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

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Vol. 1 (The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion #1)
Publisher: Rhysdon Press
Pub Date: 5 November 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction Novella

Panda Rating:

_{(4.5 pandas)}

📖 SYNOPSIS

“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.

Okay, I’m not gonna lie, I was dubious at first about how much everyone seemed to love this novella. Sure, I giggled a few times at the start, but nothing was really grabbing me and soon, I was convinced that this would be a somewhat forgettable “okay” read. Then suddenly, somewhere around the halfway point of the story, I felt this overwhelming rush of affection for Miss Emma M. Lion. Needless to say, I ate the rest of this up and wound up loving it so much that I need to get my hands on Vol. 2 immediately!

I wanted to stand on the rooftop and scream what an awful scumbag Cousin Archibald was and for the injustices this young woman has had to deal with. Oh, there were some scenes that made me mad mad, and through it all, I rooted so hard for Emma to come out on top!

Emma is sharp-tongued, slightly wily, definitely cheeky, and more kind-hearted than some people deserve. My heart hurt for her because she has faced so many big losses in her life, and through the tumult, the people who are meant to care for her, failed her rather miserably (even purposefully and spitefully). I hated Cousin Archibald and Cousin Matilde, and I was on the fence about Aunt Eugenia. She clearly does hold Emma in some esteem, despite her “poverty and lowly position”, although Aunt Eugenia conveniently ignores everything that has been done to her at the hands of Archibald and Matilde. So, when does “having no Affection but being Blood” stop being a convenient excuse to only ‘help’ Emma when Aunt Eugenia wants to use her? 🤔

I digress.

There are other people in Emma’s life who seem to understand her and wish to help her where they can. Her friend Mary was a wild one and I liked Arabella, Aunt Eugenia’s daughter. She seems to care a great deal about Emma and I’m glad she has at least one family member who genuinely seems to care about her. I also found that Agnes, the house keeper and cook of Lapis Lazuli House, really grew on me too! The scene with the mysterious tenant really had me cackling. 😂 For those who’ve seen Downton Abbey, she honestly reminds me a lot of Daisy, with her innocence and gullibility as well.

There’s something quite comforting in the writing of this novella, and the more I read Emma’s entries, the more I wanted to keep reading. I’m so excited to learn more about the residents of her St Crispian’s neighbourhood. I also need to know who this mysterious “man of war” is that just moved into Lapis Lazuli Minor. Dare I hope that he’ll end up being a love interest? Maybe? Is it too soon for that? 🤭 Is there any connection to Young Hawke’s sudden disappearance from the pulpit when this man came to town? What social obligations will formidable Aunt Eugenia put Emma through? I need to know, so I’m off to buy Vol. 2 immediately!