One Love by Matt Cain

 

Danny and Guy met twenty years ago during Freshers Week at Manchester University. It was love at first sight as far as Danny was concerned but he never had the courage to let Guy know his true feelings. Spending a weekend together celebrating Manchester Pride, Danny hopes that now is the right time to tell Guy exactly how he feels.

When we are first introduced to Danny and Guy in One Love by Matt Cain they are exploring the Gay Village in Manchester for the first time. Newly arrived at Manchester University in 2002 Danny is determined to live his best life as an openly gay man, having been unable to really be himself in his hometown. Danny’s openness finally allows Guy to come out about his own sexuality. Danny’s quest for adventure and to make the most of everything Manchester has to offer is the support and catalyst Guy needs.

The pair form a strong friendship; however, what Guy doesn’t realise is that Danny has fallen in love with him. Over the span of twenty years, Danny’s unrequited love doesn’t abate. Fate seems to conspire to keep them apart, with one or the other always being in a relationship, until now. After twenty years both men are single and heading to Manchester Pride together. Danny hopes that he’ll finally be able to tell Guy exactly how he feels about him and hopes that his feelings will be reciprocated.

Interspersed with the events of the weekend are snapshots of the past twenty years. We see the highs and lows of the friendship. Your heart goes out to Danny. As Guy looks for a long-term relationship he repeatedly overlooks Danny. Danny’s insecurity and low self-esteem mean that he’s never been brave enough to tell Guy exactly how he feels about him. You really feel the catch-22 situation Danny is in, torturing himself by maintaining the friendship and as a result, watching Guy fall in love with a variety of partners, but on the other hand terrified of being honest and destroying the friendship completely.

Over the space of the weekend, the pair are forced to examine the nature of their friendship, set against a backdrop of a vibrant, joyful and often raucous Pride festival.

One Love by Matt Cain will be published on 18^th January 2024 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Headline for a review copy.