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. 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? The second thing, if you’re still here reading this review, was about Elizabeth, Teddy’s mother and Arthur’s daughter. Both times someone comes out to her, she manages to make it so totally about herself it’s almost impressive. She accuses Arthur of ruining their lives, and cuts him off almost completely. She outs him to the entire town shouting about it in the convenience store! And Arthur, much more nice than I would be about it, is willing just to wait for her to come around and forgive him! Like, sorry, but Elizabeth should be on her knees begging for Arthur’s forgiveness. 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. It's been strange since coming out. I didn't really think about how I would feel after it. You forget that it's not just one moment. It's a moment you have with every single person after that too.'

When 79-year-old Arthur Edwards gathers his family together to share some important news, no one is prepared for the bombshell he drops: he's gay, and after a lifetime in the closet, he's finally ready to come out. Proving there’s no age limit on following your heart and finding love! I’m totally #TeamArthurandTeddy’ Heidi Swain, Sunday Times bestselling author It's a very easy read, even though there are some difficult topics. I'll mention the trigger warnings below if you want to know. I did notice that at times the story went really fast, and certain things are skipped, which I thought could have been a bit better. And other times, I had the feeling some parts could have been wrapped up a bit sooner. The feel-good read of 2023. Perfect for fans of Mike Gayle, Beth O'Leary and Alice Oseman's Heartstopper. When 79-year-old Arthur Edwards gathers his family together to share some important news, no one is prepared for the bombshell he drops: he's gay, and after a lifetime in the closet, he's finally ready to come out.

Member Reviews

Double 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. Arthur and Teddy have always been close, and now they must navigate first loves, heartbreak, and finding their place in their community. But can they – and their family – learn to accept who they truly are?

The multiple relationship threads running through the story come together beautifully at the end and the book is a joy to read from start to finish!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Gentle, honest and beautifully authentic' Julietta Henderson, author of The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman A joyful, big-hearted story about family, friendship and finding your place in the world' Freya Sampson, author of The Last Chance LibraryLife 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. -Arthur

Prizes are sent to winners prior to publication and so the cover may differ from the image shown, and may be an uncorrected proof copy. This uplifting, feel-good story is perfect for fans of Mike Gayle, Beth O'Leary and Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper. Did this coming-of-age contemporary gay romance bring tears to my eyes at 1:30am? Yes it did! I absolutely loved it!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. 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. Too often, queer literature is enjoyed only by the LGBT+ community, but this is a novel ready to be loved by the masses.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Gentle, honest and beautifully authentic’ Julietta Henderson, author of The Funny Thing about Norman Foreman

Too often, queer literature is enjoyed only by the LGBT+ community, but this is a novel ready to be loved by the masses.' Alongside this depth there’s a lightness of touch too as Ryan Love has his characters create memories through simple moments and pleasures, as well as through the larger events, making the narrative feel familiar and real. In Arthur and Teddy are Coming Out we learn that life is made of these quiet, ordinary moments just as much as the dramatic occasions. Ryan Love exemplifies how bravery and contentment are possible for everyone, but that we might just need to make the effort to find happiness for ourselves. 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.. 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.Arthur and Teddy have always been close, and now they must navigate first loves, heartbreak, and finding their place in their community. But can they - and their family - learn to accept who they truly are? 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! 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. What a heartfelt story. I so enjoyed meeting and getting to know Arthur and Teddy. There’s a slightly young adult tone to the style that I think gives the book universal appeal.