The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sequels are hard, and while I felt The Guncle wrapped up nicely, I was so glad to be back with this family. Behind the charm, wit, and humor, this was a story about grief and moving on. I do recommend reading The Guncle first before picking up this one.

On a deeper level, I found this to be a realistic (yet glamorous - rich uncle taking niblings places abroad) continuation of grief and what moving on looks like. Sure, it might’ve been a little cliche with the descriptions of the travel locations, but the heart of this story was the important part. It was complex with sprinklings of wisdom throughout.

These were characters that I loved spending time with and learning about their development as five (story) years had passed since the original. I found Clara much more likable and Palmina was a stand-out. By the end, the reader knew everyone was going to be ok.

Fans of the Guncle, witty, charming books, and books about family relationships will highly enjoy this one.

Listening to The Guncle on audio is a bookish memory that I hold dear. I laughed, I cried, I cheered, I booed - Steven Rowley knows how to provide the whole experience. I was thrilled to hear that Patrick, Grant, and Maisie were getting a sequel, but I was also a bit nervous. How could the second book possibly live up to my experience with The Guncle?!?

Well, friends, fear not, because The Guncle Abroad is every bit as delectable as our initial meeting in book 1. This treat of a story was like sitting down with old friends - you know, the loud and crazy ones that are always down for a good time but also have such big hearts that you can't help but adore them? Once again, I laughed, I cried (and also laughed UNTIL I cried, but that's a story for another day). These characters have a special place in my heart and I was so glad to sit down with them for a visit once again.

If you haven't yet read The Guncle (first of all, what are you even doing with your life?!) set this hot little number right on down until you've had a chance to get to know GUP and the kids in book 1. Their story is best told from the beginning.

A big thank you to Penguin Group, G.P. Putnam's Sons, NetGalley, and the legendary Steven Rowley for providing me with an advance review copy of this gem in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 ⭐️

I adored 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞, so I was thrilled that fun-loving GUP - gay uncle Patrick - was back.

Patrick is traveling with his niece and nephew through Europe to get to their father’s wedding in Italy, which they are not too keen on. While Patrick is still his fabulous self, the kids are older, and thus, this is seasoned with a bit more sage advice than humor and laughs. But you can’t help but have a great time when you're with GUP, even if his position of favorite is threatened by the LAUNT (lesbian aunt).

I loved spending time with Patrick and his family and I hope there's more to come.

Thank you @putnambooks and @penguinrandomhouse for the gifted digital arc and thank you @PRHaudio for the gifted audiobook.

The Guncle Abroad follows Patrick who helped take care of his brother Greg's kids Maisie and Grant after their mother passed away. Greg tells the kids that he is getting remarried and they do not take it well. So Patrick brings Maisie and Grant to Europe to help them cope. Patrick wants to help the kids get used to the idea of their father getting remarried and help them adjust to the new normal. Patrick shows that even though things may be hard the kids will always have their GUP!

I loved the Guncle and when I got this book I dropped everything to read it. This was such a good follow-up to that book. You do need to read the Guncle before reading this one ( plus that book is just so dang good). I loved everything about this book. The relationship that Patrick has with Maisie and Grant is just so dang cute. Also, Patrick in Europe is just such a vibe. I just love how much Patrick loves Maisie and Grant and will do anything for them. This book had the perfect amount of drama, love, and romance. And the end was perfect. I highly suggest this book. I really hope there is another book in this series.

Finally, an ARC I finished before publication! Almost a full week early, thank you very much. I loved Patrick in the first book and that continues here. He's a sweetheart who loves attention and just does his best. Maisie is now starting puberty, which was sweet to watch but could've used just a bit more depth. Grant could also have used a bit more depth but it was nice to see him start to evolve. I expected a bit more of their stories journeying Europe but was overall happy with the story. As much as I would like to spend more time with these characters, I think this story has done them well, and I think this should be where they end.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This sequel to 2021's The Guncle is part travelogue, part family drama, and at times very funny. We pick up with Patrick five years after the events of the previous book, when his brother announces he's getting married and the kids aren't taking it well. GUP to the rescue, as Patrick whisks Maisie and Grant off on a European adventure to learn about love. But, unsurprisingly, it might be Patrick himself who has the most to learn.

This book lacked some of the magic of the original, but it would've been hard to beat it, and it was lovely to revisit the Guncle characters.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

Another perfect mix of joy and heart tugging from the universe of Patrick O’Hara. I sincerely hope this series continues on. The little travel excursion seemed to drag on a bit too long but in the end it served a purpose. I loved the ending. Especially the letter on the plane. Yes I shed a tear or two.

Although I was absolutely thrilled to receive an ARC, I was so, so nervous to read this book! The Guncle is one of my absolute favorites, and I didn’t know how a sequel could possibly live up to its predecessor. But then IT DID!!

The Guncle Abroad is every bit as delightful and heartwarming and The Guncle. It is so wonderful to get to spend time with these beloved characters again. It feels like catching up with old friends, discovering how they’ve grown a little bit older and wiser. All of my favorite characters are back, with the addition of a few more fun ones as well!

Plus the setting is fantastic! I’ve been hoping to taking a family trip through Europe once my kids get a little older, and The Guncle Abroad painted a vivid picture of all of my travel dreams. I just wish I had a GUP to come along and inspire us with all of his love languages along the way!

The wait is almost over! Grab your copy May 21st!

I was nervous that this book would not live up to the first one but Steven Rowley did it again, he had me both laughing out loud and tearing up throughout the book. The way he changed the children to show their age with 5 years having passed and the shifts their relationship with GUP were particularly well done giving the book a different feel and type of humor than the first one.

Absolutely loved this one!

I loved the first book, but I believe this one was even better. I laughed out loud so many times. I just love Patrick, but I also fell in love with Emory and Palmina. I seriously can’t say enough about it. I love the writing, the humor, the lessons, and the characters

I hope this series continues because I would definitely continue reading them!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my free copy in exchange for my honest review.

When I first heard there was a second Guncle book coming out, I was SO excited and knew I had to get my hands on it as soon as possible!! We first met Gay Uncle Patrick or GUP and his niece and nephew, Maisie and Grant five years ago in Palm Springs after their mom passed away. Being a Guncle myself, and sharing a name with one of the MCs, I obviously had an immediate connection to this book and characters. GUP and the kids helped each other work through their grief and emotions once before, and now they’re back on an international trip for their Dad’s wedding to their soon to be stepmom and Italian Marchesa, Livia.

Leading up to the big day, the kids and GUP take an adventure across Europe with stops in London, Austria and ultimately the main event in Italy. Steven Rowley does what he does best and delivers a sequel that will have you laughing, crying, and smiling throughout. Patrick has moved on from “Guncle Rules” to “Guncle Love Languages” and while teaching the kids about love and all it entails, he may even learn a little about himself along the way. I absolutely loved joining the journey and seeing the growth of all the characters throughout this book. Throw in a good nemesis for a bit of drama, and this book has everything you need to be an instant 5 star read!

Thank you to @netgalley and @putnambooks for the ARC, be sure to grab your copy in stores next Tuesday 5/21!

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed and was moved by The Guncle (May 2021). Does it need a sequel? No!!! Am I going to read it? Absolutely. Patrick O’Hara or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP) is back and it’s five years since the eventful summer when he helped his niece Maisie and nephew Grant heal somewhat after losing their mother. He also dealt with his own grief for a lost partner. Now his career has been revitalized following a successful tv sitcom run. He also recently split with his love, Emory.

Maisie and Grant are back too. They get sent to Patrick who is finishing a film in London. From there he is going to take them to Paris, Salzburg, Venice and finally to meet their dad at Lake Como where he is marrying a wealthy Italian woman. There are dad jokes a plenty, life lessons to quote and always much love between the threesome. Patrick wants to teach them lessons about love but Maisie is convinced she wants to disrupt her father’s wedding.

This is very much Patrick’s book and he is stretched to the max. I didn’t get the feels as much as I did in the original book but I still enjoyed and laughed at all the right parts. I really felt for Maisie and wanted a little bit more of a closing connection for her. But the letter was a big moment. This can be read as a stand alone but you will love the characters more if you share the grief they experienced in the first book. I will be around if there is more to learn from Patrick and am looking forward to the movie of the original book that is mentioned in the author’s notes at the end. (4.5 Stars)

I really enjoyed reading this book with my book club. It was such a fun easy read and I hope we get more Guncle!

While I don’t know that this story NEEDED a sequel, I’m still glad we got more GUP! I absolutely adored this story just like I did the first book. The zingers were zingin’ and the feelings were feelin’ and that’s all I could’ve asked for.

Stephen Rowley is a MUST read for me and I loved The Guncle and ADORED last year's The Celebrants. I was so excited to hear he was continuing Patrick's story in The Guncle Abroad and was so excited to be approved for an ARC by NetGalley. I devoured it within 24 hours after my approval. Patrick was back five years after The Guncle with Maisie and Grant, this time in Italy as his brother Greg is getting remarried. The kids have asked Patrick to stop the wedding but he is torn between his love and concern for them vs. his love and concern for Greg. Patrick spends the book trying to help the kids accept their dad's new relationship while still grieving their mom. The book was emotional and raw and I loved every word.

I think it was a fine addition to the series. I still am wary about if I think the original book even needed a sequel though.

A sequel to the beloved The Guncle, this one is possibly even more fun, adding in the element of Eurpoean travel. Patrick continues to remisce about his late best friend and sister-in-law Sara, which helps him in his continuing healing process. It's nice to hear more of their backstory.

It's great to get reacquainted with Maisie and Grant, five years later, now in their teen and tween years, respectively. They're coming to terms with their dad's impending nuptials, and aren't loving the idea of him remarrying, particularly a foreigner to whom they haven't really warmed up yet. They do like their stepmother-to-be's cool, edgy, lesbian sister, Palmina, who GUP (Gay Uncle Patrick) sees as a rival. Imagine a "launt" potentially taking his place in the children's hearts! Inconceivable! The rivalry between Palmina and Patrick adds a fun bit of tension to the story.

Overall, The Guncle Abroad is a sweet, fun, wacky journey through both Europe and family dynamics. I enjoyed how each of the characters learned and grew as people, and strove to become better, kinder, and more empathetic family members.

Thank you to Putnam Books for providing a complimentary Advanced Reader Copy through #NetGalley.  All opinions are my own

The Guncle is back being witty and funny as ever!

I fell in love with the first book INSTANTLY. And was so excited to start the second! I have zero complaints and nothing but great things to say about this book. There was a lot of growth in not only Patrick but the kids as well. I love his relationship with the kids and how he really helps them navigate life’s problems and learn important life lessons. The witty banter between him and the kids was always my favorite as it reminds me of my witty banter with my own kiddos.

This book (and this first) is an easy 5 ⭐️! I loved this book so much! I’m team Guncle for life ♥️

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion,

Steven Rowley has done it again! He is a master at tearing at your heartstrings!!

This is the perfect beach read. It's light and fluffy and sad and funny... Grief is hard in all of it's forms and Rowley handled it perfectly.

Can't wait to see what he brings us next.

GUP is back! This time he is taking Maisie and Grant to Europe and eventually to Italy for their dad’s wedding. It’s five years later and Greg is finally ready to get remarried after the death of his wife but his kids are not quite ready for a new mother figure. Patrick is back acting and as he is getting close to fifty, he is newly single after breaking up with Emory. He is still making jokes and helping the kids but he is also butting heads with the new launt (lesbian aunt) and trying to hang on to being the favorite relative.

I was happy to be back with this family and the craziness that always ensues. Patrick’s sarcastic humor and petty ways make it a fun read and I wish I had a friend like this. The story was not quite as fantastic as the first one for me but it was still really good! It was full of heart and explores moving past grief and various ways to show love. A fun, fantastic summer read but be warned; I did tear up a little bit. A wedding in Lake Como sounds like such a dream ✨