Product details
- ISBN 9781919443904
- Publication Date: 04 Jun 2026
- Publisher: Pansy
- Publication City/Country: GB
- Product Form: Paperback
Secure
checkout
Fast Shipping
Easy returns
Modern Family meets The Durrells in this life-affirming and evocative novel set against the idyllic beauty of the Tuscan countryside.
Stories don't always unfold the way you expect them to...
When 45-year-old Adam inherits a rundown farmhouse and castle in Tuscany from a great uncle he didn't know existed, he quits his job in Manchester to renovate the property. He's thrilled his boyfriend of two years, newly divorced and out-of-the-closet Theo, is joining him. But at the last minute, Theo's children have to come too. And they're hostile to Adam, immune to the beauty of the rural location - and scared of the resident lizards.
As Adam explores the crumbling walls of the castle and sorts through his uncle's possessions, he discovers some dark family secrets. But could they finally allow him to break free from the pain of the past, start building a new family and open up a life of queer joy?
The Castle of Stories is a moving, heartwarming and uplifting novel about modern family in all its forms, what it means to love, and the importance of understanding your own story.
'Matt Cain writes gay love stories that are universally uplifting, inspiring and utterly riveting' - Lisa Jewell
'Bursting with pride and joy. His best yet!' - La Voix
'He's done it again! Matt Cain is one of our most intelligent, empathetic authors and a brilliant storyteller. These are stories we need to hear.' - Lorraine Kelly
'Nobody captures the messiness, angst and utter joy of the modern family better than Matt Cain.' - Clare Pooley
'A relatable, funny and moving celebration of found family and the power of being seen' - Alexandra Potter
'SUCH a good book with themes and characters to care about. Brimming with empathy and understanding for the true meaning of family - I loved it.' - Freya North
‘Matt Cain writes with joy, strength, truth and such a good heart’ - Russell T Davies
LOVE FOR MATT CAIN
'A book for anybody who feels at all marginalised, small, bullied or lost' - Claudia Winkleman
'I loved it! Really heart-warming and joyful, but also so poignant. I cannot recommend this book highly enough' - Lorraine Kelly
'A joyful tale that will move you to laughter and cheers' - i paper
'Will put a smile on everyone's face . . . A great big hug of a book!' - Michael Ball
'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 triumphant coming-of-age tale about the power of being true to yourself' - Juno Dawson
'This book made us laugh and cry, and entertains from start to finish' - Attitude
'Wonderful . . . An utter treat' - Kate Mosse
'A heart-warming, joyous love story - original, hopeful and totally charming' - Adele Parks
'A beautiful, timely page-turner, straight from the heart . . . The perfect summer read' - Matthew Bourne
'This rollicking romance entrapped me, chapter by chapter. True in its detail and its scope, it is amusing yet heart-breaking' - Ian McKellen
'Utterly absorbing and affecting. Matt Cain is one of the most entertaining and illuminating writers out there' - Bryony Gordon
'Positivity seeps from every page' - The Times
'You will weep and yet have your heart filled with joy' - Arlene Phillips
'Brilliant... I recommend to all' - Matt Lucas
'Full of warmth, humour and courage and I absolutely loved it!' - Ruth Hogan
'This novel is just a bucket of joy' - Glamour
'A joyful read; tender, full of courage and irresistibly good-hearted' - Rachel Joyce
'The most joyful, heart-warming, and beautiful book ever' - La Voix
'A triumph. Brave and honest, beautiful and funny' - Alexandra Potter
'Utterly joyful - you will smile your way through this' - The Sun
'I have so much love for this book!' - Freya North
'As sharp eyed as Hilda Ogden and as seen-it-all as Bet Lynch . . .a proudly Northern queer One Day, ingenious and unsparing' - Patrick Gale
'A big warm hug of a novel' - Heat
'This epic friends-to-lovers will-they-won't-they story is gorgeous!' - Clare Pooley
'You don't want to miss this. It's BEAUTIFUL' - Lisa Riley
Matt
Cain is a writer, broadcaster, publisher and leading commentator on LGBTQ+
issues.
He was Channel 4's first Culture Editor, Editor-In-Chief of Attitude magazine,
has written for all the national newspapers, and has appeared on BBC Breakfast,
Good Morning Britain, The Today Programme and Lorraine. He's a patron of LGBT+
History Month, has received an honorary doctorate from Bolton University,
addressed the Cambridge Union, and in 2025 was awarded an MBE for services to
LGBTQ+ culture.
Matt's bestselling novels include The Madonna Of Bolton, The Secret Life of
Albert Entwistle and One Love. His latest, The Castle of Stories, will be
published in June 2026 as the first title from Pansy, the independent publisher
he's set up with his husband Harry Glasstone to prioritise queer authors and
put queer-themed books first.
Born in Bury and brought up in Bolton, Matt now lives in London with Harry and their dog, Teddy.
