This is such a special book! Planning a trip to Montreal as we speak… I love Heather O’Neill and it is so neat that she created this book with her daughter,

I really enjoyed this! Heather O’Neill is one of my favourite authors and I thought that this book was whimsical and I loved the setting in the Montreal subway. Reading the introduction about the context of the book being written in a serialized manner is essential I think.

I am not totally sure how to describe this novel, but quirky is the first word that comes to mind. Written as a serial novel with each chapter meant to stand alone, it takes the reader on a fantastical journey. The story takes place in Montreal is the subway where each section is titled after a subway stop. The main character Valentine, has lived a very sheltered life that does stray away from the subway, she has had limited life experience, and has been hidden from most of society and has little understanding of life or of people outside the metro. But yet, when a mysterious twin enters her small world she can't resist the temptation to push her self imposed boundaries.

While, I struggled with the magical realism and the disjointed feeling of the novel, there is something interesting about the idea of a serialized novel. As a teacher, I can see this leading into some exploration about other well know serial novelists like Charles Dickens, and for Canadian flavor, Lucy Maud Montgomery and Margaret Atwood.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins Canada for the advanced copy in exchange for my review.

I loved the premise of this collection of serial stories that were first published in the Montreal Gazette (ala Dickens) but I didn't love it as much as I hoped I would. A bit eccentric and all over the place for me but the various Montreal locales were fun to read about and the inclusion of drawings by the author's daughter added a special touch. Long time fans of Heather O'Neil are sure to appreciate her unique style. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

I am not certain how much enjoyment readers who don't know Montreal intimately will get following Valentine around the city, because to me the selling point was really the local references and not the story itself. I consider When We Lost Our Heads and The Capital of Dreams as two of my favorite books of all time, so in comparison Valentine in Montreal was no such hit. Would be best enjoyed by a slow read, one chapter at a time as originally published.

Valentine in Montreal by Heather O’Neill
Publication Date July 15/25

A quirky ode to Montreal and its metro stations, this novel was originally published as a weekly serial in the Montreal Gazette, reimagining the classic serialized format for modern audiences. The novel features whimsical illustrations by Arizona O’Neill, adding character and texture.

Valentine has led a sheltered and underground life, with her overprotective grandmother, who fears the world above ground. Her days and even her job have been spent exploring the metro system and the underground shopping complexes, her imagination nourished by her daily observations. After her grandmothers death, she chases her doppelgänger, leading to a whirlwind of misadventures involving the Mafia, a world famous composer and the premiere of a ballet starring her lookalike.

This novel is a fun, distinctive and delightful read filled with innocent yet insightful reflections of Valentine, who has spent her life observing and dreaming but not participating. Valentine is a loveable and curious character whose journal entries brim with charm and wonder. Her optimism and wide eyed perspective offer a refreshing contrast to the self absorbed pace of modern life.

Valentine is surrounded by a supporting cast of eccentric dynamic characters. In particular I loved Bella’s quest to collect ancient folk songs from around the world. Her journey and compositions introduces a mystical element that deepens the narrative and weaves the lives of the three main characters together in unexpected ways.

This is a light hearted, feel good story that is brimming with whimsy and warmth, a perfect pick for a summer read.

Such beautiful writing. As a local to Montreal, this made everyday life sound so poetic and surreal, that it no longer felt like my life. With an array of characters introduced, there was an adventure in each chapter, without it getting overwhelming. I really liked that the author was inspired by serialized fiction.

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.

Truly, a love letter to the city of Montréal - I was unaware of the anuthor’s installments in the Montreal Gazette but am so grateful they were compiled in the form of a novel. Reading Valentine’s pursuit of her doppelganger in the Montréal subway system and the resulting adventures made me want to go and visit the city’s underground network and admire the artwork and culture existing below ground. It’s another captivating read from Heather O’Neill, accompanied by mesmerizing graphics by her sister.

My Goodreads review will be posted on July 7, 2025.

Thank you HarperCollins for providing me with an arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
I picked this up because I previously loved Lullabies for Little Criminals by the same author. This was a fun and whimsical time and I never could predict what was going to happen next! The writing was beautiful, as to be expected from this author. I would recommend this to anyone who has previously enjoyed Heather O'Neill, as well as anyone who enjoys a bit of magical realism. Unfortunately, I did not feel fully invested in the characters or the story until almost 70% of the way through, but the last 30% had me hooked. I think that this story, being originally published in weekly installments is ultimately what affected my enjoyment of the book, as I felt it hindered the pace.

Overall this was an enjoyable read and I am excited to pick up more from this author!

Very sweet and light-hearted book. A great love letter to public transit and Montreal.

I especially loved the author's note at the beginning which explained how the story originated as a column.

Well, this is one delightful little book. It’s light-hearted and fun but also artistic and meaningful. I really enjoyed it!

This book is a love letter to Montreal and its diverse neighbourhoods. It features a quirky cast, hints of fantasy and playful imagery. The chapters feel a bit segmented, but only because they were initially published as weekly instalments in The Gazette. I also found the illustrations by Arizona O’Neill really charming and thought they added a lot to the story.

Another amazing read from Heather O'Neill. Her writing lyrically sets a scene and is whimsically poetic. Following Valentine was a fun journey of self discovery and each chapter was full of love for Montreal.

Heather O’Neill never misses. I wasn’t shocked to discover that I really enjoyed Valentine in Montreal.

Something about her characters and their dialogues makes me giddy and I always find myself laughing. It was fun to have illustrations by Arizona throughout the book!

I will gladly and excitedly read everything she publishes. If you’ve never read one of her books. Valentine in Montreal is a good place to start. It’s a nice quick read, I was able to read it in just one afternoon.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Canada for the ARC!

It's nice to read a book that doesn't take itself too seriously. Heather O'Neill takes you on a journey through the fantastical and the mundane. This novel is a quick read (always a plus in my book) and is interspersed with poetrylike writing, the absurd, surrealism, whimsy, interesting observations and beautiful illustrations by Arizona O'Neill. The main character, Valentine seems to be on the spectrum or it is just a side effect of her growing up isolated and cut off. I loved the descriptions of the Metro stations in Montreal, each one designed to be unique.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this opportunity to read an early copy of this novel.

Valentine in Montreal by Heather O’Neill

A treat!

Here, we follow Valentine, a 23-year-old orphan working in a dépanneur at a Montreal metro station. While others scramble through the subway stations to get to where they are going, Valentine experiences the underground as a world of her own, a solace, carefully consuming her surroundings and observing those who rush past. One day, Valentine notices her doppelgänger on the platform below the dépanneur and follows her as she travels along the metro line.

The novel is fast-paced (it was actually serialized weekly in the Gazette with action in every chapter, leading me to practically inhale it) and reminded me of a grown Alice in Wonderland. Valentine follows her doppelgänger down the rabbit hole into an unknown world of oddities, meeting peculiar characters along the way, all in what felt like a state of reverie. O’Neill’s writing is compelling and fun and Arizona’s illustrations were enchanting throughout. Recognizing all the familiar locations and references was the cherry on top 🍒

An amusing read overall!