I can’t stop thinking about Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday! I loved these characters and their development so much. 

This heartfelt story takes place in Minnesota where professional hockey player, Mike Martin and his daughter live. He is a recent widower and is trying to get into a new normal with his middle school aged daughter, Olivia, and that starts with getting her back into dance class. Aurora (Rory) is a former ballerina turned dance instructor and is so happy to have Olivia back in class. Rory and Mike have never met until today, at least she thinks they haven’t. Mike Martin looks a lot like her Canadian Boyfriend she wrote diary type letters to in high school but never sent because she didn’t really know him. That’d  be crazy if this Mike was the same Mike she met briefly over a decade ago, right? I’m not exaggerating when I tell you this story has not left my brain. Canadian Boyfriend focuses on grief, anxiety, and recovery from disordered eating with so much positive therapy representation. The characters and their struggles felt real and honest. I listened to the audiobook, Emily Ellet and Joshua Jackson’s narration is fabulous! Their performances brought these characters to life and their voices are comforting! 

5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

🌶️🌶️ 

 

-nhl hockey player 

-former ballerina/current dance teacher 

-single dad 

-widower 

-mental health focus 

-positive therapy rep