A lot of messages here about acceptance of yourself and following your dreams. For some reason it just didn't resonate with me the way Albert Entwistle did. The writing wasn't as fluid and I felt like the message was more a hit over the head (those italicized inner dialogues) than a natural flow in the story. Loved the characters, Denise, Oskar and Ted and the story, it just needs some tightening up a bit.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC

I have discovered that you can’t really go wrong with a Matt Cain book really!
In "Becoming Ted" we follow Ted, a 43-year-old gay man who embarks on a journey to fulfil his dream of becoming a drag queen following the breakdown of his marriage.
As with the authors other books, that I have read, Ted goes on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. This is a heartwarming read that goes to show you’re never too old for new beginnings!!

Becoming Ted is the perfect name for this novel as we go on the journey of Ted finding himself and becoming the man he always wanted to be, Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and of course the author Matt Cain for chance to read this novel.
It is well written and characters are endearing across the board. I will look for other books by this author!

While I wanted to love "Becoming Ted," I found myself disappointed by several key aspects. The writing felt clunky and detracted from my immersion in the story. Additionally, the unrealistic portrayal of every risk paying off flawlessly for the characters felt contrived and lacking in authenticity. Ted's stagnant character development, highlighted by his continued use of a juvenile catchphrase, was a missed opportunity for deeper exploration.

However, the book does offer positive representation of LGBTQ+ and drag communities, which I appreciated. The diverse cast of characters, particularly Ted's best friend Denise, added depth to the narrative. Despite its flaws, "Becoming Ted" serves as a light read with an optimistic message of self-discovery, making it suitable for those seeking a quick and easy escape.

3.5 stars rounded down.

While there are plenty of things to admire about this book, it isn't really one for me. I like my books with more complexity and perhaps darkness. While I'm not advocating for overwrought emotions and implausible plot pivots, I found this book too honest maybe? Straightforward.

Leaving aside my preferences, let's look at those points to admire. It's a story set in an unfashionable part of the UK and the northern, seaside locale comes across strongly. People lead queer lives away from London, or Manchester, or Brighton. One overarching theme covers what it is to be an acceptable queer individual. This preference for cis, masc-appearing guys happens inside the queer community as well as outside. The challenge succeeds. Characters strive to lead authentic lives, whatever that means to each individual. And it all leads to a satisfying, HFN ending.

A focus on self-discovery is what keeps one reading this book. Becoming Ted is on the lighter side in terms of content. When Ted's husband leaves him... he begins a journey of transformation! Nothing like losing your partner to shock you into becoming who you were meant to be - even if that's a drag Queen.

Loved the representation in this book. Despite the loss Ted faces, I found the book to be a fun read.

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

I thoroughly enjoyed Becoming Ted. I enjoyed the insights multiple perspectives that Matt brought into this book. I enjoyed the character and scene building. Following along and seeing Ted’s confidence and self-love grow was great. With that said, the story line was a little on the predictable side and I did think the timeline could have flowed a bit better, but overall this was a very enjoyable book.

I loved The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain, so when I got the opportunity from NetGalley to read Becoming Ted I was overjoyed. Starting off, I have to say that I absolutely dislike Giles. He was constantly putting Ted down, embarrassing him to get his own way, and completely disregarded everything Ted did for him. This is partially on Ted letting himself become a doormat, but it was so satisfying seeing Ted start to live his dreams and come out of everyone else's shadow. I loved that the side characters weren't just there for Ted, but had their own issues and lives outside of Ted's drama, and that we got to see into those characters' perspectives at times. Oskar was such an interesting character, and I felt for him and his life up to before he met Ted. I wish we'd gotten a chance to see Oskar accomplish his dream, but the fact that he was more himself at the end of the story made me so happy. I could have read a hundred more chapters of this, and was up late when I started to near the end because I couldn't sleep before I finished it! This really just proves that I'll enjoy whatever book Matt Cain decides to release next, because the two I've already read have my heart and places on my bookshelves.

Poor Ted! When we first meet him, he's counting his blessings about being married to a wonderful, handsome man. You know that can't last . . . just as Ted is marveling at his good fortune, Giles, his husband, announces he's met someone else and is leaving. Ted is dumbfounded, then devastated. He'd thought they were happy during their 20 years together, but Giles informs him that Ted, and the sleepy seaside town where the live, are both bland, boring, and dull. Giles is ready for more excitement out of life. As Ted adjusts to his new reality, he begins to see that perhaps things weren't always so rosy in his relationship. Giles tended to have a need to always be in the spotlight, so Ted willingly (or so he told himself) took a back seat. Whenever Ted tried to do something he enjoyed, like singing, Giles was quick to criticize and deflate him. Ted starts to realize that he's been putting his entire life on hold to satisfy everyone else. Not only has he let Giles hold him back, but he has also devoted his life to not disappointing his parents. For his entire life, it's been expected that Ted will work in, and eventually take over, the family ice cream business. After coming out as gay and receiving the full support of his parents, Ted was so grateful that he put aside his own desires and dutifully began working in the family business. There were no similar expectations that his sister Jemima wouldn't get to follow her dreams, however (not that Ted is resentful about that, or so he tells himself).

Once Giles leaves and Ted starts re-examining their relationship, he also begins to evaluate the rest of his life. With the encouragement of his best friend, Denise (who conveniently works at a department store make-up counter), Ted decides to start living out his deepest desire: to be a drag queen. Then there is the cute Polish builder Oskar who is working on a project nearby. Can Ted finally let go of everything that's been holding him back all these years and finally start to live the life he wants? Well, possibly, but then there are the vaguely threatening anonymous letters that start showing up claiming there are family secrets he doesn't know about . . . .

I really enjoyed reading about Ted's journey to find is true self as his world was falling apart. The town, with its cute shops, seaside vibe and accepting residents doesn't sound so boring to me!

Wanted to love this, but was a miss for me. I couldn't get beyond the clunky writing.

A story about taking chances, it seems unrealistic that every risk taken works out 110% for all characters, and nearly instantly. And this is a nit-pick but if it's a story about personal development, then our main character Ted shouldn't still be saying the same irritating catch phrase "Ace" as an adult that he did as a youth. Every time it came up on the page it felt like the author didn't give Ted the attention he deserved. At least use it as a symbol and change his reactions once he blossoms into the person he wants to be.

That being said, good positive representation of LGBTQ+ and the drag communities.

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

When I first joined NetGalley, I was mistaken about how it worked. I was under the impression that we received physical copies of books. I didn’t realize it was strictly online. So I requested some books thinking I’d be getting them in the mail, and once I figured out how the app works, I realized I had made a mistake. I tried my very best to read these books, but my eyes just can’t handle it. I can’t read a book online. It has to be a physical copy or it hurts my eyes and gives me headaches. From here on out, I will only be requesting graphic novels, comics, and manga. Those don’t hurt my eyes. I will most certainly be buying these books in physical form the very day they are published! And then I will most certainly leave a review on goodreads. I look forward to reading the rest of the books. They are all very good so far, and I can’t wait to finish them! Thank you for this opportunity and I am sorry that I was wrong about how it worked at first. Now I know.

Another really enjoyable feel good novel fro Matt Cain, this time about discovering yourself and going for your dreams.

There was nothing complicated or off putting in this story, just a really good feel good story, with the ending that you hoped for, and knew would occur.

A great read.

I loved this story! From the very beginning of the book, Ted pulled at my heartstrings and I was rooting for him the entire time. This is a wonderfully realistic story about the struggles of LGBTQIA+ people in all societies and the traumas that people are still experiencing based on who they love. I thought that both the biological and found families in this story were beautifully exemplified. And ultimately, this is a story of one man's self-realization despite the odds, and it was a great ride. I enjoyed every second of it!

I will highly recommend this to readers of LGBTQIA+ fiction.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!

What I appreciate about this book is that it provides a familiar narrative that resonates with a lot of gay men. Its title character (Ted) could be relocated outside of the coastal UK to practically anywhere in the world, and the same conflict and turmoil could be recognized. That is - in part - because the experience of many gay men is the same as Ted's. The same fears of rejection, the same passing on one's own dreams to secure those of their family, the same taking a second seat in their relationship out of sheer fear of being alone.

Within the first few chapters, you understand that Ted is taking stock of his life. He's finding himself in new founded territory - both emotionally and physically - and starting to question his past. His decisions. His family. His partner. His friendships. And that, paired with an incredible opportunity for exploration and change, is the ride that the author wants to take you on. And he does it successfully.

While many of the pages are filled with timeless camp references and uber-gay pop culture anthems, Matt Cain apparently takes notes from Cher, and ultimately does Believe in "life after love." The book certainly catalogs many of the fears that gay men (of any era) have, but it harmonizes them with recounted memories of better days, reclaiming aspirations from long ago, and finding the strength in ourselves that we always knew was there.

This was my first book to read by Matt Cain, and I look forward to checking out his others.

So first off, let me just say how much I loved that the main character, a middle-aged gay man rebuilding his life, isn't an English teacher. For some reason, soooooo many of these stories revolve around English teacher; as a middle-aged gay English teacher, I was so happy to see Ted worked for his family's ice cream business.

So the book has heart; it's sweet without being saccharine, and it takes time to tell some side character stories alongside Ted's main character arc and that's appreciated. It's not a world free of homophobia, but it certainly presents a more progressive, modern, England (with an acknowledgement to struggles around the world both in the past and present).



*I received a free ARC from netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I was quite excited to get this book, as I so enjoyed the author's previous book, The Secret Life of Albert Entwhistle.

The premise of this sounded great. I wish the execution of this was as good. The cast of characters was initially engaging, the story premise exciting and intriguing but I found the writing bogged me down. I felt it could have done with some more vigorous editing. Parts felt clunky and rushed. It felt like there was a lot more telling than showing in parts. I wish there was deeper characterization for some of the central characters, it felt quite thin for some of the main ones. I found Ted's overall story uplifting but I wish he had been given a richer story development and characterization for the secondary characters. They all deserved that.

my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this digital ARC. This is my honest review.

If you're a fan of books by Steven Rowley or TJ Klune, give this book a read :)

"Becoming Ted" by Matt Haig is a charming LGBTQ+ romantic comedy that unfolds in the picturesque landscapes of a fictional town in the UK. The novel, while being a quick read, manages to pack a punch with its heartwarming narrative and endearing characters.

The story revolves around Ted, who, after separating from his husband Giles, embarks on a journey of self-discovery and newfound independence, shedding light on the toxic dynamics of his past relationship. Haig navigates the narrative with humor, making it a funny and enjoyable read.The addictive and captivating storyline keeps readers engaged as they follow Ted on his quest for self-realization. The book successfully weaves humor into its fabric, offering moments of laughter and joy throughout the narrative.

However, the only drawback, is that the resolution of the story feels a bit too tidy. While it may be satisfying for some readers, others might find it slightly predictable. Nonetheless, this minor flaw does not overshadow the overall enjoyment of the book.

"Becoming Ted" is a delightful exploration of self-discovery, love, and friendship. Matt Haig's witty and heartwarming storytelling, coupled with a diverse cast of characters, makes this novel a highly enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

#BecomingTed #NetGalley

4.25 stars

BECOMING TED is Matt Cain's latest addition to the "uplit"/feel good genre. Ted was just dumped by his toxic husband Giles (good riddance!) for another man, and Ted decides that he wants to become a drag queen - something that he has always wanted to explore but Giles frowned upon. In much of his life, he has put his own interests aside and acquiesced to get along. At the same time that he decided to become a drag queen, he realized that he doesn't want to stay in the family ice cream business. Will Ted be able to realize his potential and find love in the meantime?

There are an assortment of instrumental characters in this novel: Ted's supportive friend Denise, stranger Oskar that Ted will meet at his family's store, older homosexual Stanley who lives in a retirement home, and Ted's parents.

I feel this novel did a number of things well:
* Showed a character who had been beaten down could pick themself up, dust themself off, and seize what they are wanting.
* Showed behind the scenes with drag queens, made a more niche LGBTQ topic more mainstream
* Through the character of Stanley, it gave a multitude of positive messages and historical homosexual context.
* Plenty of humor, heart, and passion

I feel this novel had just a few deficits:
* Very low stakes: Ted is already out of the closet and has supportive parents. Denise is supportive.
* Quick resolution of each of the plot points, including the mysterious letters, tying every plot point up with a bow. Hence, that's why I give this the uplit label. It's not the most realistic ending.

This is a charming, feel-good novel that I recommend.