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Playing with Matches
A cross between Jane Austen’s Emma, Dear Abby, and Yenta the matchmaker!
When 16-year-old Raina Resnick is expelled from her Manhattan private school, she’s sent to live with her strict aunt-but Raina feels like she’s persona non grata no matter where she goes. Her sister, Leah, blames her for her broken engagement, and she’s a social pariah at her new school. In the tight-knit Jewish community, Raina finds she is good at one thing: matchmaking! As the anonymous “MatchMaven,” Raina sets up hopeless singles desperate to find the One.
Can she find the perfect match for her sister and get back on her good side, or will her secret life catch up with her?
In this debut novel, Suri Rosen creates a comic and heartwarming story of one girl trying to find happiness for others, and redemption for herself.
When 16-year-old Raina Resnick is expelled from her Manhattan private school, she’s sent to live with her strict aunt-but Raina feels like she’s persona non grata no matter where she goes. Her sister, Leah, blames her for her broken engagement, and she’s a social pariah at her new school. In the tight-knit Jewish community, Raina finds she is good at one thing: matchmaking! As the anonymous “MatchMaven,” Raina sets up hopeless singles desperate to find the One.
Can she find the perfect match for her sister and get back on her good side, or will her secret life catch up with her?
In this debut novel, Suri Rosen creates a comic and heartwarming story of one girl trying to find happiness for others, and redemption for herself.
256 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2014
16 people are currently reading
821 people want to read
About the author
Suri Rosen
3 books12 followersSuri Rosen dabbles in many arts but excels in daydreaming. She's a freelance feature writer who has worked as an artist, filmmaker, journalist, and TV producer. She lives in Toronto...ish.
She's the author of My Best Friend & Other Illusions, (Scholastic Canada, 2020), Night Magick (Amazon Audible Original, 2020) and Playing with Matches. (ECW, 2014) More info at https://surirosen.com/
She's the author of My Best Friend & Other Illusions, (Scholastic Canada, 2020), Night Magick (Amazon Audible Original, 2020) and Playing with Matches. (ECW, 2014) More info at https://surirosen.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
March 22, 2017
This was so cute, and I'm not usually a fan of "Comedy of Errors" stories but I guess it was just the combination of everything with FINALLY FINALLY seeing a Modern Orthodox Jewish voice in YA that just made me so happy. This book doesn't read like it's trying to be Ortho Jew rep; it just is. Like, the whole thing about how Leah reads a website with people's engagements? That was my life in college. (Sadly, Facebook took its place for the more modern set, but until Facebook blew up, I was on OnlySimchas.com every. Freaking. Day. And yes, I totally learned about friends getting engaged after three months that way. And yes, being on it was my dream. And yes, you can find me there.) I'd love to hear how non-Jews find this book in terms of whether or not it feels hard to relate to because I really didn't think it was, but obviously...bias. Anyway, THANK YOU for this, Suri Rosen. Thank you.
June 3, 2019
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Well, it's not often that I say this about a book. But for Playing With Matches, this is an exception. Playing With Matches is a little gem of a read, and I'm really surprised that it hasn't been talked about more. Set in a Jewish community in Toronto, Canada, main character Raina has had a rough past. Getting into trouble at school and having fall-outs with her family. After she finds herself setting up a friend on a date (which blossoms into a cute romance), she turns into an anonymous matchmaker and starts her own business. Soon, she is getting contacted by strangers who are all looking for love. Except Raina's estranged sister suddenly reaches out. Her sister doesn't know its Raina who is behind the business. While making mistakes at school and at home, Raina discovers that she needs to go through lots of wrongs to finally make a right. This had great Jewish representation. I found Raina's voice to be strong, she really wanted to try and make amends for her past. It was sad each time when her family didn't see that. The pacing flowed well and the story is told in prose, text messages and emails. I would happily re-read this!
Well, it's not often that I say this about a book. But for Playing With Matches, this is an exception. Playing With Matches is a little gem of a read, and I'm really surprised that it hasn't been talked about more. Set in a Jewish community in Toronto, Canada, main character Raina has had a rough past. Getting into trouble at school and having fall-outs with her family. After she finds herself setting up a friend on a date (which blossoms into a cute romance), she turns into an anonymous matchmaker and starts her own business. Soon, she is getting contacted by strangers who are all looking for love. Except Raina's estranged sister suddenly reaches out. Her sister doesn't know its Raina who is behind the business. While making mistakes at school and at home, Raina discovers that she needs to go through lots of wrongs to finally make a right. This had great Jewish representation. I found Raina's voice to be strong, she really wanted to try and make amends for her past. It was sad each time when her family didn't see that. The pacing flowed well and the story is told in prose, text messages and emails. I would happily re-read this!
July 28, 2016
Playing with Matches wouldn’t have been on my radar without Dahlia Adler, reccing ball and author extraordinaire. She recommended this book highly for the authentic voice and being a fabulous contemporary on top of that. Obviously, when Dahlia recommends a book to me and the description mentions Jane Austen, I’m sold. Though not quite what I was expecting, I’m very glad that I gave Playing with Matches a chance, because it’s a sweet, heartwarming book.
Raina Resnick takes some getting used to. She’s likable but also unlikable, which really is code for realistic. She’s smart but makes endless bad decisions. Despite having a lot of potential, she doesn’t apply herself, at least not to her studies, even though low grades will get her sent to live with her parents and home school, a fate she doesn’t want. Raina’s easily distracted, and she gets very caught up in matchmaking after she accidentally makes a good match.
The Emma comparison definitely fits because, after that one successful match, Raina thinks maybe she has what it takes to be a matchmaker. High on that success, she wants another for her sister. Emma, too, was well-intentioned, but she couldn’t make good matches without dealing with her own biases. Raina’s initial attempts are full of mistakes, as she tries to match people based on superficial qualifications. Over time, she obviously gets better at what she’s doing.
I expected Playing with Matches to be a romance for Raina, a YA romance. It’s not. She parallels Emma, sure, but she doesn’t have a Knightley, at least not at this point in time. However, there is romance for the other characters in the book, the ones she sets up (well, some of them). Normally, the lack of romance would bother me, especially when Goodreads listed romance as a genre and got my hopes up, but the very excellent family feels made up for that loss. Raina’s relationship with her Bubby was probably my favorite part of the book.
Through the course of her anonymous matchmaking as Matchmaven, Raina learns a great deal about others. To tie in to another Austen novel, she comes to realize that first impressions (and even subsequent ones) don’t necessarily reveal the truth of a person. People have depths, and the shallow judgments we make all the time can be completely wrong (as in the case of Mrs. Levine) or not all there is to the person (as with Dahlia—not to be confused with Dahlia Adler).
By being someone else, Raina also learns about herself. She knows her family is upset with her, and she sort of knows why, but, when they speak to her, they mostly lash out and lecture her. By talking with Leah as Matchmaven, she hears opinions of herself she wouldn’t otherwise have. People don’t tend to be completely honest to your face, which actually goes for the good and the bad. Finding out how others truly view her gives Raina the opportunity to see herself from outside and consider whether that’s who she wants to be. When I was in college, I overheard girls on my hall gossiping about me and it hurt, but it was also one of the most transformative experiences I had; that’s what Matchmaven is for Raina. Not only does a moment like this offer a different view on yourself, but it’s also one that you know is honest.
Initially, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the Jewish matchmaking. My knowledge was limited to Fiddler on the Roof, which is not exactly a textbook. Playing with Matches gave me a view into how that works now. While I wouldn’t call it my ideal courting method personally, Playing with Matches shows how well it can work and that such a quick marriage meeting can be sweet and romantic. So yeah, I feel like this book really made something unfamiliar relatable and I love that.
Thanks as always to Dahlia for the recommendation. Playing with Matches is a great book for those who love character arcs, family feels, matchmaking, and want to read a book with excellent Jewish representation. Give this small press title some love, because it’s way too good to have so little attention!
Raina Resnick takes some getting used to. She’s likable but also unlikable, which really is code for realistic. She’s smart but makes endless bad decisions. Despite having a lot of potential, she doesn’t apply herself, at least not to her studies, even though low grades will get her sent to live with her parents and home school, a fate she doesn’t want. Raina’s easily distracted, and she gets very caught up in matchmaking after she accidentally makes a good match.
The Emma comparison definitely fits because, after that one successful match, Raina thinks maybe she has what it takes to be a matchmaker. High on that success, she wants another for her sister. Emma, too, was well-intentioned, but she couldn’t make good matches without dealing with her own biases. Raina’s initial attempts are full of mistakes, as she tries to match people based on superficial qualifications. Over time, she obviously gets better at what she’s doing.
I expected Playing with Matches to be a romance for Raina, a YA romance. It’s not. She parallels Emma, sure, but she doesn’t have a Knightley, at least not at this point in time. However, there is romance for the other characters in the book, the ones she sets up (well, some of them). Normally, the lack of romance would bother me, especially when Goodreads listed romance as a genre and got my hopes up, but the very excellent family feels made up for that loss. Raina’s relationship with her Bubby was probably my favorite part of the book.
Through the course of her anonymous matchmaking as Matchmaven, Raina learns a great deal about others. To tie in to another Austen novel, she comes to realize that first impressions (and even subsequent ones) don’t necessarily reveal the truth of a person. People have depths, and the shallow judgments we make all the time can be completely wrong (as in the case of Mrs. Levine) or not all there is to the person (as with Dahlia—not to be confused with Dahlia Adler).
By being someone else, Raina also learns about herself. She knows her family is upset with her, and she sort of knows why, but, when they speak to her, they mostly lash out and lecture her. By talking with Leah as Matchmaven, she hears opinions of herself she wouldn’t otherwise have. People don’t tend to be completely honest to your face, which actually goes for the good and the bad. Finding out how others truly view her gives Raina the opportunity to see herself from outside and consider whether that’s who she wants to be. When I was in college, I overheard girls on my hall gossiping about me and it hurt, but it was also one of the most transformative experiences I had; that’s what Matchmaven is for Raina. Not only does a moment like this offer a different view on yourself, but it’s also one that you know is honest.
Initially, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the Jewish matchmaking. My knowledge was limited to Fiddler on the Roof, which is not exactly a textbook. Playing with Matches gave me a view into how that works now. While I wouldn’t call it my ideal courting method personally, Playing with Matches shows how well it can work and that such a quick marriage meeting can be sweet and romantic. So yeah, I feel like this book really made something unfamiliar relatable and I love that.
Thanks as always to Dahlia for the recommendation. Playing with Matches is a great book for those who love character arcs, family feels, matchmaking, and want to read a book with excellent Jewish representation. Give this small press title some love, because it’s way too good to have so little attention!
February 25, 2017
Raina is your everyday teenage matchmaker who involves herself in the love lives of perfect strangers and ruins the life of teachers in her spare time. After Raina sets up her friend successfully, she decides to make an anonymous matchmaking business. After her sister (who blames Raina for her broken engagement) applies for a match, Raina gets very involved in matchmaking. She neglects her school work, messes up numerous times and makes terrible choices. She also insults this girl and calls her a nerd and a geek (in her thoughts) which really pissed me off, cause this was one of the only girls who was nice to you and really you're going to insult her. Also you're a book nerd, you don't have much room to talk.
This book alternates between blaming Raina for literally everything to her having zero consequences when she actually messes up. The ending was way too cutesy and perfect especially considering the mess in the first 3/4 of the book.
This book was also overly melodramatic, immature and really tiring. It was one constant cycle of waiting for Raina to mess up, and then wincing as everyone yells at her for messing up.
The only redeeming factor is that Raina herself didn't have a romance. Her love for her sister was her main driving force which made the book bearable. Some of the other characters were interesting (Esther)
Rating: 25/100
Age: 12&up
Warnings: Melodrama, immaturity, cheating, takes place in Toronto (how many times can you mention Bathurst street before it's annoying?), bad matchmaking, calling nice girls nerds as an insult
This book alternates between blaming Raina for literally everything to her having zero consequences when she actually messes up. The ending was way too cutesy and perfect especially considering the mess in the first 3/4 of the book.
This book was also overly melodramatic, immature and really tiring. It was one constant cycle of waiting for Raina to mess up, and then wincing as everyone yells at her for messing up.
The only redeeming factor is that Raina herself didn't have a romance. Her love for her sister was her main driving force which made the book bearable. Some of the other characters were interesting (Esther)
Rating: 25/100
Age: 12&up
Warnings: Melodrama, immaturity, cheating, takes place in Toronto (how many times can you mention Bathurst street before it's annoying?), bad matchmaking, calling nice girls nerds as an insult
December 7, 2015
The concept - with the matchmaking, the engagement announcements, the *quick* courtship, all of it - is very outside of my own experience. But getting to learn about it all was a great deal of fun, especially considering how hilarious it all was. Raina's tiny idea, to find her sister a match, completely lost control and the best part was the anxiety while waiting for everyone to find out. Though very humorous and over the top at times, the ending was touching and heartfelt as well. I also loved the way the Jewish community was represented here. It didn't feel like there was any posturing being done about diversity or representation. It was simply a story about a Jewish girl navigating her Jewish community. So much fun, so adorable, with a wonderful focus on sisterhood and forgiveness.
August 29, 2015
This review can also be found on A Thousand Lives Lived, check it out for more!
Playing With Matches is one of those books that I knew I wouldn't enjoy from when I read the first page. It's a limited short read that was quick and satisfying for one of those readers who enjoy chick-lit and nonsense reads. And by "nonsense," I literally mean one of those that come with no-plot, no message, just plain drama and complaining from the protagonist, Rain. I'm pretty disappointed, but what could I expect when I'm always the black sheep and that this has a positive Goodreads overall rating?
I didn't look at this book for its writing, for its in-depth details that pertain to the characters' lives. Instead, I guess I just had to evaluate this and give my opinion from a simple view. At the time when I read this, I wasn't in for a trashy read so that may have affected my rating quite a bit. But seriously? I wouldn't even classify this as YA fiction. It completely gave the look as a middle-grade tween book about a dumb girl who tries to save her sister, Leah, from getting lovesick in Toronto.
This has a pretty cliché cover too, after all. What else could I have expected when I see a girl making the Justin Bieber hand-finger-heart? A little teenager can't start making a business out of match-making, that's for sure. People, young or old start sending her emails about themselves and feel that this person they don't even know will help them set them up on dates. *rolls eyes*
If someone told me that there's another novel out there similar to this one by one of my most favourite authors, I still don't think I'd go for it. It's boring, cheesy and uninteresting. I guess that one of the only intriguing parts were the side characters, like Professor K, Leah, Jake, all of that drama that came out of the dates and such. Rain's complaining, "boring" life? Yeah I wasn't too interested in what she had to say. When she had a ton of new friends, a nice lifestyle, all she could do was complain about everything: about a sticky pole in a bus, about her sister not understanding her when Rain's the total annoying kid, there's a ton of things.
The fact that this was quick kept me going, but then again: Why did I waste my time? Playing With Matches was something that I picked out without even knowing what it was about, but if I did, then I might've not given it a chance anyway. If you're fine with reading something that's more meant for twelve year olds instead of YA, then this might be okay. But then again, it's trashy and weird. Meh.
Playing With Matches is one of those books that I knew I wouldn't enjoy from when I read the first page. It's a limited short read that was quick and satisfying for one of those readers who enjoy chick-lit and nonsense reads. And by "nonsense," I literally mean one of those that come with no-plot, no message, just plain drama and complaining from the protagonist, Rain. I'm pretty disappointed, but what could I expect when I'm always the black sheep and that this has a positive Goodreads overall rating?
I didn't look at this book for its writing, for its in-depth details that pertain to the characters' lives. Instead, I guess I just had to evaluate this and give my opinion from a simple view. At the time when I read this, I wasn't in for a trashy read so that may have affected my rating quite a bit. But seriously? I wouldn't even classify this as YA fiction. It completely gave the look as a middle-grade tween book about a dumb girl who tries to save her sister, Leah, from getting lovesick in Toronto.
This has a pretty cliché cover too, after all. What else could I have expected when I see a girl making the Justin Bieber hand-finger-heart? A little teenager can't start making a business out of match-making, that's for sure. People, young or old start sending her emails about themselves and feel that this person they don't even know will help them set them up on dates. *rolls eyes*
If someone told me that there's another novel out there similar to this one by one of my most favourite authors, I still don't think I'd go for it. It's boring, cheesy and uninteresting. I guess that one of the only intriguing parts were the side characters, like Professor K, Leah, Jake, all of that drama that came out of the dates and such. Rain's complaining, "boring" life? Yeah I wasn't too interested in what she had to say. When she had a ton of new friends, a nice lifestyle, all she could do was complain about everything: about a sticky pole in a bus, about her sister not understanding her when Rain's the total annoying kid, there's a ton of things.
The fact that this was quick kept me going, but then again: Why did I waste my time? Playing With Matches was something that I picked out without even knowing what it was about, but if I did, then I might've not given it a chance anyway. If you're fine with reading something that's more meant for twelve year olds instead of YA, then this might be okay. But then again, it's trashy and weird. Meh.
August 9, 2014
PLAYING WITH MATCHES by Suri Rosen was such a bundle of cute, quirky, hilariousness that I can't help but recommend it when it hits shelves in September. I believe this is a debut novel for the author, and I am entirely impressed with her skill in weaving a story that is adorable, funny, and moving, all while mish-mashing crazy interesting tidbits about Orthodox Jewish culture, which I can't deny isn't something I've read a ton about in young adult literature.
Anyways, sixteen year old Raina has been recently expelled from her high school, after humiliating an elderly teacher as part of a not-so-innocent prank, and has been sent away to live with her strict Aunt, which is definitely not how Raina imagined these carefree years of her young teenage life would be spent. On top of everything else, Raina's sister blames her for a painful, broken engagement, and Raina's mother can seem to do no more than find constant fault with every aspect of Raina's life. What's a girl to do?
But soon, Raina discovers that she has a hidden talent in the family's tight-knit Jewish community. Sure, it may have started by chance, but Raina has learned that she is an AMAZING matchmaker. And, after pairing a new friend with an old acquaintance of the family (that quickly ends in a proposal, of course!), news spreads fast that the mysterious Matchmaven now in business -- solving all problems of the heart through perfectly chosen matches from the Jewish community.
Raina, however, didn't realize just how much would she would have to sacrifice in order to construct happily ever afters for her friends and family. Soon enough, it seems that the entire community is angry with Raina -- but they all adore Matchmaven, who has exploded beyond anything Raina could have imagined.
Can Raina regain her sister's friendship, her mother's respect, and maybe even make amends to those she has hurt before -- without losing everything in the process?!
You absolutely MUST pick up PLAYING WITH MATCHES if you love quirky coming-of-age stories, and if you can imagine an adorable mishmash of Emma with Fiddler on the Roof!
One thing that I really loved about the story is that it was a tale of love without the main character herself actually seeking a love interest for herself. It was strangely refreshing to read a young adult title that had NOTHING to do with our heroine desperately seeking romantic affection. Totally unexpected.
I also adored the fact that Raina's character really *did* show a lot of depth and growth, especially closer to the ending of the story. Despite her troubles and her failures, Raina really did have good intentions -- and she learned a lot about herself and was definitely open to feedback and criticism from those around her. She was a well-written character from start to finish, I think.
I'm glad I had a chance to preview an advanced reader's copy of PLAYING WITH MATCHES for the purposes of providing a review, and I will definitely look forward to other books from this author in the future -- for sure!
Anyways, sixteen year old Raina has been recently expelled from her high school, after humiliating an elderly teacher as part of a not-so-innocent prank, and has been sent away to live with her strict Aunt, which is definitely not how Raina imagined these carefree years of her young teenage life would be spent. On top of everything else, Raina's sister blames her for a painful, broken engagement, and Raina's mother can seem to do no more than find constant fault with every aspect of Raina's life. What's a girl to do?
But soon, Raina discovers that she has a hidden talent in the family's tight-knit Jewish community. Sure, it may have started by chance, but Raina has learned that she is an AMAZING matchmaker. And, after pairing a new friend with an old acquaintance of the family (that quickly ends in a proposal, of course!), news spreads fast that the mysterious Matchmaven now in business -- solving all problems of the heart through perfectly chosen matches from the Jewish community.
Raina, however, didn't realize just how much would she would have to sacrifice in order to construct happily ever afters for her friends and family. Soon enough, it seems that the entire community is angry with Raina -- but they all adore Matchmaven, who has exploded beyond anything Raina could have imagined.
Can Raina regain her sister's friendship, her mother's respect, and maybe even make amends to those she has hurt before -- without losing everything in the process?!
You absolutely MUST pick up PLAYING WITH MATCHES if you love quirky coming-of-age stories, and if you can imagine an adorable mishmash of Emma with Fiddler on the Roof!
One thing that I really loved about the story is that it was a tale of love without the main character herself actually seeking a love interest for herself. It was strangely refreshing to read a young adult title that had NOTHING to do with our heroine desperately seeking romantic affection. Totally unexpected.
I also adored the fact that Raina's character really *did* show a lot of depth and growth, especially closer to the ending of the story. Despite her troubles and her failures, Raina really did have good intentions -- and she learned a lot about herself and was definitely open to feedback and criticism from those around her. She was a well-written character from start to finish, I think.
I'm glad I had a chance to preview an advanced reader's copy of PLAYING WITH MATCHES for the purposes of providing a review, and I will definitely look forward to other books from this author in the future -- for sure!
April 13, 2016
Two things I hear people asking for a lot are "YA books with a female lead and no love interest/no romantic subplot for lead" and "Jewish books (especially YA) not about the Shoah." Not that one book is an antidote to any problem, but here's at least a great one to start with that fits both of these perfectly. In fact, I'm pretty sure the book has an entirely Jewish cast and a plot completely free of anti-Semitism (without ignoring who we are; there's a mention of someone's relatives having met in a refugee camp.)
I wound up reading this the same day that I read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and the interesting thing about their accidental juxtaposition is that they share the common thread of people communicating more honestly and openly with those they've grown close with via anonymous email than they do interacting with people in real life. In the other book teenage boys fall in love over email, and in this one, the lead's beloved older sister who refuses to speak to her right now, pours out her heart when she thinks she's talking to "matchmaven" online. And this isn't Playing With Matches' only example of this, either. It's an interesting phenomenon.
The disastrous dates the MC ends up sending her "clients" on are funny in a rom-com kind of way, and I think this book would make a cute movie.
I like the way the author was able to explain 1. our shared culture and 2. the aspects of our culture that we don't share, since I'm Reform, without making me feel like the book was othering its own author and main character. That kind of thing takes a lot of skill and like any Jewish writer writing Jewish settings for a general diaspora audience I still struggle with that balance myself sometimes.
It takes all type of talents to make human civilization, and while Rain may not have a natural inclination toward conventional academic subjects, she definitely applies herself to the puzzle of matchmaking. It's important to value ALL types of talent, and along those lines the book delivers a satisfying resolution to all the tension created throughout.
I wound up reading this the same day that I read Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and the interesting thing about their accidental juxtaposition is that they share the common thread of people communicating more honestly and openly with those they've grown close with via anonymous email than they do interacting with people in real life. In the other book teenage boys fall in love over email, and in this one, the lead's beloved older sister who refuses to speak to her right now, pours out her heart when she thinks she's talking to "matchmaven" online. And this isn't Playing With Matches' only example of this, either. It's an interesting phenomenon.
The disastrous dates the MC ends up sending her "clients" on are funny in a rom-com kind of way, and I think this book would make a cute movie.
I like the way the author was able to explain 1. our shared culture and 2. the aspects of our culture that we don't share, since I'm Reform, without making me feel like the book was othering its own author and main character. That kind of thing takes a lot of skill and like any Jewish writer writing Jewish settings for a general diaspora audience I still struggle with that balance myself sometimes.
It takes all type of talents to make human civilization, and while Rain may not have a natural inclination toward conventional academic subjects, she definitely applies herself to the puzzle of matchmaking. It's important to value ALL types of talent, and along those lines the book delivers a satisfying resolution to all the tension created throughout.
December 11, 2014
3.5 stars?
I don't know. It's emminently readable. The setting/culture is really interesting (a tight-knit Jewish community in Toronto). I certainly haven't read anything like it. The writing style is fun.
I just think that I need to take another break from YA. I get a little tired of teenage hyper-drama, which this has in spades (although the lack of teenage relationship drama was kinda fun) and this book also has a dollop of the main character's impulsiveness often resulting in some really unfortunate outcomes. It's a case of fairly flawless intentions, shaky execution. A lot. And the main character gets blamed for literally EVERYTHING (sometimes warranted, sometimes not). To the extent that anytime anything goes wrong (which, let's face it, is every second page), you do kind of think, "Oh what now?"
That said, the characters are also really well-drawn, and interesting. IDK. I think I would recommend this book to most people, because I think it would work better for a lot of other people. I really liked it in a lot of ways, but there was just something... IDK.
I don't know. It's emminently readable. The setting/culture is really interesting (a tight-knit Jewish community in Toronto). I certainly haven't read anything like it. The writing style is fun.
I just think that I need to take another break from YA. I get a little tired of teenage hyper-drama, which this has in spades (although the lack of teenage relationship drama was kinda fun) and this book also has a dollop of the main character's impulsiveness often resulting in some really unfortunate outcomes. It's a case of fairly flawless intentions, shaky execution. A lot. And the main character gets blamed for literally EVERYTHING (sometimes warranted, sometimes not). To the extent that anytime anything goes wrong (which, let's face it, is every second page), you do kind of think, "Oh what now?"
That said, the characters are also really well-drawn, and interesting. IDK. I think I would recommend this book to most people, because I think it would work better for a lot of other people. I really liked it in a lot of ways, but there was just something... IDK.
November 21, 2014
Be sure to stop by my blog for a chance to win a free print copy! The giveaway ends Friday, September 19, 2014. http://runningthroughthestars.blogspo...
I'll describe this book in one "word": LOL.
Thank you so much, NetGalley and ECW Press, for this free book to review!
For being such a funny book about matchmakers, Raina has a ton of depth. She really grows throughout the book. She's also relatable (not that I'm a sixteen year old Jewish matchmaker who has a ton of trouble in school. Really. I'm not).
I read this book in under a day (I have way too much time on my hands this summer). The writing was quick. And funny. Have I mentioned that?
Playing With Matches is Suri Rosen's debut novel. Will I read anything she'll ever write, ever? YES. Her voice is awesome.
I'll describe this book in one "word": LOL.
Thank you so much, NetGalley and ECW Press, for this free book to review!
For being such a funny book about matchmakers, Raina has a ton of depth. She really grows throughout the book. She's also relatable (not that I'm a sixteen year old Jewish matchmaker who has a ton of trouble in school. Really. I'm not).
I read this book in under a day (I have way too much time on my hands this summer). The writing was quick. And funny. Have I mentioned that?
Playing With Matches is Suri Rosen's debut novel. Will I read anything she'll ever write, ever? YES. Her voice is awesome.
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January 7, 2015This is the first YA book involving religious Jews that I've read and actually enjoyed. A lot of times the religious aspect is used as a caricature or Judaism is portrayed so inaccurately that it's offensive, but it injected both humor and warmth into the story. I like that this book is about more than religion. It's about picking yourself up and dusting yourself off. Whether it was heartbreak or the loss of a loved one or an insensitive prank that got them down, many characters in PLAYING WITH MATCHES realized that life goes on, that our mistakes and severed ties don't have to define us forever.
December 12, 2014
First of all, I love living in the future. My libraries didn't have this book, but Scribd did! Yay, subscription services!
Anyway, I like the idea behind it, but the execution wasn't all there for me.
It's one of those sort of comedy of errors books, which . . . I don't find comedic. I could just see all the bad things being set up to happen and noooo. Do not like.
Anyway, I like the idea behind it, but the execution wasn't all there for me.
It's one of those sort of comedy of errors books, which . . . I don't find comedic. I could just see all the bad things being set up to happen and noooo. Do not like.
September 19, 2014
I loved this! I liked the true-to-locale feel, I loved the storyline and its twists, and I loved the characters (I want a friend like Rain! :)) and how real they are. All-around a great read!
November 25, 2020
I had an enjoyable time reading this novel. I wasn't sure what to expect from it and my biggest concerns were how Raina got herself kicked out of her NY school and how she'd resolve things with her sister. It was interesting to see a teenager try to make matches for people while also juggling school and home life. Bubby was so funny with all her meshugas and quirks.. I felt like most people weren't being all that fair to Raina a lot of the time and I liked when others gave her a chance.
Sometimes the writing style felt choppy, but I liked the premise overall. I also like that it took place in Toronto (probably because of my Degrassi addiction). I wouldn't have minded more focus on Raina's Jewish observancy, like seeing her go to shul or reading about a Shabbat meal, but I understand if it would detract from the plot somehow. It was easy to read the entire book in one day (or a few hours, really).
Sometimes the writing style felt choppy, but I liked the premise overall. I also like that it took place in Toronto (probably because of my Degrassi addiction). I wouldn't have minded more focus on Raina's Jewish observancy, like seeing her go to shul or reading about a Shabbat meal, but I understand if it would detract from the plot somehow. It was easy to read the entire book in one day (or a few hours, really).
August 30, 2018
*5 Stars*!!
**I received an advanced copy from ECW Press in exchange for an honest review**
Opening Lines
The Good
If I could sum up Playing With Matches using only one word it would be Cute with a capital C!! Seriously, I think my face still hurts from smiling so much awhile reading this!
First off I just have to talk about the cover and my physical copy of this book. I was sent a PDF version until Playing with Matches was ready to be mailed out; when I opened the PDF I was so surprised by the cover design. I love the choice of colors and font used. I remember looking at it thinking how soft it looks! And when it came in the mail and I basically fell in love with it. The cover, the back of it, the font used, colour choices, the text style and the little arrows were all just beautiful touches to make this book look fantastic! And the spine! Let me just say that this book looks amazing on my bookshelf. I mean, if you still want to go and buy the ebook version, sure knock yourself out! But you'll be missing out on one BEAUTIFUL book!
Raina Resnick is the main character and narrator throughout Playing With Matches, and I have to say that her character brought this story to life! I loved her character development throughout the book, it made her into a realistic character that people can relate to. I admit I was on the fence on if I would really like Raina's character at the start of the book, but you quickly grow to love her. One thing that really bothered me was Raina’s family. HOW IN THE WORLD COULD YOU BLAME HER?! Ben was clearly a loser who didn’t understand that no family is perfect. My heart broke for Raina, she was really just trying to make everyone else happy. Who hasn't been in a similar situation of trying to make others happy?!
Now Suri Rosen...debut novel? Lies I tell you, LIES!! I'm only kidding. But Suri Rosen if you happen to actually read this I would like you to know that I am in awe of you. The writing style was perfect, everything just had a great flow. I have to say the biggest (and best) thing that I didn't see coming was the fact that Suri Rosen didn't focus on giving Raina a love interest. This made Playing With Matches refreshing and unique compared to all the young adult books that do focus on love interest. Suri Rosen proved that there is more to a character than falling in love, and that's an important message!
Lasting Impression
Overall, Playing With Matches was such a cute read and I loved it to pieces!! A unique and refreshing read that has made its way onto my favourites list. A huge congratulations goes out to Suri Rosen, what a fantastic debut novel! I look forward to reading more of her work. Did I love it? YES. Should you read it? HECK YES!!!
**I received an advanced copy from ECW Press in exchange for an honest review**
Opening Lines
"Here’s some advice if you plan on taking the Number 7 down Bathurst Street at 7:36 a.m. Do not sit downwind from the woman eating the industrial-grade tuna fish. And if The Groomer is on the bus, get ready to duck at the first sign of the nail clippers."
The Good
If I could sum up Playing With Matches using only one word it would be Cute with a capital C!! Seriously, I think my face still hurts from smiling so much awhile reading this!
First off I just have to talk about the cover and my physical copy of this book. I was sent a PDF version until Playing with Matches was ready to be mailed out; when I opened the PDF I was so surprised by the cover design. I love the choice of colors and font used. I remember looking at it thinking how soft it looks! And when it came in the mail and I basically fell in love with it. The cover, the back of it, the font used, colour choices, the text style and the little arrows were all just beautiful touches to make this book look fantastic! And the spine! Let me just say that this book looks amazing on my bookshelf. I mean, if you still want to go and buy the ebook version, sure knock yourself out! But you'll be missing out on one BEAUTIFUL book!
Raina Resnick is the main character and narrator throughout Playing With Matches, and I have to say that her character brought this story to life! I loved her character development throughout the book, it made her into a realistic character that people can relate to. I admit I was on the fence on if I would really like Raina's character at the start of the book, but you quickly grow to love her. One thing that really bothered me was Raina’s family. HOW IN THE WORLD COULD YOU BLAME HER?! Ben was clearly a loser who didn’t understand that no family is perfect. My heart broke for Raina, she was really just trying to make everyone else happy. Who hasn't been in a similar situation of trying to make others happy?!
Now Suri Rosen...debut novel? Lies I tell you, LIES!! I'm only kidding. But Suri Rosen if you happen to actually read this I would like you to know that I am in awe of you. The writing style was perfect, everything just had a great flow. I have to say the biggest (and best) thing that I didn't see coming was the fact that Suri Rosen didn't focus on giving Raina a love interest. This made Playing With Matches refreshing and unique compared to all the young adult books that do focus on love interest. Suri Rosen proved that there is more to a character than falling in love, and that's an important message!
Lasting Impression
Overall, Playing With Matches was such a cute read and I loved it to pieces!! A unique and refreshing read that has made its way onto my favourites list. A huge congratulations goes out to Suri Rosen, what a fantastic debut novel! I look forward to reading more of her work. Did I love it? YES. Should you read it? HECK YES!!!
October 5, 2014
Playing With Matches is so utterly charming and fun. I flew through it in the course of one afternoon. Suri Rosen has concocted a sweet story that will make you laugh out loud at times and grown in frustration in Raina's stubbornness at others.
Raina Resnick is a bit of a trouble-maker. She has little concern for her school work and is more interested in being stylish and well-dressed than a model student. Because of her actions, she has been kicked out of her New York private school and relegated to her aunt's house in Toronto. Truthfully, while Raina's narration is always entertaining and full of personality, at first, she's rather unlikable. But as the story goes on and as Raina's priorities change because of the odd friendships she's made, she becomes more and more admirable. Raina draws an odd crowd around herself, but her matchmaking gets her out of the self-involved bubble she's lived in and lets her see the problems of others--even as it goes unrecognized in her family.
There are tons of laugh out loud moments in Playing With Matches. I found myself rereading passages because they struck me as so funny and even seeking out someone to tell, because someone had to laugh with me. Raina has a very unique voice, filled with just enough sarcasm to be funny without being bitter. Her family can't see the changes happening before their eyes, but Raina doesn't really complain about it. She's more concerned with helping the people who have sought her out for help, which I loved all the way through, even though the model student in me wanted to remind her she should be doing her homework.
Raina is certainly not the only outstanding character, either. Her family is a mish mash of rule-followers, but Bubby is the renegade of the family, eavesdropping, eating what she shouldn't, inviting friends over whenever she wishes, and just generally causing frustration. Playing With Matches also deals really well with the relationship between Raina and her sister, Leah. Leah blames Raina for her breakup with her fiance, so their previously very close bond is distant for the majority of the book. All Raina does is really to help Leah, because she wants that closeness they had before, and she thinks finding her love with do the trick. Even though they are distant, you can still see the closeness. It also does the cool thing of being all about romance without finding love for the heroine--which I loved!
Playing With Matches is simply a delightful book. Between dealing with family dynamics, a search for popularity, and romance, it makes you laugh, smile, and leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy. I will definitely be reading whatever Suri Rosen comes out with next, and I hope you will too! (But read this first, obviously.)
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
You can find this review and many more fun things on my blog: Paper Cuts.
Raina Resnick is a bit of a trouble-maker. She has little concern for her school work and is more interested in being stylish and well-dressed than a model student. Because of her actions, she has been kicked out of her New York private school and relegated to her aunt's house in Toronto. Truthfully, while Raina's narration is always entertaining and full of personality, at first, she's rather unlikable. But as the story goes on and as Raina's priorities change because of the odd friendships she's made, she becomes more and more admirable. Raina draws an odd crowd around herself, but her matchmaking gets her out of the self-involved bubble she's lived in and lets her see the problems of others--even as it goes unrecognized in her family.
There are tons of laugh out loud moments in Playing With Matches. I found myself rereading passages because they struck me as so funny and even seeking out someone to tell, because someone had to laugh with me. Raina has a very unique voice, filled with just enough sarcasm to be funny without being bitter. Her family can't see the changes happening before their eyes, but Raina doesn't really complain about it. She's more concerned with helping the people who have sought her out for help, which I loved all the way through, even though the model student in me wanted to remind her she should be doing her homework.
Raina is certainly not the only outstanding character, either. Her family is a mish mash of rule-followers, but Bubby is the renegade of the family, eavesdropping, eating what she shouldn't, inviting friends over whenever she wishes, and just generally causing frustration. Playing With Matches also deals really well with the relationship between Raina and her sister, Leah. Leah blames Raina for her breakup with her fiance, so their previously very close bond is distant for the majority of the book. All Raina does is really to help Leah, because she wants that closeness they had before, and she thinks finding her love with do the trick. Even though they are distant, you can still see the closeness. It also does the cool thing of being all about romance without finding love for the heroine--which I loved!
Playing With Matches is simply a delightful book. Between dealing with family dynamics, a search for popularity, and romance, it makes you laugh, smile, and leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy. I will definitely be reading whatever Suri Rosen comes out with next, and I hope you will too! (But read this first, obviously.)
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
You can find this review and many more fun things on my blog: Paper Cuts.
August 6, 2014
I won a copy of this book from the Goodreads First Reads Giveaway program. Many thanks to the publisher/author for giving me the chance to read and review this book from the Goodreads First Reads program.
To be perfectly honest, I had a shaky start with this book. While the synopsis sounded really interesting and I loved the cover, the beginning wasn't doing much for me. The story started off kind of slow, the baseball stuff confused/annoyed me, and then there was the character of Raina (Rain), who was unlikable at first. Which I guess is ironic considering how Raina believes others feel about her during the course of the book. I guess about halfway in, I was in love with this book and the characters--including Rain.
I've never seen a book like this before. I know little about Jewish culture, but the entire matchmaking was fascinating. I loved the direction that the matchmaking went in this book and felt the author did a great job presenting the pros and cons of the services Rain provided.
While the story itself is interesting and flies by pretty quickly, it's the characters that really make my heart feel warm and fuzzy inside. I loved the relationships between Rain and her sister, other family members (especially Bubby), her clients, her principal, and the old professor (who reminds me of Arthur Abbott from The Holiday). Rain also has some pretty awesome character development. She really grows during the course of the book, which makes this into a sort of coming-of-age book as well.
It was also refreshing to see a book about romance without the main character being involved in actual romance. The dates were fun to read about, too.
In fact, the entire book was light-hearted and quirky yet also had its emotional moments. I'm really happy that I got the chance to read this one, and can't wait to see what else Suri Rosen has written/will write. I'd love to see more books like this. Loved it and definitely recommend.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for this review. These opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated for this review.
To be perfectly honest, I had a shaky start with this book. While the synopsis sounded really interesting and I loved the cover, the beginning wasn't doing much for me. The story started off kind of slow, the baseball stuff confused/annoyed me, and then there was the character of Raina (Rain), who was unlikable at first. Which I guess is ironic considering how Raina believes others feel about her during the course of the book. I guess about halfway in, I was in love with this book and the characters--including Rain.
I've never seen a book like this before. I know little about Jewish culture, but the entire matchmaking was fascinating. I loved the direction that the matchmaking went in this book and felt the author did a great job presenting the pros and cons of the services Rain provided.
While the story itself is interesting and flies by pretty quickly, it's the characters that really make my heart feel warm and fuzzy inside. I loved the relationships between Rain and her sister, other family members (especially Bubby), her clients, her principal, and the old professor (who reminds me of Arthur Abbott from The Holiday). Rain also has some pretty awesome character development. She really grows during the course of the book, which makes this into a sort of coming-of-age book as well.
It was also refreshing to see a book about romance without the main character being involved in actual romance. The dates were fun to read about, too.
In fact, the entire book was light-hearted and quirky yet also had its emotional moments. I'm really happy that I got the chance to read this one, and can't wait to see what else Suri Rosen has written/will write. I'd love to see more books like this. Loved it and definitely recommend.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the publisher for this review. These opinions are my own; I was not required to write a positive review, nor was I compensated for this review.
December 15, 2015
Have you ever tried to fix up two people for a date? Complicated, right? Playing With Matches, a debut YA by Suri Rosen, offers readers a glimpse into the wild world of matchmaking in a Jewish Orthodox community. But this time the matchmaker isn't an elderly yenta from the shtetl. She's a savvy, fashion-conscious, independent 16-year-old girl named Raina Resnick. Raina is a troubled teen who's been kicked out of a NYC private school and ends up living with her strict aunt in Toronto. Feeling lonely and unmoored, Raina befriends Tamara, a fellow passenger on the city bus route to Raina's new school. From Tamara, readers learn that in this culture, young women who aren't married by their mid-twenties are considered old maids. Raina jumps in to help her new friend by fixing her up with the only eligible bachelor she knows in town. When the match meets success, Raina unwittingly becomes the anonymous "Matchmaven." The book follows many fun twists and turns as Raina tries to help other lonely hearts (her own distant sister Leah included) find their one true love. The book is packed with a cast of colorful characters including a spunky Bubby, the evil principal Mrs. Levine, and the sweet, kind-hearted, juice-making, Professor K. Playing With Matches moves along a fast clip as Raina digs herself deeper and deeper into a complicated web of trouble. Rosen tempers the teenage angst with lots of humor (including a LOL scene involving a porta potty in the park). A nice break from the typical teenage drama of high school romance (although I would like to see who Raina ends up with one day). Well done Suri Rosen! Can't wait to see what's next!
January 24, 2015
Kitabın son sayfasını da okuyup kapağını kapadığımda yüzümde koca bir tebessümle keşke bitmeseydi dediğim kitaplardan biri olarak kayda geçti. :D :D
yorumumun tamamı için...
http://kitapperestdunyam.blogspot.com...
yorumumun tamamı için...
http://kitapperestdunyam.blogspot.com...
May 11, 2017
Have you ever screwed up royally and been willing to do anything to make things right? Have you ever tried to repair the damage, only to create more? Have you ever wondered if you’d make it as a matchmaker? Then this book is for you!
Raina’s snarky narration is everything.
Our main character’s voice sucked me in from the very beginning on this one. Raina fits the bill as my favorite type of character: she’s snarky and a little messed up—and we get to find out why. After a childhood spent moving around with her parents, they finally let her settle into a school in Manhattan, where Raina got to really make friends for the first time. Unfortunately, Raina screwed up that opportunity, getting herself kicked out of school, so she’s shipped off to Toronto for her last chance with an even stricter aunt. Now, she’s been labeled a troublemaker by nearly everyone: her aunt, the school officials, her classmates—and even her sister Leah.
Jewish community & family focus
I loved reading this book for the insight into the tight-knit Jewish community. While the plot doesn’t really focus on the religious practice, I got to learn about Jewish culture, particularly their marriage practices. Raina’s world revolves around her family—her strict Aunt Mira, who’s always getting onto Raina no matter what she does, her heart-broken sister Leah, and Mira’s mother-in-law, Bubby, the hilarious trouble-making older woman who throws wild parties and gorges on salty snacks.
Ultimately, this is a story about community and family—about how far you would go to correct your mistakes, how hard you would fight for your sister’s affections, and how hard it can be to change people’s perspective of you.
hilarious match-making mishaps & shenanigans
This is a book about romance, but it’s not a romance. Raina’s main focus is finding matches for her clients, who email her anonymously. At first, matchmaking is an accident, but over the course of the novel Raina really immerses herself in trying to make other people happy—from Tamara, the woman she meets on the bus, to Professer Kellman, the widower she meets by accident, and everyone in between.
Raina’s matchmaking mishaps are absolutely hilarious. I don’t want to spoil any of the fun, but let me just say that I was laughing out loud at various parts. Raina tries so hard to find happiness for others and often finds herself in ridiculous scenarios. I really appreciated that Raina herself isn’t interested in romance, but rather is working tirelessly to help others, almost without realizing how selfless she’s being. This is a story of growing up, but Raina doesn’t even recognize how much growth she’s really doing until the end.
overall recommend:
Although the plot sometimes felt forced—in that the situations were so absurd they didn’t seem fully realistic—I ultimately really enjoyed reading this book.
Raina’s snarky narration is everything.
Our main character’s voice sucked me in from the very beginning on this one. Raina fits the bill as my favorite type of character: she’s snarky and a little messed up—and we get to find out why. After a childhood spent moving around with her parents, they finally let her settle into a school in Manhattan, where Raina got to really make friends for the first time. Unfortunately, Raina screwed up that opportunity, getting herself kicked out of school, so she’s shipped off to Toronto for her last chance with an even stricter aunt. Now, she’s been labeled a troublemaker by nearly everyone: her aunt, the school officials, her classmates—and even her sister Leah.
Jewish community & family focus
I loved reading this book for the insight into the tight-knit Jewish community. While the plot doesn’t really focus on the religious practice, I got to learn about Jewish culture, particularly their marriage practices. Raina’s world revolves around her family—her strict Aunt Mira, who’s always getting onto Raina no matter what she does, her heart-broken sister Leah, and Mira’s mother-in-law, Bubby, the hilarious trouble-making older woman who throws wild parties and gorges on salty snacks.
Ultimately, this is a story about community and family—about how far you would go to correct your mistakes, how hard you would fight for your sister’s affections, and how hard it can be to change people’s perspective of you.
hilarious match-making mishaps & shenanigans
This is a book about romance, but it’s not a romance. Raina’s main focus is finding matches for her clients, who email her anonymously. At first, matchmaking is an accident, but over the course of the novel Raina really immerses herself in trying to make other people happy—from Tamara, the woman she meets on the bus, to Professer Kellman, the widower she meets by accident, and everyone in between.
Raina’s matchmaking mishaps are absolutely hilarious. I don’t want to spoil any of the fun, but let me just say that I was laughing out loud at various parts. Raina tries so hard to find happiness for others and often finds herself in ridiculous scenarios. I really appreciated that Raina herself isn’t interested in romance, but rather is working tirelessly to help others, almost without realizing how selfless she’s being. This is a story of growing up, but Raina doesn’t even recognize how much growth she’s really doing until the end.
overall recommend:
Although the plot sometimes felt forced—in that the situations were so absurd they didn’t seem fully realistic—I ultimately really enjoyed reading this book.
October 20, 2019
Honestly I was often bored while reading this, and I could not relate to the teen voice at all. I noted while reading that the voice didn't feel authentic, but I've decided to be a bit gentler about that. First of all because, since it was published in 2014, it's going to be a bit out of date, and second of all because the main character comes from such a different community than mine, who am I to say how authentic it is? I didn't like Rain's voice, I don't think it's going to read fantastically accurately to anyone, but I think it definitely reads more accurately to people who aren't me.
So, that mostly leaves the fact that I got bored as a problem. And the voice/writing style was part of that, because I can read anything if I love the writing of it. But I never got really into Rain's story. I like that it's another book I can recommend where a female character doesn't need a love interest. I like that the sister relationship is so important. I like that it's Jewish. It ended up being kinda cute, though ridiculously easily resolved at the end. It just wasn't a great read for me.
So, that mostly leaves the fact that I got bored as a problem. And the voice/writing style was part of that, because I can read anything if I love the writing of it. But I never got really into Rain's story. I like that it's another book I can recommend where a female character doesn't need a love interest. I like that the sister relationship is so important. I like that it's Jewish. It ended up being kinda cute, though ridiculously easily resolved at the end. It just wasn't a great read for me.
December 10, 2022
I had a great time reading Playing with Matches. Poor, Raina! If it could go wrong, it did, and the results were often amusing. The accidental matchmaker was such a fun way to bring about Raina's personal growth. As she fell deeper into the matchmaker role, Raina's world expanded to include friends of all ages. Through their shared experiences, she gained a lot of insight and empathy. This brought her to a big realization about the events which led to her expulsion and also allowed her to redeem herself. Lots of fun with a sweet ending.
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April 25, 2021
I too am an accidental matchmaker and I too have an extreme dislike for the shidduch system.
The writing and plot was meh but in line with the rest of contemporary YA romance. It was nice to have an Orthodox female protagonist for once.
I couldn’t get a bead on where on the spectrum Raina fell though - her name is Rain/Raina and is a baseball fan but she was sent to Manhattan High School for Girls? She seems more MO but then has a bunch of traits and family that seem UO? Like, she lived in Brooklyn with her aunt but wasn’t sent to a beis yaakov? Maybe right-wing MO instead of full on UO?
A quick read.
The writing and plot was meh but in line with the rest of contemporary YA romance. It was nice to have an Orthodox female protagonist for once.
I couldn’t get a bead on where on the spectrum Raina fell though - her name is Rain/Raina and is a baseball fan but she was sent to Manhattan High School for Girls? She seems more MO but then has a bunch of traits and family that seem UO? Like, she lived in Brooklyn with her aunt but wasn’t sent to a beis yaakov? Maybe right-wing MO instead of full on UO?
A quick read.
February 24, 2018
I enjoyed this sometimes sweet, sometimes funny book. I appreciate that, although it was about matchmaking, the teenage main character was not falling in love or crushing on anyone. All the romance (and there wasn't much) was between adults. Finally! A book that has a teenage main character who is not falling in love!
Being that Raina does most of her matchmaking by email without meeting people in person, she learns, as do the people around her, that we never know the whole story and to be careful judging otters.
Being that Raina does most of her matchmaking by email without meeting people in person, she learns, as do the people around her, that we never know the whole story and to be careful judging otters.
December 9, 2018
"Playing With Matches" was a very fun read. It's nice to see a Modern Orthodox lifestyle represented in a young adult novel with just enough explanation for the unfamiliar reader, without it being too foreign or too educational. It's a very fun story about a teenage girl trying to regain closeness with her sister, manage the expectations of her family and teachers, and make romantic matches for couples in her community. Very amusing and touching, without being over the top in either direction.
September 24, 2017
There were a lot of hilarious scenes on this book and a lot of great scenes that made me enjoy it. However there were a bunch of scenes that felt unnecessary. I like the plot but it was also a bit strange at times. Also the plot twist did take me by surprise but I just don't see Ms. Levine being Esther before it was revealed. She was so harsh and mean. Anyway I did enjoy this book but it wasn't my absolute favorite.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2020
Rosen does a great job navigating the the life of Raina Resnick, a Modern Orthodox Jewish girl uprooted from her home in New York to live in Toronto. Unlike other YA books that feature religious protagonists, Rosen chooses to portray Raina as a typical girl and her Judaism takes the background rather than the forefront. 'Playing With Matches' is a refreshing take on the life of a religious teen.
July 21, 2017
Not a fan. At all. This book was overly cheesy and didn't have the appeal that I would have hoped for. The story lacks a good climax, rather there is a cliched reveal at the end of the novel, and everyone lived happily ever after. Save your time.
November 3, 2019
What a great story! The main character, Raina, was likable and so well intentioned. I also found the whole premise of an accidental matchmaker to be fun and engaging. A great read that I would highly recommend!
July 1, 2017
Super cute and laugh out loud funny at times. Sometimes a little too cute or neat & tidy, especially towards the end, but always fun and readable.
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