Review: The Guncle Abroad

The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 I was not as enamored with this installment as I was with the first installment of this series? mini-series? I'm not sure what it is or is going to be!


While The Guncle was a book about growth, emotions, and having faith in oneself, I found this book to be one of selfishness. Although I can understand some of it on Maisies' side (her age gives her a tiny break from me), everyone else just seemed more worried about themselves and filled with deep introspection at all times.

The first book reminded me a lot of Auntie Mame: An Irreverent Escapade, and in my opinion, that is what made the book ideal. This book just got bogged down in all of the "poor me" garbage. Yes, we did have an interesting HEA, but I wish I hadn't had to be as depressed as I was to get to it.

I recommend this book, but not as wholeheartedly as I recommend the first one.

*ARC supplied by the publisher G.P. Putnam's Sons, the author, and Edelweiss My thanks.

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SYNOPSIS:" From the nationally bestselling author of The Guncle comes the much-anticipated sequel, in which Patrick O’Hara is called back to his guncle duties…at a big, family wedding in Lake Como, Italy.

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?
Gracing the page with his signature blend of humor and heart, Steven Rowley delivers the long-awaited 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."