Yours Cheerfully by A.J. Pearce is a charming book about a newly employed young lady at a woman’s magazine in London during the second world war. Emily Lake remains patriotic and fully committed to supporting Britain’s war effort, although she struggles at times with professional expectations. She soon learns that her magazine readers are vital to defeating Hitler and bringing Britain’s young servicemen back home. The battle for hearts and minds becomes all too real for Emily and her friends as each of them finds a way to do their part.

I’m always a bit hesitant about reading another World War II book after having read so many of them, but I was pleasantly surprised by this one. The colloquialisms used by the London group were simply delightful. I was also pleased by the zippy tempo. I immediately knew that despite some dark moments, this was going to be an upbeat story rather than one to trudge through. I was impressed with the sense of being on-the-job, and how that kept everything moving forward without minimizing the seriousness of wartime living. This was done in a seemingly effortless manner, although I’m sure that it was a tricky feat for the author to perform!

It struck me that this story has implications for people living through any difficult experience. It’s very easy to become mired in a sense of apathy during difficult times, but there is an antidote. First, we must stop taking everything so personally! Next, we must press forward during moments of personal distress to keep our focus solutions-oriented. The alternative of letting ourselves dissolve into a haze of anger and hopelessness does not help anyone.

With family at its core, this book will particularly inspire women of any age. It will also empower those of any gender who value working together towards a common patriotic goal. You simply do not want to miss this one!

If you loved Dear Mrs. Bird you will enjoy this continuation of the characters and their roles during the war in London. Soldiers, the war effort for citizens, and friendship are all well defined in this novel.

I adored "Dear Mrs. Bird", and this sequel is NO EXCEPTION!! Taking right up where the previous story left off, "Yours Cheerfully", finds our Emmy and the crew during WW II, as Women's Friend magazine helps the war effort. Dearest Bunty has a painful loss, and Emmy finds that all her skills are needed to help war widows. Love both the time period and the vernacular! Charming and delightful, while tacking a difficult time and subject. Highly recommend. My thanks to the author, publisher and Net Galley for the ARC.

If you read the author's previous book Dear Mrs. Bird, you will likely want to read this book as it is a continuation of the story of the main character. I like that both books can stand on their own; you do not need to read Mrs Bird to enjoy Yours Cheerfully, although it will increase your enjoyment if you do. Neither book ends in cliffhanger in case that worries you and I thank the author for that. It is a very light read with a window to people lives during WWII, Although there are some sad events, there is also a "cheerful" tone that keeps you reading non-stop. Give this book a chance for your coming summer break, you will enjoy it and I hope there is a third one in the series.

I loved Miss Bird and was delighted to read this charming follow up.I was immediately drawn in again by the characters their lives.Enjoyed Yours Cheerfully from beginning to end.#netgalley #scribnerboojs

This lovely romance highlights a less-examined issue of World War Two. Set in London a couple of years into the war, a young female journalist takes on the issue of the women war workers -- those who have stepped up to take on the factory work to produce materials needed for the war effort while their men are off fighting the war. When the women's magazines are asked by the Ministry to up their efforts to recruit women into war work, Emmeline Lake decides to attempt a series of articles highlighting actual women doing this work. Of course, there is plenty of red tape to be dealt with--secrecy about actual places and work, and the censors to appease with regard to presenting a cheerful front. But as she gets to know the women who work 12-hour shifts round the clock, all the while attempting to juggle home and children, often with little help, Emmy discovers the problem these women often have finding child care. Although the government understands this need, and has set up a program to provide nurseries at government expense, the factory managers must put in the request, the wait time is long, and frankly, many of the men at the top in the factories do not see the need. They are used to dealing with men who do not come to work with these extra burdens.

The author deftly works the story of Emmy's efforts to help out her newfound friends at the munitions factory she visits with the love story of Emma and her Army officer who are navigating the tangles of a growing love during wartime, when deployment to the front is a constant specter. The product is an altogether satisfactory historical romance.

Delightful. Emmy and chum Bunty return in this (personally) anticipated sequel. The main characters are as charming and brave as in Dear Mrs. Bird. And their current cause is quite timely (even today). I anxiously wondered if all the storylines would have cheery endings as World War II is ever in one's mind.

Just when you think there can't possible b a WWII book with a unique plot idea along comes Yours Cheerfully., the second in the Emmy Lake Chronicles.
Straight-laced, stiff upper lip Miss Bird has left her post at Woman's Friend. Emmy is the new advice columnist with a heart. In addition, the worst of the Blitz has ended and Emmy's romantic interest, Charles is back in London.
There's still a war and the government Ministry of Information has called on the publishers of women's magazines to to encourage readers to sign up for munitions factory. jobs. Emmy's editor assigns her to write a series of articles about women currently working in a factory. A chance meeting with a young mother gives her the inside contact she needs.
When her revelatory articles reveal the problems and poor working conditions the women workers face Emmy has to decide between fighting for workplace improvements or bowing to the Ministry and factory managers who only want positive stories.
Thanks to NetGalley for opportunity to read this charming, feel-good story that still manages to convey the realities of war.

For fans of Dear Mrs. Bird, here is a sequel which will keep you reading. Emmeline (Emmy) Lake joined the ladies magazine staff Woman's Friend in the previous book as a helper to the advice columnist Mrs. Bird. Now Mrs. Bird has left and Mr. Collins is the editor looking to spruce up this somewhat down at the heels magazine. It is 1941 and Britain has already endured 2 years of war and it doesn't look as if the war will end anytime soon. Emmy will continue to help the new columnist (and also the head of Production) Mrs. Mahoney. Mrs. Mahoney accepts the position only if she isn't actually required to write it! She will advise Emmy who will write the column. Emmy is also being given the chance to do some other feature writing which draws her into the government's need to get women to work in the war industries. After meeting a woman who is starting a new job at a war factory Emmy gets permission to visit her and others at that factory to write a story of what war work entails. As she gets to know the woman in the factory she realizes that although the government is very invested in having women work, they are not that involved in helping women be successful at working and keeping their families together. This is a wonderful novel giving us a good insight into life in wartime Britain.

A delightful follow up to Dear Mrs Bird - I actually liked it better than the first. I found it a quick read that got me surprising riled up about women's rights during that era and even now.

I loved the author's first novel, Dear Mrs. Bird, so was very pleased to see the sequel, Yours Cheerfully.

Emmy Lake is now a wartime advice columnist (as well as still working with the Auxiliary Fire Services). The Ministry of Information calls on women's magazines to recruit for the war effort, and Emmy is pleased to do her bit to help. She meets a young mother, a war widow, who is willing to be interviewed, and Emmy gets a foot in the door at a factory where women have become the majority of the workers. While she is able to produce a series of articles promoting the war effort, Emmy is distressed by the problems the women workers face, including the lack of a Nursery where their children can be cared for while the mothers work. Meanwhile, Emmy's boyfriend Charles in stationed back in the U.K. and their relationship is progressing quickly. Overall, a very enjoyable and quick read, while not downplaying the problems many women faced on the home front of WWII.

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to any age group, from teenagers to older friends and family members. Much gratitude to NetGalley and Scribner for the opportunity to read the eARC in return for an honest opinion.

This was a cute follow up to Dear Mrs. Bird but I didn’t like it as much as the first. The characters didn’t feel as deep and the story felt rushed in parts and dragged in others. And the ending left way too much hanging for my tastes. Sweet and an easy read, but not a home run for me. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I loved  <i>Dear Mrs. Bird</i> and was thrilled when I was asked to spend more time with Emmy and Bunty in  <i>Yours Cheerfully</i>. 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  <i>Yours Cheerfully</i>, 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 <i>Dear Mrs. Bird</i>, and seeing her soaring was endearing. With the same lovable cast of characters as featured in <i>Dear Mrs. Bird</i> 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!

Oh how I loved the series’ first book, DEAR MRS. BIRD, and was thrilled to get the ARC for this sequel. Set in London during 1941, we find spirited Emmy Lake promoted to the position of advice columnist for WOMEN’S FRIEND magazine after her legendary boss leaves.

AJ Pearce has created such a charming cast of characters with Emmy, her beau Charles, and her best friend Bunty, still impacted by a grievous loss during the Blitz. From the first book through this compelling continuation, I felt so close to this warm and loving group that I turned the pages eagerly to follow their stories.

At this critical time in WWII, Britain begins to ask for help from women’s magazines to recruit females to war work. Emmy is torn between wanting to help, and feeling real concern after she learns the truth about what this work entails.

The author brings us England during the early war years so faithfully that I found myself laughing at the dry British wit, crying at the real losses, and holding on to hope that all would be well. As long as Pearce writes, I will Keep Calm and Read On. She and her books are that good!

5 of 5 Stars
Pub Date 10 Aug 2021
#YoursCheerfully #NetGalley

Thanks to the author, Scribner, and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are mine.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, thanks NetGalley..
this is the first A.J Pearce's book I have read and I did enjoy it!

Pros:
-Wow, the cover art is really stunning, It perfectly encapsulates the time period and the book..
- Based at Women's Friend magazine, Emmeline Lake is a journalist who helps write an advice column called Yours Cheerfully. Along with her editor Guy Collins, Emmy attends a meeting at The Ministry which has targeted female-related press to help bolster women and to recruit them for war work - to do jobs left behind by those who've gone to fight, or to work in factories that will aid the soldiers.
- delightful piece of historical fiction and still has really grit.

Negative-
- I am burned out on this era for a bit!

A charming and uplifting follow up to Dear Mrs. Bird, this is a World War 2 story that focuses on women helping women that is told through the voice of Emmy, a young aspiring journalist, A worthy sequel!

I had not read "Dear Mrs. Bird", which may have lead to a slightly more enjoyable reading experience if I had. Overall, this was an interesting read and the writing was approachable and engaging. If you're looking for a great WW2 read, I definitely recommend picking this one up

Yours Cheerfully was a sweet story about the power of friendship. I had not read the previous installment in the series, but I don't think that deterred from my understanding of what was happening in this book. Set in England during World War 2, we also see the characters deal with some heavier themes of grief, loss, and family. The main character Emmy Lake is a likeable, persistent, strong female character who very much wants to be a successful journalist. When the women's magazine she works for is requested to help with recruiting women to work in factories to help the war effort, she is thrilled to be part of something important. Upon meeting some of the women who work in one of the factories, Emmy soon realizes that few are aware of the challenges these women are facing. Determined to help her new friends, Emmy struggles with doing the job she was assigned and wanting to actually make a difference for the women left behind during war. Recommended for fans of historical fiction that features women's stories, strong female characters, and a little romance on the side.

Pearce balances fun and seriousness in her novel set in England during WW2. The main character, Emmy writes a series of articles on women's experiences in the workplace while men are at war. Emmy learns that there are difficulties that these women are facing trying to balance work and their children. These gutsy women workers come together to fight for their rights. I like the author's use of 40s dialogue. Something about the language added to the already warm, cozy read. Evidently, this is the follow-up novel to Dear Mrs. Bird, which I have not read.

"Yours Cheerfully" is the sequel (and hopefully not last in the series) to A. J. Pearce's novel, "Dear Mrs. Bird." Both books are set during WWII in a London-based women's magazine publisher, and feature Emmy (Emmeline Lake) as she learns her craft and becomes a contributing editor to the magazine.

The magazine is tasked by the Ministry of Information to help recruit women to war effort work. Emmy and her best friend Bunty befriend a young mother who works in a factory, and Emmy writes a series of articles on the women and their work. She learns of the heartbreak the women face when their husbands and brothers are killed in action, and how they struggle to provide for themselves and their families on the much lower wages they earn. Childcare is rarely provided, so some of the women are forced to bring their children to work, causing the women to be fired by their uncaring male bosses.

Did I know about the issues before? Sure, but Pearce does a wonderful job in showing the connections between the various characters and how the women learned that they're stronger together. It could easily have been maudlin, or the women too "stiff upper lip." These are more of the "make do and mend" mindset. They love their families and their country, and want to "do their bit." Taking the journey with Emmy to learn about a world far removed from her own was wonderful.

While Emmy is seeing another side of the war, she is also preparing to marry her fiance, before he is sent off to fight. She struggles to accept that he will no longer be in London, and will be, in her turn, doing her bit like the factory workers.

Highly recommended with 4 out of 5 stars.

I received an advance copy from Scribner and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.