The Guncle

The Guncle by Steven Rowley is a heartwarming and funny novel that introduces us to Patrick O'Hara, a once-famous gay sitcom star who has retreated from the limelight and now lives a somewhat reclusive, but undeniably fabulous, life in Palm Springs. He's known to his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant, as "Gay Uncle Patrick," or GUP for short.

Patrick loves his niece and nephew, but mostly from a distance – their visits to his glamorous home are usually brief and carefully managed. However, when an unexpected family tragedy strikes, leaving Maisie and Grant grieving the loss of their mother and their father facing a health crisis, Patrick is suddenly thrust into the role of primary guardian for the entire summer.

Having spent years navigating his own grief from a past loss and a stalled career, Patrick is initially overwhelmed and completely out of his depth with the responsibilities of full-time childcare. He attempts to impose his own eccentric "Guncle Rules" on the children, but quickly learns that parenting is far more complex than a set of witty guidelines.

As Patrick struggles to adapt to his new reality, he begins to form a deep and meaningful bond with Maisie and Grant. Through shared experiences, laughter, and navigating their collective grief, all three of them embark on a journey of healing and self-discovery.