I was in the mood for something light and uplifting, and this book definitely delivered. This is a heartwarming tale with engaging characters and a relatable storyline; I was captivated from start to finish.

The story alternates between two characters: 79-year-old Arthur Edwards, a lovable grandfather who has kept his sexuality secret for a lifetime, and his 21-year-old grandson Teddy, who is also harboring a similar secret. Teddy knows that he needs to embrace his truth and finally come out to his family, but when Arthur gathers his family together to reveal his truth, the impact it has on his loved ones is rougher than expected. When Teddy sees how his mother reacts to the news that her father is gay, he fears coming out himself, but it’s through talks with his grandfather that he finally learns to embrace who he really is lest his life pass him by.

One of the aspects that makes this book truly special is the genuine and endearing characters. Arthur is portrayed with depth and sensitivity, and his journey is beautifully written. It is a joy to witness his growth as he embraces his true self despite the fear and uncertainty that come with it. I also adored his wife, who stood by him the entire way. She knew that their marriage was an act of convenience that saved them both from uncertain futures. The two of them grew to love one another over time and raised a beautiful family together, but she knows that she needs to let Arthur go and be who he really is. I absolutely loved this aspect. It would have been easy to make her a victim, but I loved how the author made her character sympathetic and encouraging.

Teddy, the 21-year-old grandson, is also a compelling character who adds a layer of youthful energy and relatability to the story. His struggle with his own coming out process is also portrayed with authenticity and compassion. I enjoyed watching Teddy figure out who he was in general – not just in coming to terms with his sexuality. He really grows over the course of the book and finds himself in more ways than one.

The plot, while centered around the theme of coming out, explores various other aspects of identity and love. The blossoming romance between Teddy and his colleague Ben, and Arthur learning how to date are heartfelt subplots that add a layer of emotional depth to the story. Love explores the challenges and joys of first love, highlighting the importance of genuine connections and understanding. There were also some not-so-surprising crushes and hidden loves that came to light that, while not surprising, brought several “aww shucks” moments to the story.

I think my only issue with this one was there were moments that felt unnecessarily drawn out, and then there were other moments that felt slightly rushed, especially towards the end. Certain scenes could have benefitted from more time and development, while others could have been edited for brevity. This unevenness made the pace falter a bit for me. I felt the book started strong, dragged a bit in the middle, and then felt a little rushed at the very end. Nevertheless, this minor flaw does not overshadow the overall appeal of the book.

Overall, I felt that this was a charming and creative debut novel. With its engaging characters and timely storyline, it is a book that will warm the hearts of readers. While the pacing faltered at times, the book’s overall message of acceptance and love shines through. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a heartwarming and uplifting read.