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.

Steven Rowley’s The Guncle was a five star read and I encouraged all my friends (and my mother) to pick it up. So it was with cautious anticipation that I read the follow-up book, The Guncle Abroad.

The Guncle truly is a tough act to follow. And while I enjoyed the next installment, it didn’t hit emotionally the same way its predecessor did.

The first book focused on grief. In The Guncle Abroad, the kids are once again facing a major life change. Their father is getting remarried and Maisie and Grant are not in support of this rather quick development. So Uncle Patrick whisks them away on a European vacation and teaches them the various languages of love.

Patrick is as endearing as he was in the first book. But his niece and nephew aren’t as susceptible to his charms. They’re older and more likely to roll their eyes at their guncle than happily engage in his whimsy.

There are some memorable scenes, like when Patrick gathered up a group of tourists to march around singing The Sound of Music. And I loved the introduction of a rival Launt (lesbian aunt). But I remember The Guncle as being more joyful as a whole, which is strange to say about a book focused on grieving.

In the end, I enjoyed spending more time with Patrick and the kids. And Steven Rowley will continue to be a must-read author for me.

i really enjoyed the first installation of the guncle series -- it was tender and sweet, a gem of a book. this one, however, didn't have that same heart and sparkle for me, which was such a bummer! i wanted to love reuniting with these characters, but found it didn't quite hit with the same tenderness, leaning too heavily on snark, with less of the warmth of the kids' personalities to balance out the sass of GUP. i unfortunately called it a DNF at about a third of the way through.

“The Guncle Abroad” is an absolute delight! Steven Rowley masterfully transports us to the picturesque setting of Lake Como, Italy. Patrick O’Hara, our beloved guncle, grapples with family dynamics, love, and self discovery . The witty banter, heartwarming moments, and unique connections between characters make this sequel a must read. Rowley’s blend of humor and heart shines through, leaving readers longing for more adventures with Patrick, Maisie, and Grant.

The Guncle was my favorite read of 2021, landing in my hands at a time when I needed it most, so The Guncle Abroad had a very high bar to reach. I loved it nearly as much! The sense of loss was still there, though this was a bit more lighthearted, still wickedly funny, literally had me laughing out loud… and then had me in tears when I least expected it at just the right time. Will be a contender for top read of 2025, and I hope more to come from Patrick and family.

GUP (Gay Uncle Patrick) is back again in The Guncle Abroad with his beloved niece and nephew five years after The Guncle took place.

Maisie is now 14 and Grant is 11, and so much has changed in their lives since their first trip with their Guncle. Their dad (and Patrick’s brother) Greg is getting remarried in Italy to Olivia in just a few weeks time, and the kids aren’t exactly on the stepmom bandwagon just yet.

Patrick asks Greg to take his niece and nephew around Europe for a few weeks before everyone travels to Italy for the nuptials. The three musketeers team up for another adventure, while Patrick tries to help them accept their Dad’s wedding and remember their mom they lost five years ago.

Steven Rowley asks and answers such an important question: Can grief and gratitude coexist? We don’t have to move on, but we do have to move forward, while honoring those that we’ve lost.

“Because if I could have one wish, I would live this life over, just so I could love them all again.”

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I absolutely loved reading this sequel and catching up with the cast of characters that I fell so in love with in the first book. The chemistry and banter between Patrick and the kids is so strong, you really feel like a part of the family reading their dialogue. Steven Rowley is a wizard, a genius, a master of his craft, and a big ole softie. His heart is so genuine and I’m so thankful for his stories. Any reader will be able to connect with this story and the message of hope, love, empathy, and acceptance.

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Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and the author for sharing this book with me in exchange for my honest feedback!

The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley is a delightful, heartfelt sequel that brings back all the charm, wit, and emotional depth of the original. This time, Patrick and his beloved niblings are off on a European adventure filled with laughs, grief, growth, and of course, glamour.

Rowley balances humor and heart so effortlessly. Whether it’s a laugh-out-loud moment or a quiet reflection on love and loss, every scene feels genuine. Patrick is still his fabulous, over-the-top self, but we also get to see new layers of vulnerability as he navigates family, identity, and change.

If you loved The Guncle, this sequel will hit all the right notes and might even tug at your heartstrings a little harder.

Steven Rowley is such a satisfying writer mostly because he gives you exactly what you want and you didn’t even know you wanted it. I didn’t think anything could top the perfection that was the Gunkle and the sequel comes pretty close. I think the very best part of the Gunkle abroad is we get more of the Gunkle and his darling niece and nephew I couldn’t put this down. I read it in one sitting and then of course I immediately had to get the audiobook and play it over and over again whenever I’m in the car run don’t walk to get this fantastic book God, Patrick I love him and I hate him and what a satisfying ending. Just perfection

The Guncle Abroad follows up The Guncle with similar witty humor and the same cast of characters, but I struggled to relate to them this time around. I know very little about Europe, so I couldn't appreciate the settings the way others likely would. I also had an extreme aversion to something Grant kept doing, and I really considered DNFing each time it was brought up. Despite not connecting with this installment, I would give a third book a chance in hopes that I would connect the way I did with Book 1.

I received an ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam's Sons via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

GUP IS BACK!!!!!!! The Guncle is one of my favorite books I've ever read, and when I saw we were getting a sequel I was absolutely delighted to be reunited with Patrick, Maisie, and Grant. Eurpope!? Italy?! Oh, the chaos that is going to ensue! I dove into this book and absolutely tore it apart, but ultimately the sequel left me wanting a little bit more, and it didn't quite get me to a 5th star.



Without spoiling, the beginning of this book and the end of a relationship left me stunned. I was ready to watch Patrick romp through Europe with the love he had found and the several sentence write off was really annoying for me. It kept me in a bad mood through most of the book, and I think this entire sub-plot was a huge mistake.



I loved Europe. I loved Patrick's idea to take the kids through Europe to teach them about art, culture, and ultimately, their Mom. I think these parts of the books shined, and who doesn't love some new Guncle rules? Watching Maisie and Grant grow up was really sad, and reading this book after having two kids definitely hit different than when I read The Guncle and hadn't parented at all.



The new characters were wonderful. I think the new characters were quite great, and added something very new and fun to the book- especially the Gaunt who became Patrick's psuedo-arch nemesis. The banter was as funny as it always was, and Steven didn't lose a knack of Patrick's hilarity. The more somber moments also hit the way they should, and this book gets you a few times, especially if you've ever lost someone close to you. While this book isn't as great as The Guncle (and how could it be!?) I do highly recommend taking the trip, and if we were ever lucky enough to get another book I'd still be there with bells on.

The stories about the Guncle are books that I desperately want to love but that I just find okay.

In this sequel, Patrick reunites with Maisie and Grant five years after the events of the first book. Their father is getting remarried, and it’s up to GUP to try to help them either stop the wedding or make sense of it and let it happen. It has the same quirky humor as the first, and it expands in the heartwarming relationship between Patrick and the kids.

I don’t know what it is that makes these stories not work great for me, but I struggle with them. I like the idea and the relationship, but sometimes the humor doesn’t hit me quite right. I also look back and feel like not a lot has happened. There’s development and plot movement, but it is slower than what I typically enjoy.

That’s not to say this book is bad. It just isn’t a perfect fit for me. I liked it but didn’t love it.

I had such high hopes for The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley but this sequel just did not live up to the original. It was a fun, quirky story but it lacked substance.

Oh, I loved this book! I was excited to catch up with GUP and the kids. Their travel itinerary was incredible. I loved how Steven Rowley had Maise and Grant grow and develop their personalities. I finished this book sitting in the stands at Luke’s soccer practice and I cried a bit. Steven Rowley does such a great job of entertaining while hitting the emotions just right. I sure hope there is a third Guncle book!

This book was wonderful. I haven’t read a book by him I haven’t loved. I laughed, I cried and it suppressed my high expectations!

This is the second book in the series following the lovable Patrick, aka Guncle (Gay Uncle), this sequel takes us on an emotional and hilarious journey through personal growth, family bonds, and navigating life's complexities. Patrick’s relationship with his niece and nephew continues to be the heart of the story, reminding readers of the profound impact family—whether by blood or by choice—can have on personal healing. If you loved The Guncle, this sequel is a must-read!

I just love being back with Patrick and the kids. I love Steven's story telling, seeing how the kids and their issues have changed and evolved since we last saw them, and just spend time with them again. I loved Patrick's growth and seeing his relationship develop more as well. Was this sequel 100% necessary? No, but it was definitely fun!

Steven Rowley is one of my new favorite authors. How can you not love Patrick. He is hilarious. I also love all the other characters in his books. There were a couple in Abroad that I didn’t feel as much for as I did with the characters carried over from book one but I hope to hear about the next chapter with Maisie, Grant and GUP. Great read.