🌈THE GUNCLE ABROAD🌈
Went on a little getaway and while it wasn’t abroad, I couldn’t help but read a digital arc of @mrstevenrowley latest and let me just say, it was perfect.

Don’t wanna spoil it too much but if you read THE GUNCLE, this was a seamless follow up to the story of Patrick O’Hara as he finishes a movie and takes Maisie and Grant through Europe and continues the Guncle rules to help his niece and nephew wrap their heads around the idea of love. Like I said, I won’t get into it too much because it was just fantastic, heartfelt, and full of laughs and many, many highlighted quotes! (Something I don’t do very often). If you’ve read any of his books before- you are absolutely going to love this one. And if you haven’t, what are you waiting for??! He has an amazing back catalog so get to it.

A HUGE THANK YOU to @putnambooks for this advance arc and to @mrstevenrowley for writing such incredible characters and giving a broader audience LGBTQ characters we will love for a very long time. OUT 5/21/24

I have anxiously awaited the return of Patrick O'Hara and this book does not disappoint. It has been five years since he was called upon to perform his uncle duties. This time, his brother is getting married in Italy and has asked Patrick to take the kids for several weeks while he prepares to get married. The kids, Maisie and Grant, are opposed to the wedding and ask Patrick to help stop the wedding. As they travel through Europe on the way to the wedding, Patrick tries to teach the children about love. While trying to teach the kids about love, can Patrick repair his own love life? A wonderful story about family and love.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the Guncle when I read it not long after it came out, and honestly, my first reaction to hearing it was setting a sequel was "why?" The Guncle felt very self-contained to me, and I was worried that a sequel simply couldn’t live up to it. But Steven Rowley hasn't lead me wrong yet, so I went into it with on open mind.
What I discovered is that while The Guncle Abroad is a sequel, it isn't a traditional continuation in the "this is what happened next" sense. The time jump between the two books (about five years) helps separate the stories, and the sequel felt just as self-contained to me as the first. Throughout the book, Patrick makes it his mission to bring the kids around to the idea of their dad falling in love and getting married again. This obviously sets a good backdrop for Patrick's own journey in defining what he wants from love as well.
Long story short: if you liked The Guncle, you'll like this one too. The sassy humor and heartfelt interactions are all still there. The relationship between Patrick and the kids is well-developed, taking into account the way kids attitudes towards the adults in their lives changes as they older. As a bonus, it’s all set against a backdrop of various European countries with all the kitschy tourist moments you'd expect.
I think my only complaint is that throughout the book it’s pointed out to Patrick that he's engaging in the very specific form of misogny that is common among cis, white, gay men. Rowley sets it up as if Patrick is going to have a learning moment about this that I was looking forward to. And I guess he sort of does? But it came across (to me - others may not read it this way) like he reaches his ultimate conclusion and enlightenment on his own. Or I guess more accurately, as if he really thought this way the whole time, he just had a couple of bad moments, when the rest of the book doesn't seem to support that. Id be interested to hear other readers take on this.

"The Guncle" was one of my favorite feel-good reads, and "The Guncle Abroad" brings a lot of that same energy and enjoyment while tackling the more long-term effects of losing a loved one. With a five year time jump, we get to see a new iteration of Patrick's relationship with his niece and nephew. The humor and heart is still there in full force, with new challenges as they all navigate moving on from grief and growing up (even when you're already a grown up). I did think the ending felt a bit rushed, and the time jump took something away from the Patrick/Emory relationship, like we missed too much. But the handling of Greg's pending nuptials, Maisie's journey with trying to accept Livia in her life, and all the new characters made this a worthwhile sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for sharing this ARC!

The Guncle Abroad was everything I hoped it’d be after The Guncle became a heartprint book for me a few years ago. Immersive setting, incredibly loveable (and consistent, but growing!) characters, heart and hope and grief all rolled into one. After experiencing my own parental loss last year, I’m almost exclusively drawn to books now that hit these notes of the beautiful + brutal of life all at once, and consistently Stephen Rowley delivers perfectly. I loved Guncle Abroad and already can’t wait to read it again!

Can’t afford a first-class trip across Europe or to Lake Como? Buy The Guncle Abroad instead. Not only will you be transported on a wonderful holiday, you’ll be along for the ride on an emotional roller coaster (in the best way!) that is Patrick O’Hara and his family.

The Guncle Abroad is my most anticipated book of 2024 and the fact that I was lucky enough to get approved for an ARC is just icing on the cake. If you liked The Guncle I’m pretty sure you’ll like its sequel*. Since we last saw everyone, five years ago, big changes have come to pass. The biggest being Greg, Patrick’s brother, getting remarried. Once again it’s up to GUP to oversee his niblets, Maisie and Grant, for a few weeks prior to the wedding in Lake Como, Italy.

Patrick, I must say, is everything you remember and more. He’s, um, well there’s no delicate way to say this, a bit unhinged about turning 50. He’s even more ridiculous and self-centered than you remember him. There are times when you may not like him, but his heart is always in the right place, even if his mouth or ego may not have gotten the memo.

In TGA we’re treated to Guncle Love Languages, they’re similar to his Guncle Rules. Patrick’s hope is that they will make Maisie and Grant understand love, and maybe even appreciate it, because all they want to do is stop their dad’s impending nuptials to Italian noblewoman, Livia. I enjoyed the trio’s travels across Europe and felt I was on their jaunt right along with them and I learned several interesting facts as well.

TGA can be read as a standalone. However, I encourage everyone to read The Guncle first. You’ll get a better understanding Patrick, Maisie and Grant and how they’ve dealt and are still dealing with Sara’s death. Plus it’s just a great book.

Rowley has a knack for writing relatable emotions and family dynamics. He manages to convey the button pushing, irritability, frustrations and everything else that comes with close relationships. But it’s love that is the heart of the book and his message is to find love in something, anything that makes you happy. I highly recommend The Guncle Abroad and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

*Patrick has an opinon regarding sequels. Because of course he does. “The only time it maybe works—and I mean the only time—is when there wasn’t an ending that was entirely happy, when not everything was tied up in a neat little bow.” I see what you did there Mr. Rowley. Touché.

Thank you to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the digital ARC of The Guncle Abroad.

I LOVED The Guncle and had reluctantly high hopes for the second (how can you top that masterpiece?). Overall, this was a solid sequel. I loved seeing the characters in the future and hear about what had happened to them over the years. Characters were remarkably stable and some new gems were introduced. I loved the ending (last 15% or so) of this book. Nothing will top the first one, but I definitely recommend this followup. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this novel.

I adored The Guncle and so I was extremely excited to see another one by Steven Rowley. This book was as heart wrenching as it was funny. The characters make you feel for them!! 10/10

The Guncle Abroad was like stepping back into a conversation with old friends. The whole book was like a warm hug. Full of zippy one liners, life lessons according to GUP, and so much heart.

Patrick, Maisie and Grant embark on a European adventure where Patrick teaches them his version of the love languages which are lyrics from songs. With the introduction of some new characters and some upcoming changes to all their futures, the kids are struggling and Patrick is determined to help them but also himself along the way.

Fans of The Guncle will love this one as I did I’m sure. 5⭐️. Thank you to NetGalley for my arc. All opinions are enthusiastically my own.

I loved reading the Guncle Abroad. Just like the original, the main character, Patrick, made me laugh, tear up, and roll my eyes - many times. What a gift Steven Rowley has to be able to generate all of those feelings in his readers. I enjoyed this sequel and the chance to check back in on Patrick and his family, especially his niece Maisie and nephew Grant. This time around, they all head to Europe for their dad’s wedding to a titled Italian heiress. - or if up to the kids- to break up the couple before the ceremony. On the way, the three of them traveled through, London, Paris, Austria and my favorite, Italy. It was fun to read about their adventures and the fun was mixed still with seeing them learn more about love and continue to heal from their grief. This story was delightful and I highly recommend! I hope there are more Guncle adventures in our future!

A much anticipated sequel - GUP is back! I enjoyed this even more than the first book. Maisie and Grant were more mature and their personalities were a delight. Patrick and the kids' travels throughout Europe were a joy to read about! I appreciated how thoughtfully the concept of grief is handled throughout the book as Greg is preparing to remarry.

There were a lot of laugh out loud moments in The Guncle Abroad and I've already recommended it to fellow readers who I know enjoyed the first book in the series. Thank you Penguin Group and NetGalley for this e-ARC!

The Guncle Abroad begins years after the events of The Guncle (which I absolutely loved and highly recommend). This book was a great sequel and I’m hoping there will be a third book!
Expected publication: May 21, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam, G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Let me start right off by saying that I TOTALLY disagree with other reviewers here who say that this sequel to The Guncle was a disappointment. I say... FAR FROM IT! Because I loved the first book so much, I trusted this author to take me on a journey and he did exactly that, and beautifully.

I really enjoyed seeing Maisie and Grant growing up and thought Patrick's relationship with them was also evolving and growing. I especially liked journeying through Europe with them, and the author's portrayal of the stepmother-adolescent stepdaughter relationship (or lack thereof) was spot on.

Several times I laughed out loud, as Patrick's (and also Grant's) witty comments were sparkling. Towards the end my eyes filled with tears several times-- I won't say why, you'll have to read the story and see for yourself what is so moving.

Even though the kids' mother has been dead for five years, there is still a very real element of grief that everyone is processing and the author handles this with tender sensitivity and wisdom.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

GUP (Gay Uncle Patrick) is back! This was a sweet and fun read with punchy writing and some wholesome moments. Five years after the first novel took place, Patrick's niece Maisie and nephew Grant are now a teenager and pre-teen, respectively, and he takes them on a tour of Europe ahead of their father's upcoming wedding to their would-be stepmother Livia. As Patrick tries to impart advice on Maisie and Grant ahead of their father's big day, he too also has some realizations about his relationship with his younger boyfriend Emory. It was fun to reunite with Patrick and the rest of his family, and the book is a sweet reflection on what growing up and getting older can mean. The big plot twists were predictable, this is ultimately more about Patrick's introspection and reflection (as well as that of Maisie and Grant). An easy breezy, heartfelt spring read.

this is a sequel set five years later, Patrick takes the children to Italy to their father's wedding. Just as good as the first book.

I have been so excited for this book! It was so fun reentering the story of Patrick and seeing what antics would unfold. I think the first book was definitely better but this is worth the read. A scenic trip to Italy for more Guncle adventures? Yes please.

Rowley does it again with this hilarious look at the evolution of grief (I know, that sounds wonky—it is so very funny, but it is also so very tender).

We reconnect with GUP (gay uncle Patrick for those of you new to these characters), Maisie, and Grant 5 years later, but this time for an extravagant family wedding at Lake Como, Italy. The journey to get there, with adventures through Europe, was absolutely delightful—although be prepared to have your wanderlust and foodlust (I know, this is not a word, but I sure was lusting over some Parisian hot chocolate) fully stoked.

GUP continues to dish out fantastic cheeky advice to his niece and nephew—but this time about love languages. His advice had me smiling and tearing up—it was the perfect combination of blending heavy topics with thoughtful but often hysterical insights. I loved so much about this story, and was particularly fond of the Sound of Music tour. 🤣

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for The Guncle Abroad—a lovely followup to the first installment Thanks to @netgalley and @putnambooks for the digital ARC. The Guncle Abroad releases on May 21 and I cannot wait for you all to read it!

The sequel to Steven Rowley's The Guncle was much anticipated. This time Patrick and the children romp around Europe as they head to the wedding of their Dad to the "Baroness."
I loved the details in all the places that they toured and the many references to the Sound of Music.
In the first book I fell in love with Patrick. I didn't this time around. He seemed to whine and complain and make ill-fitted jokes. I didn't like the hostility he had for lesbians and the broad strokes by which the author painted both communities.
However, I'm still giving the book 4 stars because once I started I was excited to see what was coming next. I'd love another book in this series, but from the view point of the kuds.

*Rating: 4.2

"The Guncle Abroad" by Steven Rowley is an incredibly enjoyable journey through the complexities of family, love, and self-discovery. I couldn't seem to get enough of Patrick, our witty and relatable protagonist, whose sassy quips and endearingly off-the-cuff ideas kept me eagerly turning the pages.

The evolution of both the children, Maisie and Grant, and Patrick himself was captivating. Five years have passed since the original story, "The Guncle" where we followed Patrick's summer as the kids' caretaker after their mother, Sara, died and their father, Greg, goes to rehab. Now, as they navigate through Europe on the way to Greg's remarriage in Italy, I find the emotional journey of the kids and Patrick (Sara's best friend) very relatable. Rowley delicately explores the themes of grief, love, and growth as Patrick endeavors to impart his wisdom on the children, much as he once helped them cope with loss.

As the story unfolds, we are treated to a rollercoaster of emotions, from laugh-out-loud moments to heartwarming revelations. Patrick's journey to apply his own wisdom in his love life amidst the chaos of family dynamics is endearing, though at times a little frustrating, as you'll find that you so badly want him to see the value of his own words.

But it's not just Patrick's journey that resonates; the supporting cast, including his siblings and the badass soon-to-be-launt, adds depth and dimension to the story. Each character is flawed yet lovable, and their interactions provide moments of humor and reflection.

"The Guncle Abroad" is a fun and enjoyable story about of love, resilience, and the importance of embracing change, no matter your age. Steven Rowley has crafted a heartwarming tale that will leave readers with a renewed appreciation for the bonds that tie us together. I couldn't help but fall in love with this novel, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a touching and uplifting read.

Many thanks to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam Books for providing me with a digital review copy of this amazing book in exchange for my honest thoughts. #PutnamBooks #NetGalley #TheGuncleAbroad

How fun to be back with GUP and crew! As expected, this book was clever and funny while also being quite an emotional ride, as expected Rowley balances it all perfectly. I enjoyed following Patrick, Maisie and Grant on their European trip with Italy being their final stop for a wedding. I loved catching up with all the characters to see how they have grown since The Guncle. Another brilliant novel about acceptance, love and new beginnings.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this book.