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That's What Friends Are For
A NATIONAL BESTSELLER!
USA TODAY bestseller Today Show Best Feel Good Read Bookbub Best New Fiction A Most Anticipated Book of 2026 by Zibby Media US Weekly Best Romance Featured on People.com, Newsweek.com and CBS-NY/Club Calvi Book Club
"By turns hilarious, tender, and devastating, Rouse’s novel explores what it means to be the sandwich generation of gays today — caught between those who paved the way for equality, those who are too young to credit them, and a world that seems increasingly hostile." —Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author
In this poignant and hilarious story inspired by TV’s beloved The Golden Girls, bestselling author Wade Rouse celebrates love, aging, finding your people, and the art of impeccably timed one-liners.
Theodore Copeland has created a fabulous life in the desert oasis of Palm Springs, where he shares a fabulous pink mid-century home with three fabulous Barry, a former actor still clinging to his youth, his hair, and the memory of the dream role that killed his career; Ron, an uprooted Christian from the Midwest with a big heart but no one to give it to; Sid, who, after coming out late in life, has never found love. Teddy is the caustic, unspoken leader of “The Golden Gays”—the foursome’s monthly drag tribute to The Golden Girls. Despite their foibles and bickering, they have turned their golden years into a golden era.
But the harmony of their desert enclave becomes a carousel of emotional baggage when Teddy’s estranged sister, Trudy, shows up on their doorstep, her dramatic teenage granddaughter in tow. While Teddy tries to keep Trudy at arm’s length, she manages to wheedle her way into the lives of the Golden Gays, until the real reason for her visit is revealed and the secrets they’ve all been keeping from each other unravel faster than a hastily stitched hemline.
A novel that gives thanks to “old” friends, That's What Friends Are For proves that while family may be the tie that binds, it’s the chosen family that truly keeps us together.
USA TODAY bestseller Today Show Best Feel Good Read Bookbub Best New Fiction A Most Anticipated Book of 2026 by Zibby Media US Weekly Best Romance Featured on People.com, Newsweek.com and CBS-NY/Club Calvi Book Club
"By turns hilarious, tender, and devastating, Rouse’s novel explores what it means to be the sandwich generation of gays today — caught between those who paved the way for equality, those who are too young to credit them, and a world that seems increasingly hostile." —Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author
In this poignant and hilarious story inspired by TV’s beloved The Golden Girls, bestselling author Wade Rouse celebrates love, aging, finding your people, and the art of impeccably timed one-liners.
Theodore Copeland has created a fabulous life in the desert oasis of Palm Springs, where he shares a fabulous pink mid-century home with three fabulous Barry, a former actor still clinging to his youth, his hair, and the memory of the dream role that killed his career; Ron, an uprooted Christian from the Midwest with a big heart but no one to give it to; Sid, who, after coming out late in life, has never found love. Teddy is the caustic, unspoken leader of “The Golden Gays”—the foursome’s monthly drag tribute to The Golden Girls. Despite their foibles and bickering, they have turned their golden years into a golden era.
But the harmony of their desert enclave becomes a carousel of emotional baggage when Teddy’s estranged sister, Trudy, shows up on their doorstep, her dramatic teenage granddaughter in tow. While Teddy tries to keep Trudy at arm’s length, she manages to wheedle her way into the lives of the Golden Gays, until the real reason for her visit is revealed and the secrets they’ve all been keeping from each other unravel faster than a hastily stitched hemline.
A novel that gives thanks to “old” friends, That's What Friends Are For proves that while family may be the tie that binds, it’s the chosen family that truly keeps us together.
Audible Audio
First published March 3, 2026
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About the author
Wade Rouse
10 books310 followersWADE ROUSE is the critically acclaimed author ofthe memoirs America’s Boy, Confessions of a Prep School Mommy Handler, and At Least in the City Someone Would Hear Me Scream and editor of the upcoming humorous dog anthology I’m Not the Biggest Bitch in This Relationship!He is a humor columnist for Metrosource magazine. Rouse lives outside Saugatuck, Michigan, with his partner, Gary, and their mutts, Marge and Mabel.
(source: Amazon)
(source: Amazon)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 395 reviews
March 11, 2026
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR by Wade Rouse is a wonderful look at a family made not born written also as a beautiful homage to the Golden Girls sitcom. This LGBTQ+ fiction novel takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions with witty and sharp dialogue and characters that could walk right off the page.
Teddy, Ron, Sid, and Barry are mature gay friends living together in a pink mid-century home in Palm Springs. The four came from different professions and parts of the country to make a safe home for themselves in their golden years. While they all get along, like any family, they have their problems, too. They perform together every month as The Golden Gays, which is based on a script written from an original episode from the Golden Girls sitcom but is also updated.
Teddy is Dorothy. He runs the mid-century vintage clothes store, Dorian Gay, and is a widower. He lost his husband to suicide. Ron is Rose. He is an exceptional interior designer and the mother hen of their home. Ron grew up in a Christian home and still deeply believes, he just does not go to a traditional church. Sid is Sophia. He is the oldest of the group, Jewish, and still practices as an attorney part-time. He lived his life hiding his sexuality and raised a family as expected in his time but came out and divorced once his children got older. Barry is Blanche. He is a very fit actor who is afraid of aging. He writes the episodes for their shows and has never emotionally dealt with having his character cut from the original Golden Girls pilot.
While each is dealing with their own mortality, they are also dealing with the changing society, not only in the general population, but in the gay community of as well. Teddy is hiding a secret and before he can even emotionally deal with that, his ultra conservative sister and her young, goth granddaughter show up at their home and shake everyone and everything up. Soon secrets begin to surface and relationships alter. Can this chosen family survive?
I loved this novel so much. There is so much love, caring, crying, anger, and perfectly cutting dialogue. Being of a certain age myself and having worked in the bar and restaurant industry my entire life, these characters are wholly and partial reminders of many of my friends and co-workers. This story made me laugh out loud, and feel rage at the injustices that still abound, but it ultimately is a story of love and family and left me with a smile on my face and a full heart.
I highly recommend this beautifully written LGBTQ+ fiction novel.
THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR by Wade Rouse is a wonderful look at a family made not born written also as a beautiful homage to the Golden Girls sitcom. This LGBTQ+ fiction novel takes you on a rollercoaster ride of emotions with witty and sharp dialogue and characters that could walk right off the page.
Teddy, Ron, Sid, and Barry are mature gay friends living together in a pink mid-century home in Palm Springs. The four came from different professions and parts of the country to make a safe home for themselves in their golden years. While they all get along, like any family, they have their problems, too. They perform together every month as The Golden Gays, which is based on a script written from an original episode from the Golden Girls sitcom but is also updated.
Teddy is Dorothy. He runs the mid-century vintage clothes store, Dorian Gay, and is a widower. He lost his husband to suicide. Ron is Rose. He is an exceptional interior designer and the mother hen of their home. Ron grew up in a Christian home and still deeply believes, he just does not go to a traditional church. Sid is Sophia. He is the oldest of the group, Jewish, and still practices as an attorney part-time. He lived his life hiding his sexuality and raised a family as expected in his time but came out and divorced once his children got older. Barry is Blanche. He is a very fit actor who is afraid of aging. He writes the episodes for their shows and has never emotionally dealt with having his character cut from the original Golden Girls pilot.
While each is dealing with their own mortality, they are also dealing with the changing society, not only in the general population, but in the gay community of as well. Teddy is hiding a secret and before he can even emotionally deal with that, his ultra conservative sister and her young, goth granddaughter show up at their home and shake everyone and everything up. Soon secrets begin to surface and relationships alter. Can this chosen family survive?
I loved this novel so much. There is so much love, caring, crying, anger, and perfectly cutting dialogue. Being of a certain age myself and having worked in the bar and restaurant industry my entire life, these characters are wholly and partial reminders of many of my friends and co-workers. This story made me laugh out loud, and feel rage at the injustices that still abound, but it ultimately is a story of love and family and left me with a smile on my face and a full heart.
I highly recommend this beautifully written LGBTQ+ fiction novel.
December 10, 2025
I absolutely loved this book! It made me smile and laugh, cry and rage... it gave me all the feelings. Not only am I an absolute rabid fan for all things Golden Girls (still one of the best shows ever) but the story and the characters themselves were wonderful and heartbreaking. 5 big stars!
January 25, 2026
Picture it:
Palm Springs, 2026.
Four gay men ranging from their 60’s to early 80’s share an iconic pink home together that was once owned by Zsa Zsa Gabor.
Fun fact about me: The Golden Girls is my all-time favorite TV show.
I own the DVDs that even came in a case that looks like Sophia’s purse and since I no longer have a DVD player I own the series digitally.
In fact, my mom probably knew for sure that I was gay when in middle school I’d come home and watch reruns of The Golden Girls on Lifetime every afternoon.
So when I saw that a book was coming out that’s based on The Golden Girls, but with gay men as the characters (who also happen to perform episodes of the show in drag), I knew I had to read this!
I think that Wade Rouse had so much creativity in creating this novel.
And his notes at the end were as poignant as the book itself.
It touched on so many different things: internalized trauma, found family, reconnecting with family members we were born with and realizing that we didn’t always know the whole story.
Therapy isn’t cheap, but now I better see why I do it.
There were parts of this book that made me laugh out loud, and parts where I’d suddenly realize that a couple of tears were running down my face.
Although this is fiction, it reminded me a lot of The Old Gays Guide To The Good Life, I suppose because it had four gay men “of a certain age” (as they refer to themselves) from Palm Springs dispensing wisdom of life.
There were also some parts that reminded me of Disco Witches Of Fire Island.
I also don't think that you need to be gay of a huge Golden Girls fan to enjoy this.
Thanks so much to NetGalley, Harlequin Publishing and especially Wade Rouse for providing me with an ARC to review!
This book had already been on my radar and I was stoked when I found out that I was getting an ARC!
Palm Springs, 2026.
Four gay men ranging from their 60’s to early 80’s share an iconic pink home together that was once owned by Zsa Zsa Gabor.
Fun fact about me: The Golden Girls is my all-time favorite TV show.
I own the DVDs that even came in a case that looks like Sophia’s purse and since I no longer have a DVD player I own the series digitally.
In fact, my mom probably knew for sure that I was gay when in middle school I’d come home and watch reruns of The Golden Girls on Lifetime every afternoon.
So when I saw that a book was coming out that’s based on The Golden Girls, but with gay men as the characters (who also happen to perform episodes of the show in drag), I knew I had to read this!
I think that Wade Rouse had so much creativity in creating this novel.
And his notes at the end were as poignant as the book itself.
It touched on so many different things: internalized trauma, found family, reconnecting with family members we were born with and realizing that we didn’t always know the whole story.
Therapy isn’t cheap, but now I better see why I do it.
There were parts of this book that made me laugh out loud, and parts where I’d suddenly realize that a couple of tears were running down my face.
Although this is fiction, it reminded me a lot of The Old Gays Guide To The Good Life, I suppose because it had four gay men “of a certain age” (as they refer to themselves) from Palm Springs dispensing wisdom of life.
There were also some parts that reminded me of Disco Witches Of Fire Island.
I also don't think that you need to be gay of a huge Golden Girls fan to enjoy this.
Thanks so much to NetGalley, Harlequin Publishing and especially Wade Rouse for providing me with an ARC to review!
This book had already been on my radar and I was stoked when I found out that I was getting an ARC!
March 6, 2026
the setup…
Meet the cast members of The Golden Gays, a drag tribute to The Golden Girls television series. Theodore (Teddy) Copeland owns a vintage clothing store and is the flamboyant member of the group; Barry is an aging actor who actually was in the series pilot but his role was cut and his career never gained traction; Ron is a successful interior designer and the son of a preacher who, along with his church, rejected him but he’s still faithful and is the caretaker; and Sid who is a lawyer and was married for 35 years before coming out as a gay man. These four older men are gay and the best of friends, family, who share a pink mid century home in Palm Springs. When Teddy’s estranged sister Trudy suddenly shows up with her teenage granddaughter, life shifts for all of them in unexpected ways.
the heart of the story…
I expected lots of humorous moments but was unprepared for its lushness. Each character is richly layers, all very different from one another but fiercely loyal to their chosen family. Still, all have secrets they have yet to share and somehow Trudy is the catalyst that shakes things loose. Palm Springs is the fifth character, entwined into the souls of these men.
the narration…
Thank goodness there are separate performers for each of these men. Daniel Henning, Joel Leslie, Art Brown & George Newbern gave wonderful voices to their characters and the storytelling was seamless and divine.
the bottom line…
It’s said that everyone wears a mask, designed to cover the secrets and pain that lies beneath and that perfectly fits these four characters. They turn to humor and drag to rise above the years of pain experienced because of society’s rejection of them as gay men. It manifests itself distinctly for each of them and I was immersed in their stories. Palm Spring’s history and how intricately it’s tied to the gay community was fascinating to learn. I loved everything.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Meet the cast members of The Golden Gays, a drag tribute to The Golden Girls television series. Theodore (Teddy) Copeland owns a vintage clothing store and is the flamboyant member of the group; Barry is an aging actor who actually was in the series pilot but his role was cut and his career never gained traction; Ron is a successful interior designer and the son of a preacher who, along with his church, rejected him but he’s still faithful and is the caretaker; and Sid who is a lawyer and was married for 35 years before coming out as a gay man. These four older men are gay and the best of friends, family, who share a pink mid century home in Palm Springs. When Teddy’s estranged sister Trudy suddenly shows up with her teenage granddaughter, life shifts for all of them in unexpected ways.
the heart of the story…
I expected lots of humorous moments but was unprepared for its lushness. Each character is richly layers, all very different from one another but fiercely loyal to their chosen family. Still, all have secrets they have yet to share and somehow Trudy is the catalyst that shakes things loose. Palm Springs is the fifth character, entwined into the souls of these men.
the narration…
Thank goodness there are separate performers for each of these men. Daniel Henning, Joel Leslie, Art Brown & George Newbern gave wonderful voices to their characters and the storytelling was seamless and divine.
the bottom line…
It’s said that everyone wears a mask, designed to cover the secrets and pain that lies beneath and that perfectly fits these four characters. They turn to humor and drag to rise above the years of pain experienced because of society’s rejection of them as gay men. It manifests itself distinctly for each of them and I was immersed in their stories. Palm Spring’s history and how intricately it’s tied to the gay community was fascinating to learn. I loved everything.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Harlequin Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
January 10, 2026
5⭐️
This book healed something in me…
I don’t know if I have the words to describe how much I enjoyed this book. As a gay man, reading this just felt as though I was hanging with four of my best friends. There’s biting wit and shade, mixed with love and tenderness. The only thing that made this better was reading about my local Palm Springs area!
Regardless of which main characters you identify with most, I think that each offers a unique and poignant look at humanity and the necessity of community and togetherness. Whether it’s finding your career, dealing with difficult family members, navigating new love, or even learning how to just be there for someone; each of these characters offer a refreshing and honest example that I think anyone can learn from.
I’m immensely grateful and overjoyed to have been able to read this book, and I cannot wait to have a physical copy for my personal library.
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Wade Rouse for this eARC!
This book healed something in me…
I don’t know if I have the words to describe how much I enjoyed this book. As a gay man, reading this just felt as though I was hanging with four of my best friends. There’s biting wit and shade, mixed with love and tenderness. The only thing that made this better was reading about my local Palm Springs area!
Regardless of which main characters you identify with most, I think that each offers a unique and poignant look at humanity and the necessity of community and togetherness. Whether it’s finding your career, dealing with difficult family members, navigating new love, or even learning how to just be there for someone; each of these characters offer a refreshing and honest example that I think anyone can learn from.
I’m immensely grateful and overjoyed to have been able to read this book, and I cannot wait to have a physical copy for my personal library.
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Harlequin Trade Publishing, and Wade Rouse for this eARC!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Picture it! PA, 2026! Courtney sees a Jodi Picoult blurb on a book with a premise promising gay octogenarians who dress in drag as the Golden Girls... she runs, not walks, to read it!
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿 is a love letter to found family, Palm Springs, LGBTQ+, and the Golden Girls. Equal measures hilarious and heartfelt, Rouse deftly explores what it means to be in the sandwich generation of the gay community today.
Much like the GGs, Teddy, Barry, Ron & Sid reside in their pink home and navigate the ups and downs of life and aging together. They bicker and love one another with a fierce loyalty molded from surviving decades in a world that has not always been kind to them. Teddy cloaks his vulnerability with a sharp wittiness while Barry clutches at a youth passed. Ron continues to keep his heart open despite the world's attempts to close it, and Sid ponders if it's too late to find love after coming out later in life. Each felt deeply human, and my heart ached for them all.
Side characters further round out the ensemble. Patty provides doses of comic relief. Sid & Esther's bff banter gives Jack & Karen vibes. Teddy & Ava's snarky burgeoning intergenerational friendship filled my soul. I even rooted for Trudy's redemption.
Laced with impeccably timed one-liners and a deep-seated tenderness, 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿 is a beautiful blend of humor, heartbreak and hope. It's message is as timely as ever. Lovers of the Guncle will find a new sparkle of joy in their hearts for these Golden Gays; I know I sure did. Don't sleep on this one, folks.
🎙️Daniel Henning, Joel Leslie, Art Brown & George Newbern give a voice to each of these leading men, fully bringing them to life in their performances.
✨ Thank you HTP Books and Harlequin Audio for my DRC & ALC!
[𝘗𝘶𝘣 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦: 3•3•2026]
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿 is a love letter to found family, Palm Springs, LGBTQ+, and the Golden Girls. Equal measures hilarious and heartfelt, Rouse deftly explores what it means to be in the sandwich generation of the gay community today.
Much like the GGs, Teddy, Barry, Ron & Sid reside in their pink home and navigate the ups and downs of life and aging together. They bicker and love one another with a fierce loyalty molded from surviving decades in a world that has not always been kind to them. Teddy cloaks his vulnerability with a sharp wittiness while Barry clutches at a youth passed. Ron continues to keep his heart open despite the world's attempts to close it, and Sid ponders if it's too late to find love after coming out later in life. Each felt deeply human, and my heart ached for them all.
Side characters further round out the ensemble. Patty provides doses of comic relief. Sid & Esther's bff banter gives Jack & Karen vibes. Teddy & Ava's snarky burgeoning intergenerational friendship filled my soul. I even rooted for Trudy's redemption.
Laced with impeccably timed one-liners and a deep-seated tenderness, 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗔𝗿𝗲 𝗙𝗼𝗿 is a beautiful blend of humor, heartbreak and hope. It's message is as timely as ever. Lovers of the Guncle will find a new sparkle of joy in their hearts for these Golden Gays; I know I sure did. Don't sleep on this one, folks.
🎙️Daniel Henning, Joel Leslie, Art Brown & George Newbern give a voice to each of these leading men, fully bringing them to life in their performances.
✨ Thank you HTP Books and Harlequin Audio for my DRC & ALC!
[𝘗𝘶𝘣 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦: 3•3•2026]
March 3, 2026
4.25⭐️ rounded up
Thank you @htp_hive @readmirabooks + @htpbooks_audio for the early copy & ALC ♡
“𝙸𝚝’𝚜 𝚊 𝚐𝚒𝚏𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚛𝚘𝚠 𝚘𝚕𝚍.”
🌴 Four gay men of a certain age live together in Palm Springs. Best friends, living out their golden years surrounded by the people they love most. They are all uniquely fabulous and funny, but they don’t always recognize it.
A love letter to The Golden Girls and to the importance being seen for who you truly are. I found this comforting and inspiring, with lots of funny one-liners.
The final acts really brought it home for me. Confronting self worth, aging, past trauma, love and loss, discrimination, prostate cancer, and more. Long live the Golden Gays ☀️
🍸 Grab a martini, and check this one out, releasing tomorrow March 3! 🥂
▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။|• 🎧 Each chapter switches between the 4 POVs, each with his a unique voice (Daniel Henning, Joel Leslie, Art Brown, and George Newbern) - so fun! They do have different cadences, so adjust playback accordingly.
Thank you @htp_hive @readmirabooks + @htpbooks_audio for the early copy & ALC ♡
“𝙸𝚝’𝚜 𝚊 𝚐𝚒𝚏𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚐𝚛𝚘𝚠 𝚘𝚕𝚍.”
🌴 Four gay men of a certain age live together in Palm Springs. Best friends, living out their golden years surrounded by the people they love most. They are all uniquely fabulous and funny, but they don’t always recognize it.
A love letter to The Golden Girls and to the importance being seen for who you truly are. I found this comforting and inspiring, with lots of funny one-liners.
The final acts really brought it home for me. Confronting self worth, aging, past trauma, love and loss, discrimination, prostate cancer, and more. Long live the Golden Gays ☀️
🍸 Grab a martini, and check this one out, releasing tomorrow March 3! 🥂
▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။|• 🎧 Each chapter switches between the 4 POVs, each with his a unique voice (Daniel Henning, Joel Leslie, Art Brown, and George Newbern) - so fun! They do have different cadences, so adjust playback accordingly.
March 8, 2026
I had such high hopes for this book. Unfortunately it did not resonate with me. I found the unusually high amount of dialogue to be overwhelming. I’ve loved all of his Viola Shipman novels. The premise of this book was promising but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
November 3, 2025
That’s What Friends Are For is everything I never knew I needed in my life. Wade Rouse has written a heartfelt love letter to the LGBTQ+ community and to fans of one of television’s most beloved sitcoms of all time, The Golden Girls.
At its heart are four men in the twilight of their lives who share a glorious Palm Springs estate. Together, they perform as the characters we know and love Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia in The Golden Gays; a hilarious stage homage to the show that shaped generations. What begins as a witty, laugh-out-loud romp soon deepens into something far more tender. Each of the men is facing a personal crossroads in their life, wrestling with secrets and struggles that test their friendship and sense of self.
Rouse masterfully blends humor and heart, crafting a story that’s as poignant and meaningful as it is hilariously funny. The result is both a celebration and a dissection of issues with aging, identity crises, and the enduring power of friendship. It’s both heartbreaking and hopeful yet raw.
Simply put, Wade Rouse has written the best book of his career; a moving tribute that will linger with readers for years to come in my opinion.
At its heart are four men in the twilight of their lives who share a glorious Palm Springs estate. Together, they perform as the characters we know and love Dorothy, Blanche, Rose, and Sophia in The Golden Gays; a hilarious stage homage to the show that shaped generations. What begins as a witty, laugh-out-loud romp soon deepens into something far more tender. Each of the men is facing a personal crossroads in their life, wrestling with secrets and struggles that test their friendship and sense of self.
Rouse masterfully blends humor and heart, crafting a story that’s as poignant and meaningful as it is hilariously funny. The result is both a celebration and a dissection of issues with aging, identity crises, and the enduring power of friendship. It’s both heartbreaking and hopeful yet raw.
Simply put, Wade Rouse has written the best book of his career; a moving tribute that will linger with readers for years to come in my opinion.
March 30, 2026
This book is an absolute delight- warm, funny, heartfelt, and full of the kind of friendship moments that make you smile long after you’ve finished.
April 1, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ This was cute! I loved all the references to the Golden Girls, and the found family aspect was so much fun. I really enjoyed the full cast audio! It was really well done.
April 4, 2026
Great find. That's What Friends Are For reads like a sweet, silly, Golden Gays story. Which it is. But it is also a book not afraid to tackle difficult and important topics as the gay male survivors of the AIDS epidemic (both neg and poz) move into their elder years. A real joy to read.
March 22, 2026
A feel good book for everyone who has ever loved or wanted to be loved and seen! Isn’t that all of us after-all? This book is full of so many nuggets of wisdom along with lots of nostalgia and pop culture references. Highly recommend this beautiful novel which also happens to be quite funny too!
November 11, 2025
Thank you for being a friend Teddy, Sid, Ron, and Barry! Rouse's newest brings the nostalgia to modern day Palm Springs and leaves you laughing and crying. Sometimes simultaneously! Four older gay men are living together in a home in Palm Springs and doing drag performances of old Golden Girls episodes on stage. But they each are struggling with something that they don't want to share with each other yet. With plenty of wit, heart, and Golden Girls references,That's What Friends are For is exactly the story we need.
March 5, 2026
Thank you to net galley, Harper Collins Publisher, Wade Rouse for allowing me to read this book. I am a fan of this author writing under the pen name of Viola Shipman. This book was a comparison between the Golden Girls sitcom and the four men who live in the same house. If you are looking for a witty book then read this book.
March 24, 2026
As a Golden Girls fan, I immediately jumped at this book. Writing under his own name for the first time, Wade Rouse crafts a story of friendship that will touch your heart. You can tell how much this story personally means to him and how much respect he has for the older gay community who have persevered through so much. The blending of these men's loves with their drag Golden Girls personas was immaculate. I laughed. I cried. And I also learned a lot about a different perspective on life. Just wonderfully done!
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
March 24, 2026
I have enjoyed many of Wade Rouse's novels written as Viola Shipman, so when I was offered to read and review That's What Friends Are For it seemed like a great opportunity. The synopsis talked about a hilarious, moving novel with ties to the TV show The Golden Girls, and with an audiobook narrated by a cast, I expected a fun, easy read. Sadly, I was not incredibly impressed with the novel, and I did not find it funny, at all. Maybe I just didn't get it...
The strength of the audio version is the cast. These gentlemen brought such a broad variety of voices to the characters that I easily picked up the personalities and quirks of each man. Each voice matched the character traits perfectly.
Another strength of the novel is the author's focus on bringing attention to the struggles of gay men in society both historically and in current times. While this is an important point to be made, I often felt like the book was preaching to me instead of trying to entertain. If that was the intent, it was not clear in the synopsis.
I enjoyed learning a bit of the history of The Golden Girls through the novel.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC of That's What Friends Are For by Wade Rouse. The opinions in this review are my own.
The strength of the audio version is the cast. These gentlemen brought such a broad variety of voices to the characters that I easily picked up the personalities and quirks of each man. Each voice matched the character traits perfectly.
Another strength of the novel is the author's focus on bringing attention to the struggles of gay men in society both historically and in current times. While this is an important point to be made, I often felt like the book was preaching to me instead of trying to entertain. If that was the intent, it was not clear in the synopsis.
I enjoyed learning a bit of the history of The Golden Girls through the novel.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Audio for the ALC of That's What Friends Are For by Wade Rouse. The opinions in this review are my own.
December 11, 2025
As the author writes in his note to readers, “This book is about community, be it the family you are born into or the one you create. It’s about friends you have known for a lifetime and those you meet who feel as if you’ve known them forever. It is for those who feel ostracized and overlooked, those diminished by society, those whose voices and words are dismissed, and those deemed unlovable due to age, shame, and sexuality. “. But above all, this is a powerful, evocative and emotional novel that tells the story of four amazing men, each with flaws. The friendship will be tested, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad, and with honesty and with lies. Passions will ebb and flow, but as a reader, I found myself rooting for them to truly find their way home and to each other, despite the difficult challenges life seemed to throw at them. Teddy, Barry, Sid, and Ron are four aging gay men living in Palm Springs. They come to the desert from very different backgrounds, law, retail, show business and religion, but they are drawn to each other and a mutual love for the sitcom The Golden Girls, which they remake as a production called The Golden Gays, and from whose characters they take strength and solace from. As the book progresses, we see that each of these men is harboring a secret. These secrets will bring up parts of each of their lives they had buried and test their will to move forward in a positive direction. There were times while reading this book I laughed and I cried. And while the men are gay, and the women in the sitcom are old, this is a book anyone can relate to. I hope it brings about an awareness that no matter what our sexual orientation, religion, marital status or gender, we all are one people, and human kindness, decency and respect should be extended towards all. Wade Rouse has proven to be a gifted wordsmith in his previous novels using the pen name Viola Shipman. With this novel, written using his given name, he has exceeded the high bar set with his earlier books. It is a book that left me with hope for a better future, something that is much-needed in the world we live in today. Do not miss this one. Thank you to NetGalley for the e-book and to Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to write an honest review.
November 22, 2025
Ron, Teddy, Barry, and Sid live in a pink house and perform a gender swapped Golden Girls play. I think the main reason I enjoyed this so much is the humorous tinge added to even the most serious of moments. Each man is 80 years old or close, and moved to Palm Springs to be welcomed into an LGBTQ community. One has a best friend that is so funny, her comments lit up my eyes when I came across them on the page. Each character really redefines "found family" to me- this book is quintessential for any GG fan, because it is both so well written and such a lovely tribute to not only the actors and characters, but to anyone who felt seen when this show aired in 1985 and flipped political realness on it's head. Thank you so much to Wade Rouse and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the chance to read and review this eARC! All opinions are my own.
April 12, 2026
Inspired by TV’s beloved The Golden Girls, Wade Rouse’s new novel That’s What Friends Are For follows four older gay men living together in Palm Springs: sharp-tongued Teddy, sweet and steady Ron, lecherous Barry, and gentle Sid. They bicker and face the ups and downs of their golden years, but they’re always there for one another in the end as they navigate life and aging.
"Have you ever considered that your life has worked out exactly the way it was supposed to? Have you ever considered the three of us were your 'big break'? That maybe being a friend is your role of a lifetime?"
Funny and heartwarming, That’s What Friends Are For is about the friendships we build into families, relationships old and new that can still surprise us, the agony of loss, the trials of aging (especially as gay men), and learning that while life throws endless curveballs, you can always deal with them as long as your friends are there.
"Life is pretty damn simple when you get down to it. We need friends who not only love and accept us, but love and accept us just as we are. We need friends who allow us to shine brightly in the world so our light can be seen. When it does, we can be our true selves."
Four talented voice artists lend their distinct voices to the audiobook: Joel Leslie (Teddy), Daniel Henning (Barry), George Newbern (Ron), and Art Brown (Sid). Each brings their character vividly to life. However, the choice to have all four narrators voice multiple characters sometimes made it difficult to track who was speaking. I loved Joel as Teddy, Daniel as Barry, George as Ron, and Art as Sid, and don’t think they could have been cast any better, but just wish the production had allowed them to stick to a single character to shine even more.
Regardless, I laughed, cried, and gasped… and was so happy that in the end, all the characters get a rare and fully satisfying happy ending.
"Life is not a sitcom, but it's pretty damn close ... three acts and a finale: you better learn to laugh at yourself early in life, you better learn to forgive yourself mid-life, and you better have friends late in life, or you will not survive, and I want you to survive. We need you to make this dramedy we call life to be a spectacular one."
Harlequin Audio | 10 hours, 34 minutes | Fiction | LGBTQIAP+
Advanced Review Audio copy of That's What Friends Are For provided by Harlequin Audio via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.
March 13, 2026
This book touched me so unexpectedly, much like The Golden Girls often did when I discovered it. You’re comfortable in the humor and then you find yourself welling up moments later. Wade Rouse absolutely captured the gorgeous, hilarious, authentic magic of The Golden Girls with this book.
I don’t read a ton of literary fiction, but this book immediately jumped out at me due to loving The Golden Girls.
As a younger millennial, I don’t remember watching much of The Golden Girls until the COVID pandemic started. I had temporarily moved back home with my parents just before it hit and was going through a divorce. It was a tough time, as it was for so so many, and one of the highlights of the week was sitting down with my dad (mom always fell asleep😂) and watching The Golden Girls. For half an hour I didn’t have to worry about the stresses happening in my personal life, or the scary stuff happening in the world with the pandemic and beyond.
It was a beloved reprieve and I came to love those four ladies so dearly.
I loved how the show was lighthearted but also talked about things that really mattered.
Reading That’s What Friends Are For felt like queer love letter to The Golden Girls. The Golden Gays and their stories absolutely stole my heart. I laughed, I cried, I fell in love with all the characters. I want to be in the Golden Gays!🥹🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Seriously, as a queer person in the world today, we are in a weird place where things have been better than they were for our protagonists in the book when they were young. But it’s very hard to watch the rights their generation fought so hard for be chipped away at by bigots. We’re still fighting to be seen as equals and to be safe, and I know that will be a lifelong fight. But we’re worth it❤️🩹✨
The flashbacks in this story and some of the things that have happened to our characters can be pretty tough to read. Please take care of yourself and check the trigger warnings❤️🩹
The narration was excellent - I usually listen to single narrators or maybe a pair, but having Daniel Henning, Joel Leslie, Art Brown, and George Newbern each narrate one of the main four protagonists was awesome! It gave each character so much extra personality and distinction. I’m not sure who voices which characters, but they all did a great job and it was such a delightful listen!
Despite the difficult themes Wade Rouse pulls it all off with a Golden Girls flourish, and gave us a heartwarming ending that celebrates how far our characters have come. The Golden Gays will live in my heart forever, I love them endlessly✨
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the chance to listen to this audio-ARC early in exchange for my honest review.
I don’t read a ton of literary fiction, but this book immediately jumped out at me due to loving The Golden Girls.
As a younger millennial, I don’t remember watching much of The Golden Girls until the COVID pandemic started. I had temporarily moved back home with my parents just before it hit and was going through a divorce. It was a tough time, as it was for so so many, and one of the highlights of the week was sitting down with my dad (mom always fell asleep😂) and watching The Golden Girls. For half an hour I didn’t have to worry about the stresses happening in my personal life, or the scary stuff happening in the world with the pandemic and beyond.
It was a beloved reprieve and I came to love those four ladies so dearly.
I loved how the show was lighthearted but also talked about things that really mattered.
Reading That’s What Friends Are For felt like queer love letter to The Golden Girls. The Golden Gays and their stories absolutely stole my heart. I laughed, I cried, I fell in love with all the characters. I want to be in the Golden Gays!🥹🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ Seriously, as a queer person in the world today, we are in a weird place where things have been better than they were for our protagonists in the book when they were young. But it’s very hard to watch the rights their generation fought so hard for be chipped away at by bigots. We’re still fighting to be seen as equals and to be safe, and I know that will be a lifelong fight. But we’re worth it❤️🩹✨
The flashbacks in this story and some of the things that have happened to our characters can be pretty tough to read. Please take care of yourself and check the trigger warnings❤️🩹
The narration was excellent - I usually listen to single narrators or maybe a pair, but having Daniel Henning, Joel Leslie, Art Brown, and George Newbern each narrate one of the main four protagonists was awesome! It gave each character so much extra personality and distinction. I’m not sure who voices which characters, but they all did a great job and it was such a delightful listen!
Despite the difficult themes Wade Rouse pulls it all off with a Golden Girls flourish, and gave us a heartwarming ending that celebrates how far our characters have come. The Golden Gays will live in my heart forever, I love them endlessly✨
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the chance to listen to this audio-ARC early in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was absolutely lovely.
I will admit I never watched and know next to nothing about The Golden Girls, but I love found family and was interested about a story about an older gay friend group.
The four men whose stories the book follows are diverse in their struggles, dreams and life stories. The individual plotlines as such are about finding love, self acceptance, forgiveness, self worth and staying true to oneself. On more concrete terms, they deal with cancer diagnoses, love in the late stages of your life, facing career goals at the cost of authenticity, and homophobia.
I enjoyed pretty much all of those plotlines, but some of my favourites included the granddaughter one of the main cast. I also really enjoyed Ron as a character, even if his personal journey seemed much less important than the others', and he almost seemed a bit neglected. That very lack of Ron having huge personal issues reflected his personal journey very well, however.
Overall this was just an incredibly heartfelt read. Some situations are tough, and there are serious situations, but overall this was so heartwarming and positive and focussed on friendship.
In the audiobook version, I loved that each character had his own narrator! They all did a great job.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
I will admit I never watched and know next to nothing about The Golden Girls, but I love found family and was interested about a story about an older gay friend group.
The four men whose stories the book follows are diverse in their struggles, dreams and life stories. The individual plotlines as such are about finding love, self acceptance, forgiveness, self worth and staying true to oneself. On more concrete terms, they deal with cancer diagnoses, love in the late stages of your life, facing career goals at the cost of authenticity, and homophobia.
I enjoyed pretty much all of those plotlines, but some of my favourites included the granddaughter one of the main cast. I also really enjoyed Ron as a character, even if his personal journey seemed much less important than the others', and he almost seemed a bit neglected. That very lack of Ron having huge personal issues reflected his personal journey very well, however.
Overall this was just an incredibly heartfelt read. Some situations are tough, and there are serious situations, but overall this was so heartwarming and positive and focussed on friendship.
In the audiobook version, I loved that each character had his own narrator! They all did a great job.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
March 5, 2026
I’m ashamed to admit I’ve never seen The Golden Girls, but reading That’s What Friends Are For made me want to drop everything and start binge watching.
Set in sunny Palm Springs, this story follows Teddy and his tight knit group of friends, lovingly known as the “Golden Gays,” as they navigate aging, old dreams, chosen family, and a surprise visit that stirs up long buried secrets. What starts as witty banter and drag tributes slowly unfolds into something much deeper about forgiveness, identity, and the people who show up for you when it matters most.
Palm Springs is one of my favorite places, so the setting felt like perfection. The themes of career, found family, and acceptance made this such an emotional and heartfelt read. Funny, tender, and full of heart, it truly celebrates the kind of friendships that carry you through every stage of life.
Set in sunny Palm Springs, this story follows Teddy and his tight knit group of friends, lovingly known as the “Golden Gays,” as they navigate aging, old dreams, chosen family, and a surprise visit that stirs up long buried secrets. What starts as witty banter and drag tributes slowly unfolds into something much deeper about forgiveness, identity, and the people who show up for you when it matters most.
Palm Springs is one of my favorite places, so the setting felt like perfection. The themes of career, found family, and acceptance made this such an emotional and heartfelt read. Funny, tender, and full of heart, it truly celebrates the kind of friendships that carry you through every stage of life.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4 Stars 💫
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC! 💛
That's What Friends Are For by Wade Rouse was a read that hit me in a way that was pleasantly unexpected. Honestly, it was very much the kind of read that I needed right now. As someone who has struggled with my own identity in a variety of ways for a multitude of different reasons, it hit. In a weird way, I think it might've healed a little something within me.
This The Golden Girls but older gay men instead dynamic was definitely unique. Teddy, Barry, Sid, and Ron have my entire heart. The book was funny and dramatic while also being kinda sad, serious, and eye-opening as it navigated hard topics in a way that was so unapologetically The Golden Gays. If you're looking for a goofy, deep, LGBTQIA+ read to add to your TBR, consider this one!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC! 💛
That's What Friends Are For by Wade Rouse was a read that hit me in a way that was pleasantly unexpected. Honestly, it was very much the kind of read that I needed right now. As someone who has struggled with my own identity in a variety of ways for a multitude of different reasons, it hit. In a weird way, I think it might've healed a little something within me.
This The Golden Girls but older gay men instead dynamic was definitely unique. Teddy, Barry, Sid, and Ron have my entire heart. The book was funny and dramatic while also being kinda sad, serious, and eye-opening as it navigated hard topics in a way that was so unapologetically The Golden Gays. If you're looking for a goofy, deep, LGBTQIA+ read to add to your TBR, consider this one!
March 17, 2026
You know how they say that some books find us at just the right time in our lives? That’s What Friends Are For by Wade Rouse is exactly the book I needed in this moment. After a string of books featuring men behaving badly, I was more than happy to pick up this charming novel featuring four 80-something male best friends living together in Palm Springs. The novel is inspired by TV’s beloved The Golden Girls. It is at times heartwarming, hilarious, and tender as “The Golden Gays”, Teddy, Ron, Barry, and Sid, face homophobia, ageism, and health issues. I loved the deeply human characters (especially Sid!), their witty banter and obvious love for each other. It’s a wonderful reminder of the importance of friends and found family.
I listened to the audiobook through my library’s Libby app which I would highly recommend. The audiobook features a talented full cast of voice actors including Daniel Henning, Joel Leslie, Art Brown, and George Newbern. Do yourself a favor and check out this charming novel that explores found family, aging, and forgiveness. 4/5⭐️
I listened to the audiobook through my library’s Libby app which I would highly recommend. The audiobook features a talented full cast of voice actors including Daniel Henning, Joel Leslie, Art Brown, and George Newbern. Do yourself a favor and check out this charming novel that explores found family, aging, and forgiveness. 4/5⭐️
February 27, 2026
The Golden Gays inhabit That’s What Friends Are For by Wade Rouse. Teddy, Barry, Ron and Sid share a pink mid-century house in Palm Springs. Each month they perform a drag tribute show of The Golden Girls, hence the Golden Gays. This book is like a big gay hug from your old friends, your chosen family with plenty of laughs along the way. Difficult topics and family drama are thrown into the mix. Sure, I’ll have a drink. Make mine a Rose Kennedy. The narrators, Daniel Henning, Joel Leslie, Art Brown and George Newbern, will school you in gay slang and pop culture. You’ll laugh and cry and by the end thank each of the Golden Gays for being a friend. ALC was provided by Harlequin Audio via NetGalley. I received an audiobook listening copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 15, 2026
3.5 stars. Let me start by saying that I'm sure I would have enjoyed this more in print - I didn't care for the audio narration. Nevertheless, it was a pretty good time. The main characters are four older men who live in Palm Springs and do a drag tribute to The Golden Girls called The Golden Gays. There is plenty of humor along with some issues that lend a dose of gravity to the story and keep it from being saccharine. Like its inspiration, this would make a cute adaptation to the screen. Make sure to read the author's note at the end.
April 10, 2026
This book started out a little slow for me, and I had trouble keeping track of which character was which initially. However, I ended up really enjoying this book!
April 4, 2026
That's What Friends Are For is genuinely one of the most special books I've ever read—not only so meaningful but also so fun and FUNNY!!! This novel came at the PERFECT time, where our government is actively working against the LGBTQ community to keep us from feeling safe and loved but COMMUNITY is what will get us through and that's what this incredible story is all about. I feel so proud to be part of the community and even prouder that authors like Wade Rouse are out there representing us in a way that feels so authentic and true. I will be knocking down every door of every person I know begging them to read this and I simply will never stop!
I truly don't think I could come up with all the words I need to convey how much this reading experience meant to me but I did my best. Thank you Wade 💜
I truly don't think I could come up with all the words I need to convey how much this reading experience meant to me but I did my best. Thank you Wade 💜
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