📖: It’s been five years and The Guncle family is back! Patrick’s brother is getting remarried in Italy and Maisie and Grant, now moody young teens, are not happy about it. Patrick tries his best to help them understand love, much as he once helped them comprehend grief. All the while trying to repair his own love life after breaking things off with Emory. A new cast of characters enters the family dynamic making things even trickier. Steven Rowley charms us again with a beloved story about the complicated bonds of family, love, and what it takes to rediscover yourself, even at the ripe age of fifty.

🤔💭: Patrick is the Uncle everyone wishes they had. Funny, caring, and just irreverent enough with the best kind of humor and advice that you can’t help but love him to bits. He has no kids of his own, but he lovingly scoops up and protects his niece Maisie and nephew Grant, nurturing them as if they were his own while adding just enough playful jabs to keep them on their toes. Being able to read about them again was a true joy!

The Guncle Abroad had me in stitches with its perfectly placed comedic nuggets and brought unexpected tears.

I read a question once that asked “when you read a book do you see pictures or words in your mind?”

Rowley’s prose conjures vivid, colorful, and moving images, making each scene come alive. The emotions he conveys are deeply felt, allowing readers to imagine and experience every moment.

Thank you to @mrstevenrowley and @putnambooks for early access to my favorite characters!

🩵🩷𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙶𝚄𝙽𝙲𝙻𝙴 𝙰𝙱𝚁𝙾𝙰𝙳🩷🩵
𝙻𝚒𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚊𝚛𝚢 𝙵𝚒𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗
𝙿𝚞𝚋 𝚍𝚊𝚝𝚎: 𝚃𝙾𝙳𝙰𝚈 (𝟻/𝟸𝟷/𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺)
𝙼𝚢 𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 𝟺 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🤏𝚃𝚎𝚎𝚗𝚢 𝚝𝚒𝚍𝚋𝚒𝚝...the sequel to the Guncle! “-a story about the complicated bonds of family, love at the ripe age of fifty”

🩷🩵🩷🩵🩷🩵🩷🩵🩷🩵🩷🩵🩷

🗯️𝙼𝚢 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚜𝚎𝚕 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜...I love Patrick! His quick wit, humor, sarcasm & deep love for these fam members is something to really cherish. The European setting in this sequel is next level amaze. These much more grown kids do not want their father to remarry & Patrick helps them navigate through this time. The bonds & family love will make you smile so big while also aching for their still palpable grief. The sarcasm & banter was my fav though👏🙌. A great sequel, indeed. 🩷

He did it again.

Sequels give me the scaries, but this second visit with Grant, Maisie and Patrick was just as charming, hilarious, and touching as the first. Mr. Rowley, sir, you did it again.

It’s always a risk — taking such lovely characters who were perfectly written, and moving them ahead five years, dumping them into a new disaster.

Choosing a wedding as that disaster seems perfect.

——
Patrick, our favorite GUP, is back and this time he’s taking our favorite precocious niece and nephew across the pond to explore some of Europe before ending in Italy for their dad’s impending marriage.

But now Maisie is a sullen preteen and Grant has lost his lisp and Patrick has broken up with Emory.

In short, they’re all a mess.

So this time, instead of Guncle rules and lessons in grief, Patrick offers the kids wisdom in the form of love languages (Air Supply anyone? — the answer here is yes, obviously) this time around.

But with Maisie and Grant unhappy with Livia, their dad’s bride to be, with Greg, the groom, having his own chilly feet, Patrick wonders if he can save the day again.

Navigating the way familial bonds stretch and bend, as well as the way grief and love can sometimes look alike, Rowley uses his trademark humor and heart to show us that you can make love out of nothing at all. (I couldn’t resist!)

Not only is this available today (!) the author’s note mentions that The Guncle is on its way to the big screen and I squealed when I read it. TAKE MY MONEY!

Thanks to @putnam for the eARC to read and review. Available May 21, 2024. Today!

This is a story about finding yourself within and through your family at every age.  It has been five years since Patrick O'Hara spent the summer taking care of his niece Maisie and nephew Grant after their mother, Patrick's best friend who had married Patrick's brother, passed away.  Since that summer, Patrick had revived his acting career with a successful run on a sitcom modeled after his relationship with Maisie and Grant.  With that sitcom over, Patrick is looking at the next steps in his career and his life, having recently broken up with his boyfriend.

Then Patrick's brother, Greg, announces he is getting remarried and the wedding will be in Italy.  Maisie and Grant are not exactly excited.  So Patrick decides to take the two on a trip through Europe on the way to the wedding, to once again serve as the uncle they need at a critical moment in their lives.  When they arrive in Italy, though, Patrick finds that his niece and nephew are not the only ones who need his guidance — and that his brother's, and his own, happily ever after may depend on his ability to step up.

I really enjoyed this novel! As Patrick notes in this book, sequels are risky, especially when the original is so beloved.  But this book pulls it off — creating what feels like an authentic next chapter for characters so many of us love that allows them to grow and evolve in ways that feel true to what made them, and their story, special in the first place.  Since we last saw Patrick, Maisie, and Grant, they have all grown older.  And while the particulars of their relationships, and what Maisie and Grant need from Patrick, have changed, the humor and affection between them endures.  Most of all, the book, like the first one, is an insightful examination of grief, moving on, and how neither is linear.

Strongly recommended!

You know those really good friends you only see every few years, but whenever you meet up it’s like no time has passed? That’s what reading The Guncle Abroad was like for me!

I had SO MUCH FUN catching up with Patrick and his niece and nephew, Maisie and Grant. I’m also happy to report that they’re just as sweet, funny, and endearing as we all remember.

This time, GUP and the kids embark on a European adventure, with stops in London, Paris, Salzburg, and Venice before ending in Lake Como for Patrick’s brother’s wedding. I loved how the book brought each city to life, with visits to all the best sights. And the good times didn’t stop once they hit their final destination, where several hilarious new characters were introduced, like Patrick’s rival, Palmina the “launt” (lesbian aunt)!

Similar to the first book, this one balances humor with heart, exploring deeper topics, such as grief and aging. Between Maisie and Grant gaining a new step-mom and Patrick confronting whether his age should factor into his relationship, this sweet sequel features a LOT of rich character development.

And, once again, Steven Rowley proves he’s a pro at making the tough stuff accessible. His compassionate writing, with witty dialog and fun quips sprinkled throughout, helped me feel all the feels in a kind and uplifting way.

This book had me laughing one minute, crying the next, and turning the final page with so much love in my heart. The Guncle Abroad gets all my stars and I can’t encourage you enough to give it a read!

Our fave GUP is back!! I was so excited to see a sequel The Guncle especially after how much I loved the first. Did I love it as much as the first? Maybe not. That being said I laughed out loud and treared up out of happiness. Steven Rowley really knows how to tug at my heart strings.

In the first book, I loved his relationship with his niece and nephew and all the little moments of learning and lessons. In the sequel, it was more centered on their dad, in my opinion. You still get the witty banter from Guncle though. I’m always here for GUP’s wisdom.

I think the whole Italy wedding felt like a drawn out side plot. I loved the arrival in Italy where you followed. Patrick and the kids. THAT was what I wanted more from this sequel. But the ending redeemed itself and you’ll love it.

Highly recommend if you are team guncle.

Thanks so much NetGalley and Putnam Books.

GUP is back, and he’s taking Maisie and Grant on a European adventure. Roaming around cities, traveling by train, plane, car, and boat…Patrick teaches his niece and nephew, Guncle’s lessons in love.

Through light-hearted banter, witty comebacks, and continuous comedic relief we delve into the harder stuff — sadness, grief, and loss of loved ones. Rowley has done it again, in tackling all the stuff we love to brush under expensive rugs, and never think about again.

I will continuously love these characters, the situations they find themselves in, and the way they navigate through hard topics that present in everyday life.

Thank you to Netgalley, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, and Steven Rowley for an advanced reader copy to enjoy and review.

To say I was excited when I heard there was a sequel to The Guncle is an understatement. I love Steven Rowley’s writing and storytelling, and the fact that it surrounds a fabulous, QUEER, Auntie-Mame-like character just fills my soul with giddiness.

This Guncle tale is set a few years forward from when we last saw the characters. Guncle Patrick’s career has taken off after the success of the titular sitcom, and he reunites with his niece, Maisie, and his nephew, Grant, in the wake of his brother’s wedding. Maisie and Grant attempt to convince their favorite Guncle to stop the wedding. Let’s not forget to mention Patrick’s new “nemesis,” the bride’s gay sister Palmina, begrudgingly labeled as the Launt. What ensues is a heartwarming tale of midlife crises, overcoming grief, clinging to hope, and the importance of family.

It was so lovely to be back in the world of our favorite Guncle, Patrick O’Hara. I sincerely hope this isn’t the last of this sweet family that we’ve seen. This delightful sequel leaves us with a heartfelt reminder that family, in all its forms, remains the cornerstone of our greatest joys and deepest connections.

A HUGE thank you to NetGalley and Putnam Books for my eARC of The Guncle Abroad.

Every bit as good as The Guncle. The same wonderful characters, plus a few more, enriched and to be savored. Patrick once again has his niece and nephew under his wing as they travel through Europe, while he teaches them the Guncle Languages of Love. Witty, slap-happy-funny, and yet heartfelt. I have read all of Rowley’s novels and they are all well written with great characters. Well done, sir.

I absolutely adore Steven Rowley and he’s one of my auto-buy authors!
The Guncle Abroad is book two in The Guncle series by Steven Rowley.
Such a cute and adorable story. And I freaking devoured it!
This book is touching and funny but there is also an emotional side of the book.
The characters are all fantastic and develop perfectly throughout the book.
This is a touching story with a group of enjoyable-flawed characters.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

In The Guncle, we got to watch Gay Uncle Patrick guide his niece and nephew through grieving the loss of their mother. In The Guncle Abroad, Patrick is now tasked with helping his niblings accept that their father is getting remarried while taking them on a European vacation.

There was something about the first book that was simply magical. While I wouldn't say that the sequel had that same magical quality, I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. Seeing Maisie and Grant a little older and wiser was so much fun, and I seriously enjoyed Patrick's rivalry with their new Launt (lesbian aunt). The beginning was a little slow, but it was all worth it for that ending.

Thank you NetGalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

The GUP is back and more witty than ever. I haven't laughed out loud while reading a book this much in a long time. It was heartfelt, adventurous, sassy and so loving. I felt like I was in the journey with Patrick and his "charges". A must read!

Thank you NetGalley and Steven Rowley for the chance to read this wonderful story!

I absolutely loved this story so much! I enjoyed the first book, The Guncle, but I feel like this one tops it!

Patrick was finishing filming his series for the Guncle before his brother's wedding in Lake Como. Grant and Maisie are a little older now and I feel like they have so much more of a personality. I loved getting to know them even more in this book. They are both unhappy that their dad is remarrying, but they have a different perspective on the situation. Grant is unhappy but looking toward the positive, he will have a mom again. While Maisie wants Patrick to talk to her dad and stop the wedding.

Patrick decides to take his niece and nephew on a little European adventure. It was a great adventure and was so easy to put yourself into the story. When they were in Paris, I felt like I was reliving a past trip to Paris from going to The Louvre and to having hot chocolate at Angelina's.

Once they get to Lake Como there are bachelorette parties to be had and rehearsal dinners to attend. Will Patrick really try to stop his brother's wedding? This is a must-read and worth putting on your summer reading list. It still has some Guncle rules like book one, only this time they are love languages. You will fall in love with these characters as well as laugh out loud many times.

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

The Guncle is a forever favorite of mine so it goes with saying The Guncle Abroad is one of my most anticipated summer releases!

Y’all Patrick is just the most lovable yet vulnerable character. I just adore him. He keeps it real and feels like your bestie. I enjoy his adventures through Europe with Maisie and Grant. The shenanigans and one liners are in abundance throughout the story which are my favorite! Leave it to @mrstevenrowley to make me laugh and cry at the same time. This is just the most heartwarming story and I hope there are more adventures with GUP in the future. Please do me a favor and pick up The Guncle Abroad today!

It's been a while since I read the Guncle so I must have forgotten how hilarious Steven Rowley's writing is! I loved this just as much as the Guncle! Patrick is such a loveable character. I will forever be calling Midol "Women's aspirin". If you love laughing while you read, pick up the Guncle and then the Guncle Abroad!

Thank you for the ARC for my honest review.

When Patrick’s brother, Greg, decides to remarry in Lake Como, Italy, Patrick resumes his ‘Guncle’ duties, and flies to Europe to spend time with Greg’s kids. Patrick’s niece and nephew, Maisie and Grant, are not excited about gaining a new step-mother, so Patrick swoops in to help cheer them up, provide a few laughs and a shoulder to cry on. Patrick could use some cheering up himself, having recently broken up with his boyfriend. Will he find his own happy ending?

Thanks to Putnam Books and NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

‘The Guncle’ was the first book I reviewed for bookstagram so I was super excited to receive an advanced copy of its sequel, ‘The Guncle Abroad’. It’s rare that a sequel is as good as the first book, but this one is just as good if not better!

I loved spending more time with Patrick, Maisie and Grant, especially in the backdrop of Italy and Switzerland, where the Guncle takes the kids on a ‘Sound of Music’ tour. This book is funny, warm and I just wanted to give it a big hug at the end.

If you decide to read this one, and I highly recommend you do, definitely read ‘The Guncle’ first. There’s a lot of backstory in that you’ll miss out on if you skip it.

3. 5 stars. I was so excited to read this and spend more time with all of the characters I fell in love with in The Guncle. This was such a funny and comforting read and one that I completed in two sittings.

To be honest, this does feel a lot like the fan service that it is, especially in much of the first half when GUP is traveling around Europe with the kids and dispensing Guncle lessons in love. The writing and the book are so much better when they tackle some of the harder issues like grief and growing up. Thankfully, it finds a way to recreate some of the original's magic in the end, causing me to burst into tears more than once. Even though this installment has a rather satisfying ending, I would still happily read any additional Guncle adventures.

Steven Rowley has done it again with The Guncle Abroad. The Guncle was my favorite book of 2021 and its sequel is just as good. Picking up five years after the events of The Guncle, The Guncle Abroad finds Gay Uncle Patrick, or GUP to those who love him, planning a trip across Europe to teach his niblings Maisie and Grant about love before their father remarries in a lavish Lake Como ceremony to a wealthy Italian heiress. Maisie and Grant still miss their mother and cannot understand why their father would want to try and replace her. The children enlist the help of Patrick to talk some sense into their father and convince him to call off the wedding. As they travel across Europe, Patrick teaches the children about the importance of love and the various ways it can be expressed. Of course Patrick begins to really reflect on the lessons he has taught and how they impact his own life.
The Guncle Abroad is another fantastic novel from Steven Rowley. He writes such amazing characters that you love not in spite of their flaws but rather because of them. His handling of grief and its long term effects is spot on for both adults and children. This book made me laugh out loud as well as cry. My heart hurt for Patrick, Maisie and Grant as they each processed the loss of Sara and its effect on their lives after five years but I also cried a little in happiness when Patrick gets his HEA and Maisie and Grant accept that life will move on but their mother will always be with them.

I thought the first book was well-done and complete. However, I loved revisiting these characters and seeing the kids grow up. Rowley takes a sensitive topic and delivers in a funny, caring way. Now I really hope we get more adventures with Gup and the kids.

Ahhhh my heart. I loved The Guncle, but I think this sequel has my whole heart. Steven Rowley has graciously allowed these characters back into our lives and it is the best thing ever. I simply loved how heartwarming, honest, and hopeful this book was!! Rowley’s characters have the best wit, and are so sharp. I simply love Patrick and his relationship with his niece and nephew.