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The Emmy Lake Chronicles #2
Yours Cheerfully
Comforting, charming and hilarious, Yours Cheerfully is the tonic we've all been waiting for, from AJ Pearce, the beloved author of Dear Mrs Bird.‘Loved. Every. Word.' - Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in ChemistryLondon, 1941. For plucky, determined Emmy Lake, working at Woman's Friend magazine has become everything she dreamed. There's a break in the bombing at last and her best friend Bunty, injured during a raid on central London, is getting better. Now Emmy can get on and Do Her Bit.When the Ministry of Information calls on Woman's Friend to help recruit women to the war effort, Emmy is thrilled, but then she meets a young war widow working in a munitions factory and it becomes clear that she and her friends at the factory have a story of their own to tell. Suddenly Emmy must tackle a life-changing should she carry out her duty to her country or stand by her new friends?'Buoyant . . . a tonic in testing times' – Mail on Sunday'A brilliant follow up to Dear Mrs Bird' – Clare Mackintosh'Absolutely lovely!' – Marian Keyes'Full of wit, friendship and the uplifting knowledge that when people come together, great changes can be made' – Katie Fforde
304 pages, Hardcover
First published June 24, 2021
780 people are currently reading
17546 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Pearce
7 books1,610 followersAJ Pearce grew up in Hampshire in the south of England. She studied at the University of Sussex and Northwestern University. A chance discovery of a 1939 women's magazine became the inspiration for her historical series set in WW2, The Chronicles of Emmy Lake.
Funny, heartbreaking and always feel-good, if you're looking for uplifting novels about friendship and community, you've come to the right place.
You can find AJ on Instagram, FB and Threads @ajpearcewrites.
She also has a monthly newsletter. Please subscribe at https://ajpearce.com/
Funny, heartbreaking and always feel-good, if you're looking for uplifting novels about friendship and community, you've come to the right place.
You can find AJ on Instagram, FB and Threads @ajpearcewrites.
She also has a monthly newsletter. Please subscribe at https://ajpearce.com/
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August 6, 2023
Yours Cheerfully (The Emmy Lake Chronicles #2) by A.J. Pearce
It's London, November 1941, and Emmy Lake is thriving at her job. She loves the people she works with and she's been given many more responsibilities at Woman’s Friend magazine. Getting to attend a Ministry of Information meeting for journalists opens the door for Emmy to do articles on the wartime female workers, giving their all for the war effort. It's when Emmy really gets to know some of these women, and the hardships they are facing, that she knows the magazine not only needs to promote the war effort but more importantly, they need to highlight and attempt to remedy the real, life crushing, challenges that working women face when they also have children and the other responsibilities of wartime life hindering their every step. These women are doing the same jobs that men did for much less pay, working weekends and ever changing shift work, with no help or understanding from their employers.
Although this is wartime London, and from the first book, Dear Mrs. Bird, we know the challenges and threats that all of England faces, both books have a lighthearted feel to them. I enjoy these stories and self deprecating characters that are able to support each other and find humor in the everyday strangeness of this wartime life they are living. No one is allowed to forget the loss of life and also the loss of health for those who do return from war. Wartime rationing means creativity is a part of each day and the generosity of others is often what gets people from one hour to the next. Everyone has lost someone and, for the most part, Emmy and her friends try to put a good face on each minute because that's the only way to keep going.
I love these characters, Emmy's co-workers who really care about each other, her long time friends and her family, and the new friends she makes as she tries to help the women factory workers who get no leeway when it comes to understanding the hardships of finding constant childcare for their children. Whether it's subtle or faced directly, we are always made aware of the heavy weight that the war places on each person.
Pub: Aug 10th 2021
Thank you to Book Club Favorites, Scribner, and NetGalley for this ARC.
It's London, November 1941, and Emmy Lake is thriving at her job. She loves the people she works with and she's been given many more responsibilities at Woman’s Friend magazine. Getting to attend a Ministry of Information meeting for journalists opens the door for Emmy to do articles on the wartime female workers, giving their all for the war effort. It's when Emmy really gets to know some of these women, and the hardships they are facing, that she knows the magazine not only needs to promote the war effort but more importantly, they need to highlight and attempt to remedy the real, life crushing, challenges that working women face when they also have children and the other responsibilities of wartime life hindering their every step. These women are doing the same jobs that men did for much less pay, working weekends and ever changing shift work, with no help or understanding from their employers.
Although this is wartime London, and from the first book, Dear Mrs. Bird, we know the challenges and threats that all of England faces, both books have a lighthearted feel to them. I enjoy these stories and self deprecating characters that are able to support each other and find humor in the everyday strangeness of this wartime life they are living. No one is allowed to forget the loss of life and also the loss of health for those who do return from war. Wartime rationing means creativity is a part of each day and the generosity of others is often what gets people from one hour to the next. Everyone has lost someone and, for the most part, Emmy and her friends try to put a good face on each minute because that's the only way to keep going.
I love these characters, Emmy's co-workers who really care about each other, her long time friends and her family, and the new friends she makes as she tries to help the women factory workers who get no leeway when it comes to understanding the hardships of finding constant childcare for their children. Whether it's subtle or faced directly, we are always made aware of the heavy weight that the war places on each person.
Pub: Aug 10th 2021
Thank you to Book Club Favorites, Scribner, and NetGalley for this ARC.
August 10, 2021
***HAPPY PUBLICATION DAY***
What a wonderful break this book was from all of the thrillers that I’ve been reading. This is a follow up to Dear Mrs. Bird, but honestly I liked this one a lot more.
The characters in this one were full of life and determination, in spite of the war raging on. They were smart, resourceful and sometimes unconventional and I thoroughly enjoyed them.
Emmy Lake is a young journalist who has just been appointed to head up the newspaper’s women’s advice column. She will be helped by some of the senior journalists but has some amazing ideas of what she would like to do with the column.
The column is named “Cheerfully Yours” and encourages women to write in with their problems and opinions.
Emmy has just begun the column when the War Ministry has a meeting with many of the women’s newspaper editors. With so many men off to war there is a terrible shortage of workers in factories that supply munitions and other necessary items for the men at the front lines. The editors are advised to come up with ideas to recruit more women workers.
Emmy takes her job to heart and embraces the challenge. She happens to meet a young woman with two small children who is trying to do a precarious balancing act of being a mother and working in a munitions factory. She needs the money because she is also a war widow.
As Emmy visits the factory she speaks with the women and one of the things that is most needed is nursery care for their little ones. Everyone doesn’t have a family member available to care for the children and they also work very odd shifts at times.
A lot of the book centers around Emmy’s crusade to find help for these women. This includes a march in the square just before Christmas when there are lots of people about. The parade and speakers are amazing and I wanted to cheer for them. They get things done!!
While all of this is going on Emmy has become engaged to Charles. He is well liked by her family and her best friend Bunty (who has recently lost her fiance in the war). Their wedding ends up being spur of the moment since Charles is being sent to fight abroad.
The build up to the wedding and the last minute mad rush to get everyone together on time left me laughing along with the wedding party. Somehow with everyone’s help, a wedding dress is made from parachute fabric, various small cakes and other food items appear along with a quite potent sounding “punch”. For at least these few hours everyone can think of happy things and find some relief from the constant presence of war, shortages and loss.
While this is historical fiction it is on the lighter side. Ms. Pearce still engages the reader and helps us understand the struggles during the war. There are serious topics covered here, including war widow’s low pension and women’s rights. She balances all of this with wit, wisdom and spunk and creates a most wonderful cast of characters.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
Yours Cheerfully is set to publish on August 10, 2021.
What a wonderful break this book was from all of the thrillers that I’ve been reading. This is a follow up to Dear Mrs. Bird, but honestly I liked this one a lot more.
The characters in this one were full of life and determination, in spite of the war raging on. They were smart, resourceful and sometimes unconventional and I thoroughly enjoyed them.
Emmy Lake is a young journalist who has just been appointed to head up the newspaper’s women’s advice column. She will be helped by some of the senior journalists but has some amazing ideas of what she would like to do with the column.
The column is named “Cheerfully Yours” and encourages women to write in with their problems and opinions.
Emmy has just begun the column when the War Ministry has a meeting with many of the women’s newspaper editors. With so many men off to war there is a terrible shortage of workers in factories that supply munitions and other necessary items for the men at the front lines. The editors are advised to come up with ideas to recruit more women workers.
Emmy takes her job to heart and embraces the challenge. She happens to meet a young woman with two small children who is trying to do a precarious balancing act of being a mother and working in a munitions factory. She needs the money because she is also a war widow.
As Emmy visits the factory she speaks with the women and one of the things that is most needed is nursery care for their little ones. Everyone doesn’t have a family member available to care for the children and they also work very odd shifts at times.
A lot of the book centers around Emmy’s crusade to find help for these women. This includes a march in the square just before Christmas when there are lots of people about. The parade and speakers are amazing and I wanted to cheer for them. They get things done!!
While all of this is going on Emmy has become engaged to Charles. He is well liked by her family and her best friend Bunty (who has recently lost her fiance in the war). Their wedding ends up being spur of the moment since Charles is being sent to fight abroad.
The build up to the wedding and the last minute mad rush to get everyone together on time left me laughing along with the wedding party. Somehow with everyone’s help, a wedding dress is made from parachute fabric, various small cakes and other food items appear along with a quite potent sounding “punch”. For at least these few hours everyone can think of happy things and find some relief from the constant presence of war, shortages and loss.
While this is historical fiction it is on the lighter side. Ms. Pearce still engages the reader and helps us understand the struggles during the war. There are serious topics covered here, including war widow’s low pension and women’s rights. She balances all of this with wit, wisdom and spunk and creates a most wonderful cast of characters.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
Yours Cheerfully is set to publish on August 10, 2021.
August 10, 2021
"Yours Cheerfully" by A.J. Pearce is Book #2 in The Emmy Lake Chronicles series.
The second book in this series begins in June 1941 with things looking on the brighter side at Women's Friend magazine since the departure of crusty old editor Henrietta Bird. One of the changes the new editor, Mr. Collins, implements immediately is Emmy Lake's continued involvement in the wartime women's advice column, the newly named 'Yours Cheerfully' page.
Level-headed, mature Mrs. Mahoney will lend assistance to the page, as necessary, with suggesting how to reply to the letters. It's a perfect team effort! Emmy is the one responsible for opening the letters and writing the responses and Mrs. Mahoney, who hates writing, is there to keep Emmy in-line and on track!
Mr. Collins announces he will be attending a meeting at the Ministry of Information and invites Emmy to join. The Ministry is calling upon British women's magazines to assist with what they call 'Doing Your Bit'. There is an urgent need to rally female workers to the war effort. Male factory workers need to be replaced with female workers so men can respond to the fight for freedom on the front lines of the war.
Emmy is over-the-moon at being assigned by Mr. Collins as the reporter to actively report Women's Friend magazine's involvement in this 'call to action'. Once a plan is put in place, Emmy knows the friend she can call upon to interview about working in a munitions factory. It's just the thing to get the ball rolling!
What Emmy discovers during her interview is not what she expected to find. The biggest challenge the women are facing is lack of support to adequate childcare. Emmy is determined to give an accurate portrayal of female factory workers needs and hatches a plan to gain attention to the issues.
Will Emmy be able to report the workers concerns in a way that does not put their jobs at risk? Will she be able to make the powers that be understand the importance of addressing the need for the workers children to receive adequate care while they work at a factory that runs 24/7?
OMG! Is Emmy's dream of becoming a Lady War Correspondent beginning to come true?
I loved the socially relevant issue in this story. The shift to get women into the work force was a turning point in WWII. The lack of nurseries to help care for the children of the increasing female workforce was an issue that was not addressed in time to handle the call. This topic is what's at the heart of this story.
This short, quick to read book is chock-full of goings on! I loved how upbeat it is regardless of the serious topics and the fact that the setting is in the midst of WWII. What stuck out most to me was how much this story related to relationships and kindness.
There are so many great characters in this story, some of the same characters from the first book, with new characters mingled in specific to this one. This author does a great job of including quirky, stoic, lovable and unlikable characters ensuring there is a happy mix of eclectic-ness!
I listened to the audiobook of 'Dear Mrs. Bird and loved it! I was afraid I might be disappointed with 'Yours Cheerfully' because it's a physical ARC. Fear not! Emmy came across just as effervescently in this format as she did in the audiobook!
I loved this book just a little less than Book 1 but it was still a winner for me. I highly recommend it to those who love Historical Fiction, especially WWII HF. I'm hoping this series continues. I need more of these delightful characters and I would love to see how their lives play out through the end of the war!
4.5 stars rounded down. This book published today: 8/10/21!
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways, Scribner and A.J. Pearce for a physical ARC of this book. It is my pleasure to give an honest and voluntary review.
The second book in this series begins in June 1941 with things looking on the brighter side at Women's Friend magazine since the departure of crusty old editor Henrietta Bird. One of the changes the new editor, Mr. Collins, implements immediately is Emmy Lake's continued involvement in the wartime women's advice column, the newly named 'Yours Cheerfully' page.
Level-headed, mature Mrs. Mahoney will lend assistance to the page, as necessary, with suggesting how to reply to the letters. It's a perfect team effort! Emmy is the one responsible for opening the letters and writing the responses and Mrs. Mahoney, who hates writing, is there to keep Emmy in-line and on track!
Mr. Collins announces he will be attending a meeting at the Ministry of Information and invites Emmy to join. The Ministry is calling upon British women's magazines to assist with what they call 'Doing Your Bit'. There is an urgent need to rally female workers to the war effort. Male factory workers need to be replaced with female workers so men can respond to the fight for freedom on the front lines of the war.
Emmy is over-the-moon at being assigned by Mr. Collins as the reporter to actively report Women's Friend magazine's involvement in this 'call to action'. Once a plan is put in place, Emmy knows the friend she can call upon to interview about working in a munitions factory. It's just the thing to get the ball rolling!
What Emmy discovers during her interview is not what she expected to find. The biggest challenge the women are facing is lack of support to adequate childcare. Emmy is determined to give an accurate portrayal of female factory workers needs and hatches a plan to gain attention to the issues.
Will Emmy be able to report the workers concerns in a way that does not put their jobs at risk? Will she be able to make the powers that be understand the importance of addressing the need for the workers children to receive adequate care while they work at a factory that runs 24/7?
OMG! Is Emmy's dream of becoming a Lady War Correspondent beginning to come true?
I loved the socially relevant issue in this story. The shift to get women into the work force was a turning point in WWII. The lack of nurseries to help care for the children of the increasing female workforce was an issue that was not addressed in time to handle the call. This topic is what's at the heart of this story.
This short, quick to read book is chock-full of goings on! I loved how upbeat it is regardless of the serious topics and the fact that the setting is in the midst of WWII. What stuck out most to me was how much this story related to relationships and kindness.
There are so many great characters in this story, some of the same characters from the first book, with new characters mingled in specific to this one. This author does a great job of including quirky, stoic, lovable and unlikable characters ensuring there is a happy mix of eclectic-ness!
I listened to the audiobook of 'Dear Mrs. Bird and loved it! I was afraid I might be disappointed with 'Yours Cheerfully' because it's a physical ARC. Fear not! Emmy came across just as effervescently in this format as she did in the audiobook!
I loved this book just a little less than Book 1 but it was still a winner for me. I highly recommend it to those who love Historical Fiction, especially WWII HF. I'm hoping this series continues. I need more of these delightful characters and I would love to see how their lives play out through the end of the war!
4.5 stars rounded down. This book published today: 8/10/21!
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways, Scribner and A.J. Pearce for a physical ARC of this book. It is my pleasure to give an honest and voluntary review.
August 18, 2021
Emmy is back (as well as Charles and Bunty) in this follow-up to Dear Mrs. Bird. She is now working on the advice column named Yours Cheerfully. She is a strong character with a warmth to her.
A light, enjoyable book that focuses on the plight of the female factory workers. Emmy helps in the effort to recruit workers and do their part in the war effort. It was slow in parts, but overall easy reading.
If you enjoyed the first book, you will most likely enjoy following the characters on their journey set in London, 1941.
Thanks to the publisher and NG for my review copy. OUT on August 10, 2021
A light, enjoyable book that focuses on the plight of the female factory workers. Emmy helps in the effort to recruit workers and do their part in the war effort. It was slow in parts, but overall easy reading.
If you enjoyed the first book, you will most likely enjoy following the characters on their journey set in London, 1941.
Thanks to the publisher and NG for my review copy. OUT on August 10, 2021
August 29, 2021
3.5 *
So happy to see the endearing Emmeline Lake (just love that name!) back. I loved the first book, Dear Mrs. Bird
In this second book we see Emmy promoted at her job at the Women's Friend Magazine. She is assigned to interview and write a story about women who are employed at a local munitions factory while the men are away at war. The women are stepping up to this, "call to action" but are experiencing some problems at the factory. It is up to Emmy to interview them but can she help the women without jeopardizing the story?
I enjoyed the story but it did move more slowly than the last book. It is well written and draws attention to the problems during the WWII era in a light and heartwarming way.
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for granting me access to this Advance Reader Copy.
So happy to see the endearing Emmeline Lake (just love that name!) back. I loved the first book, Dear Mrs. Bird
In this second book we see Emmy promoted at her job at the Women's Friend Magazine. She is assigned to interview and write a story about women who are employed at a local munitions factory while the men are away at war. The women are stepping up to this, "call to action" but are experiencing some problems at the factory. It is up to Emmy to interview them but can she help the women without jeopardizing the story?
I enjoyed the story but it did move more slowly than the last book. It is well written and draws attention to the problems during the WWII era in a light and heartwarming way.
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for granting me access to this Advance Reader Copy.
October 19, 2022
4+.
London, November 1941. It’s round two at Women’s Friend magazine and Mrs Henrietta Bird has moved on and so Emmeline Lake is assisting with the agony column renamed Yours Cheerfully. This is a definite stroke of luck for Emmy in light of The Unfortunate Hiccup. Magazine editors get a call to attend a meeting at The Ministry, so editor Guy Collins and Emmy trot along to be informed all have to help boost female war recruitment. Em and best friend Bunty meet and become friends with Mrs Anne Oliver who introduces Em to the realities of war work especially for those with children.
Well, I’m pleased to say ‘I’m not browned off’, this is not a ‘stinker’ (except for baby Tony’s nappies) and in fact this novel is absolutely ‘top drawer’. I love 30’s/40’s expressions so I’m all in!! Em is such a likeable character, she’s resourceful, clever and not at all a ‘flashy type’. Bunty, in recovery from injuries from a bomb blast and mourning the loss of fiancé Bill, is an absolute brick. Ruby, Anne’s daughter is fabulous in a tricky kind of a way but she makes you laugh. The characterisation is very strong and Em and Bunty come to feel like old friends. Even the unlikable ones are well portrayed though you so want to punch factory owner Mr Terry right on his hooter. Hard. The novel is very well written, it captures the ‘there is a war on you know’ extremely well, such as the shortages as well as the tragedy of loss. I really like that this one focuses on the reality of women’s war work especially the tricky issue of finding child care. The women are discriminated against in more ways than one. The book strikes an excellent balance between demonstrating this and being joyous, happy and funny. I love the use of capitals to highlight points such as In It Together. The end is good, there’s happiness mixed in with a tinge of sadness.
Overall, a sweet, poignant, emotional and funny book and a most enjoyable read. It makes serious points but in a clever way.
With thanks to NetGalley and Pan McMillan, Picador for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
London, November 1941. It’s round two at Women’s Friend magazine and Mrs Henrietta Bird has moved on and so Emmeline Lake is assisting with the agony column renamed Yours Cheerfully. This is a definite stroke of luck for Emmy in light of The Unfortunate Hiccup. Magazine editors get a call to attend a meeting at The Ministry, so editor Guy Collins and Emmy trot along to be informed all have to help boost female war recruitment. Em and best friend Bunty meet and become friends with Mrs Anne Oliver who introduces Em to the realities of war work especially for those with children.
Well, I’m pleased to say ‘I’m not browned off’, this is not a ‘stinker’ (except for baby Tony’s nappies) and in fact this novel is absolutely ‘top drawer’. I love 30’s/40’s expressions so I’m all in!! Em is such a likeable character, she’s resourceful, clever and not at all a ‘flashy type’. Bunty, in recovery from injuries from a bomb blast and mourning the loss of fiancé Bill, is an absolute brick. Ruby, Anne’s daughter is fabulous in a tricky kind of a way but she makes you laugh. The characterisation is very strong and Em and Bunty come to feel like old friends. Even the unlikable ones are well portrayed though you so want to punch factory owner Mr Terry right on his hooter. Hard. The novel is very well written, it captures the ‘there is a war on you know’ extremely well, such as the shortages as well as the tragedy of loss. I really like that this one focuses on the reality of women’s war work especially the tricky issue of finding child care. The women are discriminated against in more ways than one. The book strikes an excellent balance between demonstrating this and being joyous, happy and funny. I love the use of capitals to highlight points such as In It Together. The end is good, there’s happiness mixed in with a tinge of sadness.
Overall, a sweet, poignant, emotional and funny book and a most enjoyable read. It makes serious points but in a clever way.
With thanks to NetGalley and Pan McMillan, Picador for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
July 2, 2021
I’m going through some tough times right now, so I needed something uplifting and cheerful to read. I had enjoyed Dear Mrs. Bird, so it made sense to pick up Yours, Cheerfully.
It’s four months after the end of DMB and Emmy is still with Women’s Friend. The war is requiring women to really step in to fill the void of jobs left open when the men enlisted. Emmy is moved into a reporting position when the magazine starts writing articles promoting women to take on these jobs. But she discovers that a lot of the women’s issues just aren’t being addressed. How to balance the need to promote the jobs with the issues that are being ignored, such as the need for child care? Emmy also quickly learns that neither management or government wants to be confronted with any problems.
I adore the writing style. It positively smacks of the idioms of the 1940s. I love the use of Capital Letters for each descriptive phrase such as The Unfortunate Hiccup, Careless Talk, The Big Plan or The Done Thing. I also loved the perfect turn of phrase, as when an older woman says “sometimes you just had to give in to the odd watery day.”
I also loved the characters. Not just Emmy, but Bunty, Charles, Mr. Collins and new friend Anne. These are people you’d want on your side.
This is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and possibly a tear to your eye.
My thanks to NetGalley and Scribner of an advance copy of this book.
It’s four months after the end of DMB and Emmy is still with Women’s Friend. The war is requiring women to really step in to fill the void of jobs left open when the men enlisted. Emmy is moved into a reporting position when the magazine starts writing articles promoting women to take on these jobs. But she discovers that a lot of the women’s issues just aren’t being addressed. How to balance the need to promote the jobs with the issues that are being ignored, such as the need for child care? Emmy also quickly learns that neither management or government wants to be confronted with any problems.
I adore the writing style. It positively smacks of the idioms of the 1940s. I love the use of Capital Letters for each descriptive phrase such as The Unfortunate Hiccup, Careless Talk, The Big Plan or The Done Thing. I also loved the perfect turn of phrase, as when an older woman says “sometimes you just had to give in to the odd watery day.”
I also loved the characters. Not just Emmy, but Bunty, Charles, Mr. Collins and new friend Anne. These are people you’d want on your side.
This is guaranteed to bring a smile to your face and possibly a tear to your eye.
My thanks to NetGalley and Scribner of an advance copy of this book.
August 30, 2021
I was thrilled when I received the ARC for this long-awaited sequel to Dear Mrs. Bird!. Most of the characters are back. Emmy and Charles and Bunty were all doing their bit for the war effort. Pearce's light, bantering style carries the reader through some difficult scenes. The British stiff upper lip is ever present!
The main focus of this story is the plight of the female factory workers: all those women who stepped up and worked long hours - for less pay than their male counterparts, and with few or no benefits.
Despite the lessons learned in WW1, women were still not permitted to join any existing unions and child care and other basic services for working mothers was almost non-existent. Furthermore, the red tape involved in setting up nurseries during the war was a minefield in itself. Government officials would often fluff off any requests to simplify or escalate the process as being unpatriotic.. Women's requests for fair treatment were shut down and disregarded: "Don't You Know There's a War On?" was the consistent rebuff (The rampant feminist in me was outraged.)
Emmy cracked me up so many times: so irrepressible! She came from a long line of strong women. Emmy's mother was a true firecracker. "Your Grandmother didn't chain herself to fences.... " That line put an approving smile on my face every time. No wonder Charles loved Emmy so! I enjoyed this sequel. The middle seemed to stall a bit, but once Emmy was able to find a way to expose the bureaucratic injustices and still maintain her patriotism, things sped along nicely to a very satisfying ending. (Although something tells me there might be yet another sequel? There are another three years of war left when this story ends.... I suspect Bunty will feature more prominently in any potential sequel. Hint, hint!)
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The main focus of this story is the plight of the female factory workers: all those women who stepped up and worked long hours - for less pay than their male counterparts, and with few or no benefits.
Despite the lessons learned in WW1, women were still not permitted to join any existing unions and child care and other basic services for working mothers was almost non-existent. Furthermore, the red tape involved in setting up nurseries during the war was a minefield in itself. Government officials would often fluff off any requests to simplify or escalate the process as being unpatriotic.. Women's requests for fair treatment were shut down and disregarded: "Don't You Know There's a War On?" was the consistent rebuff (The rampant feminist in me was outraged.)
Emmy cracked me up so many times: so irrepressible! She came from a long line of strong women. Emmy's mother was a true firecracker. "Your Grandmother didn't chain herself to fences.... " That line put an approving smile on my face every time. No wonder Charles loved Emmy so! I enjoyed this sequel. The middle seemed to stall a bit, but once Emmy was able to find a way to expose the bureaucratic injustices and still maintain her patriotism, things sped along nicely to a very satisfying ending. (Although something tells me there might be yet another sequel? There are another three years of war left when this story ends.... I suspect Bunty will feature more prominently in any potential sequel. Hint, hint!)
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2023
London, November 1941.
Woman’s Friend, Henrietta Bird has left the magazine and Emmeline Lake is excited to be once again involved with the advice column. Her dear friend Bunty is slowly getting over her injuries, she’s mourning the loss of her beloved William and she’s still Emmy’s number one supporter. Emmy’s boyfriend Charles Mayhew is stationed back in the UK, they don’t get to spend a lot of time together and are madly in love.
The Ministry of Information needs help to recruit women workers for the war effort and they want magazines to run government funded articles. Emmy comes up with the idea to interview women who have just started working at a munitions factory and she receives permission to visit Chandlers. Emmy's new friend Anne works at the facility, she’s a war widow and has two young children. She discovers the challenges women workers face, they work extremely long hours, and juggling shift work and motherhood during a war isn’t easy. Most married women needed to work, many struggled financially and they had no access to funded childcare. The managers at Chandlers considered child minding not their problem, workers families should help out and many women didn’t have relatives living close by.
British women had a personal interest in the war, they all had family members fighting and wanted to do their bit! In, Yours Cheerfully Emmy’s doing what she does best, writing heart felt stories for Woman’s Friend magazine and supporting the women of England. I absolutely loved Dear Mrs. Bird and A.J. Pearce has done it again and Yours Cheerfully will have you cheering for Emmy, Bunty, Charles and her friends. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, an absolute delightful story to read and five stars from me.
Woman’s Friend, Henrietta Bird has left the magazine and Emmeline Lake is excited to be once again involved with the advice column. Her dear friend Bunty is slowly getting over her injuries, she’s mourning the loss of her beloved William and she’s still Emmy’s number one supporter. Emmy’s boyfriend Charles Mayhew is stationed back in the UK, they don’t get to spend a lot of time together and are madly in love.
The Ministry of Information needs help to recruit women workers for the war effort and they want magazines to run government funded articles. Emmy comes up with the idea to interview women who have just started working at a munitions factory and she receives permission to visit Chandlers. Emmy's new friend Anne works at the facility, she’s a war widow and has two young children. She discovers the challenges women workers face, they work extremely long hours, and juggling shift work and motherhood during a war isn’t easy. Most married women needed to work, many struggled financially and they had no access to funded childcare. The managers at Chandlers considered child minding not their problem, workers families should help out and many women didn’t have relatives living close by.
British women had a personal interest in the war, they all had family members fighting and wanted to do their bit! In, Yours Cheerfully Emmy’s doing what she does best, writing heart felt stories for Woman’s Friend magazine and supporting the women of England. I absolutely loved Dear Mrs. Bird and A.J. Pearce has done it again and Yours Cheerfully will have you cheering for Emmy, Bunty, Charles and her friends. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, an absolute delightful story to read and five stars from me.
September 21, 2021
I'm such an advocate to keep the memory of WWII alive and this book shares a light in lieu of the atrocities of war. I wish I had read Book #1 of the Emmy Lake Chronicles "Dear Mrs. Bird" before I had requested this one, but it is what it is...
In London, 1941 brought a time of need to families as their husbands were at war. So many of the jobs men had filled were assigned to the women, so where does that leave the children?
Emmy takes on a position as a columnist for Yours Cheerfully in the Women's Friend Magazine. Her and the staff make such a delightful team and I laughed aloud at their escapades. A difficult time for all, but you will find humor in their efforts and circumstances.
As columnists, one of their jobs was to encourage women to work in the factories...the same factories that supply artillery to their husbands. With little empathy for their plight, doing the same job, less money, still man the house and take care of the kids making it ever so difficult to keep up. Once the jobs were filled the demand to appreciate them became centerfold.
Emmy and her best friend Bunty take to their column to get the public's attention. Their first priority is to get childcare so the ladies can continue to work. With help on the way, protests and chanting, these ladies know how to get the attention and assistance they need. Such a heartwarming story to read, sure to bring tears to your eyes and a chuckle to your soul.
Thank you, NetGalley, for this awesome ARC in exchange for my honest review!
In London, 1941 brought a time of need to families as their husbands were at war. So many of the jobs men had filled were assigned to the women, so where does that leave the children?
Emmy takes on a position as a columnist for Yours Cheerfully in the Women's Friend Magazine. Her and the staff make such a delightful team and I laughed aloud at their escapades. A difficult time for all, but you will find humor in their efforts and circumstances.
As columnists, one of their jobs was to encourage women to work in the factories...the same factories that supply artillery to their husbands. With little empathy for their plight, doing the same job, less money, still man the house and take care of the kids making it ever so difficult to keep up. Once the jobs were filled the demand to appreciate them became centerfold.
Emmy and her best friend Bunty take to their column to get the public's attention. Their first priority is to get childcare so the ladies can continue to work. With help on the way, protests and chanting, these ladies know how to get the attention and assistance they need. Such a heartwarming story to read, sure to bring tears to your eyes and a chuckle to your soul.
Thank you, NetGalley, for this awesome ARC in exchange for my honest review!
August 20, 2021
***NOW AVAILABLE***
Yours Cheerfully by A. J. Pearce is the second novel in the Emmy Lake Chronicles. It starts in November 1941 immediately after the end of Dear Mrs. Bird. While Yours Cheerfully could be read as a stand-alone novel, I don’t recommend it. There is so much character development in the first book that makes the second book more relatable.
Emmy Lake has managed to hang on to her job at Woman’s Friend magazine after “some unfortunate hiccups that couldn’t be helped.” The former editor, Mrs. Bird, has resigned, making the office a more pleasant place. Emmy is allowed to continue working on the help section under the supervision of her older co-worker, Mrs. Mahoney. The column is renamed “Yours Cheerfully” and Emmy works hard to answer all types of questions mailed in by the subscribers.
Mr. Guy Collins has been promoted to editor. Not only is he a mentor to Emmy, but he is also the half-brother of Emmy’s boyfriend, Captain Charles Mayhew. Along with several other women’s magazines, Woman's Friend is asked by the Ministry of Information to help recruit female war workers. Mr. Collins gives Emmy her chance to finally be a journalist by putting her in charge of the effort.
Emmy and her dear friend Bunty befriend Anne Oliver, a war widow with two young children. She was in desperate need of employment and took a job at a munitions factory. Anne was fortunate that her mother could watch the children while she works long shifts and weekends. After the government clearance is given, Emmy visits the munitions factory and writes several articles about the importance of the work being done by Anne and the females.
Mr. Collins encourages Emmy to show the Ministry what our readers can do, and look after the readers while they are doing it. This turns out to be easier said than done. Several women are fired for bringing their children to work when they cannot find adequate childcare. The workers who want to rally for a government-funded childcare facility are told they will lose their jobs if they protest. Emmy must balance a fine line of helping these workers while following the strict guidelines and censorship of the Ministry of Information.
4-Stars. This novel focuses on the mistreatment of female war workers who are not given equal pay and are not allowed to join the union. They were expected to work long hours, care for their children, and maintain their homes while the men were fighting. It also shows the horrific lack of government financial and emotional support for war widows.
This novel will be published on August 10, 2021. Thank you to Ashley Gilliam at Simon and Schuster for my NetGalley widget to have an advanced reader copy of this delightful story.
Yours Cheerfully by A. J. Pearce is the second novel in the Emmy Lake Chronicles. It starts in November 1941 immediately after the end of Dear Mrs. Bird. While Yours Cheerfully could be read as a stand-alone novel, I don’t recommend it. There is so much character development in the first book that makes the second book more relatable.
Emmy Lake has managed to hang on to her job at Woman’s Friend magazine after “some unfortunate hiccups that couldn’t be helped.” The former editor, Mrs. Bird, has resigned, making the office a more pleasant place. Emmy is allowed to continue working on the help section under the supervision of her older co-worker, Mrs. Mahoney. The column is renamed “Yours Cheerfully” and Emmy works hard to answer all types of questions mailed in by the subscribers.
Mr. Guy Collins has been promoted to editor. Not only is he a mentor to Emmy, but he is also the half-brother of Emmy’s boyfriend, Captain Charles Mayhew. Along with several other women’s magazines, Woman's Friend is asked by the Ministry of Information to help recruit female war workers. Mr. Collins gives Emmy her chance to finally be a journalist by putting her in charge of the effort.
Emmy and her dear friend Bunty befriend Anne Oliver, a war widow with two young children. She was in desperate need of employment and took a job at a munitions factory. Anne was fortunate that her mother could watch the children while she works long shifts and weekends. After the government clearance is given, Emmy visits the munitions factory and writes several articles about the importance of the work being done by Anne and the females.
Mr. Collins encourages Emmy to show the Ministry what our readers can do, and look after the readers while they are doing it. This turns out to be easier said than done. Several women are fired for bringing their children to work when they cannot find adequate childcare. The workers who want to rally for a government-funded childcare facility are told they will lose their jobs if they protest. Emmy must balance a fine line of helping these workers while following the strict guidelines and censorship of the Ministry of Information.
4-Stars. This novel focuses on the mistreatment of female war workers who are not given equal pay and are not allowed to join the union. They were expected to work long hours, care for their children, and maintain their homes while the men were fighting. It also shows the horrific lack of government financial and emotional support for war widows.
This novel will be published on August 10, 2021. Thank you to Ashley Gilliam at Simon and Schuster for my NetGalley widget to have an advanced reader copy of this delightful story.
August 10, 2021
Happy Publication Day to this second book in the Emmy Lake Chronicles! I was very late reading Dear Mrs. Bird, but that allowed me to read both books back to back. An extended visit with Emmy, Charles, Bunty, and the rest was such a treat. As the war continues and Emmy is given some journalistic duties she finds herself struggling to resolve her personal views with the assignment. With wise counsel and maturity she is learning to be more effective and less impulsive. The rights of women workers come to the forefront as there is much war work to accomplish and many men away to fight. Young mothers especially need additional assistance and Emmy is compelled to help. This book made me laugh and cry as I got a firsthand look at life on the home front. There is still lots of time left in the war. I hope that means we will have a third book coming -- possibly entitled "Women's Friend To Friend?"
Thank you to Scribner and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Scribner and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
June 8, 2021
Yours Cheerfully continues on from where Dear Mrs. Bird left off with delightful junior journalist, Emmeline Lake taking over the Women's Friend magazine's letters page now that the formidable Mrs Bird has left.
With a senior editor helping Emmy to dish out more kindly and caring advice, the letters page has seen a huge jump in popularity. Emmy is also given a new role in the magazine when the Ministry of Information puts out a request for women's magazines to do whatever they can to encourage women to take up jobs that men can no longer fill to help support Britain's war effort. Emmy writes a series of articles on a group of women working in a munitions factory and becomes involved in helping working mothers campaign for improved conditions that will help them juggle work and childcare.
This uplifting sequel is just as charming and delightful as the original and makes for a light, humorous read about women's friendship and support for each other during trying times. Emmy's romance with Charles is progressing nicely now that he is stationed in London and her best friend Bunty is recovering well after losing her fiancé and being badly injured in the Blitz. As the novel finishes at the end of 1941, after the bombing of Pearl Harbour, I hope there will be further additions to the series as I can't wait to catch up with Emmy and her friends again.
With many thanks to PanMacMillan and Netgalley for a copy to read
With a senior editor helping Emmy to dish out more kindly and caring advice, the letters page has seen a huge jump in popularity. Emmy is also given a new role in the magazine when the Ministry of Information puts out a request for women's magazines to do whatever they can to encourage women to take up jobs that men can no longer fill to help support Britain's war effort. Emmy writes a series of articles on a group of women working in a munitions factory and becomes involved in helping working mothers campaign for improved conditions that will help them juggle work and childcare.
This uplifting sequel is just as charming and delightful as the original and makes for a light, humorous read about women's friendship and support for each other during trying times. Emmy's romance with Charles is progressing nicely now that he is stationed in London and her best friend Bunty is recovering well after losing her fiancé and being badly injured in the Blitz. As the novel finishes at the end of 1941, after the bombing of Pearl Harbour, I hope there will be further additions to the series as I can't wait to catch up with Emmy and her friends again.
With many thanks to PanMacMillan and Netgalley for a copy to read
June 25, 2021
Rounded down from around 4.5 stars ��️
Yours, Cheerfully returns to the lives of best friends Emmy and Bunty. Emmy’s magazine is asked to aid with the ministry’s push to get more women workers. But as she plunges head first into her assignment she realises her new war worker friends are facing difficulties at work.
This is another charming and moving novel by AJ Pearce. I absolutely loved returning to the old characters and old places, it felt like going home. But I also loved meeting the new characters (Ruby being a personal favourite of mine). Pearce’s writing transports you to a different time, I really felt like I was living alongside Emmy and Bunty.
This book felt slightly more light-hearted than Dear Mrs Bird. But it still left me moved, with tears in my eyes. I found myself crying with both pride and happiness during big life events for the characters. I also learnt so much about women workers during WWII that I did not know before.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone that loves light-hearted historical fiction or anyone who enjoyed Dear Mrs Bird. I want to thank Tandem Collective, Picador Books and AJ Pearce for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.
Yours, Cheerfully returns to the lives of best friends Emmy and Bunty. Emmy’s magazine is asked to aid with the ministry’s push to get more women workers. But as she plunges head first into her assignment she realises her new war worker friends are facing difficulties at work.
This is another charming and moving novel by AJ Pearce. I absolutely loved returning to the old characters and old places, it felt like going home. But I also loved meeting the new characters (Ruby being a personal favourite of mine). Pearce’s writing transports you to a different time, I really felt like I was living alongside Emmy and Bunty.
This book felt slightly more light-hearted than Dear Mrs Bird. But it still left me moved, with tears in my eyes. I found myself crying with both pride and happiness during big life events for the characters. I also learnt so much about women workers during WWII that I did not know before.
I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone that loves light-hearted historical fiction or anyone who enjoyed Dear Mrs Bird. I want to thank Tandem Collective, Picador Books and AJ Pearce for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.
July 3, 2023
Set in London, this begins in April of 1943, as World War II continues. This is the third book in the Emmy Lake Chronicle series, with Emmy’s husband, Captain Charles Mayhew, off fighting in the war. Emmy sends him letters often, and spends much of her time writing the ’Yours Cheerfully’ column for the ’Woman’s Friend’ magazine as the war continues on. Emmie is still running the advice column, and is devoted to both the column and actually listening to the reader’s stories, their problems and concerns. She considers what she does as helpful, occasionally crucial, and often heartbreaking, but her ability to truly listen and often sound advice is not insignificant. The mail they receive for the ’Woman’s Friend’ column is not just needed for some of those who write of more difficult problems, but also some not quite as urgent.
When a new publisher, the ’Honorable Mrs. Cressida Porter’ becomes the new publisher, who turns everything upside down, and insists on tossing out what their readers love the most - the relatable issues, the concerns about their loved ones, the war, recipes, and personal issues and wants to turn it into a ‘society’ magazine for the ‘right’ crowd, the ones who are not struggling financially. The one that she targets to start with is Emmy’s ’Yours Cheerfully’ column, one of the more popular columns. Instead of keeping a popular column for the average reader, she wants to replace it with sharing the newest, most fashionable clothing, and stories about what the rich and semi-famous are wearing and doing.
Emmy and the children who enter her life, her friends and loved ones are what keep this story engaging, and Emmy’s desire to give more of her time to share the lives of those whose women who work is not only important, but crucial, as the jobs who previously were held by men who are now serving their country, can now show that they are capable of doing these jobs - if only the companies would provide child-care.
A moving story, with some charm, as well, this is a story of life during war, the effect the war has had on these lives, perhaps especially the children who have lost family during the war, this does have happier moments, as well.
A story of friendship, loss, and most of all, love.
Pub Date: 08 Aug 2023
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Scribner
December 22, 2021
I’d like to say I loved Yours Cheerfully as much as I loved Dear Mrs. Bird, but I can’t. The book is a fine read, but lacking a charm that I found in A.J. Pearce’s earlier book in the Emmy Lake Chronicles. I also found the ending to be a little kitsch – even if it ended with a women’s rights march and an exciting race to the altar.
Yours Cheerfully continues where Dear Mrs. Bird, left off (sans Mrs. Bird). It is WWII, circa post Blitz and the focus is on the women, wives and mothers, who work in munitions factories (and other factories aiding in the war effort). It is about the highly motivated and patriotic women workers who raise their banners high in support of their troops, but also need the money to keep home and family together while their husbands are at war. The women are basically taken for granted – filling the jobs of men at inferior salaries and under inferior conditions (at the risk of sounding snarky, I might add, “so what else is new”).
While Emmy is championing the Women’s War Effort, she is also planning her marriage to Charles. I felt little depth or heat between Emmy and her betrothed – although I was warmed by friends and family who despite hard times and rationing, each brought something dear to make the wedding a true celebration.
Both DMB and YC deal with serious topics, there was more charm and humor in the former.
Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for an ARC of Your Cheerfully. It was a fine read.
Yours Cheerfully continues where Dear Mrs. Bird, left off (sans Mrs. Bird). It is WWII, circa post Blitz and the focus is on the women, wives and mothers, who work in munitions factories (and other factories aiding in the war effort). It is about the highly motivated and patriotic women workers who raise their banners high in support of their troops, but also need the money to keep home and family together while their husbands are at war. The women are basically taken for granted – filling the jobs of men at inferior salaries and under inferior conditions (at the risk of sounding snarky, I might add, “so what else is new”).
While Emmy is championing the Women’s War Effort, she is also planning her marriage to Charles. I felt little depth or heat between Emmy and her betrothed – although I was warmed by friends and family who despite hard times and rationing, each brought something dear to make the wedding a true celebration.
Both DMB and YC deal with serious topics, there was more charm and humor in the former.
Thank you NetGalley and Scribner for an ARC of Your Cheerfully. It was a fine read.
August 20, 2023
A sweet sequel to Dear Mrs. Bird, Yours Cheerfully, took me right back to World War Two London and the trials of women working in factories. I never thought before about how difficult it must have been to go to work for the war effort when your husband was either fighting, dead or missing.
Also, child care! Mothers who wanted to work and needed to for their family, often ended up fired for taking their little ones to work with them. Until the factories and the government caught on to the fact that working mothers needed nurseries, this was a sore point.
All of that history and a tender love story is administered in Yours Cheerfully.
Also, child care! Mothers who wanted to work and needed to for their family, often ended up fired for taking their little ones to work with them. Until the factories and the government caught on to the fact that working mothers needed nurseries, this was a sore point.
All of that history and a tender love story is administered in Yours Cheerfully.
August 13, 2021
4 Endearing Character Stars
This book came along at just the right time for me! I really liked book #1, but I think I liked this one even more! There’s a return of the same characters – Emmeline and her best friend Bunty – these two make quite the pair. I also loved the continuing love story with Emmeline and Charles.
Although this one is set in England during WWII, it has a more lighthearted tone and even some madcap humor. Emmy continues to get into trouble, but I love her ambition and desire to help her magazine’s readers! Emmy is continuing in her job at Woman’s Friend magazine, writing the advice column. She even gets her shot at writing a feature story! She’s off to interview women who are called to work at munitions factories. She finds more than she bargains for in the process but makes some great friends.
There were some interesting challenges illustrated here that I didn’t think about – who cares for the children while the women work at the factory? And women faced workplace discrimination – lower pay, etc.
I really liked the writing style of this one and I’m excited that it seems like a series, can’t wait to read #3. There’s Still a War to Win!
Thank you to Scribner for the copy of this one to read through NetGalley.
This book came along at just the right time for me! I really liked book #1, but I think I liked this one even more! There’s a return of the same characters – Emmeline and her best friend Bunty – these two make quite the pair. I also loved the continuing love story with Emmeline and Charles.
Although this one is set in England during WWII, it has a more lighthearted tone and even some madcap humor. Emmy continues to get into trouble, but I love her ambition and desire to help her magazine’s readers! Emmy is continuing in her job at Woman’s Friend magazine, writing the advice column. She even gets her shot at writing a feature story! She’s off to interview women who are called to work at munitions factories. She finds more than she bargains for in the process but makes some great friends.
There were some interesting challenges illustrated here that I didn’t think about – who cares for the children while the women work at the factory? And women faced workplace discrimination – lower pay, etc.
I really liked the writing style of this one and I’m excited that it seems like a series, can’t wait to read #3. There’s Still a War to Win!
Thank you to Scribner for the copy of this one to read through NetGalley.
December 4, 2021
Sadly this wasn't as enjoyable for me as the first book, although several Goodreads friends who had loved the first book enjoyed this one too. There were many things I liked about this book, the characters are lovely and the author has done a brilliant job of capturing the language and the feel of the era. So many books set during the war say an odd word or two of the period, jolly good or buck up or something similar but the rest of the setting and dialogue could be set today. This did a great job of setting the scene by describing clothes and culture along with so many wonderful words and phrases that you just don't hear today, this part was an absolute pleasure.
I enjoyed the Agony Aunt letters that featured more in the first book, the second book sees this storyline take a back seat and focused more on troubles of women working at a munitions factory. I didn't enjoy this part of the storyline much at all really. There are some nice developments in the characters lives, this was a much lighter read than the first book and there were some nice moments of humour and I enjoyed certain aspects of being in another time, which despite the horrors of the war, ironically in some ways seemed a much more innocent and happier time.
I enjoyed the Agony Aunt letters that featured more in the first book, the second book sees this storyline take a back seat and focused more on troubles of women working at a munitions factory. I didn't enjoy this part of the storyline much at all really. There are some nice developments in the characters lives, this was a much lighter read than the first book and there were some nice moments of humour and I enjoyed certain aspects of being in another time, which despite the horrors of the war, ironically in some ways seemed a much more innocent and happier time.
September 12, 2021
{4.5 Stars}
This was a DELIGHT!
I found myself enjoying this sequel even better than the first book. Yours Cheerfully picks up right after the first book ends with Emmy Lake dealing with the fallout of secretly inserting letters and responses that Mrs. Bird found absolutely unacceptable. This time, Emmy is on the adventure of a lifetime- researching and writing about an official assignment about the women's war effort.
I absolutely adored the banter, the jokes and the heart of this novel. I can tell Pearce has really tightened up her writing and I enjoyed every single page in this one. I laughed out loud and teared up at the end when dear Bunty danced. I have come to absolutely adore these characters. Their time in life gave me a reprieve from the harsh reality of the world today and how often kindness goes such a long way. I highly recommend this one and hope Pearce will write more for this series.
Thank you to Netgalley and Scribner for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This was a DELIGHT!
I found myself enjoying this sequel even better than the first book. Yours Cheerfully picks up right after the first book ends with Emmy Lake dealing with the fallout of secretly inserting letters and responses that Mrs. Bird found absolutely unacceptable. This time, Emmy is on the adventure of a lifetime- researching and writing about an official assignment about the women's war effort.
I absolutely adored the banter, the jokes and the heart of this novel. I can tell Pearce has really tightened up her writing and I enjoyed every single page in this one. I laughed out loud and teared up at the end when dear Bunty danced. I have come to absolutely adore these characters. Their time in life gave me a reprieve from the harsh reality of the world today and how often kindness goes such a long way. I highly recommend this one and hope Pearce will write more for this series.
Thank you to Netgalley and Scribner for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
April 25, 2021
I loved Dear Mrs. Bird and was thrilled when I was asked to spend more time with Emmy and Bunty in Yours Cheerfully. AJ Pearce shines a light on the hardships that women factory workers faced during World War II and uses it as a segway to spotlight the plight of working mothers even today.
Emmeline Lake (Emmy), the heroine of Yours Cheerfully, is absolutely the most lovable character to emerge from the world of British fiction since Bridget Jones (and goodness knows how much I love a good Bridget Jones Diary!) She’s funny, she’s headstrong and full of resolve, and she faces the worst of circumstances (most of which she inadvertently creates herself by trying to do a good thing) with the pluckiest of resolves. You cannot help but love her.
Getting to go along with Emmy as she continues her adventures at Women’s Friend magazine was such a breath of fresh air in today’s tough times. Catching up with Bunty after her tragic events in Dear Mrs. Bird, and seeing her soaring was endearing. With the same lovable cast of characters as featured in Dear Mrs. Bird you can’t go wrong. It’s a delightful read —funny and poignant, and a true pitch-perfect pleasure. It takes us to the home front during war, shows the strength of women, is a beautiful love letter to the power of friendship, shows the courage of ordinary people in extraordinary times, and reminds us of the toll of stoicism when having to “woman up.” This book truly lives and breathes in this era. It will transport you, and leave you feeling just plain good, (and did I mention there is a wedding full of demonstration marches and breathless missed connections?!?!) - everyone needs a book like this in their life right now!
I cannot send enough thank you’s to #NetGalley, the beyond amazing and talented AJ Pearce ( @ajpearcewrites ), and #Scribner ( @scribnerbooks ) for inviting me and sending me an electronic ARC in exchange for my unbiased and honest opinion.
My full review will be available on my blog at http://OceansOfBooks.com when this must read novel is available for purchase Aug. 10, 2021. My advise? Get yours pre-ordered today! Happy reading my friends!
Emmeline Lake (Emmy), the heroine of Yours Cheerfully, is absolutely the most lovable character to emerge from the world of British fiction since Bridget Jones (and goodness knows how much I love a good Bridget Jones Diary!) She’s funny, she’s headstrong and full of resolve, and she faces the worst of circumstances (most of which she inadvertently creates herself by trying to do a good thing) with the pluckiest of resolves. You cannot help but love her.
Getting to go along with Emmy as she continues her adventures at Women’s Friend magazine was such a breath of fresh air in today’s tough times. Catching up with Bunty after her tragic events in Dear Mrs. Bird, and seeing her soaring was endearing. With the same lovable cast of characters as featured in Dear Mrs. Bird you can’t go wrong. It’s a delightful read —funny and poignant, and a true pitch-perfect pleasure. It takes us to the home front during war, shows the strength of women, is a beautiful love letter to the power of friendship, shows the courage of ordinary people in extraordinary times, and reminds us of the toll of stoicism when having to “woman up.” This book truly lives and breathes in this era. It will transport you, and leave you feeling just plain good, (and did I mention there is a wedding full of demonstration marches and breathless missed connections?!?!) - everyone needs a book like this in their life right now!
I cannot send enough thank you’s to #NetGalley, the beyond amazing and talented AJ Pearce ( @ajpearcewrites ), and #Scribner ( @scribnerbooks ) for inviting me and sending me an electronic ARC in exchange for my unbiased and honest opinion.
My full review will be available on my blog at http://OceansOfBooks.com when this must read novel is available for purchase Aug. 10, 2021. My advise? Get yours pre-ordered today! Happy reading my friends!
June 13, 2021
Book 1...Mrs Byrd was sat on my shelf for ages. Actually, since the time it was published and I only got to read it last year and flipping loved it. When I heard this was being followed up with a book 2 I was so anticipating it.
I leapt on it when I saw the audio version as I’d listened to book 1 that way too so I was so happy when I saw the narrators name. She’s so good.
This book is such a lovely tale of very strong women in the war times. I know my mother when she was alive told me what she did in the war and other women. Women supporting the war efforts, farming, driving, delivering, health care etc was just a tip of the iceberg to working in factories making parachutes and other war items.
But what about those women who had to become the breadwinners while their husbands were away?
And what if they had to not only provide for themselves, children and their mothers?
Who is there to look after the children whilst they work.
A fabulous account of history within this fictional writing with an updated role from Emmeline now that the formidable woman from the previous book is now gone. We see more strength of character from Emmeline and when you have other women, strong women and support from other avenues it’s clear what can be achieved with the help of Yours Cheerfully in the forefront.
Romance thrown in with a war wedding planned, set your mind back to that era and read this beautiful heartwarming uplifting read around tragedy of life around you.
I leapt on it when I saw the audio version as I’d listened to book 1 that way too so I was so happy when I saw the narrators name. She’s so good.
This book is such a lovely tale of very strong women in the war times. I know my mother when she was alive told me what she did in the war and other women. Women supporting the war efforts, farming, driving, delivering, health care etc was just a tip of the iceberg to working in factories making parachutes and other war items.
But what about those women who had to become the breadwinners while their husbands were away?
And what if they had to not only provide for themselves, children and their mothers?
Who is there to look after the children whilst they work.
A fabulous account of history within this fictional writing with an updated role from Emmeline now that the formidable woman from the previous book is now gone. We see more strength of character from Emmeline and when you have other women, strong women and support from other avenues it’s clear what can be achieved with the help of Yours Cheerfully in the forefront.
Romance thrown in with a war wedding planned, set your mind back to that era and read this beautiful heartwarming uplifting read around tragedy of life around you.
December 5, 2021
3.5 stars
I definitely enjoyed this sequel much more than the first book, Dear Mrs. Bird , which I had read right before this one. While the story continued more or less where the first one left off and the characters were all the same (with the exception of Mrs. Bird of course), I think I took to this book better perhaps because I kind of knew what to expect already — and perhaps that’s also why I found the main character Emmy Lake a little less annoying this time around (though yes, she did still frustrate me at certain points).
With Mrs Bird’s departure from Women’s Friend magazine (not a spoiler, as it’s in the book summary and she’s already gone when the story opens), Mr. Collins has been promoted to Editor (no surprise there either, lol). After what happened at the end of the first book, Emmy is back with the magazine again, but on a probationary basis. While the magazine’s advice column continues to be a focus, the crux of the story this time around is on the government’s call to all of Britain’s women’s magazines to help recruit female workers for the war effort. As Emmy immerses herself in this task, she meets a few of the women who work at the munitions factories and soon realizes that, while they are all happy to contribute to the effort, there are real-life challenges they face that makes the war work much more difficult for them. When Emmy learns about their plight, she of course steps in and tries to help them any which way she can.
I think the direction that the author A.J. Pearce took with the story as well as with the characters this time around made so much more sense than the first book. I’m not sure how best to put it, but I felt like most of Emmy’s actions in the first book were too over the top, to the point that it felt unrealistic and contrived. With this second go around though, her actions were more in line with her role in the sense that it made sense for her to constantly insert herself in situations, but in a more tempered way. Just for the record…I don’t have a problem with Emmy’s personality — in fact, I like the way her character was headstrong, curious, assertive, and always willing to stand up for what she believed in as well as help others, which was especially significant given the time period — what I actually had a problem with was the “bull in a china shop” approach that she seemed to apply to every single situation, especially at work. For example, in the first book, Emmy’s job as a newbie at the magazine was to open letters and give them to her boss to review and type up a response, however because she doesn’t like the restrictive (and rude) nature of her boss’s responses, she decides to take matters into her own hands by deliberately defying her boss’s instructions and writing letters to readers on her own (as well as sneaking some of her letters into the magazine itself). While it’s fine to disagree and question how her boss does things, it’s not fine, especially in her position, to go in and start changing things on her own (obviously, there were more rational ways to approach the situation than the way she did). In the second book, I assume because she has learned her lesson, Emmy’s approach was a little more mature and above board (and as I mentioned earlier, definitely less grating on my nerves). I point all this out because I appreciate seeing characters grow and evolve in stories and even though in this case, it took a sequel for it to happen, I’m still glad to see it.
For those who read and loved Dear Mrs. Bird , I definitely recommend picking this one up, as I believe you’ll love it just as much as the first (maybe even more). For those like me who may not have been a fan of the first book, I still recommend reading this one, as it did put the first book into better perspective for me (even though it didn’t change my feelings overall toward the story and characters).
Received ARC from Scribner via NetGalley.
November 24, 2021
Book two. Book one was Dear Mrs. Bird. It was fun to be back with Emmy and the other characters. I’m always a bit anxious about sequels but I think that this one is a great success. I liked it almost as much as I did the first book and in one way I liked it even better than the first book. This book had less drama between friends and I enjoyed that aspect more. It’s a worthy sequel. I would enjoy a third book if it would be as enjoyable to read as the first two books.
This is historical fiction at its best. The author’s note in the back verifies the research that was done and reveals how this fictional story reflects some of what was really going on during WWII in England.
The story and its characters and their relationships have just the right mix of light & fun & amusing and poignant & serious & of addressing real issues.
The Kindle edition I read has a Scribner Reading Group Guide in the back. Further book and video resources are provided, specifically mentioning them for enhancing book club discussions. I simultaneously read that edition with the Overdrive audio edition. The narrator was wonderful. I enjoy reading both text and audio when I read both at the same time.
Great read!
4-1/2 stars
This is historical fiction at its best. The author’s note in the back verifies the research that was done and reveals how this fictional story reflects some of what was really going on during WWII in England.
The story and its characters and their relationships have just the right mix of light & fun & amusing and poignant & serious & of addressing real issues.
The Kindle edition I read has a Scribner Reading Group Guide in the back. Further book and video resources are provided, specifically mentioning them for enhancing book club discussions. I simultaneously read that edition with the Overdrive audio edition. The narrator was wonderful. I enjoy reading both text and audio when I read both at the same time.
Great read!
4-1/2 stars
August 14, 2021
Yours Cheerfully by A J Pearce
Synopsis /
London, November 1941. Following the departure of the formidable Henrietta Bird from Woman’s Friend magazine, things are looking up for Emmeline Lake as she takes on the challenge of becoming a young wartime advice columnist. Her relationship with boyfriend Charles (now stationed back in the UK) is blossoming, while Emmy’s best friend Bunty, still reeling from the very worst of the Blitz, is bravely looking to the future. Together, the friends are determined to Make a Go of It.
When the Ministry of Information calls on Britain’s women’s magazines to help recruit desperately needed female workers to the war effort, Emmy is thrilled to be asked to step up and help. But when she and Bunty meet a young woman who shows them the very real challenges that women war workers face, Emmy must tackle a life-changing dilemma between doing her duty and standing by her friends.
My Thoughts /
Dear Yours Cheerfully,
Firstly, I have to say how absolutely ‘chuffed’ I was to receive a copy of your book. Bravo, I say on bringing young Emmy Lake and her friends to my attention. Your book is certainly not a ‘stinker’. I was not ‘browned off’ by reading it. Rather the opposite really. I thought your book was ‘spiffing’, ‘top drawer’, ‘super’ even. It is with some discomfort that I am embarrassed to say that I have not read your first foray into literature ‘Dear Mrs Bird’ but I intend to rectify my grievous faux pas forthwith.
Following the departure of your previous formidable Editor, Henrietta Bird, from Woman’s Friend magazine, things are looking up for you now that Emmeline Lake has taken on the challenge of becoming a young wartime advice columnist. And we all know how hard that will be in 1941 England. However, I am certain that Miss Emmeline (Emmy) Lake is up to the task and will find a way of answering our letters that women will find supportive under the signature, ‘Yours Cheerfully’.
As an example, how would you go about answering Miss Wrong end of the Stick?
Dear Yours Cheerfully,
I am eighteen years old and my mother told me the facts of life when I was young. Now though, my friends have been talking about this and I am worried I have misunderstood. Please could you clarify the things on this list as some of them sound awful.
Yours,
Wrong End of the Stick
Miss Lake, I have also heard that whilst you are just starting out in the role you have been invited to a meeting at The Ministry of Information with the newspaper editor. I have heard The Ministry wants to focus on encouraging women to take up the roles that have become vacant in the country as more men head off to fight in the war. How much truth is there to that rumour??? I have no doubt Miss Lake that you will love your new role and I look forward to reading your amazing hard-hitting articles featuring women working in places like the munitions factories and the injustices women face, plus their childcare issues.
Can you tell me whether you agree or disagree with Nurse McClay’s statement that after the age of five, people are either quite sensible or absolute idiots. If you haven’t sorted them out by then, there’s nothing more you can do about it, so you might as well just leave them by the said of a road’.
I applaud you Miss Lake for your journalistic work for Woman’s Friend brings focus on the mistreatment of our female war workers who are not given equal pay and are not allowed to join the union. How they are expected to work long hours, care for their children, and maintain their homes while their men are away fighting a war. Your commitment to journalism also shows us the horrific lack of government financial and emotional support for our war widows. Bravo.
Am I also able to mention here that I think A J Pearce has done a great job of creating well rounded, engaging characters, full of humour, camaraderie and resilience.
Yours,
Very Thankful Reader
Synopsis /
London, November 1941. Following the departure of the formidable Henrietta Bird from Woman’s Friend magazine, things are looking up for Emmeline Lake as she takes on the challenge of becoming a young wartime advice columnist. Her relationship with boyfriend Charles (now stationed back in the UK) is blossoming, while Emmy’s best friend Bunty, still reeling from the very worst of the Blitz, is bravely looking to the future. Together, the friends are determined to Make a Go of It.
When the Ministry of Information calls on Britain’s women’s magazines to help recruit desperately needed female workers to the war effort, Emmy is thrilled to be asked to step up and help. But when she and Bunty meet a young woman who shows them the very real challenges that women war workers face, Emmy must tackle a life-changing dilemma between doing her duty and standing by her friends.
My Thoughts /
Dear Yours Cheerfully,
Firstly, I have to say how absolutely ‘chuffed’ I was to receive a copy of your book. Bravo, I say on bringing young Emmy Lake and her friends to my attention. Your book is certainly not a ‘stinker’. I was not ‘browned off’ by reading it. Rather the opposite really. I thought your book was ‘spiffing’, ‘top drawer’, ‘super’ even. It is with some discomfort that I am embarrassed to say that I have not read your first foray into literature ‘Dear Mrs Bird’ but I intend to rectify my grievous faux pas forthwith.
Following the departure of your previous formidable Editor, Henrietta Bird, from Woman’s Friend magazine, things are looking up for you now that Emmeline Lake has taken on the challenge of becoming a young wartime advice columnist. And we all know how hard that will be in 1941 England. However, I am certain that Miss Emmeline (Emmy) Lake is up to the task and will find a way of answering our letters that women will find supportive under the signature, ‘Yours Cheerfully’.
As an example, how would you go about answering Miss Wrong end of the Stick?
Dear Yours Cheerfully,
I am eighteen years old and my mother told me the facts of life when I was young. Now though, my friends have been talking about this and I am worried I have misunderstood. Please could you clarify the things on this list as some of them sound awful.
Yours,
Wrong End of the Stick
Miss Lake, I have also heard that whilst you are just starting out in the role you have been invited to a meeting at The Ministry of Information with the newspaper editor. I have heard The Ministry wants to focus on encouraging women to take up the roles that have become vacant in the country as more men head off to fight in the war. How much truth is there to that rumour??? I have no doubt Miss Lake that you will love your new role and I look forward to reading your amazing hard-hitting articles featuring women working in places like the munitions factories and the injustices women face, plus their childcare issues.
Can you tell me whether you agree or disagree with Nurse McClay’s statement that after the age of five, people are either quite sensible or absolute idiots. If you haven’t sorted them out by then, there’s nothing more you can do about it, so you might as well just leave them by the said of a road’.
I applaud you Miss Lake for your journalistic work for Woman’s Friend brings focus on the mistreatment of our female war workers who are not given equal pay and are not allowed to join the union. How they are expected to work long hours, care for their children, and maintain their homes while their men are away fighting a war. Your commitment to journalism also shows us the horrific lack of government financial and emotional support for our war widows. Bravo.
Am I also able to mention here that I think A J Pearce has done a great job of creating well rounded, engaging characters, full of humour, camaraderie and resilience.
Yours,
Very Thankful Reader
June 14, 2021
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
I haven’t read Dear Mrs. Bird but I was assured that this book would be fine to read as even though they are part of the same series Yours Cheerfully could be read as a standalone. From my encounter with this book I totally agree.
England 1941 – Emmeline (Emmy) Lake is a young journalist working for Woman’s Friend Magazine. She is given the task of writing the responses in the agony aunt column, though she is to consult a more senior member of the team who will give her the advice, and then she is to write it up in a way that the women will find supportive under the signature ‘Yours Cheerfully’.
Just as she is starting her new role she is invited to a meeting at The Ministry of Information with the newspaper editor. The ministry wants to focus on encouraging women to take up the roles that have become vacant in the country as more men head off to fight in the war.
Emmy loves her new role and writes some encouraging and amazing hard-hitting articles featuring women working in places like the munitions factories and the injustices women face, plus their childcare issues.
What I first noticed about the novel was how inspiring and hopeful the book makes you feel. I know probably strange feelings given it is set back in 1941 but Emmy is a woman who had a strong personality and so much enthusiasm for her work. It was a real joy to spend time in her company.
I don’t think I have read many books set during WWII where the lead was a female, other than romances. I loved the feeling of a country coming together, the friendships that developed, and the attitude of the people at the time. Yes, there were some heartaches, it is set during a war, but the book was more uplifting than anything else. It also had plenty of old-fashioned British humour which did give me a good giggle at times.
I am now going to have to go back and read Dear Mrs. Bird, who sounded like a right character given the comments in this book.
I haven’t read Dear Mrs. Bird but I was assured that this book would be fine to read as even though they are part of the same series Yours Cheerfully could be read as a standalone. From my encounter with this book I totally agree.
England 1941 – Emmeline (Emmy) Lake is a young journalist working for Woman’s Friend Magazine. She is given the task of writing the responses in the agony aunt column, though she is to consult a more senior member of the team who will give her the advice, and then she is to write it up in a way that the women will find supportive under the signature ‘Yours Cheerfully’.
Just as she is starting her new role she is invited to a meeting at The Ministry of Information with the newspaper editor. The ministry wants to focus on encouraging women to take up the roles that have become vacant in the country as more men head off to fight in the war.
Emmy loves her new role and writes some encouraging and amazing hard-hitting articles featuring women working in places like the munitions factories and the injustices women face, plus their childcare issues.
What I first noticed about the novel was how inspiring and hopeful the book makes you feel. I know probably strange feelings given it is set back in 1941 but Emmy is a woman who had a strong personality and so much enthusiasm for her work. It was a real joy to spend time in her company.
I don’t think I have read many books set during WWII where the lead was a female, other than romances. I loved the feeling of a country coming together, the friendships that developed, and the attitude of the people at the time. Yes, there were some heartaches, it is set during a war, but the book was more uplifting than anything else. It also had plenty of old-fashioned British humour which did give me a good giggle at times.
I am now going to have to go back and read Dear Mrs. Bird, who sounded like a right character given the comments in this book.
August 31, 2021
This is Book 2 in a series following the life and career of Emmeline (Emmy) Lake, who has hopes of becoming a Lady War Correspondent. I really enjoyed the first book, Dear Mrs. Bird, and was happy to settle in with the second book which begins in June 1941. Mr. Collins has replaced Henrietta Bird as the editor at Woman's Friend magazine and Emmy is given more responsibility.
It was so nice to immerse myself in this story and see how much Emmy has matured since the first book. I had to smile at her feeling of pushing the envelope when she said "blast" or "bloody". Wouldn't she shudder to see and hear some of the words used these days! This book contained some interesting information about the women who worked in munitions factories during the war and the hardships they faced including lack of child care. Although I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first one I'd still recommend it to friends. Like another book I read recently, it's a nice change of pace from the murder mysteries and psychological suspense I usually read.
My mother was a war bride from Scotland and emigrated to Canada with my father after WWII. She had a good friend in Scotland that she corresponded with for many years and her name was Bunty so every time I see that name I think of my mom. When we were kids we thought it was the funniest name ever!
Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Release Date: August 10, 2021
It was so nice to immerse myself in this story and see how much Emmy has matured since the first book. I had to smile at her feeling of pushing the envelope when she said "blast" or "bloody". Wouldn't she shudder to see and hear some of the words used these days! This book contained some interesting information about the women who worked in munitions factories during the war and the hardships they faced including lack of child care. Although I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first one I'd still recommend it to friends. Like another book I read recently, it's a nice change of pace from the murder mysteries and psychological suspense I usually read.
My mother was a war bride from Scotland and emigrated to Canada with my father after WWII. She had a good friend in Scotland that she corresponded with for many years and her name was Bunty so every time I see that name I think of my mom. When we were kids we thought it was the funniest name ever!
Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada via Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
Release Date: August 10, 2021
August 12, 2021
Slightly disappointed in this one after really enjoying Mrs Bird. It’s a good (feel-good) storyline & nice to be back with Emmy but just seems rather slow & laborious at times. Finishing it feeling a bit Underwhelmed. Although the cover is lovely!!
July 27, 2021
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Aug 10, 2021
AJ Pearce brings the delightful Emmy Lake back with the second novel in the “Emmy Lake Chronicles” series, “Yours Cheerfully”.
Emmeline Lake is living with her best friend, Bunty, working as a journalist with a women’s newspaper, and volunteering with the fire service to contribute to the “war effort”. She relishes the brief moments she gets to spend with her solider boyfriend, Charles, as she knows that others around her are dealing with the immense loss of their loved ones. When Emmy gets offered the chance to write an honest portrayal about women and their war effort, she is ecstatic to be asked. However, she continues to face numerous obstacles when she realizes that the War Ministry has an agenda- and that all of her articles will be scrupulously reviewed. Up against the government itself, Emmy and her friends decide to take things into their own hands and make things better for women who are “doing their part” for their country.
Emmy immediately became one of my favourite historical fiction characters when I met her in “Dear Mrs. Bird”. Emmy is utterly optimistic and sees joy in the little things, and I admire her for that. She takes the ultimate stand against the government and the male-led system in “Yours Cheerfully” and she most definitely deserves all of the cheers.
“Yours Cheerfully” is a historical fiction novel, which is why it is so disheartening that the issues being faced by the women in this novel are not much different than they are today, more than seventy years later. Women who want to work, or are forced to due to circumstance, yet must still provide for their children, with workplaces that refuse to accommodate them, working the same jobs as men for less pay was a sad state of affairs during World War II, and sadly, it remains a sad state of affairs today. I desperately rooted for Emmy and wanted her to succeed, and was overjoyed with her chutzpah and bravado when faced with powerful men who sought to defeat her.
“Yours Cheerfully” is well told, narrated from Emmy’s perspective, with the occasional letter or two thrown in from one of the newspapers female readers. I loved the way this novel was written, and each page oozed with positivity and charm, yet still managed to remain realistic and emotional. This is a rallying, thought-provoking novel and I am so glad AJ Pearce continued her “Emmy Lake” story! I so look forward to more!
Expected publication date: Aug 10, 2021
AJ Pearce brings the delightful Emmy Lake back with the second novel in the “Emmy Lake Chronicles” series, “Yours Cheerfully”.
Emmeline Lake is living with her best friend, Bunty, working as a journalist with a women’s newspaper, and volunteering with the fire service to contribute to the “war effort”. She relishes the brief moments she gets to spend with her solider boyfriend, Charles, as she knows that others around her are dealing with the immense loss of their loved ones. When Emmy gets offered the chance to write an honest portrayal about women and their war effort, she is ecstatic to be asked. However, she continues to face numerous obstacles when she realizes that the War Ministry has an agenda- and that all of her articles will be scrupulously reviewed. Up against the government itself, Emmy and her friends decide to take things into their own hands and make things better for women who are “doing their part” for their country.
Emmy immediately became one of my favourite historical fiction characters when I met her in “Dear Mrs. Bird”. Emmy is utterly optimistic and sees joy in the little things, and I admire her for that. She takes the ultimate stand against the government and the male-led system in “Yours Cheerfully” and she most definitely deserves all of the cheers.
“Yours Cheerfully” is a historical fiction novel, which is why it is so disheartening that the issues being faced by the women in this novel are not much different than they are today, more than seventy years later. Women who want to work, or are forced to due to circumstance, yet must still provide for their children, with workplaces that refuse to accommodate them, working the same jobs as men for less pay was a sad state of affairs during World War II, and sadly, it remains a sad state of affairs today. I desperately rooted for Emmy and wanted her to succeed, and was overjoyed with her chutzpah and bravado when faced with powerful men who sought to defeat her.
“Yours Cheerfully” is well told, narrated from Emmy’s perspective, with the occasional letter or two thrown in from one of the newspapers female readers. I loved the way this novel was written, and each page oozed with positivity and charm, yet still managed to remain realistic and emotional. This is a rallying, thought-provoking novel and I am so glad AJ Pearce continued her “Emmy Lake” story! I so look forward to more!
August 31, 2021
A charming book that tells the little-known struggles of women who manned Britain's factories during World War 2. I think readers will love Emmy's pluck and determination, as well as all of the colorful side characters who populate this book.
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