May 29, 2023
Exploring the difficulties of dating in Minneapolis’s Modern Orthodox Jewish community, Shertok’s debut delivers both sparkling banter and realistic relationship hurdles. Jewelry seller Penina Kalish, 29, wants a family but worries both children and love are out of reach due to her uterine hypoplasia, which renders her infertile. Matchmakers haven’t completely given up, but the pickings are slim in a community that prioritizes large families. Accepting that she may never find a partner, Penina dotes on her nieces and nephews and volunteers at the local hospital’s NICU. Most days, it’s enough—until she meets the sexy—but secular—Sam Kleinfeld, her new boss. Not willing to pursue a non-Orthodox relationship, Penina ignores the attraction and instead agrees to a marriage of convenience with a closeted gay Orthodox man in exchange for his help bailing her sister out of a financial bind. There are some light Indecent Proposal overtones to this arrangement, but can money really dampen the chemistry between Penina and Sam? Shertok’s description of the Modern Orthodox community and how it fits into secular society is lovingly rendered without stifling the plot. This is sure to please. Agent: Claire Friedman, InkWell Management.
June 10, 2024
Penina, a 29-year-old Orthodox Jewish woman, desperately longs for love and marriage, but a medical condition has rendered her infertile. Because of this, she has been matched with less-than-desirable men, from those with questionable pasts to those with mommy issues. With these prospects, Penina fears she will be a perpetual virgin. Then, Penina's sister Libby reveals their family's desperate financial straits, and Penina decides to help by marrying a wealthy, secretly gay Jewish man in exchange for money. Though this is not the happily-ever-after she dreamed of, she is content until she meets her new sexy--and secular--boss, Sam. Shertok (And Along Came Layla) provides a sensitively drawn picture of the Orthodox community, especially regarding romance, sex, and relationships. Narrator Caitlin Thorburn offers a variety of accents and character voices. Even so, her depiction of Penina makes her seem offputtingly immature, and her male characters are difficult to distinguish. Additionally, her nonstandard pronunciations of Hebrew, Yiddish, and other languages can be distracting. VERDICT Shertok's observations on faith and the Orthodox Jewish community are appealing, but the mediocre audio production makes this an optional purchase.--Elyssa Everling
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