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A review by rahanahava
Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4 1/2 stars
I don't want to say this is an "adorable" or "whimsical" or "cute" love story because I feel like that'd be doing the story a disservice. This is a heavy-duty, hard work love story.
Both Mike and Rory have A LOT of baggage to unpack from their previous relationships and lives before they officially meet (again) as adults. However, they both do the hard work and start to turn themselves into the people they want to be and into people who have processed their trauma. This book really made me feel like I myself was in therapy and I highlighted so many passages that were helpful to my personal life at the moment.
I'm not normally one to tear up in a book, but this one gave me lump in my throat for sure. I can say this is a full-circle, beautiful, well-deserved love story. I'm a little sad that Jenny said that this is going to be her only sports romance, because she's good at it. I honestly can't wait to read Gretchen's book next.
"It's funny how sometimes things that seem like they're bad at the time end up making the best memories."
"I guess the thing is to remember that while it might be true that you weren't good enough, it's not a moral statement."
"When you're having doubts...about behaviors or desires...it can be useful to ask what the source of those feelings is. Is it you, or is it an idea you have about how society, or people in your life, are going to react."
I docked it 1/2 a star for the below reasons.
1. I get the reasoning behind it, but I couldn't get over the fact that in her head, whenever talking about him to herself, Rory referred to Mike as "Mike Martin." The whole name thing really started to get to me by the end of the book. It makes sense and I figured it'd stop after they declared their love for each other, but it kept going the entire book.
2. I don't think the whole "lying about meeting him in passing once 13 years ago and pretended he was her boyfriend and wrote to her like he was her diary" is really THAT big of a deal. Like I get he had to over react about something. I get that with Mike specifically this is something that he would think is a big deal. This is something Rory would know he would think is a big deal. However, I (personally and as a reader) don't think it's a big deal, so it made the ending just a little on the sillier side for me. Also, did she even have to tell him? How is it he would even find out? Like that's how not a bit deal it is to me. I think it's not something she even needed to tell him, but, again, that's just me.
Thank you Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an Advanced e-copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I don't want to say this is an "adorable" or "whimsical" or "cute" love story because I feel like that'd be doing the story a disservice. This is a heavy-duty, hard work love story.
Both Mike and Rory have A LOT of baggage to unpack from their previous relationships and lives before they officially meet (again) as adults. However, they both do the hard work and start to turn themselves into the people they want to be and into people who have processed their trauma. This book really made me feel like I myself was in therapy and I highlighted so many passages that were helpful to my personal life at the moment.
I'm not normally one to tear up in a book, but this one gave me lump in my throat for sure. I can say this is a full-circle, beautiful, well-deserved love story. I'm a little sad that Jenny said that this is going to be her only sports romance, because she's good at it. I honestly can't wait to read Gretchen's book next.
"It's funny how sometimes things that seem like they're bad at the time end up making the best memories."
"I guess the thing is to remember that while it might be true that you weren't good enough, it's not a moral statement."
"When you're having doubts...about behaviors or desires...it can be useful to ask what the source of those feelings is. Is it you, or is it an idea you have about how society, or people in your life, are going to react."
I docked it 1/2 a star for the below reasons.
1. I get the reasoning behind it, but I couldn't get over the fact that in her head, whenever talking about him to herself, Rory referred to Mike as "Mike Martin." The whole name thing really started to get to me by the end of the book. It makes sense and I figured it'd stop after they declared their love for each other, but it kept going the entire book.
2. I don't think the whole "lying about meeting him in passing once 13 years ago and pretended he was her boyfriend and wrote to her like he was her diary" is really THAT big of a deal. Like I get he had to over react about something. I get that with Mike specifically this is something that he would think is a big deal. This is something Rory would know he would think is a big deal. However, I (personally and as a reader) don't think it's a big deal, so it made the ending just a little on the sillier side for me. Also, did she even have to tell him? How is it he would even find out? Like that's how not a bit deal it is to me. I think it's not something she even needed to tell him, but, again, that's just me.
Thank you Netgalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for an Advanced e-copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death of parent and Body shaming
Minor: Car accident and Pregnancy