Yours Cheerfully: an inspirational story of wartime friendship from the author of Dear Mrs Bird

AJ Pearce

Jun 2021 · The Wartime Chronicles Book 2 · Pan Macmillan

About this ebook

Comforting, charming and hilarious, Yours Cheerfully is the tonic we've all been waiting for, from AJ Pearce, the beloved author of Dear Mrs Bird.

‘Loved. Every. Word.' - Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in Chemistry

London, September 1941. For plucky, determined Emmy Lake, working at Woman’s Friend magazine has become everything she dreamed, especially since the departure of the magazine’s formidable editor, Henrietta Bird. Now Emmy really can get on and Do Her Bit.

When the Ministry of Information calls on Woman’s Friend to help recruit female supporters to the war effort, Emmy is thrilled, but soon she and best friend Bunty meet a young woman who shows them the real challenges that women war workers face. Suddenly Emmy must tackle a life-changing dilemma: should she carry out her duty or stand by her friends?

'Absolutely lovely!' – Marian Keyes
'Buoyant . . . a tonic in testing times' – Mail on Sunday
'A brilliant follow up to Dear Mrs Bird' – Clare Mackintosh
'Full of wit, friendship and the uplifting knowledge that when people come together, great changes can be made' – Katie Fforde

Ratings and reviews

I had no idea that this was a sequel to Dear Mrs Bird, but I enjoyed that one so much that as soon as I saw this author had another book on the way I immediately requested it. Now that Henrietta Bird has left the magazine, Emmy is actually learning on the job. With expert guidance she is well on her way to becoming the journalist she always wanted to be. Her relationship with Charles is going from strength to strength and friend Bunty is slowly recovering from injuries sustained during the bombing of London. When the Ministry appeals to women’s magazines to help them recruit much needed female workers to help with the war effort, Emmy is thrilled to be involved but then she and Bunty come across women with the desire to help their country but in need of some unforthcoming help to allow them to do so. Emmy finds herself trying to do the right thing by the magazine as well as by her conscience and her friends. What a super sequel! Continuing on from the first, my mind quickly recalled the story and I was delighted to be back in Emmy’s world. Along with Bunty, both are determined to do ‘their bit’ and it made me yawn just thinking about everything they packed into each 24 hour period. A great reflection of wartime Britain including the misogynistic attitudes of many and the difficulties faced on a daily basis, mixed in with a compelling story of friendship, romance and careers. Wonderful and so very enjoyable. I’m thrilled that the author is working on her third book – can’t wait! A terrific read which I’m delighted to recommend and give all five sparkling stars.

About the author

AJ Pearce grew up in Hampshire, England. Her debut novel, Dear Mrs Bird, was a Sunday Times and international bestseller and was shortlisted for the British Book Awards Debut of the Year and the Historical Writers’ Association Debut Crown for best historical debut. Yours Cheerfully is the second novel in The Emmy Lake Chronicles.