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The Hanukkah Hook-Up: Matzo Ballers Hanukkah Romance Series
Meet the OG Matzo Eight friends who became found family, living and loving their best lives on a yearly Hanukkah harbor cruise around Manhattan…The first two books in this holiday romance series are spoiler-free, take place simultaneously, and can be read in either order!
It was only supposed to last for one night.
Work-obsessed Nora Ruben is tired of playing by all the rules. Especially when no one else seems to be. When her boss delivers grim news – at the company “holiday” party, of all places – she’s done being the model employee. At least for one night – the night of the Matzo Baller, her friend’s famed Hanukkah harbor cruise around Manhattan. And if the cute co-worker from the suburban office is along for the ride? All the better.
She has just one no work talk, from sundown to sunrise.
Alex Beckman has never quite found where he fits in his family’s business. And he never wanted to take the lead on a major acquisition, especially of a company he knows nothing about. But when he’s sent to reduce the staff by half – and finds sexy, whip-smart Nora Ruben at the top of the list – he’s determined to dig deeper. It helps that she assumes he’s just a fellow comrade in the cubicles. When Nora invites him to ditch the party for the cruise, this nice Midwestern Jewish boy jumps at the chance…
But when eight hours on a boat turns into an amazing weekend together…firing Nora is the last thing on Alex’s mind. Will their Hanukkah hook-up confirm his worst fears about the future of his family business – or be the beginning of something miraculous?
It was only supposed to last for one night.
Work-obsessed Nora Ruben is tired of playing by all the rules. Especially when no one else seems to be. When her boss delivers grim news – at the company “holiday” party, of all places – she’s done being the model employee. At least for one night – the night of the Matzo Baller, her friend’s famed Hanukkah harbor cruise around Manhattan. And if the cute co-worker from the suburban office is along for the ride? All the better.
She has just one no work talk, from sundown to sunrise.
Alex Beckman has never quite found where he fits in his family’s business. And he never wanted to take the lead on a major acquisition, especially of a company he knows nothing about. But when he’s sent to reduce the staff by half – and finds sexy, whip-smart Nora Ruben at the top of the list – he’s determined to dig deeper. It helps that she assumes he’s just a fellow comrade in the cubicles. When Nora invites him to ditch the party for the cruise, this nice Midwestern Jewish boy jumps at the chance…
But when eight hours on a boat turns into an amazing weekend together…firing Nora is the last thing on Alex’s mind. Will their Hanukkah hook-up confirm his worst fears about the future of his family business – or be the beginning of something miraculous?
184 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2023
28 people are currently reading
138 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Topper
13 books276 followersRock. Write. Repeat.
Jessica Topper broke the rock romance mold with her 2013 debut novel LOUDER THAN LOVE. Her follow-up romantic comedy, DICTATORSHIP OF THE DRESS, was named one of Publishers Weekly’s Best Books of 2015.
After working almost two decades in the music industry, Jessica hung up her touring boots in order to concentrate on her writing. She lives in Western New York with two cats who love to walk across her keyboard, a teenage writer girl and a husband who wishes to remain anonymous. You can visit her at www.jessicatopper.com.
Jessica is the author of two series:
LOVE & STEEL
(Louder Than Love, Deeper Than Dreams, Softer Than Steel – NEW EDITIONS COMING SOON)
MUCH “I DO” ABOUT NOTHING
(Dictatorship of the Dress – January 2015, Courtship of the Cake – June 2015) from Berkley/Penguin RandomHouse.
Jessica Topper broke the rock romance mold with her 2013 debut novel LOUDER THAN LOVE. Her follow-up romantic comedy, DICTATORSHIP OF THE DRESS, was named one of Publishers Weekly’s Best Books of 2015.
After working almost two decades in the music industry, Jessica hung up her touring boots in order to concentrate on her writing. She lives in Western New York with two cats who love to walk across her keyboard, a teenage writer girl and a husband who wishes to remain anonymous. You can visit her at www.jessicatopper.com.
Jessica is the author of two series:
LOVE & STEEL
(Louder Than Love, Deeper Than Dreams, Softer Than Steel – NEW EDITIONS COMING SOON)
MUCH “I DO” ABOUT NOTHING
(Dictatorship of the Dress – January 2015, Courtship of the Cake – June 2015) from Berkley/Penguin RandomHouse.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 28, 2023
This was the perfect Chanukah Romance Read! It hit all the high notes and all the lights. But I must say its completely audience specific. If you are Jewish, you will not believe how incredibly well crafted and perfect it is. If you are not, honestly, not only might it not hold the same power for you, it might not hold any power in the least. The cultural allusions are everywhere, and the author did not miss a single one. Jews will LOVE this, and everyone else might just kind of be like huh?
Turns out this is one of a series, where this one and the Dreidel Do Over, are all happening at the same time, on the same weekend, and it doesn't matter which one you read first. We have already met the couple, and each are connected to our current hero and heroine, who are adorable. The series stars 8 friends from a year in Israel, the OG Motzah Ballers, and we will soon see a book on the other six coming soon. This one felt special to me, and I adored it. Read it in a three hour period, largely in a Jacuzzi.
Turns out this is one of a series, where this one and the Dreidel Do Over, are all happening at the same time, on the same weekend, and it doesn't matter which one you read first. We have already met the couple, and each are connected to our current hero and heroine, who are adorable. The series stars 8 friends from a year in Israel, the OG Motzah Ballers, and we will soon see a book on the other six coming soon. This one felt special to me, and I adored it. Read it in a three hour period, largely in a Jacuzzi.
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December 11, 2023This review first appeared on my blog BookishlyJewish
Christmas romance is flooding the shelves this time of year, including every variation from small town romance to some very salacious Santa’s, but I’m happy to report that Hanukkah romance is also thriving and creating its own niche in both trad and self pub. A prime example is the Matzo Ballers series, about a set of of friends who gather together every Hanukkah on a Manhattan cruise boat called the Matzoh Baller. The first two books of the series have released in time for Hanukkah and feature the parallel adventures of two of the eight friends.
You can read these books in either order, they don’t contain spoilers, but I started with Jessica Topper's The Hanukkah Hook-Up because I received it first. On page one, we meet a very stylish but very bogged-down-at-work Nora, who is forced to miss the yearly Matzo Baller cruise in order to greet the team from the Midwest that is planning to buy out her company. Instead of partying it up on the boat with her friends and a who’s who of NY Jewry she’s stuck drinking eggnog and dodging mistletoe at the company “holiday” party which is largely Christmas themed.
Nora is thrown together with the only other Jew present, Alex Beckman, by her obnoxious boss who seems to think it is hilarious there are two Jews at the party. When the aforementioned heinous boss cancels the expected holiday bonuses, Nora decides that enough is enough and flees the party for the boat, taking Alex with her. The two are obviously attracted to each other and Nora proposes a Hanukkah hook up in which they do not discuss work. Turns out this arrangement won’t work though, because new comer Alex is actually the head of the buy out team and everything in the office is not exactly kosher, which is why Norah has been so stressed about work lately.
The office shenanigans are actually solved relatively simply, the book is only 172 pages after all, but my favorite part of the book wasn’t the drama. It was the rapid fire banter and Jewish humor. Never have I felt so fully immersed in Jewish jokes and puns. This book prioritizes the a Jewish gaze and it shows. The writer does not pause every few sentences to explain for the wider audience. Instead she revels in the niche market.
The Hanukkah Hook-Up is an adult romance and the characters are physically intimate several times, but there’s always a fade to black and nothing is explicit on the page. I’d call it medium heat.
From the chapter, when Nora talks about her Hanukkah blue dress clashing with all the red and green on display at the office party, one gets the sense that this is a book written for Jews by Jews. There is enough here in context clues for a person who is not Jewish to understand what is happening, but the book does not beleaguer the point or write to the lowest common denominator. The inside jokes are fast and furious and I smiled so many times. Because this was a book written for me, just in time for my holiday, and I cherish it as such.
Note: BookishlyJewish received a free e copy of this book from the author after she filled out our Suggest A Book form
Christmas romance is flooding the shelves this time of year, including every variation from small town romance to some very salacious Santa’s, but I’m happy to report that Hanukkah romance is also thriving and creating its own niche in both trad and self pub. A prime example is the Matzo Ballers series, about a set of of friends who gather together every Hanukkah on a Manhattan cruise boat called the Matzoh Baller. The first two books of the series have released in time for Hanukkah and feature the parallel adventures of two of the eight friends.
You can read these books in either order, they don’t contain spoilers, but I started with Jessica Topper's The Hanukkah Hook-Up because I received it first. On page one, we meet a very stylish but very bogged-down-at-work Nora, who is forced to miss the yearly Matzo Baller cruise in order to greet the team from the Midwest that is planning to buy out her company. Instead of partying it up on the boat with her friends and a who’s who of NY Jewry she’s stuck drinking eggnog and dodging mistletoe at the company “holiday” party which is largely Christmas themed.
Nora is thrown together with the only other Jew present, Alex Beckman, by her obnoxious boss who seems to think it is hilarious there are two Jews at the party. When the aforementioned heinous boss cancels the expected holiday bonuses, Nora decides that enough is enough and flees the party for the boat, taking Alex with her. The two are obviously attracted to each other and Nora proposes a Hanukkah hook up in which they do not discuss work. Turns out this arrangement won’t work though, because new comer Alex is actually the head of the buy out team and everything in the office is not exactly kosher, which is why Norah has been so stressed about work lately.
The office shenanigans are actually solved relatively simply, the book is only 172 pages after all, but my favorite part of the book wasn’t the drama. It was the rapid fire banter and Jewish humor. Never have I felt so fully immersed in Jewish jokes and puns. This book prioritizes the a Jewish gaze and it shows. The writer does not pause every few sentences to explain for the wider audience. Instead she revels in the niche market.
The Hanukkah Hook-Up is an adult romance and the characters are physically intimate several times, but there’s always a fade to black and nothing is explicit on the page. I’d call it medium heat.
From the chapter, when Nora talks about her Hanukkah blue dress clashing with all the red and green on display at the office party, one gets the sense that this is a book written for Jews by Jews. There is enough here in context clues for a person who is not Jewish to understand what is happening, but the book does not beleaguer the point or write to the lowest common denominator. The inside jokes are fast and furious and I smiled so many times. Because this was a book written for me, just in time for my holiday, and I cherish it as such.
Note: BookishlyJewish received a free e copy of this book from the author after she filled out our Suggest A Book form
December 19, 2024
With two new books in the Matzo Ballers series releasing soon, I decided to finally check out the first two, starting with The Hanukkah Hook-Up: Matzo Ballers Hanukkah Romance Series. I had read a couple of Jessica Topper's novels and I like her genuine writing style a lot. Her love for New York City was evident in Louder Than Love and even more so in this novel!
I really enjoyed that the main focus was on Hanukkah, even though it begins at a company Christmas party. Nora and Alex, the only two Jewish people at this party, end up leaving early (due to a bad move on Nora's boss's part) and boarding the Matzo Ballers annual Hanukkah cruise around the city. They soon get to know each other and spend a magical weekend together in NYC. However, there's something at stake with Nora's job and Alex is the one who may end up cutting her from the company.
Overall, a fun and entertaining story. It was shorter than I was expecting, but long enough to give a sense of romance combined with conflict. I wish there had been more details for the steamy parts, as they were just alluded to before going closed-door. The cover made me think the bedroom scenes would be front and center.
I appreciated all the Jewish references, even ones I wouldn't expect to see in a novel about Hanukkah. There was also a funny moment involving a comment that was related to a musical I recently saw. Speaking of musicals, I love that some of this novel was about theater. I'm already excited to start on the next book in this series!
Movie casting suggestions (I'm only going to share this for the main characters in each book, since they're all connected.):
Nora: Emily Ratajkowski
I really enjoyed that the main focus was on Hanukkah, even though it begins at a company Christmas party. Nora and Alex, the only two Jewish people at this party, end up leaving early (due to a bad move on Nora's boss's part) and boarding the Matzo Ballers annual Hanukkah cruise around the city. They soon get to know each other and spend a magical weekend together in NYC. However, there's something at stake with Nora's job and Alex is the one who may end up cutting her from the company.
Overall, a fun and entertaining story. It was shorter than I was expecting, but long enough to give a sense of romance combined with conflict. I wish there had been more details for the steamy parts, as they were just alluded to before going closed-door. The cover made me think the bedroom scenes would be front and center.
I appreciated all the Jewish references, even ones I wouldn't expect to see in a novel about Hanukkah. There was also a funny moment involving a comment that was related to a musical I recently saw. Speaking of musicals, I love that some of this novel was about theater. I'm already excited to start on the next book in this series!
Movie casting suggestions (I'm only going to share this for the main characters in each book, since they're all connected.):
Nora: Emily Ratajkowski
Alex: Nat Wolff
September 13, 2024
First, I want to thank WNY Author Jessica Topper for providing me with this book so I may bring you this review.
It is that time of year again where the kiddos go back to school, the weather starts changing, and authors start publishing their holiday books. Jessica Topper is just one of those many authors that has a new holiday book out called The Hanukkah Hookup out. As long as she doesn’t jinx our snow here in Buffalo, NY I told her that I would gladly review it for her.
This book is dedicated to Amanda Usen who brings light and joy to Jessica’s soul all year long and is her partner in crime. Amanda also needs to be commended for the beautiful and creative cover design she did for The Hanukkah Hookup. It is very eye-catching and makes you want to know what the book is about.
So many parts of Jessica’s book had me cracking up laughing!! I loved all the pop culture references, the matzo baller and omg all the food references were making me hungry!! It was a very well written book.
It is that time of year again where the kiddos go back to school, the weather starts changing, and authors start publishing their holiday books. Jessica Topper is just one of those many authors that has a new holiday book out called The Hanukkah Hookup out. As long as she doesn’t jinx our snow here in Buffalo, NY I told her that I would gladly review it for her.
This book is dedicated to Amanda Usen who brings light and joy to Jessica’s soul all year long and is her partner in crime. Amanda also needs to be commended for the beautiful and creative cover design she did for The Hanukkah Hookup. It is very eye-catching and makes you want to know what the book is about.
So many parts of Jessica’s book had me cracking up laughing!! I loved all the pop culture references, the matzo baller and omg all the food references were making me hungry!! It was a very well written book.
December 31, 2024
3.75 stars
January 1, 2024
Fun cute holiday read.
December 8, 2023
This was a cute little Hanukkah story. There was a bit of work drama, family legacies, and of course the love story between Nora and Alex. I would have loved an epilogue, but I know the series isn't over yet. I thought Nora's friend group was delightful and I loved their shared Jewish experiences. This book was definitely chock-full of Jewish joy and references galore which I did like. Sometimes the pacing felt a little bit off and the overall time line was slightly confusing, but I generally liked reading this. I'm excited to see more of the other characters as the books go on though!
December 6, 2023
I rarely rate or review books and I read about 300 a year, but this book had me laughing aloud while sitting in a medical office. There are so few Hanukkah romances, and I'm glad to see this one. Highly recommend it!
December 9, 2023
Title: The Hanukkah Hook-Up
Author: Jessica Topper
Pub Date: December 5, 2023
The Hanukkah Hook-Up was such a fun story with so many amazing elements! If you are looking for a quick and entertaining read, that will bring you lots of joy, check this one out!
It’s the first night in five years that Nora is stuck attending the holiday party for her company instead of the Matzo Baller cruise, which usually fall on the same night. There, she meets another employee, Alex, who is part of the family business. It doesn’t take long for Alex to realize that the reason Nora’s name sounds familiar is because she’s on the top of the list of staff he’s been asked to reduce. When news about their holiday bonus is announced at the party, Nora is ready to run for it. Taking Alex with her, they rush to the Matzo Baller cruise ship to spend eight hours together, which then turns into an amazing weekend together. When faced with reality, will their relationship end like Nora’s job is expected to end, or will it be the start of something more?
The Hanukkah Hook-Up:
💙Workplace Romance
💙One Night Stand
💙Found Family
💙Hanukkah Vibes
Thank you, Jessica Topper, for providing me with a #gifted copy of The Hanukkah Hook-Up!
Author: Jessica Topper
Pub Date: December 5, 2023
The Hanukkah Hook-Up was such a fun story with so many amazing elements! If you are looking for a quick and entertaining read, that will bring you lots of joy, check this one out!
It’s the first night in five years that Nora is stuck attending the holiday party for her company instead of the Matzo Baller cruise, which usually fall on the same night. There, she meets another employee, Alex, who is part of the family business. It doesn’t take long for Alex to realize that the reason Nora’s name sounds familiar is because she’s on the top of the list of staff he’s been asked to reduce. When news about their holiday bonus is announced at the party, Nora is ready to run for it. Taking Alex with her, they rush to the Matzo Baller cruise ship to spend eight hours together, which then turns into an amazing weekend together. When faced with reality, will their relationship end like Nora’s job is expected to end, or will it be the start of something more?
The Hanukkah Hook-Up:
💙Workplace Romance
💙One Night Stand
💙Found Family
💙Hanukkah Vibes
Thank you, Jessica Topper, for providing me with a #gifted copy of The Hanukkah Hook-Up!
December 17, 2023
If you want to spice up your December, pick up this gem! Nora is suffering through her office Christmas party when a handsome guy she doesn't know appears on the scene. This hidden identity romp involves a party cruise (that I desperately want to go on!), evil bosses, food descriptions that will have you drooling, and fun, flirty banter. Nora and Alex are such relatable, likeable characters that I was rooting for both of them the whole book.
December 17, 2023
Really cute book. I loved the idea of celebrating Hanukkah with a NYC harbor cruise. Nora and Alex had some corporate misunderstandings but they had chemistry. I wish I knew more about the friends from the Year Course abroad, but maybe the 2nd book explores that more? It felt like a Hallmark movie in book form. Some level of comfort knowing there is a HEA.
December 31, 2024
The perfect Hanukkah romance & final book of my year. Short but complete, this story focuses on Nora, who works in HR for an NYC entertainment company being taken over by Alex Beckman’s family company. Their romance felt real & the author packed in good characterization and lots of great details. I’m looking forward to reading other books in this series.
December 9, 2023
Full review coming 12/8/23 www.simplylovebooks.com
The Hanukkah Hook-Up by Jessica Topper was a fun, crazy, fast and furious romance that takes in New York City the week of Hanukkah. I loved this story; not only were the characters interesting and charming, but their meet-cute set them on an interesting path given they work for the same company and are both keeping secrets.
The Hanukkah Hook-Up by Jessica Topper was a fun, crazy, fast and furious romance that takes in New York City the week of Hanukkah. I loved this story; not only were the characters interesting and charming, but their meet-cute set them on an interesting path given they work for the same company and are both keeping secrets.
December 11, 2023
This was a fun romance clearly written for the Jewish gaze. The author rarely explains Jewish terms instead there is a glossary in the back. Lots of great humor, witty, believable romance. Just what I needed this Chanukah.
Check out the other book in the series & I’m hoping for more:
The Dreidel Do-Over: Matzo Ballers Hanukkah Romance Series by Amanda Usen
Check out the other book in the series & I’m hoping for more:
The Dreidel Do-Over: Matzo Ballers Hanukkah Romance Series by Amanda Usen
January 2, 2025
The initial book in a Hanukkah series focusing on a close-knit group of friends, the events in this book occur concurrently with those in The Dreidel Do-Over, which I read first.
I enjoyed the setting and the development of the MC's relationship.
I enjoyed the setting and the development of the MC's relationship.
November 26, 2025
So I had low hopes for this book, but it honestly wasnt terrible. It was interesting reading something so heavily in a culture/religion I’m not familiar with. The food descriptions were on point, definitely not the book to be reading in a calorie deficit. Romance and plot were Hallmarky.
December 16, 2023
it’s a ball
Hanukkah Hook-up follows Nora and Beck though Work misunderstandings and Hanukkah fun. Fate, Family, and Fun are brought together in this romantic holiday story.
Hanukkah Hook-up follows Nora and Beck though Work misunderstandings and Hanukkah fun. Fate, Family, and Fun are brought together in this romantic holiday story.
December 24, 2024
Finally, some hanukkah stories! Jessica Topper has written a great rom-com with a hanukkah theme. Really enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next book in the "Matzoh Ballers" series.
December 26, 2024
A delightful rom-com. Perfect for the week of Chanukah.
October 19, 2025
This was the first book in my Hanukkah deep dive and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The story centers around Nora Ruben and Alex Beckman. Nora works for a company that staffs venues on Broadway. This book not only exposed me to the various Hanukkah traditions but took me deeply into the world of Broadway. The writing was crisp and on point. It was one of the best written romances I have ever read. I savored the book and felt like I really was in New York. I loved the way Tropper wove the relationship with Nora’s friends into the story. I also loved the various twists and turns that kept me guessing. I highly recommend this book as a first off if you don’t know a lot about Hanukkah but would like to learn more. This book is spicy so be forewarned. I gave it five stars.
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#bookrecs #bookstagram #bookinstagtam #spicybooks #sweetbooks #mysearcy #hanukkah #festivaloflights #traditions #hanukkahbooks #susangooch #susangoochtheauthor #thecarringtonaffairs
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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#bookrecs #bookstagram #bookinstagtam #spicybooks #sweetbooks #mysearcy #hanukkah #festivaloflights #traditions #hanukkahbooks #susangooch #susangoochtheauthor #thecarringtonaffairs
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