“Maybe it fixes itself. Or maybe it doesn’t. And we make peace with some things that are broken.” – 4.25/5 stars!

Attention! This book contains: Italian weddings, the meaning of love, new stepmothers, cool Launts, and a lot of traveling.

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 work 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.

Once again, I loved reading about Patrick’s adventures with Maisie and Grant! I assure you if these Guncle books keep coming, I will always make time to read them.
This time, our favorite Guncle is helping his nephews deal with their father’s engagement and wedding to an Italian woman they don’t know very well. So he decides to take the kids on a trip throughout Europe on their way to the wedding in Italy, to teach them about love and help them cope with the situation.
There are so many things about this book I love! This was a really fun read and I loved the European background for the story – and I like the loving message behind the book. I also love how the all characters are multi-layered and have depth. Patrick is a very fun character and has a very distinct personality, and to me, this character is a big reason why these books are so fun to read. I also love how sweet the kids are and how much they love and listen to their Guncle.
Another thing I thought was fun about this book was Patrick’s rivalry and jealousy with the kids’ new Launt (lesbian aunt) Palmina. It was interesting to see him feeling like his connection with the kids was in jeopardy because of this new, cool person who was introduced into their lives and that is getting their attention. That showed how much he cares about the kids and how he wants to protect the special relationship he has with them.
I truly enjoyed this book! I always love these Guncle books because they are super heartwarming and funny, and I always have a good time reading them. This is really good option to read for the Summer, but my advice is for you to read the first book first because you won’t understand most of what they’re talking about. But it’s very worth it, I promise!