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fluffy1st's review
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and War
rachelle_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Here’s a novel set in England in World War II that won’t have you aching at the devastation and inhumanity in every chapter. Emmy Lake is a plucky young woman working for a women’s magazine who gets the opportunity to interview women working in a munitions factory. We also follow her friendship with her best friend (whose fiancé died in the war) and with her boyfriend, who is serving in the military.
Despite the background of war, this book is not terribly heavy. The author does a great job of showing the shadow side of this time period, while also showing the resilience of people getting on with life.
Despite the background of war, this book is not terribly heavy. The author does a great job of showing the shadow side of this time period, while also showing the resilience of people getting on with life.
Content Warnings
Minor: War
aoifeprettypurplepolkadots's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
extraaardvark's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Grief, War, and Death
mary_lake's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Death
Minor: Grief
gemin1reader's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and War
Moderate: Grief
heather_freshparchment's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and War
Minor: Grief and Death
alisonannk's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Sexism, and Misogyny
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, War, and Injury/Injury detail
readingelli's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
Moderate: Death and War
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Yours Cheerfully was a fun, enjoyable read. Emmy Lake is a wartime advice columnist who is thrilled to be invited to help out with a Ministry of Information drive to recruit more British women war workers. But when she learns of the struggle these women face - they were often expected to do the impossible when it came to working and taking care of their children - and the unwillingness of authorities to improve their situation Emmy questions where her loyalty lies.
Emmy is a delightful character, full of energy, enthusiasm and good intentions, even if they sometimes go astray. Actually, with a couple of key exceptions, virtually all the characters were delightful.
Serendipitously, I was listening to this at the same time I was reading about women war workers in a nonfiction book (straight below this post on my feed) which enhanced my experience with both. Fiction and nonfiction have different ways of tackling topics and there’s something to be gained from both.
The spirit of the women and the sacrifices they made, sometimes willingly and sometimes unwillingly, really struck me. It put the sacrifices required to deal with Covid, and the unwillingness of many to make them, into stark perspective.
I must make special mention of the madcap caper, comedy of errors final scene. It was total frothy fun.
Since this book was set during wartime tough issues did arise. But they didn’t happen directly to the key characters, and they happened off-page and/or are only referred to obliquely. The overall tone remains relatively light.
If you are in the mood for something warm-hearted and charming with a spirited heroine this would be a great pick.
Emmy is a delightful character, full of energy, enthusiasm and good intentions, even if they sometimes go astray. Actually, with a couple of key exceptions, virtually all the characters were delightful.
Serendipitously, I was listening to this at the same time I was reading about women war workers in a nonfiction book (straight below this post on my feed) which enhanced my experience with both. Fiction and nonfiction have different ways of tackling topics and there’s something to be gained from both.
The spirit of the women and the sacrifices they made, sometimes willingly and sometimes unwillingly, really struck me. It put the sacrifices required to deal with Covid, and the unwillingness of many to make them, into stark perspective.
I must make special mention of the madcap caper, comedy of errors final scene. It was total frothy fun.
Since this book was set during wartime tough issues did arise. But they didn’t happen directly to the key characters, and they happened off-page and/or are only referred to obliquely. The overall tone remains relatively light.
If you are in the mood for something warm-hearted and charming with a spirited heroine this would be a great pick.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and War