This book is just delightful. A sequel to Earl's trip, (and eagerly awaiting the 3rd book)
Viscount Featherfinch, or Effie as we know him, the Goth poet from Earl's trip, is in love with a woman with whom he has only corresponded . She is a magazine editor who has published his poetry. So, not only is she a working women, she is also a decade older than his 28 years. In addition, Miss Evans believes Effie is a woman.
How the author cleverly brings about proceeds to upend the usual trope of Regency/Georgian Romance i so worth a read. Found families, supportive friends, bisexuality, soul mates, terrible father, a trip to Brighton and so much more.
Juliana Evans does not want to get married because she has seen what happens to a woman's property. Her mother inherited the magazine which was owned by her father and which she ran until his death. When her mother remarried, the magazine became the property of her husband, who "allowed " Juliana to run it. However, when he died and his son became the owner, Juliana was demoted. She continued to run it, but her step brother took all the credit and profits, paying her a pittance.
When Effie writes to Juliana he is going to
she decides to go meet her there, with no plan. But somehow when Effie sees a woman there, he recognizes his soulmate.
I love that Juliana accepts that Effie is a man, and the plot ensues.
Thanks to NetGalley and the Between the covers bookclub for the EARC. I received it late, but here is my honest review at last.

Manic Pixie Dream Earl is Holiday's second novel in the Earls Trip series. I gave the first book in the series 5 stars, so I came in with very high expectations. The second novel was a little bit of a let-down. What I love about this series in that the story focuses mainly on a core group of male friends who talk honestly about their emotions to each other and hold space for each other. I felt like in the first book there was a healthy balance between the male friendship scenes and the romance scenes. However, for some reason in this book the romance plot kind of disappears.

The main MMC of Manic Pixie Dream Earl is Effie, the heir to an earldom and a poet. What this book does fantastically is that it features a male protagonist which isn't your typical alpha male romantic hero trope. Effie is more sensitive and gentle in his approach. He's also demisexual-pansexual (although he's never described with those exact terms) and Julianna is bisexual. So often in Regency romances the MMC are rakes who sleep around constantly before they fall in love with the FMC. And trust me that trope has gotten OLD. I personally wish more MMC were demi (they need an emotional connection with their partner before they feel sexual desire).

And while Effie was memorable, the FMC really disappears in the background. I finished this book a week ago and already I'm struggling to remember Julianna and what her plot was. To be honest with you the MMC of the first book in the series, Archie, made more of an impression on me in Manic Pixie Dream Earl than Julianna. And I just want it on the record that Archie is the best cinnamon roll character and I'm obsessed with him, and his actions towards Effie in this book were perfect.

Overall I think this book is a 3.5 stars out of 5 for me. I'm rounding it up to 4 stars because I liked what Holiday was doing bringing a fresh intrepretation of the stereotypical Regency male hero. And I look forward to reading the 3rd book in the series.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for sending me a copy of this ARC!

This story was so cute and fun! And the premise was what intrigued me the most. I feel like typically in cases of mistaken identity in romance gender Isn’t usually involved, but I was very pleased with how that plot progressed! I really felt the author did a good job of balancing some heavier topics along with the witty banter and steamy romance. I also particularly enjoyed the found family aspect of this series and I’m excited for the next installment!

This was a delightful romp that nonetheless tugged at the heartstrings. Does it even vaguely resemble a "traditional" Regency romance? No, not in the least, and that's why it was so much fun to read.

Effie, Viscount Featherfinch, is somewhat genderfluid with long hair, and flamboyent clothing. He never received any kind of care or love from his own parents, with his father dismissing him as useless and too sensitive, so his best friends from school, Archie and Simon, have become his main family. As the book opens, the three of them are once again setting off on their yearly Earl's trip, this time to Brighton to check out the King's pavilion there.

What his friends don't know is that Effie is head-over-heels in love with Juliana, the publisher of the magazine that features not only his poetry but also a column in which he dispenses advice to the mostly female readership. There are several obstacles to Effie's love, first, Juliana is working class and 10 yrs older than him, second, they've never actually met in person, and third, she thinks he's a woman named Euphemia. When Juliana decides to crash his vacation in Brighton, they are both in for the surprise of their lives.

This was so sweet and heartfelt. Effie is a wonderful character. He wears his heart on his sleeve, isn't afraid to show his emotions, and no matter how hard he tries, he just cannot fit into the standard societal norms. Juliana is older and more practical but she needs someone like Effie to open up her bruised heart and show her how to enjoy life, not just exist in it. I haven't read the first book in this series, but I'm definitely going to go back and pick it up. My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

This was advertised as Ted Lasso meets Bridgerton and I signed up immediately 😂 it was such a cute, lighthearted, easy read! The friendship between Effie, Simon and Archie is so endearing! The friends to lovers situation between Effie and Julianna was so smooth but with its hiccups of course! The characters are so likable and relatable, it made it so easy to read! If you’re looking for something sweet and lighthearted for the summer, definitely pick this one up!

This is a review for the audiobook, as I was granted an audio ARC several weeks before I was granted the ebook here.

<b>3.5 stars</b>
Thanks to Jenny Holiday, Netgalley and Tantor Audio for this ARC. My opinion is my own.

Edward "Effie" Astley, Viscount Featherfinch, is a poet and a terrible disappointment to his father. Thankfully, he's about to set off on the annual "Earl's trip" with his two best friends, who support him come what may. So they don't ask any questions when Effie asks them to help him store a broken printing press, nor why he's so preoccupied with letters from a Miss Evans. Effie doesn't really want to confess to having become infatuated with a non-aristocratic lady, who coincidentally thinks he's a woman too, called Euphemia.

Miss Julianna Evans loves the magazine she publishes, but hates that her odious brother insists on weekly editorial meetings and keeps questioning every decision she makes, constantly cutting her budget. Normally, she's far too busy to ever consider taking a brief holiday, but when there is a delay at her printers, and the alternative is waiting impatiently at her sister's house, generally just being in the way, she impulsively decides that she's going to spend some of her hard-earned savings to go to Brighton to meet her best friend Euphemia, who she knows will be staying there with her friends.

Brighton isn't a big enough place for Effie and Julianna to avoid each other for very long (nor would this be a particularly effective romance novel if they did). Considering Effie has been lying about his identity to Julianna for the past five years, she gets over the deceit remarkably quickly. Effie's two best buds also take it in their stride that their slightly unorthodox bestie is in love with a magazine publisher who is quite a few years his elder.

The publisher claims that this book is <i>Ted Lasso</i> meets <i>Bridgerton</i> meets <i>The Hangover</i>. I have complained in the past that absolutely everything set in the Regency era is now marketed towards "fans of <i>Bridgerton</i>", and I can only surmise that the <i>Ted Lasso</i> comparison is made because this book features non-toxic male friendships and guys who support each other in wholesome ways, while <i>The Hangover</i> is thrown in there because it's the most famous dudes on a road trip story out there, even now, sixteen years later. I despair at these sales pitches.

There is a lot to like here. Effie is bisexual and has no problem admitting this to his friends, although his friends seem to have suspected him to be gay and/or asexual before he reveals his feelings for Julianna. There's the aforementioned non-toxic male friendships. We have an age gap, where the heroine is about a decade older than the hero (Effie is in his late twenties, Julianna is in her late thirties). Most of the book takes place in Brighton rather than London, and the more unusual location made for a nice change.

Harry Frost does a good job with the narration of the book, but I find that about a month after finishing the story, I don't remember too much of the overall plot. While I've liked several of Jenny Holiday's contemporary romances, I'm not sure I liked her rather unusual take on the historical genre. Nevertheless, I already own <i>Earls Trip</i>, the first book in the series, so I'll probably get round to reading it at some point. I also hope she gets round to writing about Effie's friend Olive in some future instalment, she was the most interesting supporting character here.

<b>Judging a book by its cover:</b> This cover is rather busy, and features a number of people in various situations, not all of which take place in the actual story, unless my memory entirely fails me. I think there are too many things going on here.

The novel follows Edward Astley, Viscount Featherfinch, a gentle, eccentric poet hiding from high society, his cruel father, and the pressure of his title. Under the pseudonym “Euphemia,” he’s been secretly publishing poetry through a women’s magazine edited by Julianna Evans—his pen pal of many years and the woman he’s quietly fallen for. The only problem? Julianna thinks “Euphemia” is a woman.

When Julianna decides to meet her mysterious contributor in person, she discovers the truth in spectacular fashion. The reveal sets off a beautifully complex story of class differences, personal trauma, identity, and the risks we take for love. Edward is a standout hero—sweet, strange, and deeply lovable. His voice is so strong that his chapters shine particularly brightly. While Julianna is admirable in her ambition and determination, her actions during the third-act breakup may divide readers.

Despite moments where the story slows (especially when side characters take center stage), the romance remains compelling and emotionally sincere. Their connection, built through years of letter-writing, gives the relationship a rare emotional foundation that makes the eventual romance feel earned and believable.

Manic Pixie Dream Earl is a refreshingly original Regency romance that blends humor, emotional depth, and a clever twist on the epistolary trope. The author delivers a story that’s both heartwarming and offbeat, with characters who feel both modern and grounded in their historical setting. The author handles difficult themes such as childhood trauma, grief, and emotional abuse with sensitivity, adding weight to what could have been a purely light-hearted romance.

“I am getting a woman who can give me everything. I am getting a woman who changed the color of the sky…I am getting a woman on a beach under a chartreuse sky.” (freaking made me tear up 🤧)

I had a really fun time reading this historical romance. I loved the relationship the MMC had with his friends as well as the slow burn romance he developed with the FMC. I also loved how the MMC and FMC communicated via letters. I can’t explain why exactly I loved it so much but I just did.

I did find the book’s pacing to be a bit slow. I felt like the book could have done better with some more action or least a few plot twists.

Thank you so much Hambright PR for the gifted book!

I will never get over the absolute perfection of this book's title. The book itself comes close to living up to it: Effie is delightfully flighty while also utterly devoted to both Julianna and his earlfriends. The scene where Effie consults his friends before visiting Julianna's room is so heartwarming and sweet.

I had not read the first book in the series before starting this one, but the first chapter only posed a slight barrier to entry; it took me a few pages to catch up and be able to tell the three earlfriends apart (who has a printing press? Who has a wife?). But by the time they got on the road, I was rolling along with them. I enjoyed Julianna's insistence on her independence, as well as the plot reveals that led to a happy ending. I plan to look up the first book in the series and to watch for the next one.

I received an advance copy of this book for my honest review. Thank you to the author and NetGalley.

This one had such a fun premise—mistaken identity, secret pen pals, and a surprise meeting—but it just didn’t land for me. Edward and Julianna had all the ingredients for a swoony romance, but the spark between them felt… missing. Their connection on paper didn’t quite translate in person, and the story dragged in places. I really wanted to love it, but it ended up feeling kind of bland. That said, if you’re into slow, quiet romances with a bit of mistaken identity chaos, it might still be worth a try.

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.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I read Earls Trip and enjoyed the premise and the plot. The stars were the hilarious men with their antics, so I am excited to see their stories continue, especially after the last one with the fun ending scenes of them together at night. This was a fun follow up!

I read the dedication and then immediately went to Google manic pixie. I had no idea this was a thing, but it made instantly realize that I was going to love this book too. I couldn't ask for a better follow up to the first book in this series! The main reason I didn't love this one quite as much as the first is simply because I will be hard pressed to find another couple I love as much as I love Archie and Clementine. But don't get me wrong, Edward and Julianna (the two MC in this book) are a delight too. I love that their story got started anonymously and loved that Julianna took Edward's secret in stride. Most author's would have made that a deal-breaker and I'm glad that wasn't the case here. Julianna is kind and understanding and I really appreciated that about her. This book also took place during the annual Earl's Trip. And again we see the special brotherhood that these three friends have. There is nothing as touching as when Edward compares their found family to salt, strawberries, a leg of lamb and cream. :) It's just the sweetest thing!

Both the title and blurb from this amazing and delightful book by @jennyholiday hooked me and it was so refreshing and hilarious! I lived every second of this book and if you love a bromance, a romance, and LGBTQ+ characters in a regency setting where they go to the sea for an Earl's Trip (*Girl's Trip*), then this book is for you! Thank you @hambright for this amazing ARC!

Effie and his two best friends are going on their 1822 Earl's Trip to Brighton. They have rules, and whatever happens in Brighton, stays in Brighton. But Effie is also a poet and has been having a long-term condescendence with the editor if the magazine that publishes his poems, both of them becoming close friends. The twist? Her editor is a woman and she thinks Effie is also a woman. Until Julianna, the letter friend, comes to Brighton to meet her/him. The double twist? They are already in love with each other's soul. Would could possibly go wrong?

Favorite quote out of context:
✨ "Honestly, one's friend find one composing a sonnet naked in one's own bedchamber one time, and one never lived it down."
🌊 "Poor Effie," Archie said. "So handsome, and eligible and charming, you can't go anywhere."
✨ "If only one could bank kindness. Save it up when one encountered an excess of it, and pull it out later when it was in short supply. If that were possible, Effie would never run out."

Tropes include: ✨ Regency romcom/romance 🌊 Trip to the sea ✨ Bromance 🌊 LGBTQ leads ✨ Speaking parrot 🌊 Finding oneself ✨ Found family 🌊 Healing ✨ Great communication

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨ / Spice: 🌶️🌶️ (open door but not too descriptive)

“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.

4.5/5

Manic Pixie Dream Earl is a sweet, quirky historical romance with a lot of heart. Effie is a lovable and eccentric earl who brings fun and charm, while Jules is more serious and grounded, their opposites-attract vibe totally works. Their romance starts with letters and turns into something deeper, even with a few bumps along the way. It dragged a little near the end, but the characters and unique story made it a really fun read!

Thank you Netgalley for an arc of Manic Pixie Earl Dream by Jenny Holiday

4.25 stars. This series continues to be delightful — we love a man with strong, caring friendships, who I willing to be emotionally vulnerable. This was a mistaken identity between two friends who had only previously corresponded via letters. What follows is a very tender romance, with both MCs being queer. Effie is very exuberant and a bit flamboyant, but a gentle soul. In manic pixie Dream Earl fashion, he collects quirks, has a pet talking bird, wears silly shoes, and is always down for a fun gambit. Jules, the FMC, is generally a serious person, focused on her business, but being with Effie helps her relax a bit and embrace some silliness. I felt it did drag a bit in the last 1/3, but overall I had a great time. With the fate of traditionally published HRs up in the air, I will say I plan to revolt if I don’t get Simon’s story, so make that happen, okay Kensington?

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the ARC!

Manic Pixie Dream Earl is a sweet romance about an unlikely earl named Edward who has fallen for a journalist named Juliana. However, she believes she is exchanging letters with a woman! Once they meet in person, Edward must convince Juliana of his true regard for her while also overcoming her fear of marriage. Are they meant to be?

This was a sweet, cozy romance. I liked the characters, and thought it as great how open they are. However, it didn’t always capture my interest, and I found attention wandering at times. Still an enjoyable read and would recommend.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for access to an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

ARC Review ✨️

♡Loved it!!♡

Book two of the Earls Trip series was an absolute blast! I definitely need to go back and read the first book because I really enjoyed this one!

Edward is a poet and has been in love with Julianna, the magazine editor. The kicker is that they've never met, and Julianna thinks Edward is Euphemia, a female.

Julianna finds out that Euphemia is planning a trip, so she saves up money to go and surprise her so they can finally meet. When she arrives, they are both definitely surprised 🤣🤣🫣 Now they have to decipher what's true or not and if love is worth it.

This is the first time I'm reading this author, and I'm hooked! The banter, the plot, the twists, all of it was just so perfect. I read this novel way faster than I had originally anticipated because I just couldn't put it down. I craved more as soon as I stopped reading! With that being said, I'm going to be reading the first book asap!

Tropes:
✨️Mistaken identity
🖤Friends to lovers
✨️Regency era
🖤Cross-Class Romance

Thanks so much to the author, Hambright Pr, and Netgalley for the ARC!

✔️ Found Family
✔️ Secret Identity
✔️ It's Just Sex
✔️ Epistolary

Book two of the Earl's Trip series, this one focuses in on Edward, the creative of the bunch. He'a a poet and also writes an advice column in a ladies magazine. The problem? He's in love with Julianna, the editor of the magazine, sight unseen. The other problem? She assumes he's a woman. At least he has this year's Earl's Trip to take his mind off these problems. That is, until Julianna goes on holiday too, to finally meet her writer.

I enjoyed this one so much more than the first book. I think it was because the obstacles to the HEA felt big - there were more stakes.

I loved Edward from the start and seeing his group of friends support and advise him was exactly what I love in a fictional male friendship.

I loved the romance between him and Juliana and how vulnerable they were. I loved that Edward figured out what his boundaries were and effectively communicated. I loved Juliana parsing out her own self-sabotaging and finally getting to the point where an HEA is possible. This was a 5⭐️ read and one I am still thinking about.

Steam 🔥🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕💕💕