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Friendships and Festivals #1
Miracles and Menorahs
Sarah Goldman loves Hanukkah, and she’s thrilled to be appointed as vice chair of the Hollowville Hanukkah Festival. So when the festival is threatened with cancellation, she comes up with an idea: a new slogan and advertising campaign topped off with a metal menorah large enough to fill the center of town. But even though her heart and dreams are large, the committee’s budget constraints threaten to stop her grand plans right in their tracks.
Famous metal sculptor Isaac Lieberman also loves Hanukkah. But his vision of a perfect Hanukkah isn’t a commercial community event—it’s spending time with family, following age-old traditions. He’s not interested in the festival, no matter how many times his grandmother, his bubbe, asks him to contribute one of his sculptures.
Then Sarah comes tumbling into his life…can she change his mind about more than just the holidays?
Famous metal sculptor Isaac Lieberman also loves Hanukkah. But his vision of a perfect Hanukkah isn’t a commercial community event—it’s spending time with family, following age-old traditions. He’s not interested in the festival, no matter how many times his grandmother, his bubbe, asks him to contribute one of his sculptures.
Then Sarah comes tumbling into his life…can she change his mind about more than just the holidays?
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2020
198 people are currently reading
1046 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
February 21, 2024
I loved this adorable Hanukkah romance. Sarah Goldman is vice chairperson of her small town’s Hanukkah festival, which is about to happen for the 9th year. Unfortunately, some on the board of trustees are concerned the festival isn’t making enough money and want to turn it into a more inclusive festival that celebrates other holidays (not just Hanukah) and Sarah wants it to remain just a Hanukkah festival. She tries to enlist the help of sculptor Isaac Liebermann to create a giant menorah as the centerpiece for the festival, but he refuses, even though there are definite sparks between the two. I loved the friend circle, the great scenes with family, all the wonderful Hanukkah traditions and this sweet small-town romance.
December 10, 2020
I ended up stopping about halfway through. I wanted to love this, and it had the potential to be a fluffy Hallmark-style Hanukkah story, but it really could have benefited from an editor. There were typos, contradictory information, repetitive passages, and little tension in the romance. I’m sad because I was so looking forward to a fluffy Hanukkah story.
December 12, 2020
3.5 stars ⭐️ The premise and unique storyline were wonderful - my first Hanukkah romance!
October 29, 2022
If I could give negative stars I would.The Husband says from the few excerpts I read him and my comments that this book seems like one written by a badly programmed AI. Where to start? The misspellings? The poor grammar (not a huge amount but enough to notice)? The punctuation? And that’s even before we get to the content. For a romance novel to not even get to a kiss until page 240 of a 312 page book is just wrong.
Now let’s talk about Hanukkah and the Jews in this book. Oy gevalt! The main character keeps saying, “Hanukkah is my favorite holiday!” Really? (Insert Hallmark movie music) Not Passover? Not Rosh Hashanah? Not even Purim? And the story starts somewhere in the summer. We breeze right past the MOST IMPORTANT HOLY DAYS in the Jewish calendar without even a mention. And the food tasting at the local Temple (or maybe it’s the Hebrew Center) has “kosher kielbasa” which I would think is meat based served in the same room as flan, a milk based custard. Oy! Oh! And what is with the constant refrain that the only rule about Hanukkah food is that is has to be fried? Fried foods every day of an eight day festival? Are you trying to kill us? What about the tradition of dairy foods?
While I am on about odd things, let me mention the author’s obsession with skin tones. Every single character is at first described not by the content of his/her character but by the color of his/her skin. What’s up with that?
And where, she asks, is the story of Hanukkah aside from some new age blather about the growing light in a time of darkness? Where is Judah Maccabee and his hammer? Dreidel races? How about mock battles with elephants (made of cardboard, naturally)?
Can not recommend. If you want a better Hanukkah romance try Jean Meltzer and “The Matzoh Ball”. Trust me it is about Hanukkah.
Now let’s talk about Hanukkah and the Jews in this book. Oy gevalt! The main character keeps saying, “Hanukkah is my favorite holiday!” Really? (Insert Hallmark movie music) Not Passover? Not Rosh Hashanah? Not even Purim? And the story starts somewhere in the summer. We breeze right past the MOST IMPORTANT HOLY DAYS in the Jewish calendar without even a mention. And the food tasting at the local Temple (or maybe it’s the Hebrew Center) has “kosher kielbasa” which I would think is meat based served in the same room as flan, a milk based custard. Oy! Oh! And what is with the constant refrain that the only rule about Hanukkah food is that is has to be fried? Fried foods every day of an eight day festival? Are you trying to kill us? What about the tradition of dairy foods?
While I am on about odd things, let me mention the author’s obsession with skin tones. Every single character is at first described not by the content of his/her character but by the color of his/her skin. What’s up with that?
And where, she asks, is the story of Hanukkah aside from some new age blather about the growing light in a time of darkness? Where is Judah Maccabee and his hammer? Dreidel races? How about mock battles with elephants (made of cardboard, naturally)?
Can not recommend. If you want a better Hanukkah romance try Jean Meltzer and “The Matzoh Ball”. Trust me it is about Hanukkah.
December 15, 2021
B+ so 4.5 stars I’m always up for a holiday romance. I’m definitely in the “love it” camp for Christmas romances, which tend to have both passionate fans and die-hard avoiders. However, I love reading about other holidays as well, whether from traditions I share or not. In my case, part of my family is Jewish I’ve enjoyed finding more romances featuring Hanukkah and other holidays. I have several on my digital TBR, and I decided to pull out Miracles and Menorahs this year because I’ve been wanting to read it.
Miracles and Menorahs is a sweet story with a very slow burn romance. I could see this one making an excellent feel-good Hallmark movie. Can Sarah Goldman save the Hollowville Hanukkah Festival? Will she and that sexy sculptor ever get together?
Sarah loves her town’s Hanukkah festival and she has thrown herself into helping organize it just as her father did before her. This year, though, the festival’s time may have run out. A new councilman wants to replace it with a more generic ‘holiday’ festival that would be more Christmas-centric. This stereotypically drawn new councilman practically sneers every time he is on the page. From the opening chapters, Sarah and her friends appear likeable and the reader will want them to be able to save the Hanukkah festival even if their opponent is a heavy-handed caricature.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text here: https://allaboutromance.com/december-...
Miracles and Menorahs is a sweet story with a very slow burn romance. I could see this one making an excellent feel-good Hallmark movie. Can Sarah Goldman save the Hollowville Hanukkah Festival? Will she and that sexy sculptor ever get together?
Sarah loves her town’s Hanukkah festival and she has thrown herself into helping organize it just as her father did before her. This year, though, the festival’s time may have run out. A new councilman wants to replace it with a more generic ‘holiday’ festival that would be more Christmas-centric. This stereotypically drawn new councilman practically sneers every time he is on the page. From the opening chapters, Sarah and her friends appear likeable and the reader will want them to be able to save the Hanukkah festival even if their opponent is a heavy-handed caricature.
This is a partial review. You can find the complete text here: https://allaboutromance.com/december-...
June 12, 2021
The absolutely perfect Hanukkah story. I was so lucky that I got to read it early because the author is the most fabulous friend ever but it is just great. Miracle and Menorah's is the fabulous story of Sarah a small town bookseller whose great joy is the yearly Hanukkah festival (a town specialty which sets them apart from their neighbors). However, as of late, the shine has been fading. And, a new councilman is pushing to make it less Hanukkah and more certain other winter holidays, taking away not only the town's uniqueness but the people the festival represents ability to be seen. Thus, the festival needs to be better than ever.
Enter Isaac, sculpture and grandson of one of the resident's. He and Sarah have a chance meeting and there is definitely chemistry. However, he had already been asked to do a sculpture--a menorah for the festival and refused, as his opinion is that Hanukkah should be a private celebration. The two agree to disagree about their views of the holidays, while pursuing what is at least a friendship, but definitely also attraction and what happens is magical.
The story is lovely. The community and world are lovely. The characters are fun and proud and full. And the chemistry? Well, it's cute and fun and you just want them together. This book is the warmest of blankets. And it's everything a Hanukkah romance should be.
Enter Isaac, sculpture and grandson of one of the resident's. He and Sarah have a chance meeting and there is definitely chemistry. However, he had already been asked to do a sculpture--a menorah for the festival and refused, as his opinion is that Hanukkah should be a private celebration. The two agree to disagree about their views of the holidays, while pursuing what is at least a friendship, but definitely also attraction and what happens is magical.
The story is lovely. The community and world are lovely. The characters are fun and proud and full. And the chemistry? Well, it's cute and fun and you just want them together. This book is the warmest of blankets. And it's everything a Hanukkah romance should be.
October 18, 2020
3.5 stars - Reviewed for
Wit and Sin
Miracles and Menorahs is sweeter than the sufganiyot latte author Stacey Agdern has made me crave. It’s a story of hope, of not giving up, and of standing up and protecting traditions and inclusivity. Ms. Agdern excels at depicting both traditional and more modern Hanukkah traditions and the Jewish representation in this book is top-notch, which I just loved.
Sarah Goldman is Hollowville’s resident Hanukkah fairy. She’s the vice chair of the local Hanukkah festival, the kind of event I wish existed anywhere near where I lived. But the festival is in danger of being eliminated in favor of the ubiquitous red and green. Sarah has to lead the charge to fight for space for Jewish traditions to be celebrated and acknowledged. I loved her determination and strength, her positivity and her love for her community. To help save the festival she’s looking for a large metal menorah, but budget and time constraints mean most artists are turning down the commission. Enter Isaac Lieberman, Brooklyn sculptor and grandson of one of Hollowville’s beloved residents. Isaac doesn’t believe in the commercialization of Hanukkah, which means he doesn’t want to take the commission, even at the risk of disappointing his bubbe. His stance is made all the more difficult when he meets Sarah and is immediately attracted to her.
The romance is sweet but extremely understated and this is where I have to mention the snags I hit in reading Miracles and Menorahs . I wanted desperately to love this book because the message of the story is close to my heart and Ms. Agdern weaves in Jewish customs, traditions, and even kitschy fun stuff really well. However, for me this story dragged and felt like it could have been a novella. There’s really not a lot happening and the story is repetitive. There was no real tension or strong emotion to keep me invested, especially when it came to the romance. I craved a deeper emotional pull from the characters and I wish we had delved into their characters more. So this is where it becomes difficult for me to rate the story. The spirit of the book and the sentiments expressed grabbed my heart and spoke to me personally, but the actual plot stretched on for too long and didn’t really keep me engaged (there are only so many times I can be charmed reading about latkes and sufganiyot lattes). I did enjoy the residents of Hollowville and Isaac’s friends in Brooklyn; both groups added warmth and character. The result of this is I have mixed feelings about Miracles and Menorahs but the things I loved about it are rare finds in romance novels. As a result, I find myself drawn to the positive aspects more and I’m very much looking forward to the next Friendships and Festivals story.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Miracles and Menorahs is sweeter than the sufganiyot latte author Stacey Agdern has made me crave. It’s a story of hope, of not giving up, and of standing up and protecting traditions and inclusivity. Ms. Agdern excels at depicting both traditional and more modern Hanukkah traditions and the Jewish representation in this book is top-notch, which I just loved.
Sarah Goldman is Hollowville’s resident Hanukkah fairy. She’s the vice chair of the local Hanukkah festival, the kind of event I wish existed anywhere near where I lived. But the festival is in danger of being eliminated in favor of the ubiquitous red and green. Sarah has to lead the charge to fight for space for Jewish traditions to be celebrated and acknowledged. I loved her determination and strength, her positivity and her love for her community. To help save the festival she’s looking for a large metal menorah, but budget and time constraints mean most artists are turning down the commission. Enter Isaac Lieberman, Brooklyn sculptor and grandson of one of Hollowville’s beloved residents. Isaac doesn’t believe in the commercialization of Hanukkah, which means he doesn’t want to take the commission, even at the risk of disappointing his bubbe. His stance is made all the more difficult when he meets Sarah and is immediately attracted to her.
The romance is sweet but extremely understated and this is where I have to mention the snags I hit in reading Miracles and Menorahs . I wanted desperately to love this book because the message of the story is close to my heart and Ms. Agdern weaves in Jewish customs, traditions, and even kitschy fun stuff really well. However, for me this story dragged and felt like it could have been a novella. There’s really not a lot happening and the story is repetitive. There was no real tension or strong emotion to keep me invested, especially when it came to the romance. I craved a deeper emotional pull from the characters and I wish we had delved into their characters more. So this is where it becomes difficult for me to rate the story. The spirit of the book and the sentiments expressed grabbed my heart and spoke to me personally, but the actual plot stretched on for too long and didn’t really keep me engaged (there are only so many times I can be charmed reading about latkes and sufganiyot lattes). I did enjoy the residents of Hollowville and Isaac’s friends in Brooklyn; both groups added warmth and character. The result of this is I have mixed feelings about Miracles and Menorahs but the things I loved about it are rare finds in romance novels. As a result, I find myself drawn to the positive aspects more and I’m very much looking forward to the next Friendships and Festivals story.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
October 13, 2020
A sweet heart warming slow build romance between Sarah and Isaac. Sarah loves Hanukkah and is in charge of the Hanukkah festival, she would love to have a large metal menorah. Isaac is a famous metal sculptor and Sarah would love for him to sculpt the menorah, but this is not his idea of celebrating Hanukkah. As these two meet soon they can't deny their chemistry that they share,
So enjoyed this story, so many wonderful traditions that I learned of Hanukkah. Loved the small town of Hollowville, such a sense of community and family. Loved, Isaac's Bubbe, a little matchmaking she performed. This is the first book that I have read of Stacey Agden, and now looking forward of reading more.
So enjoyed this story, so many wonderful traditions that I learned of Hanukkah. Loved the small town of Hollowville, such a sense of community and family. Loved, Isaac's Bubbe, a little matchmaking she performed. This is the first book that I have read of Stacey Agden, and now looking forward of reading more.
December 24, 2020
I was both excited and nervous to pick this up. It's the only Hanukkah book out there, so I was excited for the representation, but simultaneously nervous about how it was going to go.
Bottom line, this story was...bizarre. I think any Jewish person who reads this would agree that Hanukkah is a minor Jewish holiday and no one plans in advance for it and no one obsesses over it year-round.
I related to the frustration over the mainstream erasure of Jewish holidays and whatnot, and the idea was good in theory, but it didn't translate well at all. The emphasis on the year-round excitement for Hanukkah was so strange that I couldn't take the book seriously. I kept thinking that the only world this would ever happen in would be in a winter season episode in an alternate universe of Stars Hollow.
Aside from the unrealistic aspects of it, the love story was also just boring. It never really went anywhere. I'm a sucker for a romance and I didn't connect to their love at all.
I'm really upset that this is the only Hanukkah book and I didn't love it. Maybe next year.
Bottom line, this story was...bizarre. I think any Jewish person who reads this would agree that Hanukkah is a minor Jewish holiday and no one plans in advance for it and no one obsesses over it year-round.
I related to the frustration over the mainstream erasure of Jewish holidays and whatnot, and the idea was good in theory, but it didn't translate well at all. The emphasis on the year-round excitement for Hanukkah was so strange that I couldn't take the book seriously. I kept thinking that the only world this would ever happen in would be in a winter season episode in an alternate universe of Stars Hollow.
Aside from the unrealistic aspects of it, the love story was also just boring. It never really went anywhere. I'm a sucker for a romance and I didn't connect to their love at all.
I'm really upset that this is the only Hanukkah book and I didn't love it. Maybe next year.
December 19, 2020
2.5 stars
Cute, low angst Hanukkah story with an extremely slow burn (First kiss was at 80%.) The Hollowville Hanukkah festival, starting with the “Cavalcade of Latkes” (held pre-festival, to kick things off) sounds like great fun. “Hanukkah has come...to Hollowdale for nine days for the past nine years. Soofganiyot (a round jelly donut) and latke-making contests, dreidel-spinning relays, ice skating on the river, hot chocolate, chestnuts. This year we’re adding an international food fair, as well as hoping to add a bazaar featuring Hanukkah-themed jewelry and clothing.” I would have enjoyed it more if the romance had been more well developed, but it was a nice light holiday read.
Cute, low angst Hanukkah story with an extremely slow burn (First kiss was at 80%.) The Hollowville Hanukkah festival, starting with the “Cavalcade of Latkes” (held pre-festival, to kick things off) sounds like great fun. “Hanukkah has come...to Hollowdale for nine days for the past nine years. Soofganiyot (a round jelly donut) and latke-making contests, dreidel-spinning relays, ice skating on the river, hot chocolate, chestnuts. This year we’re adding an international food fair, as well as hoping to add a bazaar featuring Hanukkah-themed jewelry and clothing.” I would have enjoyed it more if the romance had been more well developed, but it was a nice light holiday read.
November 13, 2024
העיירה הולוויל, הקרובה לניו יורק, היא עיירה מעורבת שמכילה קהילה יהודית די משמעותית. לפני שנים, בית הכנסת בעיירה ארגן אירוע קטן לכבוד חנוכה. האירוע צמח וצמח עד שהפך לפסטיבל שנתי שמקיף את כל העיירה. הפסטיבל מנוהל ע"י ועדה, שבעבר אביה של שרה, הגיבורה הרומנטית של הספר, ניהל, והיום שרה היא סגנית ראשת הוועדה ולמעשה זו שאחראית לארגון הפסטיבל. אך אבוי! גורמים רשעים במועצת העיר, ובראשם וובסטר ההיפסטר, מנסים לגרום להפיכת הפסטיבל מפסטיבל המוקדש רק לחנוכה, לפסטיבל "החגים" ולשלב בו עצי חג מולד ומסורות כריסטמס נוספות. בניסיון לקבע את מעמד הפסטיבל, שרה פונה לאיזק, פסל מפורסם והנכד של אלזה ליברמן שחיה בעיירה, על מנת שיבנה חנוכייה גדולה שתוצב במרכז העיירה כדרך קבע, ובכך תמנע את ההשתלטות על מהות הפסטיבל. איזק מצידו, מסרב בתוקף וממש לא מתחבר למה שנראה לו כשימוש באמנות שלו לצרכים מסחריים. ככל ששרה ואיזק נפגשים, הם מתחילים לחבב אחד את השניה, ואיזק מתחיל לפקפק בהחלטתו.
זה ספר חמוד אבל יש לו את אחת העלילות היותר מופרכות שנתקלתי בהן. קודם כל - כל מה שקשור לחנוכה, יהדות, מנהגים שונים ועוד הוא הזוי לחלוטין. יש המצאות חמודות כמו "לאטה סופגניות" או פסטיבל לביבות, אבל יש גם דברים הזויים כמו אכילת אזני המן בבית קפה הרבה לפני חנוכה או פורים, פרטי לבוש מוזרים ועוד. לא כל כך ברור לי ציר הזמן של הספר. הוא כאילו מתרחש בין סוכות לחנוכה אבל משהו שם לא מסתדר. מבחינת הרומנטיקה - שרה ואיזק כביכול מחבבים מאוד אחד את השנייה, אבל למעשה מתנשקים נשיקה קלושה רק לקראת סוף הספר, וזהו. גם ההתנהגות של שניהם לא הגיונית, והכביכול משבר/קונפליקט לא הגיוני, חוץ מזה שלא היה משבר אילו הם פשוט היו מדברים אחד עם השנייה וזהו. גם קצת עצבן אותי שאיזק אומר לשרה משפט מאוד לא נעים והיא סולחת לו בלי שהוא ממש מתנצל על זה.
בקיצור - זה קצת נראה כאילו לקחו שלד של סיפור כריסטמסי נוצרי הולמרקי, והפכו אותו לסיפור חנוכה בלי לעשות איזושהי בדיקת מציאות מינימלית. לא סבלתי, אבל זו הייתה קריאה הזויה. דווקא לחשש מהניסיון להשתלט ולבטל את פסטיבל החנוכה ע"י גורמים עוינים אפשר בהחלט להתחבר בימים אלו עם מה שקורה בעולם והתגברות האנטישמיות.
זה ספר חמוד אבל יש לו את אחת העלילות היותר מופרכות שנתקלתי בהן. קודם כל - כל מה שקשור לחנוכה, יהדות, מנהגים שונים ועוד הוא הזוי לחלוטין. יש המצאות חמודות כמו "לאטה סופגניות" או פסטיבל לביבות, אבל יש גם דברים הזויים כמו אכילת אזני המן בבית קפה הרבה לפני חנוכה או פורים, פרטי לבוש מוזרים ועוד. לא כל כך ברור לי ציר הזמן של הספר. הוא כאילו מתרחש בין סוכות לחנוכה אבל משהו שם לא מסתדר. מבחינת הרומנטיקה - שרה ואיזק כביכול מחבבים מאוד אחד את השנייה, אבל למעשה מתנשקים נשיקה קלושה רק לקראת סוף הספר, וזהו. גם ההתנהגות של שניהם לא הגיונית, והכביכול משבר/קונפליקט לא הגיוני, חוץ מזה שלא היה משבר אילו הם פשוט היו מדברים אחד עם השנייה וזהו. גם קצת עצבן אותי שאיזק אומר לשרה משפט מאוד לא נעים והיא סולחת לו בלי שהוא ממש מתנצל על זה.
בקיצור - זה קצת נראה כאילו לקחו שלד של סיפור כריסטמסי נוצרי הולמרקי, והפכו אותו לסיפור חנוכה בלי לעשות איזושהי בדיקת מציאות מינימלית. לא סבלתי, אבל זו הייתה קריאה הזויה. דווקא לחשש מהניסיון להשתלט ולבטל את פסטיבל החנוכה ע"י גורמים עוינים אפשר בהחלט להתחבר בימים אלו עם מה שקורה בעולם והתגברות האנטישמיות.
November 28, 2020
This was very much a Hallmark movie in book form. I ended up skimming most of it. I didn’t feel any tension/chemistry between Sarah and Isaac. The drama was almost nonexistent and didn’t fuel the story at all. The cast of characters reminded me of Gilmore Girls.
October 14, 2020
Happy Cozy Holiday Goodness!
December 5, 2024
This is a very, very light read. Kind of like a Hallmark movie Hanukkah love story.
In a small town called Hollowville, in one of the New York City boroughs, a committee is trying to put on the 10th annual Hanukkah festival. They would like to have a large menorah as a centerpiece of the festival, but they are unable to get anyone to make it. A young woman named Sarah Goldman is the vice chair of the festival committee and she did ask the grandson of one of the town’s prominent citizens, Isaac Lieberman , a talented sculptor, to make the menorah, but he refused, feeling that commercialized the holiday too much. Then for months Sarah and Isaac avoided discussing his refusal and why he refused, even though they were very attracted to each other. I enjoyed the fact that this was a very Hanukkah centric story with a lot of Jewish characters. I absolutely loved Elsa who is Isaac‘s bubbe, as well as Chana, the owner of a local cafe: The Caf and Nosh (great name!) Be prepared to have your mouth water over all the food descriptions, and learn a little Yiddish.
There are some flaws to the story though. The writing is a bit insipid at times and the dialogue is so banal that it is sometimes painful to read. The characters are not well portrayed. You don’t get a lot of backstory to either Sarah or Isaac, but there are hints that there was something sad in each of their pasts but it is never discussed. Something seemed off about Isaac and I couldn’t figure it out. It was almost as if to some degree he was on the spectrum, but not quite. Sarah is a little better portrayed, but not by much. There is a town grinch who tries to stop the Hanukkah festival and he is portrayed as an arch type villain. The townspeople are way too intrusive in Sarah‘s life, but it was out of love. And this is a very, very chaste story. After months of interacting with Isaac, Sarah swooned over a kiss and was embarrassed to tell her friends about it. Seriously? What century does she live in?
There are also a lot of typos and there are some places where it is obvious that the the author made corrections to the text but didn’t delete the first draft, as well as some continuity issues on dates. Although the town is called Hollowville, is it bad that I always read it as Hootersville? (Like from the 60s comedy Petticoat Junction.)
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this story, but I really enjoyed it for what it is: an oasis of Hanukkah in a Christmas centric world.
In a small town called Hollowville, in one of the New York City boroughs, a committee is trying to put on the 10th annual Hanukkah festival. They would like to have a large menorah as a centerpiece of the festival, but they are unable to get anyone to make it. A young woman named Sarah Goldman is the vice chair of the festival committee and she did ask the grandson of one of the town’s prominent citizens, Isaac Lieberman , a talented sculptor, to make the menorah, but he refused, feeling that commercialized the holiday too much. Then for months Sarah and Isaac avoided discussing his refusal and why he refused, even though they were very attracted to each other. I enjoyed the fact that this was a very Hanukkah centric story with a lot of Jewish characters. I absolutely loved Elsa who is Isaac‘s bubbe, as well as Chana, the owner of a local cafe: The Caf and Nosh (great name!) Be prepared to have your mouth water over all the food descriptions, and learn a little Yiddish.
There are some flaws to the story though. The writing is a bit insipid at times and the dialogue is so banal that it is sometimes painful to read. The characters are not well portrayed. You don’t get a lot of backstory to either Sarah or Isaac, but there are hints that there was something sad in each of their pasts but it is never discussed. Something seemed off about Isaac and I couldn’t figure it out. It was almost as if to some degree he was on the spectrum, but not quite. Sarah is a little better portrayed, but not by much. There is a town grinch who tries to stop the Hanukkah festival and he is portrayed as an arch type villain. The townspeople are way too intrusive in Sarah‘s life, but it was out of love. And this is a very, very chaste story. After months of interacting with Isaac, Sarah swooned over a kiss and was embarrassed to tell her friends about it. Seriously? What century does she live in?
There are also a lot of typos and there are some places where it is obvious that the the author made corrections to the text but didn’t delete the first draft, as well as some continuity issues on dates. Although the town is called Hollowville, is it bad that I always read it as Hootersville? (Like from the 60s comedy Petticoat Junction.)
I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this story, but I really enjoyed it for what it is: an oasis of Hanukkah in a Christmas centric world.
December 17, 2020
I have thoughts. It was a really good idea BUT it was a bit too stereotypical? And sometimes in a good way (Chana, Bubbe) and sometimes not (Councilman Webster, Isaac's mom). And sometimes just plain odd? Like the Cafe where there are sugfganiot lattes or gelt mochas (granted, that sounds delish). But the thing that got me was that they italicized Bubbe but NOT Zeyde? It was nice to see a Hanukkah romance but I felt like this just needed so much ... more
October 11, 2020
Miracles and Menorahs needs a Hallmark channel or Netflix Original movie treatment and I would like to watch it ASAP. Unfortunately, the tension necessary for this book to really nail exactly what I needed wasn't quite there, although I still found it generally enjoyable. The book follows Sarah, the town's "Hanukah Fairy," who is attempting to Vice Chair the Hanukah Festival, which this White conservative Christian dude keeps trying to shut down/convert to a Christmas festival. Sarah is trying to find someone to make a large menorah to provide the focal point for this Festival, which sounds really awesome. Unfortunately, everyone costs too much money. One of the older women in the town sets up a meeting between her grandson, Issac, and Sarah because Issac makes metal sculptures. Unfortunately, (a) Sarah's already met him and upon meeting him called him a Hanukah snob and (b) Issac has no interest in the commercialization of any holiday, but especially not Hanukah. So he refuses, but the sparks flying between them is a bit too much to resist.
There's a lot to like in this book, like all of the descriptions of food, the really fascinating side characters I adored, and the real Hallmark small-town feel of all these people being super invested in community. I love books about community and I loved, so much, that it was so woven into the fabric of this book. I really liked the conversation too about how neither extreme of big city vs. small town narratives we have developed in American society are accurate. I thought that was really well done and I loved how this played with that a bit.
The main thing that kept me from really loving this book was the fact that I just really didn't feel like the tension between Issac and Sarah kept me engaged. There's conflict because he doesn't want to make the sculpture, which Sarah really needs, but she doesn't really hold that against him. And then there's a little about the fact that they do live in too separate places, but they don't really delve into that too much. They both like each other, but don't really do much to advance the relationship for a long time and then the end conflict felt a little too contrived and then they were in love. I just needed a little something extra here to really make me believe the romance and get invested in it.
All that to say, I think this book is an excellent addition to the holiday reads options and I'm looking forward to what I hope will be more books in this series. I won an advanced copy of this book in a Twitter giveaway hosted by Romance Sparks Joy!
There's a lot to like in this book, like all of the descriptions of food, the really fascinating side characters I adored, and the real Hallmark small-town feel of all these people being super invested in community. I love books about community and I loved, so much, that it was so woven into the fabric of this book. I really liked the conversation too about how neither extreme of big city vs. small town narratives we have developed in American society are accurate. I thought that was really well done and I loved how this played with that a bit.
The main thing that kept me from really loving this book was the fact that I just really didn't feel like the tension between Issac and Sarah kept me engaged. There's conflict because he doesn't want to make the sculpture, which Sarah really needs, but she doesn't really hold that against him. And then there's a little about the fact that they do live in too separate places, but they don't really delve into that too much. They both like each other, but don't really do much to advance the relationship for a long time and then the end conflict felt a little too contrived and then they were in love. I just needed a little something extra here to really make me believe the romance and get invested in it.
All that to say, I think this book is an excellent addition to the holiday reads options and I'm looking forward to what I hope will be more books in this series. I won an advanced copy of this book in a Twitter giveaway hosted by Romance Sparks Joy!
dnf
December 17, 2020DNF @ pg. 100
I wanted to like this one, but sadly I could not get into the story at all.
I just did not click with the writing or the characters at all.
I will note this is the only Hanukkah centered romance I've seen so if that is something you'll looking for, maybe check it out?
I wanted to like this one, but sadly I could not get into the story at all.
I just did not click with the writing or the characters at all.
I will note this is the only Hanukkah centered romance I've seen so if that is something you'll looking for, maybe check it out?
October 28, 2020
3.5 stars. I hope Hallmark or Netflix are going to fight over putting this sweet story in their future holiday film lineups. It screams cinematic. Absolutely loved getting to know Sarah and follow her passion for Hollowville's Hanukkah festival. For all the roadblocks, mostly from a villainous Trustee who is threatening to strip the town of this amazing festival, she is focused and always giving 150%. Meeting Isaac, a sculptor and grandson to Hollowville resident, is a surprise and I thought her struggle to turn away from the festival that means so much to her and possibly embrace romance was relatable. Also interesting: Isaac living in Brooklyn, Sarah living in Hollowville, and discussion about city vs. suburban living (something I think about a lot). Loved so many details included (esp. Sarah's Hanukkah accessories) and while the story could have been tighter and the conflict between Sarah and Isaac could have popped up earlier, I enjoyed this one quite a bit.
December 18, 2020
I really liked the idea of this book. It’s hard to come across contemporary fiction based around Hanukkah so I was happy to learn about this one.
The story was sweet and a quick read. The plot would’ve made a cute Hallmark movie and I would love to see a real-life depiction of the town and the festival.
I loved how proud Sarah and Isaac were to be Jewish. Sarah was so passionate about being Jewish and her love of Hanukkah was such a huge part of her as a person. I liked that Isaac was able to learn why the festival was so important and that commercialization of a holiday isn’t always a bad thing if helps people feel welcome.
I will say I didn’t really get the relationship between Sarah and Isaac. It felt very artificial. They felt like very distant acquaintances to me instead of two people who end up falling in love. I would’ve loved to see their connection spark some more! Also, the drama in the town was so confusing. I know it’s fiction so it doesn’t need to be real, but it was really difficult to imagine a town as annoying as this one 🤣 I felt so bad for Sarah and Isaac being under their constant scrutiny.
The story was sweet and a quick read. The plot would’ve made a cute Hallmark movie and I would love to see a real-life depiction of the town and the festival.
I loved how proud Sarah and Isaac were to be Jewish. Sarah was so passionate about being Jewish and her love of Hanukkah was such a huge part of her as a person. I liked that Isaac was able to learn why the festival was so important and that commercialization of a holiday isn’t always a bad thing if helps people feel welcome.
I will say I didn’t really get the relationship between Sarah and Isaac. It felt very artificial. They felt like very distant acquaintances to me instead of two people who end up falling in love. I would’ve loved to see their connection spark some more! Also, the drama in the town was so confusing. I know it’s fiction so it doesn’t need to be real, but it was really difficult to imagine a town as annoying as this one 🤣 I felt so bad for Sarah and Isaac being under their constant scrutiny.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 4, 2021
I was so ready to fall in love with this book and reread it each year, but it just didn't work for me. I loved a lot of things about it: Hollowville, the people in town, the food, Isaac's friend group, and of course the Hanukkah Festival! That's a recipe for a perfect holiday story. The plot itself was tension-less most of the way through and then had too much at once. I would have rather seen an enemies-to-lovers story with tension between the characters before they finally get together or, even better, a story where the couple are a united front fighting against the shenanigans of the people trying to end the Hanukkah festival. The lukewarm tension at the end due to Sarah and Isaac's lack of communication (ugh. So tired of this plot device) and Webster's ineffective pettiness just didn't work for me.
I'm on the fence about trying the others in the series, but I really loved the characters a lot. We'll see.
I'm on the fence about trying the others in the series, but I really loved the characters a lot. We'll see.
January 2, 2025
This is the first book in the Friendships & Festivals series. It is a Hanukkah romance.
This is Sarah Goldman’s story. I met her in The Dreidl Disaster. I hadn’t read this series yet. So it was nice to go back and read her story.
She is the vice chair of the Hollowville Hanukkah festival. She lives in a small town. Isaac Lieberman’s grandmother lives in the same town. The story goes back and forth between Hollowville and Brooklyn (where Isaac lives).
I really loved everything to do with the Hanukkah festival. And I loved seeing the characters that I met in the author’s newest book. Such a good book to read during Hanukkah.
This is Sarah Goldman’s story. I met her in The Dreidl Disaster. I hadn’t read this series yet. So it was nice to go back and read her story.
She is the vice chair of the Hollowville Hanukkah festival. She lives in a small town. Isaac Lieberman’s grandmother lives in the same town. The story goes back and forth between Hollowville and Brooklyn (where Isaac lives).
I really loved everything to do with the Hanukkah festival. And I loved seeing the characters that I met in the author’s newest book. Such a good book to read during Hanukkah.
December 31, 2024
I love Stacey Agdern’s writing and what fascinates me even more is her world building. She hasn’t created just a story, she has created a whole universe. I actually first started reading the Last Girls Standing series, but I’ve come back to read these before I read the Dreidel disaster and of course I recognized Oliver Goldsmith from The Dating Contract. I also recognize the continued references to the hockey team The Empires it is just so amazing how even her series are connected. It reminds you of Jewish Geography and how we are all connected. I love Stacey’s works and I want to continue to live in it.
December 16, 2020
Heartwarming & full of love
I adored this story about a small town’s Hanukkah festival. Readers will fall in love right along with Issac & Sarah as they fall in love will Hollowville’s traditions & community. Five Stars!
I adored this story about a small town’s Hanukkah festival. Readers will fall in love right along with Issac & Sarah as they fall in love will Hollowville’s traditions & community. Five Stars!
December 24, 2020
What a charming, gentle love story! The best part for me was imagining a Hanukkah festival and wishing they were real. The message of this story was wonderful, and I learned a lot about Jewish traditions, foods, and celebrations. This book left a smile on my face. Bravo, Stacey!
March 31, 2025
I really wanted to like this. I agree with the reviewer who mentioned the book feels like AI, and the reviews that mention the odd use of skin-tone descriptions. It really could have benefitted from a good editor. Lots of repetition, incorrect punctuation, missing words, unusual capitalization choices, the whole thing felt like a decent first draft but it wasn't ready to print in this state. The characters were also pretty flat.
After reading this, I am hesitant to pick up any of this author's other books, which is a shame because there aren't that many Jewish romance novels out there.
If you want to read a great rom-com about planning a hanukkah festival, I highly recommend Love You A Latke by Amanda Elliot.
After reading this, I am hesitant to pick up any of this author's other books, which is a shame because there aren't that many Jewish romance novels out there.
If you want to read a great rom-com about planning a hanukkah festival, I highly recommend Love You A Latke by Amanda Elliot.
October 19, 2020
Miracles and Menorahs is a festive and sweet read, perfect for the holiday season. Focused on family and traditions, this book brings to life Hanukkah celebrations as Sarah Goldman plans a Hannukah festival for the town of Hollowville. I loved reading this book and all the references to traditional foods. I went away hungry for sure. Hollowville reminded me of Stars Hollow, complete with their own town curmudgeon. Loved reading about a new holiday, and hope this is the beginning of more representation when it comes holiday celebrations!
Thank you to Tule Publishing for an advance copy of this book!
Thank you to Tule Publishing for an advance copy of this book!
November 4, 2020
Sweet, festive romance with wonderful characters who share a relationship that is as heartfelt as it is believable. The town and setting are drawn so richly, and with a degree of depth that adds an unforgettable element of personality to the story. Comforting, uplifting, and absolutely lovely.
October 13, 2020
I really enjoyed Miracles and Menorahs. Sarah Goldman, our plucky heroine, is determined to continue the traditional town-sponsored Hanukkah festival and not give in to turning into a “generic holiday festival” with red and green decorations, and trees.
(As a non-Christmas celebrant, it irritates me how often I have to explain that, yes, those things are Christmas decorations, not holiday or winter decorations, and please don’t tell me I’m wrong because pagans… Just don’t. It’s insulting.) Sarah Goldman understands.
Isaac Lieberman is adorable. I mean, he’s an artist, so of course. He’s not into community-sponsored holidays. He just wants to spend time with his bubbe, and I am here for that and her cooking. There is a lot of food in this book and it all sounds delicious!
I appreciated hearing my grandmother’s Yiddish through Isaac’s grandmother. I felt connected. Language matters, and I’m so glad Ms. Agdern chose to use the loving, familiar words that remind me of my own family. For those who don’t speak Yiddish, there should be enough context not to have to look words up.
The romance was sweet and slow-building. Sarah and Isaac don’t know each other at the beginning of the story, but they become friends, and then more.
I’m so glad publishers like Tule remember that there are more holidays in winter than Christmas. It makes a difference to be able to read a holiday romance that includes my experiences and traditions.
I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.
(As a non-Christmas celebrant, it irritates me how often I have to explain that, yes, those things are Christmas decorations, not holiday or winter decorations, and please don’t tell me I’m wrong because pagans… Just don’t. It’s insulting.) Sarah Goldman understands.
Isaac Lieberman is adorable. I mean, he’s an artist, so of course. He’s not into community-sponsored holidays. He just wants to spend time with his bubbe, and I am here for that and her cooking. There is a lot of food in this book and it all sounds delicious!
I appreciated hearing my grandmother’s Yiddish through Isaac’s grandmother. I felt connected. Language matters, and I’m so glad Ms. Agdern chose to use the loving, familiar words that remind me of my own family. For those who don’t speak Yiddish, there should be enough context not to have to look words up.
The romance was sweet and slow-building. Sarah and Isaac don’t know each other at the beginning of the story, but they become friends, and then more.
I’m so glad publishers like Tule remember that there are more holidays in winter than Christmas. It makes a difference to be able to read a holiday romance that includes my experiences and traditions.
I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2020
Miracles and Menorahs by Stacey Agdern
Sarah Goldman loves Hanukkah, and she’s thrilled to be appointed as vice chair of the Hollowville Hanukkah Festival. So when the festival is threatened with cancellation, she comes up with an idea: a new slogan and advertising campaign topped off with a metal menorah large enough to fill the center of town. But even though her heart and dreams are large, the committee’s budget constraints threaten to stop her grand plans right in their tracks.
Famous metal sculptor Isaac Lieberman also loves Hanukkah. But his vision of a perfect Hanukkah isn’t a commercial community event—it’s spending time with family, following age-old traditions. He’s not interested in the festival, no matter how many times his grandmother, his bubbe, asks him to contribute one of his sculptures.
Then Sarah comes tumbling into his life…can she change his mind about more than just the holidays?
This is Sarah Goldman and Isaac Lieberman's story.
“The Chair recognizes Trustee Gregory Webster.”
“Thank you, Mister Chair, and Miss Goldman. You know,” the trustee had said, “this Hanukkah stuff is wonderful, but I’m feeling like we need a change. If we want to include the whole village, even the whole community, we need to turn this into a ‘holiday’ festival next year. And invite Santa Claus.”
And despite all of the enthusiasm the board of trustees had expressed only seconds before, Hanukkah suddenly became an afterthought, lost in the excitement of plans and thoughts for next year.
It had taken every bit of restraint Sarah had not to scream about how taking away a celebration wasn’t inclusive, not to mention that turning Hollowville’s festival into a carbon cookie-cutter copy of every single ‘holiday’ celebration that existed wasn’t going to make people want to come to Hollowville.
Isaac Lieberman saw her out of the corner of his eye. Rather, he heard the excited exhalation after the click of footsteps against the tile floor.
That’s when he turned; she was shorter than he was, though it didn’t take much considering his height. She had pink undertones in her pale skin with a few random freckles on her arms, and intense brown hair which looked as if it had been flattened within an inch of its life.
But her smile?
That was something he’d like to draw
I highly recommend reading.
Miracles and Menorahs by Stacey Agdern is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Stacey Agdern.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
Sarah Goldman loves Hanukkah, and she’s thrilled to be appointed as vice chair of the Hollowville Hanukkah Festival. So when the festival is threatened with cancellation, she comes up with an idea: a new slogan and advertising campaign topped off with a metal menorah large enough to fill the center of town. But even though her heart and dreams are large, the committee’s budget constraints threaten to stop her grand plans right in their tracks.
Famous metal sculptor Isaac Lieberman also loves Hanukkah. But his vision of a perfect Hanukkah isn’t a commercial community event—it’s spending time with family, following age-old traditions. He’s not interested in the festival, no matter how many times his grandmother, his bubbe, asks him to contribute one of his sculptures.
Then Sarah comes tumbling into his life…can she change his mind about more than just the holidays?
This is Sarah Goldman and Isaac Lieberman's story.
“The Chair recognizes Trustee Gregory Webster.”
“Thank you, Mister Chair, and Miss Goldman. You know,” the trustee had said, “this Hanukkah stuff is wonderful, but I’m feeling like we need a change. If we want to include the whole village, even the whole community, we need to turn this into a ‘holiday’ festival next year. And invite Santa Claus.”
And despite all of the enthusiasm the board of trustees had expressed only seconds before, Hanukkah suddenly became an afterthought, lost in the excitement of plans and thoughts for next year.
It had taken every bit of restraint Sarah had not to scream about how taking away a celebration wasn’t inclusive, not to mention that turning Hollowville’s festival into a carbon cookie-cutter copy of every single ‘holiday’ celebration that existed wasn’t going to make people want to come to Hollowville.
Isaac Lieberman saw her out of the corner of his eye. Rather, he heard the excited exhalation after the click of footsteps against the tile floor.
That’s when he turned; she was shorter than he was, though it didn’t take much considering his height. She had pink undertones in her pale skin with a few random freckles on her arms, and intense brown hair which looked as if it had been flattened within an inch of its life.
But her smile?
That was something he’d like to draw
I highly recommend reading.
Miracles and Menorahs by Stacey Agdern is a wonderful well written 5 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Stacey Agdern.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
December 27, 2020
Man, I really wanted to like this book. I like Hallmark movies! I like Hanukah! It feels like it should have been an easy read.
Instead, all those over-the-top touches (e.g. on-theme lattes) that somehow make Hallmark movies ridiculous in a fun way were driven home emphatically enough that allusions sometimes felt pointed (and very occasionally painfully or didactically so) where I was hoping for fun, affirming headnods to Chanukah. I also couldn't quite follow some of the editing choices (It took me a while to figure out that it was Bubbe in place of her name and bubbe otherwise, but then I never figured out why Zayde was consistently plain text and capitalized?). The conflict between romantic leads seemed shoehorned in in a way that felt like even the protagonists had trouble remembering what it was. The conflict that drove the plotline was easier to remember but so black and white it felt cartoonish.
All in all, I would still watch the heck out of it as a Hallmark movie, but only because the movie format would likely smooth out the rough edges.
Instead, all those over-the-top touches (e.g. on-theme lattes) that somehow make Hallmark movies ridiculous in a fun way were driven home emphatically enough that allusions sometimes felt pointed (and very occasionally painfully or didactically so) where I was hoping for fun, affirming headnods to Chanukah. I also couldn't quite follow some of the editing choices (It took me a while to figure out that it was Bubbe in place of her name and bubbe otherwise, but then I never figured out why Zayde was consistently plain text and capitalized?). The conflict between romantic leads seemed shoehorned in in a way that felt like even the protagonists had trouble remembering what it was. The conflict that drove the plotline was easier to remember but so black and white it felt cartoonish.
All in all, I would still watch the heck out of it as a Hallmark movie, but only because the movie format would likely smooth out the rough edges.
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