HAPPY PUB DAY <3
I loved the story between Julianna and Ephie. The Earl's trip this year ends up connecting these two characters and the story follows their story and complexities. I really liked the characters in this story, their growth and journey and LGBTQ representation. This is such a fun series that Jenny has written and although I can't speak to how authentic this may be to the time period, it did feel like it was (or at least how it is shown in moves:)) Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced listener copy. I loved the narrator and how each character was portrayed!!

This one caught my eye on title alone and it did not disappoint! A delightful and surprisingly meaningful listen set in Regency era England. Manic Pixie Dream Earl is an obvious play on the term Manic Pixie Dream Girl but with a fun gender swap. The whimsical, lighthearted, desired by many main character here is not the woman but an aristocratic man. An Earl.

This story starts out with a fun Earls Trip, showing us the sweetest kind of nontoxic male friendships that you can only hope actually existed for any men at any point in history ever lol, and then from there, some very well written themes of mistaken identify, gender inequality (obv), societal expectations for both men and women and how two people could possibly try to make it work when they’re fitting in to zero acceptable boxes for the era but love each other so thoroughly. The MFC runs her own magazine and the Earl is one of her writers who submits monthly poetry, and an advice column that he runs as a sage, old woman. There are declarations of love via gifted printing press and accidental ones via unhinged pet parrot. It’s super fun and the main characters are so well rounded and complex. It’s out today and I definitely recommend!

Oh! And the narration on this one is 10/10, so well done and fun to listen to!

4.5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Manic Pixie Dream Earl is a charmingly offbeat historical romance that blends modern themes with a Regency setting. Jenny Holiday delivers a witty, emotionally intelligent story about two people from very different worlds — Edward "Effie" Astley, Viscount Featherfinch, the poetic and unexpectedly sheltered heir to an earldom, and Julianna Evans, a working-class magazine editor who has unknowingly been corresponding with him for years under the belief that he is a woman named Euphemia.

While their correspondence lays the groundwork for their connection, the heart of the story unfolds in Brighton, where the mistaken identity is revealed. The age gap (Effie is ten years younger) and the perceived stark social divide add real tension, giving weight to their growing relationship.

Effie is a virgin hero — earnest, gentle, and completely smitten — and his bond with his two fellow earls is a highlight, full of warmth, humour, and easy acceptance. Queer representation is handled with care: Julianna is bisexual, and Effie is likely demisexual and bi or pan. Their identities are never questioned — only supported.

Harry Frost’s narration is excellent, with a refined English accent that complements the wit and tone of the story. The comedic elements — including a scene-stealing parrot — are pitch-perfect. A final quiet note on choosing a childfree future brings their journey full circle. Some plot elements stretch plausibility, but this is an enjoyable, thoughtful, and quietly subversive romance that is a satisfying listen. A modern story in historical dress.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the ALC. This is my honest opinion.

Readers, trust the title, this is an aptly named book!

An enjoyable, character focused, historical romance about Effie, the heir to an earldom who is deeply in love with Julianna, a magazine editor who Will Never Marry. I jumped in not having read the first book in the series and that did not at all detract from my enjoyment. 

Manic Pixie Dream Earl was equal parts delightful and bittersweet. I enjoyed that everything felt period accurate but with contemporary sensibilities, including a very hilarious moment where Effie wonders whether a map to the clitoris might not be needed. I died. While not a high heat book, this bit really gives a sense of the overall tone, which I appreciated and enjoyed. 

However MPDE is also very much for readers who love a character focused story, and I found it overall a bit meandery.  

The audiobook is narrated by Henry Frost, and he did a great job of giving distinct voices to all of the characters, including the very silly macaw Leander.

I listened to the Audio version of this book. This is a single Narrator book, although I do feel like the Narrator had a good Range of voices that you could differentiate the characters throughout. I was hoping for humor and a good Laugh, but I am not sure it hit that mark for me. Was the story line interesting yes. I did not giggle and kick my feet like I can with others. I think the pace was good, and felt it worked well with the story line. I think maybe this would be a good immersive read or maybe just a Read.

Bravo to the Narrator and to the Author for bringing to life the Book.

I was absolutely elated to get approved for this audiobook. I wish that excitement continued throughout my listen, but I cannot tell a lie.

Although this book had promise and I was getting into it in the beginning, it fell flat for me when I got deeper and deeper. Maybe it’s me, but it was truly boring. A regency era novel is usually a bore for me and the films are my favorite.

The narrator, Harry Frost, was lovely as usual. I’ve heard him narrate more than a few audios.

The one saving grace was that Effie and Julianna were a sweet couple. And that was beautiful to witness.

Thank you for the ALC!

Genuinely one of the sweetest romance stories I’ve read, yeah it’s far from perfect but I loved the characters and I thought their love story was one of the most genuine ones I’ve come across in recent years.

I am such a fan of this series so far and love the friendship between Earls and their circle, I hope it broadens out to not just be the Earl's stories but more

I enjoyed this, it was a fun read. I really enjoyed the narrator I thought his voice was very charming and really added to the story. The story was engaging and the romance was fun but I wish I had more of the getting to know each other. We learn early on they have been corresponding via letters/poems as Effie is a secret poet and Julianna is an editor but something is not as it seems. Effie is a man and due to their correspondence Julianna thinks Effie is a woman and so the story begins. We get to watch them puzzle through their identities as well as their class struggles. I really enjoyed the representation with both of our main characters being bisexual. I was not expecting steam but we got it. I highly recommend picking this one up or listening to the audiobook!

A cute follow up story to Earl’s Trip - pen pals with a confused gendering due to a name (he goes by Effie), leads to a close friendship and many secrets shared that would not otherwise have been spilled in these regency times… between a viscount and commoner.

Juliana is an unwed 38 year old. Effie (Andrew) is heir to an earldom he doesn’t want, and also confused about the feelings he has towards his pen pal and editor of the magazine he contributes stories and “Dear Anne Landers” letter replies to. He has been feeling feelings towards both genders, but not sure he actually feels them. Juliana has had a couple liaisons in her past, a woman and a man, but has no plans to ever wed - especially at her age. She is happy with running her father’s newspaper (magazine), for ladies… his legacy he left to her - but under her step-brother’s thumb, and living with her younger sister’s family.

When our pair finally meets, they are a unique match made in heaven - demi, bisexual, though of course being a regency romance, the terms aren’t exactly used. They are both unusual but so perfectly suited, and after such a great pen pal relationship, they both know, but don’t know, each other. They enjoy an excellent escape during the earl’s trip until it’s time to part for real life again.

A really sweet story and I enjoyed the extension from the first book. Can’t wait for Simon, next!

Narrator Harry Frost does a great job - he also did book one.

I received an early listen copy from NetGalley and Tantor Audio, and this is my honest opinion.

Another really great (and fun) Earls Trip Regency romance that sees bluestocking Julianna Evans, an editor and her advice columnist/poet who she knows as Euphemia but who is actually Edward Astley, the virgin Viscount Featherfinch who has also been her correspondent and friend for years.

When Julianna tracks Ephie down on his annual trip with his friends the two finally get a chance to meet in real life. I loved how the author writes queer characters so beautifully and realistically (he's demisexual and she's bisexual) as well as two characters who want to defy societal conventions (ie marriage and children).

Jenny Holiday puts a new spin on classic tropes with this dual POV, reverse age gap, virgin hero, mistaken identity love story and I was here for it! Excellent on audio with the BEST found family and bromance vibes and highly recommended for fans of authors like Joanna Lowell, Cat Sebastian or Alexis Hall.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review! I can't wait to see what happens in the next book of the series!!

Title: Manic Pixie Dream Girl
Author: Jenny Holiday
Rating: ★★★★★ 5/5
Format: ALC via NetGalley
Narrator: Harry Frost – once I adjusted to the accent, I loved his performance!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for this advanced listeners copy in exchange for my honest review.

Manic Pixie Dream Earl was my first regency romance—and now I get it. I’m fully converted.

I didn’t read the first book in the series (Earl’s Trip), so it took me a little while to get my bearings—maybe 30 minutes to figure out who was who and how the voices fit together—but once I did, I was all in. From the second chapter on, I was totally hooked.

Effie and Julianna are an absolute delight. Effie has golden retriever energy in the best way: he’s excitable, warm, and full of color. Jules is more reserved, composed, and emotionally buttoned-up, making her a perfect foil. The dynamic feels like a fresh take on grumpy/sunshine—more like guarded/sunburst—and I was shipping them by chapter two.

There’s pansexual rep across the board, and Holiday does a great job of including queer characters without it being a “queer romance”. And Archie and Simon! Oh! These soft, sensitive male friends aren’t sidelined or stereotyped and truly care for Effie, and Jules since Effie cares so much for her. I also really loved the “fake marriage” trope and, of course, the pillow fight that made me giggle. They’re so cute. Oh, and she’s older! And if you’re into the “he falls first” trope? This one nails it. I’m surprised that Holiday managed to fit so many cute tropes into the book without making it feel forced; it just felt fun.

The regency setting is classic, but the story itself feels modern and emotionally relevant. Jenny Holiday balances historical charm with today’s emotional intelligence in a way that just works.

Audiobook Notes:
Narrator Harry Frost is fantastic—there was an initial adjustment period with his accent and tone (since I’m American). This might be the case for you too, especially if you’re new to regency, but his performance adds so charm once you adjust.

Final Thoughts:
This was such a fun, flirty, and full-hearted read that I immediately bought the audiobook of Earl’s Trip after finishing. Fingers crossed Simon gets his own book next—he deserves it.

I really enjoyed this author’s contemporary romance novels so I thought I’d give this one a go. It wasn’t bad per se, but it was quite boring.

I enjoyed the acceptance and camaraderie between the Earls. The had a truly special friendship. However, I felt like the Juliana character fell a bit flat for me. At times she felt more like a feminist stereotype than a fully flushed out character.

The chaos continues with this year’s earls trip. Best guy friends Effie, Simon, and Archie are on their way to the annual holiday and Effie is all sorts of flagellating because he’ll be gone for two weeks and might miss his letters from his penpal/magazine editor Julianna. Meanwhile, she’s at a loss for work with a printing delay and decides she’ll crash her penpal friend Effie’s vacation. Except that she thinks that Effie is a woman, and not a viscount and heir to an earl that he really is. They do actually finally meet in the seaside town of Brighton and they get along as fabulously in person as they do in writing. But see, Julianna is the closed-off no-nonsense person in the relationship, and it sets up our soft-hearted Effie for heartbreak. Loved seeing the demisexual representation from Effie, the strong support from his friends, and the bisexual representation from Julianna. As chaotic as Effie seemed to be with his interests, the emotional depth will make you feel all the feels.

Not my favorite Jenny Holiday book.
As with the first book in the series, if you want the book to be historically accurate, skip this book. If you want a whimsical, fun, entertaining story set in the 1800’s, then this book is for you. So many things I love about this book. My biggest love is for the open minds that all the characters have and it is astonishingly amazing. I wish people back then were more like these characters, I wish more people now were this open minded and accepting. It is refreshing to read that. The magazine and printing press bits were interesting. So why did I only rate it three stars? -Well the dead dads giving messages through dreams, in my opinion, took away from the story. -The miscommunication and then the doll analogy drove me crazy. -Even though I totally agree Effie had to put his foot down on the relationship, I just wanted it to come sooner and wasn’t a fan of how he worded it. -I didn’t like that Effie was the one who went back, and forgave so easily. -I was so confused with the switching places with his brother and being an earl in name only; it just wasn’t flushed out properly. -I don’t know if it’s just me, but 38 year olds can have babies. Was it ideal to do that back then, no, but possible, yes.
Overall I loved reading Effie’s story, and I look forward to the next earl to meet his match.

Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the ARC

2 ⭐️ ⭐️

I listened to the audio arc of this. While the audio is fine I enjoyed the narrators and it flowed nicely. I however did not enjoy this book at all. If it wasn’t an ARC I would DNFed

This was a very enjoyable listen. I liked the narrator , although I would have enjoyed a woman doing the female parts. It's a very nice take on gender roles and a twist on historical romance. Lot's of fun. I will look forward to finding other books by this author.

This was just as fun as I expected it to be, but much heavier than I expected as well. I thought the balance was well done!

I’m a sucker for any type of love story where the love interests are writing letters back and forth. The added element of Julianna not knowing that her pen pal, Euphemia, was actually Edward had me intrigued from the very beginning. This historical romance had very different characters than typical of the genre. Edward (Effie) was a more flamboyant and artistic type, while Julianna was a serious woman of business made for an interesting dynamic. I also loved that the age gap went in the opposite direction from what is typical. While it was brought up a few times, I enjoyed that it wasn’t the main thing keeping them apart in the story.

This book had a great assortment of characters. The found family aspect was strong and brought up by name a few times. I feel like you never see that in books. I enjoyed how Effie’s friends accepted his eccentricities without blinking. You could feel the love between the characters.

The audiobook was well produced. The narrator was clear and easy to understand. I could barely tell that there was only one narrator. The narrator did a very good job at doing female voices that didn’t sound like a man putting on a girl voice (if that makes sense). I enjoyed that. I recommend this book if you are looking for a historical romance that puts a spin on what you typically expect.

If Jane Austen and Ted Lasso had a Regency lovechild, it would 100% be Manic Pixie Dream Earl—and honestly, I would swaddle that book baby in lace and read it a bedtime story. Effie is the Manic Pixie Dream Earl we never knew we needed: demisexual-coded, emotionally complex, and secretly penning heartfelt columns for a women’s magazine under the pseudonym Euphemia. Because why not toss a little Victorian gender confusion into your anonymous love letter arc?

Juliana Evans, the confident editor who publishes Euphemia’s work, is a standout heroine in her own right. She’s self-assured, whip-smart, and not here for nonsense—unless it arrives in the form of eloquent, anonymous letters that stir something deep. Their chemistry? Pure ink-stained yearning.

The book is packed with everything I love: mistaken identities, epistolary romance, found family feels, and a Regency setting that balances swoony softness with deeper emotional threads. The friendship between Effie, Simon, and Archie is tighter than a corset on ball night. These guys are the Regency equivalent of Ted Lasso’s Diamond Dogs.

Narrator Harry Frost deserves all the tea and applause for giving each character a distinct voice—I could practically hear Effie’s poetic eye-rolls. And while I adored the story, I docked a star because I craved just a bit more swoon in the final act. Still, it’s a warm, witty, and utterly charming read that blends queerness, class, gender roles, and mental health themes with care and nuance. Regency romance with heart, hijinks, and a quill dipped in soul.

Thank you to Jenny Holiday, Tantor Audio, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. On Sale May 27th, 2025