Book Review :: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol 1 by Beth Brower

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 1 by Beth Brower
Series: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion #1
Published by Rhysdon Press
on 5 January 2025
Genres: Historical Fiction
Goodreads

“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 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. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.

Last updated on 7 September 2026

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What is The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol 1 by Beth Brower about?

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol 1 by Beth Brower follows the wonderful character of Emma, who arrives back in London after time away, to a her home of Lapis Lazuli in St Crispian’s. But her cousin Archibald, whom her father allowed to stay in the house at the death of Archibald’s wife (Emma’s Aunt by blood).

But he’s clinging on and refuses to give Emma what is owed to her. And he’s hiding even more than that, too.

“Most times what is amusing in my head is only that, in my head alone.”

Amid trying to be comfortable in her own home, she’s dealing with the formidable Aunt Eugenia and various characters around St Crispians (like the Roman ghost who haunts the place), including her Scottish maid, Agnes.

My thoughts on The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol 1

Well, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol 1 by Beth Brower was an absolute DELIGHT.

I didn’t want to write more than that above about the book, as it’s only 107 pages, so I could spoil the whole thing for you. But what I can tell you is that I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was like Jane Austen, but a bit more sassy, and Emma is a feisty young woman who loved books, evening walks, and speaking her mind.

“I sounded more confident than I felt; one of the great secrets to life.”

Told over a series of diary entries, this is a short read at only 107 pages, but the following books in the series do increase in size. Usually I don’t really enjoy diary-entry-style books like this, but I listened to this one, and I found it to be much more enjoyable, and I’m going to try and listen to the rest of the series rather than read it with my eyes. Although I do like the idea of getting Trophy Copies of this series because the hardbacks are so pretty.

It’s a very simple book at it’s concept – girl arrives back in London and tries to live – but it was a lot of fun learning about the various people in St Crispians, about Emma’s past life, and where she hopes to take her life.

If you like Austen, or historical fiction but with laugh-out-loud moments, or perhaps even the works of India Holton (although less quirky), and you haven’t read this one already, do give it a go! There are currently 8 books in this series and I’m definitely going to give the rest of the series a go!

Have you read The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol 1 by Beth Brower? What did you think?