H.M.S. Brown - Author: Pride 2023 - Books and Authors Day 21

Wednesday, June 21, 2023

Pride 2023 - Books and Authors Day 21 - The Guncle

Hello and welcome to Day 21 of 30 Days of Pride - Books and Authors!

For Pride Month 2023, I’m sharing some of the fabulous books and authors I’ve discovered featuring LGBTQ or LGBTQ-friendly characters or written by LGBTQ or LGBTQ-friendly authors.

Taking a break from romance novels, I just have to tell you about this adorable book by Steven Rowley. I cannot say enough good things about it.

The Guncle by Steven Rowley is the most wonderful, heartwarming, amazing, charming, happy,
funny, and feel-good story of all the books I'm showcasing this month. If you have never read a book before featuring an LGBTQ+ person as the lead character, then read this one. You have to read this one.

I absolutely ADORE THE GUNCLE! And I promise - you will, too.

Gay Uncle Patrick, or GUP, is a currently non-working actor living in CA, near where his brother is receiving health care. He takes in his young niece and nephew, Maisie and Grant, and takes care of them in a non-traditional yet completely loving and wonderful way. While they begin to learn about their own trauma, Patrick learns about and deals with his own love lost from a few years earlier. It's a terrific story about self-care, family, friends, and doing the right thing.

From the back cover:

Patrick O’Hara has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant — from a safe distance. His Palm Springs home and reclusive lifestyle aren’t exactly welcoming to children. But when tragedy strikes, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian.

Patrick has no idea what to expect, having spent years barely holding on after the loss of his own great love and managing a stalled career. He regrets his decision to take them in, until he starts to recognize that his outsize lifestyle and unusual life wisdom could bring about a season of healing that redefines their understanding of family, and finally lead Patrick back to himself.

I haven't watched Schitt's Creek yet. Okay, fine. Fine. Fine! I've watched a couple of episodes so far and liked it. BUT... the whole time I was reading, I mean listening, to this, I pictured Daniel Levy as the Guncle. At the time, I barely knew who he was, but I could picture him in this role.

He'd be perfect! Right?