A review by allingoodtime
Earls Trip by Jenny Holiday

emotional hopeful reflective slow-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

3.5

I’m the type of person who constantly has songs stuck in my head. While they range greatly, there are a few that are in there over and over. One of them is the song Sisters from the film White Christmas. Not only is the dedication of this book lyrics from that song but there is a chapter named after said lyrics. Needless to say, that song has been on a continuous loop in my brain all week!

As for this book, it had its ups and downs for me. To start with, the characters are all amazing. I couldn’t love Archie and his friends more. And while it seemed at first as though Clementine’s sister was going to be a hard sell, that wasn’t the case. I found this story fascinating when this quintet was together in the same room. I loved their camaraderie and the inside jokes the men shared. I loved that Clementine and Olive could let go of formality and be themselves with them. Also, when Clementine and Archie spent time alone it was magic. They were the best of friends when children and delight in reconnecting. They bask in the realization that they still find great comfort in each other’s presence while also noting the differences that have come about over the last few years.

The problem was I didn’t feel they got to spend enough time together. Seriously, these two didn’t kiss until three-quarters into the book! While there is a definite attraction between Archie and Clementine, they are strictly renewing their friendship and keeping any lingering thoughts to themselves. In fact, they rarely see each other for the first half of the book due to the circumstances that brought them together. It was too much for me and slowed the story, which started strong, to a crawl at times.

Once Clementine and Archie finally kiss, the story picks back up and the last quarter of the book is wonderful. I especially love the scene leading up to their declarations of love. So touching and beautiful.

Right now I don’t see this story listed as part of a series, but there was a reference that there will be a teaser chapter to Effie’s story in the final draft of this book. (BTW, how magnificent is the title Manic Pixie Dream Earl?) There is enough given in this story for me to have me invested in the rest of the quintet’s stories, too.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely** 
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