Charlie Matthews's love story begins in a pebble-dashed house in suburban Bolton, at a time when most little boys want to grow up to be Michael Jackson, and girls want to be Princess Diana. Remembering the Green Cross Code and getting out of football are the most important things in his life, until... On his ninth birthday, Auntie Jan gives him a gift that will last a lifetime: a seven-inch single called 'Lucky Star'. He discovers Madonna - and falls in love. Casting the pop icon in the role of his spirit guide, Charlie draws on Madonna's audacity and ambition to help him find the courage to overcome his own obstacles and become a success in life. His obsession sees him through some tough times, but in order to be truly happy, he'll need to find his own inner strength...

'A total triumph', 'Romantic and heartbreaking and uplifting all at once', 'Highly recommended' *The Independent best 'never-too-late' story of 2021, and one of the 8 best uplifting books of the year* IS IT EVER TOO LATE TO BE LOVED? 'Wonderful . . . An utter treat' KATE MOSSE 'A heartfelt coming-of-age story . . . Remarkable' LAURIE FRANKEL, New York Times bestselling author 'A heart-warming, joyous love story - original, hopeful and totally charming' ADELE PARKS 'I loved it! Really heart-warming and joyful, but also so poignant. I cannot recommend this book highly enough' LORRAINE KELLY 'Albert is one of the most endearing characters I've met in a long time . . . Proof that it's never too late to find a happy ending' SUSAN WIGGS, New York Times bestselling author 'A bright, clear, sharply intelligent writer' JENNY COLGAN 'Will put a smile on everyone's face . . . A great big hug of a book!' - MICHAEL BALL, Radio 2 'Wonderful. Written with such a good heart, filled with joy and strength and optimism . . . inventive and fun but most importantly, true.' RUSSELL T. DAVIES 'A beautiful, timely page-turner, straight from the heart . . . The perfect summer read' MATTHEW BOURNE 'Brilliant . . . [I] recommend to all!' MATT LUCAS ***** ALBERT ENTWISTLE WAS A POSTMAN. It was one of the few things everyone knew about him. And it was one of the few things he was comfortable with people knowing. 64-year-old Albert Entwistle has been a postie in a quiet town in Northern England for all his life, living alone since the death of his mam 18 years ago. He keeps himself to himself. He always has. But he's just learned he'll be forced to retire at his next birthday. With no friends and nothing to look forward to, the lonely future he faces terrifies him. He realises it's finally time to be honest about who he is. He must learn to ask for what he wants. And he must find the courage to look for the man that, many years ago, he lost - but has never forgotten . . . Join Albert as he sets out to find the long-lost love of his life, and has an unforgettable and completely life-affirming adventure on the way . . . This is a love story the likes of which you have never read before! ***** 'Albert is such an endearing character - flawed, funny and awkward, but completely relatable. A wonderfully warm story that completely drew me in' RUTH HOGAN 'A rollicking love story' IAN McKELLEN 'Albert is the most delicious character and you'll be with him every step of the way' SUN 'A charming adventure with love at its heart' MY WEEKLY 'A life affirming story of lost love' THAT'S LIFE 'A unique and moving story' CANDIS 'A heart-warming and uplifting read' ATTITUDE 'You will weep and yet have your heart filled with joy' ARLENE PHILLIPS 'I raced through this heart-warming story' JUSTIN MYERS 'Prepare to fall in love with Albert Entwistle! Touching and tender' S. J. WATSON 'Albert is delightful and charming, and the book is too' JONATHAN HARVEY 'I so enjoyed this - a warm-hearted, moving and thought-provoking joy about an elderly postman's awakening to life and love' FANNY BLAKE 'A total triumph. Romantic and heartbreaking and uplifting all at once.' LAURA KAY 'Tender, witty, uplifting' KATE EBERLEN As seen and heard on THE GRAHAM NORTON RADIO SHOW, BBC Radio 4's WOMAN'S HOUR, RESONANCE FM, BBC Radio 2'S THE MICHAEL BALL SHOW, TalkRADIO'S THE BADASS WOMEN'S SHOW, TIMES RADIO with GILES COREN and many more . . .

'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

Two men. Twenty years of friendship. One love. *Pre-order the uplifting new novel from Matt Cain* 2002 Danny arrives at Manchester University determined not to hide from the world any longer. This is the year his life will begin. He locks eyes with a handsome stranger across the hall at the Fresher's Fair. It starts with a wink and soon Danny and Guy are best friends. 2022 Now, both single for the first time in years, Danny and Guy return to the confetti-covered streets of the Gay Village for Manchester Pride. After years of shared adventures and lost dreams, Danny finally plans to share the secret he has been keeping for two decades. He has always been in love with Guy. Could this weekend be the end of a twenty-year friendship . . . or the start of something new and even more beautiful? Praise for Matt Cain: 'Heart-warming and joyful, but also so poignant' LORRAINE KELLY 'Full of warmth, humour and courage' RUTH HOGAN 'A rollicking love story' IAN McKELLEN 'An utter treat' KATE MOSSE 'Original, hopeful and totally charming' ADELE PARKS