Unorthodox Love

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. (July)