Arthur and Teddy Are Coming Out is a very sweet, somewhat predictable but always heartwarming story with an eye-catching cover about two men; elderly gentleman Arthur and his 22 year old grandson Teddy, both of whom are gay and are finding the right moment to come out and live as their true, authentic selves. They’re twofold really, the first relating to Teddy and his treatment of Ben (apparently his boyfriend but you wouldn’t know it) and the second to the story’s narrative and its easy forgiveness of Elizabeth’s homophobia (YMMV on this one). Let’s start with Teddy and Ben because I have a lot to say about it and there will be spoilers (so stop now if you don’t want them). Two people at very different stages of their lives deciding to come out of the closet and live their authentic lives despite all their fears and insecurities sounded captivating. But this story ended up being such a mediocre slow burn, I caught myself skimming through some chapters, especially the ones about Teddy and Ben. Several characters reacted in a drastically homophobic way, then suddenly had a change of heart, realized they were behaving like entitled bigots, and at last were immediately forgiven. It all just sounded inadequate and shallow.

First of all, okay, not everything about this was terrible. Arthur and Madeline were very sweet and their story was (superficially) moving. History Makers: Female Writers Dominate the 2023 William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award Shortlist Elizabeth, Teddy's mom and Arthur's daughter, is the absolute WORST, terribly homophobic, and everyone is way too understanding of her homophobia so she never has to show even a shred of accountability for her behavior It is slightly on the cheesy side, but that is exactly what the intention is. It's hard hitting and thoughtful in all the right places and then cosy and heart warming where it needs to be. It is definitely reminiscent of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain, a book which I also loved.

Too often, queer literature is enjoyed only by the LGBT+ community, but this is a novel ready to be loved by the masses.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What I liked most about the book was that the characters were well fleshed out and the relationships were believable: the friendship between Teddy and Shakeel and of course the relationship between Teddy and Arthur as the duality of their coming out stories unfolds. Big thank you to Harlequin for sending me an advanced copy of this book, it has been nothing short of a joy to read this. 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!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ But don’t worry! At the end, our little nepo baby oh so magnanimously turns down the job at the newspaper so that Ben can have it! How civic-minded of him! What a gorgeous story. I loved the bond between Arthur and Teddy - so supportive of eachother. Each of the characters are wonderfully part of the story - each with their own addition to Arthur’s and Teddy’s lives.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! It’s hard to read a book when you find yourself so thoroughly at odds with almost all of it that you start to wonder if maybe it’s your beliefs about how to treat people are the ones which are wrong. Maybe this sounds dramatic! But I truly felt like I was going out of my mind for about half of this book (Teddy’s half).

Thank you so much to netgalley, the publishers and author for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.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. The title already says it: Arthur and Teddy are coming out. Arthur is Teddy's grandad, and after 50 years of marriage with his wife, Teddy's grandma, he's finally ready to tell the world he's gay. Well, to tell his family, but soon everyone will know. 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. 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. Too often, queer literature is enjoyed only by the LGBT+ community, but this is a novel ready to be loved by the masses.'

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. The story follows Arthur, a 79 year old, who finally decides to come out of the closet to his family. His grandson, Teddy, is also gay but doesn’t feel ready to come out due to the reactions following his grandfather’s coming out. Arthur’s grandson, Teddy, is also learning to embrace his sexuality. They are both beautifully written characters, both vulnerable and relatable in their own ways. You can’t help falling in love with Teddy and Arthur. The two POVs weave perfectly throughout and the supporting cast of characters (especially Oscar and Madeleine) are expertly crafted.Arthur is so beautifully described as the absolutely solid grandfatherly figure of expectations who seemingly suddenly tilts his family's world on its axis when he comes out- I really want to meet him and Madeline for tea and cakes at Cora's! Linsey Miller; Rosiee Thor; Moniza Hossain; Akemi Dawn Bowman; Emily Victoria; S.J. Taylor; RoAnna Sylver; Kat Yuen; K. Hart; Jas Brown; Lara Ameen; Cody Daigle-Orians; S.E. Anderson; Anju Imura I just think the author had a great idea but churned out something predictable and without any real depth or meaning. Sadly a miss from me. Recommended Reads about Race, Racism, and Demarginalizing History - Necessary Non-fiction You Should Read for Life-changing Insights and Impact