What starts out as an "ideal Sunday" at their home in a coastal village in northwest England turns into something of a nightmare when Ted Ainsworth's husband, Giles, turns to him and announces that he has met someone else and is moving out. Immediately. Ted and Giles have been together for 20 years, and now, at the age of 43, Ted isn't sure who he is anymore without Giles by his side.

Making matters worse, Ted's parents, owners of the beloved local landmark Ainsworth's Ice Cream, are starting to make noises about retirement, and Ted is the heir apparent to the ice cream dynasty. There's just one problem: not only does Ted have zero interest in taking over the family business, he doesn't even like ice cream.

"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..."

After spending a few days wallowing in misery (and Giles' rosy-tinted Instagram feed of photos featuring his handsome new beau), Ted starts to entertain a new idea. What if he used this clean break as an opportunity to finally fulfill a youthful dream? Giles always disdained Ted's desire to be in the limelight, preferring to take the starring role in their relationship himself. But perhaps, as crazy as it sounds, this could be Ted's big chance to become a drag queen.

Encouraged by his best friend, Denise, Ted starts to take baby steps toward this goal --- practicing walking in heels, doing his makeup, and putting together a comedy and song routine based on his recent bad breakup. He has three months to get ready for the local open mic night, where he finally can learn if he has what it takes to be the star of the show.

In Matt Cain's novel, the narrative of Ted's journey toward rediscovery is interspersed with scenes from his past with Giles. They allow first the reader and finally Ted himself to recognize that perhaps their relationship was not as perfect as he'd once believed. Paralleling this realization is the growing understanding that his parents' marriage is flawed as well --- a reality that comes to light when someone starts leaving anonymous notes around the ice cream shop for Ted to find. Adding further complications (but of a more welcome nature) is aspiring interior designer Oskar Kozlowski, a Polish immigrant who just might be what Ted needs to start over in a healthier relationship.

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, with queer folks of a certain age or growing up in other parts of the world having to cope with issues --- like abuse, imprisonment and internalized homophobia --- that are much more dangerous than those with which Ted is contending. In the end, however, most of the story's many strands are tied up neatly in a show-stopping finale that, while perhaps not entirely realistic, is quite satisfying.