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The Castle of Stories
13 hours, 20 minutes
In a life-affirming, poignant, and evocative novel set against unparalleled beauty of the Tuscan countryside, a couple’s plans to spend the summer renovating an old property go awry in surprising and sometimes wonderful ways . . . Full of heart, charm, and queer joy for readers of Steven Rowley, Linda Holmes, Bryan Washington, and Paul Rudnick.
Stories don’t always unfold quite the way you expect them to, and Adam Webb has reason to be glad of that. Out of the blue, he’s inherited a farmhouse and castle in Tuscany from a great uncle he never met. It’s the catalyst for Adam to give up his HR job in Manchester and fly out to Italy for the summer to do repairs on the home he hopes to turn into a rental. The best he’ll be sharing this summer of adventure with his partner of two years, Theo. It’s a fairytale in the making.
But there’s a last-minute twist, in the shape of Theo’s three children. Theo’s ex-wife can’t take them for the summer after all, so Callum, Mabel, and Archie are coming to Italy too. Their open hostility to their dad’s boyfriend isn’t helped by the lack of Wi-Fi and the mounting chaos of renovation problems and bad plumbing, not to mention the resident lizards and mice.
Despite everything, Adam finds himself falling in love with the place, whether he’s watching golden sunsets from the castle ruins with Theo, sipping coffee on the patio, or driving around the neighboring medieval towns. And as they sort through Uncle Wilf’s possessions, another story begins to take shape—one that will help Adam navigate the family secrets that have marred his past and the decisions that will shape his future. What emerges isn’t a fairytale, but it’s a rich, complex narrative of love, acceptance, and second chances that could pave the way for the best kind of happy ever after.
In a life-affirming, poignant, and evocative novel set against unparalleled beauty of the Tuscan countryside, a couple’s plans to spend the summer renovating an old property go awry in surprising and sometimes wonderful ways . . . Full of heart, charm, and queer joy for readers of Steven Rowley, Linda Holmes, Bryan Washington, and Paul Rudnick.
Stories don’t always unfold quite the way you expect them to, and Adam Webb has reason to be glad of that. Out of the blue, he’s inherited a farmhouse and castle in Tuscany from a great uncle he never met. It’s the catalyst for Adam to give up his HR job in Manchester and fly out to Italy for the summer to do repairs on the home he hopes to turn into a rental. The best he’ll be sharing this summer of adventure with his partner of two years, Theo. It’s a fairytale in the making.
But there’s a last-minute twist, in the shape of Theo’s three children. Theo’s ex-wife can’t take them for the summer after all, so Callum, Mabel, and Archie are coming to Italy too. Their open hostility to their dad’s boyfriend isn’t helped by the lack of Wi-Fi and the mounting chaos of renovation problems and bad plumbing, not to mention the resident lizards and mice.
Despite everything, Adam finds himself falling in love with the place, whether he’s watching golden sunsets from the castle ruins with Theo, sipping coffee on the patio, or driving around the neighboring medieval towns. And as they sort through Uncle Wilf’s possessions, another story begins to take shape—one that will help Adam navigate the family secrets that have marred his past and the decisions that will shape his future. What emerges isn’t a fairytale, but it’s a rich, complex narrative of love, acceptance, and second chances that could pave the way for the best kind of happy ever after.
Audiobook
First published April 28, 2026
About the author
Matt Cain
9 books613 followersMatt Cain is a writer, broadcaster, publisher and leading commentator on LGBTQ+ issues.
He was Channel 4’s first Culture Editor, Editor-In-Chief of Attitude magazine, has written for all the national newspapers, and has appeared on BBC Breakfast, Good Morning Britain, The Today Programme and Lorraine. He’s a patron of LGBT+ History Month, has received an honorary doctorate from Bolton University, addressed the Cambridge Union, and in 2025 was awarded an MBE for services to LGBTQ+ culture.
Matt’s bestselling novels include The Madonna Of Bolton, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle and One Love. His latest, The Castle of Stories, will be published in June 2026 as the first title from Pansy, the independent publisher he's set up with his husband Harry Glasstone specialising in queer books by queer authors for all readers.
Born in Bury and brought up in Bolton, Matt now lives in London with Harry and their dog, Teddy.
He was Channel 4’s first Culture Editor, Editor-In-Chief of Attitude magazine, has written for all the national newspapers, and has appeared on BBC Breakfast, Good Morning Britain, The Today Programme and Lorraine. He’s a patron of LGBT+ History Month, has received an honorary doctorate from Bolton University, addressed the Cambridge Union, and in 2025 was awarded an MBE for services to LGBTQ+ culture.
Matt’s bestselling novels include The Madonna Of Bolton, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle and One Love. His latest, The Castle of Stories, will be published in June 2026 as the first title from Pansy, the independent publisher he's set up with his husband Harry Glasstone specialising in queer books by queer authors for all readers.
Born in Bury and brought up in Bolton, Matt now lives in London with Harry and their dog, Teddy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
March 27, 2026
Have any of you read The Guncle? You know, Patrick in his caftans, sipping Mimosas, toothless Grant being “mythelf,” and Maisie who always knows better? If you loved that one, I’m pretty sure you’ll fall for The Castle of Stories too.
At 45, Patrick inherits a house with an old castle in Tuscany. It sounds like the perfect place to spend the summer with his boyfriend, Theo. But when Theo’s children join them, Adam isn’t convinced their Italian escape will be quite so dreamy. The kids seem to hate him, he’s barely speaking to his dad, memories of his mum keep resurfacing, his “sisters” (aka his gay friends) are visiting, and to top it all off… there’s no WiFi.
Let’s say Adam is trying to hold on, but in fact Adam fact is a mess while he tries to be nice to fifteen‑year‑old Callum, thirteen‑year‑old Mabel, and eight‑year‑old Archie. Even though the last one is the cutest, comparable to Grant in The Guncle with his Dadam, I loved the other two too. And I adored how they over the summer all grew to each other.
The Castle of Stories is a light‑hearted story that made me smile again and again while touching on heavier themes. It’s the perfect book to read on the beach or during a holiday… especially if you’re heading to Italy.
Thank you, Pansy and NetGalley, for this lovely and humorous ARC!
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At 45, Patrick inherits a house with an old castle in Tuscany. It sounds like the perfect place to spend the summer with his boyfriend, Theo. But when Theo’s children join them, Adam isn’t convinced their Italian escape will be quite so dreamy. The kids seem to hate him, he’s barely speaking to his dad, memories of his mum keep resurfacing, his “sisters” (aka his gay friends) are visiting, and to top it all off… there’s no WiFi.
Let’s say Adam is trying to hold on, but in fact Adam fact is a mess while he tries to be nice to fifteen‑year‑old Callum, thirteen‑year‑old Mabel, and eight‑year‑old Archie. Even though the last one is the cutest, comparable to Grant in The Guncle with his Dadam, I loved the other two too. And I adored how they over the summer all grew to each other.
The Castle of Stories is a light‑hearted story that made me smile again and again while touching on heavier themes. It’s the perfect book to read on the beach or during a holiday… especially if you’re heading to Italy.
Thank you, Pansy and NetGalley, for this lovely and humorous ARC!
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March 27, 2026
3.5 stars. Matt Cain brings us very relatable characters and excellent stories, and his newest book, coming out in April, did not disappoint. One of the things I liked and appreciated the most is that the main character is 45 going on 46, and while I love coming-of-age stories like the best of them, I'm grateful to see older characters as well.
I have to say that I liked "The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle" and "Becoming Ted" a bit more than this one. I gave both of those two books 5 stars, but only 3.5 stars to this one. Part of the reason had to do with length, as I felt this book maybe went longer than I felt was needed. I also felt the MC's "sisters" a bit much. Having said that, I strongly recommend this latest book from Matt Cain, and very much look forward to both previous ones I haven't read yet, and his future books.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
I have to say that I liked "The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle" and "Becoming Ted" a bit more than this one. I gave both of those two books 5 stars, but only 3.5 stars to this one. Part of the reason had to do with length, as I felt this book maybe went longer than I felt was needed. I also felt the MC's "sisters" a bit much. Having said that, I strongly recommend this latest book from Matt Cain, and very much look forward to both previous ones I haven't read yet, and his future books.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
April 29, 2026
4.5 stars
Thanks to NetGalley and Pansy for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
Is there anything more heartwarming than a new Matt Cain book?
There's 53 chapters which makes roughly 7 pages per chapter, which is a good length, as I don't like overly long chapters.
I'm not 100% sure but I thought I'd seen somewhere that this is based on a true story and that Matt had indeed inherited this Italian property. The only problem is...I can't find where I read it so now I'm wondering if I imagined it.
I love that our protagonists are a little older, in their forties, and are just settling down in this new live of theirs. It shows that love and dreams don't have to stop just because you didn't find them in your 20s.
I love Italy, although I haven't been to the area in this book. But it sounds idyllic and made me really want to spend my summer in the Italian countryside drinking wine, gazing out at my vineyard. Oh...a girl can dream. Here's hoping I have a long-lost uncle with an Italian castle to inherit.
I loved the blended family in this. It's not always sunshine and rainbows, but that's good. I've only become a blended family since my dad died and my mum found a new partner, but I'm in my 30s and so it doesn't feel like a blended family, if that makes sense. But I can't imagine how easy or difficult it might be for children to cope with a new family, particularly if they've only experienced the "traditional" family set-up but now they're contended with something different. And I loved how honest Matt was about that. It's not always pleasant but it's important to talk about.
I know they played their roles perfectly, but the kids in this book are so irritating, that if they weren't children I would have said "push them down the hill". They're so rude and miserable and just nasty and I didn't like them at all (except for the youngest, he was a sweetheart). I know I should have been patient and given them the benefit of the doubt but it was hard to. But they did get better as it went on.
I really enjoyed it from the start, but it definitely got even better once Adam started investigation his Uncle's past, about 1/3 through. That's when it starts to get juicy and when it turns from a good book to a great book.
It's not my favourite of his books - that accolade still remains with One Love. But it's a very enjoyable, moving, entertaining, funny, serious, relaxing, gorgeous story.
By the end of it I felt so warm and I could feel my smile getting bigger. It is so uplifting and heartwarming.
If you're heading to Italy this summer then it's the perfect read to lose yourself in.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pansy for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
Is there anything more heartwarming than a new Matt Cain book?
There's 53 chapters which makes roughly 7 pages per chapter, which is a good length, as I don't like overly long chapters.
I'm not 100% sure but I thought I'd seen somewhere that this is based on a true story and that Matt had indeed inherited this Italian property. The only problem is...I can't find where I read it so now I'm wondering if I imagined it.
I love that our protagonists are a little older, in their forties, and are just settling down in this new live of theirs. It shows that love and dreams don't have to stop just because you didn't find them in your 20s.
I love Italy, although I haven't been to the area in this book. But it sounds idyllic and made me really want to spend my summer in the Italian countryside drinking wine, gazing out at my vineyard. Oh...a girl can dream. Here's hoping I have a long-lost uncle with an Italian castle to inherit.
I loved the blended family in this. It's not always sunshine and rainbows, but that's good. I've only become a blended family since my dad died and my mum found a new partner, but I'm in my 30s and so it doesn't feel like a blended family, if that makes sense. But I can't imagine how easy or difficult it might be for children to cope with a new family, particularly if they've only experienced the "traditional" family set-up but now they're contended with something different. And I loved how honest Matt was about that. It's not always pleasant but it's important to talk about.
I know they played their roles perfectly, but the kids in this book are so irritating, that if they weren't children I would have said "push them down the hill". They're so rude and miserable and just nasty and I didn't like them at all (except for the youngest, he was a sweetheart). I know I should have been patient and given them the benefit of the doubt but it was hard to. But they did get better as it went on.
I really enjoyed it from the start, but it definitely got even better once Adam started investigation his Uncle's past, about 1/3 through. That's when it starts to get juicy and when it turns from a good book to a great book.
It's not my favourite of his books - that accolade still remains with One Love. But it's a very enjoyable, moving, entertaining, funny, serious, relaxing, gorgeous story.
By the end of it I felt so warm and I could feel my smile getting bigger. It is so uplifting and heartwarming.
If you're heading to Italy this summer then it's the perfect read to lose yourself in.
March 7, 2026
A cosy, heartwarming read with a stunning setting which unfolds in Italy.
Adam Webb unexpectedly inherits an Italian property from an uncle he has never met. With his partner Theo, and his three children - two of whom are intent on making his life a misery - they set off on an adventure to renovate and make a loving home of this property with a mystery.
This new story is released under Matt’s new publishing label, Pansy, and what a start they’ll have with this fantastic book!
Whilst Adam is our main character, there’s so many other brilliant, relatable characters who add such value and heart to this story. You’ll recognise a friend, a neighbour, colleague or relative somewhere within one of these well-written characters making it a relatable read.
The story tackles some hard themes which are handled with care and told with truth. Grief, divorce, resentment, homophobia… and love. This one’s got it all. It’s real life and much like the characters, there’s something somewhere for people to relate to.
The location is brilliantly atmospheric. Matt often writes the setting with such care that it really sets the scene of the warm Tuscan Countryside so lovingly. The house, the castle and their surroundings felt so real and I loved being there in these pages.
Whilst I found myself wanting the teenagers resentment toward Adam’s to develop and grow past this a little sooner, I still understood the intention of building firmly on this story to add to the emotion and narrative. It’s all so brilliantly executed.
The ending is heartwarming and left me smiling from ear to ear. It’s beautifully written and one I throughly enjoyed. Highly recommend and this is some of Matt’s best work. Congratulations.
Adam Webb unexpectedly inherits an Italian property from an uncle he has never met. With his partner Theo, and his three children - two of whom are intent on making his life a misery - they set off on an adventure to renovate and make a loving home of this property with a mystery.
This new story is released under Matt’s new publishing label, Pansy, and what a start they’ll have with this fantastic book!
Whilst Adam is our main character, there’s so many other brilliant, relatable characters who add such value and heart to this story. You’ll recognise a friend, a neighbour, colleague or relative somewhere within one of these well-written characters making it a relatable read.
The story tackles some hard themes which are handled with care and told with truth. Grief, divorce, resentment, homophobia… and love. This one’s got it all. It’s real life and much like the characters, there’s something somewhere for people to relate to.
The location is brilliantly atmospheric. Matt often writes the setting with such care that it really sets the scene of the warm Tuscan Countryside so lovingly. The house, the castle and their surroundings felt so real and I loved being there in these pages.
Whilst I found myself wanting the teenagers resentment toward Adam’s to develop and grow past this a little sooner, I still understood the intention of building firmly on this story to add to the emotion and narrative. It’s all so brilliantly executed.
The ending is heartwarming and left me smiling from ear to ear. It’s beautifully written and one I throughly enjoyed. Highly recommend and this is some of Matt’s best work. Congratulations.
March 27, 2026
"the castle of stories" is just the book i needed.
it's heartfelt, it's scenic, it's pure joy, it's full of acceptance to be who you are!
to say that i was horrified at the start about how the kids acted around the main couple would be an understatement. thankfully, that got resolved along with a few inner struggles adam had. i cried a bit too, because stories about families (as non-traditional as they can be) and their members finding their way to one another are always so dear to my heart.
the only two things that bothered me were: (1) the sex scene (it was unnecessary imo), (2) the constant use of 'superb' and 'brill' (it really got on my nerves).
thank you netgalley and kensington publishing for this arc.
it's heartfelt, it's scenic, it's pure joy, it's full of acceptance to be who you are!
to say that i was horrified at the start about how the kids acted around the main couple would be an understatement. thankfully, that got resolved along with a few inner struggles adam had. i cried a bit too, because stories about families (as non-traditional as they can be) and their members finding their way to one another are always so dear to my heart.
the only two things that bothered me were: (1) the sex scene (it was unnecessary imo), (2) the constant use of 'superb' and 'brill' (it really got on my nerves).
thank you netgalley and kensington publishing for this arc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Castle of Stories is a delightfully delicious story, with a huge sense of uplifting joy weaved throughout each and every single page!
I absolutely devoured it from beginning to end, leaving me fulfilled from the beautiful character Adam and his army of mismatched friends and family who somehow fit together exquisitely.
I was enamoured from the start of the story, quickly falling for Adam and Theo's love for one another and rooting for their strength despite the crumbling problems surrounding them!
It was heartfelt and heavy in places, with a keen representation of gay rights and history, but always followed closely by humour and wit especially by Adam's wonderful sisters - Ian, Dom and Gloria, some of my favourite characters in the book! However my most treasured person has to be little Archie, his constant cheeriness and lust for life seems to match the epitome of the story itself.
I adore all of Matt's books, his writing is relatable, joyous and addictive, but his latest stands out as being my new favourite! Not least because I now need to fly out to Lucca and follow in Wilf and Arnaldo's footsteps, as their story has captured a new sense of adventure and love in life.
I absolutely devoured it from beginning to end, leaving me fulfilled from the beautiful character Adam and his army of mismatched friends and family who somehow fit together exquisitely.
I was enamoured from the start of the story, quickly falling for Adam and Theo's love for one another and rooting for their strength despite the crumbling problems surrounding them!
It was heartfelt and heavy in places, with a keen representation of gay rights and history, but always followed closely by humour and wit especially by Adam's wonderful sisters - Ian, Dom and Gloria, some of my favourite characters in the book! However my most treasured person has to be little Archie, his constant cheeriness and lust for life seems to match the epitome of the story itself.
I adore all of Matt's books, his writing is relatable, joyous and addictive, but his latest stands out as being my new favourite! Not least because I now need to fly out to Lucca and follow in Wilf and Arnaldo's footsteps, as their story has captured a new sense of adventure and love in life.
May 20, 2026
I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book, but ended up absolutely loving it! A pure joy to read and a great perspective on blended families.
April 15, 2026
Under the Tuscan sun meets THE GUNCLE in this story about a couple who move to Tuscany over the summer to renovate a dilapidated castle. Adam has inherited an estate from an estranged uncle but is the restoration worthwhile? He does have a new relationship with Theo and is bringing Theos kids along a good idea? Overall the premise was promising and seemed like a nice take on a popular trope. I did lose interest about halfway through as all the beats seemed too predictable, the kids were painted as overly unbearable with no redeeming qualities and the better part of the book was filled with cliche moments. Still enjoyed the lgbtq representation especially of a late out gay men merging his family with his new partner.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
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Finished reading: March 23rd 2026
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and A John Scognamiglio Book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
Finished reading: March 23rd 2026
"I've learned that just because something was my story before, it doesn't mean it has to be forever."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and A John Scognamiglio Book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
May 5, 2026
4.5
What made The Castle of Stories such a good book for me was the amount of layers and nuances it managed to include. It’s not a terribly heavy read in terms of emotional triggers but it’s also not just light-hearted.
It’s messy and chaotic and finds joy in unexpected corners. It’s real life.
PLOT
So much happens in this book, so many side quests and details find space in it that I am grateful for the framework set early on, bracketing the colourful chaos within the confines of summer holidays.
The plot is littered with conflicts, and none of them felt artificial or constructed. They didn’t need to be. The social experiment that is putting these characters together into a castle under construction, in a country that easily loses its romantic flair when the summer heat hits harder than the lack of funds, made for inevitable conflict arcs.
It was also the perfect setting to amplify the preexisting dynamics and the difficulty that comes with a relatively new couple dealing with the age old drama that is cruel teenagers that are still loyal to their other parent.
Within all of this, the author managed to address evolving dynamics of patchwork families, very time relevant issues. Like how difficult it can be to be a teen in the age of social media. Or what it means to reshape identity as an adult finally acknowledging their existence under the LGBTQ+ umbrella. Or what it means to protect one's boundaries with children who feel like their family has been ripped apart, knowing the new partner is a package deal.
CHARACTERS
I just love books that find ways to manoeuvre the pain and weight of life in such a realistic way by finding solutions and happy endings that aren’t one-size-fits-all. Just like real life isn’t. And amidst this, where it is so easy to forget the good parts, the author managed to make this a read filled with humour and joy.
This is the kind of book where I love that the characters act entirely different than from what I would’ve done. There is no binary right or wrong in how the characters resolve their issues, and while some of their decisions and reactions had me anxious or stressed, it is precisely this absolutely human behaviour - unpredictable yet on character - that made this such a good book.
Unpredictable yet on character, uncomfortable in the way that feels most normal because that’s just what life is like. And still undeniable on route towards the happy end that feels so real, despite being scripted, that it fills real life with hope.
WRITING
On top of all this, the writing was amazing. I loved the style, the narrative choices of what is being told and what isn’t, the conversations and tone that so naturally developed with the characters. And as a huge plus, the narrator did an amazing job and was, in my opinion, the perfect choice for this.
--
Thank you to NetGalley, RB Media and Matt Cain for an ALC of The Castle of Stories
What made The Castle of Stories such a good book for me was the amount of layers and nuances it managed to include. It’s not a terribly heavy read in terms of emotional triggers but it’s also not just light-hearted.
It’s messy and chaotic and finds joy in unexpected corners. It’s real life.
PLOT
So much happens in this book, so many side quests and details find space in it that I am grateful for the framework set early on, bracketing the colourful chaos within the confines of summer holidays.
The plot is littered with conflicts, and none of them felt artificial or constructed. They didn’t need to be. The social experiment that is putting these characters together into a castle under construction, in a country that easily loses its romantic flair when the summer heat hits harder than the lack of funds, made for inevitable conflict arcs.
It was also the perfect setting to amplify the preexisting dynamics and the difficulty that comes with a relatively new couple dealing with the age old drama that is cruel teenagers that are still loyal to their other parent.
Within all of this, the author managed to address evolving dynamics of patchwork families, very time relevant issues. Like how difficult it can be to be a teen in the age of social media. Or what it means to reshape identity as an adult finally acknowledging their existence under the LGBTQ+ umbrella. Or what it means to protect one's boundaries with children who feel like their family has been ripped apart, knowing the new partner is a package deal.
CHARACTERS
I just love books that find ways to manoeuvre the pain and weight of life in such a realistic way by finding solutions and happy endings that aren’t one-size-fits-all. Just like real life isn’t. And amidst this, where it is so easy to forget the good parts, the author managed to make this a read filled with humour and joy.
This is the kind of book where I love that the characters act entirely different than from what I would’ve done. There is no binary right or wrong in how the characters resolve their issues, and while some of their decisions and reactions had me anxious or stressed, it is precisely this absolutely human behaviour - unpredictable yet on character - that made this such a good book.
Unpredictable yet on character, uncomfortable in the way that feels most normal because that’s just what life is like. And still undeniable on route towards the happy end that feels so real, despite being scripted, that it fills real life with hope.
WRITING
On top of all this, the writing was amazing. I loved the style, the narrative choices of what is being told and what isn’t, the conversations and tone that so naturally developed with the characters. And as a huge plus, the narrator did an amazing job and was, in my opinion, the perfect choice for this.
--
Thank you to NetGalley, RB Media and Matt Cain for an ALC of The Castle of Stories
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is a hard one to give a score, and it pains me, because I tend to like this author (I absolutely loved The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle). But this book was a DNF for me.
I somehow managed to read past the 70% mark, but I just wasn´t enjoying it. And I think this is mainly because of two things:
1. Kids are written in such an annoyingly stereotypical manner that I cannot stand it. All through the book I was tellng myself, don´t be too harsh, they are probably like this because their mother made them think of a certain way. But then again, Kate was also hella annoying, in an exagerated way.
2. Too many stereotypes. I mean, the summary itself for the story is a stereotype, but I thought you could do something more interesting (or at least less melodramatic) with it.
Because, listen here, this story is about Adam, who inherits a property in Italy when a distant family member (whom later we find out was gay and lived many years here with his partner) dies. And somehow ends up spending summer there with his boyfriend, Theo (who has recently come out and divorced) and Theo´s kids. Now, conflict lies in the fact that the kids don´t accept Adam because... He stole Theo? Something like that, in their view.
My point is: I felt every single character in this novel (all the protagonists specifically) was a walking stereotype. So much so I couldn´t bring myself to care about any of them. The only one who was more or less okay was Archie, and that´s only because he is an overexcited 8 year old who has no malice and doesn´t enter in adult conflict. But all the rest were so...
Kate, the ex wife, was inventing shit since the very begining.
The teenagers were straight out unlikeable. I think this got better in the last half of the book, but that was because they weren´t there on page so much and also because, somehow without my notice, they kinda began to be okay with Adam? (Not that they sat and talked, more like other characters helped).
Theo and Adam were a bit, how can I put it? I expected them to try do more. They were very passive with everything happening.
And in regards to Wilf, Adam´s grand-uncle who left him the house... Well, it was no surprise he was gay. There was a very obvious foreshadowing from the very beginning. The letters were okay, but then again, I rather you showed and not told.
I think I´m going to leave the review here. I didn´t finish the book, but my guess is that everything somehow got sorted out and everyone reconciled.
Now, do I recommend the book? Yeah. It´s a well written novel, despite all my complaints. I´m sure someone more patient than me will enjoy it.
I somehow managed to read past the 70% mark, but I just wasn´t enjoying it. And I think this is mainly because of two things:
1. Kids are written in such an annoyingly stereotypical manner that I cannot stand it. All through the book I was tellng myself, don´t be too harsh, they are probably like this because their mother made them think of a certain way. But then again, Kate was also hella annoying, in an exagerated way.
2. Too many stereotypes. I mean, the summary itself for the story is a stereotype, but I thought you could do something more interesting (or at least less melodramatic) with it.
Because, listen here, this story is about Adam, who inherits a property in Italy when a distant family member (whom later we find out was gay and lived many years here with his partner) dies. And somehow ends up spending summer there with his boyfriend, Theo (who has recently come out and divorced) and Theo´s kids. Now, conflict lies in the fact that the kids don´t accept Adam because... He stole Theo? Something like that, in their view.
My point is: I felt every single character in this novel (all the protagonists specifically) was a walking stereotype. So much so I couldn´t bring myself to care about any of them. The only one who was more or less okay was Archie, and that´s only because he is an overexcited 8 year old who has no malice and doesn´t enter in adult conflict. But all the rest were so...
Kate, the ex wife, was inventing shit since the very begining.
The teenagers were straight out unlikeable. I think this got better in the last half of the book, but that was because they weren´t there on page so much and also because, somehow without my notice, they kinda began to be okay with Adam? (Not that they sat and talked, more like other characters helped).
Theo and Adam were a bit, how can I put it? I expected them to try do more. They were very passive with everything happening.
And in regards to Wilf, Adam´s grand-uncle who left him the house... Well, it was no surprise he was gay. There was a very obvious foreshadowing from the very beginning. The letters were okay, but then again, I rather you showed and not told.
I think I´m going to leave the review here. I didn´t finish the book, but my guess is that everything somehow got sorted out and everyone reconciled.
Now, do I recommend the book? Yeah. It´s a well written novel, despite all my complaints. I´m sure someone more patient than me will enjoy it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
🎧 Audio Review: Really enjoyed the narration for this story! Definitely felt that the audio helped bring the characters to life and made the experience more enjoyable, since I didn’t have to be stumbling over some of the Italian words and other terms.
📝 Story Review: I absolutely loved this story! I teared up so many times due to how emotionally moving I found this to be.
Adam and Theo have been in a relationship for about 1.5 yrs when Adam finds out he’s inherited a home and crumbling castle in Italy from a relative he never knew. They fall in love with the place and decide to return in the summer and renovate it. However, Theo’s 3 children from his first marriage wind up being pawned off on them for the entire summer instead of one week. Which wouldn’t be that big of a deal if the older two children didn’t dislike Adam so much and if their mother hadn’t helped instill that hate.
This story was beautiful and moving in many ways. From seeing how a divided family can mend and grow, to seeing how old wounds and misunderstandings can be brought out into the open and healed. And from seeing how the past hardships for homosexual couples, while maybe not as difficult these days, still runs into plenty of opposition, but love can endure!
I loved how this novel was written in a manner that made your heart bleed for the historical love story interwoven between its pages of modern romance which faced its own hurdles from small minded and misinformed people. It really showed the community and love between the LGBTQ and how sometimes the people you least expect to understand, can be just as accepting and loving. - This was just beautifully written and a captivating story from beginning to end.
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5
Vibes: A bittersweet old love story tied into a new age love story that has its own ups and downs. Bittersweet and heartwarming.
Tropes 👇
- MM romance/LGBTQ rep
- Italy vacation with kids
- Inheriting a home in Italy
- Home renovations
- Found family
- Family misunderstandings mended
- Navigating life/family dynamic changes
- Uncovering old family secrets
CW’s 👇
- Homophobia
- Childish rudeness (broken family)
- Difficult ex-relationship
- Past familial estrangement due to sexuality
- Feelings of parental abandonment
- Feelings of insecurity
Audio Release Date: April 27, 2026
Audio Run Time: 11 hrs, 47 mins
Narrated By: Simon Vance
Genre: MM Romance
POV: First Person; Single
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for this ALC in return for my honest review!
📝 Story Review: I absolutely loved this story! I teared up so many times due to how emotionally moving I found this to be.
Adam and Theo have been in a relationship for about 1.5 yrs when Adam finds out he’s inherited a home and crumbling castle in Italy from a relative he never knew. They fall in love with the place and decide to return in the summer and renovate it. However, Theo’s 3 children from his first marriage wind up being pawned off on them for the entire summer instead of one week. Which wouldn’t be that big of a deal if the older two children didn’t dislike Adam so much and if their mother hadn’t helped instill that hate.
This story was beautiful and moving in many ways. From seeing how a divided family can mend and grow, to seeing how old wounds and misunderstandings can be brought out into the open and healed. And from seeing how the past hardships for homosexual couples, while maybe not as difficult these days, still runs into plenty of opposition, but love can endure!
I loved how this novel was written in a manner that made your heart bleed for the historical love story interwoven between its pages of modern romance which faced its own hurdles from small minded and misinformed people. It really showed the community and love between the LGBTQ and how sometimes the people you least expect to understand, can be just as accepting and loving. - This was just beautifully written and a captivating story from beginning to end.
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 5/5
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ 2/5
Vibes: A bittersweet old love story tied into a new age love story that has its own ups and downs. Bittersweet and heartwarming.
Tropes 👇
- MM romance/LGBTQ rep
- Italy vacation with kids
- Inheriting a home in Italy
- Home renovations
- Found family
- Family misunderstandings mended
- Navigating life/family dynamic changes
- Uncovering old family secrets
CW’s 👇
- Homophobia
- Childish rudeness (broken family)
- Difficult ex-relationship
- Past familial estrangement due to sexuality
- Feelings of parental abandonment
- Feelings of insecurity
Audio Release Date: April 27, 2026
Audio Run Time: 11 hrs, 47 mins
Narrated By: Simon Vance
Genre: MM Romance
POV: First Person; Single
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for this ALC in return for my honest review!
April 8, 2026
Holy emotional roller coaster, Batman! This story was like a suckerpunch to the gut while also being so cozy, heartfelt, and inspiring!
I went into this book blindly expecting a gay, older, romance- and I got that and SO much more than I bargained for. Each character has so much depth that it was impossible not to appreciate all of the thought and care put into the creation of The Castle of Stories.
The story follows our main character, Adam, who struggles with what might be misplaced abandonment issues as he navigates a new relationship with Theo- a man who has just divorced his ex-wife upon coming out as gay to his family. Adam has recently inherited a home and "castle" in which he and Theo planned to renovate throughout the summer, only taking the kids for the last week of summer. But, everything gets flipped around when his ex-wife Kate pushes the kids on him for the full summer.
Callum, Mabel, and Archie, the children of Theo and Kate who want nothing to do with Adam, are now stuck with them throughout the full summer, renovating his new home in Italy.
At first, I was so annoyed with these kids. They tried to sabotage EVERY moment they could with Adam, openly hating him and siding with their mom at every turn. But the further into the story I went, the more I felt for these kids whose parents are freshly divorced and learning to accept that their father is gay and has already moved on with Adam. They softened up to Adam, and I really softened up to them, too.
I don't want to dive too much farther into the plot, but the name of this book truly captures the essence of each person having their own story- the one they share, and the one they keep close.
I laughed, cried, and truly enjoyed my time with The Castle of Stories. I'm so grateful Kensington sent me an ARC. This story will stay with me for a long time.
I went into this book blindly expecting a gay, older, romance- and I got that and SO much more than I bargained for. Each character has so much depth that it was impossible not to appreciate all of the thought and care put into the creation of The Castle of Stories.
The story follows our main character, Adam, who struggles with what might be misplaced abandonment issues as he navigates a new relationship with Theo- a man who has just divorced his ex-wife upon coming out as gay to his family. Adam has recently inherited a home and "castle" in which he and Theo planned to renovate throughout the summer, only taking the kids for the last week of summer. But, everything gets flipped around when his ex-wife Kate pushes the kids on him for the full summer.
Callum, Mabel, and Archie, the children of Theo and Kate who want nothing to do with Adam, are now stuck with them throughout the full summer, renovating his new home in Italy.
At first, I was so annoyed with these kids. They tried to sabotage EVERY moment they could with Adam, openly hating him and siding with their mom at every turn. But the further into the story I went, the more I felt for these kids whose parents are freshly divorced and learning to accept that their father is gay and has already moved on with Adam. They softened up to Adam, and I really softened up to them, too.
I don't want to dive too much farther into the plot, but the name of this book truly captures the essence of each person having their own story- the one they share, and the one they keep close.
I laughed, cried, and truly enjoyed my time with The Castle of Stories. I'm so grateful Kensington sent me an ARC. This story will stay with me for a long time.
April 29, 2026
Thank you Recorded Books for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!
Adam Webb wasn’t expecting to inherit a farmhouse and castle in Tuscany, especially from a great uncle that he’s never met. He flies from Manchester to Italy with his partner of two years, Theo, to do some repairs and hopefully flip the home into a rental. But when Theo’s three kids unexpectedly tag along for the summer, Adam’s plans are thwarted again. But as the summer progresses and the teen angst subsides, Adam finds himself falling more in love with the castle, with his great uncle’s legacy, and with Theo’s family.
I’ll admit that it was a bit of a slow start, but as the story progressed I started to fall in love with all the characters that Matt Cain introduces. I love the fictionalized queer history, the Italian summer vibes, and the complex family dynamics of stepping into more of a step-parent role. Once I put aside that it’s less of a romance and more of a Steven Rowley queer contemporary fiction book, I began to love the story even more. It’s a charming story that celebrates generations of queer joy, and speaks to the universal experience of becoming a parent’s new partner. I absolutely loved the three kids in the story, each with such a unique personality and role in the family, and each with their own challenge to Adam. Simon Vance perfectly captured each of the kids’ vibes, and I particularly loved the playful attitude of Archie. Simon Vance provides such heartfelt narration to Adam’s melancholy, confusion, and, ultimately, heartwarming joy. This is a story I’ll keep coming back to and keep recommending to anyone looking for a beautiful queer story.
Reviewed as part of an #ARC from #NetGalley.
Read this book if you:
🇮🇹 loved The Guncle Abroad
👯♀️ have reclaimed words like “queer” or “sister”
👒 adorn a Panama hat
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
Adam Webb wasn’t expecting to inherit a farmhouse and castle in Tuscany, especially from a great uncle that he’s never met. He flies from Manchester to Italy with his partner of two years, Theo, to do some repairs and hopefully flip the home into a rental. But when Theo’s three kids unexpectedly tag along for the summer, Adam’s plans are thwarted again. But as the summer progresses and the teen angst subsides, Adam finds himself falling more in love with the castle, with his great uncle’s legacy, and with Theo’s family.
I’ll admit that it was a bit of a slow start, but as the story progressed I started to fall in love with all the characters that Matt Cain introduces. I love the fictionalized queer history, the Italian summer vibes, and the complex family dynamics of stepping into more of a step-parent role. Once I put aside that it’s less of a romance and more of a Steven Rowley queer contemporary fiction book, I began to love the story even more. It’s a charming story that celebrates generations of queer joy, and speaks to the universal experience of becoming a parent’s new partner. I absolutely loved the three kids in the story, each with such a unique personality and role in the family, and each with their own challenge to Adam. Simon Vance perfectly captured each of the kids’ vibes, and I particularly loved the playful attitude of Archie. Simon Vance provides such heartfelt narration to Adam’s melancholy, confusion, and, ultimately, heartwarming joy. This is a story I’ll keep coming back to and keep recommending to anyone looking for a beautiful queer story.
Reviewed as part of an #ARC from #NetGalley.
Read this book if you:
🇮🇹 loved The Guncle Abroad
👯♀️ have reclaimed words like “queer” or “sister”
👒 adorn a Panama hat
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Inheriting an Italian farmhouse and castle, middle-aged MC Adam decides to quit his job and spend the summer renovating the place into a holiday rental. He'll take with him his partner of two years, Theo, and it'll be super-romantic.
Except that at the last minute, the summer plans for Theo's three children fall through, and they're added to the party -- and there is ongoing fallout from Theo coming out and ending his straight marriage two years before. There is, horror, no wifi, just mice and lizards in the kitchen ... and what renovation ever went smoothly?!
All in all, it's the set up for a lovely summer read, which I enjoyed no end. Adam develops new insight into his own family history, while he, Theo and the kids are processing the change in their family dynamics. I liked how realistic the conversations and emotions were, and that some shifts do just take time and willing. The history of the farmhouse, and Adam's mysterious Uncle Wilf, are folded in well, too. Plus the beautiful Tuscan countryside is beautifully described.
This is a blend of slice of life, fluff, and also rather emotional in places (content warnings for homophobia in particular.) However, in common with the author's other books, it's a positive story overall, and I happily recommend it.
Rating: 16/20
This review is based upon a complimentary advance reading copy provided by the publisher.
Except that at the last minute, the summer plans for Theo's three children fall through, and they're added to the party -- and there is ongoing fallout from Theo coming out and ending his straight marriage two years before. There is, horror, no wifi, just mice and lizards in the kitchen ... and what renovation ever went smoothly?!
All in all, it's the set up for a lovely summer read, which I enjoyed no end. Adam develops new insight into his own family history, while he, Theo and the kids are processing the change in their family dynamics. I liked how realistic the conversations and emotions were, and that some shifts do just take time and willing. The history of the farmhouse, and Adam's mysterious Uncle Wilf, are folded in well, too. Plus the beautiful Tuscan countryside is beautifully described.
This is a blend of slice of life, fluff, and also rather emotional in places (content warnings for homophobia in particular.) However, in common with the author's other books, it's a positive story overall, and I happily recommend it.
Rating: 16/20
This review is based upon a complimentary advance reading copy provided by the publisher.
April 27, 2026
After Adam inherits an estate in disrepair in Italy from a great uncle he never met, he, his boyfriend Theo, and Theo's three kids spend the summer fixing the place up to be a holiday rental. Theo's older kids, Callum and Mabel, are still angry at their father for coming out as gay and divorcing their mom, and they direct all that anger at Adam, who is trying his hardest to win them over. Over the course of the summer, Adam discovers a lot about his family that was hidden from him, which turns on its head everything he thought he knew about his own childhood.
I really liked Adam and his earnest sincerity. He is also quite insecure, having never felt like he was enough for his father, with his mother's early death that he is a bit suspicious about, and subsequently being raised by his aunt. He also grew up in a really homophobic time, and is still battling trauma from it. I also really liked Theo, who is struggling so hard dealing with resentful children, an angry ex wife, and unsupportive parents.
I cried kind of a lot while reading this book, though it is very wholesome and sweet. Adam really goes on a rollercoaster of emotions figuring our his past and reframing everything he's been through. I feel like this would be a great vacation/beach read, with vivid descriptions of rolling hills and delicious food, a fun story with substance too.
(I received a free advanced review copy from the publisher/NetGalley.)
I really liked Adam and his earnest sincerity. He is also quite insecure, having never felt like he was enough for his father, with his mother's early death that he is a bit suspicious about, and subsequently being raised by his aunt. He also grew up in a really homophobic time, and is still battling trauma from it. I also really liked Theo, who is struggling so hard dealing with resentful children, an angry ex wife, and unsupportive parents.
I cried kind of a lot while reading this book, though it is very wholesome and sweet. Adam really goes on a rollercoaster of emotions figuring our his past and reframing everything he's been through. I feel like this would be a great vacation/beach read, with vivid descriptions of rolling hills and delicious food, a fun story with substance too.
(I received a free advanced review copy from the publisher/NetGalley.)
April 28, 2026
What a wonderfully warm and charming story! This is my first of Cain’s books, but it won’t be my last.
It did take me a while to get into. The story tackles a variety of themes, experiences and perspectives, and takes a little while to find its rhythm. At first it felt heavier, and the familial relationships felt quite hopeless. However about midway the story hits its stride, and the initial conflict starts to evolve into something thoughtful, nuanced and heartwarming.
Cain captures the layers of guilt, shame, identity, loss and the shifts in the experience of being gay across generations in a way that feels honest and complex without feeling gratuitous. I came to understand and respect the characters, and enjoyed the experience of gradually unravelling their perspectives, particularly Matt and Wilf. The Italian castle setting elevated this story of a new family forming, and I closed this book with a full heart.
The narration for the audiobook version took this up a star for me. The narrators voice felt perfect for Matt, capturing his maturity, and placing the reader within his perspective. The gentle pacing and cadence of the narration felt perfectly aligned with the Italian countryside setting. And despite such a large cast, each character had a distinct voice, making their individual experiences easy to follow.
Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.
It did take me a while to get into. The story tackles a variety of themes, experiences and perspectives, and takes a little while to find its rhythm. At first it felt heavier, and the familial relationships felt quite hopeless. However about midway the story hits its stride, and the initial conflict starts to evolve into something thoughtful, nuanced and heartwarming.
Cain captures the layers of guilt, shame, identity, loss and the shifts in the experience of being gay across generations in a way that feels honest and complex without feeling gratuitous. I came to understand and respect the characters, and enjoyed the experience of gradually unravelling their perspectives, particularly Matt and Wilf. The Italian castle setting elevated this story of a new family forming, and I closed this book with a full heart.
The narration for the audiobook version took this up a star for me. The narrators voice felt perfect for Matt, capturing his maturity, and placing the reader within his perspective. The gentle pacing and cadence of the narration felt perfectly aligned with the Italian countryside setting. And despite such a large cast, each character had a distinct voice, making their individual experiences easy to follow.
Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Wonderful, glorious, heartwarming, emotional and poignant.
Adam Webb’s life takes an unexpected turn when he inherits a property in Italy from an uncle he never knew. Alongside his partner Theo and his three children, two of whom seem determined to test his patience, he embarks on a journey to restore the house and turn it into a home and maybe a new business, all while uncovering a lingering mystery.
The book doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects, exploring themes such as grief, divorce, resentment, and homophobia with honesty and sensitivity, balanced by an underlying thread of love. It feels grounded in real life, offering something for every reader to connect with.
The setting is particularly evocative. Matt captures the beauty of the Tuscan countryside with vivid, affectionate detail, bringing the house, the nearby castle, and their surroundings to life. It’s easy to feel transported there, immersed in every page.
I do believe this is his best novel yet which is strong praise as Albert Entwhistle and Ted still live rent free in my head years after meeting them in his previous books.
The audiobook was beautifully narrated by Simon Vance who really brought each separate character to life with believable accents and voices.
With thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and Matt Cain for the arc in exchange for an honest review
Adam Webb’s life takes an unexpected turn when he inherits a property in Italy from an uncle he never knew. Alongside his partner Theo and his three children, two of whom seem determined to test his patience, he embarks on a journey to restore the house and turn it into a home and maybe a new business, all while uncovering a lingering mystery.
The book doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects, exploring themes such as grief, divorce, resentment, and homophobia with honesty and sensitivity, balanced by an underlying thread of love. It feels grounded in real life, offering something for every reader to connect with.
The setting is particularly evocative. Matt captures the beauty of the Tuscan countryside with vivid, affectionate detail, bringing the house, the nearby castle, and their surroundings to life. It’s easy to feel transported there, immersed in every page.
I do believe this is his best novel yet which is strong praise as Albert Entwhistle and Ted still live rent free in my head years after meeting them in his previous books.
The audiobook was beautifully narrated by Simon Vance who really brought each separate character to life with believable accents and voices.
With thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and Matt Cain for the arc in exchange for an honest review
April 28, 2026
I loved this heartfelt, sincere, portrayal of queer family and blended family. I appreciate how the story embraces challenges and hard converstaions between characters without villifying anyone, and leaving plenty of space for characters to confront their insecurities, grieve, change, and grow. Also, it was so lovely to see strong, nuanced, loving representation of gay men in their mid to late 40s. I love the tenderness with which the book explores how many queer folks create their own unique families and communities with relatives, loved ones, special friends, and more. I did find the British slang a bit overdone at times, but I will definitely recommend this book and I look forward to reading more from this author!
One note on genre: I noticed that The Castle of Stories is tagged as romance on both Goodreads and Storygraph, and I do not think this book is a romance. While the story is full of love and growth, I found it to be much more of a heartfelt contemporary. If you are expecting the typical beats of a romance, you will likely be dissapointed, but The Castle of Stories absolutely shines as a contemporary story about family and queerness.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
One note on genre: I noticed that The Castle of Stories is tagged as romance on both Goodreads and Storygraph, and I do not think this book is a romance. While the story is full of love and growth, I found it to be much more of a heartfelt contemporary. If you are expecting the typical beats of a romance, you will likely be dissapointed, but The Castle of Stories absolutely shines as a contemporary story about family and queerness.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the ARC in exchange for my unbiased review.
May 9, 2026
Matt Cain's new book is set in Tuscany and even though I have not read his previous stories yet (been told they are good), you can always convince me with this setting!
The castle of stories started off slowly but the further you get into the story, you feel that this is the way it has to be to build up the story. A story about Adam, inheriting a property in the tuscan hills from an uncle he has never met. What looked like an idyllic trip with his partner Theo, changes in a nightmare scenario when Theo's three children suddenly come too. And only little Archie is an angel! While they start with the renovations, you get to know more of the other characters. All as important to the story as the main character Adam. While we are swept away by the Italian villages, food and stories about the castle, we get to know the friends, relatives, and neighbours. All of them have a piece of Adam's past and maybe the key for the future. A lot of real life themes are touched on by the author. Some hard ones like the loss of loved ones, teenager troubles and their drama, divorce, homophobia, ...and some nicer ones such as love, family, friends and dreams.
This is for sure a story in which most readers will find something they feel close to or can relate to.
The castle of stories started off slowly but the further you get into the story, you feel that this is the way it has to be to build up the story. A story about Adam, inheriting a property in the tuscan hills from an uncle he has never met. What looked like an idyllic trip with his partner Theo, changes in a nightmare scenario when Theo's three children suddenly come too. And only little Archie is an angel! While they start with the renovations, you get to know more of the other characters. All as important to the story as the main character Adam. While we are swept away by the Italian villages, food and stories about the castle, we get to know the friends, relatives, and neighbours. All of them have a piece of Adam's past and maybe the key for the future. A lot of real life themes are touched on by the author. Some hard ones like the loss of loved ones, teenager troubles and their drama, divorce, homophobia, ...and some nicer ones such as love, family, friends and dreams.
This is for sure a story in which most readers will find something they feel close to or can relate to.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"'Uncle Wilf', I begin, cradling the urn, 'I didn't know you but it's been a privilege to discover your story. Thanks for opening your life up to me. I know yours was sometimes a struggle but I hope it's some consolation to know you got it right. Your bravery and self-belief inspire me every day. And I'm proud to call you uncle.'"
Adam and partner Theo spend a summer renovating a Tuscan castle Adam has inherited from as yet unknown Uncle Wilf. It's also the opportunity to win around Theo's reluctant children, particularly teenage Calum and Mabel (younger Archie is adorable) influenced by their unhappy mum, Kate.
Set in an escapist and stunning location, with a crumbling and romantic castle that's the subject of an archaeological dig, they renovate the cottage as a holiday rental, with the help of a supporting cast of entertaining builders and locals.
It's a joyful read that celebrates gay love, the love of friends (Adam's fabulous sisters!) and family, whilst exploring the pain and bigotry experienced by many gay men in both the recent and distant and past. Poignant, nuanced and inspiring, this is one for your TBR!
Adam and partner Theo spend a summer renovating a Tuscan castle Adam has inherited from as yet unknown Uncle Wilf. It's also the opportunity to win around Theo's reluctant children, particularly teenage Calum and Mabel (younger Archie is adorable) influenced by their unhappy mum, Kate.
Set in an escapist and stunning location, with a crumbling and romantic castle that's the subject of an archaeological dig, they renovate the cottage as a holiday rental, with the help of a supporting cast of entertaining builders and locals.
It's a joyful read that celebrates gay love, the love of friends (Adam's fabulous sisters!) and family, whilst exploring the pain and bigotry experienced by many gay men in both the recent and distant and past. Poignant, nuanced and inspiring, this is one for your TBR!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4🌟
Middle age main characters!!
After inheriting and ruined castle with farmhouse in Italy, Matt and his partner of 18 months, Theo, decide to spend the summer renovating it. Theo's children are to spend one week with them during their summer vacation, but things change and they are now spending 6 weeks. Matt has severe abandonment issues that lead him to assume his relationship is now doomed since he is not sure how he will get along with children for 6 weeks.
This was a heartwarming story of learning to be a family. It works through tough problems that are very relatable in some families. There is definitely teenager vs. parent's partner dynamic, younger kids too. There is homophobia, grief, divorce, and bullying. These topics were handled well and brought so much depth to the story.
I liked that this wasn't the typical "inherit a castle and find love in Tuscany". Instead we start in an established relationship with their family that is learning about themselves and who they are together.
The audio was done well, easy to keep up with and brought life to this story.
Thanks to RBmedia and Matt Cain for sending me an Alc to review. Narrated by Simon Vance.
Middle age main characters!!
After inheriting and ruined castle with farmhouse in Italy, Matt and his partner of 18 months, Theo, decide to spend the summer renovating it. Theo's children are to spend one week with them during their summer vacation, but things change and they are now spending 6 weeks. Matt has severe abandonment issues that lead him to assume his relationship is now doomed since he is not sure how he will get along with children for 6 weeks.
This was a heartwarming story of learning to be a family. It works through tough problems that are very relatable in some families. There is definitely teenager vs. parent's partner dynamic, younger kids too. There is homophobia, grief, divorce, and bullying. These topics were handled well and brought so much depth to the story.
I liked that this wasn't the typical "inherit a castle and find love in Tuscany". Instead we start in an established relationship with their family that is learning about themselves and who they are together.
The audio was done well, easy to keep up with and brought life to this story.
Thanks to RBmedia and Matt Cain for sending me an Alc to review. Narrated by Simon Vance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
At 45, Adam inherits an old castle in Tuscany from an uncle he barely knows and takes it as an opportunity to spend the summer there with his boyfriend Theo while they fix it up to become an Airbnb. When Theo’s children need to join them due to a custody change, things get a bit more complicated- navigating some teenagers and young children who are still processing their dad having a boyfriend.
Ultimately, the “family” dynamics are incredibly well done. Adam is deferential to Theo when it comes to his kids and doesn’t want to overstep but he does come into a sort of trusted adult role in their lives, which is exactly where he wants to be. He doesn’t want to step over or replace, just be another adult who cares about them. You can see the kids test waters and push back in very expected ways and I really enjoyed how Theo and Adam addressed them and came together through those moments.
This was a cute, easy read- probably well enjoyed by fans of the Guncle, or We Burned So Bright.
3.5 rounded up.
The Castle of Stories will be published April 28, 2026 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
Ultimately, the “family” dynamics are incredibly well done. Adam is deferential to Theo when it comes to his kids and doesn’t want to overstep but he does come into a sort of trusted adult role in their lives, which is exactly where he wants to be. He doesn’t want to step over or replace, just be another adult who cares about them. You can see the kids test waters and push back in very expected ways and I really enjoyed how Theo and Adam addressed them and came together through those moments.
This was a cute, easy read- probably well enjoyed by fans of the Guncle, or We Burned So Bright.
3.5 rounded up.
The Castle of Stories will be published April 28, 2026 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
May 5, 2026
What a find! Holy smokes, I'm so incredibly glad I took a chance on Matt Cain's The Castle of Stories. The adorable cover and the enticing title snagged my attention and I couldn't resist.
These characters are so interesting. Everyone from the main guys to the kids to the friends and even the locals... I couldn't get enough.
Matt Cain paints a colorful picture of this historic property in Italy, and the unique Mancunian personality traits really tickled me. Adam is an interesting guy, with a fascinating past - and it's wonderful to be a part of it as it it all unfolds.
The audio version of Castle of Stories is beautifully performed by Simon Vance. I love his accent, and the way he reads the story it is like we're discovering everything along with Adam.
I've already looked and my library has several of Matt Cain's novels, and a couple are narrated by Simon Vance. I can't wait to check them out.
an audiobook copy of The Castle of Stories was provided by RBmedia | Recorded Books, via NetGalley for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
These characters are so interesting. Everyone from the main guys to the kids to the friends and even the locals... I couldn't get enough.
Matt Cain paints a colorful picture of this historic property in Italy, and the unique Mancunian personality traits really tickled me. Adam is an interesting guy, with a fascinating past - and it's wonderful to be a part of it as it it all unfolds.
The audio version of Castle of Stories is beautifully performed by Simon Vance. I love his accent, and the way he reads the story it is like we're discovering everything along with Adam.
I've already looked and my library has several of Matt Cain's novels, and a couple are narrated by Simon Vance. I can't wait to check them out.
an audiobook copy of The Castle of Stories was provided by RBmedia | Recorded Books, via NetGalley for the purpose of my honest review, all opinions are my own
February 6, 2026
Special thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was an easy to read but surprising book that tackled some tough topics. This book was described as a light read, but I would disagree with that for the most part. In a lot of gay books, the mc is the one that figures out he’s gay and leaves his family, this book goes about it differently. The mc is thrust into the aftermath of a family dynamic that has been torn apart.
It was fascinating to hear his perspective and although his self centeredness annoyed me at times, he was good at self reflection and never made his internal insecurities someone else’s problem.
I wasn’t the biggest fan of how the ex wife was portrayed, but it is pretty realistic, I just wish the book tried to be more sympathetic to her character. Additionally, some of the descriptions and interactions between characters felt incredibly juvenile and could use some editing for content and basic grammar.
Despite my criticisms I did enjoy this book and breezed through it.
This was an easy to read but surprising book that tackled some tough topics. This book was described as a light read, but I would disagree with that for the most part. In a lot of gay books, the mc is the one that figures out he’s gay and leaves his family, this book goes about it differently. The mc is thrust into the aftermath of a family dynamic that has been torn apart.
It was fascinating to hear his perspective and although his self centeredness annoyed me at times, he was good at self reflection and never made his internal insecurities someone else’s problem.
I wasn’t the biggest fan of how the ex wife was portrayed, but it is pretty realistic, I just wish the book tried to be more sympathetic to her character. Additionally, some of the descriptions and interactions between characters felt incredibly juvenile and could use some editing for content and basic grammar.
Despite my criticisms I did enjoy this book and breezed through it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5 stars.
I liked it but didn't love it.
Adam inherits a house in Italy and spends the summer doing it up with his boyfriend Theo and his three kids.
What I liked. The location, a lovely house with its own castle, albeit a crumbling one. The weather, who doesn't love hot weather and sunshine? I thought the story of how Adam's uncle Wilf came to live in Italy with his boyfriend was quite sweet. Told through letters that Adam finds hidden under a wardrobe.
What I struggled with. I get Adam had low self-esteem, but I just found him to be very passive at times, especially the relationship between him and Theo's kids. I know it's not easy being a step parent, I've been there.
The 'sisters' was a bit much, although I did enjoy the little chats that Adam had with Ian.
I enjoyed Matt's previous books, Becoming Ted and The Secret Life of Ernest Entwhistle were fantastic reads.
This one doesn't quite hit the mark. Unfortunately.
Thanks to Netgalley and Pansy for the ARC in return for an honest review.
I liked it but didn't love it.
Adam inherits a house in Italy and spends the summer doing it up with his boyfriend Theo and his three kids.
What I liked. The location, a lovely house with its own castle, albeit a crumbling one. The weather, who doesn't love hot weather and sunshine? I thought the story of how Adam's uncle Wilf came to live in Italy with his boyfriend was quite sweet. Told through letters that Adam finds hidden under a wardrobe.
What I struggled with. I get Adam had low self-esteem, but I just found him to be very passive at times, especially the relationship between him and Theo's kids. I know it's not easy being a step parent, I've been there.
The 'sisters' was a bit much, although I did enjoy the little chats that Adam had with Ian.
I enjoyed Matt's previous books, Becoming Ted and The Secret Life of Ernest Entwhistle were fantastic reads.
This one doesn't quite hit the mark. Unfortunately.
Thanks to Netgalley and Pansy for the ARC in return for an honest review.
April 28, 2026
Another stunner from Matt Cain; he did a great job of revealing depth and layers to the characters throughout, even ones that started out flat from the MC's point of view. I love seeing MCs from a working class background who have to think about things like money while they're off on their glamorous vacations, and that's definitely a part of the narrative here that really keeps things grounded. There was a just-right dose of conflict and issues for the MC to work through in terms of the house, his relationship, and his past, but overall the story was uplifting and I got pretty emotional towards the end (of course). Plus there are great food descriptions and beautiful landscapes. It really made me want to go back to Italy and eat my little heart out.
Netgalley gave me a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
CWs - Bullying, Homophobia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Suicide, Outing, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Animal death, Physical abuse
Netgalley gave me a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
CWs - Bullying, Homophobia, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Suicide, Outing, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Animal death, Physical abuse
May 9, 2026
The Castle of Stories by Matt Cain was such a warm and emotional read. The book is really about family, grief, identity, and learning how to let yourself be loved. And I loved the Tuscan setting—rolling hills, old ruins, tiny medieval towns, coffee on the patio, golden sunsets over the castle; it gave the entire story this dreamy atmosphere that I adored so much.
I really liked Adam as a protagonist because he felt very relatable: insecure, thoughtful, overwhelmed, always trying his best. His relationship with Theo was mature and believable. Theo’s children added another layer to the story too. I must say their resentment toward Adam was frustrating at times, but it also felt realistic, and I appreciated the slow character/relationship developments. I also liked Adam's sisters.
My favorite parts of the story was the history Adam uncovers about his great-uncle Wilf. Those sections were emotional; especially when it's about queer identity across generations. I really liked that the characters are already in their forties.
I really liked Adam as a protagonist because he felt very relatable: insecure, thoughtful, overwhelmed, always trying his best. His relationship with Theo was mature and believable. Theo’s children added another layer to the story too. I must say their resentment toward Adam was frustrating at times, but it also felt realistic, and I appreciated the slow character/relationship developments. I also liked Adam's sisters.
My favorite parts of the story was the history Adam uncovers about his great-uncle Wilf. Those sections were emotional; especially when it's about queer identity across generations. I really liked that the characters are already in their forties.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have read and enjoyed all of the novels by this author, but I think this one is my favorite! I identified with many of the characters from England, in particular Theo and Adam’s father. I was born 10 minutes away from Wigan, and really liked Adam’s dad’s line that there weren’t any gays when he was growing up in Wigan, to which Adam says “Dad, I’m sure there were gays on council estates in Wigan.” His dad replies, “Well, not any who admitted it. It were another world back then.”
I was deep in the closet myself, had a wife and two children, and eventually decided to come out at the age of 49. Everyone gets along now including my husband, kids and ex-wife, but there were for sure some bumps along the way!
I found some parts of the book a bit melodramatic and possible too good to be true, but I loved the way in which Theo’s kids went from hating to loving Adam. The setting on an old castle in Tuscany was an added bonus!
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC.
I was deep in the closet myself, had a wife and two children, and eventually decided to come out at the age of 49. Everyone gets along now including my husband, kids and ex-wife, but there were for sure some bumps along the way!
I found some parts of the book a bit melodramatic and possible too good to be true, but I loved the way in which Theo’s kids went from hating to loving Adam. The setting on an old castle in Tuscany was an added bonus!
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC.
![[image error]](https://melovebooks.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/brthecastleofstories.jpg){kind=link}
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
2.5 stars rounded up because of excellent narration
Oh, this one hurrrrt! ALBERT ENTWISTLE is one of my all-time favorite novels, but subsequent releases from Matt Cain just haven't matched my taste. The premise for THE CASTLE OF STORIES sounded great, so I'd hoped this might be the turning point, but alas... I don't think I'll be reading future books by this author.
The protagonist annoyed me throughout, as did the awful, one-dimensional portrayal of the teens. I couldn't get past it and eventually DNF'd.
However, the narrator, Simon Vance, did an excellent job! I really liked him. His voice is pleasant, age-appropriate (nothing worse than having an older protagonist voiced by a guy who sounds like he just graduated high school) and I think it he imbued the story with as much charm as the sometimes lack-lustre prose allows.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia | Recorded Books for the free audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
Oh, this one hurrrrt! ALBERT ENTWISTLE is one of my all-time favorite novels, but subsequent releases from Matt Cain just haven't matched my taste. The premise for THE CASTLE OF STORIES sounded great, so I'd hoped this might be the turning point, but alas... I don't think I'll be reading future books by this author.
The protagonist annoyed me throughout, as did the awful, one-dimensional portrayal of the teens. I couldn't get past it and eventually DNF'd.
However, the narrator, Simon Vance, did an excellent job! I really liked him. His voice is pleasant, age-appropriate (nothing worse than having an older protagonist voiced by a guy who sounds like he just graduated high school) and I think it he imbued the story with as much charm as the sometimes lack-lustre prose allows.
Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia | Recorded Books for the free audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
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