Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.
What another enjoyable book in the Emmy Lake series! (I recommend reading them in order.)
Oh, Mrs. Porter, you are a bit mis. But that made storyline so great as the characters fought for their beloved magazine to carry on as reader's preferred.
The story also brings in the hardships they faced with the war.
I've loved this series and hope it continues!

Book 3 of the Emmy Lake Chronicles is as enchanting as the first two, “Dear Mrs. Bird” and “Yours Cheerfully”. “Mrs. Porter Calling” can be read as a standalone book, but you’d be missing out on the joy that the previous two novels create.

Emmy and Bunty are back and it’s still the daily drudge of WWII England, but together they can create delight amidst the gloom. Emmy’s husband is off to war (they’ve only spent 3 days of their 16 month marriage together) and she’s just turned 25 (spinster category had she not been married). Emmy’s publisher, Lord Overton, has died and left the magazine to his niece, social-climbing and arrogant Mrs. Porter, who makes you miss Mrs. Bird. Mrs. Porter is in her late 30s, but you’d think she was 20-30 years older. Oh! But we can delight in Small Winston, the grumpiest dog in London, a new character (and who can blame him for his grumpy disposition considering his owner?)

This is a charming novel and it’s wonderful to continue knowing how Emmy and friends keep coping in wartime. Ms. Pearce continues with detailed historical settings and facts — I particularly loved the slang of the time and warm familiar feeling I get from the characters. There’s an opening for a fourth installment, and I look forward to it! 5 stars!

Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for a free advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!

Literary Pet Peeve Checklist:
Green Eyes (only 2% of the real world, yet it seems like 90% of all fictional females): NO But lots of “enormous” eyes, even some the size of soup cans. :-)
Horticultural Faux Pas (plants out of season or growing zones, like daffodils in autumn or bougainvillea in Alaska): NO It’s still wartime, so flowers aren’t a priority (growing vegetables is), but a last scene has a snow covered garden outside the windows of the magazine.

I thoroughly enjoyed this third book in the series, which continues to follow Emmy and her friends and colleagues through the home front in WWII. I would recommend reading the books in order. This book sees big and not-at-all positive changes on both the work and home fronts. I’ll leave the latter to avoid spoilers, but Emmy, Bunty, and friends step up in a very real and accurate- feeling way. At the work front, Emmy’s magazine has a new owner with very different ideas for what should be covered and how, putting the whole enterprise at risk. As always, the book seems to effortlessly build in historical detail, creating a real sense of the struggles and uncertainties that run daily life in war. This is a lovely update to characters you really come to care about. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. This is one I’ll order when it is released so I can reread.

The third installment of the Emmy Lake Chronicles does not disappoint. The winsome characters we met in the earlier books continue to navigate wartime hardships with courage and ingenuity and just enough humor to make you love them all over again. My thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of the book. It’s a good one..

I'm on a roll! Mrs. Porter Calling is another winner in a string of novels that I have read and loved recently. It is the third in the Emmy Lake Chronicles, after Dear Mrs. Bird (Book One) and Yours Cheerfully (Book Two), taking place in London during WW2, 1940's from the Blitz onward. All three books follow the lives of Emmy and her BFF Bunty’s adventures, friendships, fears, trials and tribulations. Each book continues where the last left off, with old characters returning and new ones joining. Book One was absolutely delightful, I loved it! Book Two was “a Bit of a Mis” for me, to coin one of Mrs. Porter’s (Egg’s) favorite phrases, and, Mrs. Porter Calling (Book Three) brought back the joie de vivre to my reading experience of the series (forgive me my trespass, Mrs. Pye of Book Three). The reader follows Emmy and Bunty working for the Women’s Friend magazine and the War Office, respectively, while volunteering at the Fire Station and all around good-deed doing. All three books are filled with a general camaraderie within the Nation (bad eggs excluded and no pun intended), whose understanding of their intertwined fates brings people together to help one another wherever and whenever possible. This is especially true of the women in these novels, many of whom are at home with or without children while their husbands and lovers are off fighting the Nazis/Axis Alliance, or Missing in Action.

This book works as a stand-alone, although the characters will feel like old friends to the returning reader.

In Book Three, Bunty continues her work at the War Office and Emmy works for the Women’s Friend magazine. Emmy has made it her primary raison d’etra (Mrs. Pye, forgive me again, I was not poking fun at you, well, maybe just a little) to assist the magazine readers with their real everyday problems (husbands off to war, trying to feed a family with insufficient rations, working men’s jobs under a double-standard while trying to keep a roof over their heads, and so much more). The reader watches as people pool their resources and look out for one another, lending a helping hand where they can. It is both heart-warming and heart-breaking, at times.

Lord Overton, the Women’s Friend patron owner, has died, leaving the magazine and its operations to his niece, Mrs. Cressida Porter – or “Egg” as she is generally referred to by friends (Does this woman have any? I, for one, do not believe so). Mrs. Porter rivals Mrs. Bird (Book One) for obtuse and obnoxious behavior. She nearly chokes on the silver spoon in her mouth when she enters the Woman’s Friend’s offices with heavy sacks of mail everywhere and what must appear to her as a motley crew swarming the premises. Within minutes of visiting the office for the first time, she informs Guy, the Editor, that she would like to see some tiny changes. In brief, the tiny changes amount to transforming the magazine from an everyday everywoman’s weekly into a hi-brow fashion and society page magazine. Over the next few months she becomes the bane of every employee on the premises (with the exception of the pretentious Mrs. Pye) and for all intents and purposes, flushes the magazine down the toilet. No one wants to read it anymore and no one wants to advertise in it anymore. Abandoned by both readers and advertisers, Egg decides that the failure of the magazine is everyone’s fault but her own, as she hammers the last nail into the coffin and puts the rag up for sale. That is when the fun really begins!

All three books are laced with the young people’s hip jargon of the period, much that I had never heard or read before. The healthy dose of jargon in Book One, is charming, much too rampant in Book Two, and just the right amount in (the current) Book Three.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ashley Gilliam Rose of Scribner for an ARC of this book, requesting my review and wishes that I enjoy the book - OMG, yes. I loved it!

Having a cuppa to steady one’s nerves seems equal to slurping chicken soup for a cold. Since the kettle is put up regularly in all three novels, I assumed that tea was one staple that was not rationed in WW2. It turns out I was wrong, and that it was rationed to 2 oz. per week per adult and the ration continued until 1952! (Thank you Wikipedia) – it appears that knowing how important tea was to the UK, the Luftwaffe bombed the London center of tea district, Mincing Lane, in the 1940/1 Blitz. As a result, the government bought up all the tea available from every country not part of the Axis. Furthermore, “According to some estimations tea was the second biggest government purchase by the British in 1942, second only to bullets. Tea in large quantities was needed in order to keep the troops in good supply on the front. Tanks for UK forces had built-in water kettles (boiling vessels) for making tea even while at war” – Thank you dustyoldthing.com/british-tea-wwii (site).

WOW – and I thought I loved tea. I never knew just HOW seriously the Brits take theirs!

In recent years, there have been many historical fiction novels centered around WWII. Many have also dealt with the civilians at home, struggling with rationing, loss, and fear. Those are some of the themes in this book too as it showcases civilians at home and at work. However, I found this novel, featuring journalist, Emmy Lake, to be one of the most authentic depictions of the early 40’s. Characters get on with their lives and make do to the best of their abilities. We see a quiet kind of heroism in everyday life.

I read the 1st in the series, Dear Mrs. Bird, but somehow missed the second. It is no matter because this book could be read as a stand-alone. There is drama at the magazine where Emmy works, when after the publisher’s death, his niece takes over. The new boss is spoilt, obtuse, and selfish, and it is exasperating to see the harm and chaos she brings to the magazine. However, there is gentle humor in characters’ foibles and some letters sent in to the magazine looking for advice. For me, the strength of this novel is witnessing the day to day life in London during those turbulent times. Most of the characters look out for each other and are kind, and I am grateful to that generation’s resilience.

Thank you Netgalley and Scribners for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What a delightful third installment of this series! I enjoyed reading about the continued adventures of Emmy Lake, and to be honest, I felt this installment was perhaps the strongest of the three so far. I was pleased that the ending set up the possibility of a 4th book, should that be in the cards. It was refreshing to live in Emmy Lake’s world for a bit, as she is a complex and likable character. I also enjoyed the accuracy of life during wartime London. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

This is the third book in this delightful, witty, comedic series. Now when I say comedy, I mean that there are truly charming parts, and other parts that make you laugh out loud! No mean feat as this takes place in London during WWII. It has all the class and elegance of Downton Abby, so anyone who liked that show will be sure to enjoy this book, even though the characters are not English nobility. This was a satisfying read that included everything I love in novel: historical accuracy, excellent plot, and brilliant dialogue that flows nicely. I could hardly put it down as I wanted to know what would happen to all these characters whom I came to care for! An excellent WWII novel that I highly recommend!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I have read the first two installments of this series and was excited to read the third. In this novel, Emmy and her co-workers must deal with Mrs. Porter, who takes over their homey women's magazine. Think Devil Wears Prada but but a little nicer and during WWII. Mrs. Porter, who knows nothing about magazine publishing, longs to create a more elegant and upscale journal. Emmy and crew know this is a bad idea and get creative to thwart Porter's goals.

I laughed a little, I cried a little...this series is sweet but doesn't sugarcoat the tougher parts of living through a war. It's a quick read, a little predictable, but keeps you on the edge at the end regarding the romantic major story arcs. Who will return unscathed from battle? Which couples will last? Looking forward to part four.

This charming historical novel is entertaining but also thought-provoking.

Friends, neighbors and co-workers face Ww2 war-time challenges and hardship. Their experiences and outcome really re-defined what a family really is for me. I could have read this light novel in one sitting, but savored it over a few days and enjoyed every minute I soent with the novel and its characters.

Absolutely one of the most enjoyable books I have ever read. Mrs .Porter Calling, has it all and then some. It’s witty, heartwarming, sad, inspirational and just simply a really great read!! I am “chuffed to bits” to recommend it highly. So many English phrases, that are just so appetizing! The British are a classy bunch and I just love their parlance. I am so grateful to Netgalley and Scribner for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions ar my own. I do hope to be considered for reading the next book in thre series by AJ Pearce. #Netgalley, #Mrs.PorterCalling, #AJPearce.

Many thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for allowing me to read a digital ARC of this book. My opinion is my very own but I can’t believe that it won’t be shared by all readers. This book is charming, the characters are so real to me. I’ve gotten emotionally entwined with all of them, even Mrs. Porter, who is a real piece of work. It is Book 3 of 3 in the series. I have read the first two and enjoyed them just as much. I hope (cross my fingers) that there are more books about this cast of characters. I believe this could be a stand alone book, but oh how much more a reader will enjoy reading them in order. I am pretty certain that if you read this one first, you will go back for the fist two.

A lot of love and tears and laughter. And a lovely dog named Small Winston. 3rd in a series, should read others first.

AJ Pearce's newest addition to the Emmy Lake Chronicles, Mrs Porter Calling, is definitely an addition. If you haven't started the series, you should. Emmy and her crew are a delight. (The others are Mrs Bird Calling and Yours, Cheerfully.)

I love this series, but even if you haven't read the rest of them, you could start here and do fine. This is a London WWII historical fiction with a very female-centric cast of characters. A lot of the men are off fighting, so it's the women and children sorting out life at home. The characters are likeable, hard working, and caring. The villain is clever and charming (think upper class Dolores Umbridge), if a little predictable. There's a lot of cheerfulness, but as it's wartime, there's a tragedy or two, still with a lot of stiff upper lip and carrying on from the women. I appreciate their friendship and the way they take such good care of each other. Thanks Netgalley for the ARC

I absolutely loved this book! I have been a big fan of the previous two books, and this one is perfection. I was happy to be reunited with the returning characters, and the new additions to the cast one either loved or loved to hate. The author did a wonderful job bringing them all to life. As a wartime book, there was tragedy, but Pearce offset the sadness with lots of humor and optimism. I appreciated the positivity of people pitching in and taking care of each other in very challenging times. It was encouraging to see the goodness in people, and I found it a real "feel good" reading experience. I'm so glad to have had the opportunity to read an advance copy of the book thanks to the publisher and Netgalley. I highly recommend this book and the entire series, and I hope it won't be too long before the next book.