Reviewed by Kat Valdez

Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday

Publisher’s summary
“Fate brings together a ballet teacher and a hockey player in this big-hearted novel about second chances and taking risks by the bestselling author Entertainment Weekly calls the “master of witty banter.”

Opening Sentences
“I was sixteen years old when I invented my Canadian Boyfriend. I was twenty-nine years old when I manifested him in the flesh.”

Many well-written reviews by women and non-binary writers exist. Here’s my take, exploring the novel through an equity and inclusion lens.

I discovered Jenny Holiday’s 2021 novel Duke, Actually at the library, and it became one of my favorite rom-coms that I regularly revisit for laughs and tenderness.

(As well as the book that led me to try a negroni for the first time, in New York City, no less! Try it at The Parlor Room, where my sister and I had a wonderful dinner.)

So it was no surprise that I raced to place a library hold on her latest novel. News flash: it contains the same big heart, intelligence, and wit that her other books do.

I appreciate the Content Warning that comes before the Prologue: “Once Upon a Time”: This book contains references to disordered eating and to the death of a spouse that occurred prior to the events of the story.

Themes
Grief, mental health, familial relationships, family of origin, found family, friendship

What it lacks for in ethnic diversity (all main and supporting characters appear to be white Canadians or Americans) it makes up for in diversity of experience, culture, subculture, and socio-economic class, e.g. Rory was once upper middle class, and is now working class, with most of her energy focused on teaching dance classes and paying bills.

The story unfolds through chapters told from the points of view (POV) of the two main characters, not always alternating: Rory takes chapters one and two. Mike’s POV starts with chapter three.

Here’s an excerpt, to give you an idea of the their voices and banter:

Chapter 6: Half Pint – Mike

Mike: Well, if anything can save you, it’s pie. What’s your favorite kind?

Aurora: I don’t know. I’ve only ever had apple. So I guess it’s apple?

Mike: How is that possible?

Aurora: My mom wasn’t into pie.

Aurora: Or dessert.

Aurora: Or food in general.

…She’d called herself a failed ballerina. Even if she’d been on a strict regimen back then, why did that translate into no pie in the intervening years?

Also, why did these all feel like such burning questions?

**
The author handles delicate topics with sensitivity, providing a balance between the protagonist’s challenging youth under a strict and humorless “dance mom” and other characters’ relatively happy childhoods.

In one scene, Rory asks a couple of her older students why they enjoy ballet. One simply enjoys dancing. The other dances for strategic reasons, to help develop a well-rounded foundation for a career in the arts.

What I Love About This Novel…

…the friendship that develops between Rory and Mike’s daughter Olivia, who is one of her dance students, the animal companions who provide joy and emotional support, the feminist friendship between Rory and Gretchen, and Mike’s loving family and childhood home in Canada that gives Rory hope and shows her a different way of life is possible.

…the honest discussions of mental health, therapy, and the grieving process. Here’s an excerpt:

Chapter 20: Christening – Rory
“Remember when I cried the first time?” He rolled his eyes and I nodded. “I’m still embarrassed about that, but yeah, I’ve found the process of grieving to be not linear.”

…and of course the sweet and solid friendship that develops between Rory and Mike.

The friends-to-lovers trope is my favorite – don’t get me started on Netflix’s limited series One Day – and Jenny Holiday is a master at modern romance.

Seeing Rory and Mike grieving in different ways, being vulnerable with each other, and following as their relationship develops from acquaintances to friends to something more, is just…[chef’s kiss]…and exactly what a weary soul needs in today’s complicated world.

Warm Fuzzies: 5 out of 5 

Author’s Bio
Jenny Holiday is a USA Today bestselling author whose works have been featured in the New York Time, Entertainment Weekly, Washington Post, Refinery 29, OprahMag.com, and NPR.org. Jenny lives in London, Ontario, Canada.

Kat Valdez is a Colorado writer and hiker who was born and raised in Los Angeles. She is obsessed with all things Young Adult – books, movies, TV, podcasts, music – has dabbled in screenwriting and stand-up comedy, and is currently having a blast re-learning how to play the piano.

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