Sloth Goes Places - Canada

Sloth Goes Places is a feature where I share books I have tracked from previous Literary Escapes reading challenge hosted by Escape With Dollycas Into a Good Book.

Today we are looking at books set in ....

Canada

My favorite book last week was This Spells Love which was set in Canada. I actually read two books set in Canada last week, so it seemed that I needed to feature this country this week. 

I have been to Canada a few times. It's actually drivable from where I live. I did the whole Niagara Falls thing as a kid and did a day trip as a teen when I was staying up near Lake Placid. Most recently, I visited Canada in 2019 on my cruise. I am happy to say, Sloth accompanied me, and we both enjoyed seeing the sites up there. 

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Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune
Published by Berkley on May 2, 2023
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

Fern Brookbanks has wasted far too much of her adult life thinking about Will Baxter. She spent just twenty-four hours in her early twenties with the aggravatingly attractive, idealistic artist, a chance encounter that spiraled into a daylong adventure in Toronto. The timing was wrong, but their connection was undeniable: they shared every secret, every dream, and made a pact to meet one year later. Fern showed up. Will didn't.

At thirty-two, Fern's life doesn't look at all how she once imagined it would. Instead of living in the city, Fern's back home, running her mother's Muskoka lakeside resort--something she vowed never to do. The place is in disarray, her ex-boyfriend's the manager, and Fern doesn't know where to begin.

She needs a plan--a lifeline. To her surprise, it comes in the form of Will, who arrives nine years too late, with a suitcase in tow and an offer to help on his lips. Will may be the only person who understands what Fern's going through. But how could she possibly trust this expensive-suit wearing mirage who seems nothing like the young man she met all those years ago. Will is hiding something, and Fern's not sure she wants to know what it is.

But ten years ago, Will Baxter rescued Fern. Can she do the same for him?

Fotune is another author who sets her books up in Canada. Both had a wonderful lake setting, and Fortune did a wonderful job taking me lakeside. Fortune known how to tug on my heartstring and make me cry, and there was tears streaming down my face at the end of this book. They were the good kind because I was so happy for everyone involved. The romance along with themes of love and forgiveness made this a fantastic read for me. 

[review]

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Jane & Edward by Melodie Edwards
Published by Berkley on March 21, 2023
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Goodreads

This powerful reimagining of Jane Eyre, set in a modern-day law firm, is full of romance and hope as it follows the echoing heartbeats of the classic story.

A former foster kid, Jane has led a solitary life as a waitress in the suburbs, working hard to get by. Tired of years of barely scraping together a living, Jane takes classes to become a legal assistant and shortly after graduating accepts a job offer at a distinguished law firm in downtown Toronto. Everyone at the firm thinks she is destined for failure because her boss is the notoriously difficult Edward Rosen, the majority stakeholder of Rosen, Haythe & Thornfield LLP. But Jane has known far worse trials and refuses to back down when economic freedom is so close at hand.

Edward has never been able to keep an assistant--he's too loud, too messy, too ill-tempered. There's something about the quietly competent, delightfully sharp-witted Jane that intrigues him though. As their orbits overlap, their feelings begin to develop--first comes fondness and then something more. But when Edward's secrets put Jane's independence in jeopardy, she must face long-ignored ghosts from her past and decide if opening her heart is a risk worth taking.

I have not read Jane Eyre, but I am familiar with the story (thank you, adaptations). This book did a great job capturing the essence of the original. What I loved most was Jane. She had experienced quite a few setbacks in her life, and I was rooting for her to finally catch a break. It was lovely to see her finally get all the things she had longed for, and Jane's journey was one I enjoyed reading about. I also liked the romance and found that Edward and Jane made a great pair. 

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Barry Squires, Full Tilt by Heather Smith
Published by Penguin Teen on September 22, 2020 
Age/Genres: Middle Grades, Fiction

Goodreads

Barry Squires, Full Tilt takes readers on a romp through the streets of St. John's and into the Squires household, a place where tragedy strikes but love prevails. Derry Girls meets Billy Elliot with an East coast twist.

It's 1995. When the Full Tilt Dancers give an inspiring performance at the opening of the new bingo hall, twelve-year-old Finbar (Barry) Squires wants desperately to join the troupe. Led by Father O'Flaherty, the Full Tilt Irish Step Dancers are the most sought-after act in St. John's, Newfoundland (closely followed by popular bagpiper, Alfie Bragg and his Agony Bag). Having watched Riverdance twice, Barry figures he'll nail the audition. And good thing too -- it'd be nice to be known for something other than the port wine stain on his cheek. With questionable talent and an unpredictable temper, Barry's journey to stardom is jeopardized by his parents' refusal to take his dreams seriously. Thankfully, Barry has the support of a lively cast of characters: his ever-present grandmother, Nanny Squires; his adorable baby brother, Gord; an old British rocker named Uneven Steven; a group of geriatrics from the One Step Closer to God nursing home; and Saibal, a friend with whom Barry gets up to no good.

Told with humor and a healthy dose of irreverence, Barry Squires, Full Tilt takes readers on a rowdy romp through the streets of St. John's and into the Squires household, a place where tragedy strikes, but love prevails.

This was not a book I read recently, but I feel like Heather Smith belongs on a list of books set in Canada as all her books showcase life up north. This was a story that has stuck with me because I adore Barry. He was such a great kid, not perfect, but great. He had a big heart, and I will never forget when tragedy struck his family. My heart shattered and ached for him. Barry made me laugh while also filling me with hope, optimism, and happiness. 

[review]

Have you read any books set in Canada?
Let us know in the comments!