“I 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.”
If you're looking for a heartwarming story with lots of love, you've come to the right place. Steven Rowley's "The Guncle" follows Patrick O'Hara, a gay actor who resides in Palm Springs now that he's taken a backseat to the working life. His college best friend Sara married his brother Greg and, to their children Maisie and Grant, Patrick is known as GUP - gay Uncle Patrick. Tragedy strikes - Sara loses her battle with cancer and Greg has his own health crisis, and it's Guncle to the rescue! Maisie and Grant are sent to live with Patrick for 3 months which is, to say the least, a large adjustment for both parties.
This novel, dare I say, made me smile with each page. Rowley has a fantastic way of reaching his readers and completely captivating their hearts. Patrick is a former actor who stepped away from the spotlight after his partner Joe passed away. Now, his sister-in-law and college best friend has passed, and he is left to care for her children in a time of unimaginable grief. Patrick has been living in the outskirts of Palm Springs, surrounded by sun, his throuple neighbours he refers to as JED (John, Eduardo and Dwayne) and, very decidedly, no children. 9 year old Maisie, inquisitive and smart, and 6 year old Grant, excitable and with a lisp from losing his teeth, are here to give Patrick a new life view, whether he wants it or not.
As mentioned, I smiled throughout this book. While there are serious topics of grief and loss, this book is full of humour. Patrick's lifestyle is open and free, and the children are not used to this behaviour. However, the kids also bring out the fun in Patrick in different ways too, whether it's having Christmas in the summer, endless pool days, or learning the importance of brunch and lupper, with the occasional snackappetizer as well. Patrick's dry humour makes for pages of entertainment. His life lessons for the kids, known as Guncle Rules, range from philosophical and deep (Live your life to the fullest every single day) to the silly and laughable (Bottomless mimosas are not the same as pantless mimosas). Rowley's novels are always full of deep feelings and big heart - his writing is honest and poignant, and by the end, you'll wish you had a GUP in your life too. Be sure to check out The Guncle and it's sequel, The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley today!
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