Even though this novel is set in London in 1941, the mood of it is quite cheerful. Reading about the lives of our main characters and their work at a women’s magazine almost makes you think they’re oblivious to the fact of the war. There are mentions of rationing and wartime restrictions, of lack of childcare for women in wartime factories, of various unmet human needs, of death and loss, but the whole tenor of this novel is quite cheerful. There is no mention of the Blitz which had just ended as this book begins. It’s almost like the setting was in Middle America, 4000 miles apart from the battles, than in Britain where death and destruction are ever looming.

I applaud the author’s focus on the positive, but I’m not sure PollyAnna ever experienced the blitz nor the fear (expectation, even) of the loss of everything she held dear. For me, this book was a mixed bag. It certainly made the point (without saying so) that we’re all about as happy as we make up our minds to be. It certainly made the point that our greatest enemy is fear, not the object of our fear. And it made the point that there’s always an answer – we just have to seek it and find it.

For someone wanting a light, happy love story set in the midst of war, this is your book.

This was an ARC I received from NetGalley and from the publisher, Scribner. The opinions expressed are solely mine.

This was an enjoyable read that library patrons should enjoy. It's not required to have read Dear Mrs. Bird first, though it certainly would help. I didn't like this one quite as much as I liked Dear Mrs. Bird. I felt the time spent with the women workers dragged a little. Emmy's visits to the factory were too similar. I enjoyed the time spent in the newsroom of Women's Friend and the continuation of Emmy's love story. I would welcome more from this author and these characters. The author has a subtle wit that I really enjoy.

Another great book by AJ Pearce about how it was for women in England during WWII. These women championed the cause for day care and nurseries while they worked at home and the men were away fighting. I feel like I learned a bit about what life was like and how to get through some pretty rough times by sticking together. A definite good read.
Thank you #NetGalley for this advance copy.

3.5 stars. A light read full of gumption and female power, set during WWII. The women at home want to serve the war effort and do war work but are thwarted by obstacles in a man's world. From the perspective of Emmy, a budding journalist for a women's magazine, that includes her personal life story as well. Sweet, interesting, kind of basic, but a nice read.

I liked this more than Dear Mrs. Bird. Emmie is finding her place in writing about encouraging women to join the war effort. It truly is amazing what these women did and how very challenging it was to work in "sweat" factories and raise children. It certainly puts today's "work/balance" problems in prospective. In this story, the importance of women's friendships and support are paramount.

The second book by the author in the Emmie Lake series is just as poignant, heartwarming and funny as the first. The story highlights the struggles of the women in Britain that were left behind during World War II, the families that had to hold together and the friendships that were made. A lovely book and I look forward to the next book in this series.

“Yours Cheerfully” (Dear Mrs. Bird #2) by A.J. Pearce. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: Historical Fiction. Location: London and the Berkshire area, England. Time: 1941 (WWII).-
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England is at war. Emmeline (Emmy) works for a women’s magazine as assistant to the advice columnist. The Ministry of War asks all magazines to encourage women to work in the munitions factories, producing badly needed bullets and guns for the “boys” fighting the war. Emmy visits the Berkshire district to interview women working at a munitions factory. She meets women passionate about doing their part to help the war effort. Unfortunately, they work for a manager who ignores the fact that many of the women have children and need childcare, but regular childcares aren’t open the same hours as round-the-clock factories.-
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Meanwhile, the war has ramped up since the United States joined, ensuring that her fiancé Charles will be sent to a battlefield soon. Emmy tries to juggle helping the Berkshire women workers and planning an almost-immediate wedding in war-torn London.-
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As in book 1, this book is a combination of adventurous young women determined to make the best of war time, and the horrific reality of war. The first book focused on the London bombings; this book focuses on the ongoing deprivations and challenges that come with war. It shares wartime sadness and losses without making the reader lose all hope. It’s warm and funny, and it doesn’t shy away from the reality of those times. And just like the 1st book, it’s 4 stars from me. 🌵📚👩🏼‍🦳

I adored Dear Mrs. Bird and was thrilled that Emmy and friends are back for another story. There is not a lot of back story provided, so it will help to have read Dear Mrs. Bird first but it isn't essential. As usual, the author writes a gem of a book that is charming and uplifting while mixing in hard truths of life in London during WWII and the plight of women. There is an important lesson in this book about how ordinary women had to fill so many roles during the war, yet they were often not treated fairly and had to fight for their rights, often unsuccessfully. The author doesn't dwell on these subjects but covers them enough to make you outraged but still caught up in the overall story. I'm always happy to read about Emmy, and if more books about her come along, I will be sure to grab them up.
My thanks to NetGalley for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Yours Cheerfully by A.J. Pearce is such an cute story and so endearing! It's the continuation of some of the characters from the wonderful Dear Mrs. Bird. Which I also just adored. So cheeky!!! These characters are beloved.
The story is mostly about the darling Emmaline Lake, also known as Emmy. She's lovely, talented and hilarious. Her best friend Bunty is so devoted to Emmy and I loved how the story grew their childhood friendship in this book.

Emmy is hired to write articles for Woman's Friend magazine (as a wartime advise columnist). She answers her readers with encouragement from submitted questions… advice on love, heartbreak, careers, 'women' problems, love affairs...So we also have a story line here of the publishing world in England and all this is going on during World War II and the London Blitz. By day she reads and answers her reader's letters and by night she works for the local fire brigade. Those people are her family.

AJ Pearce names each Chapter in this book with the cutest and most appropriate names, and once you finish the chapter, you get it. Very clever!!

Something she is very passionate about are the working conditions for the women working in the ammunition factories. These women become her friends and she is their best advocate for change.
As her love interest, it's Charles from Dear Mrs. Bird, and her boss's brother! His charm, character and personality really grows on you and his love and adoration for Emmy is so believable and charming.

A part of the story that I really liked was how the women used Parachute silk for a wedding dress! I loved that. No spoilers here!!

Mr. Collins her boss told her "find out what you're good at and then get better at it" And she begins.

I really enjoyed this book. And a huge thank you to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Yours Cheerfully is a feel good book. It is the second book in a series, Dear Mrs. Bird being the first book. These books should be read in order. Emmeline (Emmy), Charles, and Bunty are back. Emmy is doing well as working on a column for Women's Friend magazine called Yours, Cheerfully. Bunty is recovering from her injuries and loss. Charles is doing his part in the military. They make new friends and tackle issues of the day.

The characters in Yours Cheerfully are people you would like to meet. In 1941, things were hard with a World War going on but other things seemed simpler and more wholesome. Maybe because this book does not have bad language and everyone came together for common causes. The children in the book were sweet and were happy with simple things like fruit for Christmas and a paper crown.

Yours Cheerfully will be out on August 10, 2021 so catch up with Dear Mrs. Bird over the summer. It is an enjoyable and fairly quick read. I would like to thank #NetGalley for an advance copy in return for an honest review. #NetGalley, #AJPearce, #YoursCheerully

A light, historical-fiction novel set in London during World War II, Yours Cheerfully is a sequel to Dear Mrs. Bird. The story centers around the women working and surviving during the war when the men in their lives are missing, absent, or lost. I appreciated the spunky heroine, Emmy, and her friends and co-workers, but the whole tone of the book was a little too chipper for me (the title rings throughout the book). Everything’s just a little too rosy for the middle of the war, even the villains are on the cheery side. I wasn’t looking for a downer, but the constant upbeat attitude felt a little phony. That said, if you’re going for light reading, this is a fun choice and can stand alone even if you haven't read the first book of the series. Thanks to #Netgalley for the ACR

Although this is the second book in a series, you would never realize that by reading it, and that is a big plus for me. This light hearted WWII story, if there is such a thing, stands by itself beautifully. “Yours, Cheerfully” is a very easy read, yet it takes a realistic look at life and how women were wrongly treated as they joined the workforce to help in the war effort in London. It also takes a look at the publishing industry of the time and the women behind a struggling women’s magazine and the difference they made in the lives of others. I found this book to be charming, enjoyable, and even educational, in its own way, and I would recommend this book to others. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance read copy.

Another gem of a book. I loved this one just as much as the first one. I loved that it wasn’t to sappy with romance but that it shared the struggles that women faced during the war too. This author is now my go to for any books published.

Every once in a while I will come across a book that I like so much that I will stay up late to finish it - this was that kind of book! Engaging and likeable characters, historical fiction that teaches me something but is still fun to read, and a story line with happy ending - this book had it all. I would highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The book is a continuation of another book that I have no read, but I still felt like I understood the story well enough to read it as a standalone. It was well-written and really drew me into the setting. The descriptions were done well enough that I didn't feel bogged down in them, but I did feel like I was experiencing the story fully. The characters were likable and I did cheer for their success the whole way through.

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.

Give AJ Pearce BIG APPLAUSE for Yours Cheerfully. Who knew WWII in the UK could be light and funny, as well as SERIOUS BUSINESS. I worried that Dear Mrs Bird was a one-off, but I needn't have. What will AJ think of next? I can hardly wait for NUMBER THREE.

Having thoroughly enjoyed Dear Mrs. Bird I was delighted to discover a sequel. It did not disappoint. It is London 1941, the war and The Ladies Friend continue. Emmy has more responsibilities at the magazine, both writing for the advice column and working on a project to encourage readers to go to work for the war effort. The author is adept at evoking life in England during the war years. Everyone is keeping their upper lips stiff, but there are real difficulties especially for women. The characters are believable and endearing. This book provided me with a lovely respite.
NetGalley-ARC

I adored Dear Mrs. Bird and was so excited to get my hands on AJ Pearce’s follow-up novel! Yours Cheerfully is the second installment in The Emmy Lake Chronicles series and I am thrilled to say that I loved it just as must as the first book! Just like the first installment, Your Cheerfully is a historical novel set in London during WWII. Unlike most other novels set in this time period, AJ Pearce does a fantastic job with focusing on women! I found the storyline fresh and original and really appreciated the viewpoint! I really loved catching up with the endearing characters! I truly hope AJ Pearce keeps this series going and going! I highly recommend Yours Cheerfully to absolutely everyone!

When the British government enlisted the help of local newspapers and magazines to encourage women to work in manufacturing plants during WWII, Woman's Friend stepped up to the plate to help. Even though rookie Emma Lake's responsibilities were to help respond to women's letters to the Cheerfully Yours column, she soon gained the confidence by her editor to do more. A meeting with the Ministry of Education led Emma into a crusade to help women workers find nurseries for their children. I enjoyed the book, and appreciated the peek into the lives of people during the are that are normally overlooked.