Thank you to NetGalley, Tantor Audio and Jenny Holiday for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is book 2 in the Earl's Trip series so when I was blessed with this ALC- I went back and read book 1 first, and I'm really glad I did. I do feel like I got more out of this book and knew more/could appreciate Effie's eccentricities MUCH more than I would have without book 1.

I really enjoy Jenny Holiday's books- and I will probably ALWAYS read them (especially her Winter Romances!) but I'll admit this one moved a little slow for me. I did very much like the exploration of queer identity in the 1800s, class, the peerage and found family! And will I read Simon's book? Sure stinking will. I read 200+ books a year. Give me another.

Narration was very well done.

⭐️⭐️ 2/5 Stars (Meh)
Setting: Regency Era England
Genre: Historical Romance; Rom-Com

I really wanted to like Manic Pixie Dream Earl by Jenny Holiday, but this one just missed the mark for me. I found it slow and honestly a bit boring. The plot felt quirky in a way that didn’t quite land, and the style just isn’t my genre. I wasn’t expecting the level of sexual content either—it felt out of place and distracted from the actual story. I can see how this book might appeal to others, but it’s not one I’d recommend or revisit.
#netgalley #manicpixiedreamearl #booked_this_weekend

Light, cheeky, and full of charm, Manic Pixie Dream Earl leans hard into the regency rom-com vibes — and for the most part, it works. The friendship between Effie and Julianna was a highlight, and I loved the pen pal angle woven through the story. It was definitely predictable and dragged a bit in the early chapters, but the humor and heart kept me curious enough to stick with it. Once it found its rhythm, it had that cozy, satisfying feel I was hoping for. If you’re into historical romance with a modern voice and a sprinkle of mistaken identity, it’s a fun, easy pick.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 stars
Rated PG for mild language, light romance, and a few swoony misunderstandings.

🎧 Title: Manic Pixie Dream Earl-Earls Trip #2

✍🏾 Author: Jenny Holiday-I read Earls Trip and gave it 4*

📅Publication date: 5/27/25 | Read 5/22/25

🗣️Narrator: Harry Frost voices all the characters with standouts from Effie, Jules, Archie, and Simon. The reading style brought the text to life, and the author and narrator worked together perfectly. The pacing and flow allowed me to get lost in the story. The narrator paused and announced new chapters and there was a table of contents which helped me follow along.

🏃🏾‍♀️‍➡️Run Time: 10:35

Genre:
*Historical Fic
*Romance
*Adult Fic

Tropes:
*secret identity/gender bending
*classism
*sexism
*age gap
*road trip
*LGBTQIA+ rep

👆🏾POV: 3rd person, dual

⚠️TW: cruel parent, secret love child-not H/h, parental death


🌎 Setting: England 1822

Summary: Edward/Viscount Featherfinch must marry to inherit his earldom. He is already secretly involved with Julianna through personal correspondence. When his friends plan their annual holiday to Brighton, Julianna wants to surprise Euphemia Turner-Effie's alias. She meets him and he confesses that he's a man of ton, while she is a working woman not of the aristocracy.


👩🏾 Heroine: Julianna Evans-38, works for a magazine her father owned. Her stepbrother controls it now

👨🏾 Hero: Edward Astley "Effie"-28, on the marriage market, but he's secretly in love with a commoner after penning content for Julianna's women magazine under a female alias.

🎭 Other Characters:
*Amy-Julianna's younger sister
*Mr. Henry Glanville-Julianna's stepbrother
*Artie and Simon-Effie's BFFs
*Ezel-Effie's father
*Kinver Nancarrow-Edward's steward


🤔 My Thoughts: The title was intriguing-Manic Pixie Dream Girl- which is "a stock character type in fiction often depicted as young woman w/ eccentric personality quirks who serves as the romantic interest of the male protagonist." They are carefree, whimsical, and impulsive-which described Effie. Julianna had to work and was serious about her magazine. She didn't want to marry or have children, which I'm not mad at, but who could have resisted Effie's zest for life. I liked Olive Morgan-Clementine's younger sister- because she had spunk. I hope she gets her own book, but first we've got to find out why Simon was reading Jane Austen books.

Rating: 4/5 ✨

🙏🏾Thanks to NetGalley, Tantor Audio, and Jenny Holiday for this ALC! I voluntarily give my honest review, and all opinions are my own.

Manic Pixie Dream Earl gives a good mix of romance and comedy, and while it was predictable, it was enjoyable. I was especially curious to see how Effie’s story would play out, and I liked the premise and characters. The pacing was a bit off, with it being slow in some parts, particularly through the first 25%, but otherwise picked up towards the middle. I like Julianna and Effie's relationship/friendship as pen pals and liked how the book ended.

If you like the regency-era romantic comedies (with a modern twist) that blend humor, levity, and a touch of mistaken identity, then this is for you!

Note: I received an audiobook ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is fabulous! Hooray for Effie and Jules, and their unconventional, age and class gap romance.

It's not historically accurate (perhaps the title is a giveaway 😉), but it is so beautifully written, with language reminiscent of its time - 1820s maybe? It's very queer, and funny and heartfelt. Narrated by Harry Frost who is excellent – he manages to be believably everyone, including a ridiculous parrot, a Viscount, two Earls, our heroine Julianna Evans and sundry others.

This is essentially a romp, but with a heart that visits parental cruelty, and neglect, disappointment, the lack of rights for women, the growth of magazines and even the delights of swimming. Lyrical and lovely!

Thank you Jenny Holiday and Tantor Audio for the ALC. Opinions are my own.

‘Manic Pixie Dream Earl’ by Jenny Holiday tells the story of Edward “Effie” Astley, Viscount Featherfinch - poet, hopeless romantic, and man-about-the-“ton”! As heir to his cruel father’s earldom, he knows he needs to find a wife, but unfortunately he’s in love with someone he could never marry for a multitude of reasons… not least because Miss Julianna Evans - a magazine editor who features his “Advice For Married Ladies” column in her pages - thinks he is a woman based on their correspondence! When they meet in Brighton, their connection blossoms, but what happens when the holiday is over?

I laughed so much at the title of this book, and found the story warm and hilarious! I especially enjoyed the beautiful and genuine friendship between Effie and his BFFs Simon and Archie. Their annual tradition of taking an “Earls’ Trip” was an absolute hoot, and their emotional openness made the book a total gem. The audiobook was well-narrated by Harry Frost, who captured Effie’s wistfulness, insecurity and hope so well.

Overall, I really loved this one, and immediately want to read the first in the series! Giving this 4.5 stars and would recommend to anyone who enjoys lighthearted historical romance. I’d describe it as a cross between ‘Bridgerton’ and ‘The Bromance Book Club’.

I received an Advance Listening Copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

4.25/5

This book series has just the best found family! The friendships and bonds in this book are so good. Friendships are such a key thing that's often missing in romance novels. Jenny Holiday does such a good job at weaving these stories with fantastic friendships and well-developed side characters that have depth before their turn to be the main character.

Harry Frost did a fantastic job narrating this story.

This novel was ADORABLE! I did not read the first novel in the series and don’t feel I missed out as a result. You can easily come in blind.

Pros: an older FMC (38!) who is confident in herself, a demisexual coded MMC, an age gap that didn’t feel creepy or predatory.

Cons: pacing lagged, especially in the second half

A fun breezy tale narrated with great charm by Harry Frost.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Another September. Another Earls' Trip. This time the three gentlemen are off to visit Brighton for a fortnight of being together, talking, sightseeing, maybe some sea bathing. Like the last Earls' Trip, things do not go completely according to plan, when Effie meets his pen pal Miss Juliana Evans.

Effie and Juliana have had a longstanding epistolary relationship. They both have feelings for each other. Yet, a happy ending for them doesn't seem to be possible, there seem to be too many insurmountable obstacles; starting with Effie's gender and not ending with an age gap.

It takes the protagonists some time to work out how a happily ever after might work. This process feels natural; they don't rush, they weigh the options, they seek the help of friends and family, they listen to their instincts.

I like the slower pace of the novel and the friendship between Simon, Effie and Archie, which turned into a found family which supports its members. Since the earls have already planned next year's Earls' Trip, I am looking forward to reading about how nerdy Simon is going to woo the woman of his dreams.

I got the chance to review an early audiobook copy of the novel. Harry Frost, the narrator, does an excellent job. The characters all get their individual voice and it is easy to distinguish them from each other.

I really, really loved this book. Manic Pixie Dream Earl by Jenny Holiday (audiobook edition) is the second in the Earl’s Trip series, and just like the first, it’s funny, full of heart, and so incredibly satisfying. I adored the first book, and this one didn’t just live up to my expectations—it pranced right past them with a dreamy sigh and a flourish of poetry.

The titular “Manic Pixie” is Effie, Viscount Featherfinch—honestly, the sweetest summer child you’ll ever meet. He’s one of three aristocratic besties who take an annual holiday together, and their friendship? Solid gold. These guys are tighter than a corset at a Regency ball. Effie’s the poetic soul of the group, secretly penning content for a women’s journal. And in a glorious tangle of mistaken identity and heartfelt prose, he falls in love via letters with the magazine’s editor, Julianna Evans—who just so happens to believe he’s a woman names Euphemia.

Cue the Brighton meet-cute! When Juliana and Effie cross paths in real life, she’s understandably stunned—but the connection between them is so genuine, so pure, that the initial shock melts away. What unfolds is a beautifully written story about love, identity, and self-acceptance. There’s such a tenderness in how Effie and Julianna navigate their feelings—yes, there’s swoon and angst and all the good stuff, but there’s also something really authentic and affirming about how their relationship grows.

The book doesn’t shy away from deeper themes either. Mental health, particularly PTSD and repressed trauma, is explored with care and nuance. There’s commentary on class, queerness, gender roles—all seamlessly woven into the narrative. And let me just say, Brighton practically struts across the pages—it’s a vibrant backdrop that gives the reader and sense of time and place.

Julianna, in particular, really stuck with me. She’s been burned before and has built up some serious walls. It’s frustrating at times to watch her resist vulnerability—especially when Effie is just standing there being the emotionally intelligent marshmallow that he is—but it’s so well done. You want her to get there. And when she does, it’s deeply satisfying.

The title is relevant - there’s a lovely undercurrent about dreams—how they reflect our deepest fears and hopes, and how they can serve as a subconscious nudge towards healing or truth. It adds this whimsical layer to an already rich story.

Also? Harry Frost is a dreamboat of a narrator. First class, NO NOTES. His performance brought this story to life in the best way, and I can’t imagine anyone else voicing Effie.

Five stars, without hesitation. Bring on the next—I’m so ready. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced audiobook. All opinions, gushing and otherwise, are entirely my own.

I read the first book in the series and was curious how the rest would shake out, and I loved the premise of this book but sadly the writing style, matched with the narration made it very difficult to stay focused. After pushing myself through to the 35% point I realized I just wasn't viking with this book enough to finish.

3 stars ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆

genuinely so surprised by this. i didn’t think I’d like this as much as I did.
I do feel like this novel had a bad habit of talking about events that happen to characters when it would have been more influential to actually witness them along with the characters even if it was just a memory.

the narrator harry frost did an amazing job at performing this novel, he kept it captivating and engaging.

I received a free advanced copy of this audiobook for review. This is my own opinion. Thank you to Netgalley and Tantor Audio for the opportunity to review!

<b>Genre:</b> historical romance

<b>Tropes:</b> mistaken identity

<b>Spice Level:</b> 1/5, there are a couple of scenes but they're not super descriptive

<b>Content Warning:</b> past parental abuse, past death of a parent, time period accurate misogyny and homophobia

First, re: narration. I enjoyed the narrator, but I think this would've benefited from dual narration as its dual POV.

Gosh, this series is just so much fun. Our characters have some sort of trauma and it's addressed, but this feels like a frothy, fun miniseries. It's interesting to see neurodivergence portrayed in a historical setting, or at least that's how I'm interpreting some of the idiosyncrasies of these characters. But it's still very cute and light while dealing with difficult topics. Also, this is one of those with characters who come to some pretty intense realizations that real people usually don't experience unless there's tons of therapy involved. So. Good for the author on that.

I really enjoyed this one! If you liked the previous installment, or if you enjoy Alexandra Vasti's series, you'll enjoy this.

I absolutely loved this book! I was a huge fan of the first book and had high hopes for this sequel, and it exceeded my expectations. I found both Effie and Julianna to be well written and interesting characters who were both very relatable. I am looking forward to the next book!

In the 2nd “Earl’s Trip” book, three Regency-era aristocrats embark on their annual boys trip…one these 3 great friends have been taking for many years. Archie (now married in a story from the first book), Simon, and Effie all had difficult childhood backgrounds and are “found family”…they love each other as brothers even though they’re not related. The main character from this book is Effie…Edward Astley , Viscount Featherfinch, whose sadistic Earl father still plagues Effie’s life and will until he dies and Effie becomes the Earl. Effie is a grave disappointment to his father because he’s a poet, artist, dreamer and not ultra masculine. Now, for the first time in his 28 years, Effie is in love but with a woman that his father and “society” would not accept as his wife. Julianna Evan’s isn’t high-born, is 38 years old and runs a magazine (aristocrats don’t work). She has published some of Effie’s poems and, over the years, developed and deep and meaningful friendship through letters. Unfortunately, Effie has led Jul’s to believe that he’s a woman but when they meet in person, there are immediate sparks and these two are definitely soulmates. Unfortunately, Jul’s never wants to marry because she greatly values her independence and the vast difference in their stations would prevent it. Lots of angst, self discovery and some drama toss these 2 around on their way to finding their unique happy ever after.

This book was so interesting in the sense that the main characters developed through self reflection and in sharigg by themselves with each other. Effie is a communication king once he knows what is happening in his head which is such a nice romance story twist. I loved all of the throwbacks to Shakespeare, Austen, and so many other literary greats. There were modern themes and issues that were built into the Regency era which added connection to the reader.
The narrator was great, they had wonderful pacing and voice acting which helped to engage me as a listener.

I find Jenny Holiday's style unique in sea of wonderful historical romances. She has a way of heaping humor and puns on early, so you find yourself laughing your way through the initial part of the book, but then the deeper story emerges and you root for her characters as they work their way to their happily ever after.

In Manic Pixie Dream Earl, the three earls we met in the first book in the series are about to embark on their annual Earl's Trip. Edward Featherfinch, Effie, is the sensitive poet of the group and he's relieved to be leaving London, where he fends off advanced from men and women of the ton (there's a funny scene with siblings that was cringe-worthy!). He's never felt much for anyone except the magazine editor he works for, with whom he has only corresponded for the last five years. Though the term "demi" wasn't around back then, Effie fits the current definition. He isn't attracted to anyone until he has a deeper relationship with them.

Julianna is the magazine editor who thinks she's been corresponding with another woman. Knowing her friend Effie is going to Brighton on a holiday, Effie uses precious funds to make the trip there and escape the frustrating situation at the magazine. While her late father intended for Julianna to run the magazine after him, a step-brother has control and exerts it. The magazine is an interesting secondary plot throughout the book.

One of the most beautiful parts of this series is the unconditional acceptance that the three earls have for each other. The other two thought Effie was gay, but happily and kindly advise him when he comes to them about advancing his relationship with Julianna.

The third act breakup in this one really got me, but we get our happily ever after in time.

This was beautiful done and the ALC narrator was fantastic.

I love a pen pal trope!

Jenny’s books are always like warm hugs to me. This one also didn’t disappoint. I loved the way she turned historical romance into an unpredictable mix up of tropes and classic devices and made it her own! I had a great time with this one.

Thank you Tantor Audio for the alc!

I LOVED this book! As a reader, I’ve been hooked since Earl’s Trip and was so excited to catch up with these characters. Holiday brings a light but impactful twist to the manic pixie dream trope and it was done wonderfully. If you’re looking for a new hist-rom for the summer, this is it. As an audiobook, the narration was excellent and kept me engaged the whole time.