Reviews with content warning for Suicide - Arthur and Teddy Are Coming Out

This was a sweet inspiring book. I really enjoyed seeing the two coming out stories for different generations. I definitely enjoyed the book but the first 75% of the book was a little slow, and the last bit felt rushed. I also felt like they all forgave way too easily.

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nerdbrarian's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful 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

4.0

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nicolaparty's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

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samreadsthings's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

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slyg396's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I have lots of feelings about this book. I’ve wavered between different ratings throughout the whole read. Some parts made me want to rate it 5 stars, others made me want to rate 3.
I adore Arthur and I liked Teddy. I was invested in every moment of Arthur’s story, but Teddy’s lost me several times. I think a problem was that the author was trying to fit too much and too many storylines into one book. He switched paths when he didn’t need to and continued storylines for longer than needed, including I’d say sometimes giving storylines to the wrong characters.
Note that this is sort of a love triangle and I’m not big on those.
Definitely a worthwhile read and I’d read it again. I want Arthur and Madeline and Jack to be my grandparents. I just have various emotions about the rest of it.

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bookishstevie's review against another edition

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challenging emotional lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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ttlymental's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

An enjoyable emotional adventure like nothing I've had the pleasure to read before. I cried out of happines and sadness. I laughed with the characters and hurt for them. This is such an inspiring work about living your best life. No matter what age you are, just live and love and if at all possible: always support your family and make sure to tell them that you love them and how proud of them you are. So long as you mean those words, they will mean the world to them.

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bibliomania_express's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad fast-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

4.0

Arthur and Teddy are Coming Out by Ryan Love is a book about family, friendship, and seizing the moment. Arthur has loved seventy-nine years hiding his truth, but he's finally ready to come out. The shockwaves his announcement sends through the family affect his grandson, Teddy, who has been struggling to find his own way to come out. Now together they are finding a way to be true to themselves and find love and community amidst hardship.

This book was very cute and warm, despite a some major trigger warnings. Arthur is so adorable, and I loved his and Madeleine's enduring friendship. The author explores the hardships of being gay back in the sixties as well as some of the continued issues of homophobia today. I also enjoyed seeing the supportive community, from Cora at the café to new friends.

Love balances Arthur's and Teddy's narratives so well. While Arthur is trying to find a new normal after a long life, Teddy is still trying to figure out who he is. They both deal with past grief, current adversity, and the pressures of coming out and being out. Teddy is also dealing with new relationships and deciding what he wants.

This book is less a romance and more a family story, although both protagonists have a bit of romance. I do wish there was a bit more development of Teddy's ultimate romance, and some more scenes of Arthur.

Now, the major trigger warnings. There is an off-page suicide, discussions of suicidal ideation (past), discussions of an experience of conversion therapy, an off-page homophobic attack (past), and present day homophobia and microaggressions. These are handled with as much care as possible, although I will say the suicide was the most unexpected part.

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