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That's What Friends Are For
"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 keeps 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.
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 keeps 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.
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First published March 3, 2026
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About the author
Wade Rouse
10 books288 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 190 reviews
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!
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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!
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.
November 13, 2025
Teddy, Ron, Barry and Sid are gays ‘of a certain age’ - friends living together in a fabulous Palm Springs home and giving monthly theater performances as The Golden Gays, a Golden Girls spoof
They’ve made good lives for themselves, despite very harsh beginnings. And, even if things haven’t turned out the way they’d once dreamed, they have each other and that’s not nothing
Each of them has had a recent development in their lives though, and they’re at different turning points. Where things could get substantially better for them or …not
Like The Celebrants by Steven Rowley, I knew this one was going to break me almost from the start
It was emotional less for the reason I expected though, and for a half dozen other reasons instead (content warnings for abuse and assault, childhood and current. Directed at the MCs from others, not between them. They are good to each other, lack of chore chart respect aside)
Their collective survived traumas made this a tearjerker for me, but their support of each other and perseverance also made it so hopeful
And it feels like, for every sad moment, there’s balancing humor and quips that help lighten things
Plus, many of the tears were happy in the end!
More than anything this story shows the power of a found family through an entire life. Especially when the family they were born into was at best unsupportive, at worst - and too often - abusive
It also shows how it’s never too late for a fresh start, no matter how far along in life you are
Side note - The Pink House in is quite the showstopper, I suggest looking it up
I remember seeing it on the Zillow tv show, and the Zsa Zsa house is every bit as dramatic a home as these guys deserve!
Thank you to HTP/MIRA for the arc!
They’ve made good lives for themselves, despite very harsh beginnings. And, even if things haven’t turned out the way they’d once dreamed, they have each other and that’s not nothing
Each of them has had a recent development in their lives though, and they’re at different turning points. Where things could get substantially better for them or …not
Like The Celebrants by Steven Rowley, I knew this one was going to break me almost from the start
It was emotional less for the reason I expected though, and for a half dozen other reasons instead (content warnings for abuse and assault, childhood and current. Directed at the MCs from others, not between them. They are good to each other, lack of chore chart respect aside)
Their collective survived traumas made this a tearjerker for me, but their support of each other and perseverance also made it so hopeful
And it feels like, for every sad moment, there’s balancing humor and quips that help lighten things
Plus, many of the tears were happy in the end!
More than anything this story shows the power of a found family through an entire life. Especially when the family they were born into was at best unsupportive, at worst - and too often - abusive
It also shows how it’s never too late for a fresh start, no matter how far along in life you are
Side note - The Pink House in is quite the showstopper, I suggest looking it up
I remember seeing it on the Zillow tv show, and the Zsa Zsa house is every bit as dramatic a home as these guys deserve!
Thank you to HTP/MIRA for the arc!
February 21, 2026
When your friend tells you there’s a book that combines the sharp wit of The Golden Girls with the charm of The Guncle, you don’t hesitate. You immediately get your hands, and in this case, your ears on that book.
THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR by Wade Rouse is a book that made me laugh through my tears. Simultaneously touching and hilarious, Rouse treats the reader to one of the most delightful found family novels in recent memory. The book centers around four gay men of a certain age who live and work together in Palm Springs. Teddy, Barry, Ron, and Sid each took different paths to the pink house formerly owned by Zsa Zsa Gabor. They’ve navigated discrimination, abuse, estrangement, and loss; and use humor to get past their trauma.
But life is not perfect in the desert. Each man still has unfulfilled dreams and unresolved issues. Intolerance and bias still rear their ugly heads—even in an LGBTQIA+ friendly community. Family fractures still hurt and the desire to be loved and accepted continues to be a throbbing ache. Teddy, Barry, Ron, and Sid are forced to face their demons with the aid of some truly unforgettable supporting characters. Old queens, new love interests, and an angsty teen enter the world of the Golden Gays when they are needed most.
I freaking loved this book. The characters are RICH; vulnerable, brave, funny, HUMAN. The banter is superb; reminiscent of the sitcom from which they draw inspiration. The found family trope is executed to perfection; including a charming Intergenerational relationship and a highly unusual “meet the parents” moment. This is a book that should be experienced without spoilers. Each character, each plot point, each line of dialogue deserved to be discovered and appreciated by the reader.
The audio version of THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR is sublime. Performances by Daniel Henning, Joel Leslie, Art Brown, and George Newbern are pitch perfect.
Please do not miss the personal note from the author. It is the cherry on the sundae and provides important perspective.
Thank you to NetGalley, HTP Books, and Harlequin Audio for the advance copies. All opinions are my own.
THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR by Wade Rouse is a book that made me laugh through my tears. Simultaneously touching and hilarious, Rouse treats the reader to one of the most delightful found family novels in recent memory. The book centers around four gay men of a certain age who live and work together in Palm Springs. Teddy, Barry, Ron, and Sid each took different paths to the pink house formerly owned by Zsa Zsa Gabor. They’ve navigated discrimination, abuse, estrangement, and loss; and use humor to get past their trauma.
But life is not perfect in the desert. Each man still has unfulfilled dreams and unresolved issues. Intolerance and bias still rear their ugly heads—even in an LGBTQIA+ friendly community. Family fractures still hurt and the desire to be loved and accepted continues to be a throbbing ache. Teddy, Barry, Ron, and Sid are forced to face their demons with the aid of some truly unforgettable supporting characters. Old queens, new love interests, and an angsty teen enter the world of the Golden Gays when they are needed most.
I freaking loved this book. The characters are RICH; vulnerable, brave, funny, HUMAN. The banter is superb; reminiscent of the sitcom from which they draw inspiration. The found family trope is executed to perfection; including a charming Intergenerational relationship and a highly unusual “meet the parents” moment. This is a book that should be experienced without spoilers. Each character, each plot point, each line of dialogue deserved to be discovered and appreciated by the reader.
The audio version of THAT’S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR is sublime. Performances by Daniel Henning, Joel Leslie, Art Brown, and George Newbern are pitch perfect.
Please do not miss the personal note from the author. It is the cherry on the sundae and provides important perspective.
Thank you to NetGalley, HTP Books, and Harlequin Audio for the advance copies. All opinions are my own.
March 4, 2026
Teddy, Barry, Ron and Sid are gay roommates of a certain age (that age ranges from 65 to 81) who share a pink house in Palm Springs that was once inhabited by Zsa Zsa Gabor. All four men fled challenges and discrimination in their prior lives, eventually crossing paths in Palm Springs where they now perform in a popular Golden Girls drag tribute show. Each of the men shares traits with the Golden Girl they perform as, with lots of references to the show included throughout the book. Alternating chapters give attention to each man's story and the secrets they are keeping from one another.
This read was equal parts hilarious and emotional as the Golden Gays celebrated their found family while also navigating grief, hate crimes, career and relationship issues, and coming to terms with aging and mortality. I loved the references to Golden Girls, and this was a beautiful homage to a show that truly was ahead of its time.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
This read was equal parts hilarious and emotional as the Golden Gays celebrated their found family while also navigating grief, hate crimes, career and relationship issues, and coming to terms with aging and mortality. I loved the references to Golden Girls, and this was a beautiful homage to a show that truly was ahead of its time.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I didn't connect with the story or the characters as much as I'd have liked to for a couple of reasons. First being the fact that I have no idea what the Golden Girls is and even after I googled it, I still couldn't get into it because the book relies heavy on the nostalgia of having watched the show.
Secondly, the characters weren't compelling. I love reading about old people, even better old queer people, because there's a certain joy yet grief in being old and having experienced so much and now coming closer to the end of your life. That feeling just wasn't here with this book for me. I'm not certain yet if it was because of the narrators, specifically Joel Leslie's grating voice, or a problem with the writing itself.
I really wanted to like this but I did not enjoy my time with it. Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review
Secondly, the characters weren't compelling. I love reading about old people, even better old queer people, because there's a certain joy yet grief in being old and having experienced so much and now coming closer to the end of your life. That feeling just wasn't here with this book for me. I'm not certain yet if it was because of the narrators, specifically Joel Leslie's grating voice, or a problem with the writing itself.
I really wanted to like this but I did not enjoy my time with it. Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review
February 6, 2026
This is a heartfelt, funny, and deeply moving tribute to friendship, chosen family, and the enduring cultural legacy of "The Golden Girls." Centered on four gay men in their golden years who share a Palm Springs home once owned by Zsa Zsa Gabor, the novel celebrates the bonds that sustain us when traditional family falls short.
Teddy, Barry, Ron, and Sid are not just roommates—they are each other’s lifelines. Their shared love of "The Golden Girls" culminates in a monthly drag show, "The Golden Gays," where each man embodies one of the iconic characters.
What makes the novel shine is how Rouse weaves these personas into the men’s real lives, using humor, vulnerability, and nostalgia to explore aging, loss, and resilience within the queer community.
Rouse’s prose is sharp and compassionate, balancing laugh-out-loud banter with moments of real emotional weight. While some backstories lean heavy, the novel’s greatest strength lies in its portrayal of friendship—the kind built on loyalty, honesty, and the freedom to bicker without breaking.
For fans of "The Golden Girls" and stories about queer chosen family, this novel is both a comfort read and a heartfelt reminder that friendship, like love, only deepens with time.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair review.
Teddy, Barry, Ron, and Sid are not just roommates—they are each other’s lifelines. Their shared love of "The Golden Girls" culminates in a monthly drag show, "The Golden Gays," where each man embodies one of the iconic characters.
What makes the novel shine is how Rouse weaves these personas into the men’s real lives, using humor, vulnerability, and nostalgia to explore aging, loss, and resilience within the queer community.
Rouse’s prose is sharp and compassionate, balancing laugh-out-loud banter with moments of real emotional weight. While some backstories lean heavy, the novel’s greatest strength lies in its portrayal of friendship—the kind built on loyalty, honesty, and the freedom to bicker without breaking.
For fans of "The Golden Girls" and stories about queer chosen family, this novel is both a comfort read and a heartfelt reminder that friendship, like love, only deepens with time.
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair review.
February 17, 2026
That's What Friends Are For follows "The Golden Gays," four older gay men, who dress in drag every Saturday and perform an episode of the Golden Girls. Each man is similar in many ways to the characters they portray.
Told in a script LIKE manor, we have our cold open, acts 1, 2, and 3, the finale, and the closing credits. Each part has chapters from the main 4's POV. Teddy, Barry, Sid, and Ron all have things going on in their lives and things that they, even as grown men, need to work through all while Teddy's estranged sister Trudy and granddaughter Ava show up unannounced. Will these men be able to work through the issues going on in their lives and regain the love and friendship they shared?
This story had some heartbreak, laughs, serious times, and a great ending, just like most sitcoms. The author really put a lot of thought into the many different plot points, and didn't leave anyone out. I really enjoyed this story, and I think many others will, too!
Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy!
Told in a script LIKE manor, we have our cold open, acts 1, 2, and 3, the finale, and the closing credits. Each part has chapters from the main 4's POV. Teddy, Barry, Sid, and Ron all have things going on in their lives and things that they, even as grown men, need to work through all while Teddy's estranged sister Trudy and granddaughter Ava show up unannounced. Will these men be able to work through the issues going on in their lives and regain the love and friendship they shared?
This story had some heartbreak, laughs, serious times, and a great ending, just like most sitcoms. The author really put a lot of thought into the many different plot points, and didn't leave anyone out. I really enjoyed this story, and I think many others will, too!
Thanks to the publisher for the advanced copy!
December 7, 2025
More of this in your voice, sir!
A humorous but also a gravely serious reminder of wherever we are in life, and whoever we are in life, there were those before us that made it possible for us to stand on their shoulders to maintain our stride. Nothing should be taken for granted, whether it be dancing with the one you love, sipping coffee together, shopping together holding hands, or giving the rough side of your mouth to a very dear friend who needs to see the truth----because you love them. After all, that what friends are for.
Playing upon the great chemistry of The Golden Girls, Wade Rouse brings to our hearts another group of 'aging' adults who are unique, funny, supportive and very, very snarky. All living together in Palm Springs, these four men will have you wishing they were your neighbors.
November 24, 2025
“That’s What Friends Are For” by Wade Rouse is a story about lifelong friendships and the love of found family through an entire life. It revolves around 4 senior gay men living together in a fabulous house in Palm Springs. They are enjoying their lives now despite each one having had very traumatic and abusive events in their lives. Their support for each other had me tearing up and gave me hope.
This was a humorous and emotional novel that shows the true power of friendship and the continued fight for equality that still exists in the gay community today.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was a humorous and emotional novel that shows the true power of friendship and the continued fight for equality that still exists in the gay community today.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
February 28, 2026
Barry, Ron, Sid & Teddy are four gay men known as the Four Gays. They love the Golden Girls, Teddy is Dorothy, Barry is Blanche, Ron is Rose and Sid is Sophia. They all live together in a house called The Church of Mary.
I absolutely love all the twists and turns in this book. I love the relationships between the guys but especially love the relationship between Teddy & his great granddaughter, Ava.
Ava is a feisty, funny adorable teenager going through some trauma and bonding and talking with Teddy helps.
I have laughed, cried, and threw my kindle numerous times while reading this book. The twists and turns alone have had me in a chokehold. I am not a fan of Leo’s mom, Miriam now but love his dad, Joseph.
I absolutely loved this book and can't wait for his next book.
I absolutely love all the twists and turns in this book. I love the relationships between the guys but especially love the relationship between Teddy & his great granddaughter, Ava.
Ava is a feisty, funny adorable teenager going through some trauma and bonding and talking with Teddy helps.
I have laughed, cried, and threw my kindle numerous times while reading this book. The twists and turns alone have had me in a chokehold. I am not a fan of Leo’s mom, Miriam now but love his dad, Joseph.
I absolutely loved this book and can't wait for his next book.
December 6, 2025
I loved this book so much, I was sad to finish it! I want to spend more time with the Golden Gays in Palm Springs! Wade Rouse is a wonderful writer; he tackles heavy subjects with warmth and humor. This is a fantastic novel with a satisfying ending. I highly recommend it! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you, NetGalley, for an ARC of That's What Friends Are For!
loved this book and loved these men! I've only seen a few episodes of the golden girls, but it really makes me want to watch the entire series then re-read this book once it's been published!
I loved Teddy's sass! The friendship these 4 men have is so sweet, and I'm so happy I got the read this book first!
loved this book and loved these men! I've only seen a few episodes of the golden girls, but it really makes me want to watch the entire series then re-read this book once it's been published!
I loved Teddy's sass! The friendship these 4 men have is so sweet, and I'm so happy I got the read this book first!
December 10, 2025
I was provided an advance copy in exchange for my honest review. I thought it was going to be more lighthearted, like the Mid Century Modern show with Nathan Lane and Matt Bomer. Although the setting and concept were very similar, this was a much more thought provoking book than I was expecting. Despite it being completely different than what I thought it was going to be, I did enjoy the story and the characters were particularly endearing.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
4.5⭐️
A Huge Thank You to HTP Books for an ARC copy of this book.
The Golden Gays are the absolute best. This books explores important topics with sarcastic humor, the tenderness of friends and the wittiest one-liners.
I honestly do not know which Character I loved more. They all brought exactly what was needed and they definitely embodied their chosen GG.
A Huge Thank You to HTP Books for an ARC copy of this book.
The Golden Gays are the absolute best. This books explores important topics with sarcastic humor, the tenderness of friends and the wittiest one-liners.
I honestly do not know which Character I loved more. They all brought exactly what was needed and they definitely embodied their chosen GG.
March 3, 2026
You compare a book to the Golden Girls, and I guarantee I will pick it up! This one did not disappoint at all. It was funny, sad, moving, loving.....really all the feelings. I loved the characters. I loved the plot. It made me think so much of a friend that I lost last fall and how much he would have loved this book (and how much I would have loved chatting about this book with him). This book was so much more than I expected, and I highly recommend it!
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