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Guncle Abroad
Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Celebrants comes the much-anticipated sequel to the Thurber Prize-Winning novel The Guncle, in which Patrick O'Hara is called back to his guncle duties... this time for a big family wedding in Italy. Patrick O'Hara is back. It's been five years since his summer as his niece Maisie and nephew Grant's caretaker after their mother's passing. The kids are back in Connecticut with their dad, and Patrick has relocated to New York to remain close by and relaunch his dormant acting career. After the run of his second successful sit-com comes to a close, Patrick feels on top of the world . . . professionally. But some things have had to take a back seat. Looking down both barrels at fifty, Patrick is single again after breaking things off with Emory. But at least he has a family to lean on. Until that family needs to again lean on him. When his brother Greg announces he's getting remarried in Italy, Maisie and Grant are not thrilled. Patrick feels drawn to take the two back under his wing. As they travel through Europe on their way to the wedding, Patrick tries his best to help them understand love, much as he once helped them comprehend grief. But when they arrive in Italy, Patrick is overextended managing a groom with cold feet, his sister Clara flirting with guests left and right, a growing rivalry with the kids' charming soon-to-be-launt (lesbian aunt), and two moody young teens trying to adjust to a new normal, all culminating in a disastrous rehearsal dinner. Can Patrick save the day? Will teaching the kids about love help him repair his own love life? Can the change of scenery help Patrick come to terms with finally growing up? Gracing the page with his signature blend of humor and heart, Steven Rowley charms with the much-anticipated sequel to a beloved story all about the complicated bonds of family, love, and what it takes to rediscover yourself, even at the ripe age of fifty.
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Karisa
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

Love these characters! GUP (Gay Uncle Patrick) is back dispensing wisdom to his niece and nephew when they are uncertain about a new stepmom. I liked the original most, but it was fun to see what happens years later in book 2. The beginning has them traveling through Europe-fun! The middle of lagged but the ending made it worth the read. Just a sweet, warm fuzzies book about love, family, and letting more people in. 😊

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BookishTrish
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Mehso-so

I loved the first Guncle and didn‘t realize I didn‘t need a sequel until I listened to it. It didn‘t seem like Patrick grew up at all in the intervening five years and he seemed too self absorbed this time. I think it was the L‘aunt drama.

KathyWheeler Yes! The drama with the launt annoyed me too. 1mo
38 likes1 comment
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KathyWheeler
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

There were some things that were a bit ridiculous about this book — Greg‘s fiancée and the over-the-top wedding plans, and Patrick‘s stupid jealousy that lead to him leaping to incorrect conclusions— and the ending should‘ve come much earlier. Overall, the book was fun though, so I‘ll give it a pick. #audiowalk

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mcctrish
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

No I was not floating in my tub reading, sobbing and laughing out loud. At all. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

ShyBookOwl I feel like your tub is a lot bigger than mine, and I'm a little jealous 🤣 1mo
mcctrish @ShyBookOwl 🤣🤣 it‘s actually a swim spa so 13 ft long. I tether myself and can swim but it operates like a hot tub 1mo
ShyBookOwl @mcctrish Awesome!! 1mo
55 likes3 comments
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KathyWheeler
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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I‘ve mostly been watching the Olympics all day, and I‘m always thrilled to see Ledecky swim. I‘m really thrilled for Paige Madden though — she‘s from Mobile, AL, and swam a great 800, taking bronze! I did walk this evening and listened to The Guncle Abroad. I hope Patrick gets over his ridiculous jealousy. #audiowalk

Ruthiella 😂 Great meme! 1mo
KathyWheeler @Ruthiella I know! She was so far ahead of everyone else in this race, that she probably could‘ve. 😄 1mo
Reggie I like the stat that in one of her races that she herself has something like the top 20 fastest times in it and THEN other people start having the fastest times. 1mo
KathyWheeler @Reggie I think that‘s the 1500. Most of the time when she finishes that race, everyone else is at the opposite end of the pool! 1mo
31 likes4 comments
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janeycanuck
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

It was fun to revisit these characters and I liked that there was five years between the end of the last book and the start of this one. I think the end dragged on a little more than it needed but otherwise, I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.

45 likes1 stack add
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KathyWheeler
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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I can‘t decide if I like this better than The Guncle yet, but I‘m only a couple of hours in. This is set 5 years after the events in The Guncle. Maisie and Grant want Patrick to help them stop their father from remarrying. The renovations in the little weight room are already complete, so I got to use it today. #audiowalk

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CoffeeNBooks
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Eggs Really enjoyed the first book! Stacked 1mo
44 likes1 stack add1 comment
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KathyWheeler
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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I went for lighter with my new #audiowalk book since my hold on this conveniently just came in. I just started working out periodically in this little weight room next to the track. It‘s now closed for renovations. 😭

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Read4life
Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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@Catsandbooks #BookBracket

Several choices for favorite but listening to this with my husband and our comments along the way pushed this one ahead of the others.

Catsandbooks Love that you and your husband listened to it together! ☺️ 1mo
46 likes1 comment
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Centique
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

Maybe i would have given this a so-so but in the middle of a gastrointestinal storm in my house (just the kids) this was the kind of light read i needed. It was great to be back with GUP, Maisie and Grant and I enjoyed their travels through Europe. The family situation and tension between the kids, their dad and their dad‘s fiancée felt a bit forced and unnatural - but i get that its difficult with sequels. Great humour & fun new characters.

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fredthemoose
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️ I was thoroughly charmed by The Guncle, and figured I probably wouldn‘t like this as much, and I was right. I found this one uneven with some sudden plot changes (not twists so much as just odd decision making), and I ended up just being annoyed by the MC for a bunch of it. If this was the first book, I wouldn‘t have sought out a sequel. Between a pick and so so.

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MrT
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

2024 Reads Continued

TGA - just as good as TG, if not better. I await a 3rd

TG - Vamps & human exist together. Very much a police procedure with a ending set up for a sequel. Was a very quick read

MOTN - Just ok. Like THATL, one of my least favs from Sager

HE - Cracking read! Probably his best so far

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Read4life
Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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#WeeklyFavorites

This one had LOL moments & I needed those. Audiobook was really well done.

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MallenNC
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

I enjoyed the first Guncle book and thought this was a cute sequel. It‘s nice to check in with the characters, especially Patrick and his niece and nephew.

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Read4life
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

Laugh out loud moments were greatly appreciated! New characters to love but Gup, Maisie & Grant are the reasons I loved this one and the first book.

58 likes1 stack add
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staci.reads
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

This was as charming as the first one! I really enjoyed the setting and the new characters, but I loved revisiting Patrick, Maisie, and Grant 🩷

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JenReadsAlot
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

Oh I loved this!

36 likes2 stack adds
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StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

🎧📖 I adored the first book. This was a decent follow up.

Roary47 I agree. I like that they work through different stages of grief in each book. 2mo
60 likes1 comment
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Injeanious
Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
Mehso-so

I wanted to love it as much as the first one but found it hard. Im@not sure if maybe it‘s because the kids were alittle older, or the setting, but it just didn‘t grab me the same way!

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ReadingOver50
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

I loved The Guncle, and this is a worthy follow up to the original. Patrick takes the children while his brother prepares for his upcoming wedding. Along the way, Patrick tries to teach them the meaning of family and love. This book was a lot of fun to read and had some pretty funny lines. If you are younger than 50, some of the jokes may not make sense. The ending seemed a little cliche, but overall, I had a great time reading this.

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HeatherBookNerd
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

A solid follow-up to Rowley‘s first Guncle book. We drop in five years later as Patrick takes the kids on a European tour before their father‘s wedding. They‘re all older and are covering some new emotional territory as they struggle to accept the life transitions ahead. Gup has more life lessons for the kids, the European destinations are fun, and a there‘s a heartwarming, satisfying ending.

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Lizwarnerpdx
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
Pickpick

I‘d argue that this is even better than the first book. But, you have to read the first one to get all the background and inside jokes. Another laugh while you cry book.

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JenReadsAlot
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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A trip to the dentist = a stop at my favorite bookstore! Snagged this signed copy!

Cupcake12 I loved the first one. Hope you enjoy it x 2mo
JenReadsAlot @Cupcake12 I did too! 2mo
30 likes2 comments
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Megabooks
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

I wanted to enjoy this more than I did. I thought the first Guncle book was a near-perfect funny contemporary fiction book. It was sweet rejoining Patrick, Maisie, and Grant five years later as he takes them around Europe to learn about love ahead their father‘s wedding in Italy. I just didn‘t feel that deep love and empathy for the characters that would‘ve cut the cheese. However, bonus points are awarded for incorporating the 5 Love Languages!

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Cortg
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

My daughter and I listened to this on a roadtrip. She had not read the first one and was still able to follow along just fine with a quick summery. Not sure I loved it as much as the original but it was still a delightful read.

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Roary47
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Mehso-so

3✨ There is a lot of heartwarming moments as the adults and kids navigate their feelings. Changes are really good at bringing up old hurt. As they go abroad and travel as a family they work through their thoughts and feelings. It does also have humor like the first one, but it‘s hard to beat an original.

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Jen2
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

As delightful as the first book.

52 likes1 stack add
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Amie
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

So happy to have a sequel to The Guncle! Just like the first one, it's the perfect blend of humor and emotion, full of delightful characters.

33 likes1 stack add
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Sharpeipup
Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Not sure how much reading I‘ll do as this spot is a little too comfortable.

45 likes2 stack adds
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LeslieO
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Finally reading in my happy place! The weather has not been cooperating. Yesterday it was 56 degrees! Next week 90s. But today is a pleasant 73 and sunny. I‘ll take it. #summerreding

Tamra Enjoy! 3mo
37 likes1 stack add1 comment
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GingerAntics
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

I adore this book! This is somehow nothing and everything like the first one. I love this whole family so much. I‘m thinking there could still be one more Guncle story in there. Oh my heart! I even cried at one point. So beautiful and wonderful and perfect.
#TheGuncle #TheGuncleAbroad #StevenRowley #PrideMonth #5stars #adore

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BookMaven9
Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈just having these wonderful people@back in my life was soothing to my soul. My heart is filled and hope is in my heart. I love love love love all things GUP! Can we have another sequel pretty please!

15 likes1 stack add
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britt_brooke
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Very cute, if predictable, follow up to The Guncle. A few years have passed with Grant and Maisie entering entirely new phases of adolescence. Their dad is on the verge of remarrying a woman of which they are not too keen. GUP is there for the kids just as he was when their mom was sick.

79 likes2 stack adds
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marleed
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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I had fun with this grid really wanting to read each book. Tagging the one I wanted to support so much that I pre-ordered it.

5* = Loved It, want to shout out loud about this book! I do/will own/keep a physical copy. A+
4*= I liked it, would love to discuss. Solid B
3*=Meh, no need to discuss. Avg C
2*=Nope D
1*=DNF F

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julesG
Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

A good sequel. I love Rowley's writing and narration. And I'd love to have a GUP in my life 😁

#audiobook

#SeriesLove2024 @TheSpineView @Andrew65

TheSpineView Fantastic!!😊📖 3mo
GingerAntics I just got to where the kids are having dinner with their dad when they first meet up with them… I‘m surprised that part happened so soon. I‘m loving every minute of this trip. Especially with the a teenager. lol 3mo
71 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Crinoline_Laphroaig
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

"And that's how you do it." The Guncle Abroad was everything I want in a sequel: spending time with characters I love but making it fresh. I laughed. I cried. I sang along to The Sound of Music. And that ending was perfection. ?????

EmberIvyRose Ahh! I'm so excited to read this one soon. Glad to hear it delivers. 3mo
GingerAntics I just got this… I haven‘t started it yet. I can‘t wait to get on the bus Tuesday morning to start this! 3mo
Julsmarshall I completely agree on all counts! So good! 3mo
52 likes3 stack adds3 comments
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marleed
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

I lost WiFi for 24+ hours only to have it restored and 10 minutes later a transformer blowout took my power along with it my elusive WiFi. That was perfect reason to settle in with my preorder delivered this morning! I didn‘t anticipate this story, set 5 years after The Guncle, would match the magic I felt for the original. It didn‘t but that‘s okay. It's a fun ride as Patrick comes to terms with his nearly 50-yo self with Grant and Maisie.

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JoyBlue
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

The second verse is not the same as the first . . . but it is also funny, warm, and delightful. Read my full review here: https://debbybrauer.org/#the-guncle-abroad-the-guncle-2

Today—May 21—is publication day!

#NetGalley #PenguinGroupPutnam #TheGuncleAbroad

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Prairiegirl_reading
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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I got the audiobook this morning and am already 20% in. I have laughed a bunch and even snort laughed once! I can already tell I‘ll be sad when it‘s over.

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vlwelser
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

This is really cute. In a way, it's a bit fluffier than the first. But it's still funny.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

Pub date is 5/21/24
#ARC #Netgalley

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!! 4mo
47 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Julsmarshall
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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Pickpick

Rowley does it again and manages to recreate the same magical combination of heart and humor. We rejoin Patrick a few years later as he takes his niece and nephew on an European adventure. Great to be along for the ride and experience all the special joys of travel with GUP and the kids, laughing all the way. A snarky teenager, family wedding, a Launt (what!), a little bit of heartbreak and a happy ending make for the perfect summer read!

Julsmarshall This releases 5/21 and the photo is from my conference last month when he was one of our speakers. Just as lovely and funny in person as you‘d think! 4mo
TheBookHippie Oh how fun!!! 4mo
Gissy Nice😃👌 4mo
Dragon So happy to hear about a Guncle sequel 💚🐉 4mo
51 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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vlwelser
The Guncle Abroad | Steven Rowley
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TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4mo
Prairiegirl_reading I can‘t wait for The Guncle Abroad!! 4mo
30 likes1 stack add2 comments