The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol. 1

 

So these books seemed to have exploded out of nowhere. After reading the first volume (of 9, I believe), I understand why. It was really good! 

In 1883, Emma Lion, an orphan, returns to the home she's set to inherit when she turns 21 in a few months. She's been living with her very disagreeable and elderly cousin Matilde, who promised to set her three years of wages aside for her but now is refusing to do so because she thinks Emma stole her silver. Her cousin Archibald, Matilde's brother, has been living in Lapis Lazuli House (which is Emma's), taking care of the upkeep and finances. He refuses to give Emma her old rooms and instead sticks her in the garret. He keeps avoiding her and Emma finally makes an appointment with her banker, who tells her Archibald has deliberately blown through her inheritance by buying expensive clothes. 

Boy, with relatives like these, man. Poor Emma. She's a plucky girl, though, and quickly arranges to have a renter come in and rent out part of the house so they have some income. Her aunt Eugenia also wants Emma to be a companion to her daughter, Arabella, who Eugenia is getting ready to introduce to society. 

Brower has written Emma with a lovely, quirky, slightly dark sense of humor and as a result Emma is very relatable and fun. I'm looking forward to reading the next volume.