You may have come across a lot of buzz for the Emma M. Lion novellas, and I am happy I finally had the chance to listen to them; in fact, they were a most enjoyable audiobook - the perfect palate cleanser and an escape to Victorian England. I can't wait to continue with the series.
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion - Vol. 1 by Beth Brower
Genre: Historical Fiction/Audiobook
Pub. Date: August 14, 2025
Publisher: Echo Point
Source: Personal Copy
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads says, "The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned
to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a
charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin
Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of
St. Crispian’s.
Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals,
however self-incriminating they may be. Armed with wit and a sideways
amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis
Lazuli House."
Emma has returned to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian's. The year is 1883 and she finds herself back at Lapis Lazuli House, her childhood home, except it is being run by her guardian, Cousin Archibald. He is still angry about something that went on with them in the past, so he has stuck her up in the dusty fifth-floor garret, not her old rooms. He and Aunt Eugenia have been running her life lately and complicating matters further. Volume one is all about Emma getting acclimated with St. Crispian's, its quirky residents, and the dynamic between her and the insufferable Archibald. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower is a cozy audiobook that is perfect for fans of Jane Austen and quiet stories that are filled with laughter and quaint moments.
I adored Emma M. Lion from the start; how could I not? She reminded me of every heroine I've loved from a Jane Austen novel or Anne from Anne of Green Gables. She is smart, witty, and unconventional. Her observations of everyday life at St. Crispian's were a delight, and I found myself, surprisingly, laughing out loud more often than not. Brower's writing felt authentic to the time period and I found myself fully immersed in the story. This book is best enjoyed with a cup of tea and after listening to volume one, I was hooked!
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion - Vol. 2 by Beth Brower
Genre: Adult Historical Fiction/Audiobook
Publisher: Echo Point
Pub. Date: August 14, 2025
Source: Personal Copy
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads says, "The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned
to her London neighbourhood of St. Crispian’s. But Emma’s plans for a
charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin
Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of
St. Crispian’s.
Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected
Journals, however self-incriminating they may be, which comprise a
series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways
amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis
Lazuli House."
Volume 2 picks up where Volume 1 left off in that Emma is still fighting for her inheritance and her place in the world. Due to constraints of the time period, she is held back from really making moves regarding her inheritance, especially after its mismanaged by Cousin Archibald. To earn some money, which she desperately needs, she takes up a tenant, Mr. Pierce, in the adjoining house. She and Mr. Pierce form an unlikely friendship through letters sent through a crack in the wall. Also to complicate matters further, Aunt Eugenia would like Emma to enter society alongside her cousin, Arabella. Emma will serve as a foil to Arabella and help her get a husband. Cue all the drama! The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 2 by Beth Brower is a delight and continues with more of the feel-good and laugh-out-loud moments that volume 1 had.
There are many entertaining subplots in The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion volume 2, starting with the confiscated Jane Eyre novel. At Emma's old school, the mistress seized the book, and Emma is determined to get it back, as it was a great source of joy to so many female students. So, there's that adventure in which she teams up with Jack. Also, there's the budding friendship between Mr. Pierce and Emma that is explored in this volume, not to mention their daily correspondence. Lastly, the Duke of Islington is a character that makes an appearance in St. Crispian's who caught my eye. Volume 2 is a quick novella, but I enjoyed every minute of it.
So, are you a fan of Emma M. Lion? Have you read these novellas? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.
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