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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Sexism, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Classism
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Manic Pixie Dream Earl is the delightful second book in the Earls Trip Regency romance series by Jenny Holiday.
I ate this book up. I had a ball with the first book and was so pleasantly pleased by the second in the series! I don't think you need to read this series in order; it holds up as a standalone. There are some references to the first book, but not knowing the specifics shouldn't detract from your enjoyment of this one.
I followed along in my physical review copy while listening to the ALC. The audiobook narrator does a *phenomenal* job. All character voices are distinct, and he even did a bang-up job with all of the femme characters throughout the book. I *loved* how he read the lines for Effie's new pet bird. That bird steals the scene so many times, I was chuffed.
The chapters are all titled and some of them made me laugh out loud. I am so charmed by Holiday's prose, and I really need to try a contemporary romance from her. I'm also such a fan of the bromance between our three earls. Like the publisher blurb mentions, they are truly ride-or-die for one another. The beach setting of this installment was also lovely, and the cover artist did a fantastic job.
Representation is great: both of our main characters are bi- or pansexual, and in discussion with his besties Effie also mentions that he's demisexual. Obviously none of those terms are actually used, but it's practically spelled out in his own words. There's also a reverse age gap--Julianna is 38 while Effie is 28.
I loved the pairing of Effie and Julianna. I really bought their chemistry and they seemed to have similar outlooks on life.
I can't wait for the next book in the series! Simon is due for love and he truly deserves it. The hints about him turning into a bit of a book nerd have been lovely.
Rep: bi/pansexual, demisexual
Tropes: secret identity, epistolary, reverse age gap, class differences, found family
CW: strained relationship with parents
I received a complimentary review copy from Kensington Books, Tantor Audio, and Hambright PR. All opinions contained herein are my own.
If you want to see more from me, check out my blog, Bookstagram, TheStoryGraph, or Bluesky.
I ate this book up. I had a ball with the first book and was so pleasantly pleased by the second in the series! I don't think you need to read this series in order; it holds up as a standalone. There are some references to the first book, but not knowing the specifics shouldn't detract from your enjoyment of this one.
I followed along in my physical review copy while listening to the ALC. The audiobook narrator does a *phenomenal* job. All character voices are distinct, and he even did a bang-up job with all of the femme characters throughout the book. I *loved* how he read the lines for Effie's new pet bird. That bird steals the scene so many times, I was chuffed.
The chapters are all titled and some of them made me laugh out loud. I am so charmed by Holiday's prose, and I really need to try a contemporary romance from her. I'm also such a fan of the bromance between our three earls. Like the publisher blurb mentions, they are truly ride-or-die for one another. The beach setting of this installment was also lovely, and the cover artist did a fantastic job.
Representation is great: both of our main characters are bi- or pansexual, and in discussion with his besties Effie also mentions that he's demisexual. Obviously none of those terms are actually used, but it's practically spelled out in his own words. There's also a reverse age gap--Julianna is 38 while Effie is 28.
I loved the pairing of Effie and Julianna. I really bought their chemistry and they seemed to have similar outlooks on life.
I can't wait for the next book in the series! Simon is due for love and he truly deserves it. The hints about him turning into a bit of a book nerd have been lovely.
Rep: bi/pansexual, demisexual
Tropes: secret identity, epistolary, reverse age gap, class differences, found family
CW: strained relationship with parents
I received a complimentary review copy from Kensington Books, Tantor Audio, and Hambright PR. All opinions contained herein are my own.
If you want to see more from me, check out my blog, Bookstagram, TheStoryGraph, or Bluesky.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
“A woman my age may be a spinster, a wife, or a widow. I wouldn’t mind being a widow, but not at the price of having being a wife first.”
I had a great time with Manic Pixie Dream Earl. It is a very different Historical Romance.
I adored the guys’ friendship, super healthy and supportive, not toxic at all, even though they love to tease each other. That found family is refreshing, that’s not something we are used to, and even less in Historical (I’ll for sure read the other books in this series).
The romance between Effie and Juliana was equally delightful. They talk and communicate a lot, are super open about their emotions and feelings. But they also respect the other’s needs and wants (even if that means they’ll suffer). Again, that’s something I wish I could read more often and the fact that Edward is demi-sexual was a true add-on to the plot. I also loved the Bi+ rep here.
Both characters have “daddy issues” even if it’s for different reasons, and –once again– the “gang support” was super nice. I truly enjoyed that “modern” (but, I’m sure, not so new) vision of the couple, and the “woman’s condition”, as much as the individual aspirations of all the characters, and loved that they had space to make it works outside the romance. As the book kept going, I was worried I would not like the ending (a bit too “providencial”), and once again the author surprised me. The beats are different here, which allows the resolution to have a true space, and the author to take the time to make it work.
If you like a cute –and steamy– romance, both Historical (with a few liberties) and with some feminine empowerment, and a healthy relationship, then this one might be the one for you.
Thank you to the author, Kensington Publishing and Hambright for the eARC via NetGalley. My opinions are my own
I had a great time with Manic Pixie Dream Earl. It is a very different Historical Romance.
I adored the guys’ friendship, super healthy and supportive, not toxic at all, even though they love to tease each other. That found family is refreshing, that’s not something we are used to, and even less in Historical (I’ll for sure read the other books in this series).
The romance between Effie and Juliana was equally delightful. They talk and communicate a lot, are super open about their emotions and feelings. But they also respect the other’s needs and wants (even if that means they’ll suffer). Again, that’s something I wish I could read more often and the fact that Edward is demi-sexual was a true add-on to the plot. I also loved the Bi+ rep here.
Both characters have “daddy issues” even if it’s for different reasons, and –once again– the “gang support” was super nice. I truly enjoyed that “modern” (but, I’m sure, not so new) vision of the couple, and the “woman’s condition”, as much as the individual aspirations of all the characters, and loved that they had space to make it works outside the romance. As the book kept going, I was worried I would not like the ending (a bit too “providencial”), and once again the author surprised me. The beats are different here, which allows the resolution to have a true space, and the author to take the time to make it work.
If you like a cute –and steamy– romance, both Historical (with a few liberties) and with some feminine empowerment, and a healthy relationship, then this one might be the one for you.
Thank you to the author, Kensington Publishing and Hambright for the eARC via NetGalley. My opinions are my own
Not for me, was not a fan of the writing.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to Hambright PR for the free book.
3.5 stars.
Manic Pixie Dream Earl was relatively light and humorous, despite some of the deeper issues and themes.
Effie is eccentric and flamboyant. The disappointing son of an Earl who owns a macaw, wears bold colors, and moonlights as a poet and writer for a womens’ magazine…under the pseudonym of a woman. And he’s been writing letters to the editor, Julianna…who he falls in love with. Without her knowing he’s both a member of the nobility and a man.
Frankly…Effie must be protected at all costs. He’s loving, adoring, loyal; he’s such a sweet friend and lover and I just want to shield his heart and give him all the hugs.
Julianna is not as likable. She’s 10 years older than him and extremely cynical. I don’t blame her, it’s hard to be a woman in a man-dominated world back then, but she almost feels like a caricature of a feminist. And I do blame her for their third-act breakup, she really needed to do more grovel and apologizing to Effie. He deserved more.
Overall, it was still a fun read, and I found myself laughing at multiple times. I just wished for a little bit more.
3.5 stars.
Manic Pixie Dream Earl was relatively light and humorous, despite some of the deeper issues and themes.
Effie is eccentric and flamboyant. The disappointing son of an Earl who owns a macaw, wears bold colors, and moonlights as a poet and writer for a womens’ magazine…under the pseudonym of a woman. And he’s been writing letters to the editor, Julianna…who he falls in love with. Without her knowing he’s both a member of the nobility and a man.
Frankly…Effie must be protected at all costs. He’s loving, adoring, loyal; he’s such a sweet friend and lover and I just want to shield his heart and give him all the hugs.
Julianna is not as likable. She’s 10 years older than him and extremely cynical. I don’t blame her, it’s hard to be a woman in a man-dominated world back then, but she almost feels like a caricature of a feminist. And I do blame her for their third-act breakup, she really needed to do more grovel and apologizing to Effie. He deserved more.
Overall, it was still a fun read, and I found myself laughing at multiple times. I just wished for a little bit more.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was marketed as a fun romp but it is NOT. It is beautiful and emotional but has no action. Not much plot.