The Castle of Stories by Matt Cain #thecastleofstories @mattcainwriter @pansybooksuk @randomthingstours #bookreview #virtualbooktour

 

Stories don’t always unfold the way you expect them to…

When 45-year-old Adam inherits a rundown farmhouse and castle in Tuscany from a great uncle he didn’t know existed, he quits his job in Manchester to renovate the property. He’s thrilled his boyfriend of two years, newly divorced and out-of-the-closet Theo, is joining him. But Theo’s ex-wife says she can’t take their children for the summer, so they come too. As the temperature rises, so does the tension. The kids are hostile to Adam, immune to the beauty of the rural location – and scared of the resident lizards.

As Adam explores the crumbling walls of the castle and sorts through his uncle’s possessions, he discovers some dark family secrets. But could they finally allow him to break free from the pain of the past, start building a new family and open a life of queer joy?

THE CASTLE OF STORIES is a moving, heartwarming and uplifting novel about modern family in all its forms, what it means to love, and the importance of understanding your own story.

The Castle of Stories by Matt Cain was published on 21 May by Pansy. I purchased my copy from Waterstone's. I am delighted to share my review as part of this #RandomThingsTours Virtual Book Tour 

I have been a fan of Matt Cain for quite a few years now and his novel The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle will always hold a very special place in my heart.  I was delighted to hear that Matt had recently opened his own publishing company; Pansy, and The Castle of Stories is their first publication. 

Matt Cain has such a wonderful gift for writing stories that are full of heart and humanity, and The Castle of Stories is another absolute triumph. Warm, rich and so uplifting, this is a novel that completely swept me away from the very first page and held me there until the ending.

The story follows Adam, who unexpectedly inherits a crumbling farmhouse and castle in the Tuscan countryside from a great uncle he never knew. Leaving behind his life in Manchester, he heads to Italy with his boyfriend Theo, he dreams of restoring the castle and beginning a new life together. Their plans take an unexpected turn when Theo's children join them for the summer, this creates a household filled with complicated emotions, with strained relationships, and becomes really challenging. Alongside the restoration work, Adam begins uncovering long hidden family secrets, and this adds another compelling layer to an already captivating story.

Matt Cain has created a cast of characters who feel so very real. Adam is an easy protagonist to believe in, he is both determined, yet quite vulnerable.  Theo is also easy to engage with as he navigates the complexities of parenthood and a new relationship. Watching the family dynamics evolve is one of the novel's greatest strengths. Every character feels believable, flawed and deeply human, making it impossible not to become really emotionally involved in their journey.

The Tuscan setting is simply glorious. The sun soaked countryside, the neglected farmhouse and the mysterious old castle provide such a beautiful backdrop. The location becomes such an important part of the story, filled with atmosphere and history. I could almost feel the warmth of the sunshine and picture every ancient stone and winding pathway.

Beneath its engaging plot there is a thoughtful exploration of family, identity, belonging and the stories that shape who we become. There is plenty of emotion throughout, balanced perfectly with moments of humour, tenderness and optimism. Matt Cain writes with such warmth and compassion that every page feels so real and so heartfelt.

The Castle of Stories is a beautifully told novel about love in all its forms, the courage to embrace change and the joy of finding where you truly belong. It is an uplifting, unforgettable read that I absolutely loved and I will be recommending to everyone.

Matt Cain is a writer, broadcaster and leading commentator on LGBTQ+ issues. He was Channel 4’s first Culture Editor, Editor-In-Chief of Attitude magazine, has written for all the national newspapers, and has appeared on BBC Breakfast, Good Morning Britain, The Today Programme and Lorraine. He’s a patron of LGBT+ History Month, has received an honorary doctorate from Bolton University, addressed the Cambridge Union, and in 2025 was awarded an MBE for services to LGBTQ+ culture.

Matt’s bestselling novels include The Madonna Of Bolton, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle and One Love. His latest, The Castle of Stories, is set in the Italian property that has become his second home. Born in Bury and brought up in Bolton, Matt’s main home is in London with his husband Harry and their dog, Teddy.

Pansy is an independent LGBTQ+ publisher founded by novelist Matt Cain and Harry Glasstone, who’s spent more than twenty years working with small and growing businesses. The name was inspired by a homophobic slur, reclaiming the term as an act of empowerment. As this suggests, the ethos behind Pansy is political and disruptive, as well as being playful and fun.

The publisher will launch with the release of The Castle of Stories in June 2026, a few weeks after the book is released by Matt’s long-term traditional publisher in the US. Following this, Pansy will open up to other queer authors of fiction - avoiding niche or literary titles to target readers with more mainstream tastes. In doing so, it will respond to a major need in the publishing industry, which has often neglected or under-resourced queer-themed books classed as ‘commercial’, underestimating their potential readership and clipping the wings of LGBTQ+ authors. Pansy is here to overturn that belief and to put queer authors first.