately needs. If only Chris could ignore his own pesky attraction to Dara—a task much easier said than done when Dara starts questioning if “perfect on paper” can compete with how hard she’s falling for Chris…

"A warm, heartfelt ode to self-acceptance, honesty, and tight-knit Jewish communities…a true pleasure to read."—Olivia Dade, author of Spoiler Alert, on The Matzah Ball
 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780369718518
Publisher:	MIRA Books
Publication date:	08/09/2022
Sold by:	HARLEQUIN
Format:	eBook
Pages:	400
Sales rank:	14,655
File size:	614 KB

About the Author

Jean Meltzer studied dramatic writing at NYU Tisch and has earned numerous awards for her work in television, including a daytime Emmy. She spent five years in rabbinical school before her chronic illness forced her to withdraw, and her father told her she should write a book—just not a Jewish one because no one reads those. The Matzah Ball is her first novel.

Editorial Reviews

03/14/2022

Meltzer (The Matzah Ball) lovingly highlights Jewish Modern Orthodox life using rom-com tropes people of all faiths love. Dara Rabinowitz, the creator of a successful Jewish dating app, is mortified when her grandmother reveals on national TV that Dara doesn’t have a love match herself. Dara wants romance, but her criteria for a husband is very specific, and her anxiety disorder makes her wary of dating. After the segment with her grandmother goes viral, newscaster Chris Steadfast convinces Dara to try dating on TV, hoping to save his show’s ratings, promote Dara’s app, and bolster her chances at finding love. Despite Chris’s best intentions, the quest for Dara’s perfect match is comically disastrous and the strongest connection that forms is between Chris and Dara themselves. Widowed father Chris easily helps Dara through anxious moments and his daughter charms her as well—but Chris isn’t Jewish, and to be together Dara will have to reconsider her criteria for a perfect match. Meltzer’s refreshing characters and the grounded, real-world obstacles to their relationship make them an easy couple to cheer. Jewish readers will enjoy seeing their culture reflected, and Meltzer provides plenty of context on Jewish holidays and culture for the nonobservant and non-Jewish audience. It’s an accessible, adorable romance. Agent: Carolyn Forde, Transatlantic Literary. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

A delightful romantic comedy that reminds us to follow our hearts.”—Brenda Novak, New York Times bestselling author, on Mr. Perfect on Paper

"Wise, witty and warm."—Sarah Morgan, USA TODAY bestselling author, on Mr. Perfect on Paper

“Meltzer lovingly highlights Jewish Modern Orthodox life using rom-com tropes people of all faiths love… an accessible, adorable romance.”—Publishers Weekly on Mr. Perfect on Paper

"Grab some popcorn! Mr. Perfect on Paper reads so cinematically, I felt like I was watching my favorite rom-com for the first time. This book is delightfully Jewish—it had me absolutely kvelling over the representation. What a joy to read!"—Haley Neil, author of Once More with Chutzpah

Praise for Jean Meltzer's The Matzah Ball

"The Matzah Ball had me laughing out loud. It’s witty, funny and an all-around terrific read."—Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author


“A love letter to Judaism and an utterly charming romance. With two irresistible leads, a scene-stealing bubbe, and plenty of holiday magic, The Matzah Ball is 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

“Funny, bright, and lovingly crafted! The Matzah Ball healed a piece of me I didn’t know was hurting.”—Rosie Danan, author of The Intimacy Experiment

“A trendsetter in holiday romances.”—BookPage

"Delightful."—PopSugar

“I devoured this book like a batch of Jacob's Bubbe's Rugalach. It is the perfect blend of funny and magical but also tender and thoughtful. It lit me up like a menorah.”—Jenny Bayliss, author of The Twelve Dates of Christmas


"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, author of Spoiler Alert

“Heartwarming, romantic, and funny. The Matzah Ball is simply a joy to read.”—Sarah Morgenthaler, author of The Tourist Attraction

“A sparkling holiday romance told with both honesty and heart.”—Kirkus


"Heartwarming and hilarious, The Matzah Ball is a fantastic, festive, fresh take on a holiday happily ever after.”—Karen Schaler, Emmy Award-winning writer

"A funny, fresh holiday read to tickle your funny bone and warm your heart."—Sheila Roberts, New York Times bestselling author

"A laugh-out-loud treat. Written in bright, witty prose and with a heroine to root for, it's a light holiday concoction that delivers a deeper message about love and acceptance at the same time. The perfect addition to your holiday reading!"—Anita Hughes, author of Christmas in Vermont

“Grab a jelly doughnut and get ready for a holiday rom com unlike any other! The Matzah Ball by Jean Meltzer brings the fun while also delivering an important message about being true to yourself. A refreshing and delightful read."—Brenda Janowitz, author of The Grace Kelly Dress

"What do you get when you cross the holiday of Hanukkah with a summer camp feud on steroids and a slow-burn romance? You’ll have to read this heartwarming novel to find out!"—Yaffa S. Santos, author of A Taste of Sage


“A charming holiday romance… This heartfelt rom-com should be unwrapped by people of all faiths this holiday season.”—Publishers Weekly


“Meltzer's enemies-to-lovers debut romance hits all the high points… A fun read and a good addition to holiday romance collections.”—Library Journal


"Fans of second-chance and holiday romances will find much to enjoy in this welcome variation on the holiday theme."—Booklist

“Meltzer delivers an upbeat and relatable romance that features an adorable supporting cast while exploring subjects like identity, acceptance, and grief. A sweet, quirky, and enjoyable romance.” —Kirkus

"Mr. Perfect on Paper is a charming tale of finding love where you least expect it. While a romance, it's also a glimpse into the lives of people who are struggling but keep their problems private." —Book Reporter

“The engaging dialogue and upbeat tone keep listeners attentive. Jewish customs are explained in an authentic way, making it perfect for Gentiles as well. Listeners will especially enjoy the eccentric cast of supporting characters, each of whom has a specific speaking style. Perfect for fans of Rachel Lynn Solomon, Alexandria Bellefleur, and Sonali Dev.” –Booklist on Mr. Perfect on Paper

From the Publisher

03/01/2022

A third-generation schadchan, or matchmaker, Dara Rabinowitz runs the world-renowned Jewish dating app J-Mate but hasn't found love herself; she's cramped by social anxiety. Then she appears on a TV news show with her beloved bubbe, who reveals Dara's requirements for the "Perfect Jewish Husband," and ratings-hungry anchor Chris Steadfast decides that it would help matters to feature Dara's personal hunt on his show. Following Meltzer's popular debut, The Matzah Ball; with a 100,000-copy paperback and 10,000-copy hardcover first printing.

Library Journal

2022-06-22
A matchmaker must look beyond perfect to find her perfect match.

Dara Rabinowitz, a third-generation matchmaker and wealthy 34-year-old CEO of Jewish dating app J-Mate, would say she's got her generalized anxiety disorder under control. A consummate planner, she runs a successful company, owns a sterile-but-fabulous Hoboken apartment with a breathtaking view of Manhattan, and visits her grandmother on the daily. But when she and Bubbe Miriam go on Good News New York to promote the app and Bubbe proceeds to share Dara's list of qualifications for a perfect Jewish husband with the entire television audience, her life starts to go in an unplanned direction. Chris Steadfast, the show's host, is full of Southern charm, but he has secrets—including the fact that his show is tanking in the ratings. Sure, there's a mutual attraction between Dara and Chris, but the amount of ham in his fridge and the way his heart froze with grief after the death of his wife make their relationship goals pure business: Chris comes up with the idea to find Dara the perfect Jewish husband—one who ticks all the boxes on her lengthy list—and save his show at the same time. As Chris creates even more elaborate and romantic dates to help Dara find her perfect match—with a production crew capturing every moment—a growing fan base starts to fall in love with Dara...and so does Chris. After a disastrous date on the holiest day of the Jewish year, Dara finds a man who ticks all her boxes but discovers, as the relationship blossoms and a proposal looms, that her heart belongs to Chris—someone she would never have chosen. Despite a couple of uneven moments, Meltzer delivers an upbeat and relatable romance that features an adorable supporting cast while exploring subjects like identity, acceptance, and grief.

A sweet, quirky, and enjoyable romance.

Kirkus Reviews