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Arthur e Teddy Saíram do Armário
Ninguém da família estava preparado quando Arthur Edwards, o patriarca de 79 anos, jogou uma bomba na sala de jantar: ele é gay. E, após uma vida inteira dentro do armário, ele finalmente está pronto para se assumir.
O jovem Teddy, neto de Arthur, esconde o mesmo segredo. Mas Teddy ainda não está preparado para falar sobre isso, principalmente depois do choque de sua família com o anúncio do avô.
Arthur e Teddy são de gerações diferentes, mas irão passar pelos mesmos desafios: família, amigos, amores e decepções. E o maior desafio de todos: amar a si mesmo e ser feliz.
Uma história cativante, divertida e inspiradora, daquelas que abraçam o leitor e não o abandonam. Uma celebração do amor, sincero e comovente.
O jovem Teddy, neto de Arthur, esconde o mesmo segredo. Mas Teddy ainda não está preparado para falar sobre isso, principalmente depois do choque de sua família com o anúncio do avô.
Arthur e Teddy são de gerações diferentes, mas irão passar pelos mesmos desafios: família, amigos, amores e decepções. E o maior desafio de todos: amar a si mesmo e ser feliz.
Uma história cativante, divertida e inspiradora, daquelas que abraçam o leitor e não o abandonam. Uma celebração do amor, sincero e comovente.
352 pages, Paperback
First published April 13, 2023
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July 25, 2023Double coming out story with a grandfather and grandson. Grandfather Arthur's wife knew all along he was gay, she also wanted to get married to escape pressure to marry someone horrible, so they made the marriage work and she's completely supportive of his desire to come out at 79. Along with his coming-out journey (which inexplicably takes place mostly in the national media) there's also his grandson Teddy who ends up in a love triangle with his best friend and boyfriend.
A book of two halves. Arthur's story is intensely feelgood in a Matt Cain sort of way, with an octogenarian embracing who he is and getting over the traumas of a lifetime of homophobia. It's perhaps a bit one-note, an exceedingly bright and cheery note where everything goes super well, but given the amount of My Policeman type gay tragedy lit out there, many will embrace this rebalancing of the scales, not to mention the welcome focus on a much older man. His life-enhancing relationship with his wife is a terrific element.
Teddy's story was less successful for me, in that he's a nepo baby who gets upset whenever anyone less privileged dares point out that he's benefiting unfairly from flagrant and overt nepotism, and also a terrible self-centred boyfriend. It's been a while since I read a story where we're asked to sympathise with the nepo baby over the guy who had to work for his job.
This is a consciously feelgood book, determined that everyone should reform and be forgiven and everything should work out. That means a lot of appalling behaviour is waved away with hugs and apologies. I suspect this is going to be the dividing factor on whether people like this: are you a reader who wants to see the best in everyone, or do you feel some people need a good kicking? I am very much the latter type, so for me it was a bit too relentlessly upbeat and the writing and characterisation weren't strong enough to pull off the implausible aspects. But if you're the former type, and you want a book that tells us pretty much everyone can be loving and kind and things will work out for the best, this may well float your boat.
A book of two halves. Arthur's story is intensely feelgood in a Matt Cain sort of way, with an octogenarian embracing who he is and getting over the traumas of a lifetime of homophobia. It's perhaps a bit one-note, an exceedingly bright and cheery note where everything goes super well, but given the amount of My Policeman type gay tragedy lit out there, many will embrace this rebalancing of the scales, not to mention the welcome focus on a much older man. His life-enhancing relationship with his wife is a terrific element.
Teddy's story was less successful for me, in that he's a nepo baby who gets upset whenever anyone less privileged dares point out that he's benefiting unfairly from flagrant and overt nepotism, and also a terrible self-centred boyfriend. It's been a while since I read a story where we're asked to sympathise with the nepo baby over the guy who had to work for his job.
This is a consciously feelgood book, determined that everyone should reform and be forgiven and everything should work out. That means a lot of appalling behaviour is waved away with hugs and apologies. I suspect this is going to be the dividing factor on whether people like this: are you a reader who wants to see the best in everyone, or do you feel some people need a good kicking? I am very much the latter type, so for me it was a bit too relentlessly upbeat and the writing and characterisation weren't strong enough to pull off the implausible aspects. But if you're the former type, and you want a book that tells us pretty much everyone can be loving and kind and things will work out for the best, this may well float your boat.
November 9, 2025
On my blog.
CWs: homophobia, past attempted suicide, suicide of side character
Galley provided by publisher
It’s hard to read a book when you find yourself so thoroughly at odds with almost all of it that you start to wonder if maybe it’s your beliefs about how to treat people are the ones which are wrong. Maybe this sounds dramatic! But I truly felt like I was going out of my mind for about half of this book (Teddy’s half).
Let me back up a little bit and tell you what this book is about. The story opens with Arthur, Teddy’s 79-year-old grandfather, coming out to his children. They do not take it well (another point of contention I had, but I’ll come back to that a lot later). Teddy, having seen this, mutually comes out to Arthur, even as his mother (and Arthur’s daughter) forbids he sees his grandfather again. (He’s 21, mind you.) Anyway, most of this book is them individually and together fighting bigoted views in their hometown and finding (or refinding) love.
So. The gripes.
They’re twofold really, the first relating to Teddy and his treatment of Ben (apparently his boyfriend but you wouldn’t know it) and the second to the story’s narrative and its easy forgiveness of Elizabeth’s homophobia (YMMV on this one). Let’s start with Teddy and Ben because I have a lot to say about it and there will be spoilers (so stop now if you don’t want them).
So this continues, and it’s clear to the reader at least that Ben is struggling with feeling insecure about his job (because Teddy, being a nepo baby, has obviously got the end position all sewn up) and insecure about his relationship (given how much Teddy’s best friend hates him and how Teddy’s always telling Ben to try get along with Shakeel, and never confronting Shakeel about how he’s treating Ben). You can probably tell by now who exactly I’m siding with here.
Teddy and Shakeel deserved each other, basically.
In conclusion, by writing this review I have talked myself down from giving this book 2 stars, and now I’m rating it just the one. My two-word review: fucking infuriating.
CWs: homophobia, past attempted suicide, suicide of side character
Galley provided by publisher
It’s hard to read a book when you find yourself so thoroughly at odds with almost all of it that you start to wonder if maybe it’s your beliefs about how to treat people are the ones which are wrong. Maybe this sounds dramatic! But I truly felt like I was going out of my mind for about half of this book (Teddy’s half).
Let me back up a little bit and tell you what this book is about. The story opens with Arthur, Teddy’s 79-year-old grandfather, coming out to his children. They do not take it well (another point of contention I had, but I’ll come back to that a lot later). Teddy, having seen this, mutually comes out to Arthur, even as his mother (and Arthur’s daughter) forbids he sees his grandfather again. (He’s 21, mind you.) Anyway, most of this book is them individually and together fighting bigoted views in their hometown and finding (or refinding) love.
So. The gripes.
They’re twofold really, the first relating to Teddy and his treatment of Ben (apparently his boyfriend but you wouldn’t know it) and the second to the story’s narrative and its easy forgiveness of Elizabeth’s homophobia (YMMV on this one). Let’s start with Teddy and Ben because I have a lot to say about it and there will be spoilers (so stop now if you don’t want them).
So this continues, and it’s clear to the reader at least that Ben is struggling with feeling insecure about his job (because Teddy, being a nepo baby, has obviously got the end position all sewn up) and insecure about his relationship (given how much Teddy’s best friend hates him and how Teddy’s always telling Ben to try get along with Shakeel, and never confronting Shakeel about how he’s treating Ben). You can probably tell by now who exactly I’m siding with here.
Teddy and Shakeel deserved each other, basically.
In conclusion, by writing this review I have talked myself down from giving this book 2 stars, and now I’m rating it just the one. My two-word review: fucking infuriating.
September 25, 2023
A mediocre execution of a really fun and sweet concept. Not mad I read it but I wish it had been better. Ugh, that cover is so cute! Look at the little grandpa in his pink shirt and bowtie and he's bonding with his grandson over coming out as gay! UGH UGH.
So here's the premise that made me fall in love with this and order it from the UK because it's not published in the US: Arthur has been happily married to his best friend for a very long time. They have two children and a handful of grandchildren. Arthur has a good life. But not a great one. He has been living closeted for his whole life, and he is now 79, and he and the love of his life were forcibly separated amidst a violent homophobic incident fifty years before. Only his wife knows. But now, with her support, he's decided he wants to come out. This decision has ramifications in his family and community, but overall the vibe is one of familial support. Mostly it causes his grandson Teddy to also want to come out as gay.
What this comes down to is that Ryan Love just really isn't a good writer. Everything is super obvious, the dialogue, the characters, the plot. Everything is right there on the page, no subtlety behind anything, and when characters talk it often feels like the author is standing just above them maneuvering their strings. And because things are often so shallow, a lot of the character decisions seem to come out of left field. The two worst examples are Elizabeth (Teddy's mom and Arthur's daughter) and her gross homophobia, which is just written off as her needing "processing time" (we get a half-assed apology and her calling herself a bitch to resolve this, which was incredibly infuriating). Maybe this would have worked if she were a more realized character, maybe not. The other example is Ben, Teddy's crush at work, who is OBVIOUSLY a self-centered scumbag from day one, and he makes Teddy look pretty dumb most of the time for putting up with it.
This could have been such a fun little book in better hands, but as is, I'm selling my copy and crying into my pillow about it instead. Ugh, nothing gets me saltier than lost potential.
[2.5 stars, rounded up]
So here's the premise that made me fall in love with this and order it from the UK because it's not published in the US: Arthur has been happily married to his best friend for a very long time. They have two children and a handful of grandchildren. Arthur has a good life. But not a great one. He has been living closeted for his whole life, and he is now 79, and he and the love of his life were forcibly separated amidst a violent homophobic incident fifty years before. Only his wife knows. But now, with her support, he's decided he wants to come out. This decision has ramifications in his family and community, but overall the vibe is one of familial support. Mostly it causes his grandson Teddy to also want to come out as gay.
What this comes down to is that Ryan Love just really isn't a good writer. Everything is super obvious, the dialogue, the characters, the plot. Everything is right there on the page, no subtlety behind anything, and when characters talk it often feels like the author is standing just above them maneuvering their strings. And because things are often so shallow, a lot of the character decisions seem to come out of left field. The two worst examples are Elizabeth (Teddy's mom and Arthur's daughter) and her gross homophobia, which is just written off as her needing "processing time" (we get a half-assed apology and her calling herself a bitch to resolve this, which was incredibly infuriating). Maybe this would have worked if she were a more realized character, maybe not. The other example is Ben, Teddy's crush at work, who is OBVIOUSLY a self-centered scumbag from day one, and he makes Teddy look pretty dumb most of the time for putting up with it.
This could have been such a fun little book in better hands, but as is, I'm selling my copy and crying into my pillow about it instead. Ugh, nothing gets me saltier than lost potential.
[2.5 stars, rounded up]
May 6, 2023
Arthur and Madeline’s relationship was beautiful, and I found myself wishing that all of Arthur And Teddy Are Coming Out was about them. I didn’t so much care for Teddy and Ben, and oblivious Teddy’s friend who has the hots for him. I’ve got high hopes that we’ll see more stories like Arthur’s in future – late-in-life coming out is an underexplored area in queer literature, IMHO. Until then, I suppose at least younger readers will (probably) enjoy the Teddys and Bens of the fictional world.
My full review of Arthur And Teddy Are Coming Out is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
My full review of Arthur And Teddy Are Coming Out is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
May 23, 2023
Soooo I'll be honest this book dam irritated me!
It's filled with cliché after cliché, it has a whole heap of shallow characters who never actually grow from the situations and the plot was a series of very middle-class dilemmas.
Teddy, whines throughout, Ben is a pantomime villain, Shaquille (I listened to the book so don't know the spelling) was a sad-eyed, love-sick puppy on the sidelines and don't get me started on the rest of the homophobic locals who have a change of heart when it suits.
That paired with the snow at Christmas and a fundraiser that raised £100k (really!!) And an old lady saving the local A and E it was all too much to cope with.
Meh to Arthur and meh to Teddy, infact meh the lot of them 😁
It's filled with cliché after cliché, it has a whole heap of shallow characters who never actually grow from the situations and the plot was a series of very middle-class dilemmas.
Teddy, whines throughout, Ben is a pantomime villain, Shaquille (I listened to the book so don't know the spelling) was a sad-eyed, love-sick puppy on the sidelines and don't get me started on the rest of the homophobic locals who have a change of heart when it suits.
That paired with the snow at Christmas and a fundraiser that raised £100k (really!!) And an old lady saving the local A and E it was all too much to cope with.
Meh to Arthur and meh to Teddy, infact meh the lot of them 😁
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 12, 2023
I loved the idea of this book when I read the blurb, and I was super excited to receive an ARC of it, but I have to admit, I found it really disappointing.
79 year-old Arthur Edwards has had to live his whole life a lie, but he’s decided that it’s time to change that fact. He invites his family over to tell them the news… he’s gay. Can his family handle the revelation? Will his friends accept him now he’s out of the closet?
Arthur’s grandson Teddy also has a secret… the same secret in fact. But is he ready to take the same step as his grandad, or is one bombshell in the family enough?
The story idea is lovely, but sadly I didn’t think it was written very well. The dialogue didn’t seem natural and was somewhat cringey, and the character’s reactions were too OTT. Teddy I thought was incredibly naïve for his age, and a bit of a wet blanket. He was underdeveloped as a character and I think lacking in personality. Arthur was likeable, but still wasn’t incredibly engaging. However, his wife Madeleine was very interesting, but sadly her time was limited and we didn’t get anything from her point of view.
The ending was extremely rushed, and Teddy’s romance was so cheesy and predictable that I actually found it off-putting rather than romantic.
I thought it lacked the warmth and humour it needed and was really rather twee. It became quite a tedious read rather than something fun and heart-warming.
I just think the author had a great idea but churned out something predictable and without any real depth or meaning. Sadly a miss from me.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this novel in exchange for an honest review.
79 year-old Arthur Edwards has had to live his whole life a lie, but he’s decided that it’s time to change that fact. He invites his family over to tell them the news… he’s gay. Can his family handle the revelation? Will his friends accept him now he’s out of the closet?
Arthur’s grandson Teddy also has a secret… the same secret in fact. But is he ready to take the same step as his grandad, or is one bombshell in the family enough?
The story idea is lovely, but sadly I didn’t think it was written very well. The dialogue didn’t seem natural and was somewhat cringey, and the character’s reactions were too OTT. Teddy I thought was incredibly naïve for his age, and a bit of a wet blanket. He was underdeveloped as a character and I think lacking in personality. Arthur was likeable, but still wasn’t incredibly engaging. However, his wife Madeleine was very interesting, but sadly her time was limited and we didn’t get anything from her point of view.
The ending was extremely rushed, and Teddy’s romance was so cheesy and predictable that I actually found it off-putting rather than romantic.
I thought it lacked the warmth and humour it needed and was really rather twee. It became quite a tedious read rather than something fun and heart-warming.
I just think the author had a great idea but churned out something predictable and without any real depth or meaning. Sadly a miss from me.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this novel in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2023
I was excited when I saw this late-in-life coming out story since there aren't many of those out there. But unfortunately I didn't find the story itself as colorful, vibrant and full of promise as the beautiful cover.
Two people at very different stages of their lives deciding to come out of the closet and live their authentic lives despite all their fears and insecurities sounded captivating. But this story ended up being such a mediocre slow burn, I caught myself skimming through some chapters, especially the ones about Teddy and Ben. Several characters reacted in a drastically homophobic way, then suddenly had a change of heart, realized they were behaving like entitled bigots, and at last were immediately forgiven. It all just sounded inadequate and shallow.
Overall, a great idea for a book but unfortunately the execution didn't work for me.
Two people at very different stages of their lives deciding to come out of the closet and live their authentic lives despite all their fears and insecurities sounded captivating. But this story ended up being such a mediocre slow burn, I caught myself skimming through some chapters, especially the ones about Teddy and Ben. Several characters reacted in a drastically homophobic way, then suddenly had a change of heart, realized they were behaving like entitled bigots, and at last were immediately forgiven. It all just sounded inadequate and shallow.
Overall, a great idea for a book but unfortunately the execution didn't work for me.
April 14, 2024
4 stars, and then some. Lovely, and highly recommend. The grandfather's coming-out story is a bit more compelling than the grandson's, which is part of rating this four stars instead of five. But both were characters that I was completely behind and rooting for. The author did a great job showing the family dynamics driving and sometimes hindering the respective coming-outs, and the plot flowed mostly realistically. Kudos to Ryan Love for a great story.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts.
June 24, 2024
Don't have it in me today for a review but I will say I definitely recommend this one.
Really enjoyable, anger inducing/heartbreaking moments laughter, and sweet moments.
Really enjoyable, anger inducing/heartbreaking moments laughter, and sweet moments.
April 8, 2023
This book exudes happiness, wholesomeness and inclusion. It tells the story of a grandfather and grandson both grappling with the coming out process and the prejudices that still exist in our society. But there is so much more here....excellently well thought out family and friendship dynamics and a bit of a subversion of expectations when it comes to happy endings. For me, the hero of this story is Madeline, who was the epitome of grace and forgiveness. Maybe more focus could have been put on her, but ultimately this wasn't her story.
It is slightly on the cheesy side, but that is exactly what the intention is. It's hard hitting and thoughtful in all the right places and then cosy and heart warming where it needs to be. It is definitely reminiscent of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain, a book which I also loved.
I was given access to the audio of this book by the publisher via Netgalley. I loved both narrators, who did an excellent job, but once or twice the Scottish (I think) accent of one of the characters was slightly dubious. Also a bit at the end of chapter 17 or 18 was missing. Other than that, very much enjoyable!
It is slightly on the cheesy side, but that is exactly what the intention is. It's hard hitting and thoughtful in all the right places and then cosy and heart warming where it needs to be. It is definitely reminiscent of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain, a book which I also loved.
I was given access to the audio of this book by the publisher via Netgalley. I loved both narrators, who did an excellent job, but once or twice the Scottish (I think) accent of one of the characters was slightly dubious. Also a bit at the end of chapter 17 or 18 was missing. Other than that, very much enjoyable!
May 29, 2023
4.5 🌟
This was incredibly heartwarming. I laughed, I cried and I just felt with these characters. Arthur and Teddy are amazing and Madeline is even more amazing. This family is so special and I love them.
Arthur showed me that it is never too late to be true to yourself. ❤❤❤
This was incredibly heartwarming. I laughed, I cried and I just felt with these characters. Arthur and Teddy are amazing and Madeline is even more amazing. This family is so special and I love them.
Arthur showed me that it is never too late to be true to yourself. ❤❤❤
May 8, 2023
Arthur And Teddy Are Coming Out is the first novel by British author, Ryan Love. Twenty-one-year-old Teddy’s first day as a trainee journalist at The Post isn’t ideal. His mother, outspoken journalist Elizabeth Marsh called in a favour to secure him the spot, and everyone seems to be aware of that, including his competition, a dishy fellow trainee called Ben. Teddy genuinely just wants to work and learn, but Ben King seems resentful.
Consoling himself after work at the pub with his best friends, Shakeel is sympathetic, but Lexie tells him not to be so sensitive. Her oft-repeated suggestion that he come out to his family dies a quick death when his mum comes home angry and upset: after fifty years married to Madeleine, his seventy-nine-year-old grandfather has revealed that he is gay.
It’s gone as badly as Arthur Edwards expected: his son Patrick is confused, but his daughter Elizabeth is livid. On behalf of her mother, she claims, even though Madeleine is wholly supportive of his decision. Lizzie cuts off contact, and forbids her children to see their grandfather. Arthur spends the following days and weeks hoping she’ll come around, as Patrick quickly has done.
In their small town of Northbridge, there are mixed reactions, and Arthur isn’t at all sure about the dating site his daughter-in-law-to-be signs him up to: surely he’s too old for all this? Arthur is glad that his only grandson won’t be deterred from visiting, despite Lizzie’s edict, and when Teddy reveals his own preferences, their bond is strengthened.
After hearing Arthur’s account of being a closet gay in the sixties, being subjected to conversion therapy at his father’s request, Teddy is grateful that attitudes have changed, but still wary of coming out, given his mother’s reaction. Then, having worked with Ben for some time, he realises he’s attracted, but Shakeel makes it plain he doesn’t trust the ambitious trainee’s motives.
Over the months that follow life for Arthur and Teddy includes: some nasty gossips, a secret crush, a dare-devil stunt for charity, a television appearance, a long-lost love, a teen suicide, long-held secrets, loyal friends, a gay bar, an engagement, a betrayal of trust, a surprise reunion, a vivacious eighty-two-year-old friend, and a double wedding. Teddy eventually matures enough to deal with an amazing job opportunity,
Love gives his protagonists insightful observations and wise words: Arthur tells Teddy “Life is full of sacrifices, Teddy. We’ll make good and bad choices, but we shouldn’t let regrets define us. I’m not perfect, but I hope when I’m not here that the people I love will remember me for the good things and know I did my best for them.” A heart-warming and thought-provoking read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harlequin Australia.
Consoling himself after work at the pub with his best friends, Shakeel is sympathetic, but Lexie tells him not to be so sensitive. Her oft-repeated suggestion that he come out to his family dies a quick death when his mum comes home angry and upset: after fifty years married to Madeleine, his seventy-nine-year-old grandfather has revealed that he is gay.
It’s gone as badly as Arthur Edwards expected: his son Patrick is confused, but his daughter Elizabeth is livid. On behalf of her mother, she claims, even though Madeleine is wholly supportive of his decision. Lizzie cuts off contact, and forbids her children to see their grandfather. Arthur spends the following days and weeks hoping she’ll come around, as Patrick quickly has done.
In their small town of Northbridge, there are mixed reactions, and Arthur isn’t at all sure about the dating site his daughter-in-law-to-be signs him up to: surely he’s too old for all this? Arthur is glad that his only grandson won’t be deterred from visiting, despite Lizzie’s edict, and when Teddy reveals his own preferences, their bond is strengthened.
After hearing Arthur’s account of being a closet gay in the sixties, being subjected to conversion therapy at his father’s request, Teddy is grateful that attitudes have changed, but still wary of coming out, given his mother’s reaction. Then, having worked with Ben for some time, he realises he’s attracted, but Shakeel makes it plain he doesn’t trust the ambitious trainee’s motives.
Over the months that follow life for Arthur and Teddy includes: some nasty gossips, a secret crush, a dare-devil stunt for charity, a television appearance, a long-lost love, a teen suicide, long-held secrets, loyal friends, a gay bar, an engagement, a betrayal of trust, a surprise reunion, a vivacious eighty-two-year-old friend, and a double wedding. Teddy eventually matures enough to deal with an amazing job opportunity,
Love gives his protagonists insightful observations and wise words: Arthur tells Teddy “Life is full of sacrifices, Teddy. We’ll make good and bad choices, but we shouldn’t let regrets define us. I’m not perfect, but I hope when I’m not here that the people I love will remember me for the good things and know I did my best for them.” A heart-warming and thought-provoking read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harlequin Australia.
April 5, 2023
I really hate giving negative reviews, and it seems like I am in the minority with this one, but unfortunately I just cannot give this more than 1 star. I couldn't even finish it. Which is a real shame, because I was so excited to read this book - the premise sounded really amazing.
But there are so many issues from that start, that I simply couldn't get beyond the first few chapters. Let's begin with the pacing, which is all off. It skips from one scene to the next without properly addressing any of the issues that come up. And given this book deals with some pretty big issues, that's a problem.
Then there's Elisabeth, who comes across like a caricature villain rather than a daughter who is struggling to deal with her father's news. I write this as someone whose own wife was outed by a family member and is still dealing with transphobic views within the family, so I am not against this kind of representation. But it is handled so poorly in this story that I simply cannot continue reading.
It feels very much like a queer book aimed at the masses that is trying to throw in so much that it doesn't do justice to any single issue and simply becomes almost like trauma porn. And it's such a shame, because as I say the premise sounded so good. But it misses the mark for me.
But there are so many issues from that start, that I simply couldn't get beyond the first few chapters. Let's begin with the pacing, which is all off. It skips from one scene to the next without properly addressing any of the issues that come up. And given this book deals with some pretty big issues, that's a problem.
Then there's Elisabeth, who comes across like a caricature villain rather than a daughter who is struggling to deal with her father's news. I write this as someone whose own wife was outed by a family member and is still dealing with transphobic views within the family, so I am not against this kind of representation. But it is handled so poorly in this story that I simply cannot continue reading.
It feels very much like a queer book aimed at the masses that is trying to throw in so much that it doesn't do justice to any single issue and simply becomes almost like trauma porn. And it's such a shame, because as I say the premise sounded so good. But it misses the mark for me.
May 3, 2023
“There was no guidebook for this, no one to advise a seventy-nine-year-old on how to suddenly live the life he had only ever imagined in his head.”
The story follows Arthur, a 79 year old, who finally decides to come out of the closet to his family. His grandson, Teddy, is also gay but doesn’t feel ready to come out due to the reactions following his grandfather’s coming out.
3.5 stars. An adorable and cute story, but I couldn’t really get into the book because I found the dialog to be forced and awkward…? I think the narrative pacing just wasn’t for me especially when it came to Teddy’s resolution after everything happened. I just felt very meh throughout the book which is disappointing because I genuinely thought I would have liked this book from the synopsis. :(
The story follows Arthur, a 79 year old, who finally decides to come out of the closet to his family. His grandson, Teddy, is also gay but doesn’t feel ready to come out due to the reactions following his grandfather’s coming out.
3.5 stars. An adorable and cute story, but I couldn’t really get into the book because I found the dialog to be forced and awkward…? I think the narrative pacing just wasn’t for me especially when it came to Teddy’s resolution after everything happened. I just felt very meh throughout the book which is disappointing because I genuinely thought I would have liked this book from the synopsis. :(
June 15, 2023
I haven't felt this much pain rating something three stars in a long time. This was such a cute concept, but the execution from dialogue and character complexity was less than cute. I get what was trying to be done with Teddy acting as a congruent foil for Arthur, dealing with his own coming out journey, but he was deeply unlikeable and spun his own little problematic web, which I don't think was the intent.
It was just kind of a messy execution where people would fly off the handle and then somehow be fine a few lines later.
However - the most redeeming part of this book was Arthur, his story and relationship with Madeline. That was handled wonderfully and kind of wish it was just him exploring his new life as he comes out and learns to live a life as he is fully and completely.
It was just kind of a messy execution where people would fly off the handle and then somehow be fine a few lines later.
However - the most redeeming part of this book was Arthur, his story and relationship with Madeline. That was handled wonderfully and kind of wish it was just him exploring his new life as he comes out and learns to live a life as he is fully and completely.
April 11, 2023
Big thank you to Harlequin for sending me an advanced copy of this book, it has been nothing short of a joy to read this.
I have read a lot of queer fiction, but I have never come across anything that gives the perspective of someone who is 79 years old and has been in the closet their entire life. Mixed with the story of a young person coming to terms with their own sexuality, this book hit close to home and is, to me, an extremely important piece of queer literature.
If you’re looking for something that will reflect your own experience, or if you’re looking to widen your understand of what it’s like to live as a queer person, I highly recommend reading this.
I have read a lot of queer fiction, but I have never come across anything that gives the perspective of someone who is 79 years old and has been in the closet their entire life. Mixed with the story of a young person coming to terms with their own sexuality, this book hit close to home and is, to me, an extremely important piece of queer literature.
If you’re looking for something that will reflect your own experience, or if you’re looking to widen your understand of what it’s like to live as a queer person, I highly recommend reading this.
April 15, 2023
This book is A MUST READ. I loved it sooooo much ♡♡♡♡ 5 stars ♡♡♡♡
May 11, 2023
This story had so much potential that I want to cry because I have to DNF it. Honestly, I expected a sweet, funny, and meaningful story about this guy and his grandpa navigating coming out together and the intergenerational support and respect that the queer community desperately needs more of.
Instead, I got this.
First of all, okay, not everything about this was terrible. Arthur and Madeline were very sweet and their story was (superficially) moving.
A selection of my complaints:
- Teddy is a privileged, self-absorbed, incredibly unreflected ass who spends most of his time complaining about the fancy journalism traineeship is very established (and terrible) mother 'forced' upon him - you're 21, asshole, if you don't want the job leave it to someone who does
- his best friend Shakeel is also an ass who is (inexplicably) in love with him and consequently a complete dick to Teddy's new boyfriend Ben, which is constantly defended by Teddy for some reason
-Elizabeth, Teddy's mom and Arthur's daughter, is the absolute WORST, terribly homophobic, and everyone is way too understanding of her homophobia so she never has to show even a shred of accountability for her behavior
Generally, the handful of women in this are flat clichés. Elizabeth is the 'career obsessed bitch'. Teddy's other best friend Lexi is a quirky straight girl without a personality beyond going out for drinks with her two ✨gay best friends✨ and complaining about being single..
Even Madeline, the grandma and Arthur's wife, is a trope. She's a saint. She is constantly kind, does the household, takes care of Arthur (which is sweet but also???), and is so involved in the community that it feels like the entire town is her. She's on every committee and has founded a million clubs or whatever. And because all that obviously leaves so much free time, she also cooks and bakes and generally 'keeps them fed'. Which, anyone who's ever had to keep a household running knows that that's a full-time job even with the kids long out of the house, so when does this almost 80-year-old woman sleep???
AND half the people in this are some weird upper middle class removed from reality idiot
In conclusion, this novel needs to check it's internalized homophobia, it's internalized misogyny, it's unlikable characters, and it's generally cliché-ridden writing.
Can someone give those grandparents a hug btw?? They're the only ones who deserve it.
Instead, I got this.
First of all, okay, not everything about this was terrible. Arthur and Madeline were very sweet and their story was (superficially) moving.
A selection of my complaints:
- Teddy is a privileged, self-absorbed, incredibly unreflected ass who spends most of his time complaining about the fancy journalism traineeship is very established (and terrible) mother 'forced' upon him - you're 21, asshole, if you don't want the job leave it to someone who does
- his best friend Shakeel is also an ass who is (inexplicably) in love with him and consequently a complete dick to Teddy's new boyfriend Ben, which is constantly defended by Teddy for some reason
-Elizabeth, Teddy's mom and Arthur's daughter, is the absolute WORST, terribly homophobic, and everyone is way too understanding of her homophobia so she never has to show even a shred of accountability for her behavior
Generally, the handful of women in this are flat clichés. Elizabeth is the 'career obsessed bitch'. Teddy's other best friend Lexi is a quirky straight girl without a personality beyond going out for drinks with her two ✨gay best friends✨ and complaining about being single..
Even Madeline, the grandma and Arthur's wife, is a trope. She's a saint. She is constantly kind, does the household, takes care of Arthur (which is sweet but also???), and is so involved in the community that it feels like the entire town is her. She's on every committee and has founded a million clubs or whatever. And because all that obviously leaves so much free time, she also cooks and bakes and generally 'keeps them fed'. Which, anyone who's ever had to keep a household running knows that that's a full-time job even with the kids long out of the house, so when does this almost 80-year-old woman sleep???
AND half the people in this are some weird upper middle class removed from reality idiot
In conclusion, this novel needs to check it's internalized homophobia, it's internalized misogyny, it's unlikable characters, and it's generally cliché-ridden writing.
Can someone give those grandparents a hug btw?? They're the only ones who deserve it.
June 6, 2023
CW: Suicide, threat of murder, homophobia, gaslighting, emotional abuse, toxic relationship, death of a parent, physical abuse, cancer, addiction, grief, abandonment of a child, abandonment of an elder.
Are you surprised? Because honestly, I was!
To me, “Arthur and Teddy are Coming Out” is marketed as this lighthearted, heartwarming little book about a grandpa and a grandson both coming out to their family members as being gay. I honestly don’t think this book was either heartwarming nor lighthearted in the way that the author aimed for.
[And here is where it gets a bit spoilery – prob don’t read on if you plan to read this book….]
A few of my biggest gripes: This beautifully composed man comes out to his family as being gay at age 79, with full acceptance and support of his ex wife. His daughter FLIPS out and refuses to talk to him for over half of the book, barring her children (including Teddy) from talking to him also. She then kicks her son out of the house when he declares he is also gay. When she (surprise!) has a complete change of heart in the third act.. Literally no one calls her out for being a shitty human, nor does she seem to have any character growth from the whole experience.
Teddy was my least fav character – he spends the entire book whinging about the silver spoon he has been given, yet literally every time he faces any sniff of hardship, he runs to others to fix his shit. I honestly don’t have enough words to describe how deeply problematic his romantic arc was, so I will just say that the three boys were all as horribly gaslighty as each other and they all deserve each other.
Parts of this book I liked? It was quick and easy to read, I enjoyed that it portrayed the older generation as people who still aimed to live life to the fullest and I love the message that it is never too late to chase your desires and dreams.
Are you surprised? Because honestly, I was!
To me, “Arthur and Teddy are Coming Out” is marketed as this lighthearted, heartwarming little book about a grandpa and a grandson both coming out to their family members as being gay. I honestly don’t think this book was either heartwarming nor lighthearted in the way that the author aimed for.
[And here is where it gets a bit spoilery – prob don’t read on if you plan to read this book….]
A few of my biggest gripes: This beautifully composed man comes out to his family as being gay at age 79, with full acceptance and support of his ex wife. His daughter FLIPS out and refuses to talk to him for over half of the book, barring her children (including Teddy) from talking to him also. She then kicks her son out of the house when he declares he is also gay. When she (surprise!) has a complete change of heart in the third act.. Literally no one calls her out for being a shitty human, nor does she seem to have any character growth from the whole experience.
Teddy was my least fav character – he spends the entire book whinging about the silver spoon he has been given, yet literally every time he faces any sniff of hardship, he runs to others to fix his shit. I honestly don’t have enough words to describe how deeply problematic his romantic arc was, so I will just say that the three boys were all as horribly gaslighty as each other and they all deserve each other.
Parts of this book I liked? It was quick and easy to read, I enjoyed that it portrayed the older generation as people who still aimed to live life to the fullest and I love the message that it is never too late to chase your desires and dreams.
Read
April 22, 2024This is a book with a lovely premise. Two men of the same family, a grandfather in his eighties and a young man in his twenties, decide independently that they're gay, and decide that they should navigate their coming-out processes together. I thought that was very sweet and interesting, which makes it a shame that this might be the worst-written traditionally-published book I have read in years. The prose isn't just pedestrian, it's childlike; the characterisation is flat; the plot loosely strung together. It uses heavy themes (conversion therapy; suicide) in a cack-handed, unsubtle way. The author seems very... unaware that Teddy's love interests, both of them, are completely horrible. If it hadn't been the only book I had to hand during several hours in A&E, I don't know if I'd made it past the first few pages; as it is, I do not recommend you do the same.
April 29, 2023
Adorable, sweet, charming. I loved both Arthur and Teddy, and hearing about their individual experiences. Madeleine is wonderful... but I'm not sure why Elizabeth has so many fans (in the book).
April 29, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher HQ for the advance copy of this heartwarming book.
I loved this book from the first page. This story is so well written and is full of likeable characters.
The story is told in alternating chapters of Arthur and Teddy. This is a book which will appeal to everyone.
My favourite character from the start was Arthur, his personality just jumped off the page. I loved the relationship between Arthur and Teddy and I loved the support that Madeline showed towards Arthur throughout the book.
I really loved it and can't wait to see whats next from Ryan Love ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I loved this book from the first page. This story is so well written and is full of likeable characters.
The story is told in alternating chapters of Arthur and Teddy. This is a book which will appeal to everyone.
My favourite character from the start was Arthur, his personality just jumped off the page. I loved the relationship between Arthur and Teddy and I loved the support that Madeline showed towards Arthur throughout the book.
I really loved it and can't wait to see whats next from Ryan Love ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
June 30, 2025
Meh.
Ich wollte dieses Buch wirklich mögen, weil ich die Grundidee sehr süß fand: zwei schwule Männer, die sich outen möchten; der Großvater mit 79 nach langjähriger Ehe und mit Unterstützung seiner Frau, der Enkel mit 21 und auf der Suche nach seinem Platz in der Welt. Leider hat mich die Umsetzung gar nicht überzeugt.
Eines meiner großen Probleme war Teddy als einer der Protagonisten. Er kreist nur um seine eigenen Probleme und projeziert seine Unsicherheiten und Gefühle ständig auf andere. Kein Wunder, denn seine Mutter, Elizabeth, ist genauso. Aber statt dass dies ein Ansatzpunkt für persönliche Entwicklung wird, bleibt Teddy "sich treu" und bekommt außerdem noch jede berufliche Gelegenheit auf dem Silbertablett serviert, nur um sich dann über den Mann zu ärgern, der wirklich für den Job brennt und hart dafür arbeitet. Wie gesagt, man hätte daraus eine nuancierte Darstellung machen können, aber der Autor brettert regelmäßig über emotionale Entwicklungen hinweg, stellt Gefühle nur fest statt sie zu zeigen. Dadurch hat Teddys Perspektive bei mir durchweg Widerwillen ausgelöst.
Arthur mochte ich und auch seine Entwicklung war stellenweise rührend, sodass ich mich dafür zu einem zweiten Stern durchgerungen habe.
Die Story selbst könnte auch einem Sat.1 Film-Film entsprungen sein. Die Klischees reihen sich gerade zum Ende hin nahtlos aneinander. Es werden so viele Themen angeschnitten, ohne dass einem davon die nötige Zeit und Tiefe gewidmet wird. Auch geht es um die lange verlorene erste Liebe, an die jemand auch nach über 50 (!) Jahren noch denkt, ohne über die Jahrzehnte mit dieser Person in Kontakt gewesen zu sein. Manche finden das vielleicht romantisch, ich persönlich finde es doof.
Insgesamt eine herbe Enttäuschung, die ich aus reiner Sturheit beendet habe.
Ich wollte dieses Buch wirklich mögen, weil ich die Grundidee sehr süß fand: zwei schwule Männer, die sich outen möchten; der Großvater mit 79 nach langjähriger Ehe und mit Unterstützung seiner Frau, der Enkel mit 21 und auf der Suche nach seinem Platz in der Welt. Leider hat mich die Umsetzung gar nicht überzeugt.
Eines meiner großen Probleme war Teddy als einer der Protagonisten. Er kreist nur um seine eigenen Probleme und projeziert seine Unsicherheiten und Gefühle ständig auf andere. Kein Wunder, denn seine Mutter, Elizabeth, ist genauso. Aber statt dass dies ein Ansatzpunkt für persönliche Entwicklung wird, bleibt Teddy "sich treu" und bekommt außerdem noch jede berufliche Gelegenheit auf dem Silbertablett serviert, nur um sich dann über den Mann zu ärgern, der wirklich für den Job brennt und hart dafür arbeitet. Wie gesagt, man hätte daraus eine nuancierte Darstellung machen können, aber der Autor brettert regelmäßig über emotionale Entwicklungen hinweg, stellt Gefühle nur fest statt sie zu zeigen. Dadurch hat Teddys Perspektive bei mir durchweg Widerwillen ausgelöst.
Arthur mochte ich und auch seine Entwicklung war stellenweise rührend, sodass ich mich dafür zu einem zweiten Stern durchgerungen habe.
Die Story selbst könnte auch einem Sat.1 Film-Film entsprungen sein. Die Klischees reihen sich gerade zum Ende hin nahtlos aneinander. Es werden so viele Themen angeschnitten, ohne dass einem davon die nötige Zeit und Tiefe gewidmet wird. Auch geht es um die lange verlorene erste Liebe, an die jemand auch nach über 50 (!) Jahren noch denkt, ohne über die Jahrzehnte mit dieser Person in Kontakt gewesen zu sein. Manche finden das vielleicht romantisch, ich persönlich finde es doof.
Insgesamt eine herbe Enttäuschung, die ich aus reiner Sturheit beendet habe.
December 19, 2023
I enjoyed this book, but I didn't especially love it.
It's such a mixed bag of emotions reading this book. It took me quiet a long time to read, as It just didn't hold my attention.
However that being said, it was a Heart-warming story about a grandfather and his grandson both coming to terms with revealing to the family, that they are gay. Being accepted by them, dealing with big changes, moving on, and finding themselves.
It's a story of fractured relationships, new blossoming romances, change, finding oneself, and proving you're never too old to grab life by the horns.
I would recommend this book to others. It's definitely a plot I've not come across before.
I'm interested if you do decide to read the book, which story you was more invested in... Arthur or Teddy. (For me it was Arthur).
Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
It's such a mixed bag of emotions reading this book. It took me quiet a long time to read, as It just didn't hold my attention.
However that being said, it was a Heart-warming story about a grandfather and his grandson both coming to terms with revealing to the family, that they are gay. Being accepted by them, dealing with big changes, moving on, and finding themselves.
It's a story of fractured relationships, new blossoming romances, change, finding oneself, and proving you're never too old to grab life by the horns.
I would recommend this book to others. It's definitely a plot I've not come across before.
I'm interested if you do decide to read the book, which story you was more invested in... Arthur or Teddy. (For me it was Arthur).
Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
August 10, 2024
4.5****
A lovely story about taking chances, being true to yourself and not letting your age stop you from doing amazing things.
An incredibly heartwarming, moving, unique book that i will most definitely recommend!
A lovely story about taking chances, being true to yourself and not letting your age stop you from doing amazing things.
An incredibly heartwarming, moving, unique book that i will most definitely recommend!
April 25, 2023
A gentle and wise look at how a family experiences two members coming out.
Blurb:
When 79-year-old Arthur Edwards gathers his family together to share that he's gay, and after a lifetime in the closet, he's finally ready to come out.
Arthur's 21-year-old grandson, Teddy, has a secret of his own: he's also gay. But Teddy doesn't feel ready to come out yet – especially when Arthur’s announcement causes shockwaves in the family.
Arthur and Teddy have always been close, and now they must navigate first loves, heartbreak, and finding their place in their community.
Review:
This was a very sweet look into how coming out both feels and can affect your family and community’s view of you. Both Arthur and Teddy are engaging main characters, and there is a good balance so you’re never itching to get back to the other narrator.
I enjoyed spending time with this family and found the book to be a very comforting read. Characters explain their feelings clearly, and there are enough supportive characters that the homophobia explored isn’t too traumatic. The plot isn’t the point - you know where the journey will end from early on but the pleasure is joining Arthur and Teddy on their journey, speed bumps and all!
Love writes with compassion and wit, and overall the experience felt very much in the vein of Matt Cain and Simon James Green and I will check out anything he puts out next!
Blurb:
When 79-year-old Arthur Edwards gathers his family together to share that he's gay, and after a lifetime in the closet, he's finally ready to come out.
Arthur's 21-year-old grandson, Teddy, has a secret of his own: he's also gay. But Teddy doesn't feel ready to come out yet – especially when Arthur’s announcement causes shockwaves in the family.
Arthur and Teddy have always been close, and now they must navigate first loves, heartbreak, and finding their place in their community.
Review:
This was a very sweet look into how coming out both feels and can affect your family and community’s view of you. Both Arthur and Teddy are engaging main characters, and there is a good balance so you’re never itching to get back to the other narrator.
I enjoyed spending time with this family and found the book to be a very comforting read. Characters explain their feelings clearly, and there are enough supportive characters that the homophobia explored isn’t too traumatic. The plot isn’t the point - you know where the journey will end from early on but the pleasure is joining Arthur and Teddy on their journey, speed bumps and all!
Love writes with compassion and wit, and overall the experience felt very much in the vein of Matt Cain and Simon James Green and I will check out anything he puts out next!
April 11, 2023
If you’re looking for a gorgeous, heartwarming read then look no further than this wonderful debut!
The story of a grandfather and grandson who each have their own journeys to coming out as gay, this is an uplifting, moving story which will appeal to so many readers. There’s romance, friendship, career, family drama, and there are so many wonderful characters! Arthur especially stole my heart, and I really related to the strong grandfather/grandchild bond between him and Teddy - it’s a relationship that just doesn’t get enough focus and which was probably the most important in my life so I’m grateful to see that reflected here. It’s also the kind of story which I have no doubt will make lots of the LGBTQ+ community feel seen and supported, but which will touch the hearts of an even wider audience, because it shows that it’s never too late to be your true self - something we all need a reminder of occasionally 💗
The story of a grandfather and grandson who each have their own journeys to coming out as gay, this is an uplifting, moving story which will appeal to so many readers. There’s romance, friendship, career, family drama, and there are so many wonderful characters! Arthur especially stole my heart, and I really related to the strong grandfather/grandchild bond between him and Teddy - it’s a relationship that just doesn’t get enough focus and which was probably the most important in my life so I’m grateful to see that reflected here. It’s also the kind of story which I have no doubt will make lots of the LGBTQ+ community feel seen and supported, but which will touch the hearts of an even wider audience, because it shows that it’s never too late to be your true self - something we all need a reminder of occasionally 💗
October 3, 2025
meu deus, que tristeza...
eu tava d olho nesse livro já tem um certo tempo, por ver o pessoal do meu clube do livro comentando sobre ele. o q me fez pegar, msm, foi ver o Vini (meu amigo) lendo. o livro chegou aqui em casa e fiquei com um fofo no friquito absurdo e dois dias dps eu já tava me aventurando nas primeiras páginas dele
fui com mt sede ao pote, talvez, mas eu esperava q esse livro tivesse uma pegada mais madura, com os personagens sendo o foco da narrativa e mt mais sobre a relação deles perante a galera pro qual eles tão saindo do armário. o que eu acabei encontrando por aqui, na real, foi uma espécie de triângulo amoroso no ponto d vista do mais novo e um personagem que simplesmente aceita toda e qualquer coisa que acontece com ele simplesmente "pq a vida é assim e o amor supera tudo" no ponto de vista do mais velho. sei que isso pode ser uma msg de amor & esperança pra alguns, mas sinto que não evoluí espiritualmente o suficiente pra me entreter lendo tanta passividade
pra além de tudo isso, o livro é extremamente previsível e, qnd conversava com um amigo meu em calls no Discord, pra contar pra ele o q tava achando o livro, eu literalmente cantei a bola e o final foi EXATAMENTE o q eu disse que iria ser. fico um pouco chateado com isso, pq o livro poderia mt bem ser um ~slice of life mt foda se tivesse focado em desenvolver o psicológico dos personagens ao invés de dar umas tramas nada a ver com nada pra avançar a história
no mais, tô extremamente frustrado... uma premissa mt maneira com uma execução que deixou mt a desejar
eu tava d olho nesse livro já tem um certo tempo, por ver o pessoal do meu clube do livro comentando sobre ele. o q me fez pegar, msm, foi ver o Vini (meu amigo) lendo. o livro chegou aqui em casa e fiquei com um fofo no friquito absurdo e dois dias dps eu já tava me aventurando nas primeiras páginas dele
fui com mt sede ao pote, talvez, mas eu esperava q esse livro tivesse uma pegada mais madura, com os personagens sendo o foco da narrativa e mt mais sobre a relação deles perante a galera pro qual eles tão saindo do armário. o que eu acabei encontrando por aqui, na real, foi uma espécie de triângulo amoroso no ponto d vista do mais novo e um personagem que simplesmente aceita toda e qualquer coisa que acontece com ele simplesmente "pq a vida é assim e o amor supera tudo" no ponto de vista do mais velho. sei que isso pode ser uma msg de amor & esperança pra alguns, mas sinto que não evoluí espiritualmente o suficiente pra me entreter lendo tanta passividade
pra além de tudo isso, o livro é extremamente previsível e, qnd conversava com um amigo meu em calls no Discord, pra contar pra ele o q tava achando o livro, eu literalmente cantei a bola e o final foi EXATAMENTE o q eu disse que iria ser. fico um pouco chateado com isso, pq o livro poderia mt bem ser um ~slice of life mt foda se tivesse focado em desenvolver o psicológico dos personagens ao invés de dar umas tramas nada a ver com nada pra avançar a história
no mais, tô extremamente frustrado... uma premissa mt maneira com uma execução que deixou mt a desejar
July 31, 2024
ARTHUR and TEDDY are COMING OUT GETTING ON MY NERVES.
I got lured in by a great premise and a cute gilf. But instead of a lighthearted read as promised by the German publisher Blanvalet i got a rage-inducing shitshow. No offense if you liked this book. That is probably because you‘re not a queer lit snob like me and actually able to enjoy some shitty YA romance once in a while. Good for you. If you‘re like me though, you might not like this book. Here‘s why.
Author Ryan Love is introducing a closeted grandfather-grandson-duo on the threshold of gayhood. First, 79-year-old Arthur Edwards outs himself to his two middle-aged kids, one successful(ly) homophobic journalist and a strangely unimportant son. Meanwhile, the young, queer but closeted Teddy is starting an apprenticeship at The Post (thanks to his journalist mother just like the nepo baby he claims he isn't). There he meets Ben, the other trainée he's competing with for a long-term job offer (and who is absolutely not the main love interest that gets royally shat on within the last 10% of the novel in favor of the best friend who surprisingly was in love with Teddy all along). Anyway, what follows is a rollercoaster through the nine circles of gay hell. While the author tries his hardest to keep all the narrative strands together and intertwine them into…well…something, the plot disintegrates like a house of cards.
Teddy is utterly unlikable and that would’ve been just fine with me if we weren’t supposed to root for him. Which I‘m really not. Cause I don‘t fucking like that guy. He‘s the most self-centered son of a bitch I‘ve read about in a long time. He‘s given a real obstacle (having a homophobic narcissist as a mother) which I could emphasize with if only he wouldn’t deal with it by being a dramatic, lying, whining, gaslighting asshole.
I don't appreciate the author trying to justify Teddy ending up with the passive-aggressive non-communicative nonconsensual best friend by making Ben do something that seems weirdly out of character to me. Not that I cared much for their rushed relationship in the first place, but the attempt to establish a romance just to shit-talk that very same guy 50 pages later crashed and burned faster than man's first pursuit to fly. The same thing happened to Arthur's relationships as he too gets a dramatic 3rd act lover reveal, this one just being dramatic in an entirely different way. It's making for a cheesy, cliché read (which, fine enough, the gays also deserve) with a bunch of different relationships shoved into one novel without giving a single one the proper spotlight.
Granddaddy Arthur is a lovely character, I enjoyed his part of the story way more (especially his platonic marriage with Madeleine), even though the topics also lacked depth and felt like they were merely added for the shock value: one homophobic experience after another, a quick mention of conversion therapy that gets brushed over immediately, a mention of suicidal thoughts and an actual suicide that’s merely used to further the plot, and then the whole cancer plot that - quite frankly - could've just saved us all 50 unnecessary pages. None of these characters are given the chance to deal with all that shit that goes down - and neither does the reader.
The way Arthur dismissed the way he got mistreated by his daughter just for the sake of the happy ending is astoundingly disappointing though. Stand up for yourself dude, this woman does not deserve to get away with this shit by wishing you a happy birthday. The bar is in hell. This is not a feelgood-novel for queers, it‘s a feelgood-novel for straights who need to feel validated in their StRuGgLe WiTh HomOphObiA. This is the literary equivalent of the soft tone of a middle-aged gentle-parenting-influencer who is slowly nodding while crouching down and calmly explaining why your words are "not so friendly🥺" and "hurting feelings for realsies🙁".
This is a book about the gays specifically written for the kind of straights who need someone to point to a large neon sign that reads „GAY PEOPLE HAVE FEELINGS TOO.“
I got lured in by a great premise and a cute gilf. But instead of a lighthearted read as promised by the German publisher Blanvalet i got a rage-inducing shitshow. No offense if you liked this book. That is probably because you‘re not a queer lit snob like me and actually able to enjoy some shitty YA romance once in a while. Good for you. If you‘re like me though, you might not like this book. Here‘s why.
Author Ryan Love is introducing a closeted grandfather-grandson-duo on the threshold of gayhood. First, 79-year-old Arthur Edwards outs himself to his two middle-aged kids, one successful(ly) homophobic journalist and a strangely unimportant son. Meanwhile, the young, queer but closeted Teddy is starting an apprenticeship at The Post (thanks to his journalist mother just like the nepo baby he claims he isn't). There he meets Ben, the other trainée he's competing with for a long-term job offer (and who is absolutely not the main love interest that gets royally shat on within the last 10% of the novel in favor of the best friend who surprisingly was in love with Teddy all along). Anyway, what follows is a rollercoaster through the nine circles of gay hell. While the author tries his hardest to keep all the narrative strands together and intertwine them into…well…something, the plot disintegrates like a house of cards.
Teddy is utterly unlikable and that would’ve been just fine with me if we weren’t supposed to root for him. Which I‘m really not. Cause I don‘t fucking like that guy. He‘s the most self-centered son of a bitch I‘ve read about in a long time. He‘s given a real obstacle (having a homophobic narcissist as a mother) which I could emphasize with if only he wouldn’t deal with it by being a dramatic, lying, whining, gaslighting asshole.
I don't appreciate the author trying to justify Teddy ending up with the passive-aggressive non-communicative nonconsensual best friend by making Ben do something that seems weirdly out of character to me. Not that I cared much for their rushed relationship in the first place, but the attempt to establish a romance just to shit-talk that very same guy 50 pages later crashed and burned faster than man's first pursuit to fly. The same thing happened to Arthur's relationships as he too gets a dramatic 3rd act lover reveal, this one just being dramatic in an entirely different way. It's making for a cheesy, cliché read (which, fine enough, the gays also deserve) with a bunch of different relationships shoved into one novel without giving a single one the proper spotlight.
Granddaddy Arthur is a lovely character, I enjoyed his part of the story way more (especially his platonic marriage with Madeleine), even though the topics also lacked depth and felt like they were merely added for the shock value: one homophobic experience after another, a quick mention of conversion therapy that gets brushed over immediately, a mention of suicidal thoughts and an actual suicide that’s merely used to further the plot, and then the whole cancer plot that - quite frankly - could've just saved us all 50 unnecessary pages. None of these characters are given the chance to deal with all that shit that goes down - and neither does the reader.
The way Arthur dismissed the way he got mistreated by his daughter just for the sake of the happy ending is astoundingly disappointing though. Stand up for yourself dude, this woman does not deserve to get away with this shit by wishing you a happy birthday. The bar is in hell. This is not a feelgood-novel for queers, it‘s a feelgood-novel for straights who need to feel validated in their StRuGgLe WiTh HomOphObiA. This is the literary equivalent of the soft tone of a middle-aged gentle-parenting-influencer who is slowly nodding while crouching down and calmly explaining why your words are "not so friendly🥺" and "hurting feelings for realsies🙁".
This is a book about the gays specifically written for the kind of straights who need someone to point to a large neon sign that reads „GAY PEOPLE HAVE FEELINGS TOO.“
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2023
Thank you Harlequin for sending us a copy to read and review.
An enjoyable reading experience with an interesting premise and a moving, sweet, funny and engaging plot.
Arthur Edwards is 79, lived a full life with Madeleine his wife and has decided to gather his family to share life changing news.
He’s gay and after living with this secret, he’s made the decision to come out.
While Madeleine has accepted this, some haven’t including his daughter, so there’s trouble on the horizon.
His grandson, Teddy Marsh is also gay but keeping it a secret for the moment is a must for him.
He has a crush on a work colleague and he’s not ready to come out yet.
Arthur and Teddy are close and are always there for each other so while discovering first loves, heartache and finding their way in the world, can their family and the tight knit community accept them and they start to be their true selves?
A book full of love with a warm cast, bittersweet moments, hilarious situations, witty dialogue, uplifting times, feel good circumstances and a whole lot of fun.
Ryan has written an inviting, thoughtful and entertaining tale for all ages.
Told from the lead characters perspective, about their journeys and finding their place in todays society.
A pleasing and likeable read for a Sunday afternoon to relax with.
An enjoyable reading experience with an interesting premise and a moving, sweet, funny and engaging plot.
Arthur Edwards is 79, lived a full life with Madeleine his wife and has decided to gather his family to share life changing news.
He’s gay and after living with this secret, he’s made the decision to come out.
While Madeleine has accepted this, some haven’t including his daughter, so there’s trouble on the horizon.
His grandson, Teddy Marsh is also gay but keeping it a secret for the moment is a must for him.
He has a crush on a work colleague and he’s not ready to come out yet.
Arthur and Teddy are close and are always there for each other so while discovering first loves, heartache and finding their way in the world, can their family and the tight knit community accept them and they start to be their true selves?
A book full of love with a warm cast, bittersweet moments, hilarious situations, witty dialogue, uplifting times, feel good circumstances and a whole lot of fun.
Ryan has written an inviting, thoughtful and entertaining tale for all ages.
Told from the lead characters perspective, about their journeys and finding their place in todays society.
A pleasing and likeable read for a Sunday afternoon to relax with.
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