(Synopsis may contain spoilers for The Guncle.)
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 Patrick's 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 a beloved story about the complicated bonds of family, love, and what it takes to rediscover yourself, even at the ripe age of fifty. (Synopsis courtesy of Amazon.)
I really enjoyed The Guncle when I read it a few years ago. (Reviewed here.) I am pleased to share that The Guncle Abroad is even better than its predecessor! I laughed out loud so many times and even got misty-eyed.
It felt like being on a virtual vacation. (Perfectly paired with watching the latest season of Emily in Paris.) And it reminded me of a trip I took to Europe, so I was extra glad that they made a stop in Venice because I love it so much there. (I wish the whole story could have been set in Venice, but it was still great no matter what.)
The story is so much fun, but also has a lot of heart. If you haven't read the first book yet, you should, but this also gives a lot of background if read as a standalone. It does contain some spoilers for the first book but it's not a high stakes issue. (You should still read the first book regardless of the order.)
I loved the pop culture references, especially the Pretty Woman one, which I always use. (So much that when I was watching Romy and Michele with my daughter, she was saying the iconic line as soon as she saw them watching Pretty Woman.) I found it funny how similar my pop culture background is to Patrick's, minus a love for The Sound of Music on my end, even though it was used in a cute way in this novel. I could also relate about facing down fifty, as I'm getting closer to that point in my life. And now that Maisie is a teenager, I could definitely relate about trying to connect with a girl around that age.
My only very minor concern is that the story probably could have ended before it actually did. It had a few good stopping points. However, it was still enjoyable and I was surprised by some of what happened.
If you need a lighthearted story, a good laugh, and an armchair adventure, look no further! I hope there will be a third Guncle book. Having one set during the winter holidays would be fun!
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