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.

This is the third book in the Emmy Lake series, following on from 'Dear Mrs Bird' and 'Yours Cheerfully'. This is a series that is charming, cheerful and funny - even as the realities of World War II continue to have their impact on the characters' lives.

Thanks to NetGalley for my opportunity to read this book and apologies for the late review.

In this third look at wartime Pimlico, we rejoin Emmy and her colleagues at the offices of Woman's Friend, a publication packed with helpful tips on cooking, affordable fashion, and the general art of making do and getting by under rationing. One of the most popular sections is Emmy's advice column, offering an invaluable lifeline to women trapped by their domestic situations, wartime problems or overwhelming worries. When a new owner takes over the publication (the titular Mrs Porter), Emmy and the team have to fight for the things that make their magazine unique and treasured by its readership.

For those who have followed Emmy since the start, you'll know that the magazine staff are more like family than colleagues. You'll also know that they take their work very seriously, contributing to the war effort, boosting morale and spreading positive messaging about women's lives in wartime Britain. This makes the stakes feel pretty high when Mrs Porter arrives with her plans to change the publication that they've worked so hard to make a success. I felt totally invested in this plot, especially given the glorious 'villains' that A. J. Pearce has written for Emmy to battle.

Mrs Porter herself is a fabulous character - I don't want to give away the plot, but she's described with such fabulous details that I loved it when she was on the scene. There's some brilliant observations about her work ethic, general appearance and relationships with the team - and I laughed out loud at her reaction to meetings. To be honest, I think I feel the same!

As with the previous books, this is really a story about the power of women; the men are at war (including Emmy's husband), Emmy works on a women's magazine and lives with strong, supportive women. I loved the sense of female community and friendship - from Emmy's housemates, to the other girls on shift at the fire station where Emmy volunteers, to the women at the magazine (Mrs Porter and the hilarious Mrs Pye excepted!) This becomes especially poignant when the heartbreaking realities of war hit close to home in a turn of events that have a huge impact in an otherwise positive and upbeat book.

That;s not to say there are no men - there are the ones too old to serve, too injured, or doing protected jobs like those in the fire service. They make a charming and sweet supporting cast - without taking the women from the limelight. I especially loved the Scar(e)y ones from the pub - you have to read it to appreciate fully!

Overall, this is another upbeat and mostly cheery look at the women keeping the home fires burning in World War II. To a modern reader, it all sounds quite grim - rationing, coupons, sandbags, fire watches and endless volunteering shifts on top of the day jobs - but Pearce's characters muddle along as best they can and there's humour and camaraderie along the way. Bad things do happen - and it's tragic and awful - but there is also hope and joy. Another delightful instalment in Emmy's wartime experiences and one I'd recommend.

I absolutely adore this series and have listened to them all on audiobook. The narrator is just perfect and does such a wonderful job. I found Mrs Porter Calling to be the most emotive of the series and was genuinely moved to tears at a particularly sad point in the story. However, where there is sadness there is also such hope and resilience. AJ Pearce writes about this period in history so beautifully and I really hope that there is a fourth book in this series as I really do enjoy them. Mrs Porter was the perfect villain and I thought the characterisation was brilliant. I recommend these books to lovers of historical fiction.

My rating: 4.5 / 5

I’ve not read any of the other books in this series but found it to be well researched; an easy read and enjoyable read, sit back and enjoy it as a good holiday read.

This was just a taster chapter, but having since read the book in its entirety, it’s just as good as the other two in this trilogy - I just hope the author writes more!

This was a perfect follow up to the rest of the series. I think the previous book (Yours Cheerfully) remains my favourite, but the cast of characters on this one doesn't disappoint. Mrs Porter brings enough drama to let the rest of the characters shine.

A lovely read for anyone who has enjoyed the Emmy Lake Chronicles so far!