The Guncle by Steven Rowley

Amazon suggested I read this based on other books purchased, however since this did not seem like the rom-com, mysteries, or fantasy books typically read it was easy to assume a glitch in the algorithm. However, when the independent bookstore staff raved about this book it was an easy decision to buy and read. Trust people who love to read more than a computer to give advice on if a book is worth reading – this might be my first rule about reading (inspired by Guncle Rules). The staff was certain right that this book is worth raving about, so much so that serious debate is being given to the sequel (Guncle Abroad). Patrick agrees to take in his 9 year old niece, Maise, and 6 year old nephew, Grant, for the summer after their mother died and their father is going to rehab (nearby). What Patrick does not realize is that Maise and Grant will help him grieve and still live life while he helps them grieve their mother but realize it is OK to have fun in life. With a new purpose in life and new fondness for Maise and Grantalope he takes charge of his life instead of just letting life pass by. The funniest part of the story might be when Patrick visits his brother, Greg, in rehab to tell him Grant is fine (but forgot to tell Greg Grant was in the hospital at all) and that he has handled their sister, Clara, and her attempt to file in court that Patrick has an unfit house to raise children (but forgets to mention Clara’s husband left her). Patrick also is not sure he is a good person to help the kids understand grief since he still grieves Joe. Greg tells him it was Sara, his dead wife and Patrick’s best friend, who said Patrick will watch the kids while he was in rehab. The book could easily be a one off and be fantastic, the sequel that will be released approximately in May 2024 is something that might be a fun read, but there is no cliffhanger in this book.

Character List/Book Summary:

Patrick O’Hara – met Sara in college and they quickly became best friends. Was an actor on a TV show that aired for several years, but has not acted in several years either. Does not drive, lives in Palm Springs. Uses an alias when ordering items online so people do not know who he is or what he is ordering. Over the summer is able to create a nickname for Grant, but not for Maise. Realizes that he has not been living since Joe’s death, and that while he is fine financially he is not fine if he wants to make sure that Maise and Grant are taken care of and can go to whatever college they want.

Maise – Before the funeral tells Patrick that no one wanted to come over the last few years because her house is sad, and Patrick realizes she and Grant need to be out of Connecticut because everyone will make them stay sad with their expectations on how the kids should grieve. Gets upset over the bathing suit her dad packed and Patrick creates Guncle Rule #7 over this. Tells Patrick she and Grant cannot ride a bicycle without a helmet when he orders the three of them bikes. After the earthquake and she is in the hospital Patrick realizes she is scared of hospitals because of what happened to her mom, and tells her about the first time he met her to get her to realize hospitals are not always scary.

Grant – has a lisp that Patrick works with him on over the summer. Lost his tooth on the flight to Palm Springs and freaks out, Patrick takes him and Maise into the bathroom to calm him down and explain that the tooth fairy will still show up. During the earthquake the sculpture above his head falls and hits him, resulting in a lot of blood and Patrick driving him and Maise to the hospital and trying to get the nurses to not call Greg unless he absolutely needs to leave rehab to be here.

Sara – Maise and Grant’s mom, Greg’s wife, and was Patrick’s best friend in college and when they lived together in New York City. Sara did not like the guys Patrick was dating when they were in NYC, so she was reluctant to meet Joe. Drove across the country with Patrick when Patrick moved to LA, following Joe. When Joe died, Sara flew out to California to comfort Patrick.

Greg – Patrick’s brother married Sara, when he picks Patrick up from the airport in Connecticut confesses to Patrick that he is addicted to pills and needs to go to rehab, and that a partner at his firm got him into one in California near Patrick so he could be close to the kids. When Patrick visits Greg after Clara tries to take the kids, Greg confesses it was Sara who wanted Patrick to watch the kids and help them grieve. Is welcomed to Patrick’s house after getting out of rehab by the kids, Marlene, and lots of pie.

Joe – Patrick’s boyfriend who died in a car accident, Patrick still has a scar from the accident. Moved from NYC to LA because he had gotten a job at UCLA. Joe was driving and Patrick was in the passenger seat when they were T-boned and Joe was on life support for three days, and his family would not let Patrick see him. Patrick was allowed to sneak in and see him with the help of a nurse when Joe’s family went to make decisions about what to do regarding Joe.

John – lives behind Patrick with Eduardo and Dwayne. Had been a preacher, Patrick talks to him about Maise and Grant and wanting to help their future and if there is a heaven. Watches the kids while Patrick visits Greg. Helps Patrick realize he is more capable than he realizes when it comes to taking care of Maise and Grant.

Clara – Patrick and Greg’s sister, tries to get Patrick to let her keep the kids in Connecticut over the summer. When her husband, Darren, is having multiple affairs she is left without a family and files for custody of Maise and Grant saying that Patrick is unfit to care for them. Patrick threatens to tie her up in legal matters until she is bankrupt and it will take years. Clara relents and Patrick realizes she came to Palm Springs because she needed help.

Neal – Patrick’s agent, grabbed Patrick at the wrap party of the TV show and when telling this to John Patrick realizes he hates Neal. Neal tells Patrick he can’t fire him and go to another agency, it is in Patrick’s contract. Neal thinks this means Patrick is stuck making money for him, but Patrick fires Neal and hires Neal’s assistant to be his new agent.

Cassie Everest – Neal’s assistant who drove to Palm Springs to try and convince Patrick to start acting again. Patrick teases her by calling her different mountains. Patrick hires her to be his agent, and throw a party for him. Cassie admits to Patrick she bribed most of the guests with concert tickets the next day in Palm Springs, Patrick is impressed she was honest and thanks her. Asks her to gauge interest in him returning to work, but in NYC not LA. She finds a TV show for him, but it is in LA pretending to be in NYC.

Emory – a guest at the party who stays after and flirts with Patrick. Surprises Patrick with a visit and helps him catch Maise and Grant sneak into Patrick’s bedroom to sleep on the floor and helps make them not be ashamed that they are scared.

Marlene – a 16 pound rescue that Patrick got Maise and Grant (maybe more for himself since it was easy for Greg to have Patrick keep her). Takes pills for her allergies.

Guncle Rules (not all were in the book, but here are the ones that were)

1. Brunch is splendid
2. ?
3. Bathroom humor is cheap
4. ?
5. If a gay man hands you his phone, look only at what he’s showing you
6. Never let your guard down
7. We wear what we want
8. Live you life to the fullest every single day, because everyday is a gift
9. When faced with unimaginable loss, we need a little Christmas
10. Don’t trust any label you don’t know
11. Make the yuletide gay
12. Every now and again it’s good to relieve a bit of pressure
13. Fun drinks make everything more interesting
14. (eleventyfive) joke about pantless mimosas
15. Let’s go, baby, let’s go, baby c’mon
16. I want you to really live. To live is the rarest of things, most people merely exist.

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