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Falling for the Rabbi
Not yet published
Expected 24 Feb 26Can opposites attract when tradition stands in the way?
Josh Axelrod is incensed! His matchmaker date brought along her annoying best friend—Emma something-or-other. The same Emma who’s ruining the house filled with the young rabbi’s childhood memories and turning it into a bookstore. Sure, she captures his attention but—no. Just no. Emma is too impulsive. Too out there. And he’s a Rabbi, for God’s sake! Except now, it seems impossible to avoid her. And with every encounter, “no” feels more like “yes.” Perhaps the unwitting Josh and Emma were always the match meant to be…
From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
Matchmaker, Matchmaker…
Book 1: Falling for the Rabbi
Josh Axelrod is incensed! His matchmaker date brought along her annoying best friend—Emma something-or-other. The same Emma who’s ruining the house filled with the young rabbi’s childhood memories and turning it into a bookstore. Sure, she captures his attention but—no. Just no. Emma is too impulsive. Too out there. And he’s a Rabbi, for God’s sake! Except now, it seems impossible to avoid her. And with every encounter, “no” feels more like “yes.” Perhaps the unwitting Josh and Emma were always the match meant to be…
From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
Matchmaker, Matchmaker…
Book 1: Falling for the Rabbi
- GenresRomance
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 24, 2026
41 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Wilck
48 books477 followersJennifer Wilck is an award-winning contemporary romance author for readers who are passionate about love, laughter, and happily ever after. Known for writing both Jewish and non-Jewish romances, her books feature damaged heroes, sassy and independent heroines, witty banter and hot chemistry. Jennifer’s ability to transport the reader into the scene, create characters the reader will fall in love with, and evoke a roller coaster of emotions, will hook you from the first page. You can find her books at all major online retailers in a variety of formats.
Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after.
In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate.
Jennifer started telling herself stories as a little girl when she couldn’t fall asleep at night. Her favorite stories to write are those with smart, sassy, independent heroines; handsome, strong and slightly vulnerable heroes; and her stories always end with happily ever after.
In the real world, she’s the mother of two amazing daughters and wife of one of the smartest men she knows. She believes humor is the only way to get through the day and does not believe in sharing her chocolate.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 13, 2026
4.5/5 stars
This is the first book in the new Matchmaker Matchmaker series. It is a Jewish romance featuring a rabbi and a woman opening a bookstore.
I am obsessed with characters who run bookstores. I’m obsessed with hot rabbis. I love a fun meddling grandmother. And I love books with Jewish Rep.
Josh is a rabbi. He lives in NYC but is spending some time in his hometown to move his grandmother into a seniors home.
Emma has just bought his grandmother Muriel’s house. And she is turning it into a bookstore.
I do wish that we had seen a bit more of him working as a rabbi. And he definitely started the book a bit grumpy. But I just adored the special relationship between him and Muriel. And given his past I definitely understand why he did not like change.
The book features a matchmaker, which is so fun! But Josh is not matched with Emma!?! At first I was a bit surprised by this. However as the book progressed I really found this so interesting. And especially seeing who the next book is about… it is so perfect! Overall this book will make you smile and fill you with Jewish joy! I can’t wait for book two!
Thanks to the author, Harlequin Romance and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
This is the first book in the new Matchmaker Matchmaker series. It is a Jewish romance featuring a rabbi and a woman opening a bookstore.
I am obsessed with characters who run bookstores. I’m obsessed with hot rabbis. I love a fun meddling grandmother. And I love books with Jewish Rep.
Josh is a rabbi. He lives in NYC but is spending some time in his hometown to move his grandmother into a seniors home.
Emma has just bought his grandmother Muriel’s house. And she is turning it into a bookstore.
I do wish that we had seen a bit more of him working as a rabbi. And he definitely started the book a bit grumpy. But I just adored the special relationship between him and Muriel. And given his past I definitely understand why he did not like change.
The book features a matchmaker, which is so fun! But Josh is not matched with Emma!?! At first I was a bit surprised by this. However as the book progressed I really found this so interesting. And especially seeing who the next book is about… it is so perfect! Overall this book will make you smile and fill you with Jewish joy! I can’t wait for book two!
Thanks to the author, Harlequin Romance and netgalley for allowing me to read this book.
February 1, 2026
Falling For The Rabbi by Jennifer Wilck is a heart warming story about learning to accept change and forgiveness.
Josh Axelrod is a man of faith who struggles with accepting change in his life. This lack of acceptance has created conflicts within his life including finding a life partner. And this is where his life gets a little more complicated. Out of concern, his grandmother Muriel, sets him up with a matchmaker and that’s when things get a little more complicated.
Emma Geffner has always felt like she’s never good enough. Because of this she fears failing in most aspects of her life and being with someone who may be different from her creates even more anxiety.
Both Emma and Josh have their own internal struggles that many readers can relate to. With Emma’s fear of failure and Josh’s fear of change, the two of them have a long road ahead of them even though the attraction is there. And it’s these internal struggles that I really love about them. And on a side note, I love Josh’s grandmother. She's caring, sometimes overbearing (in a good way), and very smart at reading people and plays a very important role in this story.
Between the plot and the character development, Falling For The Rabbi encompasses everything a reader could ask for. From the internal struggles, to the personal growth, this is a very heartwarming must read.
Josh Axelrod is a man of faith who struggles with accepting change in his life. This lack of acceptance has created conflicts within his life including finding a life partner. And this is where his life gets a little more complicated. Out of concern, his grandmother Muriel, sets him up with a matchmaker and that’s when things get a little more complicated.
Emma Geffner has always felt like she’s never good enough. Because of this she fears failing in most aspects of her life and being with someone who may be different from her creates even more anxiety.
Both Emma and Josh have their own internal struggles that many readers can relate to. With Emma’s fear of failure and Josh’s fear of change, the two of them have a long road ahead of them even though the attraction is there. And it’s these internal struggles that I really love about them. And on a side note, I love Josh’s grandmother. She's caring, sometimes overbearing (in a good way), and very smart at reading people and plays a very important role in this story.
Between the plot and the character development, Falling For The Rabbi encompasses everything a reader could ask for. From the internal struggles, to the personal growth, this is a very heartwarming must read.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Falling For The Rabbi by Jennifer Wilck is a heart warming story about learning to accept change and forgiveness.
Josh Axelrod is a man of faith who struggles with accepting change in his life. This lack of acceptance has created conflicts within his life including finding a life partner. And this is where his life gets a little more complicated. Out of concern, his grandmother Muriel, sets him up with a matchmaker and that’s when things get a little more complicated.
Emma Geffner has always felt like she’s never good enough. Because of this she fears failing in most aspects of her life and being with someone who may be different from her creates even more anxiety.
Both Emma and Josh have their own internal struggles that many readers can relate to. With Emma’s fear of failure and Josh’s fear of change, the two of them have a long road ahead of them even though the attraction is there. And it’s these internal struggles that I really love about them. And on a side note, I love Josh’s grandmother. She's caring, sometimes overbearing (in a good way), and very smart at reading people and plays a very important role in this story.
Between the plot and the character development, Falling For The Rabbi encompasses everything a reader could ask for. From the internal struggles, to the personal growth, this is a very heartwarming must read.
Josh Axelrod is a man of faith who struggles with accepting change in his life. This lack of acceptance has created conflicts within his life including finding a life partner. And this is where his life gets a little more complicated. Out of concern, his grandmother Muriel, sets him up with a matchmaker and that’s when things get a little more complicated.
Emma Geffner has always felt like she’s never good enough. Because of this she fears failing in most aspects of her life and being with someone who may be different from her creates even more anxiety.
Both Emma and Josh have their own internal struggles that many readers can relate to. With Emma’s fear of failure and Josh’s fear of change, the two of them have a long road ahead of them even though the attraction is there. And it’s these internal struggles that I really love about them. And on a side note, I love Josh’s grandmother. She's caring, sometimes overbearing (in a good way), and very smart at reading people and plays a very important role in this story.
Between the plot and the character development, Falling For The Rabbi encompasses everything a reader could ask for. From the internal struggles, to the personal growth, this is a very heartwarming must read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, given to me by Harlequin - Romance via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own
“Falling for the Rabbi”, by Jennifer Wilck, is a sweet, enemies-to-lovers, love story between a man afraid of change and a woman fearing rejection.
I loved the initial antagonism between Josh and Emma and the peculiar circumstances under which they meet.
The dialogue and some scenes in this context are very amusing.
Emma is vibrant and feisty, an opponent who doesn’t give in, yet shows an appealing honesty, intelligence and determination.
Josh is a devoted rabbi and grandson. The love between ‘Joshy’ and his grandmother is heartwarming. Her meddling is funny.
He resists change and we get to watch this in his personalty and reactions throughout the story.
I liked how the leads worked through their divergences and emotional fears to finally become together.
I also liked the hero’s occupation and learning more about what it entails and about the Jewish faith, too.
“Falling for the Rabbi”, by Jennifer Wilck, is a sweet, enemies-to-lovers, love story between a man afraid of change and a woman fearing rejection.
I loved the initial antagonism between Josh and Emma and the peculiar circumstances under which they meet.
The dialogue and some scenes in this context are very amusing.
Emma is vibrant and feisty, an opponent who doesn’t give in, yet shows an appealing honesty, intelligence and determination.
Josh is a devoted rabbi and grandson. The love between ‘Joshy’ and his grandmother is heartwarming. Her meddling is funny.
He resists change and we get to watch this in his personalty and reactions throughout the story.
I liked how the leads worked through their divergences and emotional fears to finally become together.
I also liked the hero’s occupation and learning more about what it entails and about the Jewish faith, too.
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December 28, 2025Thank you so much to Jennifer Wilck for reaching out to me with an advanced copy of Falling for the Rabbi, releasing on February 24, 2026! 🩷
Chaos is sure to ensue when Josh Axelrod's grandmother sells his childhood home to Emma; Emma who is planning to turn that home into a bookstore and who shows up at a date he is on coordinated by the local matchmaker! Josh is a Rabbi and this is all just not what he planned. 🫣
Josh is working with a matchmaking service and talking to Samantha, but cannot stop running into Emma. Are Emma and Josh actually the match meant to be, against all odds?! 🫶🏻
Jennifer Wilck knows how to tell a good story and this is the prime example of that. This book is a lot of fun and I hope to see more to come in the Matchmaker series! Congrats Jennifer! 🩷
Chaos is sure to ensue when Josh Axelrod's grandmother sells his childhood home to Emma; Emma who is planning to turn that home into a bookstore and who shows up at a date he is on coordinated by the local matchmaker! Josh is a Rabbi and this is all just not what he planned. 🫣
Josh is working with a matchmaking service and talking to Samantha, but cannot stop running into Emma. Are Emma and Josh actually the match meant to be, against all odds?! 🫶🏻
Jennifer Wilck knows how to tell a good story and this is the prime example of that. This book is a lot of fun and I hope to see more to come in the Matchmaker series! Congrats Jennifer! 🩷
February 1, 2026
3.75
Oh, boy. So many thoughts on “Falling for the Rabbi” by Jennifer Wilck. The bones of the novel were good - and I may have finished reading the book with slight crush on the rabbi… BUT what is with the Jewish inaccuracies?! I’m not here to fact check - especially since this is a romance novel but a rabbi (even reform) eating a meatball pizza? Spare ribs? Yeah, no.
Grandma Muriel was my favorite and I hope that she gets a book of her own! She’s definitely the reason for the round up on the rating.
Those of you that have enjoyed “Nobody Wants This” and want to continue riding the “hot rabbit” high, do it up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Oh, boy. So many thoughts on “Falling for the Rabbi” by Jennifer Wilck. The bones of the novel were good - and I may have finished reading the book with slight crush on the rabbi… BUT what is with the Jewish inaccuracies?! I’m not here to fact check - especially since this is a romance novel but a rabbi (even reform) eating a meatball pizza? Spare ribs? Yeah, no.
Grandma Muriel was my favorite and I hope that she gets a book of her own! She’s definitely the reason for the round up on the rating.
Those of you that have enjoyed “Nobody Wants This” and want to continue riding the “hot rabbit” high, do it up!
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Romance for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A heartwarming story about falling in love with the wrong person. By the time Emma realizes she's falling for Josh--her best friend Samantha's arranged match--the damage is already done. Josh is falling for her, too! Even if she can get past the guilt of hurting Samantha, there are more hurdles to clear. Josh is a rabbi, and she is a non-practicing Jew.
With a delightful supporting cast, including Josh's busybody grandmother Muriel and Emma's perfectionist parents, the story unfolds with a unexpected surprises (and a few steamy scenes!)
With a delightful supporting cast, including Josh's busybody grandmother Muriel and Emma's perfectionist parents, the story unfolds with a unexpected surprises (and a few steamy scenes!)
Review of advance copy received from Author
As a matchmaker myself, I absolutely loved reading this book! Jennifer Wilck is an amazing storyteller and Falling for the Rabbi is her latest wonderful work! What a heartfelt and inspiring love story and characters - and so relatable. I kept thinking about my own matchmaking clients and what advice I give them. I wanted this story to keep going and going and never end. Thank you for writing such a beautiful story!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews