Patrick is an ex-actor living in Palm Springs with an encyclopaedic knowledge on all things TV and movies. He is also the Guncle or GUP (Gay Uncle Patrick) to Maisie and Grant, the children of his brother and his best friend Sara.

When Sara dies from a lengthy battle with cancer, Patrick’s brother admits he has a problem with addiction and asks him to take the children for 90 days while he cleans himself up. Patrick is not prepared. He lives a very reclusive life that is not at all child friendly and deals with pain by hiding away from it. But children are the best way to keep you focused on the present moment and Patrick is about to find that in trying to keep his niece and nephew from falling deep into their own grief they’re helping him deal with his.

There is a wonderful supporting cast of characters in The Guncle. The throuple next door, his new agent Cassie, an old/new friend Emery, and even his very responsible sister Linda who is convinced that the children staying with him is the worst idea ever.

This book is a delight. Patrick’s snarky commentary and the way he talks to the children like adults is laugh-out-loud funny, but it’s also filled with moments of profound love and reflection.

Rowley is also the author of Lily and the Octopus which also stole my heart. He really does capture the bittersweet mingling of love and grief so beautifully.

Reviewed by Anabel Pandiella