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Valentine in Montreal
A Montreal adventure comes to life when a lonely girl at the metro station convenience store spots her mysterious doppelganger, in this playful and surprising novel by the inimitable Heather O’Neill, beautifully illustrated by Arizona O’Neill
In the tradition of the serialized novels of Charles Dickens, Heather O’Neill brings us Valentine in Montreal. Originally published in weekly instalments 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.
In the tradition of the serialized novels of Charles Dickens, Heather O’Neill brings us Valentine in Montreal. Originally published in weekly instalments 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.
224 pages, Hardcover
Published July 15, 2025
92 people are currently reading
1608 people want to read
About the author
Heather O'Neill
74 books2,685 followersHeather O'Neill was born in Montreal and attended McGill University.
She published her debut novel, Lullabies for Little Criminals, in 2006. The novel won the Canada Reads competition (2007) and was awarded the Hugh Maclennan Award (2007). It was nominated for eight other awards included the Orange Prize, the Governor General's Award and the IMPAC Dublin Literary Prize. It was an international bestseller.
Her books The Girl Who Was Saturday Night (2014) and Daydreams of Angels (2015) were both shortlisted for the Giller Prize.
Her third novel The Lonely Hearts Hotel will be published in February 2017.
Her credits also include a screenplay, a book of poetry, and contributions to The New York Times Magazine, This American Life, The Globe and Mail, Elle Magazine, The Walrus and Rookie Magazine.
She published her debut novel, Lullabies for Little Criminals, in 2006. The novel won the Canada Reads competition (2007) and was awarded the Hugh Maclennan Award (2007). It was nominated for eight other awards included the Orange Prize, the Governor General's Award and the IMPAC Dublin Literary Prize. It was an international bestseller.
Her books The Girl Who Was Saturday Night (2014) and Daydreams of Angels (2015) were both shortlisted for the Giller Prize.
Her third novel The Lonely Hearts Hotel will be published in February 2017.
Her credits also include a screenplay, a book of poetry, and contributions to The New York Times Magazine, This American Life, The Globe and Mail, Elle Magazine, The Walrus and Rookie Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews
June 23, 2025
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.
July 6, 2025
A wildly imaginative tale of an orphan who prefers the underground world of the subways.
September 16, 2025
Very cool book representing Montreal in a new and different light. I love the chapter titles being metro stations and the concept of the book. I think it is such an amazing book to recommend to customers who want kind of an inside look to montreal from a point of view that is not often seen. The story is fictional but it just feels so real in more ways than I'm used too.
February 5, 2026
What fun! A pleasant, sweet read! Love the concept of basing a book on the MTL metro 🥰
August 21, 2025
This is a whimsical, cozy little novel that captures Montreal’s unique charm with a touch of magical realism and just the right amount of city grit. Valentine’s perspective makes familiar places, like the metro and neighborhoods, feel enchanting and interesting. As a local, I loved recognizing so much of this city and sharing passages with friends. The chapters are short, the illustrations are delightful, and the cast of curious, lovable characters brings the story to life. It isn’t gripping or groundbreaking, but it’s a quirky, comforting read that feels like a love letter to Montreal.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Canada for advanced access to this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Canada for advanced access to this book.
March 15, 2026
New Heather O’Neill? You know I am on it. Valentine in Montreal is an interesting departure, in many ways, from her earlier work, yet it is also clearly very much in line with her style and motifs. Its most notable conceit, of course, is how O’Neill wrote and released it in a serialized fashion in The Montréal Gazette. I love this idea of bringing back serialized fiction!
The eponymous Valentine works in a depanneur in the Berri-UQAM station of the Montreal metro. She has never left Montreal, and indeed, she is deeply attached to the metro system that runs though its heart. She loves nothing more than to ride the metro. One day, however, she encounters a doppelganger on her way home. Intrigued, she follows her twin, only to become embroiled in a strange conspiracy of a mob boss, a dancer, and a composer. It’s a weird, whimsical novel, yet nothing surprising from someone like O’Neill.
I love Montreal. I have visited it several times, mostly because my bestie moved there nearly a decade ago. I especially love its metro—when I first visited, coming from Thunder Bay, I was worried I would find riding the metro intimidating. Yet it proved easy, affordable, and reliable (especially in contrast to my experiences with the Toronto subway). I love the vibe of Old Montreal in the summer and all the various neighbourhoods throughout the island.
Many of O’Neill’s novels have been set in Montreal, yet none has approached the status of love letter as closely as this one. By naming each chapter after on of the metro stations, O’Neill ties her story inextricably to the geography of Canada’s oldest European city. I love the way she takes time to celebrate the architecture of many of these stations. For those of us who have been there, it’s this beautiful connection to memories. For those who have never been, it reifies the setting in a personal, intimate way.
The whimsical line-drawing illustrations by Arizona, O’Neill’s daughter and a professional illustrator, add a nice touch as well.
The serialized nature of the book shows in its story. O’Neill reflects in her introduction how the pressure to turn in a chapter every week affected the creative process for better and worse. It’s such an interesting artistic experiment, and I don’t mean to knock it when I say that Valentine in Montreal is not one of my favourites of hers. Not only is its scope and length far more restrained, but it just feels a bit slapdash in its narrative. It’s almost a romp, almost a thriller, almost absurdism—Valentine’s backstory and Bella as a character are just so ludicrous. There is a flatness to most of the characters that I didn’t find appealing at all.
Nevertheless, I want to recognize the beauty and thoughtfulness within the story. I keep coming back to the word “whimsy,” yet I think this description is a disservice. O’Neill is trying to tell a story about gradually embracing adventure; Valentine is not “called” so much as she slowly dips her toe into the water and discovers she likes it. As a homebody who has spread her wings more and more over the years, I can really relate to this. There’s something beautiful in watching someone (especially a young woman) discover she is capable of more than minding a store, and that’s what this book gives us.
There was a moment where I seriously wondered if Valentine was meant to be Baby, from Lullabies for Little Criminals , all growed up. There are some superficial similarities (Baby lost her mom in a car crash; Valentine lost her parents). Alas, it’s total headcanon on my part. Still, Valentine has elements of a spiritual successor to Baby’s story—but maybe that’s just a sign of how much the other novel continues to live on in my brain.
Highly recommended for O’Neill fans, Montreal fans, or anyone looking for a short and cozy read.
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews.
The eponymous Valentine works in a depanneur in the Berri-UQAM station of the Montreal metro. She has never left Montreal, and indeed, she is deeply attached to the metro system that runs though its heart. She loves nothing more than to ride the metro. One day, however, she encounters a doppelganger on her way home. Intrigued, she follows her twin, only to become embroiled in a strange conspiracy of a mob boss, a dancer, and a composer. It’s a weird, whimsical novel, yet nothing surprising from someone like O’Neill.
I love Montreal. I have visited it several times, mostly because my bestie moved there nearly a decade ago. I especially love its metro—when I first visited, coming from Thunder Bay, I was worried I would find riding the metro intimidating. Yet it proved easy, affordable, and reliable (especially in contrast to my experiences with the Toronto subway). I love the vibe of Old Montreal in the summer and all the various neighbourhoods throughout the island.
Many of O’Neill’s novels have been set in Montreal, yet none has approached the status of love letter as closely as this one. By naming each chapter after on of the metro stations, O’Neill ties her story inextricably to the geography of Canada’s oldest European city. I love the way she takes time to celebrate the architecture of many of these stations. For those of us who have been there, it’s this beautiful connection to memories. For those who have never been, it reifies the setting in a personal, intimate way.
The whimsical line-drawing illustrations by Arizona, O’Neill’s daughter and a professional illustrator, add a nice touch as well.
The serialized nature of the book shows in its story. O’Neill reflects in her introduction how the pressure to turn in a chapter every week affected the creative process for better and worse. It’s such an interesting artistic experiment, and I don’t mean to knock it when I say that Valentine in Montreal is not one of my favourites of hers. Not only is its scope and length far more restrained, but it just feels a bit slapdash in its narrative. It’s almost a romp, almost a thriller, almost absurdism—Valentine’s backstory and Bella as a character are just so ludicrous. There is a flatness to most of the characters that I didn’t find appealing at all.
Nevertheless, I want to recognize the beauty and thoughtfulness within the story. I keep coming back to the word “whimsy,” yet I think this description is a disservice. O’Neill is trying to tell a story about gradually embracing adventure; Valentine is not “called” so much as she slowly dips her toe into the water and discovers she likes it. As a homebody who has spread her wings more and more over the years, I can really relate to this. There’s something beautiful in watching someone (especially a young woman) discover she is capable of more than minding a store, and that’s what this book gives us.
There was a moment where I seriously wondered if Valentine was meant to be Baby, from Lullabies for Little Criminals , all growed up. There are some superficial similarities (Baby lost her mom in a car crash; Valentine lost her parents). Alas, it’s total headcanon on my part. Still, Valentine has elements of a spiritual successor to Baby’s story—but maybe that’s just a sign of how much the other novel continues to live on in my brain.
Highly recommended for O’Neill fans, Montreal fans, or anyone looking for a short and cozy read.
Originally posted on Kara.Reviews.
November 10, 2025
Chef’s kiss
February 3, 2026
So creative & imaginative.
What a joy!
Low key want to visit Montreal to ride the metro now.
What a joy!
Low key want to visit Montreal to ride the metro now.
December 26, 2025
Odd little book about a weird young woman obsessed with the metro. Very atmospheric about montreal # girlswithnichehobbies. very much enjoyed, the ending was slightly annoying/ rushed/ crap, but literally bar those 10 pages it was lovely
November 8, 2025
If you really love the Montreal Metro then this book is for you(me!).
July 12, 2025
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.
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.
December 15, 2025
A charming, whimsical read. The sketches and illustrations in the book really made it feel like it was a collection of stories that were in the newspaper. I loved that she grounded the story in metro stations. I struggled most with the voice and writing, it was very formal writing but a super childish and young voice. Honestly could’ve been written from the pov of a 12 year old, which really threw me off. In the end though, it felt like a lovely little ode to Montreal.
December 17, 2025
What an absurd little book. It had some charming moments and I enjoyed the descriptions of the Montreal metro stations. It was originally written as a serial for the Montreal Gazette, maybe I would have enjoyed it more in that format.
August 15, 2025
So imaginative
December 14, 2025
3.5 stars! What an odd yet delightful read
February 21, 2026
If you live in Montreal and are used to traveling by metro, you will enjoy this story. If you're looking for a story with a charming and surprising imagination, don't hesitate to dive into Valentine's world. What a delightful read!
August 20, 2025
O’Neill’s writing is whimsical, clever, and precise. I loved reading about Valentine’s tiny and tremendous adventures in Montreal. Her character rejects conventional thinking in a way that feels natural and at the same time magical. If I still lived in Montreal I think I’d notice every tile in every metro station after reading this book.
June 22, 2025
Well, this is one delightful little book. It’s light-hearted and fun but also artistic and meaningful. I really enjoyed it!
January 4, 2026
This book is a compilation of serialized weekly instalments from the author in The Gazette, which gives it a super interesting backbone, and I loved the way the author titled and set each instalment in a specific Montreal metro. The story, however, has too many loose threads in my opinion. Still enjoyed the read for the special type of story/publication this is!
February 16, 2026
A delightful read. I enjoyed the whimsical storytelling and extensive details of the various Montreal metro stations. As someone who already loves Montreal, this made me love it more. I’m rooting for Valentine; I know she will go far!
August 7, 2025
A magical tour of beautiful Montreal with a Dickensian spirit? Yes, please!
August 13, 2025
Sometimes you need some magic in your reality to make it bearable.
September 29, 2025
A short novel about reinventing yourself, and a love letter to the city and its métro. A pure, whimsical delight.
November 13, 2025
Loved the concept, the Montreal metro rep, and Arizona’s illustrations. Brilliant as always!
January 10, 2026
“The universe is alive. You have to learn to speak it. But you need poetry and art to do it.”
Lire ce livre dans le métro de Montréal pour une immersion totale!
Lire ce livre dans le métro de Montréal pour une immersion totale!
July 9, 2025
thank you HarperCollins for providing me with an arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
I love the concept, but the execution didn’t fully land for me. I would recommend this for people who like a mix of magical realism and literary fiction. Also for my twentysomething girlies who have no idea what they are doing with their life!
I love the concept, but the execution didn’t fully land for me. I would recommend this for people who like a mix of magical realism and literary fiction. Also for my twentysomething girlies who have no idea what they are doing with their life!
December 17, 2025
(3.5⭐️) the amount of times i said WHAT out loud …
August 14, 2025
Cute but weird
February 8, 2026
This was FULL of charm and whimsy 🥹
February 14, 2026
Charmed as usual by Heather O’Neill 💝
Displaying 1 - 30 of 224 reviews