Manic Pixie Dream Earl
by Jenny Holiday
Jenny Holiday’s latest romance is the second in her Earls Trip series which focuses on a group of close friends and their annual travels. I missed the previous book, which focused on Archibald Fielding-Burton, the Earl of Harcourt aka Archie. Now though is the perfect time to borrow it since Hoopla is offering it as part of its end of May Bonus Borrows; from now till the end of May you can borrow Earls Trip and a variety of other items without having them count towards your monthly Hoopla checkouts! Manic Pixie Dream Earl focuses on Archie’s flamboyant bff Effie. You do not have to have read the previous novel to enjoy this story or understand the dynamics between the various characters. I enjoyed that the story was as much about strong friendships as it was about romance. Effie’s is depicted as being demisexual, only attracted to those he has a strong long term connection with. He has developed feelings for Julianna, the editor of a Women’s Magazine, he frequently writes poetry and other pieces for. When she shows up at the seaside destination where she thinks her correspondent Euphemia is staying with friends, she is shocked to learn that Effie is actually a man. The pair also are divided by age and class so despite their deep feelings towards one another they still have a number of challenges. Julianna is also hesitant to marry because of past experiences and Effie is coming to terms with childhood physical abuse. Despite the fact that the novel focuses on some deeper issues there is also a lot of light hearted humorous moments. This a historical romance for those with modern sensibilities; fans of Bridgerton should swoon.
Two for Tea: Welcome to Azathé
by C.M. Nascosta
Two for Tea is the fourth in the Cambric Creek series by C.M. Nascosta which are set in town populated by witches and mythological creatures looking for love. I hadn’t read any of the other books in the series and did not feel like it effected my enjoyment or understanding of the world. In Two for Tea the main character Harper is a goth girl dealing with depression triggered by the death of a beloved family member. She is just looking for a quiet place when she discovers the Azathé Tea Room, but soon she makes a connection with the mysterious proprietor who is literally made of shadows. Like Effie, Harper is written as a demisexual character who is more attracted to the personality of her shadow love than their physical being. Despite the shadow nature of Azathé there are still two fairly steamy scenes towards the end of the story. Love however is not the only thing that helps Harper overcome her depression, therapy and also some antidepressant from the local healer are also realistically shown as being important in her mental health journey. I enjoyed the audiobook; Rachel LeBlang does a great job of bringing Harper and the other characters’ voices to life.
Written by:
Aimee Harris
Information and Digital Services Manager
Hoboken Library Staff Picks 