The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 8 (The Unselected Journals #8) by Beth Brower

 

Summary (from the publisher): "Strange, considering it all now after a night's sleep, that I'd had no premonition of what awaited. That seems to be the nature of life, however. Things that ought to come with warnings rarely do."

The Year is 1884 and Emma M. Lion has, at long last, gained her majority. Entering a golden age of friendship with Pierce, Islington, and Hawkes, Emma is confident she will manage whatever comes her way. It is The Season she must help Arabella secure a husband, while navigating the threat of Aunt Eugenia, the unflagging adoration of Charles Goddard, and the amusing unpredictability of St. Crispian's. But the secrets of her trusted friends are what might very well bring about disaster.

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.

Readers have compared Beth Brower's writing to Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, P.G. Wodehouse, and L. M. Montgomery.

Review: In this eighth installment in this delightful series, Emma M. Lion has gained her majority and is enjoying a delightful symmetry in her friendship with Pierce, Islington, and Hawkes. While still at the beck and call of her Aunt Eugenia as she works to marry off her cousin Arabella, and while also still suffering through living with the insufferable Archibald Flat, things on the whole are looking up. Islington invites the friends to stay at his summer estate of Stonecrop for the month of June. This idyllic getaway gives them all a chance to spend unfettered time away from societal expectations but also is provides some illuminating insight into each other's pasts and ongoing hangups. 

I didn't realize until I started reading this book how much I had missed this series! Or, as Emma says, "One should go away long enough to know the cotton-soft contentment of coming home" (410). Emma remains one of my favorite leading ladies. She is plucky, courageous, and very funny. She continues to remind me of a Josephine March or Anne of Green Gables, but with this quirky pluck of the leading lady of I Capture the Castle. Others have said the books remind them of a historical Gilmore Girls and the wit and comradery certainly do bring that to mind as well. 

This is one of the only examples I can think of where a love triangle is executed so, so well. I truly don't know what is going to happen or even who I want Emma to end up with. Or do I even want her to end up with any of them? They have such a delightful friend group, and I hate to see it altered. These are layered, complex characters with intricate relationships to accompany them. 

There is still much left uncovered at the conclusion of this book. Hawkes in particular remains a complete mystery! Although he clearly is a mystery to all in the book as well. I assume that another book is forthcoming, and I will be anxiously awaiting it. One of the best series I have read. A true delight. Shocking to me that these are self-published, and a publisher hasn't snatched them up. BIG mistake. HUGE. 

Stars: 5

Related Titles: 

• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 1 by Beth Brower
  
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2 by Beth Brower
  
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 3 by Beth Brower
  
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 4 by Beth Brower
  
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 5 by Beth Brower
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 6 by Beth Brower
• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 7 by Beth Brower