2.75

This book was just ok for me and was a bit of a disappointment compared to the first book in the series. The storyline wasn’t as gripping and I didn’t find the main character as likeable as in the other books.

I loved this novel, perfect reading for relaxing and disappearing into a world of nostalgia, friendship and hope.

Thank you to Netgalley for a pre publication copy. In return for an honest review! #callingmrsporter #netgalley

When the beloved owner of Woman’s friend dies and leaves the magazine to his niece all Emmy and her friends can hope for is for things to continue to run as they are - which is does until “The Egg” gets embedded into the magazine and changes start to happen. Can Emmy and her friends save the magazine ?

After reading book one in this series at book club I chose book two as a light read when I was between books and thoroughly enjoyed it so naturally I jumped at the chance to read book three. Although it is book three in the series you could read it as a stand alone but if you want to enjoy the back story then I’d suggest reading them in order.

The progression in the authors writing in this series is phenomenal. This book really pushes through to the reader the essence of war work, caring for the community, hope, faith, love, humour and much more. It shows every aspect of war and how difficult this would have been through a fun and humourous read which does not feel as heavy as you would believe this subject to be.

Beautifully written and I hope to join Emmy for her next journey

Mrs Porter Calling is the third book in the series , but my first read, and it was so easy to pick up as a standalone. Such a heartwarming read with lovable characters and a moving plot that sweeps you along. I will definitely return to the rest of the series. Set in 1943 during WW2, the publishing offices of Woman's Friend is the focus and its close knit staff who work hard to bring the popular magazine to the the public. It provides a voice, advice, and light relief in the midst of the war. Mrs Porter is a wealthy titled lady who sweeps in with bright ideas but has little idea of the reality that faces the readers. She initially dazzles the staff, but it soon becomes apparent that their best interests are not in her thoughts. In the face of challenging times and upheaval, the deep friendships and bonds shared really are beautiful. A warming and moving book. #Mrsportercalling #ajpearce #netgalley

Having been a fan of the first two books in the Emmy Lake series, I was excited to receive a sneak peek of the latest instalment, Mrs Porter Calling. This whet my appetite for the full novel, which I went on to read in full in hard copy and audiobook format (highly recommended, especially for the excellent comic performance of the character of Mrs Bird).

This book is possibly the best in the series – most of the characters are fully established and feel like family. The new additions such as Mrs Bird are well drawn and highly entertaining. In keeping with the other books, the novel is warm and comforting, although there is a particularly sad and traumatic event at its heart. The story is ultimately uplifting, with a wonderful sense of community.

I was delighted to see that there will be a new instalment in this series in 2025 – I can't wait to read it!

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for this preview of Mrs Porter Calling in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series, I feel that the books are really well researched looking at the everyday issues for families living at home through WW2. A little taster of the whole book which I then read a physical copy of. I felt it wasn't as enjoyable a read as the previous books as Mrs Porter was so disagreeable but I was still happy to follow Emmy's story into the next chapter. Will there be another book in the series? I hope so

The third instalment in the Emmy Lake series. The magazine is thriving, Emmy is happy and life is going quite well. Then, after the death of the magazine owner, the Honourable Cressida Porter, takes over the magazine and intends to change everything that the magazine is about.

Bare in mind that the book is set during WW2 there will be death, destruction, and heartache, and this is absolutely the case here.

I did wish that Mrs. Porter got the same character treatment as the rest of them, I mean the book is named after her. Emmy was not in the right frame of mind to be willing to see the nicer side of her, like any workplace they are set in their ways as well, so they don’t want change. But at the end Emmy was made into someone so ridiculous, she became more laughable than threatening.

I did enjoy it, great characters, descriptions and world building. A great conclusion to the series if this is the last. But I will say nothing lives up to the first.


A negative is this is just a taster chapter from NetGalley, not the whole book which you expect

I've read and enjoyed the first two books in this series so when this book came up on NetGalley, I was happy to request it. And then I didn't read it for ages! This book is a continuation of Emmy Lake's life during the war as well as seeing how her career progresses with Women's Friend.

I really enjoyed this book in the series. I appreciated the little update on everyone in the first chapter, considering it had been a while since I had read the first two books, and the new plot and drama going on in Emmy's life as the war continued. The Blitz had finished but the bombing continued and so does the rationing and the fear of people fighting in the war. There is also a new owner for Woman's Friend and she definitely turns things upside down. #
I enjoyed seeing the return of many characters and how equal attention was paid to Emmy's personal life and work life. The side characters had their own romances/problems going on as well, which I do enjoy (though I would have loved to have seen more about Emmy's colleagues and their lives and how the drama going on at Woman's Friend would affect them). Emmy's romance with Charles continues even though he's off fighting and I really loved seeing her letters to him but also how she still thought about him and wished he was here with her, especially when everything was going on. Bunty had some sweet moments with Emmy but she definitely seemed in a happier place in this book and that was good to see.

That said, I did wish that Mrs. Porter got the same character treatment as the rest of them. She felt very one note and even at the end, she was written more to be a caricature than an actual person. It was fine for most of it, Emmy was not in the frame of mind to be willing to see the nicer side of her, but right at the end where she was made into someone so ridiculous, it became more laughable than threatening.

However, I did enjoy how and when the plot was resolved and this series continues to make me cry, so I would still continue on with this series if it does continue.

4 stars!

Only a little taster of the whole book, but it was enough for me to know I wanted to keep reading!
Third in the Emmy Lake series., love being back in war torn London with Emmy and her friends.
Looking forward to finishing off the book!

Mrs Porter Calling continues the Miss Lake series as Emmy pushing forward as a journalist at Women’s Friend magazine in London, while the war is still on. All is going well until socialite Cressida inherits the magazine. Things are turned upside down at work and at home. I laughed and I cried along with Emmy. She is one of my favorite book characters. She reminds me of Juliet from The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society and Emma from The Unselected Journals of Emma M Lion. The book didn’t necessarily end with a cliffhanger, but didn’t fully tie up the series as I had hoped, so maybe there will be a book 4?!

Mrs Porter Calling by A J Pearce begins in London 1943, a year after Emmy Lake married Captain Charles Mayhew. Emmy is now in charge of the popular column “Yours Cheerfully” in the Women’s Friend magazine. The post bags are full of letters from readers seeking advice and the magazine is thriving.
Then, after the death of the magazine owner, the Honourable Cressida Porter, takes over the magazine and intends to change everything that the magazine is about.
There are deaths, new relationships and friendships formed and the women carry on regardless.
A fascinating story read in June 2024, at the time of 80 years after the D Day landings. Such a different way of live and survival told succinctly by the author.
Highly recommended

This is book three in a series. The characters are well developed. It is nice to be back with the old characters and also some new ones. Am emotional read

Another sweet addition to the series and sweet story. Her characters are always very engaging and warm. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

Another fun (and yet with emotional moments) in the "Emmy Lake" series that began with Dear Mrs Bird. I love the 1940s setting, the characterisation seems very fitting for its time and I have grown to really like revisiting them with each new installment. A lovely comforting read.

This was a really great addition to the series, and I genuinely enjoyed following Emmy in the latest instalment. It was a story full of heart, headaches, and hope.

I understand we were to love to hate Mrs Porter, but I truly despised her. There was so little to enjoy about her, and I truly looked forward to her getting her comeuppance.

Of course, with a book set in WW2 there will be death, destruction, and heartache, and this is absolutely the case here. But, the display of love and support following this is truly something to behold.

I hope there'll be maybe one more instalment in this series, but if this is it, it was a great way to say goodbye.

Despite having not read other books in this series, I really enjoyed it - definitely still worked as a standalone. Emmy is a great character and I really enjoyed the setting and plot too

Thanks for the arc in exchange for an honest review

I recently finished reading "Mrs Porter Calling" by AJ Pearce, and it was a delightful mix of heartwarming and heart-wrenching moments set against the backdrop of wartime challenges. As a fan of AJ Pearce's previous work, particularly "Dear Mrs Bird," I was eager to dive into this latest offering.

One of the aspects I enjoyed most about the book was the character of Emmy Lake, the much-loved agony aunt at Woman's Friend magazine. Pearce has a knack for creating relatable and endearing characters, and Emmy is no exception. Her journey through the challenges of the Home Front, her dedication to the problem page, and the camaraderie with her team made for a compelling narrative. The author skillfully captures the essence of the era, weaving in historical details seamlessly.

The plot is driven by the arrival of the glamorous new owner, the Honourable Mrs Porter, whose charm hides ulterior motives. The tension and conflict that arise as Emmy and her team face the threat of losing everything they've worked for added a layer of suspense to the story. The portrayal of the magazine industry during wartime was both fascinating and thought-provoking.

While I thoroughly enjoyed the overall narrative, there were moments when the pacing felt a bit uneven. Some scenes were fast-paced and engaging, while others seemed to linger without significant development. Additionally, the resolution of certain plot points felt a tad predictable, and I wished for a bit more unpredictability to keep me on my toes.

In conclusion, "Mrs Porter Calling" is a feel-good novel that successfully captures the spirit of the era and delivers an engaging story filled with warmth and emotion. Despite some minor pacing issues and predictable moments, AJ Pearce's storytelling prowess shines through, making it a worthy read for fans of historical fiction and those who appreciate a good wartime tale.

I LOVED this book. I wasn't sure what to expect from it, but I hooked me from the start. It is apparently the third in a series, but having not read the other two, it didn't seem to matter and worked fine as a stand alone book. Having said this I will be reading the other two as I really enjoyed this one. A great easy read.

Ive been such a fan of this series of books since the outset, and the third in the series was just as lovely as the others. The same characters that we've come to know and love are back, but this time, faced with a new owner of the magazine, who wants to shake things up. The story may not be the greatest surprise, but it was such a pleasure to read and, like the others, would make a wonderful TV series.

This is the third novel in this much loved series set on the Home Front during World War Two, and we are back with agony aunt Emmy and her colleagues at Women's Friend. The arrival of Mrs Porter, a glamorous new editor leads to Emmy fighting to save the magazine and all it represents.
I've loved this trilogy of novels, set in one of my favourite eras for historical fiction. I loved the return to familiar characters and the introduction of the brilliantly characterised Mrs Porter. The period is beautifully drawn and this is another warm, funny and hopeful read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.