Page 16 - Southern Exposure - July '22

Page 16, Southern Exposure

book review

Meant To Be Mine

By Nils A. Shapiro

How could I have world, she’s forced To be sure, one of the charming aspects of this newest
enjoyed this book as much to consider whether book is the author’s obvious familiarity with Jewish
as I did? love chooses us, as family life and traditions – in this case reflecting the close,
When someone whose simple as destiny, loving relationship that so often exists between grandmas
judgment I respect or we choose it and their grandchildren.
suggested that I read this ourselves.” But readers don’t have to be Jewish in order to enjoy
month’s selection, and I must admit that and appreciate this book any more than one needs to be
began to describe it to me, Edie’s determined Jewish to appreciate a well-made bowl of Jewish chicken
my first reaction was: commitment to her soup with matzo balls ... or needs to be Italian to love a
“Are you kidding? That’s family’s tradition had great slice of pizza.
just about the last kind of me hoping for her For, in addition to being very well written, there is
book that would interest happiness. After all, much heart in these pages, and much that most readers
me – a male senior who prefers nonfiction take time out she had just broken will be able to relate to. Some may have at one time in
from my busy schedule to check out a romance novel that off a wonderful, their lives experienced the dilemma that Edie faces when
should appeal to young women? Forget it!” promising she has to decide whether, or when, to invite Theo – the
But he added one last note about the novel’s story line relationship with a gorgeous blonde, non-Jewish musician she meets on that
that stopped me short – and, I must confess, tempted me man she truly loved magic day predicted by Grandma Gloria – to her family’s
to take at least one small step toward the book’s opening simply because they Rosh Hashanah dinner.
chapter. What he told me is the unique and irresistible had met on the wrong day according to Grandma Gloria’s Too many others will be moved by personally recalling
theme that runs throughout young, successful author prophecy, so she felt he couldn’t possibly be her life’s from their own lives the author’s sensitively portrayed,
Hannah Orenstein’s newest novel. The best description of intended soulmate. And the fact that Edie’s twin sister, deeply emotional scenes that I will not describe here
that theme is spelled out on the back cover of this book: Rae, was soon to be married to the man she met on her because they would be spoilers.
“What if you knew exactly when you’d meet the love predicted date had further convinced her of Grandma Suffice it to say that my original reaction to the
of your life? Gloria’s magic gift. suggestion I read this book was hasty, and very wrong. I
“Edie Meyer knows her date. Her grandmother Gloria From the photo of the author on the back cover, was captivated by it ... and by its author, the young and
has accurately predicted the day every single member Orenstein appears to be in her late 20s. If so, she is blessed remarkably talented Hannah Orenstein.
of the family has met their match. Edie’s is June 24, to have a natural gift for writing dialogue that moves so I will now be passing along this book to one of my
2022, when she’s twenty-nine years old. That morning, deftly and naturally that you will be turning these pages daughters who, with some friends, have a reading club
she boards an airplane to her twin sister’s surprise at a rapid pace. Her earlier three novels – Playing with that selects a book each month, then all get together to
engagement, and when a handsome musician sits beside Matches, Love at First Like and Head Over Heels – have discuss it. They will love this one. I think you will, too.
her, she knows it’s meant to be. earned this Brooklyn writer a large following and rave
“But fate comes with more complications than Edie reviews, including Best of the Month or Best of the
expected, and she can’t fight the nagging suspicion that Season awards for each of her books by “O”:Oprah’s
her perfect guy doesn’t have perfect timing. And after a Magazine; Glamour; Seventeen; Marie Claire; and other
shocking revelation rocks Edie’s carefully constructed publications.

E x p e r i e n c e . L e a d e r s h i p . E q u a l i t y . I n t e g r i t y .

Current Board Member, InnerCity Innovators Vetted by the Judicial Nominating Commission and Recommended to the
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County Former Supreme Court Certified Mediator
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Current Member, National Coalition of 100 Black
Current Member, The Florida Bar Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Women, South Palm Beach County
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Former Board Member, Mental Health Association of for Women Lawyer’s Palm Beach County
Palm Beach County Current Member/Former Secretary, F. Malcolm Cunningham Bar
Former Board Member, Lake Worth Christian School Association
Nominee, Giraffe Award, Women’s Chamber of Current Member, Sheree D. Cunningham Black Women Lawyers
Commerce Association
Current Member, Palm Beach County Bar Association
VOTE AUGUST 23 Current Member, Virgil Hawkins Florida Chapter National Bar Association
Former Palm Beach County Code Enforcement Special Magistrate
VOTE BY MAIL Former Hearing Officer for the Palm Beach County Commission on Ethics

VOTE EARLY Former State of Florida Department of Children and Families, Senior
Attorney
AUG 8-21 Former Member, The Florida Bar Committee for Legal Needs of Children
Admitted, United States District Court, Southern Division
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