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The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion #2

Los diarios de Emma M. Lion, 2

Not yet published
Expected 19 Jan 27
En la segunda entrega de sus Diarios, Emma M. Lion se enfrenta a su primera temporada social en Londres, donde sigue derrochando su humor, ingenio y encanto irresistible.

Mayo-junio de 1883. La temporada social ha comenzado y Emma M. Lion ha sido reclutada por su tía lady Eugenia con una misió colaborar estratégicamente para asegurar el matrimonio más ventajoso para su prima Arabella. Emma deberá asistir a cenas exclusivas, tés cuidadosamente orquestados y bailes donde cada gesto está calculado. Su papel consiste en estar presente cuando convenga y hacerse invisible cuando estorbe, y Emma intentará cumplirlo sin perder su identidad.

Mientras navega por la maquinaria social londinense, Emma continúa con su vida en Lapis Lazuli House, donde comparte pared, gato y notas clandestinas con su enigmático inquilino. Entre profecías de fantasmas, cenas desastrosas y alianzas inesperadas, un incipiente rayo de luz asoma en su penuria económica.

232 pages, Paperback

First published November 5, 2019

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About the author

Beth Brower

21 books8,013 followers
Like 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.

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5 stars
48,888 (46%)
4 stars
47,525 (44%)
3 stars
9,313 (8%)
2 stars
406 (<1%)
1 star
57 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 13,433 reviews
Profile Image for Brady Lockerby.
317 reviews141k followers
Read
January 6, 2026
I can't help but fall in love with Emma the more and more I nose my way into her witty and hilarious journals!! onto book 3 :) - will rate the series as a whole at the end!

**spoiler alert - definitely going to be 5 stars**
Profile Image for Brooke Averick.
Author 1 book51.7k followers
September 4, 2026
I love all of these men! But I love Emma even more! What a wonderful feeling.
Profile Image for Alexia.
507 reviews
August 5, 2026
2.5 stars.

This volume made me realize that this series has a particular brand of humour that I've never quite understood, specifically, the kind that involves poking fun at someone, usually the protagonist. I’m sure it's supposed to be affectionate, but I can't stand it.

Then there’s Emma's family and friends. Since they’re a little more prominent this time, the author decided to flesh them out, which is fine. Except, instead of becoming more relatable or charming, they just turned insufferable. Emma deserves better, honestly. Even her so-called loving family members treat her like a punchline, which makes me wonder how Emma hasn't snapped and decked them all yet.

Emma herself? She can’t seem to stand up for herself, preferring to lob juvenile jabs instead. Honestly, I cringed more than once at her dialogue. Additionally, everyone talks and acts in ways that make them appear significantly younger than their actual ages.

In conclusion, I really wanted to love this, given my enjoyment of the first volume, but this one just didn't have that sparkle. Instead, it managed to annoy me to the point where my enjoyment was pretty much demolished.
Profile Image for Cindy Rollins.
Author 20 books3,795 followers
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.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
1,760 reviews212 followers
November 19, 2023
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!
Profile Image for Lauren.
508 reviews145 followers
April 19, 2026
SOMEBODY better buy Emma some books 🗣️ Also, Emma is the only person that loves Jane Eyre as much as me
Profile Image for Lottie Smalley.
217 reviews5,209 followers
July 21, 2026
*3.5 ⭐️!! these books are so hard to rate because they’re such quick reads 🧐

i definitely enjoyed volume 2 more, but i’m still waiting for the series to completely capture my attention. i find my mind wandering every now & then while i’m reading, and i’m not really thinking about it once i put it down? but at the same time, these books are just so freaking lovable!!

i absolutely adore emma’s humor and her witty observations, and i really enjoyed getting to know some of the side characters a little better in this one. i’m not obsessed just yet but i love how these offer a little something different and i’m definitely gonna read the next one!
Profile Image for Tracey .
1,048 reviews60 followers
September 10, 2026
"The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volume 2" is a wonderful addition to this series! I especially enjoyed the engaging banter between Emma and the tenant, and Genevieve Gaunt's expressive and captivating narration brought the story to life. I am looking forward to listening to the next volume!
Profile Image for * A Reader Obsessed *.
2,814 reviews605 followers
February 8, 2026
4 Stars!

Admittedly, I was a bit unsure when I read the first volume, but now I am thoroughly charmed!

What looks like perhaps a boring recollection of Victorian thoughts of a middle class unmarried heroine has turned into a very entertaining account of all her adventures both big and small.

Here, the cast of characters are further fleshed out to include a co-conspirator vicar, a childhood nemesis turned dashing rake, a duke (no less), a con man thief, and a war torn veteran that is also Ms. Lion’s tenant. One can easily see that her plate is certainly full!

Half these interactions are due to the quirky rules of St Crispin, an eccentric town with equally mischievous denizens that is a set up for all sorts of shenanigans, as well as Emma being at constant odds with her horrible cousin Archibald, may all his lounging robes be tossed into a pit of fire!

Again, thoroughly charming, and I can’t wait to see who next appears in Emma’s rapidly expanding circle of delightful happenstance.


The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion
Volume 1 - 3.5 Stars
Volume 2 - 4 Stars
Volume 3 - 4.5 Stars
Profile Image for Darla.
5,211 reviews1,383 followers
September 24, 2026
If I had the option, this one would get ten stars!

What a delightful little volume.

Some of my favorite bits:

😻 Tybalt, the cat. Named after the R & J character, of course.

Good king of cats, nothing but one of your nine lives; that I mean to make bold withal, and as you shall use me hereafter, drybeat the rest of the eight.

🧑‍🦳Aunt Eugenia. What a hoot! Her etiquette lessons alone are hysterical. And her assignments for Emma. . .

😍 The gentlemen! The Tenant. The Duke. The Vicar. The Nemesis. The Roman. And more . . .

📚 A convocation of Jane Eyres at Lapis Lazuli House.

🤣 While listening there are times when I laugh out loud. The narration is top notch and the material is fabulous.

The Libby holds at my library for all the volumes have me waiting for weeks -- except for the 3rd. For some reason I was able to check that one out immediately. Lucky me. Onward I go through Emma M Lion's Unselected Journals. 💎
Profile Image for Youssra {very busy-review slumping}.
941 reviews479 followers
July 18, 2026
I am absolutely enamored by everything about these books🩵😭 started and finished in less than 5 hours.. I was bewitched by Emma and her league of interesting friends and acquaintances 🫶 So excited for the rest and so happy I have so many more to go through!
Profile Image for Mel.
198 reviews13k followers
July 19, 2026
even more charming than the first!
Profile Image for Shea.
269 reviews50 followers
February 19, 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.
Profile Image for Zakiyyah.
150 reviews
September 24, 2026
Follow-up to the saga that is Emma M. Lion’s life at Lapsus Lazuli House.

Despite the 3-star rating, I did enjoy the book and the overall series, but I’m not enthralled with it.

It’s always nice to drop into Emma’s life and see what sort of messes she’s gotten herself into and out of, and these books certainly help pass the time. But this time around, as I read about elaborate schemes to recover copies of Jane Eyre from Emma’s former preparatory school, I admittedly did find myself wondering if there wasn’t a better use of my time.

I can feel myself returning to this series with about the same amount of enthusiasm as when I watch HBO’s The Gilded Age. Both are great for a bit of low-stakes drama concerning dinner parties, disgruntled upper-class family members, and vague love interests.

So, will I read the next book? (Note: I’ve asked myself the same question about the upcoming fourth season of The Gilded Age.)

Answer: TBD. In reality, most likely yes.
Profile Image for Mikayla Noel.
416 reviews5,292 followers
December 30, 2025
I am quite entertained by this series. This time period has me in a choke hold🤪
Profile Image for Hallie (thecommonroomshop).
331 reviews958 followers
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💞🍊☕️🐈‍⬛🍃🕯️🖋️🧶🌸
Profile Image for Booksblabbering || Cait❣️.
2,449 reviews1,029 followers
June 6, 2026
This is difficult to review because it’s so short. It didn’t really move the plot forward in a massive way and blended into what I remembered from book one.🤷🏼‍♀️

Emma starts a note-passing friendship with "The Tenant" living on the other side of her wall who you might suspect of being the love interest, unless you take into account the other eligible gentlemen who seem drawn into her orbit.

I adore how clever, witty, and funny Emma is. Especially when she manages to toe the line of proper etiquette and manners against her impatience and plucky independence.

I’m definitely someone who prefers longer books to sink my teeth into, but I know there are many volumes to go and they get longer as you go.

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Profile Image for N.
165 reviews3 followers
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.
Profile Image for Lindsay L.
944 reviews1,775 followers
April 1, 2026
5 amazing audiobook stars!

I loved this book even more than book 1!

It is 1883 and this story continues to follow the daily journals of Emma M. Lion. She is a twenty year old orphan who has moved back into her family home after gaining its title on her twentieth birthday. She resides in her family estate with her miserable and conniving cousin Archibald due to a family promise that she needs to uphold. In this instalment, Emma gains some financial knowledge and information that gives her some power to gain independence and freedom (which I loved).

This series instalment digs deeper into the new Tenant that is renting a room in the family home and it introduces a feline friend in the mix who is brought in to rid the house of mice. A few extra secondary characters are also added, each offering a new, enticing layer to the charming, witty and fun storyline. There is a secretive letter sharing element that I absolutely adored.

I laughed throughout this book at Emma’s snark and inner thoughts. Being in her head/journal is true entertainment! Emma is a witty, sarcastic, honest, loveable main character who I love shadowing as she goes about her days in the small London village of St Crispian’s.

I am immediately jumping into Volume 3!

🎧 Audio rating: 5+ stars! Incredible audio performance! Outstanding! The audio narrator greatly enhanced my connection, investment and enjoyment! The perfect choice to perform this series!

Thank you to my lovely local library for the audio loan!
Profile Image for Paris (parismaereads).
333 reviews1,043 followers
January 16, 2025
FULL REVIEW ON MY BLOG

My Quick Takes:
- 4.25/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
- Language 🤐 one use of mild
- 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.
Profile Image for abigailscupoftea.
45 reviews208 followers
March 14, 2026
this book is like a little lavender cream matcha: sweet as springtime and absolutely delicious to devour. and once it’s been consumed, you wish you could enjoy it all over again. 🍵🪻☁️💫
Profile Image for ✨CIINDERER✨.
19 reviews1,549 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
September 13, 2026
Reseña conjunta de los dos primeros libros de “Los diarios de Emma M.Lion.

4/5🌟

Estos libros han hecho que recuerde lo mucho que echaba de menos leer novelas de época, me han ENCANTADO 🥹

He ido a leerlos con muchas ganas, había leído críticas muy buenas y debo decir que estoy de acuerdo con todas ellas.

Creo que antes de comentaros mi opinión debéis saber varias cosas:

👉🏼 En estos libros seguimos a Emma, una joven huérfana de la época Victoriana que vuelve a su casa de Londres para recuperar su herencia. Por lo tanto, no son unos libros de romance en sí, más bien seguimos su día a día, conociéndola a ella, su situación, amistades, etc
👉🏼 Hay 8 libros publicados en inglés, todos llegarán a España. Aunque la autora ya ha dicho que serán unos 24 diarios.
👉🏼 Cada diario son dos meses de la vida de Emma
👉🏼‼️Importante: los dos primeros volúmenes son cortos (apenas 160 págs el primero y 220 el segundo) por lo que son bastante introductorios.

Teniendo esto en cuenta.. ¿Qué me han parecido? Chicas, si os gustan los libros de época bien hechos, tenéis que leerlos! Yo los he amado. Es cierto que son las introductorios de lo que me esperaba, sobretodo el primero, pero la esencia de la historia, y sobretodo de Emma, cautiva desde la primera página.

👉🏼 Me ha encantado como está escrito, he sentido que vivía cada día con Emma. Es un personaje con el que vas a conectar si o sí.
👉🏼 Tiene diálogos muy ingeniosos
👉🏼 La ambientación la he amado

Siento que esta es de estas historias que no ha hecho más que empezar y que va a ir a mucho más. No le doy 5 estrellas por el simple hecho de que siento que estas dos primeras partes son (como he dicho ya ochenta veces jajaja) muy introductorias. Pero la segunda parte de la segunda novela ha ido rodada y se empieza a intuir lo geniales que van a ser los siguientes libros.

En cuanto al romance… Parece que van a haber varios intereses amorosos, pero aún es pronto para decirlo. De momento estas primeras partes se centran en Emma, aunque hay varios personajes masculinos que uf🥰 (ejem, el Duque… my type)

En definitiva, 100% los recomiendo, pero tenéis que saber lo que vais a leer! No son unos libros de romance y época al uso.

¿Sabéis que? Recordad mis palabras, algún día hagan una serie de estas novelas, porque yo las he sentido CASA, y creo que funcionarían genial como serie AHHH (cruzo los dedos)
Profile Image for Gloria.
1,249 reviews153 followers
September 20, 2026
The narrator really does a wonderful job of bringing Emma's journals to life with all the different characters. Love the witty humor and interactions of the characters. The setting and time period are fun. Now to Vol. 3.
Profile Image for Bailey Mcknight.
Author 2 books3,960 followers
August 7, 2026
this book was TOO CUTE!! I found myself giggling out loud. I love the additional characters and humor that came with this book. I’ll definitely be reading the rest!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 13,433 reviews