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The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion #5
The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 5
I took Treasure Island to church with me as a talisman.
“What a lovely bible,” Mrs. Tribly said.
“Isn’t it just?” I replied, hoping she would not ask me to read a favorite verse aloud.
I do not believe the psalmist wrote,
Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest,
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum.
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, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.
“What a lovely bible,” Mrs. Tribly said.
“Isn’t it just?” I replied, hoping she would not ask me to read a favorite verse aloud.
I do not believe the psalmist wrote,
Fifteen men on a dead man’s chest,
Yo-ho-ho and a bottle of rum.
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, which comprise a series of novella-length volumes. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.
247 pages, Paperback
First published September 21, 2021
1257 people are currently reading
4529 people want to read
About the author
Beth Brower
18 books2,932 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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February 11, 2025Finished this book in bed this morning while snow fell outside - perfect reading experience!
Edited to add: I've been re-reading the whole series with an eye on Hawkes since so many people told me a re-read made him the dark horse love interest for them and. . . I don't see it.
Edited to add: I've been re-reading the whole series with an eye on Hawkes since so many people told me a re-read made him the dark horse love interest for them and. . . I don't see it.
November 30, 2023
I love the ending of this one, just after Christmas. There is a hush to the ending that is so fitting to the quiet stillness of Christmastide and the turn of the new year. Emma has been through a lot of grief and her healing in this book, with the help of a varied group of friends, is so poignant. This volume seemed to have the most depth and profundity to it so far. A lot of that comes from Young Hawkes and from Emma’s own contemplation, especially about what happened at the end of the last volume. We learn just a little more about all the characters and they become ever more endearing. I just adore Agnes! Of course there are hijinks in this too. The scene when Mrs Penury comes to tea is oh so good! I can’t wait to see what delights are ahead.
P.S. I have a theory about The Roman.
P.S. I have a theory about The Roman.
October 15, 2025
Audiobook really took it to a new level for me.
January 11, 2026
I love this series so bad
January 24, 2024
So very lovely...I haven't a clue how this series will end and keep hoping for 2 different ones...I could probably be happy with either.
"And I think that was the moment I began to suspect that the luck Hawkes spoke of might really only be an awareness, an awareness of grace."
"And I think that was the moment I began to suspect that the luck Hawkes spoke of might really only be an awareness, an awareness of grace."
January 9, 2025
"I can almost hear them. Footsteps on the stairs"
June 8, 2025
I plan to read these on an endless loop for the rest of my existence. Life is better with Emma🫶🏻
February 20, 2022
Oh no!!! My heart is drifting/floating towards #teamislington and I can foresee heartbreak in the future for me ...
November 28, 2025
besties I fear I have fallen in love with the duke of islington and I cannot get up 😌 I don't even know that I like him best for emma but I like him best for me 😌
December 10, 2025
I’m actually being so serious when I say… Emma has changed my life 🥹
October 26, 2025
I love you, Emma. And all of the residents of St. Crispian's. Plus Mary. Plus Mary's professor.
January 16, 2022
In order to adequately express my love for this series I would need to go hunt down reams of quotes, so in the interest of laziness I'm going to make a list of notes instead.
Notes
* Brower shares the unique distinction with Phoebe Waller-Bridge of managing to make me attracted to a member of the clergy. The Mighty Nigel Hawkes can hold his own against the Hot Priest from Fleabag.
* I read all five volumes in under 48 hours, didn't sleep, felt like garbage, was a zombified failure at work, and I don't regret it.
* Emma is fabulous. Her self-deprecating humor is fabulous. The Foursome is fabulous.
* I am in love with Islington, and in particular, in love with Emma's interactions with him. I feel like he brings out Emma's wittiest, most fabulous and hilarious self. Brower seemingly effortlessly writes the kind of slightly antagonistic repartee with undercurrents that so many writers of enemies-to-lovers romance can only dream of. I ship them unabashedly.
* I adore the emphasis on friendship that has been building up over the last few volumes. While I can't help developing ships, I find reading about the friendship between the foursome equally rewarding and would not mind Emma not ending up with any of them as long as their friendship stays strong.
* The strange blend of late victorian London with hints of magical realism / magical elements is masterfully done. I love St. Crispian's eccentricities and how well they complement Emma's personality. Items magically wandering, the neighborhood ghost, Young Hawkes' premonitions -- all of it is brilliant.
* The series has a surprising amount of emotional depth to counterbalance the humor and fluff.
* I had actual steam coming out of my ears in the first volume when Emma discovered what Cousin Archibald had done.
* I have no idea what genre this series falls into. It's not historical fiction because of the magical realism, it's too light and funny for Serious Literature, too profound to be classified as fluff. Women's lit, perhaps? Men will miss out if they don't read it because of that.
I recommend!
Notes
* Brower shares the unique distinction with Phoebe Waller-Bridge of managing to make me attracted to a member of the clergy. The Mighty Nigel Hawkes can hold his own against the Hot Priest from Fleabag.
* I read all five volumes in under 48 hours, didn't sleep, felt like garbage, was a zombified failure at work, and I don't regret it.
* Emma is fabulous. Her self-deprecating humor is fabulous. The Foursome is fabulous.
* I am in love with Islington, and in particular, in love with Emma's interactions with him. I feel like he brings out Emma's wittiest, most fabulous and hilarious self. Brower seemingly effortlessly writes the kind of slightly antagonistic repartee with undercurrents that so many writers of enemies-to-lovers romance can only dream of. I ship them unabashedly.
* I adore the emphasis on friendship that has been building up over the last few volumes. While I can't help developing ships, I find reading about the friendship between the foursome equally rewarding and would not mind Emma not ending up with any of them as long as their friendship stays strong.
* The strange blend of late victorian London with hints of magical realism / magical elements is masterfully done. I love St. Crispian's eccentricities and how well they complement Emma's personality. Items magically wandering, the neighborhood ghost, Young Hawkes' premonitions -- all of it is brilliant.
* The series has a surprising amount of emotional depth to counterbalance the humor and fluff.
* I had actual steam coming out of my ears in the first volume when Emma discovered what Cousin Archibald had done.
* I have no idea what genre this series falls into. It's not historical fiction because of the magical realism, it's too light and funny for Serious Literature, too profound to be classified as fluff. Women's lit, perhaps? Men will miss out if they don't read it because of that.
I recommend!
January 6, 2026
4.5 stars I’m addicted to these books. I tell myself I’m going to only read 1 a month and I only make it a week! Full review to follow.
July 21, 2025
July 20, 2025
I forgot how much goodness this volume holds: the charming & bumbling Professor Fletcher, the unconventional sweet-pea memorial, the early stages of The Pirate, the alchemy-filled Christmas, & the 'footsteps on the stairs' of NYE...Well-done, Emma. You've sent off 1883 with a quiet, but meaningful, hurrah to all that's still ahead.
August 5, 2024
Here we are.
I am five volumes deep into the ‘peeling back of the curtains’ that are the journals of one Emma M. Lion…and my only regret so far is that Emma lives in a time and place so removed from mine that it is quite impossible that we become friends.
This proves to be a regret for I should dearly love to sit with her over a cup of tea, trading clever quips and eccentric stories. From her, would come many of these. From me, far too few.
So for the time being, I will be content to continue my time within the pages of her journals, getting to know the vast array of eclectic characters, admiring her pluck and positivity, and slowly selecting which gentleman will be her Intended…if any of them.
I forgot how much goodness this volume holds: the charming & bumbling Professor Fletcher, the unconventional sweet-pea memorial, the early stages of The Pirate, the alchemy-filled Christmas, & the 'footsteps on the stairs' of NYE...Well-done, Emma. You've sent off 1883 with a quiet, but meaningful, hurrah to all that's still ahead.
August 5, 2024
Here we are.
I am five volumes deep into the ‘peeling back of the curtains’ that are the journals of one Emma M. Lion…and my only regret so far is that Emma lives in a time and place so removed from mine that it is quite impossible that we become friends.
This proves to be a regret for I should dearly love to sit with her over a cup of tea, trading clever quips and eccentric stories. From her, would come many of these. From me, far too few.
So for the time being, I will be content to continue my time within the pages of her journals, getting to know the vast array of eclectic characters, admiring her pluck and positivity, and slowly selecting which gentleman will be her Intended…if any of them.
May 5, 2025
Whimsy, wit, wonder.... all the things I love in a delightfully quirky package!
oh, and some very quotable quotes! ❤️
oh, and some very quotable quotes! ❤️
October 9, 2025
This volume really starts to expand our heroine's world, giving her more opportunities to engage with contrasting ways of being: grief or hilarity, openness or stillness, a future or a past. It's beautiful, it's uproarious, it's touching — it's rightly a favorite volume among Emma fans, as warranted by journal entries and quotes like the following:
Marry Roland Sutherland: Looking more acceptable by the day. We both deserve better than a marriage of inconvenience. However, books!
Mary: “Have I met Mr. Sutherland?”
Emma: “No. He’s a former Arch Enemy.”
Mary: “Not the boy who put a salamander in your tea?”
Emma: “The very same.”
Mary: “We shouldn’t reward such behaviour.”
Emma: “The truth is, now he’s lovely.”
Mary: “Is this verifiable?”
Emma: “I could produce witnesses.”
Mary: “Manners?”
Emma: “Refreshing and proper.”
Mary: “Work?”
Emma: “Gentleman.”
Mary: “Situation?”
Emma: “Rich as Croesus. Only son. Parents have already died.”
Mary: “Under suspicious circumstances?”
Emma: “Natural causes, both.”
Mary: “He’s bound to be ugly.”
Emma: “He looks like a Greek deity. The sunny variety.”
Mary: “Emma…”
Emma: “I don’t…want…to be married…to him.”
Mary: Pauses. Takes a breath. “Reason enough for me.”
Emma: “Which is why we are friends.”
Mary: “Although, if you ever changed your mind…”
Emma: “I would accept him in a moment. Do you have any idea how large a library the man must have?”
----------------------------------------
I took myself and my adventure home, and have been in the drawing room all afternoon, reading, while Tybalt naps on my feet and Agnes fills my plate with foodstuffs from the pantry.
----------------------------------------
As for Society, I’d rather be in their libraries than their drawing rooms.
----------------------------------------
Just then the repeated sound of Parian dragging a trunk down the stairs—thud, thud, thud—could be heard.
“That’s the sign we’ve been waiting for,” Hawkes said, standing and walking past me, up and out of the kitchen.
“The sign?” I called.
“Are we putting Mr. Flat in a chest and sending him by post to Australia?”
Hawkes gave no answer. I followed. Despite the biblical condemnation of sign seekers, my curiosity knew no bounds.
The wittiness knows no bounds. And the same is true for the poignancy. I'm enjoying my second read of these books in preparation for the release of Volume 7 at the end of August. If you haven't tried these yet, now is a great time to start! There's every chance you'll fly through all six volumes before the next is released.
Marry Roland Sutherland: Looking more acceptable by the day. We both deserve better than a marriage of inconvenience. However, books!
Mary: “Have I met Mr. Sutherland?”
Emma: “No. He’s a former Arch Enemy.”
Mary: “Not the boy who put a salamander in your tea?”
Emma: “The very same.”
Mary: “We shouldn’t reward such behaviour.”
Emma: “The truth is, now he’s lovely.”
Mary: “Is this verifiable?”
Emma: “I could produce witnesses.”
Mary: “Manners?”
Emma: “Refreshing and proper.”
Mary: “Work?”
Emma: “Gentleman.”
Mary: “Situation?”
Emma: “Rich as Croesus. Only son. Parents have already died.”
Mary: “Under suspicious circumstances?”
Emma: “Natural causes, both.”
Mary: “He’s bound to be ugly.”
Emma: “He looks like a Greek deity. The sunny variety.”
Mary: “Emma…”
Emma: “I don’t…want…to be married…to him.”
Mary: Pauses. Takes a breath. “Reason enough for me.”
Emma: “Which is why we are friends.”
Mary: “Although, if you ever changed your mind…”
Emma: “I would accept him in a moment. Do you have any idea how large a library the man must have?”
----------------------------------------
I took myself and my adventure home, and have been in the drawing room all afternoon, reading, while Tybalt naps on my feet and Agnes fills my plate with foodstuffs from the pantry.
----------------------------------------
As for Society, I’d rather be in their libraries than their drawing rooms.
----------------------------------------
Just then the repeated sound of Parian dragging a trunk down the stairs—thud, thud, thud—could be heard.
“That’s the sign we’ve been waiting for,” Hawkes said, standing and walking past me, up and out of the kitchen.
“The sign?” I called.
“Are we putting Mr. Flat in a chest and sending him by post to Australia?”
Hawkes gave no answer. I followed. Despite the biblical condemnation of sign seekers, my curiosity knew no bounds.
The wittiness knows no bounds. And the same is true for the poignancy. I'm enjoying my second read of these books in preparation for the release of Volume 7 at the end of August. If you haven't tried these yet, now is a great time to start! There's every chance you'll fly through all six volumes before the next is released.
November 14, 2025
I’m now at the point where I am *tearing* through these books cause I can’t get enough, but I’m scared of finishing them all because I love living in this world so much 💕
December 5, 2025
Such perfect timing to finish this book in December — curled up on my sofa to read just as Emma curls up to do the same.
Emma states at one point that she wishes she could write down every word of an evening verbatim, but that no one would find it interesting except herself. This series is for those who *would* find it interesting. Every minor detail, word, look.
This entire series is a gift for those patient, quiet observers who love the magic of the everyday, and can fall deeply in love with a thousand little moments, expressions, and gestures.
Footsteps on the stairs! I could run a marathon with such a little scrap of magic as “footsteps on the stairs!”
Emma states at one point that she wishes she could write down every word of an evening verbatim, but that no one would find it interesting except herself. This series is for those who *would* find it interesting. Every minor detail, word, look.
This entire series is a gift for those patient, quiet observers who love the magic of the everyday, and can fall deeply in love with a thousand little moments, expressions, and gestures.
Footsteps on the stairs! I could run a marathon with such a little scrap of magic as “footsteps on the stairs!”
October 4, 2024
My favorite volume so far! This felt more like a complete story than the previous volumes, and there was a perfect combination of humor and heart. ❤️
September 3, 2023
This is the best Emma book yet! Our lovely heroine has just buried her beloved Maxwell and now returns to life at Lapis Lazuli House with the threat of financial ruin hanging over head. Emma must confront her sorrow and find a way to move on to the future. With the help of her friends, she just might pull through, and we the readers will have plenty to laugh and cry about along the way.
July 12, 2025
"The year is fresh and unworn, and I’ve not wanted to look ahead, truly ahead, for so long now that I’m determined to keep hold of the courage to do it."
The fifth volume of The Unselected Journals series, and it was greatly enjoyable for the most part. I'm really glad I decided to stick with the series, or at least I'm glad so far, and look forward to the next volume.
The fifth volume of The Unselected Journals series, and it was greatly enjoyable for the most part. I'm really glad I decided to stick with the series, or at least I'm glad so far, and look forward to the next volume.
October 12, 2025
Magical and delightful.
I am team Islington throughout this book. His banter with Emma is *french kiss*. And i laughed so hard so many times. Especially the Drunken Duck scene and the church scene immediately after. Beth Brower is a literary mastermind.
I am team Islington throughout this book. His banter with Emma is *french kiss*. And i laughed so hard so many times. Especially the Drunken Duck scene and the church scene immediately after. Beth Brower is a literary mastermind.
August 3, 2024
"Pierce scowled. “Do you celebrate everything?” A worthy question. I myself don’t see any great problem with such a scheme."
"That was the moment I began to suspect that the luck Hawkes spoke of might really only be an awareness, an awareness of grace."
"That was the moment I began to suspect that the luck Hawkes spoke of might really only be an awareness, an awareness of grace."
September 14, 2025
THEY JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER
September 26, 2025
I caved. 😂 I was trying to hold out for the audio version, and I did… but then it had the audacity to not play! So here I am, neck deep in the ebook and I’m so in love with the series it hurts.
Emma is so delightfully Emma. There’s that lingering pain and grief from the last installment, and yet there’s much humour to be found.
I’m Team Pierce, especially after Volume 4, but the party hurt my soul a bit when he’s there with other women. 😭 Imma gonna need him to take a step outta the dark and open up to Emma so we can properly get on with things. 🤭
But also, Islington and Hawkes are equally lovely. Especially Hawkes in this volume. 🥰
Content: a few uses of mild language
Emma is so delightfully Emma. There’s that lingering pain and grief from the last installment, and yet there’s much humour to be found.
I’m Team Pierce, especially after Volume 4, but the party hurt my soul a bit when he’s there with other women. 😭 Imma gonna need him to take a step outta the dark and open up to Emma so we can properly get on with things. 🤭
But also, Islington and Hawkes are equally lovely. Especially Hawkes in this volume. 🥰
Content: a few uses of mild language
October 17, 2025
10🌟!! I only wish Goodreads let you go all the way up to 10 when a book is exceedingly awesome, like this one is. I've loved all of the Emma M. Lion volumes so far (especially Volume 1), but Volume 5 is now my Top Favorite Book of 2025!
I don't want to ruin anything for any fabulous fan of Emma M. Lion, so all I will say that is this novel is now essential reading for the holiday season and a must-have for your Christmas book collection.
My only wish is that the color of this volume (either paperback or hardcover) was a lovely holly red color with gold foil lettering, gilded pages and, of course, an ivy green satin bookmark. Alas, it is not to be, but...I may have to consider how I can redecorate this cover on my own!
I have to thank (again and again), my sweet friend Marjorie (@marjoriepaper on Instagram) for recommending this series to me and for encouraging me to read it. I truly wish I had taken her advice a year ago because I cannot believe I waited so long to enjoy these wonderfully clever, hilarious and addictive journals!
Highly, highly recommended! I graciously bow to the beloved author, Beth Brower, for her brilliant, beautifully-written and beguiling books that have me beaming with delight and brimming with joy!
I don't want to ruin anything for any fabulous fan of Emma M. Lion, so all I will say that is this novel is now essential reading for the holiday season and a must-have for your Christmas book collection.
My only wish is that the color of this volume (either paperback or hardcover) was a lovely holly red color with gold foil lettering, gilded pages and, of course, an ivy green satin bookmark. Alas, it is not to be, but...I may have to consider how I can redecorate this cover on my own!
I have to thank (again and again), my sweet friend Marjorie (@marjoriepaper on Instagram) for recommending this series to me and for encouraging me to read it. I truly wish I had taken her advice a year ago because I cannot believe I waited so long to enjoy these wonderfully clever, hilarious and addictive journals!
Highly, highly recommended! I graciously bow to the beloved author, Beth Brower, for her brilliant, beautifully-written and beguiling books that have me beaming with delight and brimming with joy!
January 3, 2023
Number 5 brought more adventure, more intrigue, more information about characters that I wanted fleshed out a little more and more pleasurable reading! Unfortunately, we must all wait for Emma Number 6. I'm just too impatient. As a side note, I was able to meet the author and she is an amazing human being and wonderful storyteller. It's no wonder that she has written such excellent books!
March 11, 2025
My Quick Takes:
- 5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Language 🤐 mild
- Spice ❤️🔥 none
- Content 🤔 grief, death
My favorite volume yet. This one seemed filled to the brim with all the fun, wild occasions in which one Miss Emma M Lion continues to find herself.
- 5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Language 🤐 mild
- Spice ❤️🔥 none
- Content 🤔 grief, death
My favorite volume yet. This one seemed filled to the brim with all the fun, wild occasions in which one Miss Emma M Lion continues to find herself.
January 6, 2024
What a perfect end to the old year. I love the true poignancy that is beginning to creep in. Jack's second favor. . . Hawkes' mysterious depths. . .and the footsteps on the stairs. Perfection
Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,370 reviews