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The Guncle #2
The Guncle Abroad
From the nationally bestselling author of The Guncle comes the much-anticipated sequel, in which Patrick O’Hara is called back to his guncle duties…at a big, family wedding in Lake Como, Italy.
Patrick O’Hara is finally in a league of his own…professionally. Inspired by his stint as Grant and Maisie’s caretaker after their mother’s passing, Patrick has "un-stalled" his acting career with sit-com, Guncle Knows Best. Still, some things have had to take a back seat. Looking down both barrels at fifty, Patrick is single and lonely after breaking things off with Emory. But at least he has family, right?
When his brother Greg announces his big, second wedding in Lake Como, Italy, Patrick feels pulled toward Grant and Maisie and flies to Europe to attend the lavish event, only to butt heads with a newfound Launt (Lesbian Aunt), curb his sister Clara from flirting with guests, and desperately restore himself to the favored relative status in the eyes of the kids, as they struggle to adjust to a new normal. But is it Patrick’s job to save the day? Or is simply celebrating love enough to quell the family chaos?
Gracing the page with his signature blend of humor and heart, Steven Rowley delivers the long-awaited sequel to a beloved story, all about the complicated bonds of family, love, and what it takes to rediscover yourself, even at the ripe age of fifty.
Patrick O’Hara is finally in a league of his own…professionally. Inspired by his stint as Grant and Maisie’s caretaker after their mother’s passing, Patrick has "un-stalled" his acting career with sit-com, Guncle Knows Best. Still, some things have had to take a back seat. Looking down both barrels at fifty, Patrick is single and lonely after breaking things off with Emory. But at least he has family, right?
When his brother Greg announces his big, second wedding in Lake Como, Italy, Patrick feels pulled toward Grant and Maisie and flies to Europe to attend the lavish event, only to butt heads with a newfound Launt (Lesbian Aunt), curb his sister Clara from flirting with guests, and desperately restore himself to the favored relative status in the eyes of the kids, as they struggle to adjust to a new normal. But is it Patrick’s job to save the day? Or is simply celebrating love enough to quell the family chaos?
Gracing the page with his signature blend of humor and heart, Steven Rowley delivers the long-awaited sequel to a beloved story, all about the complicated bonds of family, love, and what it takes to rediscover yourself, even at the ripe age of fifty.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published May 21, 2024
About the author
Steven Rowley
6 books4,746 followersSteven Rowley is the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus, a Washington Post Notable Book of 2016, The Editor, named by NPR and Esquire Magazine as one of the Best Books of 2019, and The Guncle, a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for 2021 Novel of the Year and semi-finalist for The Thurber Prize in American Humor. His fiction has been published in twenty languages. Rowley lives in Palm Springs, CA with his husband, the writer Byron Lane.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,803 reviews
August 30, 2024
Team Guncle is back for good! As soon as I finished, I couldn't help but scream for another sequel! It felt like reconnecting with long-time friends, and I must emphasize one thing: Witty banter and catchy dialogues are my guilty pleasures. Steven Rowley delivered more of them, as good as the banter from some of my favorite sitcoms, making me laugh so hard that my stomach hurt (I was so close to having an accident, thankfully I was a fast runner to reach the toilet on time).
The perfect emotional resonance of the series easily warms my heart each time I dive into another Guncle Patrick, his niece Maisie, and his nephew Grant’s adventures, making me want to hug them and being a big fan of their unique connection.
In this book, we move years forward from where the first book left off: after his sitcom Guncle becomes a four-season hit, Patrick finally takes a leading role. While his career relaunches with new achievements, his personal life is in crisis after breaking up with Emory.
As soon as he hears the news that his brother Greg decides to tie the knot with his new girlfriend Livia, who is also a rich Italian client’s daughter, in a romantic gathering in Grand Hotel Tremezzo/Lake Como, then heading for his honeymoon in Greece, he's clever enough to anticipate that Maisie and Grant won’t congratulate the couple with open arms without his brother's mentioning. Maisie is now a 14-year-old rebellious girl, and Grant is a regular eleven-year-old with his hands glued to the game console.
Patrick has to deal with the tantrums of his niece and nephew as they connect with Palmina, the lesbian aunt, sister of the bride, which sparks jealousy as well.
Let’s not forget his nemesis sister, who is adamant to flirt with any male species she sets her eye on during the ceremonial events. On top of that, the groom seems to be getting cold feet. Dear Patrick has to do something Patrick-style to save the day as he approaches his bloody 50th birthday, which might be a reminder to grow up and take responsibility for his loved ones.
Oh boy, I loved this book with all my heart, and I don’t want to say goodbye to this amazing, one-of-a-kind family that gave me so much fun. I hope I meet them again in future sequels.
Many thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G. P. Putnam’s Sons for sharing this amazing book’s digital reviewer copy with me. And many thanks to Steven Rowley for bringing back one of my favorite fictional characters with your brilliant writing and extraordinary sarcastic mind.
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The perfect emotional resonance of the series easily warms my heart each time I dive into another Guncle Patrick, his niece Maisie, and his nephew Grant’s adventures, making me want to hug them and being a big fan of their unique connection.
In this book, we move years forward from where the first book left off: after his sitcom Guncle becomes a four-season hit, Patrick finally takes a leading role. While his career relaunches with new achievements, his personal life is in crisis after breaking up with Emory.
As soon as he hears the news that his brother Greg decides to tie the knot with his new girlfriend Livia, who is also a rich Italian client’s daughter, in a romantic gathering in Grand Hotel Tremezzo/Lake Como, then heading for his honeymoon in Greece, he's clever enough to anticipate that Maisie and Grant won’t congratulate the couple with open arms without his brother's mentioning. Maisie is now a 14-year-old rebellious girl, and Grant is a regular eleven-year-old with his hands glued to the game console.
Patrick has to deal with the tantrums of his niece and nephew as they connect with Palmina, the lesbian aunt, sister of the bride, which sparks jealousy as well.
Let’s not forget his nemesis sister, who is adamant to flirt with any male species she sets her eye on during the ceremonial events. On top of that, the groom seems to be getting cold feet. Dear Patrick has to do something Patrick-style to save the day as he approaches his bloody 50th birthday, which might be a reminder to grow up and take responsibility for his loved ones.
Oh boy, I loved this book with all my heart, and I don’t want to say goodbye to this amazing, one-of-a-kind family that gave me so much fun. I hope I meet them again in future sequels.
Many thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, G. P. Putnam’s Sons for sharing this amazing book’s digital reviewer copy with me. And many thanks to Steven Rowley for bringing back one of my favorite fictional characters with your brilliant writing and extraordinary sarcastic mind.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
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December 16, 2023
I don’t want to feel this way. I imagined being delighted and laughing out loud and so happy after reading this sequel. But even though I liked the story to a certain extent, it was not the fantastic blast I was expecting.
The Guncle was one of my favorite 2021 reads. I loved Patrick, Maisie, and especially ‘being mythelf’ Grant, who helped each other deal with their grief. I loved what a lighthearted read it was despite all the sadness. But while reading The Guncle Abroad, I missed Patrick’s caftans, his skin-rejuvenating masks, his Mimosa’s, the trouple living next to him, and Grant’s lisp (I know I shouldn’t miss it, but I really did …).
I also didn’t care much about the traveling part. It might be because I’m European and have seen all the places Patrick visited with Maisie and Grant. Those places felt too one dimensional, even cartoonish sometimes: The Sacre Coeur in Paris, Family von Trap in Salzburg, the gondolas in Venice, George Clooney living at Lake Como.
This doesn’t mean I didn’t like the story at all. I loved the first chapter, I adored the ending, and Emory is, this time, my favorite. I treasured the way Patrick taught the kids about love and how Maisie and Grant stood up for Emory. And there’s a Launt!!!!
The last third of the book was actually really good and I felt like I was reading The Guncle again. But that’s not enough to gush about a book, right?
Maybe I was just in the wrong headspace to read this one. I don’t know. What I do know is that I long for a third book with Emory in the lead. Not just a few pages but a full story. I imagine Maisie being a twenty-one-year-old college student who just beats her uncle in their conversations because she actually always knows better and Grant being a moody sixteen-year-old because of the hormones running through his body. So, Steven, could you please give me that book? One that I could rate five stars again?
Thank you so much, Penguin Group, Putnam Books, and NetGalley for one of my most anticipated 2024 ARCs!
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The Guncle was one of my favorite 2021 reads. I loved Patrick, Maisie, and especially ‘being mythelf’ Grant, who helped each other deal with their grief. I loved what a lighthearted read it was despite all the sadness. But while reading The Guncle Abroad, I missed Patrick’s caftans, his skin-rejuvenating masks, his Mimosa’s, the trouple living next to him, and Grant’s lisp (I know I shouldn’t miss it, but I really did …).
I also didn’t care much about the traveling part. It might be because I’m European and have seen all the places Patrick visited with Maisie and Grant. Those places felt too one dimensional, even cartoonish sometimes: The Sacre Coeur in Paris, Family von Trap in Salzburg, the gondolas in Venice, George Clooney living at Lake Como.
This doesn’t mean I didn’t like the story at all. I loved the first chapter, I adored the ending, and Emory is, this time, my favorite. I treasured the way Patrick taught the kids about love and how Maisie and Grant stood up for Emory. And there’s a Launt!!!!
The last third of the book was actually really good and I felt like I was reading The Guncle again. But that’s not enough to gush about a book, right?
Maybe I was just in the wrong headspace to read this one. I don’t know. What I do know is that I long for a third book with Emory in the lead. Not just a few pages but a full story. I imagine Maisie being a twenty-one-year-old college student who just beats her uncle in their conversations because she actually always knows better and Grant being a moody sixteen-year-old because of the hormones running through his body. So, Steven, could you please give me that book? One that I could rate five stars again?
Thank you so much, Penguin Group, Putnam Books, and NetGalley for one of my most anticipated 2024 ARCs!
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June 3, 2024
Our lovable GUP, Patrick O’Hara, returns with his trademark sarcastic humor intact! He truly is the heart and soul of this book, and Rowley has outdone himself in crafting such an intriguing character. This follow-up book provides a delightful peek into the lives of our favorite characters from the past five years. Though I must confess, "The Guncle" tugged at my heartstrings even more, leaving me a sobbing mess. Rowley's talent shines through, and I eagerly anticipate more of his works!
So, what's Patrick been up to? It's been five years since his unforgettable summer caring for his niece Maisie and nephew Grant after their mother's passing. The kids are back in Connecticut with their dad, while Patrick has moved to New York to revive his acting career. Riding high on the success of his second sitcom, Patrick feels on top of the world professionally. But as he approaches fifty, his personal life is a different story. After breaking up with Emory, he's single again, but at least he has his family—until they need him once more.
So, what's Patrick been up to? It's been five years since his unforgettable summer caring for his niece Maisie and nephew Grant after their mother's passing. The kids are back in Connecticut with their dad, while Patrick has moved to New York to revive his acting career. Riding high on the success of his second sitcom, Patrick feels on top of the world professionally. But as he approaches fifty, his personal life is a different story. After breaking up with Emory, he's single again, but at least he has his family—until they need him once more.
October 17, 2024
Pride Month
I just think if I had kids, I would want them to be happy. At all costs. I'd want them to find their happiness.
I was delighted to be thrown back into Patrick's world. He teaches his niece and nephew about love and grief with grace. Sometimes he goes too far, but remember, he's only human.
We leave the last book with Patrick taking care of the kids, because his brother Greg is in rehab. Greg's wife, Patrick's best friend, has passed, and emotions are flying high.
This book takes place several years later. Greg is getting married to Italian nobility. Grant doesn't mind so much. It's all too much for Maisie.
(From watching Game of Thrones, I learned Maisie was short for Margaret. So is Daisy, e.g. Little Women. I won't even get into the strange diminutives for Elizabeth/Isabel. Or should I?)
I love this cast of characters, from old to new. The play on classism and misogyny was handled well, and with a certain amount of humor. I highlighted many, many things, but I won't bore you with them here.
Justice for stepmoms. Justice for Meredith Blake. Aperol spritzes are life.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons
I just think if I had kids, I would want them to be happy. At all costs. I'd want them to find their happiness.
I was delighted to be thrown back into Patrick's world. He teaches his niece and nephew about love and grief with grace. Sometimes he goes too far, but remember, he's only human.
We leave the last book with Patrick taking care of the kids, because his brother Greg is in rehab. Greg's wife, Patrick's best friend, has passed, and emotions are flying high.
This book takes place several years later. Greg is getting married to Italian nobility. Grant doesn't mind so much. It's all too much for Maisie.
(From watching Game of Thrones, I learned Maisie was short for Margaret. So is Daisy, e.g. Little Women. I won't even get into the strange diminutives for Elizabeth/Isabel. Or should I?)
I love this cast of characters, from old to new. The play on classism and misogyny was handled well, and with a certain amount of humor. I highlighted many, many things, but I won't bore you with them here.
Justice for stepmoms. Justice for Meredith Blake. Aperol spritzes are life.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons
June 7, 2024
4 stars for the sequel, maybe not quite as good as the first, but still fun & original. Very heart-warming, especially the ending. Really enjoyed the travel escapades & they felt authentic. I'd be down for a third installment in a few years, when the kids are more mature, so we can see the further adventures of this crazy family. Pride month read!
May 28, 2024
i DEVOURED this book on audio! this is the perfect summer audiobook to add to your TBR. the author narrates, the setting is great and you’ll laugh every 5 minutes. truly!
this is a follow up to THE GUNCLE so i recommend that you listen/read that first or there will be spoilers. it had been 3 years since i read that and was hazy on the details, but the author did a great job reminding you of the details and getting you up to speed. a re-read isn’t necessary :)
my fave parts—the setting, the comedy and the vibes. travelling Europe in the summer? a beautiful Italian resort on Lake Como? YUP.
the author did such a great job narrating and i was truly laughing every 5 minutes. it was SO fun. the content is light but touches on good life lessons and still deals with grief and moving on from events in Book 1.
the ending was also adorable and sets up nicely for a third book. in case you’re listening, Rowley 👀👀👀
thank you to PRH Audio for the #gifted ALC!
this is a follow up to THE GUNCLE so i recommend that you listen/read that first or there will be spoilers. it had been 3 years since i read that and was hazy on the details, but the author did a great job reminding you of the details and getting you up to speed. a re-read isn’t necessary :)
my fave parts—the setting, the comedy and the vibes. travelling Europe in the summer? a beautiful Italian resort on Lake Como? YUP.
the author did such a great job narrating and i was truly laughing every 5 minutes. it was SO fun. the content is light but touches on good life lessons and still deals with grief and moving on from events in Book 1.
the ending was also adorable and sets up nicely for a third book. in case you’re listening, Rowley 👀👀👀
thank you to PRH Audio for the #gifted ALC!
January 4, 2024
Was this book even remotely as charming and wonderful as the first? Absolutely not. Would I still read 8,000 versions of whatever The Guncle might be up to next?
You betcha!
This is a prime example of why I rarely read sequels. It’s hard to capture that lightning in a bottle twice – ESPECIALLY when the story features children. In round two of Patrick and the kids, said kids are getting to be in that not-quite-so-lovable stage of pre-teenery and, let’s just be honest, as a mom I’m telling you it’s not a cute time. Gunc is once again in charge of Maisie and Grant while their (now twice) absentee father is preparing for his nuptials – which Maisie especially has no intention of letting happen. The trio spend a few weeks gallivanting around the most tourist guide-book types of European hotspots as they count down to the big day and The Guncle finds himself battling to be the favorite with the introduction of a new “Launt” (lesbian aunt). The dad jokes still abound, but somehow the quips aren’t quite as quippy. The good news is, if Rowley is going to keep up with this series there’s a good chance #3 could redeem itself with Patrick back on his side of the pond and in love. Until then I will anxiously await the film version of the original.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
You betcha!
This is a prime example of why I rarely read sequels. It’s hard to capture that lightning in a bottle twice – ESPECIALLY when the story features children. In round two of Patrick and the kids, said kids are getting to be in that not-quite-so-lovable stage of pre-teenery and, let’s just be honest, as a mom I’m telling you it’s not a cute time. Gunc is once again in charge of Maisie and Grant while their (now twice) absentee father is preparing for his nuptials – which Maisie especially has no intention of letting happen. The trio spend a few weeks gallivanting around the most tourist guide-book types of European hotspots as they count down to the big day and The Guncle finds himself battling to be the favorite with the introduction of a new “Launt” (lesbian aunt). The dad jokes still abound, but somehow the quips aren’t quite as quippy. The good news is, if Rowley is going to keep up with this series there’s a good chance #3 could redeem itself with Patrick back on his side of the pond and in love. Until then I will anxiously await the film version of the original.
ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
November 4, 2024
Did you read “The Guncle?” Because if you did, you will have a better sense of the characters. If you didn’t, you can still read this one, but you will feel better starting with ‘The Guncle’ so you will understand their past history better.
The book takes place about 5 years after Guncle Patrick spent the summer taking care of his niece Maisie and nephew Grant after their mother’s passing. Now, he is single, his sitcom has ended, and his family appears to need him.
His widowed brother, Greg wants to remarry in Italy, and Maisie and Grant are not thrilled. So, Patrick with his special closeness with the kids, takes them with him through Europe as they head towards his brother’s wedding. His intention is to help the kids understand love.
Will Patrick teach the kids about love and help him through his own losses and lifestyle changes? Will the change in scenery help Patrick finally grow up?
Rowley has a way with his writing that showcases humor and hope in his series that makes this a charming read, especially when family and finding self can sometimes be complicated.
“The Guncle” review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The book takes place about 5 years after Guncle Patrick spent the summer taking care of his niece Maisie and nephew Grant after their mother’s passing. Now, he is single, his sitcom has ended, and his family appears to need him.
His widowed brother, Greg wants to remarry in Italy, and Maisie and Grant are not thrilled. So, Patrick with his special closeness with the kids, takes them with him through Europe as they head towards his brother’s wedding. His intention is to help the kids understand love.
Will Patrick teach the kids about love and help him through his own losses and lifestyle changes? Will the change in scenery help Patrick finally grow up?
Rowley has a way with his writing that showcases humor and hope in his series that makes this a charming read, especially when family and finding self can sometimes be complicated.
“The Guncle” review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
May 21, 2024
Update 5/21/24: Reposting my review to celebrate that today is publication day!
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Group for sending me an ARC of The Guncle Abroad in exchange for an honest review.
The Guncle Abroad picks up five years after The Guncle. Patrick’s in the second act of his again-ascendant career, wrapping up filming a movie in London. Patrick’s niece Maisie and nephew Grant are upset because their Dad/Patrick’s brother Greg is getting remarried, and they’ve asked Patrick to try to stop the wedding. Patrick reluctantly agrees for their sake, but only if they travel to the wedding with him and let him try to show them why they should instead chose to accept their father’s new love and their second chance at having maternal love in their lives. However, the kids are 11 and 14 now, and much more immune to Patrick’s charms and persuasion, and who is he to tell anyone about love and family and happiness given that he’s about to turn 50 and recently ended his nearly five-year relationship with Emory?
The quotation above is from a meta scene in The Guncle Abroad where Patrick and his agent bicker about the value of sequels. It’s funny, but it does draw attention to the question of whether this sequel and its story were necessary to Patrick’s story. The Guncle was about a gay man who had turned his back on the world ten years earlier when his partner died learning to renter the world by spending a summer helping his niece and nephew begin to heal from the death of their mother. It was charming, funny, and sweet. By the end, you knew the kids were going to be ok and Patrick had reentered the world and found love to boot. The Guncle Abroad is similarly charming, funny, and sweet, and by the end, you once again know the kids are going to be ok. As for Patrick, he’s in a much better place from the start, so his story is a bit more of a standard midlife crisis tale. Still, by the end, you once again know Patrick is going to be ok too.
So does The Guncle Abroad pass its own sequel test? Maybe. It’s not bloated or stuffed with B-team actors or characters—his sister Clara comes off much better here, and Livia’s sister Palmina is no one’s Ewok 😄. I’d probably lean towards saying that The Guncle had given everyone their happy ending that this book had to (briefly) undo. But Patrick’s sequel test overlooks another important consideration: is the story fun? Are these characters you want to spend more time with? And the answer here is an easy yes. I’m still not sure this book was necessary, but it was entertaining to dip back into the lives of Patrick and his family. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Recommended.
“Sequels are either too bloated, too stuffed with B-team actors or characters or Ewoks—things that weren’t good enough for the original. A cash grab to profit off something that was probably a fluke in the first place.”
Cassie glanced at the surrounding patrons, perhaps wishing she could dine with one of them.
“The only time it maybe works—and I mean the only time—is when there wasn’t an ending that was entirely happy, when not everything was tied up in a neat little bow. Otherwise you have to undo someone’s happy ending to create more drama for your characters, and no one likes a happy ending undone. And what stories these days don’t have happy endings?“
Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Group for sending me an ARC of The Guncle Abroad in exchange for an honest review.
The Guncle Abroad picks up five years after The Guncle. Patrick’s in the second act of his again-ascendant career, wrapping up filming a movie in London. Patrick’s niece Maisie and nephew Grant are upset because their Dad/Patrick’s brother Greg is getting remarried, and they’ve asked Patrick to try to stop the wedding. Patrick reluctantly agrees for their sake, but only if they travel to the wedding with him and let him try to show them why they should instead chose to accept their father’s new love and their second chance at having maternal love in their lives. However, the kids are 11 and 14 now, and much more immune to Patrick’s charms and persuasion, and who is he to tell anyone about love and family and happiness given that he’s about to turn 50 and recently ended his nearly five-year relationship with Emory?
The quotation above is from a meta scene in The Guncle Abroad where Patrick and his agent bicker about the value of sequels. It’s funny, but it does draw attention to the question of whether this sequel and its story were necessary to Patrick’s story. The Guncle was about a gay man who had turned his back on the world ten years earlier when his partner died learning to renter the world by spending a summer helping his niece and nephew begin to heal from the death of their mother. It was charming, funny, and sweet. By the end, you knew the kids were going to be ok and Patrick had reentered the world and found love to boot. The Guncle Abroad is similarly charming, funny, and sweet, and by the end, you once again know the kids are going to be ok. As for Patrick, he’s in a much better place from the start, so his story is a bit more of a standard midlife crisis tale. Still, by the end, you once again know Patrick is going to be ok too.
So does The Guncle Abroad pass its own sequel test? Maybe. It’s not bloated or stuffed with B-team actors or characters—his sister Clara comes off much better here, and Livia’s sister Palmina is no one’s Ewok 😄. I’d probably lean towards saying that The Guncle had given everyone their happy ending that this book had to (briefly) undo. But Patrick’s sequel test overlooks another important consideration: is the story fun? Are these characters you want to spend more time with? And the answer here is an easy yes. I’m still not sure this book was necessary, but it was entertaining to dip back into the lives of Patrick and his family. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Recommended.
August 2, 2024
I will never ever tire of spending time with Patrick (Gup), Maisie, and Grant! I love them with all of my heart and just like with the first book, when I turned the last page, I missed them terribly. 😢
These books are like receiving a hug from someone you care about immensely. 🤗
These books are like dog snuggles. 🐶🐾 (or cat snuggles 😺)
These books are like a cold glass of lemonade on a hot day. 🥤🌞
These books will undoubtedly put a smile on your face, warm your heart, and maybe even bring a tear to your eye. These books remind me how important it is to love, and be kind, and to accept others for who they are. So many life lessons to be learned here. Many thanks to Steven Rowley for introducing me to this wonderful cast of characters. I hope with all my heart we'll have more adventures together. 4 stars!
Thank you to Overdrive for the loan.
These books are like receiving a hug from someone you care about immensely. 🤗
These books are like dog snuggles. 🐶🐾 (or cat snuggles 😺)
These books are like a cold glass of lemonade on a hot day. 🥤🌞
These books will undoubtedly put a smile on your face, warm your heart, and maybe even bring a tear to your eye. These books remind me how important it is to love, and be kind, and to accept others for who they are. So many life lessons to be learned here. Many thanks to Steven Rowley for introducing me to this wonderful cast of characters. I hope with all my heart we'll have more adventures together. 4 stars!
Thank you to Overdrive for the loan.
June 3, 2024
3 stars is not how I wanted to start off pride month but alas I persevere
October 21, 2024
Aging is a virtueIt's also a gift and with it is supposed to come wisdom. I'm 31 going on 3100 and I think I have garnered enough wisdom enough to be considered for enrollment at wisewoman college. And perhaps that is the reason why I found these children, Patrick's niblings Maisie and Grant, fucking annoying.
Kids. The gift that keeps on taking.You could never convince me joy-sucking noisy gremlins are a good thing. But Patrick tries really hard. We meet up with him again in this book five years after the events in The Guncle. Since then Patrick has broken up with Emory. Like Arthur Less, Patrick is experiencing some kind of existentialism. He's fifty and in his mind, the sixteen year age gap between him and Emory is a problem. As a fifty year old, he wouldn't date a sixty six year old, so why should Emory? After breaking up, Patrick let's Emory stay in their New York apartment while he flits off to London where he's filming a movie. He dove back into acting after hanging out with his niblings in book 1 when their father was away for rehab. In this book, Patrick or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP) ends up saddled with the kids for a brief getaway just before heading to Lake Como because their father is getting married to an Italian heiress, Livia.
The Grand Hotel Tremezzo, Lake Como by Mary Ann ColemanMaisie and Grant are visiting with GUP, even getting a chance to be extras in his movie and he's shocked by how grown they seem. I don't know if Patrick knows this but humans do age. And in the larval stage of pubescence, they end up forming opinions. Shudders. Maisie loves to read, partial to Stephen King and Agatha Christie while Grant seems to go along with what anyone says but he loves his mobile phone games and gelato. Grant and Maisie are happy to spend extended time with their uncle but they're on a mission. They want GUP to stop the wedding. Patrick, unable to understand what their problem with Livia is, takes up a mission to teach them about love on a cross country tour in Europe ending in Lake Como. In the process, he will teach them Guncle Love Languages. In book 1, he taught them Guncle Rules for essentially dealing with grief.
GUP's love languages range from "The finer things keep shining through" to "there's nothing money can buy that beats life's free joys with the people you care about". Patrick hopes these unique forms of elderly wisdom will help his niblings realise their father deserves to be happy. And that may include marrying Livia. But Maisie is mulishly dedicated to rejecting this woman. It was fascinating to me seeing this display of opinions towards what parents are doing. When my father married his second wife, it was heavily implied by her family that parents will always remarry after separation. She was an abusive asshole and even then I couldn't do anything about my father's marriage to her. They eventually separated because she turned out to be a thief and a con artist but at no point was her treatment of me ever considered in their separation. This is common in African homes. Your father could marry a demon incarnate and your only option is to move in with another relative or keep your head down until you can head off to boarding school. Maisie was being a dick about Livia and she was nice and kind to her. While I understand that she's still grieving the loss of her mother, does it never occur to her that their father, who'd spent the most time with her, loved her the most and realised it was time to move on? Hell, Sara was Patrick's best friend first and he was ok with Greg remarrying, so what the fuck is Maisie's problem?
Maisie was also inconsistent because she would like Livia in one moment then plot to end the wedding in the next. And it got tiring to read any scene with her in it. I actually wanted to get to know Livia. Clara, Patrick's older sister who'd gotten into a massive fight with Patrick in book 1, was now mellow and living it up since getting divorced. I'd have enjoyed spending more time with her and Patrick as well. But Clara went from misguided militant feminist to horndog, which was disappointing. But I don't doubt that she'd be so hard up after a miserable divorce. The heart-to-hearts between Patrick and Greg were my favourite parts of the book. Then we meet gay aunt Palmina, Patrick's greatest fear.
Palmina is the suave, effortlessly chic sister of Livia. Maisie and Grant adore her and Patrick is worried he's about to get replaced. Maisie even weaponises this jealousy to get Patrick to break up the wedding but she also likes her so if Livia and Greg broke up... she'd be losing Palmina too? Is this a plot hole or is Maisie stupid? Anyway, not even the Guncle rules, which were little bons mots and instructions for living that he previously doled out like candy--brunch is awesome, when a gay man hands you his phone look only at what he is showing you, bottomless mimosas are not the same as pantless mimosas, couldn't protect him from Palmina. When she finds out about his Guncle Rules and love languages, she says
Thievery is my love language... I take what I love and I love what I take and sometimes I take hearts.Patrick basically withers. He constantly embarrasses himself in front of her and she knew where to poke and prod. But it got excessive because Palmina doesn't realise that Patrick remains my favourite and the only person who should be making me laugh at Patrick at the expense of Patrick is Patrick.
He remains the best part of this book. Charming, delightful, surprising and young at heart. In Austria when he joins a Sound of Music tour, he ends up in an impromptu singalong. Nobody but Patrick could make that enjoyable. But his recent breakup with Emory is something the people around him can't understand. At one point, Greg confronts him,
"You dole out life advice and your little rules for living like candy and you don't follow any of them?"Patrick regrets breaking up with Emory but he thinks it's for the best. The book actually starts in medias res, after the rehearsal dinner. It's not clear if there'll be a wedding or not and the book tries to make me care by then flashing back to the beginning of their Europe grand tour. I couldn't give a shit because I cared more about the adult relationships in this book, and Patrick. He has a hangover and he wants a drink at 10am. Maisie asks why he needs one and he says,
"That's not true," Patrick protested. "I always wear pants to get bottomless mimosas."
"Because I suffer form a rare condition where my body doesn't produce its own alcohol."Patrick made me laugh a lot. And even the kids and their drama couldn't dim what a light he shines every time he's on page. It's a book about reclaiming love even after loss "You can't change the past. But some people come into our lives to give us a second chance and set some wrong things right." , about savouring experiences with people you love, eat with friends Food is love. Never more so than when you treat yourself to the very best of something.
Another thing I found very important was how Patrick insisted on knowing yourself. You will never know what it is you want until you are certain of who you are. And being careful not to focus on the wrong things that you know about yourself. Patrick knows he's on the age spectrum where you have more memory than future, ...The pendulum has swung, and I'm terrified of loss when I'm old. And he eventually has to face these fears, decide if he wants to risk a fleeting happiness that could turn into forever, or just enjoying what small joys he has currently. I don't know if The Guncle needed a sequel but I'm not mad at this book.
May 20, 2024
Patrick O’Hara is back with more misadventures and new guncle rules! Guncle Abroad is full of humorous and heartwarming moments. Following Patrick, Maisy, and Grant's travel across Europe was truly a delight.
I’m not the biggest reader of feel-good stories but Steven Rowley’s books hold a special place in my heart. I love how he turns tough topics like grief, aging, and loneliness and makes them inspiring.
The audiobook was read by the author Steven Rowley. Guncle Abroad is my fifth audiobook listen that was both read and written by the author. Steven Rowley always does a spectacular job narrating his works and if you do decide to read this one, I highly recommend this format!
The Guncle Abroad will be available on May 21. Many thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted audiobook!
I’m not the biggest reader of feel-good stories but Steven Rowley’s books hold a special place in my heart. I love how he turns tough topics like grief, aging, and loneliness and makes them inspiring.
The audiobook was read by the author Steven Rowley. Guncle Abroad is my fifth audiobook listen that was both read and written by the author. Steven Rowley always does a spectacular job narrating his works and if you do decide to read this one, I highly recommend this format!
The Guncle Abroad will be available on May 21. Many thanks to Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted audiobook!
September 6, 2024
Uncle Patrick is sweet, full of wit, and charm, it's just wonderful. An enjoyable sequel.
November 6, 2024
Available now! 📚🎊🥂
I was already a huge fan of The Guncle and the Guncle Rule number one: Brunch is awesome 🤩.
But The Guncle Abroad took my breath away! I mean I was on a fantastic trip throughout Europe, arriving with the whole Guncle crew at one of my favourite spots on the planet: Lake Como, Italy! 🇮🇹
Patrick‘s brother Greg is about to get married to Livia, a wealthy Italian lady who happens to have a sister Palmina, an unflappable cool lesbian.
Now, get your snacks and drink and watch the hilarious rivalry between GUP (gay uncle Patrick) and Launt (Lesbian aunt).
🤣
Most distinctly, I loved how Patrick taught his niece and nephew about love, how to love others and how to be loved in return. But wait! Is Patrick himself practicing his preach?
Guncle‘s Love Language Rules conquered my heart, so have all characters, the locations and the brilliant story wrapping some exquisite details of European culture and history.
The culture clash is the cherry on top.
Easy 5 stars! Absolutely recommended!!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review 🤩🤩🤩.
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I was already a huge fan of The Guncle and the Guncle Rule number one: Brunch is awesome 🤩.
But The Guncle Abroad took my breath away! I mean I was on a fantastic trip throughout Europe, arriving with the whole Guncle crew at one of my favourite spots on the planet: Lake Como, Italy! 🇮🇹
Patrick‘s brother Greg is about to get married to Livia, a wealthy Italian lady who happens to have a sister Palmina, an unflappable cool lesbian.
Now, get your snacks and drink and watch the hilarious rivalry between GUP (gay uncle Patrick) and Launt (Lesbian aunt).
🤣
Most distinctly, I loved how Patrick taught his niece and nephew about love, how to love others and how to be loved in return. But wait! Is Patrick himself practicing his preach?
Guncle‘s Love Language Rules conquered my heart, so have all characters, the locations and the brilliant story wrapping some exquisite details of European culture and history.
The culture clash is the cherry on top.
Easy 5 stars! Absolutely recommended!!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review 🤩🤩🤩.
Find me on instagram
May 26, 2024
After falling head over heels for The Guncle, The Guncle Abroad was on my list of my most-anticipated reads for 2024. I so badly wanted to love it and fall under its charm. Unfortunately, this wasn't my experience. I just didn't find it as endearing as the first book in the series; the character growth was certainly far less satisfying. I found myself having very little patience with Patrick, whose self-centered thinking and angst over his aging battled and often eclipsed his concern for the children. It felt, to me, like most of his personal growth from the first book had been completely undone. Add to that a heavy dose of teenage antics from the now-older Maisie (and even Grant, to a certain degree) and I was pretty over this one by at best halfway through. I'm thrilled to see that this book has found its place with other readers because I so badly wanted it to be a win. It's a win for some, and that's good enough for me — but sadly that wasn't the case for me.
April 24, 2024
I didn’t realize how much I needed to be reunited with these characters until I actually was, I missed them so much 🥹 If you somehow haven’t read The Guncle yet, first off what are you waiting for?! Secondly, these really do need to be read in order to get the full picture. Patrick just really speaks my language, he’s so witty and sarcastic and I can’t get enough of his humor. Maisie and Grant are five years older than they were in the first book so that was both delightful to see and also sad because they’re SO grown. Patrick having a rivalry with the kids new Launt was hysterical and it was Patrick at his petty best. The setting takes you on a journey as Patrick and the kids do their own jaunt before settling in Italy for Greg’s wedding and nothing says summer read louder than an idyllic setting. I was just as charmed with this one as I was with the previous book, the characters are entertaining and endearing, the plot was cute and the entire thing was a blast from start to finish.
May 23, 2024
(4.5 stars) I adored The Guncle and was particularly excited to hear about a sequel and here it is! The Guncle Abroad brings us some of our old favorite characters: Patrick (obviously!), Maisie and Grant, and their dad. And we get a whole slew of terrific new characters! The story takes place five years after the first book, so everyone is five years older - and Patrick is obsessing about his age. He has broken up with Emory, who is much younger than he is, because he feels Emory won’t want to be with someone his age, as he gets older (he’ll be turning 50 soon). Maisie and Grant’s dad, Greg, is planning to remarry - and the kids are none too happy about this. Patrick takes the kids on a European trip to both distract them and get them used to the idea. Greg’s fiancee, Livia, happens to be the daughter of a super-wealthy Italian family (a titled one!) and the wedding is scheduled to take place in Lake Como in Italy.
I laughed a lot while reading The Guncle Abroad - but I also found myself weeping at times. Without it being a spoiler, my favorite part might be their experiences in Salzburg, Austria, on a Sound Of Music tour! I finished this on a long flight and I’m sure the passengers around me were wondering what I was reading on my Kindle - because I was either smiling or crying!
Two tiny things I didn’t love - Patrick’s animosity toward Palmina, Livia’s lesbian sister. I thought it was a bit uncalled for. I guess he was worried that she would supplant him in the kids’ affection. The other thing is that the book is structured as Now; Four Weeks Earlier; and Now. I think it would have had more impact if the story was just chronological, if the first Now section was incorporated with the second Now section. But that’s a tiny thing. Overall, I loved The Guncle Abroad.
While you could technically read this as a standalone, you’d miss an awful lot of character development and background.
Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I laughed a lot while reading The Guncle Abroad - but I also found myself weeping at times. Without it being a spoiler, my favorite part might be their experiences in Salzburg, Austria, on a Sound Of Music tour! I finished this on a long flight and I’m sure the passengers around me were wondering what I was reading on my Kindle - because I was either smiling or crying!
Two tiny things I didn’t love - Patrick’s animosity toward Palmina, Livia’s lesbian sister. I thought it was a bit uncalled for. I guess he was worried that she would supplant him in the kids’ affection. The other thing is that the book is structured as Now; Four Weeks Earlier; and Now. I think it would have had more impact if the story was just chronological, if the first Now section was incorporated with the second Now section. But that’s a tiny thing. Overall, I loved The Guncle Abroad.
While you could technically read this as a standalone, you’d miss an awful lot of character development and background.
Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
July 4, 2024
I loved the Guncle, it was one of the more painful books I’ve ever read, but I read it at the perfect time in my life when I was dealing with my own major grief. So I will admit I was excited and a little nervous about this one. I knew I would love it (and I did), but I worried what feelings it would stir up for me. This one wasn’t quite the same emotional gut punch as the first, but it had the same emotional humor and it was a good story. Patrick is in England filming a movie and moping a bit after breaking up with his boyfriend when he gets a wedding invitation from his brother. He offers to take the kids on a trip around Europe and meet Greg at the wedding and so much adorable bonding happens. But Maise is determined there should be no wedding and wants Patricks help with it. Patrick focuses on teaching Maise and Grant about love and lovely hilarious gay humor occurs. As much as I liked revisiting this world I think I’d be ok if this series was done now. A perfect ending for Maise, Grant and their Guncle.
October 23, 2024
2.5⭐️ bummed I didn’t love this one.
I thought the first The Guncle was cute and fun, showing the struggles and triumphs of adjusting to a life you didn’t ask for with people you love. Guncle 2 explored the same theme in a parallel way—Maisie and Grant preparing for a life with a step-mom five years after their mother’s passing.
As their future step-mom, Livia, is an Italian heiress, I did enjoy the scenic change to Europe as Patrick, Maisie, and Grant journeyed before their father’s wedding. I also felt Maisie’s understandable teenage reluctance to a “new mom” was well developed, especially contrasted with Grant.
Here, it was just that Patrick came off as painfully insecure and low-key a hater of lesbians in a borderline homophobic and misogynistic way (so weird with the hang up of the kids having a Lant). I can see from the other reviews, not everyone got that vibe—fair. Maybe it was the narrator’s tone that pushed this one over the edge into problematic territory for me. The inner dialogue and outward interactions just didn’t feel… kind.
Ultimately, the story still shines when it focuses on family dynamics and heartfelt lessons. Plus, I can totally see this being picked up by Netflix/etc for a series.
Thanks to Netgalley, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, and Steven Rowley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
As their future step-mom, Livia, is an Italian heiress, I did enjoy the scenic change to Europe as Patrick, Maisie, and Grant journeyed before their father’s wedding. I also felt Maisie’s understandable teenage reluctance to a “new mom” was well developed, especially contrasted with Grant.
Here, it was just that Patrick came off as painfully insecure and low-key a hater of lesbians in a borderline homophobic and misogynistic way (so weird with the hang up of the kids having a Lant). I can see from the other reviews, not everyone got that vibe—fair. Maybe it was the narrator’s tone that pushed this one over the edge into problematic territory for me. The inner dialogue and outward interactions just didn’t feel… kind.
Ultimately, the story still shines when it focuses on family dynamics and heartfelt lessons. Plus, I can totally see this being picked up by Netflix/etc for a series.
Thanks to Netgalley, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, and Steven Rowley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 23, 2024
PATRICK IS BACK & BETTER THAN E V E R!
Thank you G.P. Putnam's Sons and Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted copies of "The Guncle Abroad." Steven Rowley's latest is out now!
Did we need a sequel to "The Guncle?" Absolutely not but I am not going to refuse when Steven Rowley says "Hey everyone! Have a whole new book where your favorite characters go on another adventure that will fill your heart with joy." Yes, you saw that right. Everyone is back and we're all going to explore Europe together.
This was truly a delight. I don't know how you could not love Patrick, Grant and Maisy just living life together again. My favorite part about this book is the big lessons we learn are all surrounding love. We obviously continue to get nods of "The Guncle Rules" which we know Patrick loves to throw into the world but this time the kiddos learn all about "Guncle Love Languages." Dare I say they might be better than Patrick's rules? All the love languages are filled with Patrickisms and will make you swoon or giggle.
Your heart strings will be pulled. You will cry happy tears (I did. The letter (IFYKYK)). You will snort with laughter. It is the emotional ride that I love taking. So if you loved "The Guncle" why not take a staycation with you're favorite gang of three and go to Europe?
To sum up all my thoughts on this book... why is Grant such a mood? The best literary goofball ever. His comedic timing and his innocence just makes me the happiest ever.
🎧 This is a PSA that Steven Rowley needs to do more audiobook narration. He is perfect at it. So obviously, I have no complaints about this audio rendition of "The Guncle Abroad" because Steven Rowley himself narrates. He NAILS performing this book and it made my whole life that Grant's lisp continues to appear even in his preteen years.
🥐 Everyone from "The Guncle" Returns
🥐 Europe
🥐 Weddings
🥐 Hilarious
🥐 Emotional
🥐 Navigating Getting Older
🥐 Highly Recommend the Audiobook
Thank you G.P. Putnam's Sons and Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted copies of "The Guncle Abroad." Steven Rowley's latest is out now!
Did we need a sequel to "The Guncle?" Absolutely not but I am not going to refuse when Steven Rowley says "Hey everyone! Have a whole new book where your favorite characters go on another adventure that will fill your heart with joy." Yes, you saw that right. Everyone is back and we're all going to explore Europe together.
This was truly a delight. I don't know how you could not love Patrick, Grant and Maisy just living life together again. My favorite part about this book is the big lessons we learn are all surrounding love. We obviously continue to get nods of "The Guncle Rules" which we know Patrick loves to throw into the world but this time the kiddos learn all about "Guncle Love Languages." Dare I say they might be better than Patrick's rules? All the love languages are filled with Patrickisms and will make you swoon or giggle.
Your heart strings will be pulled. You will cry happy tears (I did. The letter (IFYKYK)). You will snort with laughter. It is the emotional ride that I love taking. So if you loved "The Guncle" why not take a staycation with you're favorite gang of three and go to Europe?
To sum up all my thoughts on this book... why is Grant such a mood? The best literary goofball ever. His comedic timing and his innocence just makes me the happiest ever.
🎧 This is a PSA that Steven Rowley needs to do more audiobook narration. He is perfect at it. So obviously, I have no complaints about this audio rendition of "The Guncle Abroad" because Steven Rowley himself narrates. He NAILS performing this book and it made my whole life that Grant's lisp continues to appear even in his preteen years.
🥐 Everyone from "The Guncle" Returns
🥐 Europe
🥐 Weddings
🥐 Hilarious
🥐 Emotional
🥐 Navigating Getting Older
🥐 Highly Recommend the Audiobook
Want to read
September 30, 2023need this now
June 24, 2024
Enjoyed this so much.. all the stars.. just lovely and heartwarming. Patrick my my my WHAT A FUN personality - - I LOVED his sarcasm and wit! Also enjoyed a firsthand experience of traveling through Europe.. but most of all this had substance to it as I never expected all the emotions I would feel. A shout out to my book friend for putting this on my summer reading radar! 🩵 5 stars — Pub. 5/21/24
March 13, 2024
Thank you Penguin Group Putnam for my copy! All thoughts are my own.
The Guncle will forever be a favorite book of mine. It’s one of those stories that was so visceral of an experience when I read it, I can’t help but recommend it to everyone I know. It was a personal book for me and when I learned there was a sequel, I was thrilled to revisit these characters. I thought this was very well done for a sequel. It opened up a lot of feelings for me, some of them anger that the characters were being put through these things! I felt indignant and defensive of Sara’s memory. But then I realized that a writer’s job isn’t to craft perfect characters; it’s to craft real characters.
While the language is witty and the banter is fun, at it’s heart, this is a story of moving forward with grief. Grief isn’t something we leave behind, it walks with us every moment of our lives. So while I was sad and frustrated by parts, I also know it was necessary. By the end I was grinning ear to ear.
Synopsis:
“Patrick O’Hara is back.It’s been five years since his summer as his niece Maisie and nephew Grant’s caretaker after their mother’s passing. The kids are back in Connecticut with their dad, and Patrick has relocated to New York to remain close by and relaunch his dormant acting career. After the run of his second successful sit-com comes to a close, Patrick feels on top of the world . . . professionally. But some things have had to take a back seat. Looking down both barrels at fifty, Patrick is single again after breaking things off with Emory. But at least he has a family to lean on. Until that family needs to again lean on him.When Patrick's brother, Greg, announces he’s getting remarried in Italy, Maisie and Grant are not thrilled. Patrick feels drawn to take the two back under his wing. As they travel through Europe on their way to the wedding, Patrick tries his best to help them understand love, much as he once helped them comprehend grief. But when they arrive in Italy, Patrick is overextended managing a groom with cold feet; his sister, Clara, flirting with guests left and right; a growing rivalry with the kids’ charming soon-to-be-launt (lesbian aunt), and two moody young teens trying to adjust to a new normal, all culminating in a disastrous rehearsal dinner.Can Patrick save the day? Will teaching the kids about love help him repair his own love life? Can the change of scenery help Patrick come to terms with finally growing up?Gracing the page with his signature blend of humor and heart, Steven Rowley charms with a beloved story about the complicated bonds of family, love, and what it takes to rediscover yourself, even at the ripe age of fifty.” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
Returning to These Characters—The Guncle is one of my favorite books of all time. I loved the characters so much and the story. It left an indelible mark on me so I was THRILLED when this arrived in my inbox.
The Tone, Writing—I love Steven Rowley’s writing. It’s sharp and witty but full of little wisdoms that borrow into your heart.
The Expressions of Grief—One of the things I love about the books is this series is how it explores grief from so many different angles. Children losing a parent, a spouse losing their parent, a best friend losing their other half. It’s quiet in it’s complexity and makes you laugh out loud while also tear up.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
2nd Act Pacing—Things in the 2nd Act got a little funny for me. It felt a little choppy as we got to the “main events.”
Character Authenticity: 5/5 Spice Rating: N/A Overall Rating: 4/5
Content Warnings:
brief ention of Harry Potter/JK Rowling, grief, ableist language
The Guncle will forever be a favorite book of mine. It’s one of those stories that was so visceral of an experience when I read it, I can’t help but recommend it to everyone I know. It was a personal book for me and when I learned there was a sequel, I was thrilled to revisit these characters. I thought this was very well done for a sequel. It opened up a lot of feelings for me, some of them anger that the characters were being put through these things! I felt indignant and defensive of Sara’s memory. But then I realized that a writer’s job isn’t to craft perfect characters; it’s to craft real characters.
While the language is witty and the banter is fun, at it’s heart, this is a story of moving forward with grief. Grief isn’t something we leave behind, it walks with us every moment of our lives. So while I was sad and frustrated by parts, I also know it was necessary. By the end I was grinning ear to ear.
Synopsis:
“Patrick O’Hara is back.It’s been five years since his summer as his niece Maisie and nephew Grant’s caretaker after their mother’s passing. The kids are back in Connecticut with their dad, and Patrick has relocated to New York to remain close by and relaunch his dormant acting career. After the run of his second successful sit-com comes to a close, Patrick feels on top of the world . . . professionally. But some things have had to take a back seat. Looking down both barrels at fifty, Patrick is single again after breaking things off with Emory. But at least he has a family to lean on. Until that family needs to again lean on him.When Patrick's brother, Greg, announces he’s getting remarried in Italy, Maisie and Grant are not thrilled. Patrick feels drawn to take the two back under his wing. As they travel through Europe on their way to the wedding, Patrick tries his best to help them understand love, much as he once helped them comprehend grief. But when they arrive in Italy, Patrick is overextended managing a groom with cold feet; his sister, Clara, flirting with guests left and right; a growing rivalry with the kids’ charming soon-to-be-launt (lesbian aunt), and two moody young teens trying to adjust to a new normal, all culminating in a disastrous rehearsal dinner.Can Patrick save the day? Will teaching the kids about love help him repair his own love life? Can the change of scenery help Patrick come to terms with finally growing up?Gracing the page with his signature blend of humor and heart, Steven Rowley charms with a beloved story about the complicated bonds of family, love, and what it takes to rediscover yourself, even at the ripe age of fifty.” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
Returning to These Characters—The Guncle is one of my favorite books of all time. I loved the characters so much and the story. It left an indelible mark on me so I was THRILLED when this arrived in my inbox.
The Tone, Writing—I love Steven Rowley’s writing. It’s sharp and witty but full of little wisdoms that borrow into your heart.
The Expressions of Grief—One of the things I love about the books is this series is how it explores grief from so many different angles. Children losing a parent, a spouse losing their parent, a best friend losing their other half. It’s quiet in it’s complexity and makes you laugh out loud while also tear up.
What Didn’t Work for Me:
2nd Act Pacing—Things in the 2nd Act got a little funny for me. It felt a little choppy as we got to the “main events.”
Character Authenticity: 5/5 Spice Rating: N/A Overall Rating: 4/5
Content Warnings:
brief ention of Harry Potter/JK Rowling, grief, ableist language
May 21, 2024
A moving, heartfelt sequel to The Guncle that sees Patrick taking his niece and nephew across Europe as they gear up for their father's wedding to a new woman. Full of humor, heart and everything that made The Guncle so special, this was great on audio narrated by the author himself. Highly recommended if you're looking for a feel-good read/listen. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 8, 2024
This was fun! It was a great road trip audiobook. I liked the overseas setting and I laughed a few times. I liked the first book a bit better, but this was fun.
July 6, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Oh my heart. Simply put, I was just so happy to be back with my old friends again. Patrick is just the funniest character ever and I am so convinced we would be fantastic besties. I adore how the kids have grown. I loved the journeys ALL of the characters took. I cried at sneak attack moments that I’m not even sure were meant to be crying parts. It was just so freaking delightful. Ummm, there is going to be a third book right?!? A Palmina spin-off mayhaps??? Love. Her. Throw in The Sound of Music and Tori Amos mentions and I was DONE. 🙌🏼
Oh my heart. Simply put, I was just so happy to be back with my old friends again. Patrick is just the funniest character ever and I am so convinced we would be fantastic besties. I adore how the kids have grown. I loved the journeys ALL of the characters took. I cried at sneak attack moments that I’m not even sure were meant to be crying parts. It was just so freaking delightful. Ummm, there is going to be a third book right?!? A Palmina spin-off mayhaps??? Love. Her. Throw in The Sound of Music and Tori Amos mentions and I was DONE. 🙌🏼
June 19, 2024
Adorable! Once again a fun foray with the Guncle and his family!
May 12, 2024
Nooooo, 3 stars?! So bummed about this one. I lovedddd The Guncle. It was such a heartwarming and emotional read. It had me laughing and awwwing through the whole book. & while The Guncle Abroad had me doing all of these things too, I just lost interest along the way in the plot. I wasn’t as emotionally invested in this one and It didn’t tug at my heartstrings the way I wanted it too.
Read this if you:
✈️ Love to travel
🥰 Looking for a light & fluffy read
♥️ Family stories
Thank you @prhaudio for my #gifted copy!
Read this if you:
✈️ Love to travel
🥰 Looking for a light & fluffy read
♥️ Family stories
Thank you @prhaudio for my #gifted copy!
August 20, 2024
Almost as delightful and equally heart warming as the first. Have to admit I was very dubious about Olivia almost until the end!, and my new favorite character of this duology is definitely her sister (sorry Patrick!).
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