Ted Ainsworth has always worked at his family's ice-cream business in the quiet Lancashire town of St Luke's-on-Sea.
But the truth is, he's never wanted to work for the family firm - he doesn't even like ice-cream, though he's never told his parents that.
When Ted's husband suddenly leaves him, the bottom falls out of his world. However, what if from is heartbreak could come an opportunity for Ted to build something new? And to finally put what he wants first.
Because Ted has always had another dream. A secret dream. Since childhood he has always wanted to be a Drag Queen.
As he starts on his path of self-discovery, he will soon be faced with a choice. Will he take on the responsibilities that others have laid out for him, or will he choose to pursue his lifelong dream?
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Becoming Ted by Matt Cain was published in paperback on 1 June 2023. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review.
Way back in May 2021 I read and reviewed The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by this author and adored it so much. My proof copy of Becoming Ted has been sitting on my shelf for far too long, so I packed it in my case for my Cyprus holiday. What an absolute treat this book is. The perfect holiday read, packed with characters that the reader will care for, in a realistic and almost familiar setting.
Ted Ainsworth is a nice guy. He has spent his career working in the family ice-cream business, despite the fact that he doesn't even like ice cream. Ted is one of those people who wouldn't tell his parents that, he just gets on and does his duty. Every so often, he does get a little annoyed by the fact that his gorgeous sister has been able to do her own thing, whilst he is left in the seaside town of St Luke's on Sea.
Ted is happily married to Giles, with a nice home and a dog. Until the day that his world crashes around him and Giles declares that he is no longer in love with Ted. He's found somebody else and is moving out immediately. Ted didn't see this coming, he was happy, he thought they were both happy. He is devastated, and for a while, he keeps the split to himself. Carrying on at work, supporting his staff, plastering on the smile.
However, the change in Ted's life makes him begin to take stock of what he's done so far. He's always had a dream, one that he has never admitted to anyone. He would love to be a Drag Queen. After meeting a Queen on a Spanish holiday when he was a child, he has always harboured thoughts of doing it himself.
Encouraged by his no-nonsense friend Denise and new found friend Stanley, Ted embarks on a wonderful and heart lifting journey to become a Drag Queen.
Matt Cain writes wonderfully. His characters jump from the pages and I cannot believe that there is anyone out there who wouldn't fall instantly in love with Ted and back him all of the way. There are some hilarious moments, there are also some heart breaking tales that really do have such an emotional impact on the reader.
A beautifully written novel, one to savour and then to treasure. Highly recommended.
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He was Channel 4’s first Culture Editor, Editor-In-Chief of Attitude magazine, has written for all the national newspapers and appeared on BBC Breakfast, Lorraine, Good Morning Britain, The Today Programme and Woman's Hour.
Matt's breakthrough work of fiction, The Madonna Of Bolton, became Unbound’s fastest crowdfunded novel ever before it was published in 2018.
In 2021, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle was published by Headline, followed by Becoming Ted and One Love. His Quick Read Game On was one of the official short novels of World Book Night 2024.
Born in Bury and brought up in Bolton, Matt now lives in London with his husband, Harry, and their cat, Nelly.
Instagram @mattcainwriter
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