4 out of 5 Stars
I won this awesome book through a giveaway on Jennie Reads.Thanks so much to Jennie and Debby, THIS IS THE FIRST THING I’VE WON!!
Synopsis
Meet Rhonda, a semi-neurotic ad agent and Christmas fanatic,
who decides she’s going to make a fabulous Hanukkah
celebration for her new husband James and his family.
In the midst of trying to create the perfect day, Rhonda meets with
various roadblocks: a hostile mother-in-law who takes the joy out of
any day, recipes she can’t seem to master, a looming work deadline
that’s sure to do her in, as well as an intrinsic belief that somehow the
holidays are about something more…and that the “perfect” day isn’t
always what it seems.
Merry Hanukkah is for all those celebrating both Hanukkah and
Christmas, and for the Holiday Junkie in all of us. It’s a hilarious
journey revealing the truth of what we value the most: faith, family,
friendship, and love.
My Thoughts
I had to read this book since, beyond me winning a copy (YAY ME!!) Everyone ALWAYS THINKS I’M JEWISH! ….It’s a long story. Ok, so really it’s a long nose. Ha ha! My friend’s very Jewish mom likes to say all the time that with my nose and my mannerisms, I’m the daughter she was always meant to have. I STILL don’t know if I should take that as a compliment?
Debby…. have you been stalking my Holidays?? Because, I swear readers, this was FRIGHTENINGLY ACCURATE! The stress, the hard work… the token melt down… and the eventual love (or, in some cases, the year that you don’t talk to someone until the next holiday and hope they’ve buried the hatchet by that point!)
I loved the fact that this story ends “happily” but realistically. There are problems that are solved, but they aren’t necessarily tied up with a big red bow. There is the feeling that the characters will have to continue to work on things in the future, but that they are WILLING to work on it. And, THAT’S REAL LIFE!! Everything doesn’t just solve itself neat and tidy!
I LOVE UNCLE BEN!! I don’t know if any of you have seen the movie”While you were sleeping”, but I absolutely could not stop picturing Saul
He is the sweet, yet sassy man who holds the family together. He’s the voice of reason, but, at the same time I get the impression that he could also be the one to rile everyone up if it suited his entertainment and fancy! He was definitely the deepest and most well rounded character of the book and you will all completely fall in love with him.
The entire premise of the book was just right of the Holidays, no matter what you celebrate. It reminds us all that sometimes you just need to let things happen as they will happen. Trying too hard can sometimes just make everything worse!
I definitely recommend this book, and Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all!
PICK UP YOUR COPY NOW!!
Amazon U.S.
Amazon Canada
Amazon U.K
Barnes & Noble
Author Bio
Debby Caruso is a writer of all things: novels, plays, short stories, screenplays, poems…and sometimes even a Hallmark card!
Author Links
Facebook /Ā Twitter / Goodreads
Merry Hanukkah is Best Served with a Toasted Almond Cocktail
Ingredients
- 2oz Amaretto
- 2oz Kahula
- 2oz Cream
Directions
- Put all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice
- Shake until chilled
- Strain into cocktail glass of fresh ice
- CHEERS!!
So glad you enjoyed it. This is definitely an author I want to keep my eye on. And the cocktail perfect for tonight, the 5th night of Hanukkah!
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Well, it was Vivian’s favourite drink, apparently. So, I had to make it! š Thanks for checking out my review. And, thanks for the giveaway!
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Congrats with #winning š saying a girl who never won anything in her entire life lol Eh
About the book sounds exciting…about the nose š- being Jewish girl is too much responsibility (or so I heard)…
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Ha ha ha!! Being ANYBODY is too much responsibility! š And it took me to the age of 34 to win anything… Your time will come! šš
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Ah Iām too late with my #winning! Or maybe if Iāll will a billion at once (sigh) dream on, Ray!
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Hey, you never know!! šš
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Great review! Cocktail sounds yum!
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Thanks! It was a fun book! šš
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Sounds like a great festive read. Glad to hear you enjoyed it. š That cocktail sounds delicious š š¹ šø š
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It was the perfect read for this time of year! A great message, but not a tough read. Just what I needed! šš
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Love the sound of this book! I really need to start entering more giveaways!
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DO IT!! šš
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Family dysfunction is always fun to read about, as long as it’s not your own family right? Lol! Sounds like a great book though I have to admit what drew me was the picture of Sandra Bullock sitting with the character of Saul, because I love that movie so much.
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EXACTLY!! I try to forget the years where I was the dysfunction in my family!… Hey, it’s not MY fault me family serves too much booze to the point where I decide to tell my brother in law what I really think of him! šš
And who DOESN’T love while you were sleeping?? If you love that, then you’ll LOVE uncle Ben!! šš
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Yum! I love the drink idea and such a festive photo! This does sound like a good read, and congrats on your giveaway win! Excellent review, Nicole!
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Thanks Jennifer!! It was the perfect start to my Christmas (guilty) reads!! Ha ha! I feel bad because I have so many things I SHOULD be reading. But, I’ve had so little time for myself lately that… DAMMIT, I’M GOING TO ENJOY THE CHRISTMAS SEASON FOR ONCE! ššš
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Sounds like someone wrote about my life, Nicole [giggle]. Hope your work is under control now.
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That’s what I thought, too!! šš
Work is actually way more hectic than it was! Ha ha! So many people having holiday parties means I’ve been kept REALLY busy (just headed out the door to run up and down stairs all night AGAIN!) I almost put up a post to take a hiatus until the new year… But, I have too much going on to even do that!! I hope everyone will forgive me for being a little less than diligent and my lack of visits!
I hope your holiday season goes great, Robbie!! šš
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Iām the daughter she was always meant to have…. Lol. Take it as compliment. š
That book sounds pretty good. I’ll have to take a peek…. but have no idea where I’d fit it in!
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Ya… I feel really bad right now because I’ve pretty much put my obligations aside to read some Christmas books… š I feel guilty… But, this is the first Christmas that I’m really trying to enjoy. So, everyone else can suck it til the new year! šššš
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Thatās the spirit!!!! ššššš
Enjoy yourself my dear!
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Ya, hopefully I’ll have the time to follow through! š
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