My only complaint about this book is that I should have taken the time to read the first book, Dear Mrs. Bird, first - not because anything was missing or unexplained in Yours Cheerfully, but because the characters were just that great!
Yours Cheerfully is a wonderful book about a young lady, Emmy, and her friends, family and coworkers at a ladies magazine in war-time London. It was quite refreshing to get a different perspective on life in WW2 era London, so many books that I’ve read involve spies, the war office, nursing etc, and a book about a young journalist was just the ticket. This book was also very informative, painting a picture of the plight of the working war-widow or army wife, and the hardships they faced with equal pay, working conditions and childcare issues. A wonderful story, I hope to see more of Emmeline Lake in books to come.

Yours Cheerfully is a welcomed sequel to the delightful book, Dear Mrs Bird, by the same author! I feel very fortunate to receive an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. Yours Cheerfully continues where Dear Mrs. Bird left off. The formidable Mrs Henrietta Bird has left the magazine, Woman's Friend, and the protagonist, Emmeline (aka Emmy) Lake is now charged with writing responses to letters through an advice column called Yours Cheerfully.

Emmy long desires to be a war correspondent/journalist. World War II is still raging and the Ministry of Information has embarked on a campaign to recruit women workers to do their part in the war efforts. Woman's Friend is invited as part of the press corp. at the Ministry of Information to assist with recruitment efforts. Emmy's boss, the very likeable Mr Guy Collins and editor of the magazine, invites Emmy to the meeting much to her surprise and delight. I enjoy reading about the healthy, supportive, and easy camaraderie of the team at Woman's Friend; makes you to want to wish all work teams are as congenial as the lovely bunch who works at Woman's Friend.

Like all sequels, the reader meets once again the characters from the first novel. Bunty is Emmy's best friend since childhood. Injured in a bomb which killed her fiancé, William, she walks with a limp and uses a cane but she is slowly getting over her injuries while still quietly mourning the loss of her beloved William. Bunty is also Emmy’s number one supporter and confidante. Emmy’s boyfriend Captain Charles Mayhew is fortunate to be stationed back in the UK but they rarely get to spend time together because of the demands of the war. Madly in love but forced to be apart. The magazine's editor is also the half-brother of Captain Mayhew, Emmy's boyfriend.

Emmy juggles her magazine work demands and her part-time volunteer work at the fire station. Here too, the reader meets a very congenial bunch of staffers including Thelma. Much of this book emphasizes the role of female sisterhoods at various junctures. When Emmy travels to the Chandlers munitions factory to interview female workers for a series she plans to write, she has a chance encounter with Anne Oliver on the train. Anne is struggling after the death of her husband (a war casualty) to look after her two children and work full-time in the munitions factory. Anne becomes a contact for Emmy who finds the CEO to be a irrepressible, hard-nosed boss. Another sisterhood emerges at the munitions factory - Maeve, Betty, Anne, and Irene.

Emmy is soon to uncover how unfair war work is for females yet she writes glowing articles in her magazine encouraging women to join forces. She battles her conscience to do something meaningful for the women subject to pitiful pay and not allowed to unionise. (These were times, when women were not even afforded decent washrooms). A different battle cry arises to secure a government subsidized nursery for women with children and to draw attention to the way the women are ignored by male bosses who act indifferently or do nothing to help them. It is disheartening to read about the pitiful pensions given to war widows who are then forced into work with little children and no baby-sitting help. When Irene and Anne are fired from their jobs for taking their kids into the factory when no babysitting help is available, Emmy suggests a protest parade couched as a patriotic parade.

In the meantime, Charles proposes to Emmy and a wedding is imminent as Charles is expected to join the fighting front. With war rationing and the unavailability of fabric etc, Bunty, who assumes the role of wedding planner, solicits friends and family for contributions so that Emmy and Charles can have a beautiful wedding. A dress is made from parachute silk and a date is settled and all seems to go as planned. However, a fast forward date had to be secured as Charles is shipping out earlier and expected. Adding to the conundrum is the fact that Charles manages a date which coincides with the munitions factory "protest" parade which Emmy commits to attend.

Pearl Harbour happens; British Hong Kong is lost to the Japanese, and the train schedules are unreliable due to the blitz. Anyways, the nuptials takes place and the book ends on a satisfactory note. This book oozes heart and poignancy and is written in delightful British dialogue which adds authenticity. I am still to determine what dessert is called "Fat Rascals"; there are lots of bun bun, and biscuits to go along with savouries like British meat pies while capturing the reality of coupons and rationing. Some new slangs include "I'm sorry, I'm being a weed" or "you'd better crack on" which reminds me of my former British boss who loves to say "carry on". I suppose if you are top notch, you can say in British, "top drawer". Overall, a wonderful book which I highly recommend.

A delightful follow up to Dear Mrs. Bird, Yours Cheerfully provides a look at what it might have been like for women juggling work and family (often on their own) during World War II. I loved getting to know the familiar faces from Dear Mrs. Bird even better in this follow up (crossing my fingers for a third book). AJ Pearce has a knack for creating lovable characters you can't help but cheer for! While the story is set against the backdrop of war, some wonderfully humorous moments are sprinkled throughout. Really enjoyed this read - a huge thank you to NetGalley for the digital ARC!

Yours Cheerfully by A.J. Pearce is a truly wonderful book, while it has it’s funny moments, it’s not without its share of tragedy and you never forget there is a War on! Emmeline Lake is by far one of the most ambitious characters I’ve ever read, she’s always determined to do what is right, no matter the consequence to her. Bunty is an absolute rock, recovering from the blitz attack, getting stronger every day, while mourning her fiancé, Bill. Emmy’s boyfriend Charles is a step up from her previous fiancé and it was lovely to see the relationship blossom. Pearce’s characters are well written, and you can’t help your heart breaking while reading the stories of the women who’s husbands have gone off to fight, though they do their best to stay positive for their children.The men in charge at the factory are quite unlikeable, and it would have been satisfying to see at least one get punched, but more than that their attitudes towards the women workers were vile, and probably not unheard of today! In light of a Government request to inspire their readers to sign up for War Work, Emmy is troubled that many don’t know what to expect, she learns from her new friends that there is a need for nurseries to care for the children so they can work. Emmy and Bunty along with the women for the factory come up with a plan to bring the need to the government’s attention, all while trying to keep a rather important appointment in Emmy’s personal life. Another top notch book from A.J. Pearce!

I really liked Dear Mrs. Bird, and I was so excited to see that A.J. Pearce had written a second book about Emmy Lake and her antics.

I didn't think it was possible, but I actually enjoyed Yours Cheerfully even more than its predecessor. It was every bit as cozy and charming as Dear Mrs. Bird, with a storyline that gripped me instantly. This is the kind of novel that fools you into thinking it isn't substantial, because the writing is light and humorous, yet Pearce doesn't shy away from difficult topics. The characters face no shortage of wartime adversity, and I felt every emotion right along with them. I enjoyed every minute, and I really hope we'll see more of Emmy Lake and her friends in the future.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this book! I read the first book in the series, Dear Mrs. Bird, a few years ago and was glad to see that there was a continuation of the story. This book continues to follow Emmy, who works for Woman's Friend magazine. Emmy has now taken over the column she was working on before (renamed Yours Cheerfully) and follows her adventures in writing about women working in factories. I found the plot very interesting and inspiring and actually learned a lot about the work that some women did during WWII. It was humorous and touching and a very light and positive read. Highly recommend, especially for anyone who read and enjoyed the first book.