By Mattie Lugar
The last few months, I’ve been seeing so many recommendations for The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower. When people tell me the novels are going to be very similar to some of my other favorite books, I obviously have to give them a shot. Well, they were correct, and even though I’m just about halfway through the series, I’ve completely fallen in love.
The series is written in such an interesting format, told from journal and diary entries of one Emma M. Lion in her everyday day-to-day life. This is a historical fiction series set in Regency England and has so many quirks and charms that you can’t help but love it. There is not one boring character in the entire book, and while there are some I don’t love as much, each character is so distinct in their own odd way and this first book really makes you want to learn more about everyone.
The first book is also the shortest in the series at 107 pages, and you really get to know who exactly Emma is, setting up a lot for the series to come. There were many moments where I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the absurdity of everything, but there were also moments where I felt like I was catching up with an old friend.I can confidently tell you that this theme carries through all of the books I’ve read so far.
If you are looking for an incredibly cozy and light-hearted series to dive into soon, this is one you should absolutely pick up. Emma alone has so much spunk to her, and while she may be considered an oddity, she holds space for herself in her own right and is an absolute joy to read about.