I found the whole book really interesting, as I didn't really know much about drag queens before, and how they perform on stage. When he applies this compassion to himself, along with some coaxing from his friend Denise and his new loving partner, he becomes who he was always meant to be. It’s not long before the reader learns the nature of Ted’s dream but although the destination may be clear, it’s the journey that Ted goes on to reach it that is at the heart of the book. It's how these three lives intertwine, how on their path of a hopeful future and positive outset on life, that made it worth seeing how their stories would unfold. The story kicks off with Ted being dumped by his husband, a man he's been with for 20 years, and this event is the catalyst for Ted to make changes in his life; losing weight, finding love and becoming a drag queen.

His parents, his sister and his best friend, Denise all try to provide emotional support and distraction. I also loved getting into the minds of Ted, Denise and Oskar and hearing their thoughts as they each played their role in the story. Ted’s parents Hilary and Trevor (and sister Jemima) are the most nuanced I’d say as in you do like them but also some things they have done is a bit ‘ehh’-ey but like you do understand their reasonings and things… I dunno what to feel? When Ted is pleading with Giles to not break up with him, to not abandon what they had - if Ted is going to squeal and mewl his pleas - I can not take it seriously.I liked the themes of putting yourself first, doing things you enjoy and being comfortable in your own skin, but that's pretty much one of the only reasons why I didn't rate this one star. The fact it’s definitely not an easy ride, with ups and downs, movements forwards and back and how no matter how much you might love someone and want what’s best for them, they need to come to terms with themselves first and truly appreciate they are who they are. full of warmth, humour and courage' Ruth Hogan 'I ADORED this book, it's so uplifting, original and funny' Daily Mail'Tender, full of courage and irresistibly good-hearted' Rachel Joyce''You go, girl' positivity seeps from every page . The story is almost a coming of age story, with our main character having been repressed by a partner who didn't appreciate or nurture him in the way he deserved. This was extremely annoying, and totally not how people think – it just felt so unnatural, and leads back to the passive, telling-not-showing writing style from before.

Especially, since I have this amazing Titanic calendar from 1998 with stills from the film and historical facts about the Titanic, too. Ted finds the incriminating photos, Giles says he’s leaving him and within 5 mins of dialogue he’s packing his things. It's the same for Oskar's sudden switch of supporting Ted doing drag, to saying he doesn't like it and that he wants Ted to stop, to then supporting him again. Ted Ainsworth has always worked at his family’s ice cream business in the quiet Lancashire town of St Luke’s-on-Sea. I mean, I can not understand when a statement is issued calmly by his father, why are you going to use he boomed and she shrieked?Ted Ainsworth has been together with his husband Giles for more than twenty years when, with no warning, Giles leaves him for another man. Which said, there's plenty of people who don't read in that way, and those people will roll around in a lovely story of middle-aged queer joy and self-acceptance with immense pleasure. There’s also a tender moment involving him at the end of the book that provoked the same reaction in me as does that scene at the end of the film, The Railway Children. Oskar is a 33 year old gay man from Poland, but you could easily change his name and where he says he's from and absolutely nothing about his character would be different. You can be the ripest peach on the tree, yet there will still be some people who don't like peaches.