A heartfelt, slow burn Hanukkah romance about childhood friends, second chances, and finding your way back to the person who has always felt like home.
Goodreads | Eight Ways to Say I Love You
Release date: October 27, 2026
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Synopsis:
A spark of attraction burns brighter each year between childhood friends in this sweeping Hanukkah romance by USA Today bestselling author Amanda Elliot.
This Hanukkah, Shira Levinson is returning home to New Jersey riding the high of achieving major milestones. Though she only just graduated from college, she’s got her dream job and a perfect Los Angeles apartment—an actual miracle in the city of dreams.
Life has not been quite as kind to Leo David. Not only did he fail out of college, he was forced to move in with his estranged dad, who he still hates for cheating on his mom years ago. The only silver lining? Getting to see Shira, his childhood friend (and crush, though he’ll never tell her that) while she’s home for her family’s holiday party.
But that’s just the beginning. Over the next eight years, Shira’s and Leo’s lives spin them in all sorts of directions as they grow and change, taking them places they never imagined going. Sometimes those paths take them farther away from each other, and other times closer together. If they can only time it right, they might uncover a love that burns forever.
Review:
I absolutely loved the unique structure of Eight Ways to Say I Love You! Amanda Elliot gives us a childhood friends to lovers romance that unfolds over eight years, but instead of following Shira and Leo through every moment of their lives, we only check in with them once a year during Hanukkah. I thought this was such a clever way to tell their story, and it made each reunion feel even more meaningful. So much can change in a year, and watching these two grow, stumble, reconnect, and occasionally fall apart was such a satisfying experience. This is definitely a slow burn, but one that really earns its emotional payoff.
One of my favorite aspects was how much life happens between these yearly reunions. Shira and Leo aren’t always in the same place, emotionally or otherwise, and their relationship evolves as they navigate grief, loss, heartbreak, career struggles, and all the unexpected challenges that come with growing up. Sometimes they connect beautifully, sometimes they get it completely wrong, and sometimes life simply gets in the way. I loved that their friendship was always at the heart of the story, even when things became complicated. There’s something so rewarding about watching two people find their way back to each other again and again until they’re finally ready to get it right.
I also really appreciated the focus on Jewish traditions and family culture throughout the book. Hanukkah is such an integral part of the story, and I loved getting to experience the celebrations, traditions, and family gatherings alongside these characters. It was fascinating, warm, and festive in its own right, and I enjoyed reading a holiday romance that offered something different from the usual Christmas setting. Both Shira’s and Leo’s families were entertaining, and the supporting characters added so much personality, humor, and heart to the story. The family dynamics made their world feel especially rich and lived in.
Eight Ways to Say I Love You is a lovely reminder that love doesn’t always happen on a convenient timeline. Sometimes people need to grow up, make mistakes, experience heartbreak, and figure themselves out before they’re ready for something lasting. I loved the combination of romance, friendship, family, and holiday traditions, and the eight year structure made this one feel especially memorable. Such a sweet, heartfelt holiday read with plenty of emotional depth!
Perfect for readers who love:
- Childhood friends to lovers romances
- Slow burns and years of romantic tension
- Jewish holiday traditions and festive family gatherings
- Emotional romances about growth, grief, and second chances
- Dual journeys of self discovery and finding your way back to love
Overall rating: 4/5
Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.
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