Rating: 
Summary: Got to Page 69 and I gave up
Review: "The Matzo Ball Heiress" by Laurie Gwen Shapiro proves the old saying "Don't judge a book by its cover." The cover of this book looks fun, but the inside is a dull book. Heather Greenbolz is the thirty-one heiress to the most famous matzo company, who may look perfect, but her family is crazy. I only got to page 69, and just gave up because the book is dull and 69 pages seem like 269 pages. Just do yourself a favor and skip this book.
Rating:
Summary: Got to Page 69 and I gave up
Review: "The Matzo Ball Heiress" by Laurie Gwen Shapiro proves the old saying "Don't judge a book by its cover." The cover of this book looks fun, but the inside is a dull book. Heather Greenbolz is the thirty-one heiress to the most famous matzo company, who may look perfect, but her family is crazy. I only got to page 69, and just gave up because the book is dull and 69 pages seem like 269 pages. Just do yourself a favor and skip this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but not great- and some of these facts are fiction!
Review: As an inquisitive Gentile, I thoroughly enjoyed Shapiro's The Matzo Ball Heiress. Not only was the main character, Heather Greenblotz smart and witty, she paved the way for an education of sorts...for me, anyway. Heather attempts to find herself, her roots, and a little romance in between filming a live Seder for the Food Network with her more than dysfunctional family. The book is fast paced and full of information about Jewish dietary laws and practices. But don't let that fool you...there is lots of story packed in, as well.I applaud Shapiro for creating a great summer read that educates as well as delights.
Rating: 
Summary: Fun and I learned something, too...
Review: As an inquisitive Gentile, I thoroughly enjoyed Shapiro's The Matzo Ball Heiress. Not only was the main character, Heather Greenblotz smart and witty, she paved the way for an education of sorts...for me, anyway. Heather attempts to find herself, her roots, and a little romance in between filming a live Seder for the Food Network with her more than dysfunctional family. The book is fast paced and full of information about Jewish dietary laws and practices. But don't let that fool you...there is lots of story packed in, as well. I applaud Shapiro for creating a great summer read that educates as well as delights.
Rating:
Summary: Funny and Sassy --- A Pleasure to Read
Review: As the holiday of Passover approaches, Heather Greenblotz is gearing up for a typical observance: spending time alone and eating decidedly non-kosher food at a time when most Jewish families gather together. It wouldn't bother Heather so much to be without her family at this time of year but for the fact that the Greenblotzes manufacture kosher products, including the world's most popular Passover matzo. What in the world would people think if they knew how non-traditional the family really is? Laurie Gwen Shapiro's second novel, THE MATZO BALL HEIRESS, introduces Heather as she emotionally prepares for another disappointing Passover. 31-year-old Heather is a successful documentary filmmaker with two Emmy Awards to her credit, and her involvement in the family business is minimal. Few people even know she's a wealthy heiress to the Greenblotz family business, begun by her grandfather Izzy many years ago. Every spring, however, she helps out her cousin Jake (figurehead and CEO of the business) during the busy Passover season. Otherwise, she is seemingly disconnected from the world of traditional Judaism and kosher food. One day, while filling in for Jake at the matzo factory, she is interviewed by the Food Network and her Passover plans begin to radically change. After the success of the interview with the dashing Steve Meyers, the Food Network wants to do a live broadcast of the Greenblotz family Seder. Jake Greenblotz thinks it's an excellent idea and that it will boost slumping sales. Heather, on the other hand, has her doubts. The family, she reminds Jake, has never gathered together for the ritual meal; her mother usually goes snorkeling, her other cousins can't stand Heather or Jake, Jake's brother lives like a playboy in Florida, and her father Sol, the only one who could lead the seder and read Hebrew, was last heard from several years ago when he moved (with no forwarding address) to Amsterdam. At the urging of her over-the-top therapist, Heather agrees to the broadcast and begins to assemble relatives; when that fails, she asks others to act as family members for the broadcast (including Jake's Irish girlfriend Siobhan, who becomes Shoshana for the day). But will the world be convinced by the staged Greenblotz Seder? Complicating the already sticky situation is Heather's entanglement with on-air personality Steve Meyers and her growing fondness for kosher cameraman Jared Silver. With a little patience and faith, Heather survives a near disastrous Seder and emerges with a new love in her life and a newfound respect for her family and friends. THE MATZO BALL HEIRESS is funny and sassy, and because it focuses on a Jewish family's traditions (or lack thereof) and issues, it is also unique. Heather Greenblotz is more than a typical Manhattan socialite; she has depth and intelligence. Thus, Shapiro's novel moves beyond the simple classification of Chick Lit, although it retains the romance, sex and attitude. The writing here is light and natural, a pleasure to read. And the humor is well balanced with some of the weightier issues, such as religious observance, identity and family dynamics. While Shapiro doesn't offer many meaty insights into these issues, she doesn't shy away from them either. THE MATZO BALL HEIRESS is a fun and quickly read novel coming out just as Jewish families across the world prepare to sit down together to celebrate Passover. Chances are that some readers will find their own families reflected in these pages. Others will be treated to a good story. --- Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman
Rating:
Summary: A little heavy on the religious education, but fun
Review: Even though I found all the background on the Jewish faith and religion kind of like sitting in a religion 101 class, the story was cute. I especially loved the ending, which made me think that there's another story about the therapist somewhere - she was almost like Mary Poppins-ish. I wish we'd gotten to the show/feast sooner, and that it lasted a little longer, but this was a great first book that was enjoyable.
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Summary: the best RDI book yet
Review: I have read all of the RDI books, and this one shines out as particularly funny and wonderfully written. It has all of the sins of chicklit - sharp and sexy, yet manages to be about family and self respect, and leaves you thinking. This is the among the funniest novels I have read. The other writer who I suggest to RDI fans is Caren Lissner.
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Summary: Yummy as Grandma's Matzo Ball Soup!
Review: I really liked this book. Then again, I just married into a Jewish family, so I found some of the situations in this book particularly hilarious. Very funny moments and a great story.
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Summary: You won't be able to put this book down!
Review: I really, really enjoyed this book. In fact, I was irritated every time I was forced to put it aside. It's well written, funny and modern -- as well as being set in one of my favorite neighborhoods. It also successfully evokes 30-something NYC angst. Good job, Ms. Shapiro!
Rating: 
Summary: What's all the fuss about?
Review: I typically love RDI books and as excited as I was about this one after reading glowing reviews, I found myself disappointed all around. The first two chapters were boring, slow, and felt like reading a college textbook on Judaism, kosher foods and the tradition of Passover. After that, the story finally begins to unfold but at a snail's pace. Fairly early on, there is a brief romantic encounter (the only one in the entire book) that leaves you unfulfilled in its abrupt conclusion. (Don't expect Jane Green here!) There are many supporting characters who all come across as cliche. The parents are the most three-dimensional, but in the end, their "issues" are packaged up nice & neat for a very unlikely happy ending. Some of the plot lines seem way too contrived and the plot "twists" are very obvious. And where is all the hilarity? There were only one or two times that I got a chuckle just from the irony of the situations, not because the writing was actually funny in any way. Just the opposite, actually. The overall tone seemed melancholy and dealt with some very serious issues including religious beliefs and differing practices, 9/11, terrorism, war and family abandonment. The author's political leanings made a few appearances and that was a turn-off. In a similar fashion, it felt as though the storyline and the events of the book were ficticious but the character's feelings, experiences, career, and religious struggles were autobiographical in nature. Be prepared for what you are getting yourself into and don't let the back cover fool you (the mailman doesn't even attend the seder!). This isn't your typical romantic comedy Chick Lit. Instead, it is the poor-little-rich-girl, early 30's, preachy, Jewish version of 'Carrie Pilby'.
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