If I could have given this book more stars 🌟 I would have done. Such a beautiful heartwarming story of Arthur - a most understated hero. Both funny and sad in parts - I cried more than once - I was willing Arthur on from the start. If you liked Finding Missy and The Authenticity Project then this book is for you. Thought everything maybe tied up too neatly at the end but it did work. All the little side stories were good too. Thank you to The Pigeonhole and to the author for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review. Loved that Matt interacted with the us whilst we read the book. Will investigate his other titles.

My thanks to NetGalley and Headline for a copy of “The Secret Life Of Albert Entwistle” for an honest review.

I wa first attracted to read this book as I’m the wife of a postie and someone had recommended this to him.
I was gripped from the start. This was well written , with well rounded characters that you really cared about.
A book that was full of optimism and hope and I thoroughly enjoyed it
This will definitely be a book that I’ll recommend to many.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
I'm not going to rewrite the information provided by the publisher about the storyline of this book, but I think it accurately describes the content. The book is well-written and interesting with varied characters across different age groups and backgrounds, creating their own story bylines. The whole story is realistic, especially the feelings and emotions in the 60s and 70s and I liked the inclusion of the song references from that era.
The story is romantic, poignant, and emotional and I enjoyed every single page. I fully recommend it as a great read.

Half an hour into this book and I was 100% hooked. I loved the characters and how they changed, grew and developed. It was such an inspirational and life affirming read. At times it filled you with both anguish and overwhelming joy.

I will highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone and I can't wait to read Matt Cain's next book.

Postman Albert is lonely. He spent most of his adult life caring for his sick mum and hiding who he truly is.

Albert lost his true love George 50 years ago and has never gotten over it so when he receives his notice of compulsory retirement he decides its time to change his life by admitting who he truly is and find George.

I absolutely loved this story. I fell in love with Albert on the first page and reading his character develop really made me smile.

This is a light hearted story of long lost love and I highly recommend it!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy.

This is such a lovely, heart-warming book, which gives a voice to the lost generations of LGBTQ+ who were forced to keep their lives hidden. Albert's development from a shy 64-year old who avoids all social interactions to a positive and integral part of his local community is just the kind of story to bring a smile to even the most curmudgeonly grump. OK, it's a little predictable and verges on the 'too good to be true' side of things, but what the heck. Who's going to complain? Uplifting and joyous. 4 stars.

(With thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this title.)

Oh what a fabulous book! Albert is one of the best characters ever! This was a gorgeous read, uplifting and heartbreaking and made me feel all warm inside by the end. Would highly recommend.

I had heard a lot about The Secret Life of Albert Entwhistle and so I was delighted to receive a copy. I found the story very predictable, but that didn’t take away from the enjoyment. Albert is almost 65 and has been told he is to retire from his job as a postman on his birthday. He is quite upset about this as he has no other interests and no friends. When Gracie, his cat dies, Albert decides it is time to change his life. With the help of Nicole, he plans to trace George, his teenage boyfriend. The rest of the story tells how he goes about this, the ups and the downs. I am grateful to NetGalley and Headline books for an arc of this book.

I listened to the audiocopy, my full review is on that
This is not a topic I have read a book about before. I had both the e-copy and the audio and decided to listen to the audio version. This was a brilliant decision. I was so hooked after a couple of chapters that I did something I had never done before. I sat through the entire book by picking up one project after another. It was a long journey, but I had to hear it all the way through.
It is not hard to assume what the secret that Albert Entwistle was harbouring. It is not the revelation itself but the magnitude of everything that follows. The narrator is someone I have enjoyed several works of, and his tone of narration matched everything just right. Albert has been doing the same thing for decades, just to keep himself safe (or so he thinks). As forced retirement looms, he is shaken out of his passive life to try and make small changes. The small changes snowball into bigger ones. There is no personality change in this book, unlike some others, because Albert is a quiet individual, not a grumpy one. His social anxiety was more pronounced in the beginning, something that was fun to watch reduce in small ways. There was mild humour injected in the most surprising of times, making all the people in the book feel quite vivid.
I am not sure if it was only the audio version, but it had a chapter with short interviews of men who had to keep their homosexuality a secret in the 70s and 80s Britain. That added an extra something to the entire book. It was hard not to have thought of Albert as an actual individual instead of just a fictional one to whom one would say goodbye at the end!
The author is one that I would definitely recommend and would readily pick up another book of.
I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley, and the review is entirely based on my own listening experience.

Oh Albert! The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle completely stole my heart. I cannot recommend this book enough. The writing is fantastic, Matt has managed to create a highly emotive plot with a main character you cannot help but fall in love with, whilst also tackling issues such as lonelines, and still manage to leave you feeling uplifted along the way.

I had heard so many good things about this book so I was delighted to receive a preview copy. It definitely lived up to my expectations. This is such a heartwarming and thought provoking story. It is very emotional at times, especially with the real life stories at the end of the book, confirming that the struggles were real.
Albert is a likeable character and it was sad to read about the suffering that he had endured.
Loneliness is a big theme in this book and it is a subject that affects a lot of people. It was uplifting to read about how Albert made friends and helped other people too.
This book is well written and enjoyable. I am definitely going to read Matt Cain's next book and I'm looking forward to it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my ARC.

This is such a lovely and wholesome read, I really enjoyed it. Absolutely perfect for the current climate of queer positive books.
At 65, Albert has spent most of his life repressed and unhappy but finally he realises that there are good, kind people in the world, people he can call friends. He steps out of the closet and into life, and it’s fabulous.
I really enjoyed this, and the fact that it’s mainly about friendship and acceptance makes it so heartwarming and gentle. Obviously there is a love interest, the flashbacks to his teens are eye opening and it’s so sad to see how Albert was repressed by his family.
A definite recommend.

What can I say, such a beautiful and thought provoking story about a man and his dreams. Albert is a man in his 60's who has worked as a postman on the same delivery route since he was in his teens. He lives alone with his faithful cat Gracie. He doesn't have family or friends and rarely speaks to anyone unless he has to. When Albert receives a letter from HR telling him about his imminent retirement he decides he needs to change his life for the better. Which means only one thing, he has to face his past.
I really didn't want this story to end. Albert is a very special character and written so well

My first book by this author, and it certainly won’t be my last. I absolutely LOVED this book. Albert is a postman who is on the verge of reaching his 65th birthday and having to retire from a job he’s done for so long. He lives alone with his cat, Gracie and has very few friends, but the thought of having to give up the routine and life that he knows sends his whole existence into a spin. We get to find out things about Albert that he’s never told anyone before, and we follow him on his journey to reconnect with the one true love of his life.

This was such a heart-warming story which had me hooked before I’d reached the end of the first page. I hadn’t really looked at the blurb, going mainly on gut instinct that I would like this book, so had no idea about where Albert’s story was going to take me. I’m so glad I chose to read this book though. His story tugged at my heartstrings on one page and then filled me with such a wonderful feeling on another, continuing like this throughout the book! Albert is a wonderful character and I loved how he developed as his story moved on, coming out of his shell more, being more confident and making more friends. The little flashbacks to Albert’s teenage years brought tears to my eyes – happy tears with how lovely his relationship with George was, but sad tears with the attitudes to gay relationships all those years ago.

The book was full of lovable characters, blossoming friendships and true love relationships. It wasn’t just all about Albert though, we also have a glimpse into the lives of some of his friends he makes, and their stories are just as heart-warming as Albert’s! This book will not only have you reaching for the tissues but getting up and dancing along with Albert. This is a wonderful and beautiful story, written with such feeling and emotion. Would definitely recommend!

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
I give this book 4.5 stars

64-year-old Albert Entwistle keeps himself to himself.. One December morning, just back from delivering mail, Albert is surprised to find himself in receipt of a letter.
The contents shock him, his future suddenly seems lonely and frightening.
The time has come for him to face the secret he's been keeping for fifty years . . .
Albert needs to be brave and go after what he wants, however much it scares him.

Such a heartwarming and emotional book filled with everyday life……..sadness,hope,love,joy and a real sense of community. Wonderfully written,the author delivers an endearing and relatable cast of characters who all have a special place in the book and a truly poignant storyline .l was totally moved by Albert’s journey, l found him so endearing, l loved how we gradually found out about the one true love of his life and what happens when we open up to others. I slowed down my reading pace as l didn’t want it to end. A book that will stay with me!
With thanks to Netgalley,Matt Cain and Headline for my chance to read and review this book

A really lovely, feel good, coming of age story. This is really a heartwarming read. That is really well written and you can't help but to take Albert into your heart.

Sorry, i was confused as it was a different cover. I already read this book.
Here's my review:
This story made me smile and moved to tears. I felt for Albert and rooted for him. I was hooked and kept on thinking about him.
A heartbreaking and heartwarming story, a character that blossoms.
Good storytelling and plot development, well rounded and interesting characters.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

I loved the journey we went on with Albert! Brilliant book.

Total triumph of a book! I was lucky enough to get this by audiobook too. Both marvellous. Albert is 64, and a postman. He has no friends, no family, and no significant other, and as he approaches retirement he realises how lonely he is, and sets out to find the love of his life from 50 years before.... Who happens to be another man.
Albert goes on an amazing journey as he tries to find him. I enjoyed the journey Albert took me on and was with him every step of the way.

Wow! I absolutely adored this heartwarming, treasure of a book. Albert is an almost 65 year old Postman who keeps himself to himself.

Just before his 65th Birthday, Albert receives a letter that will change his life.

Albert is so endearing and likeable, as a reader you just want to give him a giant hug!

I feel that this book really makes the reader ask themselves, what's to stop you pursuing your wildest dreams? What is it you truly want and what's stopping you?

I was particularly moved to read the interviews with some men that had inspired the character of Albert and the struggles they had gone through.

This novel helps to raise important LQBTQ+ issues in the loveliest of ways. Go meet Albert , now!