Yours Cheerfully - (The Emmy Lake Chronicles) by A J Pearce (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From the author of the "jaunty, heartbreaking winner" (People) and international bestseller Dear Mrs. Bird comes a charming and uplifting novel set in London during World War II about a plucky young journalist and her adventures as wartime advice columnist.

London, November 1941. Following the departure of the formidable Henrietta Bird from Woman's Friend magazine, things are looking up for Emmeline Lake as she takes on the new challenges as a wartime advice columnist. Her relationship with boyfriend Charles is blossoming, while Emmy's best friend Bunty, still reeling from the very worst of the Blitz, is bravely looking to the future. Together, the friends are determined to Make a Go of It.

When the Ministry of Information calls on Britain's women's magazines to help recruit female workers to the war effort, Emmy is thrilled to step up and help. But when she and Bunty meet a young mother who shows them the very real challenges that women war workers face, Emmy must confront a dilemma between doing her duty and standing by her friends.

As funny, heartwarming, and touching as Dear Mrs. Bird, Yours Cheerfully is an endearing portrait of female friendship and "a fruitful exploration of the solidarity among women in times of grief, love, and hardship" (Publishers Weekly).

Review Quotes

"Yours Cheerfully: the best possible antidote for the blahs, the doldrums, all slumps, but also effective against letdowns and general malaise. Loved. Every. Word." --Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in Chemistry

"[A] charmer of a book. . . . This heartwarming novel moves through laughter and tears, romances and deaths. As she weaves historical events, slang, and popular culture into her story, Pearce brilliantly evokes the era." --Historical Novels Society

"As with Dear Mrs. Bird, the women in this book are far more interesting than the men. . . . But perhaps that is one of the points of the book--that the war propelled women out of their traditional roles and into the mess of life, while the men kept a stiff upper lip and carried on." --Minneapolis Star Tribune

"An uplifting novel, full of spirit for the good fight." --Midwest Book Review

"Pearce packs in lighthearted banter and depictions of the good-spirited citizens of London working together to survive the war. . . . With big stakes and formidable opponents, this exciting saga is a fruitful exploration of the solidarity among women in times of grief, love, and hardship." --Publishers Weekly

"Pearce captures the spirit and hopefulness of those left at home during war, and readers will delight in this second chance to ride along with Emmy." --Booklist

"Charmingly humorous, but unflinching about the war's human tragedies. . . . this story offers a heartening message of women's power to create change." --HistoricalNovels.info

"An absolute delight! I loved Dear Mrs. Bird and was thrilled to spend more time with Emmy and Bunty in Yours, Cheerfully. AJ Pearce shines a light on the hardships that women factory workers faced during World War II, an echo to the plight of working mothers today. Endearing, poignant, and relevant, this uplifting novel is a treat!" --Janet Skeslien Charles, author of The Paris Library

"Brimming with charm, wit, and poignancy, Yours Cheerfully is a wartime story of women's strength and friendship that touches deeply and shines with heart. Emmy Lake is a character for the ages." --Jennifer Rosner, author of The Yellow Bird Sings

"In an unreliable world, I'm glad we can depend on AJ Pearce to deliver a delectable read." --Annie Barrows, co-author of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

"Yours Cheerfully is a joyful world into which I happily escaped--engrossing, engaging and charming. I finished reading with a smile, ready for anything." --Ericka Waller, author of Dog Days

"Yours Cheerfully is a tonic--comforting and uplifting. So much fun and a breath of fresh air!" --Tor Udall, author of A Thousand Paper Birds

"Full of the cheerful bravery and good humor that makes AJ Pearce's writing so special, with punch-the-air moments set against the sadness and loss of war." --Julie Cohen, author of Spirited

"Once again, AJ Pearce has provided us with a beautifully escapist read. Yours Cheerfully is a balm for the soul." --Tracy Rees, author of Amy Snow

About the Author

AJ Pearce grew up in Hampshire, England. She studied at the University of Sussex and Northwestern University. A chance discovery of a 1939 women's magazine became the inspiration for her series The Emmy Lake Chronicles, which includes Dear Mrs. Bird, Yours Cheerfully, and Mrs. Porter Calling. She lives in the south of England.