GUP is back at it again with his sassy self! In this second book, Greg is getting remarried and Maisie and Grant are not too keen on the idea. Patrick takes Maisie and Grant on a beautiful vacation and tries to teach them about love using the Five Love Languages before they meet up with the entire family for the wedding. Attitudes and mayhem ensue as we’re introduced to more of the other/new side of the family including their new “Launt” …their new lesbian aunt. GUP’s nemesis. Will Greg and Patrick be able to smooth everything over and get married? Will anybody be married on this trip?!

Overall…not terrible but definitely not my favorite. While it did have a lot of the heartfelt sentiments of grief, moving on, love and family, the Five Love Languages just felt super cheesy. I still loved Patrick’s comebacks and sass and if I hadn’t listened to the first one by audio, it might have been worst. The narrator on the first book did SUCH a good job and I could hear their voice with all of his shenanigans and classic commentary. Patrick was also a little insufferable with the competition/attitude with Palmina. Speaking of sisters though, Cassie was so good in this one! I loved getting another side of her. I did appreciate the importance of family and celebration. The Italians know how to party! Overall, I love the characters and they were enjoyable, but I could take or leave this one…

PS-The blood scene was HIGHLY odd and very unnecessary. Her pitching a fit and then that happening in front of everybody was in poor taste.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 🩷

My goodness, I've had the pleasure of reading "The Guncle Abroad" by Steven Rowley, and let me tell you, it's a delightful journey you won't want to miss!

Patrick O'Hara, our beloved "Guncle," is back with his signature blend of humor and heart. Joining Grant and Maisie, his young charges, for a grand wedding in Italy, Patrick finds himself entangled in a hilarious family adventure. From clashing with a new "Launt" to battling his sister's flirtations with guest, Patrick's efforts to maintain his favored status with the kids are nothing short of entertaining.

Through this charming tale, Rowley explores the true meaning of family and the challenges of navigating life's milestones. Patrick, now in his fifties, grapples with loneliness and the desire for love. Yet, amidst the chaos, he discovers the enduring power of family bonds.

A special thanks to NetGalley for providing me with early access to this delightful sequel. "The Guncle Abroad" is a heartwarming and humorous reminder that laughter, love, and a touch of family chaos can conquer all.

It’s been five years, and some things have changed. The biggest being that Greg is about to be married again, and the children are not coping.
So it’s Patrick to the rescue again, but instead of hiding away learning about the guncle rules, this time they’re touring Europe and learning about the guncle love languages.
He’s trying to warm them up to accepting their father’s new relationship, how it doesn’t have to mean giving up the memories and traditions they shared with their late mother. They however are just waiting him out so he’ll ‘talk some sense’ into their father at the end of the trip, and make him call off the wedding.

I’ve never been to Europe, so I can’t speak to the accuracy of any of it really, but I was entertained by their adventures.

I felt like this one was missing the heavier emotions of the first, the loss not being so fresh, and this was much more lighthearted. Livia, Greg’s fiancé, had a super entertaining family and I especially enjoyed the addition of launt Palmina.

Or course I still cried - because I am who I am - but almost exclusively towards the end and mostly happy tears.
The way things wrap up is everything I could have wished for them.

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam for the arc!

Your favorite guncle and kids are back, this time in italy! I loved this book! I don’t wanna give anything away but re read the first one before you read this because it’s amazing!! I can’t wait for another!

After a time jump, we meet again with Patrick, Graham, and Maisie the morning after Greg’s rehearsal dinner for his next marriage. (I do feel a loyalty to Sara after how much it was obvious the characters loved her in the first book, so it was a bittersweet opening and built up some good conflict)

Peppered with all the hilarity and sass, the kids ask Patrick to join forces and hatch a plan to derail the wedding. Instead of an outright agreement, GUP teaches the kids about love languages, specifically “Guncle Love Languages.” The trio experiences Guncle Love Languages together, while working through hard feelings, too.

The ending was the perfect way to wrap up the GUP story. I recommended both Guncle books to my book club, coworkers, and friends. It’s a well-written story and touches on grief and life in a beautiful way.

Thanks to NetGalley for an e-ARC of Guncle Abroad in exchange for an honest review.

While this was laced with humor and heart just like The Guncle, this sadly wasn’t a total hit for me. Patrick’s travels with maisie and grant were fun, but I didn’t really see the “deeper meaning” behind any of it if I’m being honest. The last 15% were really sweet and saved a lot of the book tbh

I would like to thank Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for providing me with an egalley of this title to read and give my honest review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
If you have not read the first book in this series, I highly recommend you do before jumping into this one. You truly need the background of the characters and their connections to understand this book.
I fully enjoyed the first book from Rowley so was super excited to see a continuation of this world. The Guncle Abroad picks up a few years after the ending of the first book. Rowley entertains us once again with the amazing antics of his character Patrick O'Hara. This time while he drags his niece and nephew through Europe on a quest to show them what love truly is.
Rowley does a great job of extending his world with these characters. The premise of Patrick traveling with Grant and Maisie through Europe on their way to Greg's wedding was so great. I love Patrick's connection with his niece and nephew. Their relationship is sweet. Their connection from Sara is undeniable. I think, had Sara married anyone else, Patrick still would have been her kids' uncle. Having his brother as their father just makes it that much more special.
Patrick's way of giving the kids, and everyone else, advice, is unsurpassed. He makes me laugh, and cry, and feel so many emotions. I'm totally in love with his character. He really makes you feel and that's such a great part of these books. And Patrick himself had growth in this book which I loved watching. The realization that he may have left a good thing with Emory behind. That it's ok to love another after the love of your life is gone. That family, and found family, are there for you and will support you for who you are.
We're also introduced to a few new characters in this book: Livia, Palmina, and a few others. I liked what they all brought to the table. Especially Palmina, who becomes a bit a rival for Patrick in regards to sharing the attention from his niece and nephew.
I loved how this book moved through Europe as part of the plot. I enjoyed the journey the kids and Patrick took, the attractions they saw, and how Patrick took each moment and made it into something special.
And the banter in this book rivals that of the first book. So many funny moments that often turned endearing or a little hear breaking. Rowley was able to roll in some humor to balance it all out.
I'd love to see more in this world from Rowley. Though, given the happily ever after we got from this one, I'm not sure where he would take it. But I would read it!
Rowley may be one of my new favorite authors!

As a fan of The Guncle in 2021, I was eger to read The Guncle Abroad, anticipating another heartwarming journey with Patrick and his niece and nephew. However, as I began reading, something felt amiss.

Maisie and Grant are struggling with circumstances surrounding their fathers' upcoming wedding. Their European escapade with Uncle Patrick, or GUP, promises adventure en route to Lake Como for the big day. Yet, while Europe's beauty dazzles, I felt the narrative was leaning more towards scenic descriptions than character development. Maisie's teenage angst and Grant's unexpected immaturity distracted me from the storyline, leaving me longing for a deeper connection with the characters.

Despite my initial enthusiasm, I couldn't shake a sense of detachment, and ultimately I chose not to continue reading, preferring to preserve the charm of the original story in my mind.

Initially hesitant to share this review before the publication date, I realized that my experience may differ from others'. Just because it didn't resonate with me doesn't mean it won't with someone else. If you loved The Guncle, or if you're a fan of Steven Rowley, I encourage you to give this book a chance. Perhaps it will touch you in ways it didn't for me!

I neither loved nor hated The Guncle Abroad. It doesn't measure up to its predecessor, but it was still a (mostly) enjoyable and fun read. And if there is eventually another entry in The Guncle universe, I will read it.

Nothing about this book was particularly awful; most of my gripes are fairly minor. A lot of the story and behavior was far more over-the-top, melodramatic, or pretty unbelievable compared to (how I remember) book 1, and there were many instances when the book/writing just felt kind of "off", or like something was missing, especially when it came to transitions (between scenes, locations, chapters, etc). While reading, I frequently thought to myself that this might be better as a movie (or even a TV series); and after seeing a mention in the Acknowledgements about "...bringing The Guncle to the big screen" I've wondered even more if the author and/or editor(s) approached The Guncle Abroad differently BECAUSE of the expected/anticipated future screen adaptation.

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

It has been awhile since I had read The Guncle, but right when I started this I remembered why I loved it so much. Patrick is such an easy character to root for, he is hilarious but also loves the kids so so much. I loved the journey through Europe in this book and even more so loved how touching this story was! I hope there’s a third!

A jaunty romp through the lives of the rich and famous in Europe. Gunkle Abroad is a sequel to the original Gunkle and takes place four years after. The kids are growing up and Gunkel is growing older. The settings are Paris, Austria, and Italy. Gunkle’s brother is getting remarried to an Italian heiress. Did I mention money is no object for anyone in this book? A private trip to Prada, endless first class tickets for travel, and much much pampering are examples of how the characters suffer. There were moments of chuckles, and there were a couple of times that I thought this is worth remembering, but for the most part, I’m afraid the stereotypical Gayness and his overly mature relationship with his niece and nephew were a bit too predictable. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Five years after The Guncle Patrick is called to care for his niece and nephew, this time when their dad is getting married in Europe and Patrick is trying to come to terms with turning 50 and dealing with his career. On the way to the wedding, Patrick wants to help them understand love - all they want is to have the wedding called off. This is another great read in the series; best if you read the first book before moving on to this. More characters are introduced and the kids are now teens.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley

I was a fan of the first Book "The Guncle" after stumbling across the book because it fit a category in a reading challenge I was doing and I am so glad I did! Getting an ARC of the second book , The Guncle Abroad did not disappoint! I really need to see a movie made staring Jonathan Bennett as Patrick, Now that Grant & Maisy are older they are headed to Europe with Patrick for a wedding

As a lover of the Guncle, I was so excited to read this book. I was not disappointed, it felt like a familiar warm hug and I can imagine my patrons loving this book as well. I can't wait to share this with the patrons at my library when it is finally published.

I loved The Guncle and was so excited to read the sequel. The Guncle Abroad takes place 5 years later, so Maisie and Grant are older and are facing the upcoming wedding of their father in Lake Como. They aren’t happy about it. GUP ( Gay Uncle Patrick ) takes them to Paris, Austria and Venice on the way, trying to help them in his kind, clever and witty way. I read this on an airplane and giggled so often. I had a Guncle, so I can totally relate and I found this book heart-warming, funny and such a feel good story.

Let me start by saying I loved The Guncle and the heartwarming tale. I was so excited when Steven Rowley announced there would be a follow up and we would get to catch up with Patrick, Maisie and Grant once again. This story was fun, and less heavy than it's debut counterpart, however I missed the nuances of Patrick and his interesting takes. I felt this one was a bit forced and the characters of Maisie and Grant weren't very believable for their ages especially through dialogue. I felt the story dragged especially towards the end and we were left missing that quintessential Guncle good feeling.

The Guncle Abroad takes you on an adventure to find what love really means. Will Patrick be able to teach his niblings Maisie and Grant how to find love by taking them on an international adventure or will their trip end in a disrupted wedding?

A cute adventure that shows the many types of love. Patrick may see himself as the teacher but will he learn a lesson along the way?

Thank you to Penguin Random House for the opportunity to read an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Guncle Abroad
(The Guncle, #2)
Steven Rowley
Pub: 5/21/24
5

OMG! My heart is so happy after being back with GUP, Greg, Grant, Maisie, and sweet Emory! The Guncle was and will forever remain one of my favoritest books, but the Guncle Abroad was everything I could have hoped for and more from a sequel.

This one-of-a-kind story, and its amazing, unforgettable characters (known & new) have fiercely grabbed ahold of my whole heart. I literally could not put this book down. I just wanted to wrap it up in a hug and never let go. It was a heartwarming and uplifting story full of family, love, grief, moving forward, oh so much yummy Prosecco. I laugh so freakin hard over the dialogue between GUP, Grant, and Maisie, I cried (that letter), and I swooned over the soft relaunch. A truly perfect sequel. Rowley once again has blown me away. I just love his writing so much. I’m hoping that this is just goodbye for now, and that we may once again see this cast.

“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.”

What I loved;
🩵 LOL Humor
🩵 Witty Banter
🩵 Guncle Love Language Rules
🩵 Second Chances
🩵 Italian Setting
🩵 ALL the feels

Wholeheartedly would recommend. Definitely start with the Guncle first if you haven’t read it. I am already counting down the days until I can reread with the audiobook. I am so excited to listen to Rowley narrate again. 💛

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Putnam Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

In true Guncle fashion, this was adorable. I enjoyed seeing Maisie and Grant “grown up” and yet still seem so small. The book seemed to get to a certain spot rather quickly, but once I continued, it seemed to all fall into place and make perfect sense! It was well written and gave me some good giggles. My only complaint was the utilized naming was pretty heavy in the first half, and I didn’t feel they added a lot to the story.