Mini Reviews: The Emma Edition

You may have come across a lot of buzz for the Emma M. Lion novellas, and I am happy I finally had the chance to listen to them; in fact, they were a most enjoyable audiobook - the perfect palate cleanser and an escape to Victorian England. I can't wait to continue with the series.

 

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion - Vol. 1 by Beth Brower

Genre: Historical Fiction/Audiobook

Pub. Date: August 14, 2025

Publisher: Echo Point

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "The Year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighborhood 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. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House."

 

 

 

 

 

Emma has returned to her London neighborhood of St. Crispian's. The year is 1883 and she finds herself back at Lapis Lazuli House, her childhood home, except it is being run by her guardian, Cousin Archibald. He is still angry about something that went on with them in the past, so he has stuck her up in the dusty fifth-floor garret, not her old rooms. He and Aunt Eugenia have been running her life lately and complicating matters further. Volume one is all about Emma getting acclimated with St. Crispian's, its quirky residents, and the dynamic between her and the insufferable Archibald. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower is a cozy audiobook that is perfect for fans of Jane Austen and quiet stories that are filled with laughter and quaint moments.

I adored Emma M. Lion from the start; how could I not? She reminded me of every heroine I've loved from a Jane Austen novel or Anne from Anne of Green Gables. She is smart, witty, and unconventional. Her observations of everyday life at St. Crispian's were a delight, and I found myself, surprisingly, laughing out loud more often than not. Brower's writing felt authentic to the time period and I found myself fully immersed in the story. This book is best enjoyed with a cup of tea and after listening to volume one, I was hooked!

 

 

 

 

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion - Vol. 2 by Beth Brower

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction/Audiobook

Publisher: Echo Point

Pub. Date: August 14, 2025 

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

 

  

Goodreads says, "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."

 

 

 

 

Volume 2 picks up where Volume 1 left off in that Emma is still fighting for her inheritance and her place in the world. Due to constraints of the time period, she is held back from really making moves regarding her inheritance, especially after its mismanaged by Cousin Archibald. To earn some money, which she desperately needs, she takes up a tenant, Mr. Pierce, in the adjoining house. She and Mr. Pierce form an unlikely friendship through letters sent through a crack in the wall. Also to complicate matters further, Aunt Eugenia would like Emma to enter society alongside her cousin, Arabella. Emma will serve as a foil to Arabella and help her get a husband. Cue all the drama! The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 2 by Beth Brower is a delight and continues with more of the feel-good and laugh-out-loud moments that volume 1 had.

There are many entertaining subplots in The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion volume 2, starting with the confiscated Jane Eyre novel. At Emma's old school, the mistress seized the book, and Emma is determined to get it back, as it was a great source of joy to so many female students. So, there's that adventure in which she teams up with Jack. Also, there's the budding friendship between Mr. Pierce and Emma that is explored in this volume, not to mention their daily correspondence. Lastly, the Duke of Islington is a character that makes an appearance in St. Crispian's who caught my eye. Volume 2 is a quick novella, but I enjoyed every minute of it.

 

So, are you a fan of Emma M. Lion? Have you read these novellas? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

Book Review: The Witches of Cambridge by Alice Hoffman

Pages: 416

Genre: Adult Fiction/Historical Fiction 

Pub. Date: September 8, 2016

Publisher: Scribner

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

 

 

Goodreads says, "Once upon a time, women were drowned in the river and the only witnesses were the crows in the trees. The Puritans blamed Eve for the sins of the world. That was when we began to meet in the name of Lilith, Adam’s first wife—banished for refusing to do as she was told. We Fly Together…

By the 1950s, Cambridge, Massachusetts feels far removed from the legendary witch trials that marked its early days as a colony. Ava, a bright young woman from a small town in Maine, arrives for her first year at Radcliffe College. There, she meets Lauren, her opposite in every way—the wild and brazen daughter of a wealthy and well-established Cambridge family. But the two have more in common than they think. Both are recruited by the Lilith Society, a secret organization of witches at Radcliffe dating back to colonial times. As they learn more about their legacy, Ava and Lauren form a close bond that is put to the test as they learn to navigate their new power, friendship, and love.

While Radcliffe seems like a safe haven, the shadow of McCarthyism looms large, an ever-present threat to the flourishing creative and intellectual life in Cambridge. And as girls from the Lilith Society begin to go missing, Ava and Lauren realize the witch trials of the past may not be as deeply buried as they once believed.

 

Ava Abbot is happy to leave her family's farm behind as she has a scholarship to Radcliffe College. She meets her roommate Lauren Bell, who is well-off and knows about her magical inheritance. As Ava and Lauren navigate life at college in the 1950s, they also form a friendship despite being pulled in two different directions. They are both recruited by the Lilith Society, a secret group of witches who support one another while at Radcliffe. As time passes at college, Ava finds herself drawn to Jamie Mather, the son of the influential Mather family, which has ties to the original Puritan witch hunters. Obviously, this is a problem. Also, while at Radcliffe, Ava learns more about her ancestors, their ties to magic, and their interesting past. Fans of Alice Hoffman will relish the historical details as the 17th-century letters that Ava reads paint a vivid picture. There are also Hoffman's usual strong themes of sisterhood, magical realism, as well as a strong sense of place in The Witches of Cambridge.

I really enjoyed the characters of Ava and Lauren in The Witches of Cambridge. They are both bonded to one another after a close call, and their friendship, despite their differences, becomes a key part of the story. Ava's path takes her to Jamie Mather, whom she is drawn to despite knowing about his family's history. Whereas Lauren's path takes her to the darker side of magic as she becomes Professor Sharpe's research assistant. This relationship morphs into something more, but quickly becomes dangerous. Both women rely on one another and the story has all of Hoffman's usual themes of sisterhood while highlighting the oppressive nature of the patriarchy.

While I enjoyed the characters in The Witches of Cambridge, I can't say I overly connected with them. I felt like I was coming along for the ride, but not necessarily invested in their story. On the other hand, my favorite aspect of the novel was the sense of place. Hoffman does a superb job bringing to life Cambridge in the fall. It was atmospheric, moody, and had vivid historical details revealed in the letters from the 17th century, as well as dark academia vibes, which makes it a great option for fall reading.

While I was expecting so much more from the talented Alice Hoffman, I am still glad I read it, as it really feels like The Witches of Cambridge is meant to be read in the autumn. In the comments below, let me know if you are a fan of Alice Hoffman and if you have read or if you plan to read it this fall.

 

Blog Tour: Eight Ways to Say I Love You

I’m not a fan of the winter season (this comes as no surprise if you know me), but I do love the holidays and holiday books. I only started reading them a few years ago, and I haven’t looked back. There’s nothing better than ushering in the holiday season with a warm drink, a blanket, and a new holiday book.

One new book that’s caught my eye this year is Eight Ways to Say I Love You by Amanda Elliot. This Hanukkah story is a friends-to-lovers romance about two childhood friends who reconnect over several Hanukkahs. It’s perfect for fans of When Harry Met Sally, and I can’t wait to dive in.

 

Learn More About the Book:

 

Eight Ways to Say I Love You by Amanda Elliot

Pub. Date: October 27, 2026

Publisher: Berkley 

 

"This Hanukkah, Shira Levinson is returning home to New Jersey riding the high of achieving major milestones. Though she only just graduated from college, she's got her dream job and a perfect Los Angeles apartment—an actual miracle in the city of dreams.

Life has not been quite as kind to Leo David. Not only did he fail out of college, he was forced to move in with his estranged dad, who he still hates for cheating on his mom years ago. The only silver lining? Getting to see Shira, his childhood friend (and crush, though he’ll never tell her that) while she’s home for her family's holiday party.

But that's just the beginning. Over the next eight years, Shira's and Leo's lives spin them in all sorts of directions as they grow and change, taking them places they never imagined going. Sometimes those paths take them farther away from each other, and other times closer together. If they can only time it right, they might uncover a love that burns forever."

 

You can purchase your own copy of Eight Ways to Say I Love You at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Books A Million, Bookshop, and Penguin Random House. Also, to learn more about Amanda Elliot, visit her webpage and connect with her on Instagram.

 

Eight Ways to Say I Love You is definitely on my holiday reading list this season. Let me know what you think in the comments below and if you added Eight Ways to Say I Love You to your holiday TBR list.

10 Books to Read in November

 

November is here! Who is looking forward to all the cozy novels? I always appreciate curling up with a feel-good read this time of the year and thankfully, there are some good ones coming out along with some new historical fiction.

 

1. Peregrine Hill by Nina de Gramont (11/10)

"A sweeping novel set in Gilded Age New York where a forced marriage, family secrets, and the fight for freedom collide in an unforgettable story about a desperate mother and headstrong daughter navigating a world built on men’s appetites and women’s silence."

 

 

 

2. Whale Harbor by Mary Beth Keane (11/3)

"A sweeping multigenerational saga inspired by the author's family history, following eleven brothers as they are set on different paths between Ireland, England, Montana, and New York." 

 

 

3.  Peculiar Stars by Rebecca Yarros (11/17)

"A slow-burn romance about love, family, and what it means to become the truest version of yourself."

 

 

4. The Last Prince of Florence by Zoe Sivak (11/17)

"Based on the true story of Alessandro de' Medici, this sweeping novel follows a Black woman's secret plot to put her son on a Renaissance throne."

 

 

5. Birth of a Witch by Nora Roberts (11/17)

"Introduces the magical world of Neve McShane, a young witch tasked with stopping a growing darkness, and the coven she has been connected to across lifetimes." 

 

 

6. The Sign of the Raven by Pippa Dunn (11/10)

"Dreams may be more real than we think, as one intrepid dreamer discovers in this YA historical fantasy set in nineteenth century London."

 

 

7. Revenge Plot by Stephanie Wrobel (11/10)

"A desperate writer’s pursuit of a powerful literary agent takes a dark turn."

 

 

8. The 12 Dates of Christmas by Ruby Winter (11/3)

"A jaded New Yorker gives a Christmas-loving Brit twelve dates to change her mind about the holidays—and love—in this charming full-length romance in advent calendar form, featuring 24 sealed chapters for a celebratory seasonal countdown!"

 

 

9. Every Secret Thing by Susanna Kearsley (11/17) 

"Step into a world of unforgettable mystery and heart-wrenching emotion--where a decades-old murder, a brave journalist, and the echoes of WWII converge in an irresistible, page-turning masterclass in historical suspense."

 

10. When They Find Me by Carter Wilson (11/10)

"Some secrets don't fade. They hunt. A new heart-pounding suspense.

 

Let me know in the comments below which books have caught your eye this month. 

 

Halloween Wrap-Up

 

Halloween is here! 🎃 If you’re looking for a last-minute spooky read or a witchy picture book to share with your little one, I’ve got you covered. From creepy tales to charming stories filled with magic, there’s still time to find the perfect book for some Halloween reading fun.

I love that Halloween falls on a Saturday this year—it seems extra fun, doesn’t it? Whether you’re planning a cozy night of reading, getting ready for trick-or-treaters, or simply enjoying the spooky season, I hope you have a wonderful Halloween filled with plenty of treats, laughter, and good books! 

 

Spooky Reads for Halloween

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ultimate Fall Reading List

 

 

 

 

 The Best Halloween Books for Kids

 

 

 

New Books For Autumn Nights:

 

• The Unknown by Riley Sager (horror)
• Home Before Dark by Riley Sager (Horror - finally read it!)
• Kiss, Slay, Replay by Rachel Harrison (horror)
• What Happens at Nightfall by Lauren Willig (Romance + Gothic vibes)
• Stay Out of the Basement (Goosebumps Graphic Novel) by R.L. Stine and Maddi Gonzalez (elementary/middle grade)
• Sneaks by Amy Tern (middle grade mystery)
• Heart of Glass by Jennifer Hillier (thriller)
• Free Falling by Lyla Sage (romance with paranormal elements)

 

 Happy Halloween,