Cute. GUP, Gay Uncle Patrick, is on duty again to watch/escort his niece and nephew to Italy for their dad's wedding. Kids are upset, Patrick does a good job talking with them but they want him to stop the wedding. Enter a new character: LANT, Lesbian Aunt, who does a ton with the kids so they think she's the best much to Patrick's chagrin. Funny one-liners from Patrick had me chuckling a few times and fun to read of the many places I've been to while he escorts the kids around London and Italy. Read Jan 11-12, 2025

Everybody needs a Guncle Patrick in their lives. Someone that will be their to support you and give you words of wisdom, but also doesn't take life too seriously and knows how to have fun! I admit that I did enjoy the first book a bit more than this one, but it was still a delightful read. I love Patrick's sarcastic sense of humor and, well, just his vibe in general. This was a fun, heartwarming story and I would love to read more Guncle Patrick adventures!

Loved this. Cute and funny!

Thank you publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this in exchange for my honest review!

The story picks up about 5 years after the first book, and while it can be read as a stand alone, events from the first book are mentioned frequently, so reading it first will provide a deeper understanding of the back story.

Having read and enjoyed The Guncle, I was a little surprised at Greg remarrying. I mean people do move on after the death of a spouse and there is nothing wrong with it, but after the first book focused so much on the grief, this just felt like a huge jump, even though 5 years have passed in their lives. This does not mean that I didn’t like the book, far from it, it just felt fast.

I love Patrick. His personality, the way he interacts with the children, his ego, his jealousy of Palomina, all of it is perfection. He actually reminds me of a dear friend in many ways. I wanted him to find his happily ever after at the end of the first book, so I was sad that he and Emory were no longer together in this one.

Maisie and Grant are so much fun as well, though Grant feels more like he’s still 6 and not the 11 he should be now. Maisie, on the other hand, is now a teen and is just the right amount of angsty.

Greg still seems just as clueless as he was in the first book (I kind of have a problem with Greg, but it’s not really relevant here). Clara, on the other hand, is much more likeable now.

The new characters were ok. Palomina was a great foil for Patrick and I enjoyed their rivalry.

We’re given a little teaser in the opening about the ending, and I am so happy that I guessed right! I love the way this story ended so much! And I definitely wouldn’t mind any additional Guncle stories down the road.

Disclaimer: I received an eARC for review consideration though NetGalley, on behalf of the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

𝙈𝙮 𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝙈𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨:

My heart! This was exactly the warm, witty, unexpectedly moving sequel I didn’t know I needed. Patrick is back, and he’s just as delightfully dramatic, deeply feeling, and laugh-out-loud funny as ever—this time in Europe, with Maisie and Grant growing up fast and grief continuing to evolve rather than resolve.

There’s something so special about how Steven Rowley balances the sparkle and sass with true emotional depth. The quips and references fly fast (and fabulously), but beneath the humor is such a tender portrait of family—chosen and otherwise. Patrick’s voice is singular, theatrical, self-aware, and somehow still full of surprises. I laughed, I teared up, I bookmarked half the book.

This story is about showing up again and again for the people you love, even when it’s messy, inconvenient, or means unpacking old wounds. It’s about letting kids grow and letting yourself grow too. And it’s about the healing power of shared croissants, stolen moments, and unapologetic flamboyance.

I truly adored this. More Guncle, forever, please.

Thank you to NetGalley, Putnam Books, and Steven Rowley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Guncle Abroad is available now!

i adored this follow up to the guncle. it was warm and witty and i was so happy to be back with GUP and his niece and nephew. there were tons of laugh-out-loud moments which easily helped with the heavier topics of grief and identity. the european setting was also super fun!

This was a fantastic read. While I personally connected more with the first book in the series, this installment still delivered a compelling story. Steven added real depth to the characters and explored some fascinating dynamics as they navigated growth and change. His writing remains superb, and I’m excited to read more of his work.

When I first received this ARC a year ago, I realized I hadn't read the first book. It took a year to get it from my local library! But let me tell you, it was worth the wait! I loved The Guncle!

The Guncle Abroad came in just as funny! I laughed, I cried, I enjoyed The Guncle Abroad immensely! Definitely recommend this series!

Thank you to netgalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the copy in exchange for my honest review!

These characters hold such a special place in my heart, I'm so glad that the author decided to allow us to visit them again 5 years later. I'm happy about how that characters grew and transformed. It was nice to see the kids becoming their own people with ideas and thoughts about the world. A good book!

Another hit from Steven Rowley! The writing style is just so captivating, the story is so easy to immerse yourself in, and the drama is *chefs kiss*. Although I didn't really feel like I needed a sequel when I originally finished "The Guncle", I'm so glad we got this.

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Funny moments with some actual parenting/uncle-ing moments with a great setting.

I didn't read the first book in the series, but it was okay. Although it took time to be introduced to the characters, there was enough backstory for it to read as standalone. Love the antics and the way he entertained the kids and ensured his brother was good. Fun beach read!

While I liked the original Guncle book more than this one, Steven Rowley just has such a way with words, making you laugh out loud and truly feeling everything every character is feeling. I would absolutely read any other books starring the Uncle!

Just like the 1st book this has my whole heart!! Truly a touching story of finding new love and happiness.

Sequels can be tough, and sequels to acclaimed books with beloved characters are even tougher. Rowley did a phenomenal job nonetheless.

The Guncle Abroad gave us more of the wit, banter, and emotion that we got in The Guncle, but with an Europtrip backdrop.

There is, of course, plenty of family drama to go around and carefully handled topics like remarrying after losing a spouse, sibling dynamics both for the teens and adults, blending families, and learning how and when to admit when you’re wrong. This is all handled with a healthy dose of comedy and a clear resolution that we’re so often missing in real life.

I can only hope that we have not heard the last of Patrick O’hara and his family.

Thank you to NetGalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the opportunity to read this novel. All opinions are my own.

4.25 out of 5 stars, rounded down to 4.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley in exchange for my honest review and opinion. Oh I loved the first book so much so I was beyond excited to get my hands on this! I seriously can't remember a book that has made me laugh like this in a really long time! This is the absolute perfect sequel and am hoping for more to come!

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley. I enjoyed the Guncle but really struggled to get through this book and ended up dnf this one.

It took forever to read; it was cute but couldn't keep my attention. I love the Guncle and all his antics. The ending had me in tears and overjoyed.

Steven Rowley has done it again with The Guncle Abroad. I absolutely loved this book! Rowley has a way of captivating his readers’ attention, and telling the most wonderful stories! Just like The Guncle, The Guncle Abroad did not disappoint!

It didn’t keep my attention like the first. I didn’t vibe with the plot. I do love his humor though.

Thanks for the ARC! The Guncle Abroad brings back Patrick with his signature wit and heart, now navigating moody teens, big Italian wedding chaos, and his own midlife reflection. The humor lands, the emotional beats feel earned, and the backdrop adds charm. A few storylines felt a bit stretched, but the blend of comedy and connection makes it a satisfying, feel-good read about love, growth, and showing up for family.