So happy to be back in Patrick, Maisie and Grant's lives!

This takes place years later with the kids not so much kids anymore. Patrick is asked to come to the rescue again, as his brother has found love with a rich, Italian heiress. The kids aren't taking it well. So who do we call? Our favorite GUP!

Patrick is working overseas, single and flies the kids over for some GUP rules while experiencing the finer things in life. We are taken throughout Europe while Patrick and the kids navigate all the changes in their lives.

I was laughing out loud but having heartfelt smiles reading this beautiful story of finding your second love after tragedy.

Maisie and Grant are just the coolest kids who are continuing to grow.

If you loved The Guncle, you are in for a treat!

Thank you Netgalley, publishers and author for the ARC in return for an honest review.

Lush. That's the word that keeps coming to mind as I recall the enjoyment of reading The Guncle Abroad, a sequel to The Guncle. Patrick has been asked to accompany his niece and nephew (his "niblings") to Italy for their father's wedding to a wealthy, titled woman.

The first part of the novel is a comedic but rich travelogue. Patrick's a successful actor, a world traveler, and a brilliant raconteur who can quote movie lines going back decades. In the first book, Maisie was nine and Grant six, and they were grieving the loss of their mother, who had been Patrick's dear friend in college. Patrick was also emerging from the death of his sweetheart, and as he took the kids for the summer, the three of them bonded deeply.

Now that bond is being tested. Maisie is a typical teenager who is adamantly opposed to her father's impending marriage. Grant is still as cute and childlike as ever, but he's changing, too. As Patrick tours them around Europe before they reach their destination, the reader is invited to share the experience with Patrick as witty, sardonic guide. But Patrick has his demons, too, and on the verge of his fiftieth birthday must learn to lower his defenses, become vulnerable, and live fully. This is a story of human frailty and foolishness, funny, colorful, and at times profound. As I read, I could see the scenes spooling out as if on a theater screen, especially the dramatic, gratifying ending. A fine followup to The Guncle.

The Guncle-verse is back! The first book was an incredibly bright spot in my reading journey, and I was so excited to return to these characters in a new environment & circumstance!

Patrick’s life has changed immensely in the 5 years since his summer with his niblings (niece and nephew). On the precipice of his brother’s wedding, he and his niblings are reunited to travel Europe, and figure out their own feelings around their lives. Are the kids ready for their dad to re-marry? Is Patrick ready to receive love from others? In this tale, you get to reconnect with old friends, make new ones and enjoy some pasta along the way.

While I loved the premise of the book, the first half felt stalled in reminiscing on what was, both in the previous book and 5 years that had passed. There wasn’t much to engage with it and it felt a bit explanatory in its ways. Once the plot picked up, I absolutely could not put this book down. Recommend for those who love these characters and want to spend more time with them.

I’m always skeptical of a sequel when I enjoyed the first book so much, but this did not disappoint! There was so much to love about this book. The author has a unique way of tackling the topic of grief and love with a sense of humor but also seriousness.

The setting of the book made me want to travel throughout Europe and try all the best things.

I was fortunate enough to receive an arc of The Guncle Abroad by the wonderful remarkable Steven Rowley. Those who know me personally know I shout from the roof tops the praise of not only Mr. Rowley but his previous works, especially the Guncle. Which at the time it came out I guess I needed it more than I knew. It lifted my spirits and just made me happy for weeks after. It was a book that I understood the character of Patrick(Gup-gay uncle Patrick), his pop culture references and his wit and everything about him was like looking in a mirror. You always see other people identify with characters and I used to ponder will I ever find my own. The answer was obviously yes, I laughed and I cried and I felt absolved. I’ve now reread the book 3 times over and it still holds the same emotions as the first time. It helped with processing my grief after losing two affluential members of my family to Covid and it honestly felt like a hug saying it’s okay we will get through this together.

Now that I’ve shared the importance of the first book onto the highly anticipated sequel. Once more I was swept up in Patrick’s, Maizie and Grants world. A little time has passed and there’s a wedding on the horizon in Lake Como, Italy for the kids dad and Gup’s brother Greg. Feelings are on the high, loss and grief are still key, and once more there are life lessons to be taught, learned and implemented. Can everything go smoothly, and will there be a happy ending? But most of all can the family come together and be as one? We have been given such an incredible follow up to the Guncle and I’m really loving the themes and story in this one. I sobbed from happiness yet again! We were given our own vacation abroad through Europe and were invited to live vicariously through the writing! Thanks Mr. Rowley…. But seriously thank you for writing this story and gifting us with these characters, also I’d like to note that after I finished crying that it ended I read the acknowledgments and started back up again! It gives hope, happiness and above all a sense of written magic! I am absolutely floored and I can’t wait to buy and reread it when it releases on May 21!

"The Guncle" returns five years later, having spent a summer with his niece Maisie and nephew Grant following their mother's death from cancer. This time, he embarks on a European adventure with them, aiming to impart lessons about love. Freshly separated from his boyfriend Emory, Patrick endeavors to demonstrate to the children the importance of their dads' impending wedding, while also exploring the concept of love languages for himself. However, the journey is fraught with family chaos and complications, raising doubts about the worthiness of the extravagant trip and wedding. "The Guncle Abroad" exceeds expectations as a sequel, delivering hilarious banter, vivid depictions of their travels, and a heartwarming narrative of second chances, love, and self-discovery. The characters' relatability, particularly for readers who have experienced similar circumstances, fosters a deep connection, while Patrick's compassionate guidance through life's challenges resonates profoundly. The introduction of their new Launt adds a dynamic element, especially empowering Maisie with a strong female role model.

The Guncle is back 5 years later after spending the summer with his niece Maisie and nephew Grant after their mom passed from cancer. This time though to take on Europe with these two and teach them what it means to love. Recently separated from his boyfriend Emory, Patrick attempts to show the kids that their dads upcoming wedding is what’s best for them all while also potentially teaching himself the value of the love languages. This all leads to a bit of family chaos and of course complications that begs the question is this fancy trip and wedding really worth it?

The Guncle Abroad was everything I wanted from a sequel and more🥹 Rowley delivers banter that will have you laughing out loud, gorgeous detailed scenes of the places they visit, and a beautiful story of second chances, love and rediscovering oneself. Since The Guncle I’ve felt very connected to the kid’s characters as I went through a similar circumstance. My teenage self felt seen and heard in so many ways and healed in others from the way Patrick delivers life lessons and so gently and honestly helps the kids get through these tough stages of life. But then to bring in their new Launt!! The duo is dynamic and her strong female role for Maisie especially was empowering!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What you get:
❤️Family Rivals
❤️Laugh Out Loud Funny!
❤️Emotional
❤️European Setting 😍
❤️Second Chance Romance

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Receiving an advanced copy was a delightful surprise. I believe both existing fans and newcomers will find it equally enjoyable.

I read the first book and enjoyed it so I was excited to read the sequel. I loved seeing their character growth but the story felt a little long to me. The lessons taught about love by Patrick and those he learned were enjoyable but I found myself skimming towards the end.

The Guncle Abroad is a sequel to The Guncle which I found to be charming in witty. I read The Guncle several years ago and it took a bit of time to remember some of the details. The Guncle Abroad is a continuation of the wit of the first book but began to feel forced after awhile. The tension between Patrick and Palmina felt forced and not thoroughly believable. Over all, an enjoyable read.

I didn’t enjoy this much as I expected to. The beginning felt very slow and more like a travel guide. The plot takes off in the second half, but honestly felt mean rather than funny. I thought the GUP got a little too snarky and judgmental. I did enjoy the last 25% and the balance of heart and humor. Something was missing for me here, and I don’t know that I’d read another.

I was so excited to read the follow up to The Guncle and although I didn't love it as much as the original, it was a fun return to the characters. I loved the parts in the book between Patrick and the kids, all the banter between the new Launt and Patrick got a bit redundant. I loved the ending and for some reason I didn't see that coming. What a fun surprise!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I was thrilled to receive this ARC, after loving the first book. Thank you NetGalley and Putnam.. it was wonderful to visit these characters again.

I enjoyed every moment of this book!! I absolutely love following Patrick, Maisie, and Grant adventure around Europe.

I am never the person to highlight books, but there was so many catchy dialogues. I probably would have highlighted the whole book! (Warning: there are a lot of good dad jokes)

I was thrilled to receive this arc and catch up with Guncle Patrick and his niece and nephew. In the second book of the Guncle series, Maisie and Grant (his niece and nephew) are struggling with the idea of their father remarrying after their mother’s passing. Patrick steps in to help and takes the kids on a travel adventure to try to teach them about love. Everyone meets up in Lake Como for the big wedding but it doesn’t go exactly as planned. Much like the first book, this was hopeful, uplifting, and funny. I enjoyed every minute.

I never want to stop reading about these characters. I love this family so much and I love the growth that has taken place since the first book and throughout this second one. I do, however, wish that the author would have included a letter for Patrick from Sarah for his birthday

Getting to revisit a world with these heartwarming characters was like sitting down with an old friend.

I loved this new Guncle adventure and can't wait to see what is in store next for him.

Let me preface this with I really enjoyed The Guncle … this book, just didn’t do it for me. I don’t really understand what Patrick was trying to teach these kids passive aggressively versus just having convos they ultimately had at the end. There were still so many LOL moments, loved Emory, Livia had no character development (Palamina , her sister , had more). It was hard for me to get through and I skimmed a lot.

Did I love this as much as The Guncle? No. Will I still gleefully devour every Guncle book ever written? Absolutely. I was so happy
to be back in Patrick’s world with his sassy quips and a new cast of characters. I LOVED Emory!

A brilliant sequel, this book kept me laughing while still making me pause and relish in the more contemplative, sober moments. A good testament that grief doesn't geo away, but it can be alleviated some with a strong community!