My favorite book in this series so far. I continuously laughed and smiled and then nearly cried in the second half. Though I miss seeing these most excellent words on the page, I find myself driving longer routes than I need to just to keep listening to the audio book in my car. It’s like sneaking dessert. 

Though this is 1883, Aunt Eugenia would fit in perfectly in the Trump administration telling rabble rousing Emma to be light-minded enough to find a husband and not to get bogged down with charity and empathy. When she buys Emma another new wardrobe, she reminds her that once Arabella is married, Emma is free to look as “plain and tattered as she likes.” Until then Aunt Eugenia will not be “tainted by association.” A transactional woman for sure. 

I laughed at the Drunken Duck scene and at the serenade from the reprobates ten. And also when Emma describes Charles Goddard (who wants to marry her and have 10 children) as giraffe tall with ears like a fish and that sitting next to him feels like a rodent encroaching. 

I am charmed by her friendships with Pierce, Islington, and Hawkes (the tenant, the Duke, and the Vicar), the foursome describing their bond as Alchemy–magical, transformative, golden. And I felt close to tears as we learn more of Emma’s love and loss of Maxwell who died three years ago. She finally feels her full grief while also contemplating there might be room to move on. 

The companionship, wit, humor, irony, societal expectations, literary references, and beautiful language keeps me hooked to these 200 page novellas. Alone in my car, I feel like I’m in 1883 London living a different life. 

Who doesn’t love a character who asks “Is it moral to marry a man who would gift me an entire library?”

5⭐️