Mr. Perfect on Paper by Jean Meltzer

Synopsis

“As the creator and CEO of the popular Jewish dating app J-Mate, matchmaker Dara Rabinowitz knows the formula for lasting love – at least, for everyone else. When it comes to her own love life, she’s been idling indefinitely. Until her beloved bubbe shares Dara’s checklist for “The Perfect Jewish Husband” on national television and charming news ancho Chris Steadfast proposes they turn Dara’s search into must-see TV.

As a non-Jewish single dad, Chris doesn’t check any of Dara’s boxes. But her hunt for Mr. Perfect is the ratings boost his show desperately needs. If only Chris could ignore his own pesky attraction to Dara – a task much easier said than done when Dara starts questioning if “perfect on paper” can compete with how hard she’s falling for Chris.”

-Synopsis from back cover

Review

Mr. Perfect on Paper is Jean Meltzer’s second book. I loved The Matzah Ball last year and I knew I would love this too. One of the things I love most about her books is the Jewish representation. That is what first drew me to her and made me want to read her books. While The Matzah Ball focused mostly on Hanukkah, this book focuses on the Jewish high holidays that take place in September.

I loved Dara and all her quirks. I found her struggles with anxiety to be very relatable. Chris is also a lovable character from the beginning, and I was glad to see that this wasn’t going to be an enemies-to-lovers romance as that is not a trope I particularly enjoy. Instead it was more of a fate-dating trope as Chris helps Dara on her mission to find her Mr. Perfect through a series of dates. Eventually Dara begins to realize that dating is not as straightforward as the algorithms on her app, or the list she created.

“Love is messy. And terrifying. It shows up when you least expect it, and complicates your life in every way. But it’s also safe. And comforting. It allows you to be yourself completely, without judgment or fear, and it feels right. I don’t know how something so incredibly scary can also feel right but I need to give this inkling in my heart – in my soul – a chance.”

from Mr. Perfect on Paper by Jean Meltzer

One of the things I liked most about Chris is how caring he is when it comes to Dara’s anxiety struggles. He listens to her and tries to understand her feelings and what would help her in each moment, without judgment. Ultimately he is her rock through the entire process, and is always cheering her on:

“Courage isn’t about jumping out of airplanes or building businesses from scratch. Real courage is showing up, even when you’re afraid. Real courage is putting yourself out there, even when you fail – especially when you fail. Courage is saying this is who I am, standing up, allowing yourself to be vulnerable.”

from Mr. Perfect on Paper by Jean Meltzer

This was a great read that I would recommend for those looking for a light romantic comedy with diverse storylines and characters.

I can’t wait to see what Jean Metlzer writes next!