More Than Just a Backdrop

Some cities don’t just exist in a story—they breathe, evolve, and influence the characters as much as any living being. Toronto, with its blend of artistic ambition, cultural intersections, and stark contrasts between history and modernity, plays a crucial role in The Second Coming of Grace. It’s more than just where the novel takes place; it’s a reflection of Grace’s own journey.

I lived in Toronto from 2000 to 2015, specifically in the Annex. Many of the places that appear in the novel are places I personally loved and frequented—cafés where I spent hours reading and writing, streets I walked daily, and locations that made the city feel like home. Writing Toronto into the novel was natural; it felt like giving Grace a world that had shaped me, too.

From Future Bakery and By the Way Café to the cold reality of casting offices and the quiet beauty of High Park in winter, Toronto isn’t just the setting of The Second Coming of Grace—it’s a character in its own right.

The Annex: Where Artists and Intellectuals Collide

Grace lives and spends much of her time in the Annex, one of Toronto’s most eclectic and culturally rich neighborhoods. It’s a space where students, artists, and longtime residents coexist, creating a dynamic energy that’s both inspiring and isolating—a perfect contrast for Grace’s character.

One of the novel’s key locations is Future Bakery, a well-loved spot for University of Toronto students, writers, and late-night thinkers. The clatter of plates, the hum of quiet conversation, the scent of strong coffee and European pastries—it’s where Grace goes to collect her thoughts, meet friends, and process her latest audition (or existential crisis). It’s the kind of place where you can sit alone for hours and never really feel alone.

Another key Annex location in the novel is By The Way Café, a cozy Mediterranean restaurant with a warm, intimate feel. This place holds a special meaning for me—I was such a regular that they knew me by name and would often anticipate my order before I even sat down. In the novel, Grace finds a similar comfort here, a feeling of belonging that contrasts with the uncertainty in the rest of her life. It’s the setting for pivotal conversations, moments of quiet reflection, and one or two awkward encounters.

In many ways, the Annex represents Grace’s internal conflict—a mix of possibility and limitation, filled with inspiration but also haunted by the pressures of making it as an artist.

The Industry Side of Toronto: BAM Talent, Casting Offices & Queen Street East

The entertainment industry in Toronto is an ecosystem of opportunity and rejection, a place where every audition feels like a crossroads. In The Second Coming of Grace, BAM Talent, the agency run by Grace’s agent, Krystle Bennett, is a major player in that world. Located on Queen Street East, BAM Talent is sleek, modern, and intimidating—exactly the kind of place where actors are made or broken. The name itself is telling; the B stands for Bennett, but there’s something about the word “BAM” that suggests a machine churning out talent in a way that’s flashy, marketable, and highly curated.

The casting offices Grace visits throughout the novel are fictional but heavily inspired by real ones I visited during my own time auditioning in Toronto. These spaces, often sterile and nondescript, contrast sharply with the vibrant, artistic energy of the city outside. For Grace, walking into a casting office means stepping into a world where she’s expected to perform, conform, and compete, even as she’s trying to hold onto her authenticity.

Queen Street East itself, however, is its own character. Once seen as gritty and bohemian, it’s increasingly becoming gentrified, much like the acting industry itself. The struggle between artistic integrity and commercial success is visible in every old dive bar turned into a boutique shop.

High Park: A Winter Walk That Changes Everything

One of the novel’s most romantic and introspective moments happens on a winter walk through High Park. Unlike the structured, high-pressure environments of the city’s casting offices, High Park offers Grace and Tobias a place to just be.

The December air is crisp, the snow muffles the sounds of the city, and for once, Grace isn’t thinking about her next audition. She’s walking beside Tobias, learning more about him, and—maybe—learning more about herself.

High Park represents something rare for Grace: a moment of stillness. It’s a space where she can step outside the expectations of the industry and reconnect with something deeper.

Why Toronto?

I set The Second Coming of Grace in Toronto because it’s a city of constant reinvention—much like Grace herself. It’s a place where artists come to chase their dreams, where cultures collide, where identity is both celebrated and questioned.

Toronto is full of contradictions:

• It’s progressive but deeply tied to tradition.
• It’s diverse but still struggles with representation in the arts.
• It’s welcoming but can feel isolating, especially to those trying to find their place.

Grace experiences all of this firsthand. Her journey through Toronto’s streets, cafés, casting offices, and open parks mirrors her internal journey toward self-acceptance and spiritual awakening.

If you’ve been to Toronto, do you have a favorite spot that holds meaning for you? If not, what’s a city or place that has shaped your own journey in some way? Let’s chat in the comments!

Next week, I’ll be diving into Celeste, the enigmatic figure who seems to know more than she lets on. Is she an angel? A spirit? Something else entirely? Stay tuned!