Set in England, this story begins in June of 1941, with Emmeline - who goes by the less formal Emmy - Lake, in the office of Woman’s Friend Magazine as an editorial meeting is about to begin, and the staff is happily congratulating Mr. Collins on his new title of Editor.

Emmy has been offered the opportunity to replace Mrs. Henrietta Bird’s place as the columnist for ‘Yours Cheerfully’ - under some supervision, of course. While Mrs. Bird’s advice approach had tended to be graceless and heavy-handed, Emmy hoped to provide more gently shared, helpful advice. The war had been going on by then for two years, men had been leaving to serve - some to never return, leaving behind their wives and children, and women were needed to replace them in their jobs. For one of her first articles she visits The Ministry of Information, who has invited her to visit so she can see the need for more women to take the place of the men who were needed to serve their country and defeat the enemy.

When she visits The Ministry of Information and interviews the young women working in this munitions factory, several of them mothers, she realizes the problems many of them face as mothers, and the lack of caring about their dilemma as to what to do with their children while they are at work. After all, they don’t have a “wife” at home to take care of them while they work, and are often forced to bring their children to work at the factory, which is not only not allowed, but potentially dangerous. And while there is government assistance for companies needing to establish child care to assist these women at their work, The Ministry of Information is not interested in applying for it. They feel they’ve done more than their part by installing mirrors in the bathroom established for women. After all, the men never needed special accommodations like on-site childcare.

Emmy loves her new position, but she also wants to help these women out, and tries to gently cajole the company into providing it, at least applying for the assistance offered by the government. As her efforts prove to be in vain, and some of these women whom she’s grown so fond of lose their jobs because of the lack of childcare, she meets with some of the women to try to help even more.

Meanwhile, Emmy’s romance with Charles is progressing even as the war efforts are increasing. Men are not coming home to their wives, some never to come home again. The women are fending for themselves as best they can, but they can’t do the jobs that two people previously did before, especially not in wartime with rationing.

This is an inspiring story, while at the same time as it shows the way women were treated as second-class citizens it also shows the determination these women had to prove that they could do these jobs that men formerly had done. Emmy is a wonderful character, one who is loyal to her friends - including the new friends she’s made in the course of interviewing these women - loyal to her job and those she loves.

A lighter look at the problems of living in this time, this does cover some serious issues, but with Emmy and her genuine caring efforts on behalf of others, there is also much love.


Pub Date: 10 Aug 2021 (US)

Many thanks for the ARC provided by Scribner

• Thank you to Scribner and NetGalley for providing this Advance Reading Copy. Expected publication date is August 10, 2021.

London, November 1941. This is the continuing from Dear Mrs. Bird. Now, Emmeline Lake at Woman’s Friend magazine becoming a young wartime advice columnist. With growing pressure from the War Department for women to fill the jobs left open by the men who went to war, a growing number of woman band together to fight for what they need to be effective workers, like childcare. Powerful tale of what a society can achieve when women and men work in concert with one another.

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.

The author's previous book, Dear Mrs. Bird, was one of my favorite reads of 2019. When I realized she had another title coming out, I knew I had to read it. It was just as enjoyable as the first book. I highly recommend it, along with others of that genre that have come out in the past few years. If you enjoyed The Spies of Shilling Lane or The Kitchen Front you will also enjoy this book.

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 is a fantastic follow-up to DEAR MRS. BIRD. In MRS. BIRD, we meet Emmy Lake, a young woman who longs to be a "Lady War Correspondent" only to find herself reviewing letter for an Agony Aunt for a run-down women's weekly magazine. Emmy's best friend, Bunty, is always there to cheer her on and, on occasion, to try to curb Emmy's impulsivity. MRS. BIRD provides a vivid portrayal of London during the Blitz and CHEERFULLY YOURS continues the tale, skillfully showing the effects of war on both the country and individuals. It provides a unique perspective on how difficult it was to be a widow or working mother during that time (for example, if one's husband was dead or missing, the wife and children's benefits were suspended!). Wonderfully written and just as satisfying, YOURS CHEERFULLY will be the next gift I give to all the people I last gifted DEAR MRS. BIRD. I never wanted the story to end!

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.