Queen B’s Decree: Manic Pixie Dream Earl was relatively light and humorous, despite some of the deeper issues and themes.
Effie is eccentric and flamboyant. The disappointing son of an Earl who owns a macaw, wears bold colors, and moonlights as a poet and writer for a womens’ magazine…under the pseudonym of a woman. And he’s been writing letters to the editor, Julianna…who he falls in love with. Without her knowing he’s both a member of the nobility and a man.
Frankly…Effie must be protected at all costs. He’s loving, adoring, loyal; he’s such a sweet friend and lover and I just want to shield his heart and give him all the hugs.
Julianna is not as likable. She’s 10 years older than him and extremely cynical. I don’t blame her, it’s hard to be a woman in a man-dominated world back then, but she almost feels like a caricature of a feminist. And I do blame her for their third-act breakup, she really needed to do more grovel and apologizing to Effie. He deserved more.
Overall, it was still a fun read, and I found myself laughing at multiple times. I just wished for a little bit more.
Book: Manic Pixie Dream Earl by Jenny Holiday
Series: Earls Trip #2
Genre: Historical
Plot Devices/Tropes: age gap, LGBTQ+