Unfortunately Becoming Ted didn't quite tick all the boxes for me. It was a fun quick read but I was hoping for something a bit more substantial. I didn't really connect with the characters as I thought I might. Having said that I really liked the message of be who you want to be and don't let people put you down, that resonated with me a lot. Cain did a great job of making that an important part of the story.
The writing felt a little amateurish to me and some parts of the storyline didn't feel like they flowed as well as they should have.
Overall an easy read but it didn't quite live up to expectations.

It was always going to be a big ask for author Matt Cain to replicate the magic of The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle. And so it has proved. While Becoming Ted has many of the features that made Albert such a joy, it sadly didn’t quite hit the same heights for me.

In Ted, Cain has given us another gay character to cheer on as he seeks to reshape his life and make his biggest dream come true. It’s a story about taking control, being true to oneself, and finding one’s rightful place in the world. Ted has to overcome his insecurities and low self-esteem, learn to put himself first instead of fitting in with other people’s expectations, and find the courage to be who he wants to be.

It’s a sweet tale, and I was happy with the way it finally resolved itself. I especially warmed to the character of Oskar, who had his own demons to fight. And, I appreciated the way Cain championed the LGBTQ+ community and highlighted the historical treatment of homosexuals.

What I struggled with were elements of the plot that seemed an unnecessary drag on the pacing, along with the credibility of some of the characters’ actions (including those of Ted himself). And while I initially liked hearing Ted’s inner voice, this eventually became irksome, even more so when the same technique was carried over to some of the other characters as well, which only served to take the spotlight away from the main protagonist.

I’m disappointed (both for myself and the author) that this didn’t live up to expectations. I do have a lot of respect for Matt Cain as a writer, however, and will look out for his next novel.

This was a nice, sweet read with some really lovely characters, my favourite being Oskar rather than Ted, as at times found his attitude slightly annoying.

Although an enjoyable, sentimental read I did have a few niggles about some of the storylines, and so I liked it but didn’t love it.

I read The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle last year and loved it, recommending it to everyone for a comfort read and Becoming Ted has much the same feeling, but for me starts off on a sadder note when Ted's husband Giles leaves him after 20 years together.

We, the reader, can see however that Giles was arrogant, self centred and they only stayed together whilst life was good. Holidays were their shared passion and when lockdown put a stop to travel and they were both working longer hours the relationship starts to crumble.

This is Ted's wake up call that he needs to put himself first, and in fact he could fulfil his lifelong dream of being a drag queen, like those he watches on Ru Paul's Drag Race with his best friend Denise.

Denise and 90 year old friend Stanley help Ted with his new mission. Stanley faces discrimination in his care home for being gay but he's fought hard for his rights during his life and won't take any messing with - we learn what gay men in the 1950s and 60s went through.

Despite some of the tough aspects this is an ultimately uplifting and joyful read, with many happy ever afters by the end.

This is the second book I have read of Matt Cain and it certainly won’t be my last. This again was just absolutely brilliant read and very well written about sensitive subjects (marriage break up and the LGBTQ community) Matt Cains books are enlightening to the LGBTQ community and for me it helps me learn more about it. The story is an easy and lovely read that makes you think more about putting yourself first and seeing that happen to the characters was just really nice. I would definitely recommend this book and the author to anyone I meet who loves these types of stories.

Oh how I loved this book! I really enjoyed The Madonna of Bolton, and was keen to try another book by this author, and I wasn't disappointed.

Ted suddenly finds himself alone after his husband walks out. He's single, stuck working for the family ice cream business (when he doesn't even like ice cream), and is basically just existing. When friend Denise suggests he finally does something for himself, and puts his hopes and life dreams to the forefront, can Ted make such drastic changes and find the happiness he craves?

A beautiful exploration of relationships, with many characters having to look inside themselves to make changes. I adored Ted's transformation, such a joyful experience. The supporting characters were also strong, with Stanley's story about Alan heartbreakingly reflective of times gone by. An excellent read.

Another enjoyable book by Matt Cain. I listened to it as an audiobook. The narrator was exactly as I would imagine Ted to sound. I liked the storyline of his new romance with Oskar who himself was still in the closet. Ted decides its time for him to do what he wants rather than what his family want. Finding his inner drag queen means he also finds his true self.

Thank you for the advance listen - Albert is still my favourite though!

I’d like to thank Joe Thomas from Headline for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and for sending me a proof copy. I was a huge fan of Matt Cain’s book, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, and could not wait to read his latest creation.

I have to say that Matt Cain has done it again and created a character that is so loveable that you can’t help but be invested in his journey. At the start of the book Ted is in somewhat of a crisis and struggling to find his way. He has a lot to carry on his shoulders, with helping his parents run the family business and adapting to a new way of life. Luckily he has the lovely Denise guiding him along the way. The friendship between these two characters was honestly beautiful, The encouragement and respect they have for each other proves to defy all odds and it’s clear from the start, just how much their friendship means.

It was pure joy to see Ted go from his vanilla lifestyle, where he’s is putting everyone else but himself first, to a knickerbocker glory sundae with all the trimmings, finally embracing who he is meant to be. The stories about his childhood made the journey feel all the more special, you could see how much he had suppressed for fear of letting people down or not being good enough. Seeing his personality shine and taking brave and bold steps towards his future, warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes.

Another special ability Matt Cain has is to bring the secondary characters into the story and let them steal a small piece of your heart. Whether it’s Stanley and his words of encouragement to Ted or Oskar and his troubling past, trying to find his place in the world, there is a lot of heart to be found.

This book will resonate with so many people, whether you are LGBTQ+ or not there is so much to take away from Matt’s wise words. We are transported to a whole new POV and some of it is very hard hitting, Oskar’s story in particular. I’d like to think we have all had moments in our lives where we’ve felt lost or unsure of what to do next and this book tells you that you’re not alone. It’s never to late to follow that dream or change your life, with a bit of self belief and confidence we can do anything. If it does all go bottoms up then there’s always the back up plan…ice cream!

Many thanks to Netgalley, Headline and the author for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Becoming Ted follows the story of Ted Ainsworth, who is a happy and contented man or so he believed, till everything in his life quite literally falls apart starting with his husband Giles leaving him. Ted finally get a moment to think and with the help of his best friend Denise realises much to his utter distress that he had glossed over all his dreams and had actually been putting everyone before him. And hence starts the journey of 'putting Ted first'. The story also follows the POV of Oskar, our love interest who has a complicated history with his identity and of course Denise, who's finally ready to look for love after going through a very abusive relationship.

Matt Cain has a way of writing stories which are about queer joy while dealing with all the hurt and pain one has to deal with to exist in this heteronormative patriarchal world. The supporting cast as always is brilliant especially Stanley, Peggy and Pussy, not to forget Marina. The way they help to mould the future of the MC's slowly pushing and encouraging them showing the beauty of humanity and empathy and obviously friendship.

The only issue I had is the way infidelity was portrayed in story with just a tiny little bit of repercussion for the cheater. While I understand the sentiment of 'it all comes down to bring just human', I cannot personally let the fact out of my head that it was an obvious choice made by the married men in the story to cheat on their partners while they were dealing with with being new parent or dealing with the illness of a loved one.

Also that one hug, that ONE HUG, you'll know which when you read made me cry!! It was so beautiful that moment!! I can't 😭

TW: Homophobia, Infidelity, Religious fanaticism, emotional abuse, gaslighting

This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher for the copy. What a gorgeous book! The author has a great gift for characterisation - nuanced, interesting, believable people but created with a charming lightness of touch. Thanks to a great author we have warmth, wisdom and emotional intelligence, this book was a huge pleasure to read!

I absolutely loved The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle and I couldn't wait to read the next book by Matt and I loved it just as much.

It's quite a lighthearted read as Ted finally sets out to put 'Ted first'. His marriage has ended, he's put upon at work and he's generally just been held back in life. His dream is to be a drag queen and with the help of his best friend he starts the ball rolling into becoming one. Set by the coast, Ted works and is expected to take over the family ice-cream factory/shop but he can't tell his parents he hates ice-cream. I must admit I did find this funny!

It's a similar vibe to Albert Entwistle and the sadness that surrounded gay men was just horrible. There is a storyline about Alan which was just appalling but I'm glad it's out there for people to read.

Although it's a lighthearted and fun read it does get quite emotional. If you love reading about people with complex lives then you will love this

Loved The secret life of Albert Entwhistle last year so was super excited to get this and its just as wonderful. A charming story of lost souls who are moving past pain and heartbreak to try things in their lives, that they've always wanted to explore but were too scared or ashamed. The descriptions of the Northern seaside town are accurate, the characters are believable, including some delightful secondary characters like Stanley the much older gay man in the nursing home. Love Matt Cain's writing, he brings warmth to his stories and the people in them, his pacing is good, so you don't get overwhelmed by the tougher to read parts. I also really enjoy the way that he features older gay men, whom we don't see often enough in print. Recommended.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Well Matt Cain has fast became an auto-buy Author for me. He has such amazing skill when it comes to creating a character. I fell in love with Albert Wentwhistle and now Ted Ainsworth.

This story had me laughing, heartbroken but mostly uplifted. It really made me think about myself.

If you loved Albert just go buy Becoming Ted, you won't regret it!!

Becoming Ted by Matt Cain
I give this book 5 stars

Ted Ainsworth has always worked at his family's ice-cream business in the quiet Lancashire town of St Luke's-on-Sea.
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 ...

Matt Cain has the incredible talent of being able to create rich life like main and supporting characters full of detail and depth.l immediately fell in love with Ted and was willing him on throughout his journey of making changes in later life and finally following his own dream.Filled with found family, love,friends and a secret this is a heartfelt and compassionate story that kept me enthralled and left me uplifted.
No matter what you identify as this book is for everybody and l urge you to pick up a copy!
With thanks to Netgalley,Matt Cain and Headline Books for my chance to read and review this wonderful book.

3.25 stars

*eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

i really wanted to like this, it was overall really sweet and wholesome and i loved ted and wanted him to be happy!! also i was very happy with the novel's resolution and where all the characters ended up. the use of flashbacks was also very effective. however, i found the writing style quite juvenile and on-the-nose, the plot could have been reduced to not be so overwhelming as it had too much going on, and there were too many narrative perspectives. a book solely from ted's perspective about his journey to becoming a drag queen and moving on from his husband without the plot about letters coming to the shop would have been easier to read.

Absolutely charming. Such a heartwarming romantic comedy about picking up the pieces and building a better life.
When Ted’s husband leaves him for another man, he slowly begins to realise that he’s been putting other people first for his whole life, and now’s the time for change.
I love how wholesome this author’s stories are, I didn’t even read the synopsis with this. Saw the name Matt Cain and hit read. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read an advance copy.

I like to step out of my reading comfort zone of thrillers and sci-fi into another genre sometimes, and I am glad that I ventured into this book. I loved the characters, Ted was lovely, and the other characters like Stanley were great. I kept seeing this as a tv series when I was reading it, I think that would be so Fabulous, I wish it could happen. Lovely feel-good book, just what we all need right now.

Really enjoyed this one!!
Took me through such a range of emotions…I laughed, I shed a tear, felt disappointed, felt inspired and ultimately it left my heart full.

This was just so human and authentic. All the characters were distinct and full of personality, they had flaws, insecurities and unhealthy behaviours, but most of them were very likeable. (Just Giles and Trevor get a NO from me!)

Following the main character, Ted, on his journey to becoming his true self, after years of others dampening his spirits, was such a rollercoaster. So many of his experiences, doubts and anxieties were relatable. Felt incredibly invested in his story. When he performed as Gale Force, that was EVERYTHING!!

Oh and the romance!! A new favourite coupling for sure! Oskar had such a tough start in life with a heartbreaking story. Seeing him and Ted slowly fall in love and find themselves was beautiful. Very much enjoyed the focus being on older characters. Incredibly comforting to read stories about people who are still sorting things like love, careers, and trauma out later on in life (and let’s face it, way more realistic than 20-somethings finding their HEA!)

A little bonus highlight for me was also the side character Stanley and his use of the secret gay language Polari!!! I looooved that addition! Never come across the use of Polari in a novel before and that was ‘fabulosa’!!!

This was one of those books I couldn’t stop thinking about when I wasn’t reading. Was desperate to get back to it! A lot about this one really spoke to me. It’s rare I love a contemporary book like this so much, but definitely a hit for me!

Might not be for everyone as it’s not a simple romance story and there is some tricky subjects within it. But, most things get addressed and it’s ultimately very hopeful!

Thanks so much to Netgalley for this ARC!

Last spring I read and adored The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain and was super excited to get this from NetGalley. I am so pleased to report that Matt Cain has done it yet again with his newest book. I honestly don't know where to start with this book as I just loved it so much.

Ted and his husband Giles separate and it starts a shift in Ted, he realizes he has to find out who he REALLY is, without a husband. In my opinion, Giles was abusive, a bit self-possessed, and a lot narcissistic. I think his leaving Ted actually empowered Ted to be true to himself. With the exception of Giles, I loved all the characters in this one. We have three points of view, the story is mainly told from Ted's POV but we also get some from his best friend, Denise, who is going through her own issues. The other point of view is from Oskar, someone Ted meets at the family ice cream shop, which he doesn't want to be part of any longer. (P.S. He hates ice cream! 😲). There is plenty of internal dialogue and angst between the pages and it helps us get into the mind of each character.

The storyline is addictive and captivating. I just wanted to keep reading to see how Ted would fare in his new role and his new life. It was such a joy being on Ted's journey to find his true self and to read about all the amazing people he met along the way. This book is also very funny...I was killing myself laughing at WITH Gail. It is also very joyful and romantic. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the acknowledgments, they are very sweet and gave me goosebumps so please do take the time to read them. This book was a pure pleasure to read. All. The. Stars.

Massive thank you to NetGalley and Headline publishing house for accepting me as a pre-publication reviewer. This has proved to be one of my favourite books of the year and it’s not even out yet!

Quick plot summary: forty three year old Ted is living a rather pleasant life: has a husband of twenty years, a loving dog, a great best friend, a stable job working for his family’s ice cream shop in a little Lancashire seaside town. But how great is it really? Especially when he’s had to hide his true passion throughout his whole life. When his husband confesses he’s been having an affair and wants to split up, Ted cannot see anything good coming his way… but how wrong he was. Finally he gains the courage - with the help of many great people in his life - to pursue his dream of becoming a drag queen and fully comprehend his (dull, reserved and unauthentic) life before. In doing so, he embarks on the journey of ‘Becoming Ted’.

That was a *very* short summary and there’s a *lot* more that goes on, sub-plots and character storylines but I so wholeheartedly 1000% recommend picking this book up I don’t want to spoil anything and Yhh, you need to experience it first hand I think to truly get the most out of this book. But continue reading I won’t spoil anything, it’s all praise trust me.

Now whilst there was some plot points I personally didn’t like that much, I do appreciate it as a whole and how they lead to certain things happening and just Awgh I cannot get over how satisfied I was with this book. It also deals with many topics; specifically toxic relationships and gaslighting techniques which Ted learns was apparent in his marriage (and with other characters) and has flashbacks to points in time which were done exceptionally well - you are transported back, it makes sense immediately what is happening, you don’t lose sight of the present-day plot and I dunno just wow I loved them and how they’re demarcated with little ice creams!!!! No words. So yes, this exploration of relationships dynamics and understanding possible trauma is handled very well, it’s eye-opening, emotional and gripping. Additionally, homophobia is a present theme both externally in how Ted thinks back to school but mainly with Oskar and Andrzej with the scenes in Poland in the further and more recent past - mentioning LGBT-free zones and Anti-gay protests/marches - but a major part is internal homophobia and how one overcomes it. The fact it’s definitely not an easy ride, with ups and downs, movements forwards and back and how no matter how much you might love someone and want what’s best for them, they need to come to terms with themselves first and truly appreciate they are who they are. Once again I don’t want to explain too much as this self-discovery aspect of the book is a prominent motif in many different ways and to read and understand it first hand is much more impactful.

I think I could honestly write about this book for ages but I don’t want to give things away so I’ll try and stop myself.

But not until I talk about the characters. Awghhhhhh omfg I loved them so much like just wow wow wow!!! Firstly, yes they all have some flaws and nuances (except Lilly the dog - she’s perfect) but this adds to their lovableness and realness too. First off, our ‘main character’ (I did it in ‘’ because he is definitely the mc buttt as it’s written in third person - something I though was slightly a wrong choice as I started reading thinking it would be great in first - with most chapters from Ted’s POV, his bestie Denise and Oskar have their own chapters too where the narrator narrates what is happening with italics representing what that character is thinking in their head. I hope I explained this well and understandable but like once again this was super great and I just loved how we sort of got these other views and then more insight into these characters lives) Ted is so likeable, he’s sweet and kind, funny, just great and you feel for him so much. You experience so much of what he goes through and there are so many relatable and just lovable aspects to his character. Denise is yes flawed but she’s such a great friend and personality, has dealt with a lot and so you understand her outlook. Oskar is just the sweetest omg I can’t. He had to deal with so much trauma growing up and internal hatred and just finding himself. Stanley is purely fantabulosa, he’s just an icon, super super lovable and funny, a great personality but we too get to see some of his painful past. Ted’s parents Hilary and Trevor (and sister Jemima) are the most nuanced I’d say as in you do like them but also some things they have done is a bit ‘ehh’-ey but like you do understand their reasonings and things… I dunno what to feel? I would say I do still like them. Quick fire shout out to these other great characters: Alison, Marina, Mick, Peg Legge, Pussy Squat, Mick and Andrzej too. Giles was by far the most unlikable (well actually Karl is) but then again he has some redeeming qualities and Yhh… read it to see why I don’t hate hate him.

The writing is so great too. It’s super addictive, making you read on and fully encapsulating you. It was honestly physically straining to put it away and do what I needed to do at times. I also just didn’t want to let the characters go so I was in a major predicament of either binging it or spending more time with these icons? And I mostly binged but I can (and will!) give it a reread to revisit St-Luke’s-on-Sea and all it’s fabulous residents. I wouldn’t say the writing is particularly outstanding but it’s very readable and there are some lovely descriptive passages. The dialogue is super realistic, sharp, witty, humorous and Yhh honestly just great. There were also a few great quotes and many many takeaways.

If you didn’t guess already but I loved this book! Like honestly I’m in such awe of these characters, the plot and meanings portrayed. It’s exceptional. I will very likely be placing an order for the physical copy when it becomes available and in the meantime hope to read some more of Matt Cain’s works. bring it on!

P.S. the acknowledgments were super sweet and so much meaning - read them too!