4.5 stars for GUP! Gosh, these books hold such a special place in my heart. It is hard to narrow down my thoughts into a blurb because there was so much I adored about this book and this family’s journey. The Love Actually and Sound of Music references had me grinning from ear to ear. The wedding vows had me teary-eyed. The exploration of “love languages” had me pondering about my love languages for my family. This book is just so darn special.
Often times sequels do not live up to the hype but I can say without a doubt that I adored this one as much as the first, if not more. The exploration of Europe while also exploring all of the family's emotions was so well done. The setting was perfectly described throughout and it had me wanting to book a trip to Austria, Italy, and France ASAP.
I hope and pray this is not the last book we see about GUP, Maisie, and Grant. I love their journey of growth and am eager to hear more.
Thanks to NetGalley, Steven Rowley, and Penguin Group for allowing me to have a sneak peek at this gem of a book!

I just love this series now! Great second in the series, after a stellar first book. I hope they make this a series or movie, because it is such a fun and feel-good read!

I loved The Guncle back when it was released and I’ll be honest, I was a little worried that The Guncle Abroad wouldn’t live up.

I’m glad to say that while it wasn’t *as* good as the first, I am so dang glad we got more Guncle and Maisie and Grant adventures. It was like reconnecting with old friends and seeing all the growth they have experienced along with all the Guncle advice they still needed.

… and another 2024 favorite!

You know…I loved The Guncle, but The Guncle Abroad I was not prepared to love it a skosh more. The cleverness in the Steven Rowley’s writing is superb. It was like a breath of fresh air being back with Patrick O’Hara and his inner monologue. Whilst vacationing places I have only dreamed about and delivering life lessons on love along the way. If I could meet a band of characters IRL It would be every single one that Rowley has created for this much beloved series… the constant giggles… the deep hearted conversations… the lavish settings. Praise be we got a sequel and I’m crossing everything I can in hopes of more Patrick O’Hara adventures/insight.

Thank you G.P. Putnam’s Sons
Releases 5/21

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.Andthebookshelf/

The beloved guncle Patrick is back with another hilarious adventure! The Gucnle Abroad follows all our favorite characters, Patrick, Maisie, Grant, Clara, and Greg on a European escapade like no other. Initially, Patrick agrees to chaperone Maisie and Grant across Europe while Greg prepares for his upcoming nuptials to Livia. They end their vacation in Italy, the gorgeous backdrop for Greg and Livia’s fairytale wedding. However, the kids aren’t too keen for their father to re-marry and it’s up to Patrick to either convey this hinderance to Greg or teach the kids everything he knows about love and convince them that their father re-marrying could be a wonderful thing.

It was so nice to be back in Patrick’s world enjoying the hilarious conversations between him and his niece and nephew. If there is one thing guaranteed in a Guncle book, it’s that you will be laughing out loud and smiling along with the book. The characters are multi-dimensional, loveable, and realistic. The story’s overarching themes of love, loss, and acceptance are not lost on the reader, and seem extremely plausible and heart-warming.

Despite being back in this wonderful world with likable characters, this sequel fell flat. It was a very tall order to follow the smashing success of the first book, and unfortunately, this book wasn’t nearly as enjoyable for the reader. The storyline felt very predictable, and frankly, boring. The first half of the book – the three of them traipsing through multiple European countries, learning about love – was much more enjoyable than the tiresome second half with angsty kids trying to stop their father re-marrying. If only the first half of the book stretched out a little longer and included a few more countries. The introduction of Livia as a character was extremely minimal and it was hard to fathom Maisie’s and Grant’s resistance to her without knowing anything about her.

Even with some boring and forgettable parts in the middle, the ending redeemed the book a bit. The reader is left with a heart-warming feeling and knowing that the characters are in a good place. There were a few small twists at the end that helped create a memorable ending to a forgettable journey.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoyed The Guncle, simply because it’s nice to know what happens to your favorite characters. If you haven’t read The Guncle or didn’t enjoy it, then you will not enjoy this second installment either. Regardless of this lackluster sequel, I would whole-heartedly recommend the first book, The Guncle, to all of my followers and fellow readers.

This is very cute but I don't think I loved it quite as much as the first one.

Patrick is back and this time he needs to help the kids come to terms with the fact that their father is getting married. He takes the kids on a tour of Europe which basically covers best of sorts of highlights, which is all you really need for a book like this. Half the book takes place at the wedding venue in Lake Como, which is nice, but I think I needed more Salzburg type Sound of Music scenes for this to really meet the level that the first book achieved. There are also some things going on with Patrick that I will leave for you to discover.

I read The Guncle back in 2021 and it’s one of those stories I haven’t stopped thinking about, that I have recommended countless times, and has become an all time favorite. The Guncle Abroad was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and it did not disappoint! Rowley’s writing is so honest and sharp and carries a conversational tone that is comforting and reflective, while also making you laugh out loud. In his stories, Rowley touches on heartbreak, loss, and grief, and through relatable moments of humor and heart, he always infuses beautiful moments of healing and hope. You go from laughing one minute to having your eyes leaking with tears in the next.

It was beautiful to see how the bond between Patrick, Maisie, and Grant was still so special and strong when we pick up five years later as The Guncle Abroad begins. The banter between Patrick and his niblings was just as witty and delightful, and there were so many moments that had me cackling. It was moving witnessing Maisie and Grant’s hearts expand to new experiences while also learning how to weave together all the love from and memories with their late mother Sara into these opportunities. Throughout the story, Patrick reminds the children that opening your heart to future love and relationships doesn’t mean you’re forgetting those you’ve loved and lost. And while the moments of grieving may not be as frequent, that grief is a sign your heart loved and still loves dearly.

My one critique of the story, and it’s small, was the amount of detail about each location and how these very specific details had the tendency to break the flow of the story, sometimes interrupting important conversations and pivotal moments. This was totally personal preference and it may not be an issue for other readers!

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for an advance copy of The Gungle Abroad!

If you read The Guncle, you can imagine the pure joy I felt when I was approved for an advance copy of The Guncle Abroad! It has been 5 years since the gang gathered in The Guncle. Patrick is facing 50 years old, living in New York b(ut currently filming overseas), and recently broke up with Emory, his younger ex-boyfriend. Greg is about to marry Livia in Italy, and the kids are not too thrilled about it Maisie is 14 and Grant is 11. The kids meet Patrick ahead of the wedding and they make a tour through Europe on their way to Italy. The kids are trying to convince Patrick to stop the wedding, while Patrick is teaching the kids about love languages. When they get to Europe we are introduced to Palmina, who is Livia's lesbian sister and the kids' soon-to-be "launt" (lesbian aunt).

First let me say how much I loved the banter between Palmina and Patrick! I hope we get to see more of that if we ever get to read of Palmina coming to Palm Springs for Thanksgiving!

The beginning of this book was a tad slow for me, but I think that was a "me" issue, and not an issue with the book. Sometimes I have a difficult time going from audiobooks back to written books, and find I can quickly lose attention. I didn't allow myself to appreciate the lovely details given during the journey across Europe. Luckily, since I own the book, and can (and intend to) go back and read over those parts again.

Having said that, the book picked up steam around the halfway point when our pilgrams got to Italy. I was pretty disappointed in how Maisie behaved. I understand her feelings, but in thinking of myself at age 14, I found Masie to be acting rather immature. I also felt Greg and Livia let her hold a little to much of the reins. I don't know why these issues weren't address in their family before they and their guests got to Italy for the wedding, but if that had happened we wouldn't have had this great story! So for that I'm absolutely willing to suspend disbelief.

I was so happy that Patrick hasn't changed much in the 5 years since The Guncle! And even though Maisie and Grant are older and growing up, I still recognized their personalities from when they were 9 and 6 in The Guncle. Thank to the author for keeping then real!

I was so happy that the ending wasn't how I predicted it to be. I wouldn't have changed a thing about it. Bravo, Signor! Please tell us you're giving us a third book! I love this family so much!

I vividly remember reading The Guncle, lying in my hammock on a perfect summer day. Getting to read the sequel on a sunny Sunday afternoon proved just as enjoyable. This book is again full of summer vibes, and it was lovely being back with these characters. I will be the first to admit Patrick would quickly exhaust me in real life with his constant quips, and he's certainly not a perfect person, but he is witty and wise and always doing his best to be a great uncle for Maisie and Grant.

I do want to warn people that this has some Harry Potter references, as Grant is a fan. It is discussed why we shouldn't support the series and author, though.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnum and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this advance copy of The Guncle Abroad.

Patrick is back with Maisie and Grant in tow across Europe and into Italy for their brother/father's wedding. Life lessons from GUP kept a smile on my face through the first Guncle book which walked the children through their grief over the loss of their mother. Taking it abroad to teach them about love did just the same!! Patrick's unconventional and hilarious interactions with his niblets are highly entertaining. Five years have passed and Greg has announced he will be marrying Livia in Italy. Maisie and Grant are less than impressed and spend time traveling across Europe with GUP trying to convince him to put the kibosh on their father's nuptials. Lessons in love and life follow in a way only Gay Uncle Patrick can deliver. I enjoyed this as much as the first!

I couldn't wait to reach the sequel to The Guncle, and it didn't disappoint! The second book in the series gave you a deeper understanding of the characters, as well as served as a reminder about living life to the fullest. Would recommend!

If you enjoyed The Guncle, you'll love The Guncle Abroad. 

The Guncle Abroad has the heart and humor of its predecessor, with the added entertainment of a European vacation setting. It can be read as a standalone, but you will enjoy it much more if you've read The Guncle. I loved seeing Patrick, Grant, and Maisie again. The throwbacks to the first book were so heartfelt, and the new characters were a riot. 

I volleyed between tearing up and giggling in every chapter. And, I adored every single reference to The Sound of Music!

(4.5⭐️) This was an excellent sequel.

I love these characters so much, and it was so fun to be back with GUP, Maisie, and Grant on another adventure. I really appreciated the plot in this story, and felt that there was enough heart and grief to even out the silliness, which I loved so much in the first book; sometimes it’s hard to get the balance right, but here it was done perfectly. This was a tough yet realistic situation, and I think it was given the care it deserved. Alongside the several moments of tearing up, I was also giggling at the antics these three get into across Europe, as well as the conversations had and references made.

This book felt like such a natural way to continue the story from the first, and I’d honestly read several more books from this universe.

loved the first book, was looking forward to the sequel. the sequel should have stayed in palm springs. it was exhausting reading more or less the same back and forth with the same kids in different countries. i'm glad patrick and emory ended up together. hope there's not a third book in this universe.

What a book!! I loved it! Patrick's banter, wisdom-even if a little weird - and love for not only his niece and nephew, but his family and friends is so sweet. He teaches himself a lesson about love while trying to help Maisie and Grant navigate their dad getting remarried.

There were a few moments when I found myself skimming over a section as I felt they were a little lengthy in getting to the point, but by the end of this book, I was sobbing. When a story can make me feel something to the point of tears, it's an automatic five stars to me.

Thank you to Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

The Guncle was one of my favorite books of 2021, one that I recommended to many people and even gave as a gift. So when I heard there was a sequel, I was a bit wary -- how could it possibly measure up to the delight and the warmth of the original?

While I'll concede that The Guncle Abroad doesn't quite have the magic of the first book (because, really, nothing can match the experience of reading a beloved book for the first time), it has the same overwhelming sense of delight. The problems facing Maisie and Grant in this installment are less dire; five years have passed since the original, and while they are still grieving the loss of their mother, the pain is not as acute. Now their father is getting remarried, and they're not so sure about their potential step-mother. Enter GUP (Gay Uncle Patrick), whose mission is to teach them the many forms of love through a trip across Europe, even as he is facing a recent breakup and anxiety about getting older. It all culminates in a wedding celebration at a luxury hotel on Lake Como in Italy with emotions running high. I didn't cry as much in this installment, but I still laughed out loud frequently, and I loved spending more time with these characters I have come to love.

Thank you to Penguin Group/Putnam and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. This book will be published May 21, 2024.

This story was an easy, feel good book to read (and hum along with) as Sound of Music favorites floated through my head. I especially had “Tea. A drink with jam and bread.” on repeat for a bit!!
The adventures throughout Europe were memorable and the chuckles were plentiful with this special trio. A relaxing and fun trip abroad for this homebound gal.

I am happy to have had the chance to read the Advanced Reader’s Edition e-copy of “The Guncle Abroad" by Steven Rowley; thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam!

GUP and his niblings return in this follow-up to The Guncle. I love, love this family. Grant and Maisie are still grieving the loss of their mother, and Uncle Patrick appears to be on a break from Emory. Patrick is working in London and he is to accompany his niece and nephew to Lake Como because their dad, Greg, is getting remarried. Grant is more comfortable with the idea, but Maisie isn’t. For that matter, Patrick really isn’t either.

This story is as much about Maisie and Grant adjusting as it is of Patrick rediscovering who he is and what he wants. Yes, there is a wedding! There is humor and a lot of love and growth

I was a little nervous to have a sequel to such a fun book 1, but the author was equally concerned about it and delivered on the heartwarming chemistry from book one. It's hard with the kids growing so I love the focus in this book on further developing and pushing Patrick out of his comfort zone! This was the perfect plane book and kept me thoroughly entertained. I look forward to what the author comes up with next!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

The Guncle is hands down one of my absolute favorite books so when I saw that Rowley was releasing a second book with more Patrick goodness, I was thrilled! I know sequels can be tough but I really think The Guncle Abroad perfectly captured the same level of greatness as the first.

Patrick aka GUP (Gay Uncle Patrick) is filming a movie in London and invites niece and nephew, Maisie and Grant, to join him on set (even as extras in the film) and then travel around Europe, ending in Italy for their dad’s wedding.
The wedding is set to take place in Lake Como but Maisie and Grant are set to derail said wedding.
Maisie and Grant have matured since the last book, but they maintain a special relationship with GUP - and now they will gain a launt (lesbian aunt) after the wedding.
While the novel is filled with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, Rowley also tackles deeper themes such as aging, grief, and loss. Steven Rowely is a gem. He really can do no wrong.
I received an advance copy from Penguin Group Putnam via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.