Dreidel Date

by Eliana West

The rules of dreidel are simple—unless the hot new rabbi your friends have been wanting you to meet turns out to be your childhood crush. Now Zach Kravitz is playing for more than bragging rights as the dreidel champion—he’s playing for his heart.
 
Hanukkah parties with the Kravitz family were some of Garrett Fitzpatrick’s favorite childhood memories. Now that Garrett has a chance to reconnect with Zach, the quiet, artistic young man he has yearned after for years, he’s ready to put a new spin on an old game. Garrett has eight nights to show Zach the spark between them can turn into a lasting flame that will stay bright long after Hanukkah ends. 

Genres: Holiday, Romance, M M Romance, Jewish, M M Contemporary, Holiday Romance, Friends To Lovers

145 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 16, 2023

About the author

Storyteller, adventurer, and diversity advocate. Crafting captivating tales while making a positive impact on the world.

Reviews

[Ed Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually finished this yesterday but wanted to think about it before I wrote a review. I was so disappointed in this book. I couldn’t wait to read it because most of the holiday stories are about Christmas. Unfortunately I didn’t love this book. I didn’t understand Garrett. He cut Zach out of his life with no explanation. He went behind Zach’s back and contacted his mother and then kept it a secret for years. He also didn’t tell Zach he knew about his writing. I couldn’t believe Zach forgave him or his mother so easily. I would have been furious. In fact, I was furious for Zach. Then I thought the book got a little preachy. After they got together I began to enjoy it, but it was too late.

[M.A. Guglielmo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A charming contemporary romance, Dreidel Date tells the story of two former childhood friends who find each other again and fall in love during Hanukkah. There are a lot of sweet holiday moments ( and some steamy ones, too!) and even a bonus recipe in the back for sufganiyot, a deep-fried doughnut treat served during Hanukkah.

[Dana Delamar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aww!!! This is a sweet (and sexy) holiday romance that made me smile and even laugh out loud several times. Zach and Garrett make a lovely couple, and I really enjoyed learning more about Hannukah and Jewish culture. Pick this one up if you're looking for a romance to put you in the holiday mood!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garrett Fitzpatrick and Zach Kravitz grew up together. Garrett was one of Zach's closest friends, and also his first crush. As time passed, though, they lost touch. Now that they've met up again, Zach finds his feelings haven't changed, but they have matured. Together again, they've rekindled their friendship and more. But Zach's introverted nature leads to self doubt. Can he be what Garrett needs?

This is a short, but emotional tale for the season. Told with warmth and a touch of humor this is a heartwarming friends to lovers story of two very different people who are very right for each other.

[Penumbra · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dreidel Date stars Zach Kravitz, a graphic novelist, and Garrett Fitzpatrick, a rabbi. This is told in third person from Garrett and Zach’s povs.

The blurb sounded cute so I thought I’d give this a try from a new to me author. Unfortunately, the writing and plot didn’t work for me. I struggled to read this, putting it down almost every chapter because I was bored. I skimmed the sex scenes which I don’t usually do.

Other things that didn’t work for me:

1) Zach and Garrett lost contact when Garrett left town. Zach was very hurt by this. But when Garrett returned, he’s flirty and expects Zach to forgive him quickly. Which Zach did. There was no drawn-out adjustment or decision making on whether Garrett should be forgiven or made to grovel.

2) Zach’s parents knew about Garrett and what he was doing and never told Zach, even though there’s an explanation later. Then his sister takes Zach to a ceremony and she’s laughing while Zach is in shock seeing Garrett as the rabbi.

3) Too many people treated Zach’s feelings as second to theirs. Pushing Zach to be more outgoing even though he told them no, he was an introvert and got anxious with too many people. His sister pushing Zach to go to the ceremony. No one seemed to respect Zach’s boundaries.

4) The pace for the relationship moved far too quickly. The men decided to date for the eight days of Hannukah to see if they could make a future for themselves. The second date is indicated, then suddenly they’re on the sixth date. Four dates were skipped in-between. The relationship growth is never shown. It moves to quickly from ‘I forgive you, Garrett’ to ‘I want to kiss you, can’t keep my hands off you, let’s have sex’ and most of the scenes are monologues of them thinking about or kissing etc. It was repetitive and boring.

5) The story ends at seventy-seven percent, with a full glossary of terms at the end followed by a few Hannukah recipes. Then from about eighty percent it’s a couple chapters preview of an Amy Lane story.

6) There are many more issues I had with this book. I also felt like the writing wasn’t smooth because scenes weren’t complete before jumping to another scene.

The only thing I liked was the ending and the surprise that Garrett showed Zach in his bedroom.

I didn’t like Dreidel Date much. I didn’t like the secondary characters and how meddlesome and pushy they were. I didn’t like how the characters treated Zach. I didn’t like how the relationship repairing between the two happened far too quickly without depth. And how days were skipped making it even more difficult to believe these two as a couple. I’m left at the end of the story feeling like they still haven’t worked through their problems and we’re just supposed to believe they’re happy because the author says so. This story didn’t work for me so I give it, 2 Stars.

[Slick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a lovely Hanukkah story of childhood best friends finding one another again after losing touch. Zach has never forgotten his friend Garrett who despite being older always tried to include him neighborhood activities when they were growing up. They kept in contact after Zach’s family moved away for a little while but then Garrett just seemingly disappeared. Zach eventually used his memories to create a gay graphic novel starring himself and Garrett (not using their names), but he never quite got over the loss of his first crush and friend. Finding Garrett again in the last place he ever expected to find him threw Zach for a bit of a loop but as he’d missed his friend once he got past the shock he agreed to meet so they could talk. I really loved this story and despite being fairly short, I felt the characters were well developed. I loved reading about Garrett’s journey and how accepting he was of Zach’s writing and his fears of not social enough to be by Garrett’s side as a Rabbi. I loved the way the author wove the Hanukkah nights into them getting to know one another again and the variety of dates that opened up many lines of communication between them. Dreidel Date as a wonderful holiday that I truly enjoyed.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Friends to lovers + Jewish MCs + dual perspective!

Zach & Garrett reconnect as adults after years of not seeing each other.

Throughout the eight nights of Hanukkah, Garrett is determined to show Zach the connection between them can actually last.

Read if you love...
✨friends to lovers
✨MC rabbi
🫶🏼dual perspective
✨insta love
🕎Hanukkah
✨MC graphic novelist
✨childhood crush to strangers

Honestly I should have written this review right after I finished because I don't really remember a whole lot. It was a quick read being a novella, and I read it while in and out of dosing.

I do remember feeling like the book would have had much better depth had it been a full length novel. I just wanted more depth & character growth.

I loved the bookstore scene (especially having been to the bookstore so I knew what was being referenced), and the way they connected over Zach's graphic novels. I also loved the rep in both MCs being gay & Jewish! And overall, it was just light & cute & a quick read.

📍California
✨Representation: gay Jewish MCs; Black MC

[Lyn Solomon-Linville · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awww this was a special book to read especially on this Chanukah of 2025 first night when some bad stuff is happening irl. This is a tale of a love that lasted since childhood and crossed borders of religion and two men forming their lives until Hashem could bring them to see they were basher. I loved Zach and his found family who else would give you thongs with dancing stuff(ahem) on them. Garrett a rabbi and what he went through to get there. Eliana West is a good and funny writer of the Jewish stories I adore and I appreciated her recipes neither of which I probably ever make.
Chag Sameach to everyone out there who celebrates and Baruch Hashem.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet kind of second chance holiday romance. There are a few Yiddish words that you may not know, but they don't interfere with the story. The two MMC knew each other as kids and are able to reconnect years later, unbeknownst to either of the childhood crushes still alive and well. I love the 8 dates of Hannakuh idea!

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends to lovers. Garrett was Zachs first crush until he ghosted him and left them both wanting. They meet again and Zach wants answers. I loved watching these two find their way together as adults. Sweet, fun and adorable.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved sweet, artistic, introvert Zach. Outgoing Garrett who is trying to woo Zach after hiding a secret from him. It seems rare to find a Hannukah story. This was sweet, low angst, low drama and had all the feels.

[Zane Kage · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Laurie Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story made me smile all the way through. Poignant, packed with emotion, and deeply embedded in the traditions of Hanukkah. Oh, and sexy. It’s an all around winner for me.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very cute! I would have liked to see more of the actual courting, even just a paragraph or two about what their date was for each night.

[Kobie · Rating 4 out of 5]

sweet.

[Tia · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was okay. Not the best writing in my opinion. Very vague.

[Tobias · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cosy, festive MM holiday romance with likeable characters and a warm seasonal atmosphere. The relationship develops very smoothly from friends to lovers, making this an easy, comforting read. The Jewish holiday setting adds charm and flavour. I enjoyed it!

[AE Polos · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐/🌶️🌶️🌶️

Eliana is hitting it out of the park with the Hanukkah reads!

Old friends reunite when surprise... one has converted, become a Rabbi, come out and is still madly in love with the other. A sweet and spicy Hanukkah unfolds as they reconnect.

Pros: This story feels genuine and authentic. Just enough fluff to make it cute but real enough to make it believable. Also representation 👏🏼

Cons: It moves fast so keep up. Not really a con but there is a lot packed into this story so a few times I got lost. Maybe that is my ADHD 🤷🏼‍♀️

Tropes: Second chance, religious figure, friends to lovers, Judaism

TWs: slight hinting at homophobia and antisemitism

E-book on Kindle Unlimited