Valentine in Montreal is the newest release by Canadian author Heather O’Neill. With an anticipated release date of July 15, 2025, the book takes readers on a journey through the metro stations and surrounding areas of Montreal. Valentine is an orphan working in a small store in one of the metro stations in Montreal, when she sees someone who looks just like her. Who is she? Where did she come from?
I want to thank HarperCollins Canada and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Valentine in Montreal. However, all opinions expressed here are solely mine.
Synopsis from Goodreads
In the tradition of the serialized novels of Charles Dickens, Heather O’Neill brings us Valentine in Montreal. Originally published in weekly installments in the Montreal Gazette, this is the unforgettable story of Valentine, a lonely orphan working in a depanneur at a Montreal metro station, who spots her look-alike. As Valentine follows this seeming twin onto the subway and out into the city, her world is changed—she meets gangsters, composers, ballet dancers, and a cricket playing a mournful tune, and she experiences the city in all its teeming energy.
Valentine in Montreal is the playful, moving, and surprising story of a young woman who finds connection and the courage to break free of what has been holding her back. It’s also a celebration of Montreal and its artistry and vibrancy, both above and below ground. Illustrations by graphic artist Arizona O’Neill run throughout.
Positives
- Under 250 pages.
- Quick and easy read.
- Lovely illustrations throughout.
Negatives
- The story feels a bit disjointed in places.
- It feels as though the story is told to you rather than shown to you.
My Opinions
Valentine in Montreal is a unique story told in an unconventional manner. It was initially published as a weekly story in the Montreal Gazette, in the same way as Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. As such, O’Neill worked to have each chapter function as a standalone, yet also as part of a story told in sequence. It was written in such a way that if someone missed the beginning chapters or was unable to finish the story, they still had read a story.
Each chapter of the story is titled after a metro stop in Montreal, as the metro system plays a significant role in the narrative. There are lovely descriptions of each stop in the book, enough that you can picture what these stops look like.
The story is told through the POV of Valentine, a young woman who was orphaned at a young age and grew up in and around the Montreal metro. As such, her life experiences are limited, and she thrives by using her imagination and observational skills.
As the story is Valentine’s to tell, there is a lot of telling what is happening and going on versus showing. If Valentine is feeling nervous or scared, she tells us that instead of expressing her body’s reaction to that emotion.
The events in the story are somewhat fantastical, though this is not a fantasy book. Sure, it’s easy to see people being mistaken for other people, but some of the things that happen in the story are just a bit too far-fetched for me.
Overall, Valentine in Montreal was an okay read. Some people may read it and find a connection with the characters, and truly enjoy the read.
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Heather O’Neill has never been one of my favourite Canadian authors, but I have read a couple of her books. Thanks for the honest review.
This was my first by her. I’m still not 100% sure how I feel about it.