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‘Full of warmth, humour and courage and I absolutely loved it!’ RUTH HOGAN

A charming, joyful and surprising story about love, friendship and learning to be true to yourself, Becoming Ted will steal your heart.

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?

Readers love Matt Cain:

‘One of the best uplifting books of the year’ Independent

‘Wonderful . . . an utter treat’ Kate Mosse

‘A great big hug of a book’ Michael Ball

‘A heart-warming, joyous love story’ Adele Parks

‘I cannot recommend this book highly enough’ Lorraine Kelly

‘This novel is just a bucket of joy’ Glamour

‘So uplifting, original and funny’ Daily Mail

‘Utterly joyful, you will smile your way through this’ Sun

Reviews

Ruth Hogan
Becoming Ted is the story of an ordinary man's journey to fulfil his extraordinary dream. It's full of warmth, humour and courage and I absolutely loved it! Loud, proud and ruddy marvellous!
La Voix
The most joyful, heart-warming, and beautiful book ever. From heartbreak to following a dream, everyone will relate to Ted. I know it's a good book when I put down my wine to keep reading!
Fanny Blake
Matt Cain writes with energy and compassion about friendship, love and acceptance. This is a life-affirming story about one man's journey to be true to himself
Julietta Henderson
With beautifully crafted characters, and a thoughtful, layered plot that explores love, friendship, identity and discovering the things you have to leave behind in order to move on, Becoming Ted reminds us that every dream is worth following
Laura Kay
Full of the warm, beautifully drawn characters I've come to expect from Matt's writing . . . so moving and so much fun. This is a book that's going to mean so much to so many people
Rachel Joyce
A joyful read; tender, full of courage and irresistibly good-hearted. Lovers of Albert Entwistle have a real treat in store; as do those who haven't met him yet
Justin Myers, The Guyliner
A witty, heartwarming triumph, about the biggest challenge of all - living for yourself, not just for others, and doing it with gusto!
Glamour
This novel is just a bucket of joy. It will make you laugh, might make you teary and may feel like a warm hug . . . this is for anyone that has wanted to follow a long-held dream or has gone through heartbreak
Sun
Utterly joyful - you will smile your way through this
CultureFly
His journey of self-discovery is a joy to follow . . . a pure comfort read full of friendship, humanity and heart
Daily Mail
I ADORED this book, it's so uplifting, original and funny
Kate Eberlen
Funny, warm, uplifting . . . fabulous!
Neil Alexander
Brave, bold and beautiful . . . the literary equivalent of a big disco banger, like 'I Will Survive'. If you're down, or broken hearted, Ted's story will empower you to dust off your dancing shoes and get back on that dance floor
Jo Callaghan
I loved Becoming Ted . . . as joyful as everyone says, but also really authentic and moving
Woman's Own
A glittering, joyful novel about friendship, courage and beautiful new beginnings
Alexandra Potter
Witty, wonderful and wise . . . everyone needs this book in their lives!
Heat
A big warm hug of a novel
Bella
The uplifting book we all need to read right now
Adele Parks
A charming, joyful story
The Times
Positivity seeps from every page
Yours
I felt total empathy for Ted and I couldn't stop reading the book . . . uplifting