One Love

Author Matt Cain
Paperback
$17.95 US
On sale Apr 29, 2025 | 400 Pages | 9781496751928
A witty, uplifting, wonderfully honest novel about a decades-spanning friendship that might be something much more, from the acclaimed author of The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle and Becoming Ted. Full of heart, charm, and queer joy for readers of Steven Rowley, Linda Holmes, Bryan Washington, and Paul Rudnick.

Twenty years after they first met, Danny and Guy are returning to the confetti-strewn streets of the Gay Village for Manchester Pride. This weekend is a celebration of two decades of friendship, laughter, and adventures. It’s also where Danny hopes to finally reveal his secret. No matter how many other men he’s known, the only bond that has ever really mattered is the one that began the moment he met Guy during their first week at Manchester University.

For Guy, glimpsing Danny across the room that day was a revelation and a lifeline. Popular and outgoing, Danny arrived from his small hometown determined not to hide away any longer. He inspired Guy to come out, take risks, and pursue the kind of lasting relationships that Danny seems to have little interest in. Yet Guy knows that there is more to their shared history than he’s ever been brave enough to acknowledge. There are unspoken regrets, white lies, and convenient omissions—because Guy has his secrets too.

Over the course of one tumultuous weekend full of bittersweet memories and overdue revelations, both Danny and Guy will find the courage to confront who they were all those years ago—and who they might yet be to each other, and to themselves.  

Heartfelt and emotionally rich, as romantic as it is surprising, this is a story of love and friendship, and all the complexities that lie between.
Praise for Matt Cain:

“This is fun, frothy and frivolous, perfect for the gay beach.” The Bay Area Reporter on Becoming Ted

“British journalist Cain serves up a breezy second-act story that traces a 40-something gay man’s unlikely journey to drag stardom…Cain constructs a soothing if familiar tale of self-empowerment. This sticky-sweet confection goes down smooth enough.”- Publishers Weekly on Becoming Ted

Becoming Ted is a thoroughly detailed portrait of the fictional small town of St. Lukes-on-Sea and the colorful characters who call it home. It's also a touchingly reflective examination of how much gay identity has changed over time.” – The Book Reporter on Becoming Ted
 
"Albert is one of the most endearing characters I’ve met in a long time, a man struggling to reclaim his authentic self. His tender, heartbreaking, agonizing, but ultimately joyous journey is proof that it’s never too late to find a happy ending." —Susan Wiggs, # 1 New York Times bestselling author on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
 
“A heartfelt coming-of-age story—first love and first loss, new friends and new identities, the realization that your parents aren’t who you think they are—except that the age Albert is coming-of is retirement. The most remarkable thing about the many wonderful love stories in this novel is how unremarkable they are after all.” —Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
 
“The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle Albert Entwistle has a cathartic edge to it, your emotions will be pulled from pillar to post(box) as you laugh, cry and cheer along with the characters. It’s about as far from ‘misery-porn’ as you can get, while still having some emotional oomph behind it. A lovely, charming read.” – The Queer Review on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
 
“There are always conditions in the world that cause us to be less than our true selves. This book takes us on Albert’s journey, from which we learn so much.” – Seattle Book Review on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
 
“Written with such a good heart, filled with joy and strength and optimism. Like the best fiction, it’s real; Albert’s fears, the sour legacy of his parents, his colleagues’ kindness, George flourishing from boy to man...It’s inventive and fun but most importantly, true.” —Russell T Davies on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
 
“This rollicking romance entrapped me! True in its detail and its scope, it is amusing yet heart-breaking. It will encourage tentative young gay people and reassure their parents. Its passionate declaration? That it’s never too late to enjoy being yourself.” —Ian McKellen on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
 
“I raced through this heart-warming story of a closeted gay postman searching for a lost love that also examines the everyday bigotry that’s blighted generations of the LGBTQ+ community.” —The Guyliner on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
 
“Albert is such an endearing character—flawed, funny and awkward, but completely relatable. I wanted to give him a good shake and then a huge hug. This is a wonderfully warm story that completely drew me in.” —Ruth Hogan on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
 
“Prepare to fall in love with Albert Entwistle! Another wonderfully heart-wrenching story from Matt. Touching and tender.” —S. J. Watson on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
 
"A bright, clear sharply intelligent writer." —Jenny Colgan on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
Matt Cain is an author, a leading commentator on LGBT+ issues, and a former journalist. Previously the first Culture Editor at Channel 4 and the Editor-In-Chief of Attitude magazine, he is now an ambassador for Manchester Pride and the Albert Kennedy Trust, as well as a patron of LGBT+ History Month. He has been honored with the Diversity in Media's Journalist Of the Year Award and has served as a judge for the Costa Prize, the Polari Prize and the South Bank Sky Arts Awards. Born in Bury and brought up in Bolton, he now lives in London and can be found online at MattCainWriter.com.

About

A witty, uplifting, wonderfully honest novel about a decades-spanning friendship that might be something much more, from the acclaimed author of The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle and Becoming Ted. Full of heart, charm, and queer joy for readers of Steven Rowley, Linda Holmes, Bryan Washington, and Paul Rudnick.

Twenty years after they first met, Danny and Guy are returning to the confetti-strewn streets of the Gay Village for Manchester Pride. This weekend is a celebration of two decades of friendship, laughter, and adventures. It’s also where Danny hopes to finally reveal his secret. No matter how many other men he’s known, the only bond that has ever really mattered is the one that began the moment he met Guy during their first week at Manchester University.

For Guy, glimpsing Danny across the room that day was a revelation and a lifeline. Popular and outgoing, Danny arrived from his small hometown determined not to hide away any longer. He inspired Guy to come out, take risks, and pursue the kind of lasting relationships that Danny seems to have little interest in. Yet Guy knows that there is more to their shared history than he’s ever been brave enough to acknowledge. There are unspoken regrets, white lies, and convenient omissions—because Guy has his secrets too.

Over the course of one tumultuous weekend full of bittersweet memories and overdue revelations, both Danny and Guy will find the courage to confront who they were all those years ago—and who they might yet be to each other, and to themselves.  

Heartfelt and emotionally rich, as romantic as it is surprising, this is a story of love and friendship, and all the complexities that lie between.

Reviews

Praise for Matt Cain:

“This is fun, frothy and frivolous, perfect for the gay beach.” The Bay Area Reporter on Becoming Ted

“British journalist Cain serves up a breezy second-act story that traces a 40-something gay man’s unlikely journey to drag stardom…Cain constructs a soothing if familiar tale of self-empowerment. This sticky-sweet confection goes down smooth enough.”- Publishers Weekly on Becoming Ted

Becoming Ted is a thoroughly detailed portrait of the fictional small town of St. Lukes-on-Sea and the colorful characters who call it home. It's also a touchingly reflective examination of how much gay identity has changed over time.” – The Book Reporter on Becoming Ted
 
"Albert is one of the most endearing characters I’ve met in a long time, a man struggling to reclaim his authentic self. His tender, heartbreaking, agonizing, but ultimately joyous journey is proof that it’s never too late to find a happy ending." —Susan Wiggs, # 1 New York Times bestselling author on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
 
“A heartfelt coming-of-age story—first love and first loss, new friends and new identities, the realization that your parents aren’t who you think they are—except that the age Albert is coming-of is retirement. The most remarkable thing about the many wonderful love stories in this novel is how unremarkable they are after all.” —Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
 
“The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle Albert Entwistle has a cathartic edge to it, your emotions will be pulled from pillar to post(box) as you laugh, cry and cheer along with the characters. It’s about as far from ‘misery-porn’ as you can get, while still having some emotional oomph behind it. A lovely, charming read.” – The Queer Review on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
 
“There are always conditions in the world that cause us to be less than our true selves. This book takes us on Albert’s journey, from which we learn so much.” – Seattle Book Review on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
 
“Written with such a good heart, filled with joy and strength and optimism. Like the best fiction, it’s real; Albert’s fears, the sour legacy of his parents, his colleagues’ kindness, George flourishing from boy to man...It’s inventive and fun but most importantly, true.” —Russell T Davies on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
 
“This rollicking romance entrapped me! True in its detail and its scope, it is amusing yet heart-breaking. It will encourage tentative young gay people and reassure their parents. Its passionate declaration? That it’s never too late to enjoy being yourself.” —Ian McKellen on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
 
“I raced through this heart-warming story of a closeted gay postman searching for a lost love that also examines the everyday bigotry that’s blighted generations of the LGBTQ+ community.” —The Guyliner on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
 
“Albert is such an endearing character—flawed, funny and awkward, but completely relatable. I wanted to give him a good shake and then a huge hug. This is a wonderfully warm story that completely drew me in.” —Ruth Hogan on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
 
“Prepare to fall in love with Albert Entwistle! Another wonderfully heart-wrenching story from Matt. Touching and tender.” —S. J. Watson on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
 
"A bright, clear sharply intelligent writer." —Jenny Colgan on The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle

Author

Matt Cain is an author, a leading commentator on LGBT+ issues, and a former journalist. Previously the first Culture Editor at Channel 4 and the Editor-In-Chief of Attitude magazine, he is now an ambassador for Manchester Pride and the Albert Kennedy Trust, as well as a patron of LGBT+ History Month. He has been honored with the Diversity in Media's Journalist Of the Year Award and has served as a judge for the Costa Prize, the Polari Prize and the South Bank Sky Arts Awards. Born in Bury and brought up in Bolton, he now lives in London and can be found online at MattCainWriter.com.