What an ebullient novel this is. It fairly fizzes off the page! I have already recommended it to several friends.

Resolutely upbeat young Emmy does her best to maintain her equilibrium as London “keeps the Luftwaffe busy”. Her day job is assistant to the formidable Mrs Bird, an agony aunt with ‘Woman’s Friend’ magazine, who bins any letters that smack of ‘unpleasantness’ (i.e. sex or even just romance). Emmy secretly dispenses advice to the lovelorn or lonely-hearted readers, such as recommending that a young woman marry her Polish airman sweetheart in the face of parental disapproval.

Meanwhile, in her free time, Emmy doubles up as a volunteer with the fire service, and this brings her face to face with the ever-present dangers of the London blitz. It’s so well researched, giving a real sense of what it was like to live, work and love in war-time London, with appealing humour and without ever tipping over into sentimentality.

I really warmed to Emmy. She is always putting her foot in it, with the very best of intentions. I also enjoyed the letters from readers; they show what exercised people’s minds in the 1940s.

I wasn't sure about this book as it is written in a 'jolly hockey sticks' style and was a little old fashioned in the telling with somewhat predictable conclusions. However, one does warm to the characters, particularly the main character Emmy who tackles life with gusto and a lot of naivety in wartime London. It is quite funny and humorous which is well written in a style of the period. It is a very light read and quite charming in it's way with forgotten values and spirit of helping others within a difficult time. There is also an wonderful 'do gooder' in Mrs Bird herself who is formidable, it would have been nice to know her background and why she was such an old dragon. Underlying everything is lasting friendship which, despite ups and downs, wins through. It seems well researched and one can only imagine the horrors of London during the Blitz with people trying to make the best of it and surviving.

I love this book so much. It's so much fun to read. Emmy and her friend Bunty are making a go of it in London, sharing Bunty's granny's flat and doing their bit for the war effort. Emmy is a volunteer fire officer, but dreams of being a war correspondent, and when the chance of an interview at a well known publishing house comes up, she jumps at it, only to find she is working for the irascible Mrs. Bird and her fearsome and old fashioned problem page. Emmy, ever resourceful, decides to make her job a little more than it should be. This is funny and perfectly mannered in style. It has a fantastic back story, which actually, as the book progresses, becomes the meat on the bones and gives this depth and drama. My only criticism is that it was over too soon.

I found this a very entertaining idea for a story, and indeed, the story was told in a very entertaining way.

When Emmeline Lake, known as Emma to her friends, excitedly turns up for what she thinks is going to be her first day as a War Correspondent, she discovers to her great dismay that a teeny omission in the advertisement to which she’d replied, meant that she was going to be working for a woman's magazine with a dwindling readership, and not in a mainstream London newspaper.

And for the work she’d be doing, rather than delving into the world of foreign affairs, she’d be handling letters which dealt with a different sort of affair, as she was to assist Mrs Henrietta Bird, the magazine's larger-than-life Agony Aunt and Acting Editress.

A woman of strong opinions, from the outset Mrs Bird made it clear to Emma that she would not countenance a reply to any letter containing anything 'disagreeable' or 'unsuitable', and Emma soon realised that Mrs Bird's definition of those terms meant that every letter dealing with any of the real problems faced by women, young and old, in wartime Britain, would be binned.

Needless to say, resourceful Emma, who had a tendency to act first and think afterwards, soon finds herself breaking free from her confines and doing exactly what she shouldn’t, and her first attempts to reach out to distressed readers form much of the first half of the novel.

The mood changes in the second half of the novel, when the reader sees Londoners suffering under the onslaught of German bombs, and lives with Emma through the many difficulties faced by those still living and working in London, difficulties which touch Emma and her close friends, Bunty and Bill.

There is a lovely gentle humour running through the first part of the novel, which endears the reader to the characters, and because of that, the second part of the novel, in which the horrific effects of war are clearly depicted, is very moving.

A most enjoyable book which will make you laugh, and also move you to tears.

A lovely slice of wartime life - familair enough to appeal to fans of family saga etc, but fresh enough to garner a wider readership. Emmeline is one of those derring-do girls from Blyton etc, all grown up and with the problems of her age and era. But she has Bunty to keep her steady, and a new job to embrace. Alright, it might not be exactly as she was expecting, but it still allows her to do a lot a good. Maybe. On the quiet. So lovely to read a book with a strong friendship at its heart.

Dear Mrs Bird is simply gorgeous. It’s a war time romp of mishaps, comedy, fun and tragedy, spun deliciously as if it was made for a series. It’s perfect pick-you-up reading with compassion at its heart. A joy to read. I’d love to see it turned into a TV drama too.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. A read for when you're wanting something light and cheering.

I liked the characters and the wartime vibe, and the plot was well thought out. I hope there's a follow up!

Hearty thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read an advance copy in return for my honest review.

A thoroughly delightful book! I loved how the characters were quite simple and naive, though they were facing some of the most terrible times. A wonderful story that brought to mind my grandparents who would have been young adults during the war. Excellent.

The best book I’ve read this year! I loved, loved, loved it!!! Set in London during the 1940s, Emmeline is working as a secretary by day and answering telephones for the fire service by night. Thinking that she’d got a job working as a reporter’s assistant, she finds herself sifting through problems for a women’s magazine problem page, for the editor Mrs Bird. The stories highlighted really bring home some of the realities of the Home Front, and Emmeline’s story is beautifully written-believable, touching, lighthearted and fun. The book shows both the fun times and the darker side of life during war time. I loved the beautifully written characters who really came to life, as they shared their worries and their hopes for the future. This was a book I really struggled to put down, I loved everything about it. I’d love to read more of Emmelines escapades and find out how she gets through the rest of the war. A***********. I cannot recommend this highly enough!

'Dear Mrs Bird' follows the story of Emmy Lake, an aspiring journalist in London during the Blitz in the Second World War. Emmy is ambitious and focused on her goals to be a war correspondent, but accidentally falls into a job with a failing women's magazine called Woman's Friend, where her job is to filter letters for the problem page, 'Henrietta Helps'.

Henrietta Bird is an old stiff who won't respond to any letters that touch upon 'Unpleasant' topics, which is basically anything at all. And Emmy finds this immensely frustrating and takes matters into her own hands, causing chaos and friction in her personal and professional life.

'Dear Mrs Bird' is a touching novel about friendship, love and values, which embodies the spirit and language of the 1940s in a very effective and genuine way. AJ Pearce clearly did a lot of research into the era and relevant topics, making this a robust and immersive reading experience.

I didn't quite warm to Emmy or the plot itself, however. The protagonist seemed too much of a plucky 1940s cliche with a lot of naivety, and the plot itself, although charming, wasn't quite as gripping as it could have been. This was, however, a light entertaining read with a solid story.

This is set during the second world war and gives a sense of what life was like. The main character Emmaline is feisty and likeable, often tends to be heart over head and can act without thinking.
There are some sad moments but also some humour.. I thought that all the characters were well drawn.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book

Absolutely brilliant. There is a wonderfully cosy feel to the writing and all would be ' frightfully good' and ' jolly good fun' were it not for the fact that this is London in the worst of the Blitz.
This is a rare book that can have me smiling about a quirky turn of phrase on one page and weeping on the next.
The characters are sympathetically drawn, the action varies from trotting along nicely to dramatic, the style of writing is superb.
I can't wait for another book by this author.
Highly recommended

A joy and a delight. Loved this book from start to finish. Mrs Bird deserves to fly - and I am sure she will.

Insight into life during WWII with Emmy who works for the auxiliary fire service in the evenings and has a dream to be a journalist. The author has a warm and engaging style and is able to make you feel what it could have been like in those war-torn years. I loved the relationship between Emmy and Bunty - and often found myself wondering whether the story would have unfolded in the same way if it had been a contemporary story. The other characters were fabulous - from the staid Kathleen to the gentle Mr Collins and the imposing Mrs Bird! Whilst she was many caricatures rolled into one, she was also so realistic and schoolmarmish that she reminded me of Miss Trunchbull from Matilda.

An interesting read 4*

The year is 1940 and Emmy is juggling an unfulfilling job in a solicitor's office with night shifts doing war work for the fire brigade. When she spots an advert for what she believes will be her ideal job, she jumps at the chance to work in journalism for The Evening Standard. Instead, she finds herself working for a magazine in decline, Woman's Friend, sifting the agony aunt letters for the formidable Mrs Bird.

The story follows Emmy as she negotiates her new job, friendships and relationships, all against the backdrop of the Luftwaffe's attacks on London.

Emmy is an appealing narrator and there are some great characters in the story - Mrs Bird is fantastically awful, while Emmy's other work colleagues are funny and charming. Emmy's best friend (Bunty) was a bit irritating, but not everyone can be perfect!

Overall, this was a warm and engaging book, although it is far from cosy in tackling the impact of the Blitz on the civilians and firefighters of London. However, there's much to enjoy and this is a satisfying read.

An original and heartwarming read that restores optimism, despite its wartime setting. I particularly enjoyed the enohasis on letters, an art form less oractised nowadays! As a regular reader of problem pages, I also found the author’s research into the history and etiquette of this genre insightful. My advice to Hesitant Reader? Read it!

Easily the best book I have read this year! This wonderful novel drew me in instantly - I really couldn't put it down and was totally bereft to leave it behind at the finish. Emmy's WW2 London is so evocatively portrayed ( I absolutely loved the clever use of so many typical 1940s phrases) it had me smiling, laughing out loud and close to tears so many times. A feel good story despite all the death and destruction going on around. As Emmy would say - 'chin up and crack on' - is the theme of this remarkable piece of fiction.

I could not put this book down from the moment I started it. Set against the background of the blitz, Emmy Lake aspires to be a journalist and is beyond excitement when she gains a job at the London Evening Chronicle - however, she's mistaken and the job is actually with its sister magazine Woman's Friend. Emmy is employed as a junior typist to Mrs Bird, who writes the advice column. Gradually Emmy starts to push against boundaries, and takes it upon herself to start answering the "Dear Mrs Bird" letters. After tragedy strikes in the Blitz, Emmy's letter writing is uncovered - how will the chairman of the board deal with her? Can she restore lost friendships and keep her own romance going? A sweet and beautiful debut novel.

Oh this is a truly lovely book. The sort of book you want to cuddle. It made me laugh and cry and laugh again. The characters were beautifully drawn and very relateable, the story was wonderfully original and the setting was brilliantly constructed. It is set at the start of WWII and follows the fortunes of Emmy, a young woman, who starts a job as an assistant to an agony aunt in a failing magazine. Through readers letters and Emmy's own experiences, you really get a feel for what life was like, the pain of separation, the terror of the bombing and the need To Keep Your Chin Up and Crack On, regardless. Having said that, this is, on the whole a cheerful book, with a heart-warming theme. The author has such a talent for describing awkward moments with an understated charm, it made me laugh out loud. I loved her use of language and the way she capitalised the sayings of the time. Utterly delightful.

My thanks to Net Galley, Pan MacMillan and the author for an ARC copy in return for an honest review.

Thank you to Net Galley for the opportunity to read a book that will stay with me for a long time and which I will introduce to my Book Group next year. (This is the second time I will have brought a Net Galley book to the notice of our village Book Group.) 'Lost for words' was loved by everyone.) What a treat awaits 2018 readers as they discover a wonderful, engaging protagonist in Emmeline Lake, Emmy.
Set in London in wartime, the reader will soar to the heights and plumb the depths as they travel with Emmy, through the reality of the London blitz. Laughter quickly turns to tears as we feel the fear, taste the dust and witness the devastation and loss of life caused by the bombing. The bravery too of many of the civilian population who worked in the Fire Service amidst such danger as it is difficult to comprehend.

A.J. Pearce shows great skill as she draws her characters and sets the scenes. Emmy is a loveable scatterbrain who we take to our hearts as her good intentions backfire on her. She has very real depth. as do the other characters. Mrs Bird comes to life (I would have cast Margaret Rutherford as Mrs Bird!) with her 'jolly hockey sticks', imperious 'show some backbone' approach to life.
The importance of female friendship is brought to the fore in this excellent novel which I can't praise highly enough. and it will seem a long wait for A.J. Pearce's second book to materialize.