Description
Description
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 part: 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.
About the Author
About the Author
Matt Cain is an author, a leading commentator on LGBT+ issues, and a former journalist. He was Channel 4's first Culture Editor, Editor-In-Chief of Attitude magazine, and has judged the Costa Prize, the Polari Prize and the South Bank Sky Arts Awards. He won Diversity in Media's Journalist Of the Year award in 2017 and is an ambassador for Manchester Pride and the Albert Kennedy Trust, plus a patron of LGBT+ History Month. Born in Bury and brought up in Bolton, he now lives in London and can be found online at MattCainWriter.com.
Critical Reviews
Critical Reviews
Praise for Matt Cain: "This is fun, frothy and frivolous, perfect for the gay beach." --The Bay Area Reporter on Becoming Ted
"Matt Cain writes gay love stories that are universally uplifting, inspiring and utterly riveting." --Lisa Jewell, # 1 New York Times bestselling author of It Could Have Been Her on The Castle of Stories "Cain is one of our most intelligent, empathetic authors and a brilliant storyteller. These are stories we need to hear." --Lorraine Kelly, author of The Island Secret on The Castle of Stories "Nobody captures the messiness, angst and utter joy of the modern family better than Matt Cain." --Clare Pooley, author of How to Age Disgracefully on The Castle of Stories "British journalist Cain serves up a breezy second-act story that traces a 40-something gay man's unlikely journey to drag stardom...Cain constructs a soothing if familiar tale of self-empowerment. This sticky-sweet confection goes down smooth enough." --Publishers Weekly on Becoming Ted "Becoming Ted is a thoroughly detailed portrait of the fictional small town of St. Lukes-on-Sea and the colorful characters who call it home. It's also a touchingly reflective examination of how much gay identity has changed over time." --The Book Reporter on Becoming Ted "Albert is one of the most endearing characters I've met in a long time, a man struggling to reclaim his authentic self. His tender, heartbreaking, agonizing, but ultimately joyous journey is proof that it's never too late to find a happy ending." --Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author on The Secret Life of Albert Entwhistle "The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle is a heartfelt coming-of-age story--first love and first loss, new friends and new identities, the realization that your parents aren't who you think they are--except that the age Albert is coming-of is retirement. The most remarkable thing about the many wonderful love stories in this novel is how unremarkable they are after all." --Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author "I raced through this heart-warming story of a closeted gay postman searching for a lost love that also examines the everyday bigotry that's blighted generations of the LGBTQ+ community." --The Guyliner on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle "Brimming with empathy and understanding for the true meaning of family - I loved it." --Freya North, author of Spring at Flora's House on The Castle of Stories "This book is utterly absorbing. Matt Cain is one of the most entertaining and illuminating writers out there." --Bryony Gordon, author of People Pleaser on The Castle of Stories
"Matt Cain writes gay love stories that are universally uplifting, inspiring and utterly riveting." --Lisa Jewell, # 1 New York Times bestselling author of It Could Have Been Her on The Castle of Stories "Cain is one of our most intelligent, empathetic authors and a brilliant storyteller. These are stories we need to hear." --Lorraine Kelly, author of The Island Secret on The Castle of Stories "Nobody captures the messiness, angst and utter joy of the modern family better than Matt Cain." --Clare Pooley, author of How to Age Disgracefully on The Castle of Stories "British journalist Cain serves up a breezy second-act story that traces a 40-something gay man's unlikely journey to drag stardom...Cain constructs a soothing if familiar tale of self-empowerment. This sticky-sweet confection goes down smooth enough." --Publishers Weekly on Becoming Ted "Becoming Ted is a thoroughly detailed portrait of the fictional small town of St. Lukes-on-Sea and the colorful characters who call it home. It's also a touchingly reflective examination of how much gay identity has changed over time." --The Book Reporter on Becoming Ted "Albert is one of the most endearing characters I've met in a long time, a man struggling to reclaim his authentic self. His tender, heartbreaking, agonizing, but ultimately joyous journey is proof that it's never too late to find a happy ending." --Susan Wiggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author on The Secret Life of Albert Entwhistle "The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle is a heartfelt coming-of-age story--first love and first loss, new friends and new identities, the realization that your parents aren't who you think they are--except that the age Albert is coming-of is retirement. The most remarkable thing about the many wonderful love stories in this novel is how unremarkable they are after all." --Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author "I raced through this heart-warming story of a closeted gay postman searching for a lost love that also examines the everyday bigotry that's blighted generations of the LGBTQ+ community." --The Guyliner on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle "Brimming with empathy and understanding for the true meaning of family - I loved it." --Freya North, author of Spring at Flora's House on The Castle of Stories "This book is utterly absorbing. Matt Cain is one of the most entertaining and illuminating writers out there." --Bryony Gordon, author of People Pleaser on The Castle of Stories
Publishing Information
Publishing Information
Publisher:
John Scognamiglio Book
Pub date:
2026-04-28
Length:
400 pages
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