I loved the idea of this book when I read the blurb, and I was super excited to receive an ARC of it, but I have to admit, I found it really disappointing. Sometimes, I simply don’t know where to start when writing a review. “Arthur and Teddy are Coming Out” is a book that makes you feel a lot of things. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the book, it’s just that the story is sad, but also endearing and, at the same time, it makes you wonder why some people can’t accept others the way they are. Elizabeth, Teddy's mom and Arthur's daughter, is the absolute WORST, terribly homophobic, and everyone is way too understanding of her homophobia so she never has to show even a shred of accountability for her behavior Even Madeline, the grandma and Arthur's wife, is a trope. She's a saint. She is constantly kind, does the household, takes care of Arthur (which is sweet but also???), and is so involved in the community that it feels like the entire town is her. She's on every committee and has founded a million clubs or whatever. And because all that obviously leaves so much free time, she also cooks and bakes and generally 'keeps them fed'. Which, anyone who's ever had to keep a household running knows that that's a full-time job even with the kids long out of the house, so when does this almost 80-year-old woman sleep???

Alongside this depth there’s a lightness of touch too as Ryan Love has his characters create memories through simple moments and pleasures, as well as through the larger events, making the narrative feel familiar and real. In Arthur and Teddy are Coming Out we learn that life is made of these quiet, ordinary moments just as much as the dramatic occasions. Ryan Love exemplifies how bravery and contentment are possible for everyone, but that we might just need to make the effort to find happiness for ourselves.

But don’t worry! At the end, our little nepo baby oh so magnanimously turns down the job at the newspaper so that Ben can have it! How civic-minded of him! What a heartfelt story. I so enjoyed meeting and getting to know Arthur and Teddy. There’s a slightly young adult tone to the style that I think gives the book universal appeal. The feel-good read of 2023. Perfect for fans of Mike Gayle, Beth O’Leary and Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper.

Then there's Elisabeth, who comes across like a caricature villain rather than a daughter who is struggling to deal with her father's news. I write this as someone whose own wife was outed by a family member and is still dealing with transphobic views within the family, so I am not against this kind of representation. But it is handled so poorly in this story that I simply cannot continue reading.Arthur’s grandson, Teddy, is also learning to embrace his sexuality. They are both beautifully written characters, both vulnerable and relatable in their own ways. You can’t help falling in love with Teddy and Arthur. The two POVs weave perfectly throughout and the supporting cast of characters (especially Oscar and Madeleine) are expertly crafted. A joyful, big-hearted story about family, friendship and finding your place in the world’ Freya Sampson, author of The Last Chance Library

Gentle, honest and beautifully authentic’ Julietta Henderson, author of The Funny Thing About Norman ForemanWhat an absolutely beautiful book! Dealt with sensitive subjects really, really well and brilliantly descriptive characters.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Life is full of sacrifices, Teddy. We'll make good and bad choices, but we shouldn't let regrets define us. I'm not perfect, but I hope when I'm not here that the people I love will remember me for the good things and know I did my best for them. -Arthur Sometimes, I simply don't know where to start when writing a review. "Arthur and Teddy are Coming Out" is a book that makes you feel a lot of things. Don't get me wrong, I loved the book, it's just that the story is sad, but also endearing and, at the same time, it makes you wonder why some people can't accept others the way they are. A book of two halves. Arthur's story is intensely feelgood in a Matt Cain sort of way, with an octogenarian embracing who he is and getting over the traumas of a lifetime of homophobia. It's perhaps a bit one-note, an exceedingly bright and cheery note where everything goes super well, but given the amount of My Policeman type gay tragedy lit out there, many will embrace this rebalancing of the scales, not to mention the welcome focus on a much older man. His life-enhancing relationship with his wife is a terrific element. There are a lot of characters in the book, both in the family and outside, and some of them don't really become more than a name due to this (like Teddy's sisters, who it is hard to tell the difference between). Similarly, with a lot going on in the plot and the need for everything to feel resolved due to the necessary happy ending of the genre, the ending is quite rushed and a lot of things suddenly happen with time jumps that don't quite feel fully realised. Teddy in particular gets quite a confused ending where it feels like the book just ran out of space. I liked Teddy's eventual romance plot, but again, I felt like the payoff was rushed and didn't quite give enough space to a narrative that is familiar to a lot of queer people. I don't tend to read this kind of genre much, unless it features queer characters and might be doing something interesting, so the writing style was also not quite for me, with some forced, cheesy dialogue, but I imagine some fans of the genre will probably enjoy that more.

So this continues, and it’s clear to the reader at least that Ben is struggling with feeling insecure about his job (because Teddy, being a nepo baby, has obviously got the end position all sewn up) and insecure about his relationship (given how much Teddy’s best friend hates him and how Teddy’s always telling Ben to try get along with Shakeel, and never confronting Shakeel about how he’s treating Ben). You can probably tell by now who exactly I’m siding with here. Coming out is a unique experience for every queer person. It was an all-consuming fear that ruined my teenage years, until I told my family at 20. I was able to channel some of my own emotions into Teddy’s story, but Arthur’s allowed me the chance to think about the sacrifices older members of our community made when simply being who they are was illegal. Now Arthur has the chance to be that person. I hope Arthur and Teddy inspire people both young and old to live their best lives. It’s never too late to be you!Double coming out story with a grandfather and grandson. Grandfather Arthur's wife knew all along he was gay, she also wanted to get married to escape pressure to marry someone horrible, so they made the marriage work and she's completely supportive of his desire to come out at 79. Along with his coming-out journey (which inexplicably takes place mostly in the national media) there's also his grandson Teddy who ends up in a love triangle with his best friend and boyfriend. This story had so much potential that I want to cry because I have to DNF it. Honestly, I expected a sweet, funny, and meaningful story about this guy and his grandpa navigating coming out together and the intergenerational support and respect that the queer community desperately needs more of. They’re twofold really, the first relating to Teddy and his treatment of Ben (apparently his boyfriend but you wouldn’t know it) and the second to the story’s narrative and its easy forgiveness of Elizabeth’s homophobia (YMMV on this one). Let’s start with Teddy and Ben because I have a lot to say about it and there will be spoilers (so stop now if you don’t want them). Covering around a year of their lives, it's full of interesting twists, characters that really pull you in, and a brilliantly crafted plot. I found myself gasping more than once, laughing at some parts and