Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for the digital ARC of ”The Guncle Abroad” in exchange for my honest opinion.
I enjoyed The Guncle, but struggled to stay interested during the first half of this book. It read more like a travel guide with some jokes mixed in that didn’t really land - almost like the author was trying too hard for laughs. When the family all ended up together in Italy, the story grew more interesting and I am glad I stuck with it until the end. It just didn’t live up to the expectations I had after reading the first book.

The Guncle Abroad is the second Guncle novel from Steven Rowley about a gay uncle(Guncle),Patrick O'Hara, whose niece & nephew, Maisie & Grant, lost their mother 5 years ago. Patrick introduced his brother Greg to his best friend Sara, and their marriage produced Maisie & Grant. When Sara passed, Patrick watched over the kids in his Palm Springs home while Greg went to rehab. That was the summer of recovery from their loss. Greg has fallen in love and is getting married to an Italian aristocrat, and he asks Patrick to bring the kids to Italy for the wedding. Patrick is working in London, so the kids are sent there, and the three of them make their way to Como via Paris & Austria. Throughout the trip, Patrick tries to teach the kids about love, because they are not thrilled that their dad wants to get married. Maisie, who is fourteen, is especially bent on getting Uncle Patrick to stop the wedding. Patrick is turning 50 soon and is also trying to get over a break up with his boyfriend, who is 10 or so years younger than him, and he thought he was just speeding up the inevitable, eventual break up when Emory, his boyfriend, got tired of "the old man". Steven Rowley's writing is very funny and full of emotion. I laughed and teared up throughout. Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the advanced readers ebook to review.

I laughed my way through this story! Steven Rowley’s Patrick is whip-smart, witty and hilarious. His one liners are quick blink and you’ll miss them savage, but playful. I haven’t laughed that hard reading a story in a minute. Groot had me snorting with laughter!

I loved the tender moments, the Sound of Music reenactments, the delicious hot chocolate scene. I cried at a drop of a hat at any and all mentions of Sara.

If you’re looking for a feel good story, pick up this book! It’s a sequel, but I found that it could also work as a standalone. But if you haven’t read THE GUNCLE yet, pick up a copy of that one too.

I absolutely adored The Guncle, so I was so excited for its sequel. I typically keep my expectations low for sequels, but I was pleasantly surprised here. I will say it takes about half the book for the plot to really pick up, and it is generally a slow book overall, but Steven Rowley is the king of quip and unexpected heartfelt moments so making it to the end is always worth it.

“The truth is, there are a thousand ways that love ends, but there is only one way it begins and that’s by opening your heart to another. It’s something I didn’t think I dared do again until two rotten kids stepped into my life and reminded me of everything love could be.”

How do you follow up a beloved Thurber Award winning novel? By taking the show on the road! It’s a long way from Palm Springs to Europe but thankfully Patrick has packed his sarcastic wit and his deep affection for his niece and nephew.

It’s been five years since GUP (gay Uncle Patrick) took over parenting Maisie and Grant for the summer; their mother, Patrick’s dearest friend has just died and their Dad, Patrick’s brother, checked into rehab. Everyone is working toward the new normal when the bombshell is dropped - Greg is getting remarried and the kids are not happy about it.
Patrick takes the kids on a pre-wedding adventure through Europe as he unfurls the Guncle Love Languages in an attempt to smooth the transition as they make their way to a lavish Lake Como wedding venue. Grief is still percolating just under the surface and Patrick’s attention toward these little loved ones just might be putting his own grief process on the back burner. The line up of uproarious characters file in and things start to unravel, with the result being Rowley’s quintessential scenes and one-liners! References to Broadway and movie musicals was the icing on the cake. Reading this follow up to a book I dearly love was like the best belly laugh and the most heartfelt warm hug wrapped into 320 pages.

I loved The Guncle Abroad as much as The Guncle. I enjoyed the humor, sarcasm, banter, Patrick’s witty quick responses. I found him many times just hilarious!😂🤭 His lessons cute and entertaining. I welcomed the entertaining rivalry between Guncle and Launt.😉 Hoping for a 3rd book.

GUP is back and just as funny as ever! Sequels are always a mixed bag, but when I was cackling on page one, I knew this one hit the mark. I loved seeing Patrick, Maisie and Grant travel Europe together. Their banter is so enjoyable. I also really found Patrick’s jealousy of Palmina, the kids’ new “launt”, so hilarious. The hand jive mistranslation had me CRYING. There was a lot of great humor in this, but I also really enjoyed the sweeter moments between Patrick and the kids and also Patrick and his siblings. I think fans of The Guncle will be very pleased with the rest of the story and these characters.
CW: mentions of parental death, grief, mentions of addiction

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for a digital reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.

If you read and enjoyed The Guncle, you must pick up this charming sequel, which takes place five years later. Patrick's brother is getting remarried to an Italian heiress, and their luxury escape wedding is taking place in Lake Como, Italy. Patrick agrees to shepherd the reluctant Maisie and Grant around Europe before bringing them to Lake Como, and he is determined to show them how important love is and to give their new stepmother a chance. Meanwhile, Patrick as always struggles to get his own head out of his ass, having broken up with Emory because he unilaterally decided he was too old for him, desperately trying to keep his place as favorite and coolest relative to the kids, and then getting ultra-competitive when there is a fabulous launt ("lesbian aunt") on the scene. There are some great laughs and a lot of heart, and I enjoyed the book from start to finish. Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam/G.P. Putnam's Sons for a digital review copy.

How could you top The Guncle?! Steven Rowley does it again with The Guncle Aboard, reuniting readers with beloved characters, five years later. Sweet, tender, acerbic, funny, and heartwarming, The Guncle Abroad highlights the realities of grief, pain, and growth with humor, charm, and so much wit. Give us more!

I was hesitant to read this title since I loved its predecessor so much, but I am happy to report that The Guncle Abroad was a hit! The relationship between Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP) and his not-so-little-anymore niece and nephew was fantastic to revisit. And like The Guncle, their banter made me laugh out loud. Rowley is a talented author whose writing brings readers on a journey that will make them feel all the feels!

✰4.5 stars✰ rounded up

To summarize the blurb: Patrick is back to business with his Guncle duties, but this time it’s abroad during the lead up to his brother’s wedding. He’s single and lonely after his breakup, and trying to find his place in his niece and nephews world as they grow and get older. Not to mention the competition he feels toward the new Launt (lesbian aunt) marrying into the family. As always this is a story of growth and a celebration of love.

I didn’t realize how much I missed Patrick's character and Steven Rowley’s sense of humor until I picked this one up. The witty banter, the clever dialogue, it was all present and accounted for. It was a huge reason why I loved The Guncle so much the first time around.
I always hoped that we would get a sequel to it, and I wasn’t disappointed.

I really appreciated that we were able to see the continued growth in Patrick, and even to see the children growing up.
The background of a European vacation made it all the more extravagant for them and added a sense of “adventure” to the novel that you felt along with Patrick and the children.

I don’t really have any complaints about this story, maybe that there was slightly less of a plot driven timeline but more of a character development driven timeline. I certainly don’t think there is anything wrong with that, and it worked really well for this novel but while it centralized around Greg’s wedding and the plot points were leading up to that, it felt like it was moving a little slow at those moments perhaps.
Again though, I truly didn’t mind because it was never boring. It was always endearing and smart, and it always held my attention.
While there wasn’t anything particularly extraordinary or groundbreaking happening, it felt new and fresh and certainly not a story I’ve read before. It was like drinking cold ice tea on a summer day, it just felt good and felt right.

I will always recommend The Guncle to anyone looking for a comfort read, and now I’ll certainly be adding The Guncle Abroad to that list as well!

I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Penguin and Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was, once again, such a fun read. I always worry a little with “unnecessary” sequels, but I needn’t have worried at all. This book is just as funny, witty, charming and heartfelt as the first.

I loved Patrick and the kids little European tour. I honestly could have spent a whole book just travelling with them. Rowley captures the kids voices perfectly (and has aged them up appropriately and seemingly effortlessly) and Patrick’s mixture of exasperation and fondness is just so on point.

As much as I could have spent the whole book travelling, though, I loved the lead up to the wedding. Spending more time with Greg and Clara and meeting Livia and Palmina, both of whom I found delightful, was absolutely brilliant. I loved seeing Patrick’s relationships with these people blossom ans flourish. It shows a different side to him, once again.

I will admit to finding the stuff with Emory at the end rather abrupt, but nonetheless, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book.

3.5*
I need to say first that I really loved The Guncle, book 1. I was SO excited to get the ARC of The Guncle Abroad. Overall, I liked the story. Patrick is still hilarious, and I laughed out loud quite a few times. I wanted to love this book, but I just needed more. I felt like I was waiting for something big to happen, and it just kind of fell flat for me. It was an okay read.

I am so glad that the gang is back, 5 years later. This time, Greg is getting married to Livia in Lake Como and has asked Patrick to take the kids to help ease them into this wedding. The kids are not thrilled about the wedding and Patrick wants to show them about the language of love. I love the shenanigans they get into and Rowley did such a great job depicting Maisie as an emotional 14 year old. The addition of a nemesis with Livia's sister added such a fun element.

I lobe that there not only joy in the book but so many tender moments too. I love how Rowley keeps Sarah so much in this book too.

Thank you @putnambooks @netgally for this book.

Patrick O'Hara once again finds himself helping his niece and nephew as they navigate their dad's impending nuptuals in Italy.

This book is the sequel to The Guncle and I was thrilled when I heard there would be another book. It contained all the things I loved about the original. Patrick is such a fun character, and I absolutely adore him. His quick wit had me laughing out loud. Despite the laughing, this book covered a lot of serious topics. They were real and relatable, and it made the book well rounded. The tough stuff was balanced by humor. I couldn't even say which book I enjoyed more, both were really well done. I love living in this world with these characters.

The book takes place a few years in the future and has the kids tackling age appropriate issues. They go through a lot of growth and so does Patrick at the end. I loved the ending because I didn't expect it. Definitely check this one out if you're a fan of the first. It won't let you down!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved The Guncle so much and I am thrilled to get a chance to spend more time with Patrick, Maisie and Grant. This time Patrick takes the kids to Paris to teach them about love. It’s so incredibly sweet.

Patrick’s niblings are upset because their dad is going to get married. It’s been 5 years since their mom passed away.

The kids seem most upset by the idea of their dad’s fiancée replacing their mom, they don’t necessarily dislike her as a person.

So, because of this, and because Patrick wants his brother to be happy he volunteers to take the kids for a few weeks. They see the sites in Paris and Patrick tries to teach the kids about love. He thinks if they understand love then they might be ok with their dad getting married.

Patrick’s lessons are entertaining. They are both sweet and funny.

There are so many beautiful lines in this book. Whether the character is talking about grief, love, or chocolate Clauds it’s said in a beautiful way.

I smiled a lot reading this book and teared up at times too.

A beautiful story about love, family, friendship and second chances.

I received an early edition ebook from NetGalley and also a physical arc from Goodreads. Thank you! I am so thrilled to get to read this early!

This is my 3rd Rowley book (Both Guncles and the Celebrants) and I am just absolutely enamored with him. His prose is stunning of course, but my favorite thing about his books is that they literally grab you by the heart and don't let go until the very end. The Guncle series is admittedly my absolute favorite. I am obsessed with Grant and Maisie, and seeing them in a phase of "teenagedom" was so strange and even more delightful. The entire cast is hilarious and also so endearing you can barely believe it. As a future Launt, I was quite partial to Palmina, and the rivalry was so entertaining. I will absolutely be returning to this one and hope the series continues in the future!

The Guncle Abroad
Rating: 4⭐️/really enjoyed

Thank you @putnambooks and @netgalley for the advanced digital copy- this releases on 5/21. Review to come on bookstagram closer to publication!

Quick synopsis: Years later, Patrick is single and once again called upon for Guncle duties, as his brother Greg is getting married to an Italian baroness, Livia, and kids Grant and Maisy object. Life lessons (aka Guncle rules) and hilarity ensue.

GUP is back!! One of my most anticipated of the year and it lived up to the hype! This was a fun trip to Europe with GUP and the kids, who have now grown up so much. While still full of laughter (The banter! The one-liners!) and heart warming moments, the first half of the novel moved a bit slow for my preference. Still, this felt like coming home to a comfort sitcom with characters that you’ll always root for.

To get the most out of this sequel, I would definitely recommend first reading The Guncle, in order to fully understand characters and context. The Guncle was one of my favorite books of 2021 and I can’t recommend it enough for a comforting, funny read with plenty of heart in its dealing with the grief process.

Two snaps for this sequel. I LOVED it just as much as the first one!

GUP & the kids are back along with Greg, Clara, and a LAUNT! It’s now five years later and they are figuring out how to move on while still mourning their loved ones. Sprinkle in some tween/teen attitude, heartache, an Italian family, new Guncle rules, a sound of music moment, a movie cameo, a wedding, and a dreamy day at Prada and you get ★★★★★!!

The Guncle Abroad is sweet, emotional, full of laugh out loud moments, and has a perfect happy ending. I highly recommend this one…..but don’t forget some Prosecco or fancy hot chocolate for your reading session. 😉🍾☕️

Thank you Netgalley & Penguin Group Putnam for a gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review. 🫶🏽

👉🏻Read if you like:
•Sequels (and The Guncle specifically) •Second Chance Love •Vacation Vibes •Family Drama •Witty Characters •LGBTQ+ •Grief Journey

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Posted to Goodreads 5/3/24
Posted to Instagram 5/3/24

Thank you so much to Penguin Putnam and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

GUP is back! I read this sequel back to back with the first installment, and dare I say, I loved this one even more than the first?! This story takes place five years after the first, so we have Greg wanting to remarry, Maisie and Grant dealing with adolescence, and Patrick nearing… a very big birthday and struggling with the idea of getting older (ahem, I can relate).

Greg has somehow wound up with a crazy rich Italian royalty-type lady, and the comparisons between her and The Baroness from The Sound of Music gave me so much joy. For my fellow Von Trapp fans, you are going to absolutely be beaming during GUP, Maisie, and Grant’s visit to Salzburg! Anyway, the wedding is going to take place in Lake Como, Italy, and the kids are really struggling with it. Patrick is currently on set in London and arranges for the kids to fly out to see him so they can explore Europe together before arriving in Italy for the big event.

One thing that really struck me in this story was how thoughtful and intentional Patrick has become with his relationships with each child. In the first book, I think I lumped them together a little bit in my mind, since they were both littler, but in this book you really see their different personalities and how they relate to their guncle! The same blend of snark and sentiment is found in this book, only, in a new setting and with an impending wedding that the kids (especially Maisie) desperately want to prevent from happening.

I expected more of the book to include the pre-wedding travels, but our trio reunites with the rest of the family about halfway through the book. At first I was a little disappointed that we wouldn’t get more travels with GUP and the kids, but the antics once everyone got together were just as entertaining and meaningful. I figured I knew how the book was going to end, but I was actually very wrong on that front - and I love how it all wraps up! It’s full of humor and heart, and it will have you smiling and humming The Lonely Goatherd all day!