"This book is fun to describe in list form—a gender-swapped Jewish Regency “Cinderella”!—but it’s even more enthralling to see those magpie elements fused into a dazzling union.”—The New York Times "Grossman bibbidi-bobbidi-blasts us into a new corner of Victorian England, proving that the best fairy-tales don't need to fit into a box (or even a shoe) but rather defy them. A rating."—Entertainment Weekly "A masterful, original take on a beloved fairytale."—Kirkus, Starred Review "Historical romance fans should snap [this book] up."—Publishers Weekly "Inviting and immersive . . . This novel will appeal to readers seeking a steamy historical romance about reputation and representation, with a fresh fairy-tale twist. Recommended for fans of Charis Michaels and Eva Leigh." —Library Journal "Grossman’s choice to set [the book] at a particularly delicate time for the Jewish community in the U.K.—when legislation was being debated that would eventually guarantee Jewish men the same rights as all English men—adds a special poignancy. . . . In this troubled atmosphere, Aaron and Isabelle’s decision to choose love, courage, and kindness over everything else resonates that much louder and feels that much sweeter."—BookPage "A captivating setting, a masterful weaving of history and romance, and an utterly besotted hero make this novel a must-read not just of the summer, but of the year."—Vulture Magazine "A swoony twist on a classic, with a lady lead who wants to seize control of her own happily-ever-after and an unsuspecting but kind-hearted man who adores every part of her."—Paste Magazine "A beautiful, and unapologetically Jewish, novel."—Jewish Book Council "Joyful and essential reading."—Hey Alma “Felicia Grossman gives me everything I'm looking for in a historical romance—her books are powerful and passionate and swoon-inducing!” —Eva Leigh, USA Today bestselling author "What a wonderfully fresh voice! Felicia Grossman's MARRY ME BY MIDNIGHT has it alla clever heroine, a dreamy hero, and a gorgeous fairy tale romance that had me enthralled well past my bedtime. Historical romance readers will delight in discovering Grossman's impeccably researched Jewish London society. Brava!"—Elizabeth Hoyt, New York Times bestselling author “Romantic, clever, and irresistibly charming. Fall in love with this fiercely feminist heroine and her sweet cinnamon roll of a hero as they navigate family, community, loyalty, and love.”—Amalie Howard, USA Today bestselling author of Always Be My Duchess “MARRY ME BY MIDNIGHT charmed me! Very swoony and rich with historical detail it is sure to delight fans of historical romance everywhere.”—Evie Dunmore, USA Today bestselling author of Portrait of a Scotsman “I adored this rich and unflinchingly feminist historical romance. Isabelle is my favorite kind of heroine—passionate, tenacious and complicated, and who never wavers going after what is her due—who finds her perfect match in steadfast and deeply swoony Aaron. This star-crossed lovers romance shines with its fairy tale whimsy and beautifully rendered glimpse of the Jewish community in the nineteenth century. I cannot wait for more tales from Grossman’s corner of the East End.”—Adriana Herrera, USA Today bestselling author of A Caribbean Heiress in Paris “MARRY ME BY MIDNIGHT is a scorching and swoonworthy reimagining of Cinderella set in the 1830s London Jewish community. Felicia Grossman writes with passion and sensitivity, imbuing her characters with humor, heart, and strength. An excellent start to the series, and a much-needed addition to the historical romance genre!”—Mimi Matthews, USA Today bestselling author of The Belle of Belgrave Square “Felicia Grossman is a shining star in historical romance! No one writes love stories with more heart, more swoons and more sizzle. I adored MARRY ME BY MIDNIGHT!”—Joanna Shupe, USA Today bestselling author of The Duke Gets Even “With a fresh perspective on the well-worn long Regency era, in MARRY ME BY MIDNIGHT, Felicia Grossman blends history, fairy tales, and sexy tropes into a delicious concoction sure to captivate newcomers and veteran romance readers alike.”—Manda Collins, bestselling author of A Lady’s Guide to Mischief and Mayhem “Spectacularly Jewish, fiercely feminist, and sizzling with erotic tension . . . MARRY ME BY MIDNIGHT goes down as one of my favorite books of all time.”—Jean Meltzer, bestselling author of The Matzah Ball “MARRY ME BY MIDNIGHT is at once timeless and completely fresh—a wholly, beautifully, Jewish story that feels reminiscent of my favorite fairytales. An unlikely partnership blooms into love between a fierce, driven heiress and a sweet, cinnamon roll hero that breaks the mold. This is a must for any historical romance reader looking to step into a side of Regency that’s often overlooked. Felicia Grossman’s passionate prose shines on every page.”—Rosie Danan, author of The Roommate and The Intimacy Experiment “With a fascinating glimpse of Jewish life in nineteenth-century England, a complex, ambitious heroine, and a hero with a heart of gold, MARRY ME BY MIDNIGHT is a bewitching Cinderella retelling that's pure magic!”—Liana de la Rosa, author of Ana María and the Fox “Grossman brings us a delicious romance set like a jewel amid rich history, smart writing, and universal themes in this deeply satisfying novel. It delighted me on so many levels and with its unique take on fairy tale retellings may even become canon in the genre.”—Elizabeth Everett, author of A Love by Design
"An important addition to the historical romance canon . . . Highly recommended."
—Library Journal, Starred Review, on Dalliances & Devotion "This page-turner is highly recommended for all romance aficionados."—Library Journal, Starred Review, on Appetites & Vices
07/01/2023
Grossman ("The Truitts") introduces her new series with a scintillating Cinderella swap set in 1830s London. Heiress Isabelle Lira wants nothing more than to run the business her late father left behind, but her Jewish community, and the gentiles they trade with, demands that she first find a husband. To select the perfect partner, she decides to host a series of soirees to which she invites every eligible gentleman. In case the marriage-minded men are only after her fortune, she hires custodian Aaron Ellenberg as a spy to uncover their motivations and help her make the best choice. Can Aaron convince her that love is more important than a legacy, or will time run out on their romance? Grossman's writing is inviting and immersive and includes abundant Hebrew and Yiddish turns of phrase. She delivers a well-developed and diverting cast of characters, both playful and provocative. VERDICT This novel will appeal to readers seeking a steamy historical romance about reputation and representation, with a fresh fairy-tale twist. Recommended for fans of Charis Michaels and Eva Leigh.—Lauren Hackert
★ 2023-05-09 A gender-swapped “Cinderella” about an heiress and a custodian in 1832 London.
After her father’s untimely death, Isabella Lira must marry to secure her family’s business and standing. Her father sat on the London Commission of Delegates, an organization that works with the Crown for the safety and security of the entire Jewish community in England, while also co-owning a business with the powerful Berab brothers. The three brothers each offer to marry her, hoping to secure total control of the shared business. Isabella wants to preserve her own influence in the company, so she hatches a plan to find another suitor—one outside the sphere of the Berab family. She's going to throw three festivals in three weeks, between the holidays of Passover and Lag b’Omer, and she enlists the help of Aaron Ellenberg, an unlikely ally. Aaron exists in a strange liminal space in the community: He’s a kindhearted and gentle man who has never successfully found a job or home of his own. The community supports him by providing work as a custodian in the synagogue. He has become expert at observing everyone and everything while remaining invisible in the background. Isabella asks him to spy on prospective suitors at her parties to help her find one who won't try to control her—a man with a secret that Isabella could hold over him. In return, she offers Aaron 200 pounds, enough money for him to have a home and family, which had always seemed like an impossible dream. Isabella and Aaron should have nothing in common, but while working together they learn to respect and love each other despite their differences in status and the many obstacles in their way. It’s an engaging and sexy romance, almost old-school in its complexity, complete with genuine conflict, delicious tension, and dense, meaty subplots.
A masterful, original take on a beloved fairy tale is sure to please romance readers.
In this exciting first installment of a new historical romance series, narrator Justine Eyre brings to life a swoon-worthy love story amid the complexities of Jewish society in 1830s London. After her beloved father dies, 23-year-old Isabelle longs to take his place in his surety business. Thwarted by the gender and religious bigotries of the time, as well as her father's devious business partners, Isabelle decides her best course of action is to marry a suitable Jewish man who can act in her stead and whom she can subtly manipulate. She enlists the assistance of Aaron, the synagogue's attractive and kindhearted custodian, to uncover the secrets of her suitors. This propulsive romance is full of twists and turns, and intriguing period details. M.J. © AudioFile 2023, Portland, Maine
SEPTEMBER 2023 - AudioFile