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Lighting the Flames
Genevieve and Jeremy have known each other since they were seven, and have been summertime best friends at Camp Meira, a Jewish overnight camp in the mountains. As campers, and then as staff, their friendship was a constant, something neither wanted to change, no matter how tempting those changes might be.
Then, last year, with little warning, Jeremy left camp early. After that summer, Gen left the country on a graduate fellowship.
Now, a little over a year since they were last at Meira, Gen and Jeremy are back together to help run a special Winter Camp during Hanukkah. Any water under the bridge is frozen this time of year, and with so much left unspoken and unexplained, this week may be their chance to rekindle their friendship, or turn it into something new.
Words: 51,410
Then, last year, with little warning, Jeremy left camp early. After that summer, Gen left the country on a graduate fellowship.
Now, a little over a year since they were last at Meira, Gen and Jeremy are back together to help run a special Winter Camp during Hanukkah. Any water under the bridge is frozen this time of year, and with so much left unspoken and unexplained, this week may be their chance to rekindle their friendship, or turn it into something new.
Words: 51,410
ebook
First published December 13, 2014
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About the author
Sarah Wendell
4 books742 followersSarah Wendell is a transplanted Pittsburgher currently living in New York metropolitan area. By day she's mild mannered and heavily caffeinated. By evening she dons her cranky costume, consumes yet more caffeine, and becomes Smart Bitch Sarah of
Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. The site specializes in reviewing romance novels, examining the history and future of the genre, and bemoaning the enormous prevalence of bodacious pectorals adorning male cover models. Sarah has appeared in The New York Times, The New York Post, the Philadephia Inquirer, and on The Today Show.
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Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. The site specializes in reviewing romance novels, examining the history and future of the genre, and bemoaning the enormous prevalence of bodacious pectorals adorning male cover models. Sarah has appeared in The New York Times, The New York Post, the Philadephia Inquirer, and on The Today Show.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
September 15, 2015
This was epic! And yes, that's a callback to something in the book that 99% of the people reading this review will not yet have read. But I couldn't help myself.
This was such an excellent holiday read, and not least for the unique and entirely engaging difference of being a Hanukkah romance. Wendell does an excellent job of making that both an important part of the story and also "just" the background to a fantastic romance between two friends who discover that they are more.
It doesn't hurt that Genevieve and Jeremy are such a compelling couple. And it's not just that I fell in love with both of them individually, but that I loved them together as a couple even more. They had chemistry, yes, but more importantly they had a rich and engaging relationship that you could see was deeply important to them both.
Wendell pulled me completely into the lives of these characters. Which is an amazing accomplishment as I have so very little in common with the characters (both in the youth camp setting and religious focus). She managed exactly the right amount of exposition around the holiday observances, too, at least for someone only tangentially aware of faithful Jewish ritual and belief.
So yeah, let me leave it there. If you love romance, this is an excellent choice. If you want a twist on the holiday romance subgenre I can think of none better. Really, I can't recommend this highly enough to anyone who enjoys a light romance. This was an easy 5.5 stars that I had to round down because it turns out there's only five stars allowed in the system...
Oh, and at least for now, the eBook is free! I know, right? Epic!
This was such an excellent holiday read, and not least for the unique and entirely engaging difference of being a Hanukkah romance. Wendell does an excellent job of making that both an important part of the story and also "just" the background to a fantastic romance between two friends who discover that they are more.
It doesn't hurt that Genevieve and Jeremy are such a compelling couple. And it's not just that I fell in love with both of them individually, but that I loved them together as a couple even more. They had chemistry, yes, but more importantly they had a rich and engaging relationship that you could see was deeply important to them both.
Wendell pulled me completely into the lives of these characters. Which is an amazing accomplishment as I have so very little in common with the characters (both in the youth camp setting and religious focus). She managed exactly the right amount of exposition around the holiday observances, too, at least for someone only tangentially aware of faithful Jewish ritual and belief.
So yeah, let me leave it there. If you love romance, this is an excellent choice. If you want a twist on the holiday romance subgenre I can think of none better. Really, I can't recommend this highly enough to anyone who enjoys a light romance. This was an easy 5.5 stars that I had to round down because it turns out there's only five stars allowed in the system...
Oh, and at least for now, the eBook is free! I know, right? Epic!
December 29, 2014
Jewish winter (or summer) camp isn't an event I'm at all familiar with, and this book tosses you right into this world at a turning point in the relationship of Jeremy and Genevieve, who have been summer camp buddies (first as campers and then as camp counselors) for most of their lives. The owners of the camp are trying a family winter camp over Hanukkah as an experiment, and Jeremy and Gen have been hired as counselors for the week-long event. They haven't seen each other for about a year and a half, since they both went off to school in different places. Before they parted, there was one single kiss that has them both wondering how to pursue the relationship now that they're finally both in the same place again.
This is a fairly light--and lighthearted--contemporary romance, with lots of funny banter between Jeremy and Gen and lots of camp antics. I got a little lost a few times when things were going on (color wars?) that might be a lot more familiar to readers who have gone to sleep-away camps. I had a few minor complaints: Jeremy often seemed kind of immature, the story occasionally got a little disjointed (e.g., someone named Michael shows up long enough to complain about Jeremy's work ethic, and then promptly disappears from the story), and a couple of times events were of the head-scratching variety (why was Gen getting all excited, with her heart beating faster, when it was just Scott driving her home from camp, not Jeremy? Seems like an editing glitch). But overall it was a pleasant evening's read.
3.5 stars, rounding up to 4 for the uniqueness value. I enjoyed this look into one small part of Jewish culture.
Content advisory: some swearing, including a couple of F-bombs. Some innuendos and talk about should we or shouldn't we. Fade to black scene. Nothing explicit.
This is a fairly light--and lighthearted--contemporary romance, with lots of funny banter between Jeremy and Gen and lots of camp antics. I got a little lost a few times when things were going on (color wars?) that might be a lot more familiar to readers who have gone to sleep-away camps. I had a few minor complaints: Jeremy often seemed kind of immature, the story occasionally got a little disjointed (e.g., someone named Michael shows up long enough to complain about Jeremy's work ethic, and then promptly disappears from the story), and a couple of times events were of the head-scratching variety (why was Gen getting all excited, with her heart beating faster, when it was just Scott driving her home from camp, not Jeremy? Seems like an editing glitch). But overall it was a pleasant evening's read.
3.5 stars, rounding up to 4 for the uniqueness value. I enjoyed this look into one small part of Jewish culture.
Content advisory: some swearing, including a couple of F-bombs. Some innuendos and talk about should we or shouldn't we. Fade to black scene. Nothing explicit.
December 20, 2014
Who could resist this fun little trip through Sarah Wendell's brain? There really should be more romance novels set at camps, too. Reading this made me sorry that I never had that experience. Canoe Stonehenge? Hysterical.
December 14, 2015
A Hanukkah romance! A non-Christian holiday romance! There don't seem to be many of those so it made for a nice change. Oh, it was similar to Christmas romances - snow, sweetness, presents, love and light but from a different angle and with a different perspective. I had good intentions of actually posting this during but, well, good intentions and all, we know how those go. Still, I'm only a little bit late. :)
Now, after all that, I didn't love the story. I had trouble relating Gen and Jeremy and their love of summer/winter camp. But then I didn't enjoy camp one bit the summers I attended. Still, their attachment to camp was sometimes difficult to relate to and that's an integral part of the story. There were a few references that didn't make sense, maybe because I had only a little experience with camps and more explanation would have been good. The camp, Meira, is a home away from home, particularly for Gen, but it's also a special island outside of real life where both Gen and Jeremy can let go and let loose. Jeremy at times was oddly immature and ridiculous; but his life away from camp is serious with little opportunity to cut loose. Still, it was hard at times to take him seriously. Both Gen and Jeremy are attracted to each other but except for a kiss over a year ago, neither has acted upon it. Gen obsessed over it and I wanted to slap her at times to put up or shut up. They slowly act on their feelings, revealing different sides of themselves.
To be honest, I didn't always get the appeal that G & J had for each other but then I never really connected with either of them. They were nice enough, except for Jeremy's immaturity, but neither one ever clicked with me. As a result, I wasn't particularly invested in their romance. Oddly, I did find myself invested in the future of the camp, which was in question for part of the story. It's a holiday romance so happy endings all around though it never gets sticky sweet, thankfully, and there's funny banter with a bit of steam between Gen and Jeremy. "Lighting the Flames" didn't light my flame but it was sweet, if a little boring at times, and it was a nice change from Christmas romances.
Now, after all that, I didn't love the story. I had trouble relating Gen and Jeremy and their love of summer/winter camp. But then I didn't enjoy camp one bit the summers I attended. Still, their attachment to camp was sometimes difficult to relate to and that's an integral part of the story. There were a few references that didn't make sense, maybe because I had only a little experience with camps and more explanation would have been good. The camp, Meira, is a home away from home, particularly for Gen, but it's also a special island outside of real life where both Gen and Jeremy can let go and let loose. Jeremy at times was oddly immature and ridiculous; but his life away from camp is serious with little opportunity to cut loose. Still, it was hard at times to take him seriously. Both Gen and Jeremy are attracted to each other but except for a kiss over a year ago, neither has acted upon it. Gen obsessed over it and I wanted to slap her at times to put up or shut up. They slowly act on their feelings, revealing different sides of themselves.
To be honest, I didn't always get the appeal that G & J had for each other but then I never really connected with either of them. They were nice enough, except for Jeremy's immaturity, but neither one ever clicked with me. As a result, I wasn't particularly invested in their romance. Oddly, I did find myself invested in the future of the camp, which was in question for part of the story. It's a holiday romance so happy endings all around though it never gets sticky sweet, thankfully, and there's funny banter with a bit of steam between Gen and Jeremy. "Lighting the Flames" didn't light my flame but it was sweet, if a little boring at times, and it was a nice change from Christmas romances.
December 21, 2014
I enjoyed this. Wendell wrote this because she wanted to read more Hanukkah romances and I think she also ended up writing a story about people kind of like me (most contemporary romance characters aren't like me!). I'm not Jewish, but I grew up in a Christian church and went to Christian camps (sadly far, far, far less awesome ones that the Jewish one portrayed here) and so I feel like I could relate to these characters' backgrounds and how those backgrounds shaped them.
And it was a best friend to lovers story of the kind I like, where they're mostly in the same place at the same time, not one pining forever with the other oblivious. (I don't like pining or unrequited love!)
I had trouble getting into the writing at times, but, overall, I liked this a lot and hope Wendell writes more.
(This should be free everywhere!)
And it was a best friend to lovers story of the kind I like, where they're mostly in the same place at the same time, not one pining forever with the other oblivious. (I don't like pining or unrequited love!)
I had trouble getting into the writing at times, but, overall, I liked this a lot and hope Wendell writes more.
(This should be free everywhere!)
December 26, 2014
A really sweet story and a quick read. I liked Gen and Jeremy. The Jewish holiday thing was quite unusual, and I admit I don't know too much about this specific one, I never really read about the Maccabees. (And to be honest, comparing Hanukkah and Christmas: one miracle/victory could never, ever compete with the Word becoming flesh, dwelling among us, full of grace and truth ...)
It rather pleasantly reminded me of (post-Christmas to New Year's Eve) Christian choir camps in the past with less outdoorsy activities but quite a lot of fun and games, friendships and great food.
It rather pleasantly reminded me of (post-Christmas to New Year's Eve) Christian choir camps in the past with less outdoorsy activities but quite a lot of fun and games, friendships and great food.
Did not finish
January 2, 2019DNF @ 42%
I tried to keep going, I really did. Especially seeing as though I was nearly halfway through the ebook already, but one of my New Year's resolutions about books is not to waste time if I'm not enjoying them, since there are so many out there still to be read.
The writing just didn't work for me at all. Plus, the characters and the story lack real depth for me and I had a hard time connecting with either of them. I'm guessing that age-wise Gen and Jeremy are supposed to be in their early twenties, but they read like they're 14.
It's mostly just the fact that I don't like the writing style, though, which infects everything else so I suspect other books by this author would have the same reaction on my part.
I tried to keep going, I really did. Especially seeing as though I was nearly halfway through the ebook already, but one of my New Year's resolutions about books is not to waste time if I'm not enjoying them, since there are so many out there still to be read.
The writing just didn't work for me at all. Plus, the characters and the story lack real depth for me and I had a hard time connecting with either of them. I'm guessing that age-wise Gen and Jeremy are supposed to be in their early twenties, but they read like they're 14.
It's mostly just the fact that I don't like the writing style, though, which infects everything else so I suspect other books by this author would have the same reaction on my part.
July 15, 2018
A Hanukkah romance! Winter holidays in July!
I wanted to like this more than I did. The author's creation (with another person) is a website I adore (smartbitchestrashybooks.com). I liked Wendell's non-fiction books. This was her first romance.
I didn't really connect with Gen and Jeremy. I felt that they were immature. Definitely reads as a NA romance.
What I did like was the Hanukkah aspect, I learned a bit.
For Ripped Bodice Bingo I am using this for the Summer Camp square- while I know this wasn't set exactly during a summer camp, it was set at location that hosts a yearly summer camp and both MC were attendants as children and staff as adults. The secondary characters were attendants/staff at previous summer camps (and now the special winter camp in which this is set).
I wanted to like this more than I did. The author's creation (with another person) is a website I adore (smartbitchestrashybooks.com). I liked Wendell's non-fiction books. This was her first romance.
I didn't really connect with Gen and Jeremy. I felt that they were immature. Definitely reads as a NA romance.
What I did like was the Hanukkah aspect, I learned a bit.
For Ripped Bodice Bingo I am using this for the Summer Camp square- while I know this wasn't set exactly during a summer camp, it was set at location that hosts a yearly summer camp and both MC were attendants as children and staff as adults. The secondary characters were attendants/staff at previous summer camps (and now the special winter camp in which this is set).
January 1, 2021
More like 3.5. I enjoyed that this was a Hanukkah story, as I don’t think I’ve read one before. And I do love a friends to lovers setup.
Side note, but thank you to holiday novellas for helping me finish my yearly goal just under the wire.
Side note, but thank you to holiday novellas for helping me finish my yearly goal just under the wire.
January 15, 2023
This was fine! Not my thing, but fine.
February 2, 2015
The Hanukkah season and all that encompassed lifted this book from a 3 to a 4.
The dialogue was great. The camp setting was fun. Unfortunately, there simply wasn't enough conflict between the two, no reason to believe they couldn't be together.
Nice characters, nice story, wonderful Jewish content.
The dialogue was great. The camp setting was fun. Unfortunately, there simply wasn't enough conflict between the two, no reason to believe they couldn't be together.
Nice characters, nice story, wonderful Jewish content.
December 13, 2017
Between two and three stars. I wanted to like this book but it just failed on every front.
If I love the characters and the plot, I can overlook all sorts of nonsense world building. But when I find the characters boring and the plot thin on the ground, I can think of nothing but how terrible the business model for the sleep-away summer camp in the book is. Having sleep-away summer camp in the winter is a money losing proposition. If you have a summer camp that's struggling, being open in the winter is a terrible idea. Once you have your plumbing winterized and shut down, it's not going to be worth it to re-open and have to re-close after a week. Also, they were open something like December 14-20, so not even during winter break when parents need child care because schools are closed but they still need to go to work. No, this terrible plan was to have sleep away camp that parents need to pull their kids out of school for, and also make it a family thing, so adults had to waste their vacation days to go somewhere where they have to sleep on twin-size bunk beds, in poorly heated cabins where they share communal bathrooms with everyone else. Did they pack up Hanukah presents to bring to camp for the kids to open and then need to schlep them home at the end? There was no seeing Grandma and Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins for the holiday? The whole thing just seems like a hassle and sort of a bummer of a way to spend the holiday. Summer camp is great at being summer camp. But it's not a winter holiday retreat.
Also, I have no idea where the camp is located or where the characters are from. There were several places where it would have made sense to mention a location and I kind of got the sense that it was intentionally left out so you can imagine them being anywhere, but instead it makes it so generic as to not be believable as anywhere.
The two main characters were kind of boring and there were no secondary characters.
And the wisps of plot that blew through here and there never developed into anything cohesive or compelling. You were dropped in with the characters already knowing each other and being best camp friends for their whole lives who had already suddenly kissed the summer before. There was the "save the failing business" sub-plot, but I already explained why I didn't like that. There was this thing where Gen's parents died in a car crash, but it was only sort of mentioned here and there without having any sort of rising action, climax, resolution. One good fifteen minute conversation between the two characters could have resolved any minor conflict between them.
If I love the characters and the plot, I can overlook all sorts of nonsense world building. But when I find the characters boring and the plot thin on the ground, I can think of nothing but how terrible the business model for the sleep-away summer camp in the book is. Having sleep-away summer camp in the winter is a money losing proposition. If you have a summer camp that's struggling, being open in the winter is a terrible idea. Once you have your plumbing winterized and shut down, it's not going to be worth it to re-open and have to re-close after a week. Also, they were open something like December 14-20, so not even during winter break when parents need child care because schools are closed but they still need to go to work. No, this terrible plan was to have sleep away camp that parents need to pull their kids out of school for, and also make it a family thing, so adults had to waste their vacation days to go somewhere where they have to sleep on twin-size bunk beds, in poorly heated cabins where they share communal bathrooms with everyone else. Did they pack up Hanukah presents to bring to camp for the kids to open and then need to schlep them home at the end? There was no seeing Grandma and Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins for the holiday? The whole thing just seems like a hassle and sort of a bummer of a way to spend the holiday. Summer camp is great at being summer camp. But it's not a winter holiday retreat.
Also, I have no idea where the camp is located or where the characters are from. There were several places where it would have made sense to mention a location and I kind of got the sense that it was intentionally left out so you can imagine them being anywhere, but instead it makes it so generic as to not be believable as anywhere.
The two main characters were kind of boring and there were no secondary characters.
And the wisps of plot that blew through here and there never developed into anything cohesive or compelling. You were dropped in with the characters already knowing each other and being best camp friends for their whole lives who had already suddenly kissed the summer before. There was the "save the failing business" sub-plot, but I already explained why I didn't like that. There was this thing where Gen's parents died in a car crash, but it was only sort of mentioned here and there without having any sort of rising action, climax, resolution. One good fifteen minute conversation between the two characters could have resolved any minor conflict between them.
December 24, 2020
If you have fond memories of summer camp, this might be the holiday romance for you. For me, however, there was way too much time spent on camp activities, to the point that the romance took a back seat. It’s a mostly slow burn but I just wanted Jeremy and Gen to freaking communicate already, especially once they kissed. Stop dancing around each other and deal with your feelings already!
No ages are given for Jeremy and Gen but based on context cues they’re likely in their mid-20s. However, they read much, much younger here and so that was an odd bit of dissonance. There was an overuse of “dude” and “epic” and the sense of humor didn’t work for me. Your mileage may vary.
I did really like the way Hanukkah featured in, as well as yahrzeit, since it’s the two year anniversary of Gen’s parents deaths. Jeremy is a mortician so between his professional experience being part of a family-run funeral home and Gen’s experience of loss, there was a really compassionate approach to grief and loss. Although, again, I was floored that they’d never talked about her parents’ deaths or their funerals before this, when Jeremy’s family provided funeral services. It was hard to believe they’ve been such good friends since they were kids and yet they never discussed her major loss. Overall, I wish the romance had been more front and center, especially because the premise was promising.
Character notes: Jeremy is a mortician for the family funeral home. Gen is getting her PhD in sociology. They are both white and Jewish.
CW: heroine’s parents died in a car accident two years ago, heroine was hospitalized for two days after the car accident, grief, reference to security needed due to anti-Semitism (in general, no direct threats against the camp)
No ages are given for Jeremy and Gen but based on context cues they’re likely in their mid-20s. However, they read much, much younger here and so that was an odd bit of dissonance. There was an overuse of “dude” and “epic” and the sense of humor didn’t work for me. Your mileage may vary.
I did really like the way Hanukkah featured in, as well as yahrzeit, since it’s the two year anniversary of Gen’s parents deaths. Jeremy is a mortician so between his professional experience being part of a family-run funeral home and Gen’s experience of loss, there was a really compassionate approach to grief and loss. Although, again, I was floored that they’d never talked about her parents’ deaths or their funerals before this, when Jeremy’s family provided funeral services. It was hard to believe they’ve been such good friends since they were kids and yet they never discussed her major loss. Overall, I wish the romance had been more front and center, especially because the premise was promising.
Character notes: Jeremy is a mortician for the family funeral home. Gen is getting her PhD in sociology. They are both white and Jewish.
CW: heroine’s parents died in a car accident two years ago, heroine was hospitalized for two days after the car accident, grief, reference to security needed due to anti-Semitism (in general, no direct threats against the camp)
December 10, 2018
I enjoyed (although didn't love) the actual romance in this novella - I was thinking as I read this that I'm often pretty lukewarm on short stories or novellas with romances, I think I want a longer word count to really get to know the characters in order to be able to properly enjoy a happy ending - but the real joy of Lighting the Flames is getting to read a seasonal, winter-y romance where the characters celebrate Hanukkah (and not Christmas!). I really liked that, a lot.
Three stars.
Three stars.
December 10, 2018
More 3.5 but I am rounding up because it was a delightful snow day read.
December 26, 2017
I loved this book (and not just because I think Sarah is awesome). Books involving Hanukkah are rare; still rarer are books that involve people having conversations about their faith.
The only complaint that I have is that while it’s steamy, it teases a lot. I would love to read more about Jeremy and Gillian.
The only complaint that I have is that while it’s steamy, it teases a lot. I would love to read more about Jeremy and Gillian.
December 5, 2017
Charming and sweet. Would have enjoyed a stronger conflict or tension (stakes always felt low) but fun easy holiday read nonetheless
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2014
I do not know a lot about Hanukkah but I am always very curious about holidays. When I saw that this book was up for grabs (I got it for 99c but I heard its free on Amazon now), I went for it. I really enjoyed reading about Jewish traditions and their prayers.
First off, I only went to one camp (thank goodness it wasn't a sleepaway camp) in my life and hated it with such a passion that my parents never sent me to anything like it again. So I can't really relate to any great camping experience and therefore the plot wasn't particularly engaging for me.
Jeremy is the energizer’s bunny’s long lost brother. That guy is so energetic and vivacious I thought he might be on something. Like maybe he goes through a Red Bull IV every morning. He’s also super happy which turned out to be a little annoying. I did like that he was a great listener and that he genuinely cared about Gen. Aside from his facial hair (I'm weak for it), he really didn’t do it for me.
Gen is a down to earth, sweet girl. She’s the energizer bunny’s partner in crime and she recently lost her parents in a car accident. Grief is handled quite beautifully in this novel. Made me tear up more than once.
Their relationship was so harmonious, so happy, I really wondered how on earth they would take the next step and consummate it. Considering how happy go lucky they are, the deed would seem too dirty for them. Mind you, this is a sweet romance so there is no dirtiness here to witness.
I think the book could’ve handled a bit more editing because I encountered a few clunky sentences like this one 56% in:
Overall, it was an okay, sweet holiday read.
First off, I only went to one camp (thank goodness it wasn't a sleepaway camp) in my life and hated it with such a passion that my parents never sent me to anything like it again. So I can't really relate to any great camping experience and therefore the plot wasn't particularly engaging for me.
Jeremy is the energizer’s bunny’s long lost brother. That guy is so energetic and vivacious I thought he might be on something. Like maybe he goes through a Red Bull IV every morning. He’s also super happy which turned out to be a little annoying. I did like that he was a great listener and that he genuinely cared about Gen. Aside from his facial hair (I'm weak for it), he really didn’t do it for me.
Gen is a down to earth, sweet girl. She’s the energizer bunny’s partner in crime and she recently lost her parents in a car accident. Grief is handled quite beautifully in this novel. Made me tear up more than once.
Their relationship was so harmonious, so happy, I really wondered how on earth they would take the next step and consummate it. Considering how happy go lucky they are, the deed would seem too dirty for them. Mind you, this is a sweet romance so there is no dirtiness here to witness.
I think the book could’ve handled a bit more editing because I encountered a few clunky sentences like this one 56% in:
“Was she was the reason he looked a little unhappy?”
Overall, it was an okay, sweet holiday read.
December 26, 2016
There are tons of Christmas romances (and other novels) but very few for non-Christian holidays, so it was great to find this delightful Hanukkah romance about longtime friends working at the winter session of a Jewish summer camp.
December 19, 2014
Sarah Wendell, of Smart Bitches Trashy Books, has a philosophy I really admire: any time she complains about something more than twice, she feels the need to personally do something to fix the problem. In this case, the third time she found herself lamenting the lack of Hanukkah-themed romance, she sat down and wrote this novella.
I'm not Jewish, and the idea of a religious camp for families sort of went over my head, so I think there are a lot of readers who will get a lot more out of this story than I did. That said, I still enjoyed the read. Genevieve and Jeremy have been friends forever, first as campers at Meira, then as counselors, but both the camp and their friendship are threatened. The camp is in financial straits, and in an attempt to earn money and drum up summer business, Meira has a special winter session during Hanukkah. Genevieve and Jeremy are counselors together, but this will be the last time: even if the camp manages to stay open, they are adults now, and Jeremy especially can't get the time off from his real job (in his family's Jewish mortuary) to work summers any more.
That's right: the hero of this novella is a mortician. A daring choice, no?
There are some dark and twisty themes in this story -- Jeremy's career, Genevieve's grief over the recent death of her parents, the loss of childhood innocence and the onset of adult responsibility -- but as Smart Bitches readers will expect, the story zips along, propelled by Wendell's snarky dialogue, and there were a few points where I laughed out loud.
Bonus: I'm pretty sure this is FREE right now at most e-booksellers.
I'm not Jewish, and the idea of a religious camp for families sort of went over my head, so I think there are a lot of readers who will get a lot more out of this story than I did. That said, I still enjoyed the read. Genevieve and Jeremy have been friends forever, first as campers at Meira, then as counselors, but both the camp and their friendship are threatened. The camp is in financial straits, and in an attempt to earn money and drum up summer business, Meira has a special winter session during Hanukkah. Genevieve and Jeremy are counselors together, but this will be the last time: even if the camp manages to stay open, they are adults now, and Jeremy especially can't get the time off from his real job (in his family's Jewish mortuary) to work summers any more.
That's right: the hero of this novella is a mortician. A daring choice, no?
There are some dark and twisty themes in this story -- Jeremy's career, Genevieve's grief over the recent death of her parents, the loss of childhood innocence and the onset of adult responsibility -- but as Smart Bitches readers will expect, the story zips along, propelled by Wendell's snarky dialogue, and there were a few points where I laughed out loud.
Bonus: I'm pretty sure this is FREE right now at most e-booksellers.
December 11, 2015
"Commemorate victory in battle with fried foods? Jelly doughnuts and latkes? It's a beautiful thing."
The world is strongly lacking Hanukkah stories and since I'm the kind of girl who love reading holidays themes stories and Hanukkah is my favourite jewish celebration, I realised this year I needed a Hanukkah story.
And Sarah Wendell delivered. Oh boy, she did. She crushed my expectations actually. She left me feeling all kinds of warm and fuzzy inside. It's an adorable story with two adorable main characters and the bittersweet current of reality that made this story really stood out for me because not everything can be sweet and suggary but that's the thing with life, trying to find joy and hope in everything and it's the message of Hannukah for me.
So now, she need to write more stories because I need a new one for next year with these future delicious doughnuts!
The world is strongly lacking Hanukkah stories and since I'm the kind of girl who love reading holidays themes stories and Hanukkah is my favourite jewish celebration, I realised this year I needed a Hanukkah story.
And Sarah Wendell delivered. Oh boy, she did. She crushed my expectations actually. She left me feeling all kinds of warm and fuzzy inside. It's an adorable story with two adorable main characters and the bittersweet current of reality that made this story really stood out for me because not everything can be sweet and suggary but that's the thing with life, trying to find joy and hope in everything and it's the message of Hannukah for me.
So now, she need to write more stories because I need a new one for next year with these future delicious doughnuts!
February 17, 2017
I rated this 25. stars, rounding up to 3 here on GR
I liked everything about this book except for the romance. There is a strong sense of community and it was wonderful to read about people who only get together once or twice a year picking up friendships right where it left off. I also learned so much about Hanukkah, especially the rituals. Gen was a decent female character, but she sometimes was too horny to act smart; she also had this weird fetish with the summer camp and not wanting to know about people when they are outside of the camp. Jeremy was a better character, showing a love of life and laughter but also being a serious grown up when needed. There is no sex scenes, but it did have a NA feel.
I liked everything about this book except for the romance. There is a strong sense of community and it was wonderful to read about people who only get together once or twice a year picking up friendships right where it left off. I also learned so much about Hanukkah, especially the rituals. Gen was a decent female character, but she sometimes was too horny to act smart; she also had this weird fetish with the summer camp and not wanting to know about people when they are outside of the camp. Jeremy was a better character, showing a love of life and laughter but also being a serious grown up when needed. There is no sex scenes, but it did have a NA feel.
September 8, 2019
I’ve been on a holiday novella kick, but this is the first Hanukkah romance I think I’ve read? Jeremy and Gen grew up attending summer camp together, where they became camp best friends. They never interacted much outside of camp, but every summer, they renewed their friendship. As adults, the camp decides to try a winter version—set during Hanukkah—for the first time, and the two of them return as staff. Their attraction to each other is so obvious, but they’re both holding back for different reasons. There’s an important part that also involves Gen grieving, as the second anniversary of her parents’ death approaches. That really touched me. I never attended camp as a kid, but I’m guessing those who did will find some nostalgia in this. This is a sweet, low heat book.
January 18, 2015
Típica historia navideña.
Está entretenida, es cortita y tiene el aliciente de que está ambientada en la comunidad judía (casi desconocida para mí)
La premisa es amigos que acaban siendo algo más, y aunque toda la historia gira en torno a la pareja protagonista, hay mucha interacción y conseguimos ver (o leer) ambos puntos de vista, no ha conseguido engancharme, quizás me ha resultado difícil creer la razón de porqué la relación que tienen sólo dura los meses de verano…al fin y al cabo viven en la misma ciudad pero sólo mantienen contacto online el resto del año…un poco frío…
Pero está entretenida y es “cute”.
Para pasar el rato….
Está entretenida, es cortita y tiene el aliciente de que está ambientada en la comunidad judía (casi desconocida para mí)
La premisa es amigos que acaban siendo algo más, y aunque toda la historia gira en torno a la pareja protagonista, hay mucha interacción y conseguimos ver (o leer) ambos puntos de vista, no ha conseguido engancharme, quizás me ha resultado difícil creer la razón de porqué la relación que tienen sólo dura los meses de verano…al fin y al cabo viven en la misma ciudad pero sólo mantienen contacto online el resto del año…un poco frío…
Pero está entretenida y es “cute”.
Para pasar el rato….
December 20, 2014
An interesting and surprisingly sweet glimpse at a life completely unfamiliar to me.
I really enjoyed this couple with their slow progress from friendship to love. As well as their sense of fun AND responsibility. I tend to judge romances on whether I think the couple will stay together, and this is one I'd count on.
Since Judaism, and the whole Camp experience are unfamiliar to me, that was all added goodness. :-)
Enjoyed. 3.5 stars.
I really enjoyed this couple with their slow progress from friendship to love. As well as their sense of fun AND responsibility. I tend to judge romances on whether I think the couple will stay together, and this is one I'd count on.
Since Judaism, and the whole Camp experience are unfamiliar to me, that was all added goodness. :-)
Enjoyed. 3.5 stars.
February 4, 2015
I loved this novella. It is set at a Jewish overnight camp during Hanukkah, which is an experience I shared as did my mother before me. The novella is spot on in its depiction of that experience as well as many aspects of the Jewish way of seeing the world. You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy the love story and the affectionate view into another culture, though. I recommend it to everyone.
April 4, 2018
Sweet and super vanilla, little story of two camp counselors finally moving from friends to more than friends. She was a bit more juvenile that I would have liked. There was no real conflict and could have worked just as well as a short story.
All the small typos in the ebook were a bit distracting throughout, however.
All the small typos in the ebook were a bit distracting throughout, however.
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December 18, 2014This is a really sweet novella from Sarah Wendell, who writes the brilliant Smart Bitches, Trashy Books blog. I loved the Hanukkah elements and also enjoyed the camp setting. This is a freebie on most of the ebook retailers' sites right now, if you want to snag it.
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February 27, 2020We've really, really wanted to add more romance titles set amidst holidays other than Christmas, and expectations are high for this Hanukkah love story!
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