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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This started out being my favorite”Guncle Patrick” adventure yet, but it kind of fizzled for me halfway. Patrick somehow makes his brother’s wedding all about him. He engages in petty rivalry and makes an inflammatory best man speech, but it all ends in roses because he gets to marry his sweetheart…meanwhile his brother and fiancée have called off their wedding because of the drama and decide to try again later. While I adore Patrick’s character, his behavior became really off-putting halfway through. Bummer.
This was such a warm, funny, and emotional follow-up to The Guncle. I didn’t realize how much I missed Patrick (and Maisie and Grant!) until I was back in their world. The European adventure adds a fun new backdrop, and Patrick’s commentary is just as sharp and delightful as ever.
There were a few pacing issues in the middle—some of the travelogue stuff dragged a bit and a couple of the new characters felt a little underbaked—but overall, this hit a lot of the same emotional beats I loved from the first book. It’s still full of heart, grief, growth, and love, with that perfect balance of humor and tenderness that Rowley does so well.
Solid 4 stars. Definitely worth the read if you loved the first.
There were a few pacing issues in the middle—some of the travelogue stuff dragged a bit and a couple of the new characters felt a little underbaked—but overall, this hit a lot of the same emotional beats I loved from the first book. It’s still full of heart, grief, growth, and love, with that perfect balance of humor and tenderness that Rowley does so well.
Solid 4 stars. Definitely worth the read if you loved the first.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book is such as heartwarming sequel to Steven Rowley's first book. Patrick’s bond with his "niblings" Maisie and Grant is utterly endearing. Their witty banter, the kids’ hilarious observations, and their sweet moments make you want to wrap them up in a big hug. Rowley masterfully captures the magic of family connections.The sweet relationship between Patrick and his younger partner, Emory, adds depth to the story. As Patrick faces the challenges of aging, their love and support shine through. It’s a touching portrayal of finding love again.
As Patrick and the kids go on their European adventure, you can really taste the Parisian hot chocolate and presecco, hear them sing the Sound of Music in Austria, and see the canals of Venice and the beautiful hotel on Lake Como. Beyond Patrick, Maisie, and Grant, the supporting cast adds flavor to the narrative. It was hilarious to read about the competition between Patrick and Palmina, the kids future "launt" (lesbian aunt). I especially adored Palmina's advice to Patrick about Maisie and what it's like growing up as a young girl with strong emotions.
The Guncle Abroad” also beautifully explores themes of loss and resilience. It’s a heartwarming reminder that love can bloom in unexpected places, even amidst grief. This book was a pure delight and I look forward to reading more about Patrick, Grant, and Maisie.
As Patrick and the kids go on their European adventure, you can really taste the Parisian hot chocolate and presecco, hear them sing the Sound of Music in Austria, and see the canals of Venice and the beautiful hotel on Lake Como. Beyond Patrick, Maisie, and Grant, the supporting cast adds flavor to the narrative. It was hilarious to read about the competition between Patrick and Palmina, the kids future "launt" (lesbian aunt). I especially adored Palmina's advice to Patrick about Maisie and what it's like growing up as a young girl with strong emotions.
The Guncle Abroad” also beautifully explores themes of loss and resilience. It’s a heartwarming reminder that love can bloom in unexpected places, even amidst grief. This book was a pure delight and I look forward to reading more about Patrick, Grant, and Maisie.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Enjoyable, but not The Guncle, which was a no notes, 5 star read.
Honestly struggling to rate this because I had very contrasting feelings throughout. What I loved, I LOVED, but what I didn’t ranged from very mid to ‘why???’
Loved 🥰-
Honestly struggling to rate this because I had very contrasting feelings throughout. What I loved, I LOVED, but what I didn’t ranged from very mid to ‘why???’
Loved 🥰-
- GUP’s humor, which made me LOL.
- Patrick, Maisie, and Grant’s relationship and interactions.
- The character growth shown, and how this story highlighted what grief can look like further out from a traumatic event and how grief can rear its ugly head during times of great change. Maisie was an excellent representation of that.
- The trio’s European shenanigans for the first part of the story. The banter. GUP’s lessons. Perfection. It’s where I wished the story had stayed.
- Steven Rowley’s audiobook narration.
Mid 😑-
- The wedding storyline. The story abandoned what I was loving, the focus on the trio, to introduce more characters into the messy wedding mix, which unfortunately was the majority of the story. The plot, the extra characters, they didn’t resonate with me, with the exception of the Guncle v Launt battles. The story became very basic and I found my focus waning.
- The ending dragged a bit.
Why??? 🫨-
Patrick and Emery going from being on a break/not knowing where their relationship stood to getting married. I a little bit hated that.
Fun and heartfelt with the same great characters and humor, just watered down a bit. And even though I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as the original, would I continue reading if Steven Rowley expanded the series? Absolutely!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated