At age 16, Aurora had a brief run in with a guy she ended up modeling an imaginary Canadian boyfriend after, one who saved her from awkward social situations and that she wrote letters and diary entries to, expressing all of her pent-up feelings and fears, hopes and dreams.

She never in a million years expects to meet him again, until she does … 13 years later, when he’s made a name for himself as an NHL hockey star and is a widower with a 12-year-old daughter. A daughter who happens to take dance classes from Rory. Is fate bringing Rory and Mike together, or could this circumstance, 13 years in the making, come back to bite them?

Happy one-week book birthday to @holymolyjennyholi ‘s CANADIAN BOYFRIEND 😍🎉🍾

This was such a fun sports romance!! I have been in love with Canada since watching and reading Anne of Green Gables when I was 10, and Minnesota since I started reading romances a la @authorabbyjimenez so reading about all of the Canadianisms and Minnesotaisms was one of my favorite parts! From Tim Hortons and Roots, to double-doubles, hockey, ballet, the Northern Lights and Minnesota Nice, this book was the romance of my dreams, and I loved all.of.it.

This book tackles off-page death of a spouse, widowhood, eating disorders, and anxiety gracefully and empathetically, as well, adding increased depth to this romance.

I wasn’t approved for the audio of this one on @netgalley , but I’m hopeful I’ll also get to listen to this one soon too, and I can’t wait for the goodness that is @emilyellet and @vancityjax !

Thank you so much to @readforeverpub @toallthenerdygirls Estelle @holymolyjennyholi @hachetteus @hachetteus for my gifted galley!! This came out Jan. 30, so get your copy or audiobook today!! You won’t want to miss this one 😍

I loved this book so much. It was charming and sweet with fantastic character growth.

Aurora is struggling with healing and moving forward. Her mother is terrible, she broke up with her boyfriend, and she has complicated feelings about being a dance teacher after her own experiences. Mike is a widower who needs help when he goes back to his job as a pro hockey player. He is also dealing with complicated feelings about his own life and relationships. I loved how the two of them connected and found strength, friendship, and peace as they spent time together. It was definitely a slow burn, but that felt right for them. I liked that they both felt like realistic characters who make mistakes, struggle, and are frustrated with themselves and each other. But there's also so much love and happiness too.

Jenny Holiday is one of my favorite authors and this book was just fantastic! I am so excited she's writing another one in this series.

I really enjoy Jenny Holiday books and I was so excited for the opportunity to read her latest, Canadian Boyfriend! It’s a fun, unique premise.

However, this unfortunately wasn’t for me. I couldn’t connect with the characters. I’m sure this will be a great fit for many others, though!

Thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my opinion.

This was seriously so cute! I read it in a whole day and just couldn't get enough! I related so much to our heroine Rory (aka Aurora) and it just sparked so much joy to me. Mike is such a down-to-earth lovable character, the golden retriever character with a daughter and he plays hockey!! Romance Perfection!! The way mental health was discussed also had me emotional, some of it hit really close to home while others I've never experienced but enjoyed reading a characters view on it too. I loved how it was handled and think it's so important to include in books because it makes the characters and the book so real and relatable.

troped: hockey/ballet, friends to lovers, found family, feel-good romance!

A book always hits a little bit differently when it mentions settings/locations that you know so well. Like Mike Martin being a hockey player from Manitoba. With tough struggles with eating disorders and the death of a partner/parent this is not your average Romcom. I enjoyed every minute of it and was rooting for Aurora and Mike until the end. This book gets all the stars!!!

This is the "fake boyfriend" trope done so excellently that it's god tier! Jenny Holiday consistently delivers both the laughs and the feels, and she strikes again, right in the heart, with Canadian Boyfriend. A burned-out former ballerina loves all her little dance students, but the little girl with the widowed hockey player dad especially tugs at her heart. And when he needs a bit of nannying help, she can't say no... even though he seems vaguely similar to inspiration for her HS fake boyfriend.

A solid, steady romance that feels almost too true to life. This is the book you read when you want a cozy romance that wraps you up like a blanket and reminds you that good people exist in the world. In some ways, it’s both the strength and the downfall of this book: the people are so darn normal that it is slow at times, and (I hate to say it), a bit dull. There is nothing remarkable about Mike Martin or Aurora Evans, and their actions all make perfect sense based on what we learn from them throughout the book. There are really no surprises; their romance feels like a natural progression from friends to lovers. The flaw in this is that there is very little suspense, and the slow burn just doesn’t have a ton of momentum. The central conflict of the book is barely a conflict, imho, so I never felt that desperate pull for them to be together. Nevertheless, I liked meeting the characters and seeing their worlds mix. I liked the daughter, Olivia, and Rory’s best friend, Gertrude. I liked the way the issues Rory and Mike had between hockey and dance were paralleled. This is not a romance that is going to wow you, but it is enjoyable and a solid read.

Overall cute story and book, but I had a hard time getting into this one, and the characters, I guess it just isn't for me.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for this arc.

If you're in the mood for a heartfelt romance that tackles real-life struggles, Canadian Boyfriend is a must-read. As a Canadian, I was super excited to be picked as an ARC reader for this title. Obviously I’ll be getting a physical copy from my local bookstore!

In Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday, readers are told a heartwarming tale of second chances, unlikely friendships, and the power of self-belief. Set against the backdrop of hockey rinks and dance studios, this novel captures the essence of love, vulnerability, and personal growth.

Meet Aurora Evans. As a teenager, she met a hockey player at the Mall of America. He hailed from Canada, and soon became her perfect fake boyfriend: a get-out-of-jail-free card for all sorts of sticky social situations. In the present, she is now a dance teacher who grapples with panic attacks and eating disorders.

Meet Mike Martin, a pro hockey player who walks into her life with his daughter in-tow. His candidness about widowhood forces Aurora to confront her own demons, which is great but there is one tiny problem: Mike is the boy she spent years pretending was her "Canadian boyfriend." If she keeps her secret, will it threaten their newfound friendship?

This novel stands out as a sensitive portrayal of mental health. Holiday's signature witty banter infuses the narrative with charm, making it a delightful read instead of heavy. For fans of romance (or simply appreciate well-crafted characters), this story won't disappoint. Consider this a healing romcom to gently remind us to believe in ourselves, even when faced with our deepest secrets.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday is a sports romance. This is Aurora and Mike‘s story.
 
Aurora was a ballet dancer until her career went downhill. She now teaches kids and has quite some issues like panic and eating disorders. I really liked the representation and journey of this, and it made Aurora very relatable.
 
Mike is a Canadian hockey player, and he is such a sweet person. I loved this dedication to the sport and his daughter, and he has a heart of gold.
 
Their paths cross when Mike‘s daughter visits one of Aurora‘s ballet classes and that was such a lovely meeting. They developed a friendship afterwards and I really liked it. This romance felt very mature, and the characters needed to take risks. It is a solid romance, but the sparks just didn’t catch fire.
 
Overall, if you want to read a sweet sports romance, definitely check out this one. 3,5 stars.
 
(ARC kindly provided in exchange for a review.)

I really enjoyed this book. It's been a while since I read a sports (hockey) romance and probably wouldn't have picked it up for the hockey aspect only. I was intrigued by the ballet dancer heroine and hockey player hero couple.

This is not an easy romance, but it is hopeful. The hero recently lost his wife and is suddenly a single dad - the grief, OMG the grief was so deep and heart-breaking, especially from the point of view of his daughter.

With Aurora (Rory), we have the panic attacks, the eating disorder, the toxic parent - everything that nearly killed her physically and emotionally.

Their relationship started as tentative human contact, going through friendship and helping each other through tough times. I really appreciate the slow development of feelings, both Mike and Aurora were dealing with serious trauma and trying to rebuild their lives. So much emotion that I found relatable.

Summary: Back in high school, Aurora Evans created her "fake" Canadian Boyfriend to get out of sticky social situations, like prom. Her "boyfriend" was based on a teenage hockey player she met while working at the Mall of America who happened to be from Canada. There was no way this could ever come back to haunt her...until it does.

Pro-hockey player and recent widower, Mike Martin, is just trying to help himself and his daughter move past his wife's death, especially while dealing with the notion that she might not have been as honest with Mike as he thought. Enter Aurora, one of the only people his angry and heartbroken daughter, connects with. Aurora agrees to help Mike and Olivia as they transition back to school and getting on the ice. Will Mike Martin find out that Aurora might just help soothe his broken and untrusting heart as well?

Dani's Thoughts: Well I went into this thinking this was a hockey romance, but it is so much more than that. There actually isn't much of the actual game of hockey in this, so I would say it's more of a romance, but the depth that these characters bring made it a great read. I loved Aurora's opening and explanation of her Canadian Boyfriend, who would have thought that she would actually meet up with him again so so many years later. Both Aurora and Mike have major trauma issues to overcome during their time together, but it was wonderful to see how they supported each other. The highlight of seeking out mental health help from a therapist was a huge theme in this book, and it was neat to see the journey both characters went on to overcome hurdles. My biggest gripe with this book was Aurora constantly referring to Mike as Mike Martin (every single time) in her POV. All in all though, I adored this book and highly recommend it!

Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for my ARC copy.

When I started Canadian Boyfriend, it did not seem promising... at all.
I couldn't click with the writing; it felt choppy, and the characters were one dimensional.
And what confused me the most was the fmc using the mmc's full name in her inner monologue... every. single. time.
No joke, one chapter mentions "Mike Martin" 35 times (like why?!).

Yet, even though the beginning wasn't working for me, I had to push through, and surprisingly, it slowly began to get my attention.
The mc's had very deep and meaningful conversations that I appreciated. And the kid wasn't annoying either, which is always a huge plus.
Both grew on me, but I do wish that the "I love you" realization from the mmc was focused/highlighted on more. So sadly, the romance was the weakest topic for me, although there were some subtle sweet/caring moments between mc's.

Ultimately, a very cute ending! And I'm not mad that I pushed through :)

What you can expect:
• pro hockey player x (former ballerina) dance teacher
• single dad
• soul mates
• forced proximity
• found family
• slowburn

I loved all the Canadian representation in this book and I love Jenny Holiday’s books but this one for some reason was not for me. I think maybe the hockey representation? I knew one of the MC was a hockey player and I wanted to try a sports related book but I guess they are just not for me.

The story of Rory and Mike. They have meet before but she doesn't tell him until maybe it's too late. An emotional read.

First book by Jenny Holiday, and it certainly won’t be my last. The romance was so precious and tender. I loved how they developed a true friendship before slowly opening themselves up for more. The plot had me so intrigued, and the Mental Health journey brought tears to my eyes; it was handled so beautifully.

I have tried so many times to pick this book up and give it a go but for some reason I can't find myself too. I have to officially DNF it. I might try and picking it up in the future because the trope is typically up my alley. But at this point I have other books that I'm gravitating more towards.

DNF at 30%, i could see where this was headed and did not like the tropes at play. too many books, too little time! the premise had promise but just not for me sadly

Rory is a teenager when she first meets Mike. He leaves an impression on her enough that she makes up a whole life with him, including writing letters, to have excuses as to why she can't or doesn't do things. Her life isn't an easy one and when she goes to New York for Ballet, she's unhappy and lonely. She quits and returns home, becomes a dance teacher and a barista. She's never had luck in the relationship department so when a guy who could be her fake from her earlier life, comes to the dance studio to bring his daughter to class, she starts to wonder if it's really him. There are many similarities, but the age thing just doesn't work. Mike is having his own rough go in life. His wife passed away a few months earlier and he and his daughter are trying to navigate life without her. When he asks Rory for a favor, it leads to more and they get to know each other well but she keeps forgetting to tell him that she's met him before and the life she built around that meeting. How does she tell him and how will he take it? This book deals with some very hard subjects and they're handled well with many references to mental health and seeking help. I received an ARC from Forever and am voluntarily leaving my review.

4.25/5 ⭐️. Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday is a good fit for those seeking a heartwarming and uplifting story about second chances, self-discovery, and the power of friendship. I greatly appreciated the author’s handling of the stages of grief. Please note there is a trigger warning of disordered eating. Thank-you to the publisher, author, and Netgalley for an ARC of this book.