The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion

by Beth Brower

Despite historical fiction being my favorite genre to read (and the genre for my debut novel), the subgenres of Regency and Victorian cozy fiction have never been of much interest to me. Yes, even Pride and Prejudice, and its 30 million sold copies didn’t capture me as a fan. So when my neighborhood book club chose the first two Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion for a summer read, I went along with it to be a good sport. And I haven’t been able to stop thinking about those wonderful books since!

From the whimsical (and ridiculous) neighborhood of St. Crispian’s to the brushes with aristocratic matchmaking to the delightful cast of characters, including our witty protagonist, Emma M. Lion, this series hits all the core elements of a proper romance–and I like love it anyway.

As someone who has studied writing craft for 11 years, I very much appreciate that the author, Beth Brower (shoutout to my fellow Utah writer!), has the entire 25-book series outlined. It’s clear that she isn’t losing her way, and (I think) I’ve picked up on many of her easter eggs along the way.

Since Brower hasn’t told anyone how the series will develop or end, how about we take our best guesses?

SPOILER ALERT  – do not keep reading if you haven’t already finished books 1-8!

I haven’t sorted through all the clues developing in Emma Lion’s story, but here are some of my predictions, with a backup option for Emma’s love life:

• We’ve already seen Emma begin to fall in love with Niall Pierce. I think the purpose of this romance is to help Emma be okay with loving someone again after losing Maxwell. Niall and Emma have had some emotionally intimate, vulnerable moments, but Niall has too many shadows and I believe he won’t let anyone deeply enough into his life to be marriage material. So I don’t see their courtship continuing past book nine or ten.
• One of the recurring themes of the series is how characters grapple with death. I therefore have a sense of foreboding that one of the most beloved characters, the vicar Nigel Hawkes, is going to meet with an accident that takes his life somewhere around book 19. Other than the Roman, Young Hawkes is already the most ethereal character. And as one of the Reprobates, he lives life a little on the edge. I think something is going to happen to him.
• Friendship has developed between Emma and The Duke of Islington, and I predict that will continue to evolve into love. I don’t think Henry will steal her away from Niall, but I do expect at least one book of awkward tension for that love triangle as Emma and Niall figure out how to be just friends while Henry and Emma figure out how to be more than that. (But it won’t last.)
• When I was 30 percent through book 8, my prediction for Emma’s love life was that she would receive one or two offers of marriage over the course of the series, and would decide to stay single. I think Islington will end up with someone, most likely Arabella Spencer. There is currently so much angst between The Duke and Lady Spencer that I figure it will have to turn around–which I expect to be done in dramatic fashion. If Arabella and Henry marry, that would give Emma lifelong access to Stonecrop, which is a place Emma truly loves. It would also put the duke in a position, as a family member, to provide for Emma financially, if she ever needs it.
• But maybe Emma won’t need financial help. Despite her fumbled and foiled efforts at employment, I think Ben Chambers will begrudgingly give her a job at The Hound. (I do hope she has more hilariously failed job attempts in the meantime!)
• If Emma does end up married–because she wants children, after all–my guess is for Mr. Hazel. If the name isn’t familiar, it’s because he was introduced in one scene in book 8; but I expect we’ll see more of him. Here are the clues pointing to this outcome. (Please forgive any typos; I’m pulling these quotes from the audiobook and don’t have a physical book to reference.)
  • 1) Just before she is asked to a dance by Mr. Hazel (book 8, May 24), Emma is “thinking of the eight Fletcher women who are forces in their own right, and how some are married and some are not. Some have children, and some do not. Each circumstance slightly different than the next. Yet they all carry their minds with them, no matter.” Meeting Mr. Hazel comes as a direct answer to what Emma is starting to figure out about what she wants for her future.
  • 2) The dance with Mr. Hazel is a “pleasant thing”. He is young, so likely closer to her age than the other friends in Alchemy, which will be approved by the Janes. During their dance, Emma uses such phrases as “I perfectly understand the shackles of familial mandates”, “you have placed your faith in the correct partner”, and “you have picked the right partner”. That sounds like marriage foreshadowing to me!
  • 3) He’s a military man, like her beloved Maxwell. Being in the Navy must take him away for months at a time, which would let Emma live the independent life she thrives on.
  • 4) Also, she likes his sister, Lady Cross, who likewise compliments her from the first introduction. Mr. Hazel and Lady Cross are clearly intelligent people whom Emma could respect. I don’t see a reason for these two coming into the series one-third of the way through unless Emma will develop a relationship with him.

If you’re also following the series, I would love to hear your thoughts on my predictions as well as your own predictions. Or send me a photo of your paper chain counting down the days until February 23, 2027 when book 9 is released!