3.85 AVERAGE

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I loved so much about this book. The story and the characters are so beautifully written. It’s one I know I will come back to. I loved Archie’s story (Earl’s Trip), but this exceeds it. One of my favourites of 2025. 12/10. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
kerrythefire's profile picture

kerrythefire's review

3.25
lighthearted medium-paced

This is tough to rate because there was a lot I liked about this book, but the story overall wasn't the most gripping or engaging for me. 

Of course, I love the found family and love and support between Effie, Archie and Simon. And I really enjoyed Effie as a MMC because of how different he was from what we usually see - he is bi demisexual, sensitive and gentle, and in ways a bit feminine, liking fashion and color, etc. He is the opposite of hypermasculine. And again, the way his boys just accepted him was wonderful. The openness and love and trust these boys have for each other is great. 

I also appreciated how Effie and Julianna's romance was different from what we usually see - her assuming the more commonly "male" relationship-averse and more sexually experienced role, as well as her being 10 years older than he is. That said, for whatever reason, I was only ever mildly invested in their relationship... The third act conflict and resolution was very satisfying, though, and it was nice to see Julianna's vulnerabilities then.

I am looking forward to Simon's story and rounding out the Earls' romances.

 Edward "Effie" Astley is an eligible young lord. All of London knows it. In fact, women are throwing themselves at him. He mostly spends his life writing and trying to avoid his father. At least he has his yearly Earl's Trip to look forward to. Except, he sort of forgot. Again. But his friends know him well and are prepared for this eventuality. 
One of the people that Effie has been corresponding with is Juliana Evans. She does not know that Effie is a man but she is about to uncover that truth.
I was really expecting this book to be more like the first, with a clear throughline with points of both heaviness and levity. This book took longer to get through as there seemed to be a lot more meandering and even plodding at points. I also didn't completely believe that the end would be an HEA because I'm not sure that their relationship grew in this book as much as Effie did as a person. 


funny lighthearted slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the opportunity to read this novel. 

I really loved Earls Trip so I was excited to read the next and honestly it’s good. 

Effie and Julianna were fun in the beginning but the third act break up is crazy. I just felt like it was a bit all over place and the actual trip took the back seat in this one.

I will be reading Simon’s when it comes out and I HOPE there’s more shenanigans with the boys. 

sabrams_010's review

3.75
adventurous emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Absolutely adored it!! Effie and Jules were delightful, and I've never loved a bros trio and trip as much as this one. 

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
lighthearted

Cute. Fluffy, but with enough emotional maturity to keep you invested in the HEA. Looking forward to pt. 3

Expand filter menu Content Warnings

This was almost 3 stars because Julianna was NOT good enough for Effie and I was so annoyed at her stubbornness but the 3rd act break up and the resolution was so good it redeemed itself