{"title":"Steven Rowley","description":"\u003cp\u003eSteven Rowley's novels invite readers into heartfelt stories marked by wit, warmth, and emotional depth. His works often explore themes of love, loss, and resilience, crafting characters who feel genuine and profoundly human.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eKnown for blending humour with moments of tenderness, Rowley’s writing strikes a balance between laughter and reflection, making each story a memorable journey through the complexities of life and relationships.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-guncle","title":"The Guncle","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFrom the author of \u003ci\u003eLily and the Octopus\u003c\/i\u003e comes a moving and deeply funny novel about a once-famous sitcom star who is left to care for his niece and nephew after an unexpected family tragedy.\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePatrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP for short), has always adored his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. He loves spending time with them – in small doses and with their parents available to manage the tears and tricky questions. However, when tragedy strikes, Patrick finds himself suddenly thrust into the role of primary guardian, leaving him feeling truly overwhelmed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHaving spent years grappling with the loss of his great love, enduring a stalled acting career, and maintaining a lifestyle ill-suited to raising young children, Patrick has no idea what to expect. Fighting through his own grief, he soon realises that parenting involves much more than just doling out treats and making jokes to keep the kids entertained. Patrick discovers that stepping into this new role requires confronting his vulnerabilities and opening his heart in ways he never imagined possible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWith wit and warmth, \u003ci\u003eThe Guncle\u003c\/i\u003e takes readers on a journey of laughter and tears, charmingly illustrating that embracing vulnerability can sometimes be the key to healing one's own wounds. As Patrick navigates the challenges of guardianship, he experiences moments of hilarity, tenderness, and profound love, ultimately finding solace and joy in the bonds he forms with Maisie and Grant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Guncle\u003c\/i\u003e is an endearing and poignant celebration of family, healing, and self-discovery. Readers will delight in the ups and downs of Patrick’s journey, finding themselves both laughing out loud and deeply moved in equal measure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"Steven Rowley's \u003ci\u003eThe Guncle\u003c\/i\u003e is a gift. At once funny, charming, and heartbreaking, it's that rare novel that will have you laughing out loud, even through tears. I have yet to meet a person who did not love this book.\" \u003cb\u003eSally Hepworth, bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eThe Good Sister\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Younger Wife\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"A joyous Auntie Mame spritz! A reading pleasure; pour yourself a tall glass and enjoy, preferably poolside. You deserve it!\" \u003cb\u003eAndrew Sean Greer, winner of the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for \u003ci\u003eLess\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45686869557484,"sku":"9781761107559","price":32.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781761107559.jpg?v=1725470408"},{"product_id":"lily-and-the-octopus-by-steven-rowley-9781471154379","title":"Lily and the Octopus","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eIntelligently written, finely observed and surprisingly moving, this is a book you’ll find hard to put down\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eGRAEME SIMSION\u003c\/strong\u003e, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Rosie Project\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompanions come in all shapes and sizes.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCompanionship lasts forever.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTed and Lily -  \nEnjoy long walks.  \nWatch films together.  \nHave been known to share a pizza.  \nLove each other fiercely.  \nHave been inseparable for 12 years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBut there is one more twist to come in this tail …\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA charming, heartfelt and unforgettable novel about life, love and long walks, perfect for fans of \u003ci\u003eMarley and Me\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eThe Art of Racing in the Rain\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eAn utterly charming novel\u003c\/i\u003e — \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eRed\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eSingular, spectacular, and touchingly tentacular\u003c\/i\u003e — \u003cstrong\u003eChris Cleave\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eHilarious. Heartbreaking. Weeping buckets. You'll love it\u003c\/i\u003e — \u003cstrong\u003ePatrick Ness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ci\u003eLily and the Octopus\u003c\/i\u003e is the dog book you must read this summer ... Reading this heart-wrenching but ultimately breathtaking novel was a very profound experience … As Lily might say, ‘YOU! MUST! READ! THIS! BOOK!’\u003c\/i\u003e — \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eWashington Post\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eWill steal your heart\u003c\/i\u003e — \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eDaily Mail\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003ePeppered with laughter and heart-tugging moments\u003c\/i\u003e — \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eSun\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46495135760620,"sku":"9781471154379","price":23.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/21767103482711.jpg?v=1748469603"},{"product_id":"the-guncle-by-steven-rowley-9780525542308","title":"The Guncle","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePatrick, or Gay Uncle Patrick (GUP, for short), has always loved his niece, Maisie, and nephew, Grant. 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The story beautifully captures the balance of humour and emotional depth, reminding us of the unexpected ways in which love and responsibility can transform our lives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47643338440940,"sku":"9780525542308","price":52.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/1d50e28892daf7621819d938a6216206.jpg?v=1779228575"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/steven-rowley.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}