"Guncle Rule number eight: Live your life to the fullest every single day, because every day is a gift. That's why people die. To teach us the importance of living."

First of all, I didn't sign up to cry my way through the last quarter of this book, okay. I signed up for silly kid hijinks and exasperated uncle shenanigans.

I definitely got that, but I also got a hell of a lot more. I got a look at grief and what it can do to both the young and young-at-heart. I got a look at fucked up family dynamics, and how they might not always be completely irreparable. I got a brief look at addiction, and what it means (and how difficult it can be) to ask for help. I got a look at home absolutely terrifying it can be to put yourself back out there in the world after hiding yourself away for so long.

This book was a lot more than I signed up for, but I adored it. There were so many great one-liners, and Patrick was an absolutely ridiculous man that I would do anything for. The kids were perfect, dealing with grief and loss and being thrust into the life of their reclusive Gay Uncle Patrick, (GUP, as they call him- and my heart melted a little each time they did).

It was joyful and heartwrenching, but most of all, it was hopeful. I loved experiencing them all figuring life out together and leaning on one another for support.

This book was simply lovely and I just think you should read it right away.