That's What Friends Are For ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

That's What Friends Are For by Wade Rouse

NetGalley

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 friends: Barry, a former actor still clinging to his, 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.

Genre: Fiction, Humor, LGBT, Romance

The How/Why: I saw a five star review on Goodreads by one of my bookie friends. I checked NetGalley and it was still available so I put in my request for an ALC. 
Being a fan of the Golden Girls, having spent a lot of time in Palm Springs, and having several gay friends over many decades of my life, this book sounds right up my alley.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

🎉 Overall Enjoyment?   🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

🎣 Did it grab and keep my attention?   🎣🎣🎣🎣🎣

🗣️Would I recommend it to anyone?   Yes ➕

🕮 Would I want a sequel?  Maybe 🤷, not necessarily a sequel but perhaps a spin off following Ava's life. 

📚 Would I want to read more books by this author?   Yes ➕

💣💥 📢 Content Warnings? Google doesn't have any pre-published TWs. I'd say maybe h0m0ph0bia. 

🌶  Spice? No

🌪 Plot Twist?  Yes, not really a twist, more of a breeze, as in a confession.

👟 Pace?  Good

💻 Tidbits ~  This book is labeled Fiction however the story is 100% real life. Stealing from Matt (Goodreads Reviewer): Picture it, Palm Springs...

Oh, I could picture it! When there was mentioned of Sunrise and Baristo and going to Ralphs, my snow bird in-laws had a condo that was literally right down the street. I've eaten in the restaurants mentioned.

This book swept me right back to the Palm Springs lifestyle and the great times with friends sandwiched with family and relationship drama.

My heart broke for Sid and then he stitched it back together for me. The library scene followed by the friend's mother. It's sad to know that in today's world people are still dealing with this.

Character development was fantastic. Their friendship and support for each other was so genuine. I felt like I knew them all, probably because I have friends I could parallel with each one of them. Illness, career chasing, searching for love, and the quest for acceptance. Yes, this book hit home.

Favorite Character: I adored them all, but side-character teenager Ava gave me hope for the future generation. She was inquisitive in a non-judgmental way, accepting, caring, loving, and adorably sassy. “Why are you wearing a Speedo when you’re old?” Response: "Why are you wearing dental floss when you're underage?" Referring to her "Twizzler" size bikini. BTW: Twizzler size will now replace Post-It size in my mind when referring to a skimpy bikini.
Disclaimer: the book hasn't been published yet so quote is subject to change at final print.

I was hoping they would build a little pool side casita for me to move into so I could enjoy their friendship on a daily basis!

🎧 Narrator: Daniel Henning, Joel Leslie, Art Brown, George Newbern (all fabulous)

🎧10.34 hours 🕮 352 pages

Not yet published. Expected March 3, 2026

Thank you NetGalley, Harlequin Audio, and Harper Collins for the free ALC in exchange for an honest review.

A round green and gray logo AI-generated content may be incorrect.

Extra Tidbit

I had to make myself a little cheat sheet early on to keep the characters straight (no pun intended).
Theodore "Ted/Teddy" (Dorothy) - sarcastic leader, secretly struggles with cancer diagnosis. Owns a vintage clothing and accessories shop. 
Barry (Blanche) - former actor clinging to his youth and career-killing role. 
Ron (Rose) - people-pleasing uprooted Christian from the Midwest. 
Sid (Sophia) - 81 year old who came out late in life and had never truly found love.

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