If you enjoyed Dear Mrs Bird as much as I did, then certainly you are in for a treat with this eagerly awaited sequel. Emmy continues assisting with the advice column in Woman’s Friend magazine and Bunty continues to be her caring and encouraging friend. Emmy’s boyfriend, Charles, is now stationed in the U.K. and their romance is still going strong.

Emmy and her editor attend a meeting at The Ministry of Information who are keen to recruit women factory workers and they want women’s magazines to encourage their readers to join in this war effort. Emmy has an idea to interview women who have recently begun work at a munitions factory and she then is able to visit a factory where a new friend, Anne, is working.

The main focus turns towards the various hardships women factory workers faced: shift work with long hours, no access to childcare in the factory with perhaps no family nearby to help out, and earning less than their male counterparts. Despite this, these strong women have a personal interest in the war and want to do their bit. A.J Pearce wonderfully describes the factory setting and the supportive friendships the women forge with one another.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable book with the author’s signature humorous style along with moments of real poignancy. Emmy and Co now feel like friends and I hope there more to follow for these delightful characters!

I would like to thank the publisher, Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Although I hadn't read the previous book Mrs Bird I found this book was a good standalone .Set in London 1941 at Womens Friend Magazine, Emmy a budding journalist is tasked with answering the problem pages .This is such a lovely feel good story despite or perhaps because it is set in the middle of WW2.Everyone is doing their bit for the war effort particularly the brave women left behind to survive without husbands .The story highlights how unfair the conditions of women workers in munitions factories were ,with unequal pay and conditions they had to fight for their rights not always successfully .The stiff upper lip and the banter thread throughout the book and make the story so charming .I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope there is follow up book one day .Many thanks to the Publisher ,the Author and NetGalley for my free copy in return for an honest review .

Dear Mrs Bird was one of my favourite reads of 2018. A feel-good story despite being set during a world war. Now the main character Emmeline Lake is back and as plucky as ever as she works on her journalism career at The Woman's Friend magazine while "doing her bit" during the war. Emmy gets her chance to write her first feature, focusing on women war workers as a recruitment drive for the British goverrnment. But she soon realises these women are facing huge challenges and no one is helping them. I found the story slow in parts and Emmy's thought processes a little repetitive. Though it felt less engaging than the first book, it's still a charming, quick read and one can't help but root for Emmy and the women she is writing about.

Ah it was so good to be back with Emmy and the team. I loved Dear Mrs Bird and it resides on my forever shelf so when I saw this was coming out I was so excited and it certainly didn't disappoint.
This book starts where Dear Mrs Bird left off, Emmy is working for Womans Friend and the war is still going on. Emmy is helping with the advice column and is wanting to become a full war correspondent.
There is a call to power from the government and Womans Friend is asked to help increase the women workforce to help with winning the war, the problem is though, nothing is really set up for women to be working. This part was super anger inducing as some of these things still carry over in to today! Emmy has to decide between doing what she thinks is right and what she is being asked to do and the storyline was progressed well.
I loved the friendship with Bunty and how life changes affected this, Bunty is just such a great sidekick. I loved the new characters from the munitions factory and this is just an all round jolly read. So basically I really enjoyed it, can you tell?!

It’s been a while since I read Dear Mrs Bird, but from the very start of Yours Cheerfully I was transported back to the Women’s Friend offices, and into the lives of Emmy Lake and Mr Collins.
Unlike Dear Mrs Bird, this book centres less on the advice column and more on the lives and struggles of the women left behind during the war. It’s not a common topic and I’m here for it. I adore books set during this era - I found a few of the references were post war but I think most readers wouldn’t even notice. It was engaging all the way through and I always wanted to know what happened next. The ending didn’t tie up a lot of loose ends but I suspect there may be a third book in the series!
Yours Cheerfully works as a standalone book - you don’t need to have read Dear Mrs Bird first but it will enrich your reading experience and help you understand Emmy’s character and background a little more!

A fantastic, joyful follow up to Dear Mrs Bird. Set in a war ravaged London, following journalist Emmy as she follows a story of female exploitation, this is a brilliant, heart warming read full of humour.

Book 1...Mrs Byrd was sat on my shelf for ages. Actually, since the time it was published and I only got to read it last year and flipping loved it. When I heard this was being followed up with a book 2 I was so anticipating it.

I leapt on it when I saw the audio version as I’d listened to book 1 that way too so I was so happy when I saw the narrators name. She’s so good.

This book is such a lovely tale of very strong women in the war times. I know my mother when she was alive told me what she did in the war and other women. Women supporting the war efforts, farming, driving, delivering, health care etc was just a tip of the iceberg to working in factories making parachutes and other war items.

But what about those women who had to become the breadwinners while their husbands were away?
And what if they had to not only provide for themselves, children and their mothers?

Who is there to look after the children whilst they work.

A fabulous account of history within this fictional writing with an updated role from Emmeline now that the formidable woman from the previous book is now gone. We see more strength of character from Emmeline and when you have other women, strong women and support from other avenues it’s clear what can be achieved with the help of Yours Cheerfully in the forefront.

Romance thrown in with a war wedding planned, set your mind back to that era and read this beautiful heartwarming uplifting read around tragedy of life around you.

Following on perfectly from the events of Dear Mrs Bird, in Yours Cheerfully we see the indefatigable Emmy Lake take on the boss of a munitions factory, go from strength to strength as a journalist and hold it together for the man she loves.

This book does have a different focus but that means that the story within it can stand up on its own. Though I think it would be helpful to have read the first, I wouldn't say it is essential.

The same mix of determination, willpower and that British stiff upper lip and this is a lovely sequence destined to charm any readers the first hasn't already.

I love that this book centred around appreciation for women - women who work, women who have children, women who are missing their husbands, single young women sticking up for mothers even when their needs aren't the same, women supporting women. It isn't isn't narrative you always see, let alone in historical fiction.

This sequel to Mrs Bird is every bit as charming as its predecessor! The story picks up just where the previous book left off, with Emmeline Lake enjoying her work at magazine “Women’s Friend” a lot more following the departure of her former boss Mrs Bird. The book addresses some of the issues women faced during WWII, particularly young and sometimes war-widowed mothers who were keen to help the war effort but who found the juggle of motherhood and work an impossible task.

It is heartwarming and uplifting, and whilst I did find it a little slow to get going, I was very invested in the characters and the storylines.

With thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan - Picador for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The sequel to Dear Mrs Bird and just as enjoyable. A lighthearted and easy read that also tackles the issues affecting women during WW2 (and some that continue to affect women). Funny, humorous, sometimes sad with a feel good ending. I loved this book and definitely recommended it .

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 challenge of becoming a young wartime advice columnist. Her relationship with boyfriend Charles (now stationed back in the UK) 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.

This is a follow up to Mrs Bird and is wonderful! It’s a book to immerse yourself in and take yourself through the story and plot with ease. The characters are likeable, with plenty within the story to keep you entertained

"Yours Cheerfully" continues on from where "Dear Mrs Bird" left off with delightful junior journalist, Emmeline Lake taking over the 'Women's Friend' magazine's letters page now that the formidable Mrs Bird has left.

With a senior editor helping Emmy to dish out more kindly and caring advice, the letters page has seen a huge jump in popularity. Emmy is also given a new role in the magazine when the Ministry of Information puts out a request for women's magazines to do whatever they can to encourage women to take up jobs that men can no longer fill to help support Britain's war effort. Emmy writes a series of articles on a group of women working in a munitions factory and becomes involved in helping working mothers campaign for improved conditions that will help them juggle work and childcare.

This uplifting sequel is just as charming and delightful as the original and makes for a light, humorous read. Emmy's romance with Charles is progressing nicely now that he is stationed in London and her best friend Bunty is recovering well after losing her fiance and being badly injured in the Blitz. As the novel finishes at the end of 1941, after the bombing of Pearl Harbour, I hope there will be further additions to the series as I can't wait to catch up with Emmy and her friends again.

I was very happy to see there was a sequel to Dear Mrs Bird. This time in Yours Cheerfully, you jump straight into the storyline - it is absolutely a continuation of the previous book. Not a great deal of time has passed, it is still early in the 1940s and Great Britain is in the midst of war. Emmy is continuing her work at the magazine and is planning her wedding. The magazine are asked by the Government to support and encourage the movement of women in the workplace and so Emmy is involved in a series of pieces based on women working in a munitions factory.

I like the fact that although this book is a historical novel based during the second world war, the central focus is not the war itself but other things that are happening due to the war. The author tackles some serious issues such as lack of childcare and lack of interest in women's welfare. It felt very well researched and authentic to me. As with Dear Mrs Bird, the language throughout feels genuine and off that time and this adds to the charm and character of the novel.

I have to be honest, I found the first half of the book a little slow. However, in the second half I was fully immersed in the issues and you could feel the tension building as the storyline progressed towards the wedding. I loved the ending and everything around the wedding! Beautifully written and very emotional.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction but I also highly recommend reading Dear Mrs Bird first. Thank you to NetGalley for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

The story is set in London, 1941. After an editor leaves Woman’s Friend magazine, there’s changes for Emmeline, shes been given a new role, of young wartime advice columnist.

She’s in a relationship with Charles and it’s going very well, but her best friend Bunty, is still coming to terms from what happened in the Blitz, she’s bravely looking forward to the future.

So, when the Ministry of Information wants the Britain’s women’s magazines help in recruiting female workers for war effort, Emmy is only too happy to be asked to step up and help.

But, when she and Bunty meet a young woman, one who shows them what sort of challenges the women face in the workplace, Emmy feels she has a dilemma, does she do her duty as a journalist or stand by her friends.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy of this book!
I first read Dear Mrs Bird when it was a book included in the Richard and Judy book club pick and it wouldn't usually be my kind of read but I fell on love with Emmy and Bunty so when I found out there was a sequel I knew I had to read it!

Yours Cheerfully follows the story on from Dear Mrs Bird where Emmy is still working for Womens Friend during the war effort.

At first I found this slow to get into, from just finishing a thriller this was a different way to go, but once it got into it I fell back into the world of Emmy and Charles.
It is moving and emotional, had tears in my eyes for a few chapters but is a lovely read and informative about the war without being boring!

A joyful read and if you haven't read Dear Mrs Bird, get and read it before Yours Cheerfully is released!

I cannot tell you how excited I was when I found out that #DearMrsBird by #AJPearce had a sequel and Emmy was back alongside Bunty. While Dear Mrs Bird had a slight frivolity to it, #YoursCheerfully is much more focussed and determined on the plight of female war workers.
Like Dear Mrs Bird the plot plods along, but is thoroughly enjoyable and the slower pace allows the reader to savour each moment. The visual imagery AJ Pearce creates is sublime.
If you enjoyed the first book, you will most likely enjoy following the characters on their journey set in London, 1941.
I had my favourite reading combo #ebook and #audiobook for complete immersion!
Thanks to the publisher and #Netgalley for gifting me a review copies of #YoursCheerfully in exchange for an honest review.

**listened to audiobook and read along with kindle copy**

I loved the first book in this series - it was just so cosy and comforting. So I was super excited that there was going to be a second book in the series. This book is just as cosy - but steers away from the idea of the 'agony aunt', and takes a more political and hard hitting view of the war. I say hard hitting, but it still feels very warm - think that is down to AJ Pearce's easygoing writing style.

I loved how the other book was referenced, but if you hadn't previously read the first book in the series there is nothing in this second book that would hinder your reading experience.

The narrator of the audio book is brilliant, and brought to life all of the characters. It also enhanced the tone of Pearce's writing style.

I really enjoyed this book, and do not feel i can say whether or not i enjoyed this more or less than the first book in the series as they are both such individual books.
This book is the perfect read for a hot sunny day - it transports you back in time to the war, yet still feels incredibly warm and comforting - not many war books can do that.
Really enjoyed it!

A sequel to Dear Mrs Bird, this is a follow-up story which follows Emmeline Lake’s career as a wartime agony aunt in a woman’s magazine. You get the feeling that the author has researched her subject well and there is something compelling about Emmeline’s earnestness and determination to serve the war effort through supporting the women who are struggling to support their families, holding down important roles on the home front, grieving their lives ones and putting on a brave face in the face of adversity. Warm, authentic and with just the right balance of humour and realism. With thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

My Rating ~ 3.5*

Yours Cheerfully by AJ Pearce will be published June 24th with Picador and is the second book featuring aspiring journalist Emmeline (Emmy) Lake. It is described as ‘every bit as funny, heart-warming, and touching as AJ Pearce’s debut, Dear Mrs Bird…..a celebration of friendship, a testament to the strength of women and the importance of lifting each other up, even in the most challenging times.' I haven’t read Dear Mrs Bird but I needn’t have worried as Yours Cheerfully provides a very rounded backstory, providing new readers with sufficient information to pick up where Dear Mrs Bird left Emmy Lake.

Set against the backdrop of the Second World War, Yours Cheerfully is a story about women and their fight to be acknowledged and respected. These brave and selfless women worked hard in the munitions factories covering varied shifts but for some it was just too much. As the Ministry of Information attempts to gather momentum with its recruitment drive of female workers, they call on the services of women’s magazines to assist them put the message out there.

Emmy Lake works for Woman’s Friend magazine and, following the departure of its agony aunt columnist, Mrs Bird, Emmy gets an opportunity to take on more responsibility. Emmy is excited but also very nervous. Her reputation hasn’t been the best in the past and now Emmy is ready to grab this second chance and become the journalist she always dreamed of being. Emmy gets an opportunity to visit one of the munitions factories and, although very much taken with the camaraderie of the women, she is shocked at the manner in which they are treated. These women are pulled in all directions and, while wanting to assist in the war effort as much as they can, they have become quite disillusioned by the expectations placed on them. Emmy soon finds herself back on dangerous territory. While wanting to do what is expected of her, she also sees the human side of the suffering these women shoulder and Emmy, never afraid to face a challenge, must decide how best to help, mindful of her new responsibilities as a trusted employee of Woman’s Friend.

Aside from her work for the magazine, Emmy also volunteers with the fire service. Loyalty and friendship are very important to Emmy, as is so very obvious in her relationship with her boyfriend Charles and childhood friend Bunty. Emmy very much believes that everyone needs to pull together, everyone must make sacrifices, including herself.

The women in the factories are paid less, expected to sort out childcare, run households and basically be available to work any shift over a 24-hour period. Emmy can see the strain this is having and her conscience plays with her. Can she really promote and encourage women to work in such an imbalanced environment? Can she, as a journalist, do more?

As Emmy grapples with these questions, and with the turn of events in her personal life, she has to dig deep and find the strength to be true to her own beliefs but also be mindful of the chaos descending on the world around her.

Yours Cheerfully is a very sweet and enjoyable read, with the indefatigable Emmy Lake a wonderful central character. Packed with plenty of feel-good and heart-warming moments, Yours Cheerfully is an uplifting story of courage and optimism during challenging times, something we can all relate to at the moment.

Sometimes you pick up a book at just the right time. I had heard that this is a lovely read, and it was firmly in my digital TBR. I started it over the beautifully sunny weekend, and ended up actually finishing it then too, it was so engaging.

This is the second in a series, which I hadn’t realised. Dear Mrs Bird is the first one, but I didn’t feel that I missed anything in the second. AJ Pearce does a great job at filling in and reminding a clueless reader without labouring the point. She also does a great job at encouraging me to add Dear Mrs Bird to my wishlist!

Emmy Lake is a journalist at Women’s Friend, in the middle of the Second World War. A bit like Small Pleasures in that both main characters are journalists in a predominantly man’s world, dealing with the aftermath of the war. They could be sisters, or colleagues, just twenty years apart.

It’s written in a tone which I’d describe as ‘jolly hockey sticks’, very Famous Five and it describes an England long gone, where the men wear braces and hats and the ladies stay at home to raise the babies. In fact, underneath that stiff British upper lip, we get to glimpse the hardship faced by Emmy and those around her, in the middle of a war which felt never ending, robbing the UK of a generation of men and the ‘luxury’ of buying what they need in terms of food and clothing. Something about this combination of valiant fighting and clear struggle, really fitted with me and I just loved it.

Emmy’s best friend, Bunty, is grieving the loss of her fiancé and dealing with trying to heal from surviving the bomb that killed him and razed their house to the ground. The friendship she and Emmy have is just lovely – pure and supportive and honest. Emmy’s parents too, are an idyllic representation of a loving couple, delighted that their daughter is pursuing her dream.

In the midst of getting to grips with a new role at the magazine, Emmy finds herself attending some very important meetings at the Ministry, much to the consternation of some ‘proper’ journalists. Women’s Friend is positioned in the book as very much a lifeline for women (although aimed at the older generation, truth be told), including recipes to use allotment vegetables, avoiding rationed items, saving yarn and patterns for knitting underwear.

I think the best books have characters you want to be friends with. Maybe not all of them – I wouldn’t love being friends with the narrator in Fight Club, although I’ll bet he’s fun to go on a night out with. I would definitely meet up with Emmy and Bunty, they’d be really fun with some gin and records, and they know how to make a little go a long way.

I’d recommend this if you like books set in this type of era, very much a kind of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, it reminded me of Dodie Smith’s I Capture The Castle.

Thanks as always to Netgalley and for the advance digital review copy – this is out to buy on June 24th 2021 in the UK.