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 Washington Post ’s Feel-Good Books to Brighten Your Summer CBS 's Best Summer Beach Reads 2021 & 2022 Vogue 's 12 Beach Reads to Get Lost in This Summer Real Simple ’s Blockbuster Beach Reads Country Living ’s 32 Can’t-Miss Beach Reads for This Summer Southern Living ’s Beach Reads Perfect for Summer 2021 Bustle 's 40 Best New Books to Read This May  E! News 's 18 Best Books to Check Out in May 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 Women.com 's Most Anticipated Summer Beach Reads SheKnows ’s 20 New Books You Need to Add to Your Summer Reading List Scary Mommy ’s Most Anticipated Books of Summer Frolic 's 25 Best Books of Spring 2021 Brit + Co ’s 17 Beach Reads That Make the Perfect Summer Escape NewNowNext 's 17 Exciting Queer Books to Savor This Summer Bibliolifestyle 's Quintessential Summer 2021 Beach Reads LAMBDA Literary's Most Anticipated LGBTQ Literature of May Washington Post’ s 12 Titles to Get You to the End of Summer CNN.com ’s Essential Reading for Pride Month Book Riot ’s Best LGBTQ+ Books to Read for Pride Month "It’s one of my favorite books. . . . When I’m in a mood I go back to it because it makes me feel better. . . . It’s one of the best you can read. . . . It’s heavenly." — Whoopi Goldberg, The View "Steven Rowley strikes a harmonious balance between the endearing gay uncle archetype and the existential dilemmas that resonate with so many readers." —Women.com "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 "An all-around charmer, this book is equally humorous and heartwarming, making it the perfect beach read.” –Today.com “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 ter