The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 1
"I've arrived in London without incident. There are few triumphs in my recent life, but I count this as one. My existence of the last three years has been nothing but incident."
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.
Readers have compared Beth Brower's writing to Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, P.G. Wodehouse, and L. M. Montgomery.
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Community Reviews
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion opens in 1883 with Emma returning to her London neighborhood and immediately serving dry, sideways commentary like it’s her full-time job. She is trying—bless her—to live a quiet, studious life, but between Cousin Archibald, the formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the delightfully odd residents of St. Crispian’s, peace was never really on the table.
What follows is a journal-style story that is witty, observant, and sneakily addictive. I went in expecting to be mildly amused.
Instead?
I finished it and immediately started Volume 2 completely ignoring the other three hundred and eleventy-five books on my tbr.
Emma’s voice is the real star here — dry, sharp, and just self-aware enough to make the whole thing sparkle. The humor leans very much into that cozy, British, gently absurd lane (think L.M. Montgomery-meets-Wodehouse vibes), which will absolutely work for you… or absolutely not. For me, once it clicked, I was all in.
At times the pacing meanders a bit (ma’am, we are strolling through London and we are taking our sweet time), and the episodic journal format won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. You definitely have to settle into the rhythm.
But overall? Completely charmed. Mildly obsessed. Already halfway down the series rabbit hole.
What follows is a journal-style story that is witty, observant, and sneakily addictive. I went in expecting to be mildly amused.
Instead?
I finished it and immediately started Volume 2 completely ignoring the other three hundred and eleventy-five books on my tbr.
Emma’s voice is the real star here — dry, sharp, and just self-aware enough to make the whole thing sparkle. The humor leans very much into that cozy, British, gently absurd lane (think L.M. Montgomery-meets-Wodehouse vibes), which will absolutely work for you… or absolutely not. For me, once it clicked, I was all in.
At times the pacing meanders a bit (ma’am, we are strolling through London and we are taking our sweet time), and the episodic journal format won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. You definitely have to settle into the rhythm.
But overall? Completely charmed. Mildly obsessed. Already halfway down the series rabbit hole.
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