I received an advance galley of this book courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I first met Patrick, Grant, and Maisie (oh, and Greg and Clara) when I read “The Guncle” last spring. I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I laughed, I cried, and when I turned the last page, I felt it was wrapped up nicely. I admit that when I saw that there was a sequel, I was a little torn. I loved the characters and definitely wanted to see what they had been up to, but I couldn’t help but wonder if we really needed a sequel. After reading the book, I’m happy to say that, yes, we definitely needed it; it is every bit as funny and heartwarming as the original!

This time around, Rowley takes us on a whirlwind adventure across Europe to Lake Como, Italy, where Patrick finds himself navigating the sometimes choppy waters of family, love, and self-discovery. Five years have passed since we last saw our favorite characters, and a lot has changed. Patrick has found renewed success as an actor since leaving California and is overseas shooting a movie when his younger brother, Greg, calls in another favor. Greg is getting remarried, and Grant and Maisie (now 11 and 14, respectively) are having a tough time with it. Greg would love it if Patrick could take the kids for a couple of weeks so that they can finish planning the wedding and then meet Greg and his new fiancée in Italy for the nuptials.

When the kids show up in London, Patrick is ready to wrap his movie and then spend a few fun-filled days with his favorite kids, but the kids – especially Maisie – desperately want Patrick to help them stop the wedding. Patrick does his best to toss aside their worries, but the kids are insistent, and this is when Patrick decides an extension of the Guncle rules is in order. Over the next several days, Patrick and the kids spend time in London, Austria, and Vienna, and with each new adventure comes a new lesson – this time in the form of a love language lesson as he tries to help the kids understand how and why people fall in love. But he has his work cut out for him, and he can’t help but wonder if maybe he could learn a lesson or two about love himself.

With his trademark blend of humor and heart, Rowley expands on this cast of characters readers loved so much in the first book. Patrick’s witty observations and self-deprecating humor are in full effect as he grapples with a failed relationship and turning fifty. Through Patrick’s journey of rediscovery and growth, Rowley reminds us that it’s never too late to redefine ourselves and find happiness in unexpected places. I loved seeing Grant and Maisie move into their awkward teen years. The kids Patrick was able to mold and help heal in the first book have grown up, and his old tricks no longer work on them. I also loved the addition of Palmina – the lesbian sister of Greg’s fiancée. The kids love her, and Patrick feels a little threatened by her presence – who needs a launt anyway?

While the novel is filled with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, Rowley also tackles deeper themes such as aging (gracefully, of course), grief, loss, and moving on. Several passages had me tearing up, and others really hit a chord. As a gay man in my 50s, I related to several passages in this book – some hit especially close to home. Reading this was, in some ways, just as healing as it was entertaining.

In case you were wondering, yes, this is a sequel that we needed, and honestly, I think I may have loved it even more than the first book. It is as charming and heartwarming as you would expect. Whether you’re a fan of the original novel or new to Rowley’s work, “The Guncle Abroad” is a must-read that will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love with Patrick O’Hara all over again.