The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion:, Vol. 8

As always, Beth Brower is a phenomenal writer and makes me wish I read more poetry. i didn't love this installment as much as previous ones. but i want to be clear that this is a GREAT BOOK.
Brower made it clear(?) with the fortune teller scene that Emma has two romantic possibilities, both of which are very different from each other. I'm assuming one is Pierce. I hope that the other one is Hawkes bc while I LOVE Islington, I don't need another rich duke romance. Hawkes is soooo fun - I think a love story setting up between him and Emma would be absolutely hilarious. So even though there hasn't been any romance suggested between Emma and Hawkes (unless you squint....maybe it's there......), if there are 16 books left in the series I can hold out hope. Unless they're related bc of Emma's dad's letter to Hawkes. then forget I ever wrote this review. *edit also i fully acknowledge that hawkes probably has a chick or someone sending him romantic letters but let me live in my alternate reality of st. crispians Islington's house was great. It made me want to travel to the country and go swimming a bunch. The reveals Brower included about his family/loss were very sad. While the Pierce-Emma fling has been fun, it's starting to feel stagnant. Pierce also had some more issues brought up in this book that don't bode well for the future of their relationship (i.e. losing money, alcoholism(?), doesn't want kids). I felt like this book was setting up for the two of them to break up while Pierce dramatically goes to America to get over his problems, or something else big. But nothing actually happened. I realize things take time but I'm hoping it moves faster in the next book. I also just don't feel like Pierce is the right dude for Emma long-term. However, Brower is a phenomenal writer so i've still enjoyed the romance.
Overall, loved this book - especially Hawkes. I'm 1000% biased. He's an absolute hoot.