Conversations With Kav – Are you a Lionheart? + Giveaway

I had no idea I was a Lionheart – until a few days ago, I didn’t even know what one was! But now I can staunchly affirm that yes, indeed, I am wholeheartedly a Lionheart! In case you haven’t heard, a Lionheart is an ardent follower of all things relating to ‘The UnSelected Journals of Emma M. Lion‘, a series which has made a resurgence in the publishing world since the original indie books were bought up by a mainstream publisher and given some upstage marketing. Now it’s all anyone can talk about in my bookish online world. Instagram and Book Tube are all agog. Can’t speak for Facebook, but I’m curious to know if this particular Emma obsession has taken over there as well.

I met Emma late this summer and I am now obsessed! It didn’t start out that way though. I was kinda ‘meh’ with The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion Vol 1 until close to the 50% mark and then things really picked up and I was compelled to keep going. But I guess I should backtrack incase you haven’t heard of this suddenly over-the-top popular series.

Emma M. Lyon is a Regency heroine – an impoverished young woman, orphaned and under the guardianship of an odious distant cousin until she comes of age at 21. Each journal covers about two months of her life, and yes, that means the entire story(ies) are written in journal format. So, fans of epistolary novels rejoice! These are quite brilliant! And if you are not a fan of this type of storytelling, Emma is sure to change your mind.

The books are funny and poignant and Emma is utterly charming. Feisty and outspoken at a time when women decidedly were not. And the situations she gets into! Her eclectic collection of friends, including a number of single gentlemen who may or may not become romantic interests. I’ve only read three journals so far so I don’t know what’s going to happen though I’m sure it will turn into an unlimited number love triangle. I’m both terrified and thrilled at the prospect. 🙂

The books are expensive in Canada, $25 each and there are eight in the series with a ninth book coming out in November. Luckily I’ve found the audio books on Libby and Hoopla and I have to say they are fantastic! The holds on the print books are crazy long at my library — 200-300 per book! My only complaint about the series is the price of the books – they are novella length so really expensive. Also, it would have been easy for the publisher to combine two journals into one book and cut the cost for readers so I feel like it’s a bit of a money grab.

But I’m as crazed as the rest of the Lionhearts who are posting about “Emma M. Lion” on social media. I’ve seen pictures of shelves showcasing the books along with items that represent scenes from the stories. Posts predicting who Emma will marry. Stirring controversy over whether we have even met her intended yet. (I even have a hair-raising theory that would be catastrophic if it came to pass!) There are bookstagram shots of Emma M. Lion books out in the wild. People dressed in Regency garb as they read one of her journals. All kinds of images are popping up in my feed and I am loving it!

So, I desperately need to know. Have you met Emma yet? If so, what do you think of her journals?

In general, are you a fan of epistolary novels? If so, can you share any titles? I can only think of Pepper Basham’s series with the emails and texts – but not for the entire book, and Daddy-Long-Legs from my childhood. Oh and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

Share your thoughts in a comment and you could win:

Offer open to US and Canada readers as well as International Readers who have a US Kindle account. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday September 25 2026.

51 thoughts on “Conversations With Kav – Are you a Lionheart? + Giveaway”

  2. I’ve been seeing the buzz about Emma too. I listened to the first one and really enjoyed it. They’re so cute and heartwarming to listen to. I may listen to Vol 1 again, since like you, it took me a bit for it to grab me. Then I’ll keep on listening to the rest of them. They don’t take long, and the narrator is good. I’d kind of love to have this set on my personal library shelves. My birthday and Christmas is coming up!😉 I do love epistolary, but I have to be in the mood to read it. Amy Lynn Green has a very interesting epistolary book called Things We Didn’t Say. But don’t listen to it—you have to see the dates and recipients of the letters and articles. Amy did a masterful piece of writing! I do love Pepper’s epistolary books. They’re fun to read!

    Karen R (kcrhoadesATroadrunnerDOTcom)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. It just suddenly exploded into my instagram feed about two weeks ago and I keep finding new challenges and intriguing ways readers are promoting the series. And yes, I was surprised at how well the journals work as audiobooks. I was worried this would be the kind of book I’d really need a print copy for. Thankfully not. In fact, I think the audiobooks help me get into Emma’s head more, if that makes any sense. Ohhh, Things We Didn’t Say – I have read that one. Might have to give that one a reread now that I’m in an epistolary mood. Thanks for that suggestion, Karen. Good luck!

      Like

      Reply

  3. I’ve seen a lot about Emma M. Lion on substack. I thought that Emma M. Lion was the author and I thought the books, her literal journals, were written years ago. My assumption was that she was a contemporary of G.A. Henty, one of my favorite authors growing up. It wasn’t until this week that I realized that a new book was being published, so either the author (who I thought was Emma M. Lion) was actually contemporary or being published posthumously. That’s when I did my research and learned the truth that the books are fiction. Now it all makes sense!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I haven’t ventured into sub stack yet. Must give that a try as well. Interesting that you thought these were actual Regency dated writings! Guess that shows their cover art is effective. Speaking of which, have you seen the reel where the creator rips off the covers of all her Unselected Journal books? I gasped out loud. But she’s a book binder and she made the most gorgeous embossed hard covers for all of them. I am jealous. 🙂 Good luck, Rebecca!

      Like

      Reply

  4. I have noticed some talk on both Goodreads and Fb about this series. They aren’t quite as expensive for ebook as yours are in Canada. The first book starts at 5.99, and they work up to 9.99. Book 7 is 314 pages and book 8 is 356 so they are getting longer as you get into them. They have drawn my attention as I do enjoy witty banter, but what has stopped me in my tracks was reading a comment somewhere that there were like 25 more books coming. Whoever said that was wondering if they would live long enough to finish this series, lol. I have been asking myself do I really want to dip my toes into a series that doesn’t seem to have an end? Hmmm…

    Have a great Sunday Kav and Best Readers! tracey14567 atgmail.com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    2. Gasp! 25 books? I can’t believe that is sustainable…unless they lower their prices or combine journals or something. That’s a hefty investment for a collection of short books (if if they later ones are in the 300 page range) An ebook in Canada is $13.99. And interesting that they are charging the same price for the 108 page first volume as the later longer ones!

      These are definitely witty and Emma is such a spunky,relatable character. I do hope the author doesn’t drag certain plot points out so we don’t get final resolution until the 25th book. I mean, the journals could follow Emma into married life and motherhood etc and that would be okay but to make readers wait until the 25th book for a romantic conclusion? Nope, not what I am looking at all. Time will tell, I guess. Bet the new publisher is giddy with this current success…they are making a splash in the UK as well. I predict an increase in epistolary novels hitting our bookstores in the near future. 🙂 Good luck, Tracey!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. The paperback books are expensive like in Canada, $21 for book12! few authors are getting that type of money for books. I think I remember her publisher was Penguin. I bet they think they’ve hit the mother lode with the Emma books. Don’t quote me on the 25 books, I’ve only seen that once and can’t remember where.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Guess I’ve been living under a rock because I’m not a lionheart – hadn’t heard of it.

    The books sounds amazing, but I agree that they are very expensive for novellas no less. I flitch at that price for a large book with many pages to keep you reading. However, I have often been told I’m cheap. LOL

    Not sure I’d be a fan. I love a continuing series where I can follow the individual characters and see how they develop while interacting with the whole cast while each book can be read as a standalone book. I’m not a big fan of cliff hangers. I got completely turned off on a famous author just for that fact. I had a copy of one of their books, read it and got to then end and was like WHAT! I hadn’t realized her books were that way.

    Have a fun reading/listening day! May there be lots of fabulous book time for you in the coming week.

    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’m with you on cliffhanger endings in series books. These don’t quite read like that. They are more Emma’s exploits within a two month period so mostly little dramas are resolved. Just not sure how all the gentlemen in Emma’s life will work out. Definitely an expensive series to keep up with so I’m glad that the library has copies. Phew! Good luck, Kay!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  6. I’ve definitely heard of them, and at some point put the first one on hold through the Libby app at my library… I just checked and I am 12th in line. Because the are only a few hours long, hopefully it won’t be that long until I am up!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. No, I’m not a lionheart, and I will certainly have to rely on my library if I become one, if these books are that expensive! This post is my introduction to Emma M. Lion and her journals. The only epistolary novels I’ve read are Pepper’s. Thanks for sharing!

    Connie

    cps1950ATgmailDOTcom

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  8. I’ve never even heard of these!  I’m also not sure that they would be my cup of tea because I’m simply not a classics reader.  I know, gasp!  I’ve really tried, but I just can’t get into them.

    perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’m not a huge classics fan either. These aren’t that though — they are Regency era written by a contemporary author – Beth Brower. She indie published first about six or seven years ago and the series has been picked up in 2026 by big name publishers – Viking Penguin in the US, Bloomsbury in the UK, Australia and New Zealand and HarperCollins in Canada. Hmmmm…wonder if that explains the price differences. Anyway, I think you’d like the series if you like Regencies like Julie Klassen writes with the humour of Pepper Basham.. Good luck, Perrianne!

      Like

      Reply

      1. Well, that does make a difference!  The stone lion makes me think of classics.  It’s funny how visuals can give you the wrong clue. I do like Julie Klassen and Pepper Basham and an occasional epistolary novel. My library does have them but the number of holds means that I’ll probably be reading them next year, literally. But you say they’re short, so they sound intriguing.

        Like

      2. And the covers look very old-fashioned as well. Some others have mentioned they thought they were classics too when they first heard of the books. Glad to hear your library has them and yes, the books so far (I’ve just finished the fourth) have been novella length, so they won’t take long to read. Hopefully that means your number will come up fairly quickly in the holds queue. I’m on. a months long waiting list for the fifth book, but I’m hoping it will be lots sooner than that. I think they calculate waiting time by the maximum borrowing time for each user in the line up and it shouldn’t take that long per person so…fingers crossed it will be soon!

        Like

  9. I too just met Emma. I literally just started the first book yesterday! So far I’m enjoying it. An author friend gifted me the first three, so I’m looking forward to reading more!

    dmandres5 at gmail dot com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. I don’t do very much social media following but I’m aware of these books, but not a lionheart myself. Your post had me looking at my library and I see they have the audiobooks through Libby and Hoopla. Never say never, but I’m not a fan of audiobooks so will pass on these. Very impressive ratings on these though so enjoy! Sandyavery at comcast dot net

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yes — the ratings and the reader frenzy! The publishers must be gloating. lol Great success for an indie author too. Hope working with traditional publishers won’t alter her writer’s voice any. Good luck, Sandy!

      Like

      Reply

  12. Good morning, Kav! Not a Lionheart fan unless we’re talking about The Lady and the Lionheart (now that’s a totally different story—what a great book!) which I know you’re not. lol 1st off I’m a cover snob & not a fan of the Emma covers—also not very good at hanging in there with a long series. Christy Barritt, Susan Sleeman, Lynn Shannon, etc, have some long ones at times, but I pick & choose which ones I want to read & don’t read them consecutively.

    I don’t mind reading a novel where they exchange a few letters, but not an epistolary fan per se. Dear Henry, Love Edith is the only one I can remember reading & enjoying. Have a happy reading Sun & a blessed day, Kav!

    dianalflowers at aol dot com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Want to make an exception on my comment about long series. I do keep up with Irene Hannon’s Hope Harbor series & as far as I’m concerned she can keep writing them forever!!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    2. Ohhh, yes, The Lady and the Lionheart! That’s definitely worth a reread. Must put it on my 2027 reread list. I started reading these books thinking the ninth and final book would be coming out in November and since they are short, I was daunted but Tracey blew that happy bubble! Yikes! And yes, those suspense writers you mentioned write some long series but they also write the books so they can be read as standalones which helps a lot, and, as you say, you don’t have to read them all. Ohhh — Dear Henry, Love Edith — that’s another book to add to my epistolary novel list, even though it’s not all letter writing. Good luck, Diane!

      Like

      Reply

  15. I just heard about these books last week! I thought they looked Indie, so I had few hopes when I checked the library website, but I was surprised to discover they have all eight. So I requested book 1 and then realized I’m number 94 in line!

    I’ve enjoyed epistolery novels since reading my first one as a teenager: Sorcery and Cecilia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia C Wrede and Caroline Stevermer, which is the correspondance between two cousins in a magical version of Regency England. That also might have been my introduction to Regency novels . . . It’s a delightful romp with all the classic Regency tropes, plus a little magic.

    For Christian epistolery novels, I enjoyed Things We Didn’t Say by Amy Lynn Green and Then Came You by Becky Wade (a novella prequel to her Bradford Sisters series).

    Rachael
    rdalquist AT gmail DOT com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Hopefully the other readers are conscientious and return the books as soon as they are finished so you won’t have super long to wait! You could read the first book in a day easily. I loved Patrica .C. Wrede’s books — I have her Dealing with Dragosn etc series on my kid lit keeper shelf. I just put a hold on Sorcery and Cecilia or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot on hold at my library. Eeeep.. Thanks for the recommendation. Good luck, Rachael!

      Like

      Reply

      1. Letters from Skye is quite clean but Code Name is rather gritty, partly due to the war subject matter and harsh interrogation. It did win several awards, though. Actually, both books were critically acclaimed. Just a heads up. Not sure if you put books or audiobooks on hold. Audiobooks would be more challenging to skip something, as you can’t “see” ahead.

        Liked by 1 person

  17. I haven’t tried the Emma M. Lion series yet. I’m a bit intimidated by the amount of them. Maybe someday though… Jolene, iwant2save34 at gmail dot com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  18. I went to Beth Brower’s website to look around, because research, haha. She is treating the series like tv episodes. Season 1 is Vol 1-5. Season 2 will have 6 episodes as will season 3 and possibly that many in season 4. So, at that point you could have as many as 23 episodes!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Ohhhhh — sharpening up your Ace Reporter Investigative Skills for our upcoming Reader’s Choice week? 🙂 Interesting way to market a book — sounds like the old serial stories published in newspapers or magazines. It will be interesting to see if the books hold interest for that long. Thanks for checking into it, Tracey. I’m listening to the fourth book now and have snort laughed twice, once in public. Emma M. Lion is robbing me of my dignity! Bwahahaha!

      Like

      Reply

  19. Kav, I’ve seen the book covers a couple of times while scrolling either on Insta or GR, but I didn’t know anything else about them. Guess the covers didn’t catch my eye enough to make me slow down and read about them 🙂 Glad you filled me in. I may have to give one a try!

    ckbarker at gmail dot com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  20. I am a total Lionheart! I started seeing the books on Instagram and binge-read them in January on Kindle Unlimited, which definitely saved money! Sadly they are not on KU right now. Can’t wait for book 9!

    I love the photo you included in your post- I always find myself drawn to statues of lions, even though real lions are not my favorite animal. Whenever we travel I have to get photos of any lion statues I come across.

    colorvibrant at gmail dot com

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yay! Or should I roar? lol I’m almost finished the fourth one and I’ve both laughed and cried. How wonderful that you had the chance to read them on KU! I find it so interesting that these books were Indies before they were picked up by a traditional publisher. Loved to hear that story. Must dig into this author more. Good luck, Heidi!

      Like

      Reply

  21. I’ve been seeing this series mentioned quite often on social media but haven’t read them.

    Becky Wade wrote a novella in the epistolary style (Then Came You, which is a prequel to the Bradford Sisters series). It worked for the shorter length book. I’ve read others, like some of Pepper Basham’s, where some of the story is in the epistolary style, interspersed with narrative.

    pmkellogg56[at]gmail[dot]com

    Like

    Reply

  22. I’ve seen these around lately too, but not read them myself. I didn’t realize they were epistolary, but I enjoy all kinds of storytelling, so that wouldn’t deter me, lol.

    Like

    Reply

  23. I’ve heard a little bit about these books, but I haven’t read them yet. Epistolary books aren’t my favorite, so I don’t know if I’d like them or not. I might try them sometime.

    whthomas13 at yahoo dot com

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment