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The Unselected Journals #2
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2
“I was sitting at my desk reading, with a cup of tea, my windows flung open, when I heard The Tenant enter his garret, just on the other side of the wall from myself.”
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, which comprise a series of volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.
Listeners have compared Beth Brower's writing to Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, P.G. Wodehouse, and L. M. Montgomery.
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, which comprise a series of volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.
Listeners have compared Beth Brower's writing to Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, P.G. Wodehouse, and L. M. Montgomery.
Audible Audio
First published November 1, 2019
1228 people are currently reading
4308 people want to read
About the author
Beth Brower
18 books2,391 followersLike many of my siblings, I would sneak out of bed, slip into the hallway, and pull my favorite books from the book closet. I read my way through the bottom shelf, then the next shelf up, and the shelf above that, until I could climb to the very top shelf, stacked two layers deep and two layers high, and read the titles of the classics. My desire to create stories grew as I was learning to read them.
Subsequently, I spent my time scribbling in notebooks rather than listening to math lectures at school.
I graduated with a degree in literary studies, and have spent several years working on the novels that keep pounding on the doors of my mind, as none of my characters are very patient to wait their turn. I currently live in Orem, Utah, with my wonderful chemist husband, and books in every room of the house.
Subsequently, I spent my time scribbling in notebooks rather than listening to math lectures at school.
I graduated with a degree in literary studies, and have spent several years working on the novels that keep pounding on the doors of my mind, as none of my characters are very patient to wait their turn. I currently live in Orem, Utah, with my wonderful chemist husband, and books in every room of the house.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,978 reviews
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November 17, 2025So far my re-read has made me love Pierce MORE not less.
August 22, 2025
Loved the audio on this third read. Genevieve Gaunt is so good.
So many cliffhangers and mysteries! I did myself a favor when I bought all the volumes currently available. 😂 The Tenant is rather dreamy. I surprisingly enjoy Roland. And what’s with the Roman? Islington is so intriguing. And so is Jack! What is he up to?? I love Emma. And Agnes. And Tybalt. Beth Brower is brilliant at giving us hints of the characters’ backgrounds in such a tantalizing way. On to the next volume!
So many cliffhangers and mysteries! I did myself a favor when I bought all the volumes currently available. 😂 The Tenant is rather dreamy. I surprisingly enjoy Roland. And what’s with the Roman? Islington is so intriguing. And so is Jack! What is he up to?? I love Emma. And Agnes. And Tybalt. Beth Brower is brilliant at giving us hints of the characters’ backgrounds in such a tantalizing way. On to the next volume!
July 25, 2025
So far so good. I resent reading popular modern fiction but hey, there is a Rabbit Room in this book.
Jane Eyre makes an appearance.
Jane Eyre makes an appearance.
May 4, 2024
After reading the first volume, I wasn’t sure if I would keep reading the series or if I liked it enough to continue. My thoughts upon finishing the second volume are different. I need to know what is going to happen now, and I think I’m hooked!
Emma is such a lovable but unique, witty, and eccentric character. I live for the messes she gets herself into. I found myself laughing out loud at several parts. I can’t wait to read the next one!
Content: 5/5: similar to book one, there are one or two d-words but used in a realistic context, not necessarily as expletives.
Emma is such a lovable but unique, witty, and eccentric character. I live for the messes she gets herself into. I found myself laughing out loud at several parts. I can’t wait to read the next one!
Content: 5/5: similar to book one, there are one or two d-words but used in a realistic context, not necessarily as expletives.
February 5, 2024
Onto book 3! I’m finding myself a tiny bit obsessed with this novella series.
June 28, 2025
This is not even a review. I already know reading the volumes currently available to us mere mortals will all be a binge blur.
This is the one where the Ton antics begin, The Tenant goes epistolary, The Incident occurs, the Janes convene, the Duke of Disdain makes his entrance, and the shipping starts to make me spiral. Also Emma fake dates for a deal with the devil. Sorta.
It’s all lovely, and charming, and gloriously random and layered.
This is the one where the Ton antics begin, The Tenant goes epistolary, The Incident occurs, the Janes convene, the Duke of Disdain makes his entrance, and the shipping starts to make me spiral. Also Emma fake dates for a deal with the devil. Sorta.
It’s all lovely, and charming, and gloriously random and layered.
May 11, 2025
Dare I say new favorite series?!??! Emma is such a soul character for me and I’ll never get over how this story exudes magic, springtime and whimsy. This has all the feelings of Little Women, but if it was set in England and had all the banter of an Emily Henry book💞🍊☕️🐈⬛🍃🕯️🖋️🧶🌸
August 29, 2025
Just as amazing the second time through, if not more so. If all other books were spirited away from my library and it was graced only with the works of Beth Brower, I would be just fine.
Original review, December 2022:
Every single one of Emma Lion's male contemporaries is an absolute enigma, and I am here for it.
I literally laughed out loud a couple of times-- and very few books catch me by surprise enough for that to happen. So delightful, and I have no idea what is going to happen next.
Original review, December 2022:
Every single one of Emma Lion's male contemporaries is an absolute enigma, and I am here for it.
I literally laughed out loud a couple of times-- and very few books catch me by surprise enough for that to happen. So delightful, and I have no idea what is going to happen next.
February 26, 2025
Goodness. I absolutely adore Emma! She is a joy. Laughed all throughout reading.
July 12, 2025
"I have found that on occasions of high absurdity, one either discovers a great friend or someone to never speak with again."
The second volume of The Unselected Journals by Beth Brower, and what a great improvement when compared to the last book when it comes to pacing!
Emma M. Lion's shenanigans continue, and with them include new faces. There is Roland, who I already like immensely, and there is the Duke of Islington, who I'm warming up to, and Mr. Pierce, who is quite interesting.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
The second volume of The Unselected Journals by Beth Brower, and what a great improvement when compared to the last book when it comes to pacing!
Emma M. Lion's shenanigans continue, and with them include new faces. There is Roland, who I already like immensely, and there is the Duke of Islington, who I'm warming up to, and Mr. Pierce, who is quite interesting.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
October 9, 2025
It's truly a pleasure to read a book, set in the 19th century, where the characters are in love with JANE EYRE and not PRIDE & PREJUDICE. Austen is given her due, of course, but the significance of JANE EYRE to Emma and her fellow sufferers at Fortitude: A School For Young Ladies, truly delighted me!
January 22, 2023
Charm, charm, charm.
“Your sins are simply marvellous.”
“Your sins are simply marvellous.”
February 27, 2025
Just as wonderful as Volume 1. I need to get my hands on Volume 3 post haste!
2/27/25 - Reread
I love how much advancement in the plot and in Emma’s acquaintances we get in this entry. From Roland to Islington to Mr. Penury, the characters just leap off the page. I have decided, going forward, to keep a list of all the literary references in the Emma books. There are so many and I think it would be fun to have a complete list - sort of like the list of Emma’s personal library at the end of each volume.
2/27/25 - Reread
I love how much advancement in the plot and in Emma’s acquaintances we get in this entry. From Roland to Islington to Mr. Penury, the characters just leap off the page. I have decided, going forward, to keep a list of all the literary references in the Emma books. There are so many and I think it would be fun to have a complete list - sort of like the list of Emma’s personal library at the end of each volume.
February 14, 2025
I enjoyed this one a lot. What can I say? The charm of Emma has caught me too!
February 20, 2025
Another delightful read! I love the addition of Roland and the Duke. Oh, and a feline friend for Emma as well. I don't seem as fascinated by the Tenant as our heroine, but he may yet grow on me. I felt Emma overstepped the bounds of propriety too many times in this volume and am not sure high society would be as forgiving of her blunders as presented. Her behavior (showing up at the Duke's house uninvited or traveling with a strange man without a chaperone, etc) is amusing to more than one handsome gentleman of the aristocracy when in reality, Emma would be shunned for her actions. Despite these quibbles, I am eager to dive into the next volume and to see how Emma's clever mind can solve her financial dilemma.
January 12, 2025
all I'm saying is that if emma decides she doesn't want roland or islington or hawkes I'll happily take any of them off her hands 🤷♀️🤣
August 21, 2025
Anne of Green Gables pathos. Pride and Prejudice logos. Bridgeton ethos.
February 7, 2025
4.5 stars!
What a delightful continuation! I can see why people binge this series and are obsessed with it. The comedy and humor are unmatched, and the plethora of potential love interests is going to RUIN ME.
Emma has one of the strongest voices I’ve ever read, and I can tell we will become fast friends over the next few books.
The writing style continues to impress me. Beth Brower has a way with words.
THOUGHTS:
While this was lovely, it’s still technically a novella and as such, felt incomplete. I know its journal entries, but if it’s published on its own, I will be rating it as such. I’m excited to move onto book 3 and 4 in a few weeks.
OVERALL:
Absolutely delightful. I see they hype and it’s real.
What a delightful continuation! I can see why people binge this series and are obsessed with it. The comedy and humor are unmatched, and the plethora of potential love interests is going to RUIN ME.
Emma has one of the strongest voices I’ve ever read, and I can tell we will become fast friends over the next few books.
The writing style continues to impress me. Beth Brower has a way with words.
THOUGHTS:
While this was lovely, it’s still technically a novella and as such, felt incomplete. I know its journal entries, but if it’s published on its own, I will be rating it as such. I’m excited to move onto book 3 and 4 in a few weeks.
OVERALL:
Absolutely delightful. I see they hype and it’s real.
July 27, 2025
Now we’re cooking! Three love interests, a charming villain, the idiot cousin who takes a backseat, and a ghost. Let’s gooooo!
January 16, 2025
I’ve been bitten by the Emma M. Lion bug
My Quick Takes:
- 4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Language 🤐 none
- Spice ❤️🔥 none
- Content 🤔 past death of family/friends
The delightful chaos builds and I’m throughly enjoying the whimsical life Emma M. Lion leads. Readers learn more about the friends and acquaintances and eccentricities of Emma M. Lion in this short novel.
My Quick Takes:
- 4/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Language 🤐 none
- Spice ❤️🔥 none
- Content 🤔 past death of family/friends
The delightful chaos builds and I’m throughly enjoying the whimsical life Emma M. Lion leads. Readers learn more about the friends and acquaintances and eccentricities of Emma M. Lion in this short novel.
November 6, 2025
This book was a lot of fun! I don't feel "hooked" to these books like it seems the majority of my friends are, but I appreciate the incredible dialogue and fun story lines!
November 22, 2025
This second journal of Emma M. Lion continues the fun. After returning to London and finding that her cousin Archibald has spent her inheritance, she needs to find ways to get by. Renting out a portion of her beloved Lapis Lazuli House is keeping her afloat, and The Tenant has piqued her interest. We can’t help but be amused with their notes back and forth through the wall… and how they solve their mouse problem. I’m excited to see what happens next. 💗
January 7, 2025
It’s official: 𝗘𝗺𝗺𝗮 𝗠. 𝗟𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗶𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹. With the wit of Oscar Wilde, the charm of Jane Austen, & the absurdity of Wodehouse, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘜𝘯𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘌𝘮𝘮𝘢 𝘔. 𝘓𝘪𝘰𝘯: 𝘝𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘮𝘦 2 by Beth Brower delivers hilarity, heart, & a healthy dose of chaos. If you haven’t met Emma M. Lion yet, this is your official invitation to step into her world & stay for tea (or sherry, if that’s more your speed).
📖 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲:
• 🖋️ Emma’s razor-sharp wit will have you crying tears of laughter.
• 🏠 Cousin Archibald’s obsession with morning robes & Lapis Lazuli Minor (you’ll understand—and laugh).
• 💌 Notes exchanged with The Tenant—romantic tension, humor, & mystery all in one.
• 💃 The Duke of Islington’s reluctant flirtation—SWOON.
• 🎭 Sunday sermons featuring Shakespeare (yes, really).
🔎 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗙𝗼𝗿
• 🐱 Tybalt the cat: Here to terrorize everyone but especially Cousin Archibald (a public service, really).
• 💌 Through-the-wall notes: The most romantic pest control solution EVER.
• 📚 The Jane Eyre Society: If you’ve ever wanted to attend a dramatic book club, this is it.
• 🕵️♀️ Wandering objects: Is it a ghost? A Roman? Or just Emma losing things?
• 🎭 Archibald’s drama: Proof that one person can be both repulsive and comedic gold.
• 🕴️ The Duke of Islington: Adding mysterious suaveness and undeniable swoon.
• 🏫 Breaking into Fortitude School: Who knew Victorian rule-breaking could be this much fun?
😂 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜’𝗺 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱
Emma’s voice is unmatched—every page feels like sitting down with a hilariously sarcastic friend over tea. Beth Brower’s genius is in making the mundane feel magical. You’ll laugh, swoon, and maybe even snort-tea-out-of-your-nose at Emma’s antics.
This series is the antidote to dreary days and reading slumps. It’s a quirky, clever masterpiece that will have you ordering the next volume before you finish the last page.
⚠️ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: Mentions of parental loss and grief. A couple of mild expletives (e.g., “d—word”), used sparingly.
📖 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲:
• 🖋️ Emma’s razor-sharp wit will have you crying tears of laughter.
• 🏠 Cousin Archibald’s obsession with morning robes & Lapis Lazuli Minor (you’ll understand—and laugh).
• 💌 Notes exchanged with The Tenant—romantic tension, humor, & mystery all in one.
• 💃 The Duke of Islington’s reluctant flirtation—SWOON.
• 🎭 Sunday sermons featuring Shakespeare (yes, really).
🔎 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗟𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗙𝗼𝗿
• 🐱 Tybalt the cat: Here to terrorize everyone but especially Cousin Archibald (a public service, really).
• 💌 Through-the-wall notes: The most romantic pest control solution EVER.
• 📚 The Jane Eyre Society: If you’ve ever wanted to attend a dramatic book club, this is it.
• 🕵️♀️ Wandering objects: Is it a ghost? A Roman? Or just Emma losing things?
• 🎭 Archibald’s drama: Proof that one person can be both repulsive and comedic gold.
• 🕴️ The Duke of Islington: Adding mysterious suaveness and undeniable swoon.
• 🏫 Breaking into Fortitude School: Who knew Victorian rule-breaking could be this much fun?
😂 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜’𝗺 𝗢𝗯𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱
Emma’s voice is unmatched—every page feels like sitting down with a hilariously sarcastic friend over tea. Beth Brower’s genius is in making the mundane feel magical. You’ll laugh, swoon, and maybe even snort-tea-out-of-your-nose at Emma’s antics.
This series is the antidote to dreary days and reading slumps. It’s a quirky, clever masterpiece that will have you ordering the next volume before you finish the last page.
⚠️ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: Mentions of parental loss and grief. A couple of mild expletives (e.g., “d—word”), used sparingly.
May 30, 2024
PROGRESSIVELY INTRIGUING.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
For 160 pages, this did take me a lot longer to read than I was hoping for. BUT. I will say as things went on I became more and more involved. I think I’m starting to understand Emma’s voice in the story and the journal entries make for a quirky set-up.
I’m especially involved in the touches of potential romance throughout. I love the sprinkle of romance but I NEED MORE. I think Emma is flat out hilarious and I laughed many times throughout.
I’m excited to continue reading these as I love the narrator and how nice of switch up it is from whatever big books I’m generally holding. These are light, humorous and will definitely bring a smile to your face.
Overall audience notes:
- Historical Fiction
- Language: none
- Romance: flirtations
- Violence: none
- Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of loss of parents
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
For 160 pages, this did take me a lot longer to read than I was hoping for. BUT. I will say as things went on I became more and more involved. I think I’m starting to understand Emma’s voice in the story and the journal entries make for a quirky set-up.
I’m especially involved in the touches of potential romance throughout. I love the sprinkle of romance but I NEED MORE. I think Emma is flat out hilarious and I laughed many times throughout.
I’m excited to continue reading these as I love the narrator and how nice of switch up it is from whatever big books I’m generally holding. These are light, humorous and will definitely bring a smile to your face.
Overall audience notes:
- Historical Fiction
- Language: none
- Romance: flirtations
- Violence: none
- Trigger/Content Warnings: mentions of loss of parents
August 20, 2025
August '25: Third read, audiobook version.
I think I should now tell people when they give this series a go, "Get to the Rabbit Room before you make any assumptions about this series." 😁
June '24: Second reading. Upped my rating. These are so fun. 😁
First read: So charming😁 Glad the next book is already written, would have been hard to wait! On to book 3!
I think I should now tell people when they give this series a go, "Get to the Rabbit Room before you make any assumptions about this series." 😁
June '24: Second reading. Upped my rating. These are so fun. 😁
First read: So charming😁 Glad the next book is already written, would have been hard to wait! On to book 3!
September 29, 2025
Vol. 1 is great, but vol. 2 is where things pick up. These series bring in the greatest cast of characters, and I mourn that St. Crispian’s is not real.
December 11, 2025
After the first book in this series I'm now really getting into the story and the characters. I love the antics of the characters and the troubles Miss Lion gets into.
There is really no romance so far but I have loved guessing who Emma is going to be paired up with. I think I know who it is but all of the male characters have been enjoyable in the story so far.
There is really no romance so far but I have loved guessing who Emma is going to be paired up with. I think I know who it is but all of the male characters have been enjoyable in the story so far.
May 3, 2025
Brilliant! The more I read the Emma M. Lion books, the more I love them! I'm 100% addicted and I'm now dying to read the 3rd book. I could say more but, all I know is—they're amazing and SO much fun to read. I've been searching for a book to cheer me up and I found it! The writing is so engaging, interesting, silly and awesome...and I don't have to put a lot of energy into it. I just sit there, move my eyeballs and ENJOY EVERY MINUTE! 😍
January 31, 2024
I literally never would’ve picked these books out for myself but a friend lent them to me and i am so glad she did! They are so witty and fun and actually have me laughing out loud at parts! Would definitely recommend.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,978 reviews