*Winner of the Thurber Prize for American Humor
National Bestseller Wall Street Journal Bestseller USA Today* Bestseller
An NPR Book of the Year
Finalist for the 2021 Goodreads Choice Awards

From the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Editor comes a warm and deeply funny novel about a once-famous gay sitcom star whose unexpected family tragedy leaves him with his niece and nephew for the summer.**

Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for weeklong visits, or when he heads home to Connecticut for the holidays. But in terms of caretaking and relating to two children, no matter how adorable, Patrick is, honestly, overwhelmed.

So when tragedy strikes and Maisie and Grant lose their mother and Patrick's brother has a health crisis of his own, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian. Despite having a set of "Guncle Rules" ready to go, Patrick has no idea what to expect, having spent years barely holding on after the loss of his great love, a somewhat-stalled acting career, and a lifestyle not-so-suited to a six- and a nine-year-old. Quickly realizing that parenting--even if temporary--isn't solved with treats and jokes, Patrick's eyes are opened to a new sense of responsibility, and the realization that, sometimes, even being larger than life means you're unfailingly human.

With the humor and heart we've come to expect from bestselling author Steven Rowley, The Guncle is a moving tribute to the power of love, patience, and family in even the most trying of times.

One of:
Oprah Daily's Best Beach Reads to Help You Escape
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*CBS's 12 Perfect Summer Beach Reads for 2021*
Vogue's 12 Beach Reads to Get Lost in This Summer
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*Bustle's 40 Best New Books to Read This May 
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**PopSugar’s 45 Best Summer Reads of 2021*
**USA Today’****s 5 Books Not To Miss
CNN’s 20 Books That Are Essential Reading this Pride Month
Reader's Digest's 75 Best Summer Reads of All Time
Parade’s 15 New LGBTQ+ Books to Pick Up This Summer
New York Post’s 30 Best Books On Our Summer Reading List
*iHeart Radio’s 15 Best Beach Reads for Summer 2021*
Christian Science Monitor's Best Books of May 
PureWow’s 10 Books We Can’t Wait to Read in May
Travel & Leisure's Most Anticipated Books of Summer
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Brit + Co’s 17 Beach Reads That Make the Perfect Summer Escape
NewNowNext's 17 Exciting Queer Books to Savor This Summer
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“Rowley delivers the perfect summer read: The Guncle is relentlessly witty, sweet and heartbreaking.” –Elin Hilderbrand

"Wise and hilarious." –People

"A laugh-out-loud heartwarmer." –Oprah Daily

“Rowley’s depth and humor will warm even the most jaded hearts.” –Washington Post

"A formerly famous gay sitcom star is suddenly tasked with raising his niece and nephew in this sweet, saucy novel." –Vogue

“Deeply entertaining.” –Real Simple

“Gay Uncle Patrick is given custody of his young niece and nephew for the summer, and struggles to integrate his lifestyle as an actor with his new charges.” –Entertainment Weekly

“The author of Lily and The Octopus and The Editor delivers arguably his funniest and most poignant novel yet.” –E! News

“[A] brilliant tale of loss and love.” –GMA.com

“[A] heartwarming, hilarious tale of family ties that even the deepest grief can’t shake.” –Southern Living

“A moving tribute to love, patience, and family in even the most trying of times.” –Country Living

“Rowley’s third book explores [the] bond between Guncles and their nieces (and nephews) with astute, heartwarming observations, while illustrating how the term 'parent' expands beyond traditional mom and dad roles.” —PrideSource

“A big-hearted, laugh-out-loud-funny kind of book that’s sure to stay with you long after you turn the final page.” –PopSugar

“Beach read alert.” –PureWow
 
“[A] funny and heartwarming beach read.” –CNN
 
“[A] moving, feel-good summer escape.” –Newsweek

“Cue some family growing pains and humorous antics, and you get this heartwarming novel you’ll devour in a flash.” –theSkimm

“[A] feel-good story, perfect for summer.” –AARP

“Often hilarious, sometimes devastating, and genuinely touching.” –New York Daily News

“In his heartwarming, humorous new novel, Steven Rowley shows readers the true meaning of family, reminding us that everyone—even parents—is only human.” –Travel & Leisure

"A heartwarming story...Quirky and fun...Light and sassy and warm—like an Aperol spritz atop a pink flamingo floatie. The perfect book for the upcoming summer season." –KMUW-NPR 

“Rowley hits the sweet spot between hilarity and heart in this endearing charmer.” –Christian Science Monitor

“As hysterically funny as it is profound, The Guncle is the perfect summer read for anyone who’s looking for a good time with amazing characters without forfeiting deep and meaningful discussions that will feel like a balm to the soul for anyone who’s ever lost someone.” –The Nerd Daily

“[A] heartwarming story.” –WBUR

"Chronicles grief in a way that offers a lot of comfort to the reader, and while at various points is a definite tearjerker, it often unlocks the humor and joy that can still be found after those we loved are gone. . . . Wistful, warm, and very funny." –Fodor’s Travel

“A warm and deeply funny novel…With the humor and heart we’ve come to expect from bestselling author Steven Rowley, The Guncle is a moving tribute to the power of love, patience, and family in even the most trying of times.” –Frolic

"Rowley uses the juxtaposition of lifestyles and situations for an enormous comic harvest without once forgetting the sorrow and tragedy that have resulted in the situation. The characterizations are rich and wonderful, and Rowley writes with a tenderness, affection and empathy about life, sorry and family that's the stuff of pure heart." –The Day (CT) 

“A sweet story of family, with plenty of laughs and even a few tears.” –Parkersburg News & Sentinel

“Equal amounts of heartache and witty bon mots.” –Palm Springs Life
 
“One of the hottest beach reads of th…