Archie and his fellow earls go on an annual trip together and nothing is going to prevent Simon and Effie from making it possible to have Archie come along. Their plans are disrupted when childhood friends, Olive and Clementine, are on the cusp of scandal and their earls trip suddenly includes girls.
Absolutely a cover that got me right away! Jenny's books can be hit or miss for me and this was on the just okay side. I adored the premise, the characters are delightful, but it just seemed to drag on while reading. I think the sort of character information dump at the beginning made for a rough start and the book would have been more readable had it focused more on the main love interests rather than so much on the supporting cast. The ending was predictably lovely though and I'm always a fan of a feminist in this time period.
Thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

Somehow this is the first Jenny Holiday I've read, but it won't be the last. Earls' Trip was such a fun, creative twist on a regency histrom, and I really loved how the friendship between these four men is depicted and how meaningful it is in their lives. Plus, I love a road trip romance, and while friends to lovers isn't always my favorite trope, I thought it worked here.

A pleasant read with lots of contemporary humor. Not a lot of conflict, which sometimes makes it a bit slow, but it has such a satisfyingly romantic ending!

Jenny Holiday has written sweet romances and spicy romances and those books are always very enjoyable. So, I was intrigued when I heard she was writing a historical romance. And, friends, she can write the hell out of a historical romance, too! Earls Trip was too much fun and I enjoyed it so much. It’s out next week, April 23, so get those library holds and preorders in!

Here’s the book’s description:
Even an earl needs his ride-or-dies, and Archibald Fielding-Burton, the Earl of Harcourt, counts himself lucky to have two. Archie (the jock), Simon (the nerd), and Effie (the goth) have been BFFs since their school days, and their annual trip holds a sacred spot in their calendars. This year, Archie is especially eager to get away—until an urgent letter arrives from an old family friend, begging him to help prevent a ruinous scandal. Archie’s childhood pal Olive Morgan must be rescued from an ill-fated elopement—and her sister Clementine must be rescued from rescuing Olive. Suddenly the trip has become earls-plus-girls.
This . . . complicates matters. The fully grown Clementine, while as frank and refreshing as Archie remembers, is also different to the wild, windswept girl he knew. This Clem is complex and surprising—and adamantly opposed to marriage. Which, for reasons Archie dare not examine too closely, he finds increasingly vexing.
Then Clem makes him an indecent and quite delightful proposal, asking him to show her the pleasures of the marriage bed before she settles into spinsterhood. And what kind of gentleman would he be to refuse a lady?
I recognize that many books, TV shows, movies, etc are being created because of the “Bridgerton Effect” - that they (the powers that be who decide what to publish or create for screen) recognize there’s an appetite for stories that are as fun, frothy, and historical (ish) as the Bridgerton TV show. Earls Trip had a similar vibe as Bridgerton which I was totally into. Holiday paid attention to the historical elements she needed to but she wasn’t so strict about language or social norms. I find that authors sometimes force the language so much that it sounds…ridiculous. Holiday didn’t do that, thankfully!

I’m excited that this appears to be a series because I’m really looking forward to hanging out with all of these characters again. Holiday created a group of earls (well, two earls and a viscount) who were so delightful. I loved the ladies but the guys were the stars. Their friendship would be refreshing in a contemporary romance so to have it be the focus of a historical romance was a delight. They weren’t shy about their friendship and feelings for each other. Archie maybe mentioned that it wasn’t normal for them to be expressing those feelings a bit too often but it was nice to see how much they cared for each other, their found family. And they willingly embraced the ladies and brought them into the fold, too. Love!

Even though the main purpose of this novel was to be a fun romance, Holiday wove some more serious issues into the story as well. Some had to do with society of the time, such as how Clem (and all other women) were basically just things to be owned and ordered about by men, whether that was their father or their husband (because of course their life goal had to be marriage and marriage to a man - there was no other option). Others issues were more general and something contemporary readers can understand, such as Archie’s mother’s dementia. I felt everything was handled well and respectfully and added to the overall story in a really great way.

Earls Trip was such a fun read and I’m already missing the characters I met in Jenny Holiday’s latest novel. I can’t wait for the next book in the series and I think romance readers everywhere will also thoroughly enjoy this book!

*An egalley of this book was provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.*

Th perfect historical romance!
I am OBSESSED🥰🥰🥰
I loved the FMC in this one. Usually I’m picky, but she was so delightful. As a fan of Bridgerton, I was engrossed in this one.

05/25/2024 || Earls Trip by Jenny Holiday || #EarlsTrip #NetGalley #HistoricalRomance #RomCom

Thank you NetGalley, Jenny Holiday, and Kensington Books | Kensington for making this e-ARC available!

Please note: This review may not be reproduced or quoted, in whole or in part, without explicit consent from the author and myself.

All of my thoughts are my own~

Full 5 Stars!!

CW: terminal illness depicted on page and mentioned (dementia/memory loss: mom), neglectful parents depicted on page and mentioned, emotionally abusive parents mentioned, minor domestic violence mentioned, animal death mentioned, guns on page and mentioned, hunting on page

For full transparency college has been eating away at my leisurely time so I did not get to this lovely book before its publishing date, but this was the very much needed refresher for after my midterms and wrapping up my quarter to! One could say I had my very own Earls Trip 1821 in 2024!

For starters, I don't really read many cis, heterosexual novels, especially not many romantic books- but I love historical romance and I've been pleasantly surprised in the last handful of years of how many authors are really pulling out all the stops for their historical romances to stay within the guidelines of the eras they're writing, but with fun and woman's gaze centered views. Feminism? Unconventional but like so good for everyone?? Idk what to call it but if someone figures out exactly what is going on here (positive) please let me know!

On to the main bulk of the review: I loved every single character. Archie, Effie, and Simon (though I guess I will have to wait until his book to learn more about him) are darling, non toxic, aware of their feelings and comfortable with them type men who all have unique interests and different lifestyles but have stayed close companions for all these years because they love and adore one another. THANK YOU JENNY HOLIDAY.

Earls Trip starts off with the boys collecting each other to head off for one of their yearly trips together off to some countryside estate or another to just unwind and bond and spend time together. We quickly learn that Simon is quiet, reserved, and married to politics. Effie (somehow short for Edward), is the whimsical artist who sees the world for all it's beauty and cruelty and creates art (poems and writings) from it. Archie (fondly called Arch by Clem) is very responsible and very emotionally attached to his dearest friends and would defend them with his life if ever need be. We also learn that Archie's mother is suffering from memory loss (it seems like dementia but I am unsure) and how much this is affecting him emotionally and how desperately he needs this Earls Trip this year. His friends are endlessly supportive and do not so much as blink when they need to turn around to return something to Archie's house for his ailing mom. They also do not hesitate to talk with him about the subject and Archie acknowledges how sincere his friends are and is once again very moved by their unfailing support and love they have for him. All and all the boys are truly superb gentlemen and I desperately wish for men like this to exist. Thank yooooou.

Anyways, we meet the girls and sisters, Clementine (respectively called Clem by Archie and Clemmy by her sister) and Olive in a super bizzarro marriage/not marriage situation and slowly learn about them and why the girls are not as close as they guys over time.

Clem and Arch were best friends while kids growing up but seem to have lost touch over all these years. Due to the bizzare and strange reasons of them meeting up this fateful Earls Trip, they all end up on the trip together and friendships, and romance(s?) bloom out in the crumbling castle with the phallic shaped topiary. There is even a little turtle named Hermes in this lovely book.

The story is very much so friends to lovers and the endless successful and good communication, effective and empathetic listening everyone does for one another, THE CONSENT EVERYONE, the love, the friendships - both old and new, the story telling- truly the everything about this book had me giggling, gasping, and in tears because this book was just so wonderful. The characters were so real, tangible, and vulnerable in such a genuine way. I was floored how much I loved this!

Immediately I borrowed the audiobook from the library and wow - really great narration done if physically reading is not your thing.
I will deffo be buying a book and audio copy for myself (from Libro.FM) someday soon!

Jenny Holiday is typically my go-to for low angst, adventure-filled romances. I was excited to see her trying her hand at the regency subgenre. Unfortunately, this didn't quite hit the mark for me. I have enjoyed Holiday's past work much more.

My favorite part of this story was the friendships between the Earls and the development of the sister's relationship. I was never fully invested in the romance and found the main female character exhausting. I also felt like the meat of the story took ages to begin.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this book! After having finished the Bridgerton season three, I felt like this fit into Colin’s story. The writing had me laughing out loud and I wanted to join the boys on their trip!!

Each year Archibald and his two best friends take an annual trip - and whatever happens on Earls Trip stays on Earls Trip… usually. This year in particular, Archie is eager to get away. On their way out of a town, a messenger from an old friend of his father intercepts their carriage along with a letter.

Clementine Morgan and her sister Olive must be rescued from a ruinous scandal. The friends of course rescue them, and instead of returning the ladies home, the trip becomes earls plus girls.

Archie and Clem have not seen each other since their childhood days, and despite the ladies doing their best to stay out of the way of the earls trip - the two continue to find themselves drawn together, unchaperoned in an ancient castle.

Read if you like:
* friends to lovers
* witty banter
* laugh out loud moments

I really liked this book. The slow-burn rekindling of friendship to eventual lovers between Archie and Clem was so sweet and very well done. Seeing the two of the resist their attraction for so long, only to be totally besotted and unaware of their love for each other was fun. I also enjoyed the strong male friendships and hope that we get to see happily ever afters for both Effie and Simon.

If you’re in the mood for a light, fun, regency romcom - then you should pick this up!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a free digital copy of this book. This is my honest review. Publication date: April 23, 2024.

WHAT A TRIP! Two earls and a viscount are taking their annual two week vacation. Friends since school days, each year one of them gets to choose the location .A letter for help takes them on a detour to save two sisters. One is eloping, the other is racing to stop her. An old friendship is renewed and a bond forms between the two sisters and the three friends. Hilarious results and a love that was always there, but never grew. Descriptive sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

This book was extremely charming. I loved the focus being on a group of Regency men romping around rather than the average focus of a single romance as with many Regency plots. I found the characters hilarious and, as this was my first read by the author, I look forward to reading more because I definitely laughed out loud at many moments. A great option for historical comedic fiction with romance added!

This a first time read by Jenny Holiday, new author to this reader. "Earl's Trip" was quite an enjoyable story i only requested because i wanted to expand my genres and i was not disappointed

Heat Factor: Even though there are sex lessons, they happen pretty late in the game and aren’t super scandalous.

Character Chemistry: Childhood BFFs who need to learn how to talk to each other again.

Plot: Archie, while on his annual vacation with his bros, is asked to rescue his childhood friend and her sister from an elopement. So now there are extra people on the Earls’ Trip. Archie isn’t sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing.

Overall: There is nothing subtle about this book.

In the last book I reviewed by Jenny Holiday, Canadian Boyfriend, I mentioned that I didn’t love the hero’s journey into learning about emotional labor, because it felt preachy—similar to the feminism of the Barbie movie. Unfortunately, we’ve got more of that vibe here…but more so. Look, being in your 20s and having deep conversations with your friends about found family is a great experience to have. I remember those days when I was in college and my roommate and I would sit and talk for so long that the sun would set and all of a sudden we’d be sitting in the dark. Those were great moments of bonding and personal growth! However. I have no desire to read about other people having these conversations. I just don’t. So when Archie and his bros started getting philosophical about salt and strawberries (multiple! times!), my eyes threatened to roll out of my head and across the floor. Which would be gross, because I do not vacuum as often as I should.

Let me back up.

The set-up here is that Archie and his two besties go on a trip together every year: the eponymous Earl’s Trip. (Obviously, what happens on Earl’s Trip, STAYS on Earl’s Trip. Sidenote, my husband has trained our small children to respond with “STAYS in [Place Name]” whenever he says “What happens in [Place Name]?” It’s the little things.) Earl’s Trip has rules; the main one is that each participant gives up doing the thing they spend the most time on when they’re at home. The politician is not allowed to read the newspaper. The poet is not allowed to read his poetry. And Archie is not allowed to…hunt. Anyways. They go on this trip together every year, and it’s a time for them to let loose and be themselves and refresh their spirits and get drunk and have philosophical conversations.

This time, things don’t go as planned, because Archie is asked to rescue Clem (his childhood friend) and Olive (her sister) from an elopement gone wrong. It’s convoluted, but also resolved quite quickly, leading to the real set-up: to wit, that Clem and Olive have now joined the men on their Earls’ Trip, and things aren’t quite the same. At first, Archie desperately tries to keep things the same by telling Clem to make herself scarce so he can have his bro time, but that doesn’t feel right, so Archie then encourages Clem to hang out with him.

This is, understandably, confusing for Clem. Is Archie just being polite, or does he actually want to hang out with her? So now we have Archie and Clem being confused about each other and their feelings and what they want, so obviously we’re in romance territory!

Now, most of this romance conflict is really well done. They haven’t seen each other for several years, so of course they have to wade through the feelings of being with someone who is intimately familiar, but different now. There is a whole central conflict which seems silly on the surface—Archie loves to hunt and Clem is a vegetarian—but, while I scoffed initially, there’s a scene where Archie forces Clem to come hunting with him (it’s a “I’ll try your thing if you try mine” kind of thing) and it really forces a reckoning, both as a moment of personal growth for Archie (because WTF, making someone go hunting when they don’t eat meat because they believe killing animals is unethical is Not Cool) and as a moment of relationship growth (because Archie learns that he cares more about Clem than he thought he did).

Despite his misstep with the whole hunting thing, Archie is a very kind person. (His friends tell him that his great talent is loving people.) I like that in a romance hero—in theory. But in execution, this book didn’t really work for me. It was just…too much kindness and understanding, even surrounding the points of conflict. For example. Here’s Clem and Archie, talking about Clem’s relationship with her sister:

“How does one broach a conversation like that?”

“Yes, I see the dilemma.”

“That wasn’t a rhetorical question. I’m actually asking you. You are uniquely good at this sort of thing, at having conversations that are…sticky.”

He grinned like a boy at her praise, but he didn’t have much of an answer. “I suppose you can’t take her up a tree and simply ask her who her long-lost love is?”

“How could my sister have had such a love—and have lost it—right under my nose?”

He was fairly certain that was a rhetorical question, so he didn’t answer. “I was jesting, but only somewhat. If you think I’m uniquely good at having ‘sticky’ conversations, it may only be because I blunder ahead and just…have them.”

“You do, don’t you?”

“One feels so much better having done so, don’t you find? Even if the doing makes one feel somewhat inelegant? And if the outcome isn’t what one would have wished, at least there is an outcome.”

Sure, this is good advice. But I don’t read romance novels to get good advice on having tough conversations! I read romance novels for mess, drama, and swoon! If authors want to teach readers about having tough conversations…authors can force their characters to have tough conversations, rather than have their characters teach each others *how* to have tough conversations.

The more I write this review, the more disappointed I am in this book. I’m going to chalk this one up as a miss for me. Maybe I’ll go read a good bodice ripper as a palate cleanser.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

What a delightful read! Earl's Trip had me laughing, crying and itching for more! Archie is charming, thoughtful and oh so sweet, which pairs so well with the kind, wild Clem. I loved watching these friends find their feelings for each other and develop their friendship into a relationship. If you're looking for a fun, easy to read, regency romance, Earl's Trip is the book for you.

You know with a title like Earl's Trip it's going to be a hilarious, wild ride. I opened the first chapter and it was called The Boys Are Back In Town. I laughed so hard, other favorites were:
The Girls Enter The Chat
Go Ahead and Panic
The Gentlemen Are Resplendent in Silk
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Now it was of course hilarious but the story was also super sweet and some really heartfelt moments. I obviously loved Archie and Clem but the moments between Clem and her sister and learning to understand each other was just beautiful! Also, Archie and his pals were so funny and I loved all of them! Overall, this is a low angst, childhood friends to lovers romance with a little bit of spice! I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series!

Earls Trip was a cute little wholesome book that, while entirely adorable, probably wasn't the most historically accurate. But we can look past that fact because of the cuteness.

I really loved every single character. Archie's growth as a character in such a short span was very sweet and how much he loved Clementine was swoon-worthy, imo. Clem was also equally as delightful, with her love of nature and being able to just sit in the woods and be at peace. Their little love story was full of equality, communication, and understanding. They also had a few little sexy scenes that were, dare I say perfect?!?

The only reason this wasn't a 5 star was a bit because of that historical inaccuracy. I know I know it's not supposed to be, but the 3 men in here were so damn progressive it left me shocked. I just didn't feel like this could be the case, but maybe I'm wrong!

Either way, go read this book. It's an easy read with lovable characters in a romantic setting. What more could you want??

What a delight! This book was truly adorable with a slow burn friendship that develops into a sweet romance that makes you kick your feet and squeal with delight. The mishaps that lead to funny shenanigans kept you entertained and the characters leave you hoping that this will become a series.

This book wasn't for me. I never really got into the story. At times I felt it was confusing. I listened to the audiobook and practically fell asleep everytime I tried to listen to it.

Just when I thought I couldn’t love Jenny Holiday more, I met Regency Jenny Holiday. I’ll admit I’m a sucker for an odd Regency heroine, and Clementine is an excellent example. A vegetarian who prefers rambling in the woods to being a proper lady, she breaks off her engagement but not before “anticipating her vows”. Her sister runs off with her former fiance, and childhood friend Archibald is sent by her father to track both girls down. Unfortunately Arch is headed on his annual Earl’s Trip with his two best friends. They rescue the girls and allow them to crash their boys only fortnight. Over the course of the trip, many secrets are revealed, including a love story that surprised only the two main characters. I loved every moment of this book!

As you can tell by the title, this story follows three best friends on their annual September holiday to the country. Archibald Fielding-Burton, Archie to his friends, and also the Earl of Harcourt is very much looking forward to this year’s trip. He has a lot to talk about to his friends and is ready to blow off some steam. Simon and Effie are the two other men on this trip. They get interrupted by Clementine and Olive’s father, who is worried about his daughters. The Morgan sisters end up on this men’s trip and hilarity ensues. Clementine Morgan has been Archie’s friend since they were little. They have not seen each other in a while. Clementine is a bit of a wild child and is currently opposed to marriage. Olive was about to be married off, but she was realizing too late that he was not the right man for her. This is definitely a great friends to lovers romance. I love that Clementine and Archie were so competitive in different things. I also really like that Clementine loved her sister and Archie really loved his friends. The fact they have an annual trip planned is really sweet. An interesting twist in the story was that Clementine was a vegetarian, which usually does not show up in historical romances and it was nicely woven into the story. This was just such a fun story. There were some sad aspects to what the individual characters were personally dealing with, but it just added to the depth of the story. I loved all the characters. This book is definitely worth reading. Perfect weeknight or weekend escape.