Marry Me by Midnight is a historical romance set in London during the Georgian period. It’s a Cinderella retelling set in the Jewish community, with a gender-swapped twist.

Isabelle Lira is the heiress to end all heiresses. Since the death of her father, she is the wealthiest woman in London’s Sephardi Jewish community, and quite a marital prize. Unfortunately, her father’s surety company is not entirely within her control. Isabelle is issued an ultimatum by her father’s business partners: marry one of them, or someone else “suitable” or they will move to dissolve the company. Being a woman, and a Jewish one, Isabelle knows she will have to marry advantageously to secure her position against her business partners, the Berab brothers, and she cannot marry one of them. Isabelle is determined to protect her father’s legacy, but when she meets a charming stranger, all of her best-laid plans might come to naught.

Aaron Ellenberg is as poor as a synagogue mouse. Orphaned and alone, he was supported by the Ashkenazi Jewish community and given the opportunity to study and apprentice. Unfortunately, it seems like he isn’t good for much of anything, so he earns his keep as the custodian for the Great Synagogue. When Isabelle overhears him telling stories to children after services one day, he finds himself sucked into her plans to pick the kind of husband she needs: a malleable one. Isabelle’s plans require a partner, but she wants someone she can control, who will not ally with the Berab brothers against her interests. Aaron can be her spy, checking up on the men vying for her hand. In exchange, Isabelle will pay him two hundred pounds. To her, a month of pin money, but to him, a small fortune, enough to enable him to pursue a better life.

Isabelle is throwing three festivals, ostensibly to choose a husband amongst the eligible Jewish bachelors. Aaron will gather information, and Isabelle will socialize, but neither plans on the most interesting part of those evenings being each other.

I really enjoyed this book! I’m a big fan of retellings, and I love Jewish historicals, so Marry Me by Midnight was practically written for me. Isabelle is a great character, and I loved how vivacious and full of life she is. She’s a force of nature, and doesn’t change that about herself. She is an extraordinary person, and she doesn’t allow anyone to dim her light. I also loved her grandmother and Pena, her de facto step-father and general factotum. There is a really great cast of supporting characters in this book, who are fleshed out very well.

I also enjoyed the way Isabelle resolves her dilemma in the end – no spoilers, but I like that she recognizes where she might have made mistakes, and tries to mend fences. Isabelle certainly has a meatier arc than Aaron, but his journey is equally important. While Isabelle is assured of her self-worth, even if others value her for what she is and not who, Aaron is pretty down on himself at the beginning. Since he is without family and connections, or a profitable trade, he sees no path to independence or a family of his own. It takes Aaron time to realize that he is entitled to some happiness, even if he is a poor synagogue custodian (if you know, you know.) I also really enjoyed how difficult it was to see a resolution to the problems facing the couple. Even as I approached the end, I wasn’t sure how they were going to work it out! I like to be surprised, and I love even more that Isabelle gets to rescue herself.

The pacing could have been more polished, and several scenes didn’t get as much page-time as I wanted; for instance, we don’t get to see the festivals which are a huge part of the plot. As a reader, I loved getting Isabelle and Aaron’s thoughts, but I wanted to see what was happening rather than have it summarized for me. Still, I can’t complain too much, because I breezed right through this, and literally did not put it down.

Marry Me at Midnight is a must for anyone who loves historical romance, but I recommend it particularly for those who love reading about Jewish characters.