I’m thrilled to welcome you today to my stop on the blog tour for the glorious and heartwarming Becoming Ted by Matt Cain. Thank you to Joe Thomas and Headline for giving me the opportunity to read and review this gorgeously written and uplifting book.
About the book:
A charming, joyful and surprising story about love, friendship and learning to be true to yourself, Becoming Ted will steal your heart.
Ted Ainsworth has always worked at his family’s ice-cream business in the quiet Lancashire town of St Luke’s-on-Sea.
But the truth is, he’s never wanted to work for the family firm – he doesn’t even like ice-cream, though he’s never told his parents that. When Ted’s husband suddenly leaves him, the bottom falls out of his world.
But what if this could be an opportunity to put what he wants first? This could be the chance to finally follow his secret dream: something Ted has never told anyone …
About the author:
Matt Cain is a writer, broadcaster, and a leading commentator on LGBT+ issues.
He was Channel 4’s first Culture Editor, Editor-In-Chief of Attitude magazine, has written for all the major national newspapers, and presented the flagship discussion show on Virgin Radio Pride. He’s also an ambassador for Manchester Pride and the Albert Kennedy Trust, plus a patron of LGBT+ History Month.
Matt’s first two novels, Shot Through the Heart and Nothing But Trouble, were published by Pan Macmillan. His third, The Madonna Of Bolton, became Unbound’s fastest crowdfunded novel ever before its publication in 2018. His latest, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, was published by Headline Review in May 2021 and Becoming Ted will follow in January 2023.
Born in Bury and brought up in Bolton, Matt now lives in London with his partner, Harry, and their cat, Nelly.
For more information, please visit http://www.mattcainwriter.com.
My Review:
Becoming Ted by Matt Cain is a gorgeously written and uplifting story that stole my heart from the very first page. A glorious and heartwarming tale of love, friendship, family and learning how to become your true self, Becoming Ted is a gently paced page turner of a read that I completely and utterly fell in love with.
Ted Ainsworth has worked for the family ice cream business in the quiet seaside town of St Luke’s-on-Sea all his life. Never having the courage to tell his parents that working for the family firm isn’t what he wants, Ted has been plodding along, convincing himself and everyone around him that he is truly happy. But then the bottom falls out of his world when his gorgeous husband, Giles, suddenly leaves him. Devastated, Ted doesn’t know he is going to go on without him. But could this actually be the push that Ted needs? Because Ted has been harbouring a dream that he hasn’t told anyone. So now he is on his own, is this the opportunity he’s been waiting for all his life? Is now the time for the real Ted to step out of the shadows and truly shine?
With a strong cast of supporting characters and a protagonist you can’t help but fall in love with, Becoming Ted is full of a warmth and humour that works its way under your skin, the characters becoming so real that you feel as though you know them. The story is a gentle but powerful one, with romance and a sprinkle of mystery added to the mix to keep you on your toes. What more can I say? I absolutely adored this book and, although I didn’t want it to ever end, was left with a big smile on my face as I turned the final page.
Becoming Ted is an uplifting read about becoming your true self and embracing who you truly are – and I loved every single word of it. If only we could all be a bit more like Ted, I have a feeling the world would be a much brighter place!
Highly recommended.
Becoming Ted by Matt Cain is available to purchase now:
Cal Turner Reviews 