The Guncle Abroad was one of my most anticipated books of 2024–I loved the original and enthusiastically recommended it to everyone. This one fast forwards five years from when the original ended, and we’re on our way to see Greg get married in Italy. Meanwhile, Patrick’s been charged with taking care of the kids while Greg and his fiancée are getting ready for the wedding, and teaching Maisie and Grant a few lessons about love and why they should accept Greg’s new wife. The easy dialogue, heartwarming scenes and fun characters (including new ones like Palmina) made the book a fun read. I loved the lessons taught, in Patrick’s GUP-ish way that made us fall in love with the first book. But I did feel a bit of nostalgia for where we were five years ago — everyone seemed a bit more worn now. There were a few parts in the middle that dragged a bit, but I was glad to be back in Patrick, Maisie and Grant’s world again.

Thanks to Netgalley, Penguin Putnam and Steven Rowley for the ARC.

BOOK REVIEW 🌎 The Guncle Abroad - I throughly enjoyed the Guncle and really appreciated his take on grief and could really relate to his feelings on losing his best friend. Again, I related to Patrick and his grief journey and I loved revisiting Patrick’s guncle antics. However, the conflict didn’t seem to hold my interest as well and felt silly at times. Overall, this was as a ⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me. OUT TODAY, May 21st. Thank you @netgalley and @penguinrandomhouse for the free ARC in exchange for my honest review. #netgalley #theguncleabroad #books #bookstagram #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam as well as the author for this ARC.
#NetGalley #PenguinGroupPutnam #StevenRowley #TheGuncleAbroad #TheGuncke2

Title: The Guncle Abroad
Author: Steven Rowley
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Penguin Group Putnam
Publication Date: May 21, 2024

Guncle Patrick is back! He’s back for a new book as well as back as an actor in a new sitcom, “Guncle Knows Best”. His experience with Maisie and Grant has reopened his heart and changed his life for the better, so when their father, Greg, announces his second wedding, Patrick flies to their side. Here, he meets lesbian aunt, or Lant, and argues with his sister, Clara. Hopefully, he can help his niece and nephew adjust to their new stepmom.

Another endearing and emotional book from Steven Rowley. I loved every minute of it. The relationship between Guncle (Gay Uncle) Patrick and Maisie. It was sweet in the first book and sweet in this one. Patrick was very reluctant to share space with his brother’s kids in the first but, obviously, came around to love his status as their GUP (Gay Uncle Patrick). His love for Maisie and Grant consistently leap off the page and into my heart over and over again. I loved the addition of Greg’s fiancee’s sister, lesbian aunt (Lant) Palmina. She and Patrick have a delightfully catty conflict is a hilarious treat.

The rich imagery of some of Europe’s famous sites added to the beautiful experience that was reading this novel.

Mr. Rowley is truly an amazing author. I’ve loved every single book he has written. He has taken on many heavy subjects such as grief, loss, love, and sexual orientation. Each of his books are very different but they’re all wonderful. This one is no exception. Read both of these books. You won’t regret it.

The Guncle Abroad is a heartfelt and witty sequel that explores the weight of love and moving forward after grief. Full of warmth, sarcasm, and insight, this sequel shows that the human heart is capable of holding onto love, remembering beauty in grief, and moving forward in hope.

Five years after Patrick O’Hara, or GUP, as his niece and nephew refer to him, takes care of Maisie and Grant after their mother’s death, he finds himself embarking on an international adventure with them. This time, it’s in preparation for their father’s upcoming wedding in Italy. The kids are adamant that Patrick needs to stop the wedding, so Patrick moves from his Guncle Rules to sharing his Languages of Love (all from famous songs), in order to teach the kids how to embrace love after loss. But through it all, he realizes that he needs to listen to his heart as well.

I absolutely loved The Guncle and this was such a wonderful sequel. I was living vicariously (and reliving memories) at each destination they visited along the way. Venice was my personal favorite and I want to go back someday! Patrick’s Love Languages complemented his Guncle Rules (although his Guncle Rules can never truly be topped), and I loved the overall progression of the two books from dealing with grief, learning to hold onto memories but not be held back, and then moving forward to love and hope again.

A huge thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

my heart is full. First of all, The Guncle was my favorite book of 2021 so there was a lot of pressure on this sequel. Second, this book lived up to all of my expectations and exceeded them. Patrick, Maisie and Grant are all back for Greg’s wedding in Italy. All of the same hilarious banter filled with that perfectly timed dry wit and all of the melt your heart into a puddle sweetness between Patrick and his niece and nephew are back. Patrick teaching the kids about love was just the greatest thing ever. I could gush about this book for hours. It just brought me joy during a long, stressful work week. Pure joy and happiness. Life is stressful, times are tough, read this book to make you smile and laugh through your tears. The most huggable book ever.

While The Guncle is one of my favorite books of all time, I couldn’t wait to be back in the life of GUP and the kiddos. This one didn’t quite live up to the first book but I still really liked it. Patrick has a way of giving great life lessons while keeping it light and fun. If you liked The Guncle then this one is a must!

The events of The Guncle Abroad take place five years after the first story. Patrick's trip with his niblings on the way to their father's Italian wedding, of course, is the driving force of the story. [Nibling is a gender-neutral term used to refer to a child of one's sibling as a replacement for “niece” or “nephew.”] Grant is now 11. Maisie is 14. Maisie is a bookdragon, and she likes to talk about what she's reading/learning. I relate.

The second book includes all the same humor and sensitivity of the first book. Some scenes are riotously funny; some are overly dramatic, very much in keeping with Patrick's personality; some are poignant. The big focus is on love, in many different forms—sibling, parental, platonic, romantic, familial. I perceived less humor in the second installment, which might be understandable considering the kids' preteen and teen status.

There were some standout scenes for me. One touches on happy-ending stories as a salve for the dismal state of the world . . . using reading as a distraction. Again, I relate deeply. Another focuses on how unfair it is that there are different standards of behavior for boys and girls—that girls have to restrain and hide themselves, while boys are allowed to act and react however they feel, without challenge.

While a brief online search doesn't reveal any evidence that one is planned, I think the door is left open for a third Guncle story. I would be there for it!

For those who like to read with their ears, the audiobook is narrated by the author. I enjoyed this book enough that I might read it again quite soon, when my audiobook hold becomes available.

This unbiased review is based on an ARC supplied by the publisher—Penguin Group Putnam, G.P. Putnam's Sons. Publication is expected May 21.

A moving, heartfelt sequel to The Guncle that sees Patrick taking his niece and nephew across Europe as they gear up for their father's wedding to a new woman. Full of humor, heart and everything that made The Guncle so special, this was great on audio narrated by the author himself. Highly recommended if you're looking for a feel-good read/listen. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

3 - 3.5. Great vacation read. So good to be back in the Guncle world with Patrick and the kids. I laughed out loud several times and feel like there should be a Guncle themed European Vacation trip. It's not the original but how could it be?

THE GUNCLE was my favorite book of 2021 -- I still remember allll of the feelings I had while reading the absolute perfection of a book. I'm so glad Steven Rowley brought these wonderful characters back for THE GUNCLE ABROAD.

It was so fun being back in Patrick, Maisie, and Grant's world. The fact that the kids were a little more grown led to hilarious dialogue and antics. Patrick O'Hara is one of my favorite characters of all time.

While I love these characters SO much and this story was lovely, for me it didn't quite live up to THE GUNCLE. But to be fair, it's rare for me to love a sequel more, and this one had huge shoes to fill.

Everyone’s favorite gay Uncle Patrick is back in this funny and jet-setting story that’s a follow-up to Rowley’s original book The Guncle. This title, The Guncle Abroad, is publishing May 21 and centers around a fabulous Italian wedding at Lake Como. After Patrick O’Hara served as Grant and Maisie’s caretaker after their mother passed, he has now restarted his acting career, but remains aloof in love after breaking things off with his boyfriend Emory. When Patrick’s brother Greg announces he is getting re-married in Italy, Patrick takes it upon himself to come alongside Grant and Maisie again as they navigate feelings about the wedding and fly across Europe with their Guncle. Patrick has his work cut out for him with the kids unsure of the nuptials, a new Launt (Lesbian Aunt) interfering in Patrick’s territory, and his sister Clara keeping him on his toes with her new flirtatious style. Is an intervention necessary to save the wedding? Or can love really save the day? This has all of the same sharp and snappy humor of The Guncle and is filled with even more joy, travel, hope, and family. A fabulous wedding read to bring with you to the pool!

Patrick and the kids are officially back!!!

The Guncle Abroad
By @mrstevenrowley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Filled with Steven’s quick wit and charm, The Uncle Abroad brings back our favorite characters. It’s been five years and they are facing a new host of problems. You always wonder if a sequel will live up to its predecessor. Honestly, when I love the first book I worry that the second won’t be nearly as good.

This is not the case with The Guncle Abroad. It feels familiar but different in its own special way. It has that magic that Steven is known for. Get your copy now!

Little reminder for Maine friends that Steven is from South Portland! He will be @print.bookstore on June 5th at 7:00pm as part of his book tour!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and @netgalley for this advanced copy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for gifting me a digital ARC of this wonderful book by Steven Rowley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!

He's back! Patrick O'Hara, lovingly dubbed The Guncle (gay uncle) or GUP (Gay Uncle Patrick) by his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant, is finally getting his career back. But he's pushing 50 and missing his partner, Emory, after breaking things off with him. His brother Greg is getting married in Europe but his kids aren't happy about it, still mourning their mother's death. So Patrick decides to take the kids for an adventure before the wedding, hoping he can teach them a few things above love.

These books are such fun, yet filled with so much heart and good advice. You could certainly read this as a stand alone but please read The Guncle first to understand all the back stories. This one felt like you were going on a European vacation along with them. While the kids' grief and sadness over their father's impending remarriage, Rowley handled that subject lightly with so very many teachable moments. It's about family, second chances, and of course, love. But it's still laugh-out-loud funny. These are must read books!

I loved being back in this world, The Guncle was a book that I loved and I was happy to see where they are now. I was laughing at the antics they got up to and crying at Patrick showing Maisie and Grant more about love. I also enjoyed all of the new characters we got to meet and how Rowley discusses grief's impact over the years.

The Guncle Abroad is a wonderful follow up to the Guncle, which I adored. This story picks up five years later and follows Patrick (GUP), niece Maisie and nephew Grant across Europe as they head toward the children’s father (and Patrick’s brother) Greg as he prepares to remarry in Lake Como, Italy.

The kids are not thrilled about the wedding and try to cajole Patrick into putting a stop to it. For his own part, Patrick is nursing a broken heart after his recent break up with Emory. But still, Patrick wants to show the children what love is, replacing his Guncle rules with some new Guncle love languages. What follows is a story full of Rowley’s signature humor laced with warmth and tenderness. This book is like a giant hug from your favorite person!

Also, I am now dying to go to Austria for a Sound of Music tour! Round up to 4.5 ⭐️.

Five stars!! Steven Rowley has done it again! Patrick O'Hara is one of my absolute favorite characters, and this sequel is just as funny and heartfelt as the first book. I loved getting to see how Maisie, Grant, and Patrick have evolved over 5 years, and their new relationship is a bit different but the love is still there. Getting more insight into Patrick and Sara's relationship was such a treat, and Patrick and the kids' trip around Europe was so funny and made me want to be in all those places, If you are a fan of The Sound of Music (who isn't), you will absolutely LOVE their stop in Austria! Steven Rowley has a way of intertwining the feelings of grief and humor in a way that feels relatable and comforting. I will read any adventure of Patrick O'Hara and I hope there are more in the future!

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was so excited to meet back up with Patrick O'Hara and his family for this much-anticipated sequel to The Guncle. I'm sorry, did you say we are going to Italy?!?! Adiamo!

"Patrick O’Hara is finally in a league of his own…professionally. Inspired by his stint as Grant and Maisie’s caretaker after their mother’s passing, Patrick has "un-stalled" his acting career with sit-com, Guncle Knows Best. Still, some things have had to take a back seat. Looking down both barrels at fifty, Patrick is single and lonely after breaking things off with Emory. But at least he has family, right?

When his brother Greg announces his big, second wedding in Lake Como, Italy, Patrick feels pulled toward Grant and Maisie and flies to Europe to attend the lavish event, only to butt heads with a newfound Launt (Lesbian Aunt), curb his sister Clara from flirting with guests, and desperately restore himself to the favored relative status in the eyes of the kids, as they struggle to adjust to a new normal. But is it Patrick’s job to save the day? Or is simply celebrating love enough to quell the family chaos?"

I love these characters. This book was definitely more atmospheric than the first, but duh, it takes place in Italy, so describe away! With this comes a little different pace and perhaps a different type of humor, but I appreciated the honest, raw, relatable feelings present in this sequel. I hope this is not the last we see of this fun, quirky family!

Thank you Netgalley, Putnam Books and Steven Rowley for the ARC.

This book was just like book 1, family, funny, heartfelt. Greg is getting married, and it’s been 5 years since they lost Sara, the kid’s mother, Patrick’s best friend, and they are all in some way still mourning. Greg needs Patrick to help with the kids while they get everything settled for the wedding, hes getting married in Italy. So Patrick is back on uncle duty this time taking the kids around Europe to occupy their minds, I will say this, these kids along with Patrick are so funny. Throughout this book I see that Patrick is also growing up, along with the kids, the heartfelt parts when he speaks to Sara through the book when they finish an adventure, knowing that Sara would be proud of them. I couldn’t get enough of this book, the humor and the family MESS is something to laugh about, the wedding and even the new Aunt in the family lol, I couldn’t get enough. There better be a book 3!!

Adored the first and last few chapters, but sadly the middle dragged for me. I wanted Patrick to behave a little more maturely and felt like his bickering with the new launt was petty and childish. The author nailed the themes of grief, and moving on with new loves as well. Would recommend to any readers who enjoyed the first Guncle book!

When I saw that The Guncle was getting a sequel, I couldn’t wait! I finished this book in 72 hours and it wasn’t sooner due to me having to work and sleep. From the first page, I felt like I was back with old friends again. It was good to be see the kids, Patrick, Clara, and Emory. I loved seeing just how much the kids still needed their Guncle in their lives. As someone who is child free but adores her nephews and now a niece, I related to the deep love you can feel for children in your lives. Especially when they need you more than they know. Also a trip around Europe when I was a kid would’ve been the DREAM. This was a 5 star read for me y’all! Go pick it up!