Holiday romances have a magic all of their own, from meet-cutes covered in snow to warming up from nostalgia. While shelves have overflowed with Christmas-centered stories, readers have been missing out on the narratives that honor the richness, humor, and heart of Jewish traditions.
In this exclusive interview, author Betsy Aldredge sat down with us to talk about her love story that brings a fresh perspective and joyful representation to the contemporary romance genre. Blending wit and swoon-worthy chemistry, Betsy expertly crafts a compelling love story you’ll want to devour every season.
About Betsy Aldredge
Betsy Aldredge is a former magazine editor turned communications professional who has worked in the non-profit sector, the arts, and the Jewish community, including several years at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City. She is the author of Eight Dates and Nights (Underlined, 2023) and co-author of Sasquatch, Love, and Other Imaginary Things (Simon Teen, 2017). She lives in Connecticut with her two and four-legged family members.
Thank you for joining us, Betsy. Let’s begin!
How do you navigate the beautiful and important intersection of crafting a truly cozy, feel-good romance while also carrying the powerful responsibility of giving authentic, joyful visibility to a marginalized or lesser-seen community?
I think joy is at the center of any holiday romance, as is family, whether that is found family or family of origin. In a YA romance, you also have the fact that the characters are still trying to figure out who they are in relation to their family and the world, and what they are looking for in a potential partner. I think this holds true to any character of any background, but in approaching this as a Jewish book, I really tried to focus on the Jewish experience of feeling isolated during this time of year when the vast majority of those around you are celebrating a different holiday. This fish-out-of-water theme can be found in many romances, but I think it’s a perfect approach to a Hanukkah romance. It’s certainly something I’ve felt many, many times.
Whether you’re writing a character whose identity deeply resonates with your own lived experience or one whose path is vastly different, what are your dedicated, heartfelt practices for ensuring every character feels authentic to the reader?
I strongly believe in the importance of research. For this book, I did a deep dive into Jewish Texas history, and blended some of my own experience as a city dweller in the country, and a Jewish person visiting Texas for the holidays, something I’ve done many times. I also think it’s important to have other people read your work to make sure it makes sense to both people with inside knowledge and those who know very little about the topic. I’ve been so happy to hear from Jewish readers who saw themselves in this book and from non-Jewish readers who enjoyed learning more about Hanukkah!
Your holiday romance is a wonderful addition to the season! In what exciting ways do you hope this story boldly contributes to expanding and redefining what a truly “traditional” and universally beloved holiday story can look like for readers everywhere?
I think the reason so many people enjoy holiday romances is that they capture the magic of the season and our hopes for family, community, and that special someone. I set out to write something that had those universal themes but with a very Jewish lens into our traditions, history, culture, and humor. Of course, that also included a lot of scenes and details about food — pickles in particular! And lots of talk about what it means to be part of the diaspora, and the constant longing for home. While readers may or may not eat latkes, for instance, everyone has a special food they look forward to every year, something they grew up eating or cooking with an older relative. That food and that relationship have meaning and are passed down from generation to generation.
Every great holiday story has a spark of magic! What heartwarming personal holiday memories, rich community traditions, or fascinating research did you tap into to bring the vibrant, celebratory world of this story to life?
The seed of the idea for this story happened many years ago. I was visiting East Texas around the holidays and we saw an old, empty synagogue in Brenham. It inspired me to find out what happened to the Jewish community that used to worship there. Who were they and where did they go? It turns out that it was Texas’s oldest Orthodox synagogue, and on the National Historic Register, but there were no more Jews there to call it home, which was sad. However, they eventually moved the building and the torahs to Austin, where they could be used by a larger, more vibrant community. That idea of the importance of preserving memory and tradition stayed with me, and a fictionalized version of the town became the setting of the book.
If you could wave a magic wand and instantly bring more diverse and joyful stories to the genre, what kind of representation and authentic experiences are you most excited to see more of in the future of holiday romances?
A really wonderful memory I have of the holidays is that one year we stayed in Houston near the convention center in a big Hilton. There was an elaborate gingerbread display lovingly created by chefs at the hotel next to a very big menorah in the lobby, AND there was a Muslim leadership conference taking place at the hotel at the same time as a large Hindu wedding party dancing through the lobby on the way to the reception. It was beautiful to witness. I’d love to see even more books that incorporate more traditions and their intersections! For instance, I’d love a holiday romance featuring characters like the gingerbread chef and the wedding planner…
Bonus Questions
Which side character would win in a holiday baking competition, and who would burn down the kitchen?
Noah’s grandfather, Abe, as owner of a Jewish deli, would win every time, while Hannah isn’t sure of her grandmother’s cooking and may end up feeding Elvis, the dog, under the table not to hurt her feelings.
If your protagonists exchanged holiday gifts with each other, what would they give?
Noah would give Hannah an obnoxiously large Hanukkah gnome that she would secretly love despite rolling her eyes, while she would somehow manage to get him a Cameo of Adam Sandler singing the Hanukkah song with new lyrics that all rhyme with Noah.
A huge thank you to Betsy for taking the time to sit down with us and discuss everything about holiday romances! Make sure to check out her work here and follow her on Instagram. Her work invites readers of all backgrounds to experience the joy, nuance, and richness of celebrations that deserve just as much space on our bookshelves.
Check out our interview with Lauren Blakely here.
Check out our bookshelf on these magical holiday recommendations on Bookshop.
