Name: Andrea Badgley's review of The Guncle by Steven Rowley
Item: The Guncle
Rating: 4
Author: Andrea Badgley

Steven Rowley

From the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Editor comes a warm and deeply funny novel about a once-famous gay sitcom star whose unexpected family tragedy leaves him with his niece and nephew for the summer. Patrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. That is, he loves spending time with them when they come out to Palm Springs for weeklong visits, or when he heads home to Connecticut for the holidays. But in terms of caretaking and relating to two children, no matter how adorable, Patrick is, honestly, overwhelmed. So when tragedy strikes and Maisie and Grant lose their mother and Patrick's brother has a health crisis of his own, Patrick finds himself suddenly taking on the role of primary guardian. Despite having a set of "Guncle Rules" ready to go, Patrick has no idea what to expect, having spent years barely holding on after the loss of his great love, a somewhat-stalled acting career, and a lifestyle not-so-suited to a six- and a nine-year-old. Quickly realizing that parenting--even if temporary--isn't solved with treats and jokes, Patrick's eyes are opened to a new sense of responsibility, and the realization that, sometimes, even being larger than life means you're unfailingly human. With the humor and heart we've come to expect from bestselling author Steven Rowley, The Guncle is a moving tribute to the power of love, patience, and family in even the most trying of times.

The Guncle

Andrea Badgley

This was not at all what I was expecting and turned out to be an absolute treat. I was a GUP right now. 

too long for what it was and the story didn’t grip me 

Marsh

it feels like this has the same overall message as a different 

, but this one was actually impactful and fun! Def plays into stereotypes but iiiii thought it was fun, and i would've probably liked this more if i didn't have a two week break between the first and last 50%, overall a silly book with a cute message, that touches on some heavier topics, without bringing down the vibe too much

Stas

it feels like this has the same overall message as a different ehem booktok book that shall not be named, but this one was actually impactful and fun! Def plays into stereotypes but iiiii thought it was fun, and i would've probably liked this more if i didn't have a two week break between the first and last 50%, overall a silly book with a cute message, that touches on some heavier topics, without bringing down the vibe too much

This got me in my feels. Patrick really did his best. Proud of him ❤️

Susan

Eva Ströberg

The Guncle - Steven Rowley
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Let me start my review by saying that it was my mistake to pick this up from the library shelf. I forgot how much I dislike this kind of “easy-reading” genre or “pop-lit” if I am not allowed to call it chicklit. Some people can enjoy it obviously, that’s why it’s so popular but I just can’t. Not for me
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Patrick O’Hara is a retired TV star who lives solitarily in sunny Palm Springs when his brother Greg suddenly had to go to rehab after drug-abuse caused by the grief of missing his wife - who happened to be Patrick’s BFF back in the days. What happened to the kids? So the kids - Maisie and Grant - had to move across the country, from Connecticut to Palm Spring to be babysat by Gay Uncle Patrick or Guncle. 
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Daphne

this is very cute! you get a very good sense of the characters right away, and the dialogue was funny! there was a part towards the end which I would say was the crux of the book that was really well done and I did cry. overall it is exactly what it says on the tin: a book about grief but very funny and heartwarming and I had a good time. happy pride month!

fris🐝

Caroline

This book was a total fun & enjoyable read from the first chapter throughout. The story though told to us in a witty & humorous manner does ultimately teach us how to deal with loss of a loved one grief, unexpected situations & second chances. The book just feels like a warm hug, though Patrick O’ Hara’s is just a fictional character, I feel there is so much one can learn about life from him. 

In my opinion, I don’t think such books need much of a review coz it’s impeccably and beautifully written, each character is so beautifully portrayed, that you will want to be a part of their lives. The book is also very thought provoking & does make you stop & reflect from a moment. 

Overall, I’m glad I finally read it & loved it. Highly recommended if you are looking for a feel good, fun, humorous book.

Jessica Cornett

Loved it! This book is the perfect combo of heartbreak, outrageous, a dash of thought provoking, light-hearted, and fun. I really loved hearing how crazy/silly/scary it can be to raise kids, but from a nonparent, gay uncle perspective. This book simply charmed me. 

Also, I listened to the audiobook, which was narrated by the author. He really made the story come to life for me and I think this would make an amazing movie.

Tatiana

The Guncle: 4.5/5


  “need you to remember something. We’ll call it Guncle Rule sweet sixteen: I want you to really live. To live is the rarest of things. Most people merely exist.”

Premise:
The Guncle follows Patrick O'Hara, a 45-year-old actor on hiatus, living in Palm Springs. When his sister-in-law, and longtime friend Sara, passes away from cancer, she leaves her two kids to their father, Patrick's brother. While Patrick is visiting his brother Greg, it is revealed that Greg has some issues of his own he needs to work out before being a single parent, leaving his two kids, Maisie (9) and Grant (6), to Patrick for the summer.

Although Patrick has little to no experience with kids, he takes them in regardless. The Guncle is laugh-out-loud hilarious while teaching the importance of navigating through grief and finding support in loved ones.

Writing & Plot:
If you liked House in the Cerulean Sea, this book might be for you. The writing is approachable and made me laugh out loud. Not the tiny puff of air out your nose, like actually belly laugh. I'm unsure of the last book that made me do that. Not only was it hilarious to read Patrick navigate his new life, but it was heartbreaking when reading about the grief he was going through. One page, I would be laughing, and the next, I was crying. Steven Rowley did a fantastic job of taking the reader through the experience of grief alongside the characters. It was exceptionally well done, and I am unsure I will encounter that in another book.

Characters:
This characters in The Guncle outshine. GUP, or Gay Uncle Patrick, is hilarious in his mannerisms and life, but the kids are also incredible. Grant had me laughing, and I could practically hear his lines out loud. Since Maisie is older, it is harder for her to process the loss of her mother and her pain felt so real while still acted as a nine-year-old would. The characters are true to themselves, which is part of why I fell so in love with them.

Conclusion:
This is such a wholesome book and should be on everybody's summer reading list. This will make you laugh, cry, and everything in between. It is such a beautiful book and I am so glad I picked it up, it's going to be a new comfort book I can already tell!

Denaiir

Elizabeth Wood

A heart-warming, feel good read. Loved the characters and the story. 🙃

Joycelyn Ghansah

Perfect summer read. Love Patrick and the kids. How the book explored grief and the meaning of family.

Amanda

More than I expected. Deeper. Beautiful fun.

Siya S

It's 3.5 stars round down to 3. This book was delightful and it brought me through a bunch of emotions throughout. It talked about grief and love and second chances and I adore Patrick to death. He's Arthur Less from Palm Springs! with incredible sense of humor and a lot of deep thoughts to offer. 

I love Patrick's relationship with the kids. The way he talked to them like they're adults was HILARIOUS. Grant was sooooo adorable with his lisp and determination to absorb all the adult talks Patrick threw his ways 😂😂😂 

The talk about Sara made me cry often, and I wish it explored Patrick and Sara's relationship more. But I guess this book is all about moving forward, so no point holding on to the dead ones.

Courtney 

Rebecca

“𝙔𝙚𝙖𝙝, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙪𝙣 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.” -𝙎𝙩𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣 𝙍𝙤𝙬𝙡𝙚𝙮

WOW. This book brought in all the feels. I felt the love, the fun, the happy, & the sad through Steven Rowley’s writing. I absolutely loved his other book Lily & the Octopus so my expectations for this book were high and I was not disappointed! Steven Rowley has officially become an auto buy author for me!

Themes: personal growth, family chaos, grief, learning to love again, and basically adulting. 

This book had me laughing out loud & smirking at the banter, but it also made me cry a little bit. You never realize how the small things can help you heal. I loved that this book talks about grieving in your own way, but also you have to remember to get back to living life. 

I highly recommend everyone read this! This was a book that I hugged at the end and didn’t wanna let it go.

Eliza adkins 

The last 150 pages of this book had me in tears the whole time. So heartwarming loved it

Lindsey Barnett

A breathtakingly beautiful story about loss, love, family, friendship, childhood, & grief. I laughed & I cried & I never wanted it to end. 

This was my first five star read of the year & I’m so happy it was! This book is so special & I wanted to hug all of the characters when I finished it. 

This will be a favorite of mine for a very long time.

Madeleine Ngo

Deborah Kerr

A fantastic, heart-breaking, and hysterical examination of grief, family, and queerness.

A must read for anyone who is the lone LGBTQ+ person in their own family.

Lauren Attaway

This was like reading a Nancy Meyers movie, comfortable and hopeful and so pleasant.

Tatiana Alvarez 

This book was funny, heartwarming, and touches on dealing with lose. I thoroughly enjoyed the message of his book and the witty dialogue! Honestly such a great read and the audiobook narrator is everything. 😍

kimberly

ok this was cute 🙇‍♀️ 

i usually gravitate towards books w drama but this was a nice break from that very much feel good story 

HOWEVER i must say i did miss the drama 🧍‍♀️

Andrea Badgley &
The Guncle by Steven Rowley

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Andrea Badgley &The Guncle by Steven Rowley

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Andrea Badgley &
The Guncle by Steven Rowley