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rhysdilwyn's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
bekcasey's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
danwyn's review
2.0
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
So here’s the honest part: I didn’t enjoy this book. It was a slog from start to finish. I read multiple other books in the time it took me to read this one as I kept picking it up and putting it back down. If I wasn’t going to review it, I would have DNF’ed. The premise was really cute, which is what made me request it from NetGalley in the first place, but the execution was incredibly lacking in my opinion. The writing style left a lot to be desired. It’s heavy on dialogue and straightforward statements to describe things with very little narration or character building. I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters, and the multiple conflicts that arise are solved with no actual character development by anyone actually on page. There was a lot of potential in every part of this story. The characters could’ve been really endearing and interesting. The plot had a lot going for it and points that could’ve drawn the reader in but they play out in such a bland way that I found myself just not carrying at all. It also felt very disconnected from the real world. It’s set in England and I’m American, so maybe there’s something lost in cultural translation there but I read plenty of contemporary fiction set in the UK and don’t usually have this issue. In all honesty, this felt like a first draft. All the plot points are there. The basic vibe is there. Now the author needs to go back and actually make it compelling.
Something I did like was Arthur and Madeleine’s relationship. It felt like the most honest and developed of everything. I would’ve liked to see the care put into writing their relationship in the rest of the book.
There was basically nothing I liked about Teddy’s storyline.
I gave it 2 stars but that might have been generous. There may be an audience out there for this book, but it wasn’t me.
So here’s the honest part: I didn’t enjoy this book. It was a slog from start to finish. I read multiple other books in the time it took me to read this one as I kept picking it up and putting it back down. If I wasn’t going to review it, I would have DNF’ed. The premise was really cute, which is what made me request it from NetGalley in the first place, but the execution was incredibly lacking in my opinion. The writing style left a lot to be desired. It’s heavy on dialogue and straightforward statements to describe things with very little narration or character building. I didn’t feel connected to any of the characters, and the multiple conflicts that arise are solved with no actual character development by anyone actually on page. There was a lot of potential in every part of this story. The characters could’ve been really endearing and interesting. The plot had a lot going for it and points that could’ve drawn the reader in but they play out in such a bland way that I found myself just not carrying at all. It also felt very disconnected from the real world. It’s set in England and I’m American, so maybe there’s something lost in cultural translation there but I read plenty of contemporary fiction set in the UK and don’t usually have this issue. In all honesty, this felt like a first draft. All the plot points are there. The basic vibe is there. Now the author needs to go back and actually make it compelling.
Something I did like was Arthur and Madeleine’s relationship. It felt like the most honest and developed of everything. I would’ve liked to see the care put into writing their relationship in the rest of the book.
There was basically nothing I liked about Teddy’s storyline.
I gave it 2 stars but that might have been generous. There may be an audience out there for this book, but it wasn’t me.
hanne98's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
thisboricuareader's review against another edition
5.0
I'll say the concept of this book is interesting. Grandpa and Grandson coming out at the same time. It didn't feel like a competition and I like that Teddy was afraid even more of coming out seeing the way people treated his grandfather.
It was a great read. The struggles had me sometimes wanting to cry sometimes. I felt for little Arthur that was shoved in a closet for so many years.
I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It was a great read. The struggles had me sometimes wanting to cry sometimes. I felt for little Arthur that was shoved in a closet for so many years.
I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
maireador20's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
coffeeandprose's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Violence, Suicide, and Death of parent
awildbrady's review against another edition
2.5
This book was trying to do too much, character's flipped back and forth constantly, the end made no sense with the rest of the story. Would have dnf'd if not reading for a club. Not terrible but very obviously a debut.
sian_m's review
4.0
Such an entertaining book with some wonderful characters and storylines that are believable and captivating. Each character builds realistic dynamics within the family, friendships and work place. I loved the way the author created depth in each of the characters lives. It all worked so well together, as life does weave and entwine us. The love that Arthur and Madeleine have for each other is simply beautiful and it touched my heart.
The book held lots of different aspects and elements within it. Each of the characters personalities and what they were individually experiencing in their personal lives and how it was effecting them was portrayed well, including their emotional journeys and how it impacted collectively on each other. It brought them and the story alive and created a scene of realistic life experiences.
I felt that everything was well concluded. It stirred a mix of emotions within me throughout the book and left me feeling happy for all the characters. Some real ‘feel good vibes,’ even with the delicate subjects involved.
All round, I enjoyed this. It was a pleasure to read. Thank you to NetGalley and those who allowed me to read this and of course, to the author for doing such a brilliant job, including the acknowledgements.
The book held lots of different aspects and elements within it. Each of the characters personalities and what they were individually experiencing in their personal lives and how it was effecting them was portrayed well, including their emotional journeys and how it impacted collectively on each other. It brought them and the story alive and created a scene of realistic life experiences.
I felt that everything was well concluded. It stirred a mix of emotions within me throughout the book and left me feeling happy for all the characters. Some real ‘feel good vibes,’ even with the delicate subjects involved.
All round, I enjoyed this. It was a pleasure to read. Thank you to NetGalley and those who allowed me to read this and of course, to the author for doing such a brilliant job, including the acknowledgements.
katykelly's review
5.0
Smile-inducing, uplifting dual Coming Out family story.
Those in the UK reading this might be reminded of a fairly recent TV presenter when seeing Arthur - who comes out to his family unexpectedly, after a lifetime in a happy marriage, with children and community shocked.
And while it crossed my mind, and made me sad for both the fictional and real lives this story encompasses, my heart was also with them both. For their own reasons, people hide their real selves. And in their own time, maybe they can manage to scrape together the courage to reveal who they really are, with - fingers crossed - acceptance and love the result.
Arthur is 79 when he and his wife Madeleine sit down their adult children to announce that Arthur is in fact gay. Daughter Elizabeth is upset, forbidding her children from speaking to their grandfather. But Teddy is far from upset himself, as he too has been holding onto the same secret, avoiding coming out to Elizabeth after the death of his dad and now even more worried how she'll react.
Teddy's own story, that of the intern at his mother's newspaper, vying with another young man for assignments, respect and ultimately a job, competes with the plotline of him and his granddad both coming to terms with their own selves and their place in the world.
Both men's stories are equally enjoyable. Senior online dating. First love. Lost love. Unrequited love. Council meetings. But mostly various loves. It was wonderful to see caring and supportive familial relationships between the generations and coming out stories for such different characters with different histories.
For those enjoying this, I would also recommend Matt Cain's The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle.
Ryan Love gives this family story the warmth and humour it needs, and it's a feel-good tale that I was sorry to see end but glad to see end as it did.
It's never too late to be yourself.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.
Those in the UK reading this might be reminded of a fairly recent TV presenter when seeing Arthur - who comes out to his family unexpectedly, after a lifetime in a happy marriage, with children and community shocked.
And while it crossed my mind, and made me sad for both the fictional and real lives this story encompasses, my heart was also with them both. For their own reasons, people hide their real selves. And in their own time, maybe they can manage to scrape together the courage to reveal who they really are, with - fingers crossed - acceptance and love the result.
Arthur is 79 when he and his wife Madeleine sit down their adult children to announce that Arthur is in fact gay. Daughter Elizabeth is upset, forbidding her children from speaking to their grandfather. But Teddy is far from upset himself, as he too has been holding onto the same secret, avoiding coming out to Elizabeth after the death of his dad and now even more worried how she'll react.
Teddy's own story, that of the intern at his mother's newspaper, vying with another young man for assignments, respect and ultimately a job, competes with the plotline of him and his granddad both coming to terms with their own selves and their place in the world.
Both men's stories are equally enjoyable. Senior online dating. First love. Lost love. Unrequited love. Council meetings. But mostly various loves. It was wonderful to see caring and supportive familial relationships between the generations and coming out stories for such different characters with different histories.
For those enjoying this, I would also recommend Matt Cain's The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle.
Ryan Love gives this family story the warmth and humour it needs, and it's a feel-good tale that I was sorry to see end but glad to see end as it did.
It's never too late to be yourself.
With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.