My Thoughts: It was good, not great! GUP is still fantastic, loyal and funny but the story just missed the mark for me. The characters are so sweet and endearing but the whole middle of this book dragged a bit too much for me.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Since I read Steven Rowley's The Guncle last year, I couldn't wait to read the sequel, The Guncle Abroad, and I was not disappointed. In fact, this story is told with just as much heart and humor as its predecessor.

Patrick O'Hara, or GUP, as he is affectionately known by his niece Maisie and nephew Grant, is in his professional acting prime when he is invited to his brother Greg's Italian location wedding. Since the kids are having trouble adjusting to the prospect of this new family arrangement, Uncle Patrick steps in to spend time with them and smooth things over - maybe;) My favorite part of the book was when Patrick was whisking Maisie and Grant on their European tour seeing highlights in France, Austria and beyond. He may be almost 50 years old, but he has all his old charm!

I will enthusiastically recommend this to all sort of readers.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Gay Uncle Patrick returns! After hearing his brother is remarrying in Italy, Patrick takes his niece, Maisie, and his nephew, Grant, across Europe to experience the finer things in life and learn about love. When they arrive in Italy, Patrick feels overwhelmed. He is single, breaking things off with younger Emory. His brother is having cold feet, and his sister is flirting with guests! Maisie and Grant are having a difficult time accepting their new potential stepmother, and Patrick starts a rivalry with the kids' soon-t0-be launt.

As this is a sequel, I was not sure how much I would enjoy this book. This was laugh out loud funny, combining love and growth with giggles.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

Back for another adventure, this time five years older and (potentially) wiser, Gay Uncle Patrick (affectionately known as Gup), and his nibilings Maisie and Grant, take on Europe as Patrick attempts to impart wisdom and humor on a younger generation.

Patrick’s brother, Gary (and the father of aforementioned Maisie and Grant), surprises everyone by announcing his impending nuptials to Italian marchesa Livia, much to the dismay of his children. In an effort to give the engaged some space to plan their extravagant wedding, Patrick and the kids take Europe by train (and car and <i>Sound of Music</i> tour bus)– meeting the rest of the family at the Grand Hotel Tremezzo at Lake Como in Italy.

Dealing with not only his beloved niece and nephew’s attempts to thwart the marriage, his sister’s decision to land a rich, Italian husband, his own relationship ending, and the impending 50th birthday that looms– Patrick also has to handle the unwelcome introduction of the launt, or Lesbian Aunt.

Sequels rarely capture the magic of the first, but, somehow, THE GUNCLE ABROAD proves to be special in its own right. A touching story about grief and the acceptance of moving forward in life and love, I can admit I was teary eyed more than a few times while reading– but Patrick’s characteristic banter and self-deprecation, as well as the heartwarming love between the GUP and his wards, kept the book light enough for me to enjoy in a single sitting.

Back with just the right amount of wit and warmth, THE GUNCLE ABROAD is a European delight for old (and new) fans of Steven Rawley.

An absolute delight to read, just as the first Guncle book was. So fun and earnest and honestly, I have no complaints.

Loved sequel! I was so excited to read this after finishing The Guncle! I felt this one was much more emotional than the first, even though they deal with separate feelings. Great continuation of the characters and adding on to them through their life. Such a heartfelt book and loved all the traveling!

Thank you Steven Rowley and NetGalley for the ARC!

The Guncle is one of my favorite books of all time so seeing there was going to be a sequel made me SQUEEL. It did not disappoint! If the Guncle is 10/10, the Guncle Abroad is 9.5/10. It is an almost perfect book. I laughed and I cried. I loved getting to know more about the characters. Maisie is my absolute favorite. I will read every single book in the Guncle series. I can't see myself ever getting tired of it.

The Guncle is in my top 5 favorite books from the last few years so I was very excited when it was announced that a sequel was publishing this year! When it came time to read it though? I was nervous! Would it be as good? Would this be the Steven Rowley book that I didn't enjoy? #booknerdproblems

The answer to that last question? NO! I loved it! Just like the first novel it is funny, touching and so well written. GUP is as funny as ever and with a new "nemesis" in his life he is even funnier! I love the relationship he has with his niece and nephew and I especially love watching Patrick evolve and allow himself to love and be loved.

Mr. Rowley has become an auto-buy author for me. I cannot wait to see what he does next!

Be still my heart, the return of the Guncle! Though not as immediately captivating as the first, I'd still sign up for whatever adventures may come next for GUP. Please tell me there will be more.

Huge thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Publishing for the opportunity to read The Guncle Abroad ARC! Those who know me know that The Guncle is one of my favorite books. I was so excited when I got the email that I received The Guncle Abroad ARC. It definitely lived up to my expectations. I loved how we still got one on one time of GUP, Maisie, and Grant. But I also enjoyed getting to see into some of the other family members lives a bit more. I loved Patricks love/hate relationship with Palmina. I honestly was not expecting the ending at all, but it was a very fun way for the book to be wrapped up. I am anxiously awaiting for the on screen adaptations of the first and second book...... Steven Rowley, your writing entertains me every time. EVERYONE needs to read The Guncle and The Guncle Abroad.

I’d like to say a huge thank you to Penguin Group and Netgalley for the wonderful opportunity to read this book! And to Steven Rowley, thank you for bringing back one of my favorite characters, the Guncle, a.k.a GUP (gay uncle Patrick).

Once again, I fell in love with the characters and thoroughly enjoyed their adventures. Patrick was on a quest to teach his niece and nephew about love. They grieved the death of their mother a few years prior and are now struggling to accept the fact that their father wants to get married again, dealing with all the emotions that come with that and not wanting the memory of their mother to be erased. Trekking through Europe, he showed them the many ways people can express love, and discovered how to truly let love in himself.

If I could give this book more stars, I would!

I loved The Guncle! So to have received an email for this next installment made me so happy. I enjoyed this book and was just so happy to be with Patrick, Maisie and Grant again. I felt like I went on this warm and great journey with them like I did with the first book. My hesitation on giving this great story is the pacing. It felt a little too long in certain parts and I wanted more of the last part of the book. Thank you Steven Rowley, NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for this digital copy!

Love the Guncle! The sequel DID NOT disappoint.

"Sequels are either too bloated, too stuffed with B-team actors or characters or Ewoks—things that weren’t good enough for the original." I disagree Patrick!

Several years have passed and Patrick is in charge of his niece and nephew once again. This time they are traveling through Europe on their way to their dads 2nd marriage. Patrick is teaching the kids about love along the way as the kids are unconvinced that the wedding is in the best interest of their little family.

The story is fun, heartwarming with laugh out loud humor and wit.

An entertaining exploration of grief, love, and family. The unconventional situation is conveyed through precise language and astute observations. Satisfying and uplifting, even better than The Guncle.

Patrick is back and as witty as he can be. The humor, as well as the deep emotions that Patrick brings to his niece and nephew have me laughing and crying. As Patrick, Maisie, and Grant take a train from London to Lake Como to get to Greg's wedding, I traveled along, enjoying the trip.
I live near Palm Springs, and Rowley is always around. If you visit, go to The Best bookstore in Palm Springs (great name, right?) where he and his husband hang out. I have met him several times, and he is as funny in person as he is as a writer.
Paris, Salzburg, and Venice come to life as the Guncle and his niblings travel to the wedding, learning about love and life. I'm looking forward to the Guncle movie and perhaps book #3.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review.

Always an auto buy for me, and this book is no different! Grateful for the chance to read (thanks Net Galley!) one if my favorite characters, The Guncle! The traveling component sucked me in, and this sequel did not disappoint.

I just love these characters. I read some of the notes 4/5⭐️ reviews because I was curious and I see a sentiment of the dynamics being a bit off. I agree! But… I think that is the beauty of the writing at work. This book is about growth and change. Not just for our budding teen and preteen but for GUP. GUP himself is struggling with change and within that, he’s having trouble embracing and connecting to his niblings changing personalities.

The final third of this book is more powerful because of the disconnect and navigation of those relationships in the first part. I think if you go into this expecting The Guncle 2.0, that nostalgia is intentionally missing at first because GUP is wanting a connection that has to change as they age. He’s a bit cringe now and hasn’t quite found his footing with them. That’s the beauty of it and leads to such beautiful moments in the final parts of the book from all our characters.

Well done Rowley. You continue to be an instant read author for me.

ps. That letter made me cry. 😭

Thank you to the Publisher & NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This sequel was quite fun and well written. Rowley is such an amazing writer. He gives me all the feels without complete tearing my heart out. (Lovingly looking at you Backman). And sometimes those feels are what I need.

Taking place five years after book 1, we are reunited with Patrick and the whole family. I love the relationship Patrick has with the kids and how his relationship has changed with his siblings. This book took us through Europe, which I also loved. The overall main premise is seeing how Greg's kids are struggling with his upcoming remarriage. Watching this develop and meeting the "launt" was fun.

My biggest qualm was that sometimes Patrick's constant snark and comments were tiresome. Like at what point do we grow up a bit or just have a conversation without his "cool" remarks?

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
LOVED LOVED LOVED!!! The PERFECT sequel to The Guncle. I laughted and cried! This book was sitcom level funny. And still, despite all the cleverness and wit, there was a deeply emotional component as Maise and Grant were grappling with their dad getting remarried. I give Rowley so much credit for being able to balance the light and heavy so perfectly.
•The one and only GUP is back five years following the events of book 1. This time he is asked to care for Maisie and Grant during a big family wedding in Lake Como.
What follows is another hilarious and uplifting story about love, acceptance, second chances and learning how to adjust to a new normal.
Thanks NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the acr!

The Guncle Abroad is a passport to heartwarming hilarity and globetrotting adventures! Join Patrick, aka GUP (Gay Uncle Patrick), as he takes his niece and nephew on a journey filled with laughter, love, and a sprinkle of chaos. With witty prose and unforgettable characters, the author delivers a sequel that's as delightful as a postcard from your favorite relative. Four stars for a touching and humorous tale that proves family is the best souvenir. Pack your bags and get ready for a guncle-tastic adventure!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!