Thank you so much to Putnam for the advance copy!

This book will be published on May 21, 2024.

"What happened to you? You used to think I was fun."
"We grew up."

The Guncle & Steven Rowley will always hold a special place in my heart as that book was one of the first books I read and posted about on my bookstagram page. And Steven was one of the first author's I ever did a zoom q&A with. It is one book that I always recommend to friends!

So when the announcement came out that we were getting a second book, I was THRILLED! And this was just everything. Patrick's divaness was in full swing especially when he felt like he was in competition with Maisie & Grant's new soon to be launt (lesbian aunt).

The book takes place 5 years after the book (which I loved). This book had so much heart, adventure, love, & the best banter. I found myself laughing a many times at the dialogue. The conversations with children once again were the best parts! I absolutely just love Patrick's relationship with Maisie and Grant. It is so special and I only hope as the children continue to grow they don't lose that relationship.

One thing I did enjoy about this book was that we got to see more of Patrick & Sara's relationship as well more of Greg. This book takes place in Europe and we are taken to different countries and Patrick is trying to instill love lessons to both Maisie and Grant as they are having apprehension for their father upcoming wedding.

"Why is she so special? Like, what's the appeal?"
"No one really knows."
"Oh, so she's like you, then, Famous, but no one knows why."

I do wish I had done a re-read of the first book because I couldn't remember the specific personalities of each of the characters. With that being said I thought Steven did a good job with putting some throwbacks from the first book into this that I recognized. Another reason why I wish I did the reread was to see how much grief made up the first book. Because grief was definitely a side character in this book more so than what I remember in the first. We hear from all 4 key players in the book on how the lost of Sara is still hurting 5 years later. I did not get emotional while reading but the last couple of chapters I think could make those who have lost a parent figure could be put in their feels.

I do wonder if this will be a duology or if we will be getting a 3rd book.

If you were a fan of the Guncle, I think you will really love being back with this family!