Canadian Boyfriend follows Aurora, a dance instructor who, as a teenager, invented the story of having a Canadian boyfriend. Years later, she discovers that the man behind that long-forgotten story is actually Mike Martin—the father of one of her dance students. Recently widowed and raising his young daughter, Mike is simply trying to rebuild his life, while Aurora is still working through the lasting effects of her difficult childhood and her mother’s relentless pressure.
When Aurora becomes Olivia’s live-in nanny, the two are thrown together in a sweet, slow-building romance filled with healing, family, and second chances.
One of my favorite parts of this book was how thoughtfully it handled heavier topics alongside the romance. The story explores grief, therapy, body image, and eating disorder recovery with care, and I appreciated that both characters actively work through their struggles instead of magically overcoming them overnight.
I also loved that Aurora never tries to erase Mike’s late wife from his life. She gives him the space to remember her, talk about her, and continue grieving while still allowing himself to move forward. Their relationship feels like two people helping each other heal rather than one person “fixing” the other.
Aurora’s own journey was equally compelling. Watching her recognize how damaging her mother’s treatment had been, stand up for herself, and begin healing through therapy made her character feel incredibly genuine.
I also have to mention one of my favorite things: there’s basically no third-act breakup. There’s a brief moment of conflict near the end, but it’s resolved so quickly that it never became frustrating. As someone who usually dreads the inevitable third-act breakup in romances, this was a huge win for me.
The premise of the “Canadian boyfriend” was adorable. As a teenager, Aurora wrote letters to a boy she had briefly met, using the friendship as an escape from the pressure she felt in her everyday life. Years later, realizing that boy is actually Mike made for such a fun and heartwarming reunion.
The secondary characters were another highlight. Ian and Lauren were wonderful friends who supported Mike through the loss of his wife, and they added warmth and humor throughout the story.
This was my first Jenny Holiday novel, and it definitely won’t be my last. Canadian Boyfriend is sweet, comforting, and full of heart while still tackling serious topics with compassion and honesty. If you’re looking for a romance that balances humor, healing, and emotional depth without relying on unnecessary drama, this is one I’d definitely recommend.
Read this if you love: