Scan barcode
jordanwilde's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lynnfrance's review against another edition
inspiring
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? Yes
4.5
jpeace514's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
4.75
creamsicle's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC e-copy of Becoming Ted by Matt Cain.
Ted Ainsworth’s life is utterly perfect—until, one fateful day, it isn’t. After discovering photos of his gorgeous husband Giles entangled with another man, Ted’s decades-long marriage ends, and this forty-something is now a bachelor, forced to start all over… but is that really as bad as it seems? With the help of some friends, both new and old, Ted sets out on a journey of self-discovery, and along the way, pursues a new, exciting dream that he never even considered possible…
“Becoming Ted” is a quick and easy read that makes for the perfect light fare to bridge the gap between darker or thicker novels. While the story glances over serious topics, its focus on self-discovery with a positive attitude is strong. Full of developed characters with different life experiences and struggles (my favorite being Ted’s best friend, Denise), “Becoming Ted” has someone within its pages for everyone to root for. It’s not the best book I’ve ever read—I found the dialogue clunky and the main character frustrating at times—nor my favorite, but the optimistic messaging was enough to keep me around. Actually, my favorite part was the author’s notes, where I got to learn about the author’s real life and inspirations surrounding the novel.
Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and heartwarming Netflix comedies will enjoy this life-affirming—and very British—slice-of-life story about a middle-aged man finally taking control of his destiny.
☆ ☆ - OKAY
CW: toxic relationships, abortion (coerced), cancer, references to homophobia, mention of suicide
Ted Ainsworth’s life is utterly perfect—until, one fateful day, it isn’t. After discovering photos of his gorgeous husband Giles entangled with another man, Ted’s decades-long marriage ends, and this forty-something is now a bachelor, forced to start all over… but is that really as bad as it seems? With the help of some friends, both new and old, Ted sets out on a journey of self-discovery, and along the way, pursues a new, exciting dream that he never even considered possible…
“Becoming Ted” is a quick and easy read that makes for the perfect light fare to bridge the gap between darker or thicker novels. While the story glances over serious topics, its focus on self-discovery with a positive attitude is strong. Full of developed characters with different life experiences and struggles (my favorite being Ted’s best friend, Denise), “Becoming Ted” has someone within its pages for everyone to root for. It’s not the best book I’ve ever read—I found the dialogue clunky and the main character frustrating at times—nor my favorite, but the optimistic messaging was enough to keep me around. Actually, my favorite part was the author’s notes, where I got to learn about the author’s real life and inspirations surrounding the novel.
Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK and heartwarming Netflix comedies will enjoy this life-affirming—and very British—slice-of-life story about a middle-aged man finally taking control of his destiny.
☆ ☆ - OKAY
CW: toxic relationships, abortion (coerced), cancer, references to homophobia, mention of suicide
jwn's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
artbreakerbookclub's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
fibuzz's review against another edition
3.0
“Acceptance of a child – whatever their sexuality – should come as part of the unconditional love that everyone agrees is a key component of good parenting. I shouldn’t have to be grateful for their love…”
Becoming Ted was my first read by Matt Cain. It is a touching story of a 40-something gay man, Ted, finally figuring out where he belongs in a world that is not always kind. There are plenty of challenges and fascinating characters along the way. Stanley, in particular, deserves to have the spotlight all to himself in a book!
This may be the first book I’ve read that centres on being gay and gay relationships although I’ve read plenty that have gay or lesbian characters. I really enjoyed the insight it gave me and the historical context was interesting, informative and downright eye-opening.
I didn’t particularly enjoy the writing style, which seemed stereotypical and exaggerated in places. While it was interesting to see inside their minds, the constant emphasis on the characters’ inner thoughts became tedious after a while. Despite that, overall, this was a feel-good read with some really uplifting messages. I’m intrigued to check out The Madonna of Bolton by the same author next.
Becoming Ted was my first read by Matt Cain. It is a touching story of a 40-something gay man, Ted, finally figuring out where he belongs in a world that is not always kind. There are plenty of challenges and fascinating characters along the way. Stanley, in particular, deserves to have the spotlight all to himself in a book!
This may be the first book I’ve read that centres on being gay and gay relationships although I’ve read plenty that have gay or lesbian characters. I really enjoyed the insight it gave me and the historical context was interesting, informative and downright eye-opening.
I didn’t particularly enjoy the writing style, which seemed stereotypical and exaggerated in places. While it was interesting to see inside their minds, the constant emphasis on the characters’ inner thoughts became tedious after a while. Despite that, overall, this was a feel-good read with some really uplifting messages. I’m intrigued to check out The Madonna of Bolton by the same author next.
malachite_moriarty's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
jaayraad_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Is this a warm cup of tea on a rainy day in book form?
Yes. Yes it is.
Ted has just been broken up with. After 20 years of marriage, Giles has found someone new, younger, more adventurous, and is ready to move on. Completely taken by surprise, Ted is unsure how to move on with his is life. He’s stuck in the same job, running an ice cream store that’s been his family’s for nearly 100 years, living in a sleepy seaside town, and struggling to live up to the expectations his parents put on him.
But Ted has a secret dream, one that he has hidden away to avoid disappointing his parents, one crushed by his ex-husband, and one he doesn’t know if he has the courage to pursue. Ted wants to be a drag queen!
Becoming Ted is a heartwarming story in essence. It is about Ted overcoming the doubts that other people had pushed into his head through his life. It’s about putting yourself first and pursuing your dream, even if it’s becoming a drag queen at 43. And I loved it.
Let me just say this though, Giles is a dick. Everything he ever said to Ted that we see through flashbacks was said to diminish Ted, to make Giles feel superior and to stop Ted becoming who he wants to be. No matter how his character changes through the story, he’s still a dick.
Similar to “The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle” the supporting cast of characters here is phenomenal. Stanley is a hoot and you can tell he would have been a menace when he was younger, but his wisdom really helps Ted to see things differently. Denise is the best friend anyone could wish for, even when her attempts to help are deeply misguided, you know she has the best intentions. And Oskar, the new love, he’s a puppy dog in person form, overcoming his own insecurities but willing to try and improve himself.
I know I said this, but I loved this. The humour, the camp, the drag, Lily, all of it. I basically devoured this book
Yes. Yes it is.
Ted has just been broken up with. After 20 years of marriage, Giles has found someone new, younger, more adventurous, and is ready to move on. Completely taken by surprise, Ted is unsure how to move on with his is life. He’s stuck in the same job, running an ice cream store that’s been his family’s for nearly 100 years, living in a sleepy seaside town, and struggling to live up to the expectations his parents put on him.
But Ted has a secret dream, one that he has hidden away to avoid disappointing his parents, one crushed by his ex-husband, and one he doesn’t know if he has the courage to pursue. Ted wants to be a drag queen!
Becoming Ted is a heartwarming story in essence. It is about Ted overcoming the doubts that other people had pushed into his head through his life. It’s about putting yourself first and pursuing your dream, even if it’s becoming a drag queen at 43. And I loved it.
Let me just say this though, Giles is a dick. Everything he ever said to Ted that we see through flashbacks was said to diminish Ted, to make Giles feel superior and to stop Ted becoming who he wants to be. No matter how his character changes through the story, he’s still a dick.
Similar to “The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle” the supporting cast of characters here is phenomenal. Stanley is a hoot and you can tell he would have been a menace when he was younger, but his wisdom really helps Ted to see things differently. Denise is the best friend anyone could wish for, even when her attempts to help are deeply misguided, you know she has the best intentions. And Oskar, the new love, he’s a puppy dog in person form, overcoming his own insecurities but willing to try and improve himself.
I know I said this, but I loved this. The humour, the camp, the drag, Lily, all of it. I basically devoured this book
mattiemo's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5