Published By: HQ
Pages: 400
Released On: 13/04/2023
When 79-year-old Arthur Edwards gathers his family together to share some important news, no one is prepared for the bombshell he drops: he’s gay, and after a lifetime in the closet, he’s finally ready to come out.
Arthur’s 21-year-old grandson, Teddy, has a secret of his own: he’s also gay, and developing serious feelings for his colleague Ben. But Teddy doesn’t feel ready to come out yet – especially when Arthur’s announcement causes shockwaves in the family.
*****
I’ve been following this book for sooooo long, and have become somewhat of a Twitter Stalker (only slightly) of Ryan Love, as he just seems to lovely, and I’m only like 82% jealous that he got a birthday message from the great Miriam Margolyes.
There’s nothing that I can think of that feels more heartwarming than this book. It’s just perfect; like sunshine in a book. And for a debut novel to be getting this much praise surely means we’re in for great things with Ryan’s career.
I didn’t think I could love a character more than Arthur. He is absolutely splendid. But his wife Madeleine trumps him slightly. She’s the perfect partner, kind, loving, understanding, someone you can turn to in a crisis. They’re like an unconventional pair of Disney Grandparents, and they really made me miss my own they’re so gorgeous.
Now, let’s get to the other characters. Arthur’s children Elizabeth and Patrick. Patrick I was on the fence about to begin with but I soon came around and really liked him. Elizabeth I didn’t like for a large quantity of the book. She was probably my least favourite character, and I don’t mean that in the sense that she’s badly written, no, no, she’s very well written, but her character…I just wanted to shake some sense into her. Then you have Teddy himself. He’s a slow burner. He was lovely but, for obvious reasons, was a bit allusive, held back, never fully himself, but he works perfectly against Arthur. It took me a little while to decide how I felt about Ben. I wasn’t always sure if his intentions were correct…but I’ll leave that to you to decide.
Then we have Teddy’s two best friends, Lexie and Shakeel. To me, Lexie doesn’t do much to move the main story along, so I don’t have any particularly strong feelings towards her but she’s a perfectly pleasant character and clearly a good friend. Shakeel…I wasn’t sure about him. He felt surly and like he was blaming everyone else for his issues, but his heart was in the right place and it was clear that he and Teddy neaded each other.
I know it’s a fictional book but the kind homophobic stuff in it is horrific and should really stay in a fictional book. It’s not OTT, Ryan has only added a few homophobic elements but they’re enough to get my blood boiling. The idea that anyone – fictional or otherwise – is abused just for loving someone their own sex…it’s just ridiculous. I really shouldn’t get angry at a book but I will…
I’m going to be really vague here as to not spoil it…
But why can’t you be happy that your grandfather, father, son, brother, cousin, uncle, nephew, colleague, friend [insert relation here] is happy, even if they’re happiness comes from another grandfather, father, son etc etc?! It’s so frustrating that it’s not just a fantasy element contained within the pages of a fictional book.
But now that’s done with…it is such a fabulous and professional debut. Reading his acknowledgements just added that extra link to the story, the sadness he’s experienced in life really reflect the story well.
It just exudes happiness and kindness and love. It doesn’t shy away from the hardships people go through everyday – job issues, confidence, self belief, suicide, sexuality, illness, prejudice, love – but it flows so well and is balanced perfectly with the uplifting characters and plot that I just couldn’t stop myself smiling from cover to cover. I will definitely be gifting it to my nearest and dearest.
Books By Your Bedside 