Rhodes grew up in Devon, and graduated in Humanities from the University of Glamorgan (now the University of South Wales) in 1994, returning in 1997 to complete an MA in Creative Writing. Don't Tell Me the Truth About Love was written at this time. He has held a variety of jobs, including stockroom assistant for Waterstone's, barman in his parents' pub, and a Teacher in Ho Chi Minh City. He has also worked on a fruit and vegetable farm and is still employed as a postman.