Magical Meet Cute is a heartwarming romance with a magical twist and timely social themes.
Length: 11 hours 29 minutes.
Narrator: Dara Rosenberg.
Genre: Romance, Romantic Comedy.
Summary:
Faye Kaplan, once a successful lawyer, is now content as a potter in Woodstock, New York, though she secretly longs for the perfect man. After another failed singles event and discovering anti-Semitic flyers in her town, a frustrated and drunken Faye channels her emotions into pottery, crafting a golem protector with a few ideal traits of her dream guy. The next day, a handsome stranger named Greg mysteriously appears—seemingly perfect, except for his amnesia and the fact that Faye accidentally hit him with her bike. As sparks fly between them, Faye begins to wonder if Greg’s arrival is just a coincidence, or if she really summoned her perfect golem.
My Thoughts:
Magical Meet Cute is a delightful blend of magical realism, romance, and social commentary that captivated me from the start. The story centres on Faye Kaplan, a woman who left behind her law career and broken engagement to pursue her true passion—pottery. Living in the peaceful town of Woodstock, New York, Faye seems content with her quiet life as an artist, but there’s one thing missing: the perfect guy.
At first glance, the book appears to follow the usual rom-com formula: girl meets boy under unlikely circumstances—Faye literally runs into Greg with her bicycle—and love blossoms. But Meltzer infuses the story with a touch of Jewish folklore by having Faye drunkenly create a golem, hoping for a protector amid rising anti-Semitic tensions in her town. Enter Greg, a mysterious stranger who wakes up with amnesia and fits Faye’s ideal man checklist almost too perfectly. Is he a product of Faye’s imagination, or is there something deeper at play?
One of the elements I appreciated most about this book is how Meltzer seamlessly intertwines Faye’s personal journey with broader societal issues, particularly the theme of anti-Semitism. Set in Woodstock, a town famously associated with love and peace, Meltzer makes a poignant statement about how hate can manifest even in the most unexpected places. The story doesn’t shy away from tackling this issue, and I found that it gave the book a layer of depth that many romantic comedies lack.
Faye herself is such a relatable and lovable character. She’s been through a lot—raised in an abusive family and forced to give up her dream of being a potter, only to reclaim it later in life. It’s impossible not to root for her as she navigates both her romantic life and her sense of identity. The chemistry between her and Greg is sweet and playful, though they also face real emotional and external challenges that make their relationship feel grounded.
The Narration:
I also want to highlight the audiobook version, which I listened to. Narrated by Dara Rosenberg, who has narrated many of Meltzer’s books, it was an absolute pleasure. Rosenberg brings an authentic, vibrant voice to Faye, and her narration added an extra layer of enjoyment to the story. If you’re an audiobook fan, I highly recommend this format.
Final Thoughts:
Magical Meet Cute offers an engaging mix of love, humour, and thought-provoking commentary. Jean Meltzer once again proves her ability to create stories that entertain while addressing important social issues with sensitivity and heart.
Other Books I’ve Reviewed Written by Jean Meltzer:
Karalee
I haven’t heard of Magical Meet Cute, but it does sound like a fantastic book. Also, I like to listen to audiobooks, so it’s great to hear you recommend the audiobook.
thathappyreader
I hope that you enjoy it Karalee.
Carla@CarlaLovesToRead
Excellent review, Jodie. I also enjoyed this story and after just visiting the Jewish Ghetto in Prague, the story of the Golem was wonderful to be fit into this story.
thathappyreader
I visited there as well Carla! I agree.