You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
2.5 stars
Bubble gum pop. Even less substance than the first book. The characters are lovely. The narrator did a fantastic job. There was just very little in the way of substance and the fluff was *just barely* fluffy enough for me to keep a reading momentum.
Bubble gum pop. Even less substance than the first book. The characters are lovely. The narrator did a fantastic job. There was just very little in the way of substance and the fluff was *just barely* fluffy enough for me to keep a reading momentum.
I was given a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Yours Cheerfully is a continuation of the story in Dear Mrs. Bird (which I loved). We continue to hear the story of Emmie and Bunty and Emmie's beau, Charles. The war is ongoing, and Emmie still works at Women's Friend magazine. The war office asks magazines to help recruit women for war work. While Emmie is writing a story on women working in bomb factories, she finds the struggles the ladies are trying to overcome to support the war work (a women's bathroom, daycare, benefits, etc., a good wage.). I love a story that is entertaining and that I learn from. Highly recommend. #Netgalley #YoursCheerfully #AJPearce
I read the first book in this series quite a while ago (or should that be 100s of books ago? That's probably a better way of measuring time) - and I remembered that I had enjoyed it, so when the opportunity to review the sequel came through via Netgalley, I jumped at the chance.
I'm not sure if my tastes in books have changes, if it had been too many books ago that I read the first, or what, but I just didn't enjoy the way this was written. The whimsy, the haplessness, the good-intentions-just-think-it-through-next-time nature of it.
I guessed most of the plot devices and 'twists', and while it's a sweet story, with a good message, it feels very heavy handed - so a generous 3 stars.
I'm not sure if my tastes in books have changes, if it had been too many books ago that I read the first, or what, but I just didn't enjoy the way this was written. The whimsy, the haplessness, the good-intentions-just-think-it-through-next-time nature of it.
I guessed most of the plot devices and 'twists', and while it's a sweet story, with a good message, it feels very heavy handed - so a generous 3 stars.
I think most of us loved Dear Mrs Bird, the first book in the Emmy Lake Chronicles that introduces us to our heroine, Emmy, in London during the Blitz and her ambitions to be a Lady War Correspondent. However, Emmy has to work her way up and becomes typist to fearsome Mrs Bird, the agony aunt for Woman's Friend magazine - but dissatisfied with her unfeeling approach, Emmy begins to write back with her own advice.
In Yours Cheerfully, Mrs Bird has left the magazine and Emmy has finally been given an official role as wartime advice columnist. She is excited to be making some headway in her career and gets a further boost when she is asked to write a series of articles on women's war work on behalf of the Ministry of Information to increase morale. Emmy fixes on munitions factory workers; however, she soon realises that although the women want to work and Do Their Bit, with rigid shifts and a lack of childcare provided by the factories, they simply cannot work and look after their children with their husbands away fighting. Now Emmy must face a tricky dilemma between doing her duty but standing up for her new friends...
This is a charming and uplifting novel, and I absolutely devoured it! From the first few pages, it feels like being reunited with old friends as you read about Emmy and Bunty navigating their way through careers, love and hardships. There are strong themes of female friendship and resilience in Yours Cheerfully and supporting each other through the most challenging of circumstances. I really hope a third book is on its way as I'd love to read more about Emmy and Charles and how their relationship grows/changes (no spoilers!) and whether this impacts on Emmy's writing career. I'd also like to see Bunty find some happiness after the sorrow that befalls her in Dear Mrs Bird, she's such a good friend to Emmy and really deserves it! I also want to know more about the editor, Mr Collins as he is tremendously supportive of Emmy but his backstory has been rather shady up to now...
In Yours Cheerfully, Mrs Bird has left the magazine and Emmy has finally been given an official role as wartime advice columnist. She is excited to be making some headway in her career and gets a further boost when she is asked to write a series of articles on women's war work on behalf of the Ministry of Information to increase morale. Emmy fixes on munitions factory workers; however, she soon realises that although the women want to work and Do Their Bit, with rigid shifts and a lack of childcare provided by the factories, they simply cannot work and look after their children with their husbands away fighting. Now Emmy must face a tricky dilemma between doing her duty but standing up for her new friends...
This is a charming and uplifting novel, and I absolutely devoured it! From the first few pages, it feels like being reunited with old friends as you read about Emmy and Bunty navigating their way through careers, love and hardships. There are strong themes of female friendship and resilience in Yours Cheerfully and supporting each other through the most challenging of circumstances. I really hope a third book is on its way as I'd love to read more about Emmy and Charles and how their relationship grows/changes (no spoilers!) and whether this impacts on Emmy's writing career. I'd also like to see Bunty find some happiness after the sorrow that befalls her in Dear Mrs Bird, she's such a good friend to Emmy and really deserves it! I also want to know more about the editor, Mr Collins as he is tremendously supportive of Emmy but his backstory has been rather shady up to now...
I enjoyed this one just as much as the first in this series! The writing is fabulous, hilarious, and touching. This one is even more thought provoking about the lives and times of the women on the home front in London during WW2! Things I had never thought about before!
Also, Charles and Emmy❤️ And once again, we all need a Bunty in our lives!! I audibly giggle while reading these books!
Also, Charles and Emmy❤️ And once again, we all need a Bunty in our lives!! I audibly giggle while reading these books!
Yours Cheerfully picks up right where we left off in Dear Mrs. Bird, right in the heart of London during WWII, following the antics of Emmy Lake and her good friend Bunty. While I didn’t enjoy this one quite as much as the first book, I did find this shared many of the same characteristics that made Dear Mrs. Bird successful for me — namely bringing a delicately light side to a decidedly dark time and topic.
Following her prior involvement in an advice column, Emmy is tapped to write up a new one called “Yours Cheerfully” for a women’s magazine. Soon, she finds herself drawn into more serious journalistic work, writing articles on the work of women in factories to produce ammunition for the war. As she begins interviewing and befriending women to craft the articles, she discovers that many are struggling to juggle both childcare and work hours. Thus begins Emmy’s crusade to have nurseries added to war-time factories.
The book flew by and I was entertained throughout, though I did find myself missing some of the deeper, cutting emotions of the first book in the series. The war felt just that one more step removed in this book and while I know that was still accurate to many people’s experiences of the war, it also just felt that one degree flatter. Still, the characters were as charming as ever and when book three is released, I’m sure I’ll find Emmy, Charles, Bunty, and Mr. Collins easy to return to.
Following her prior involvement in an advice column, Emmy is tapped to write up a new one called “Yours Cheerfully” for a women’s magazine. Soon, she finds herself drawn into more serious journalistic work, writing articles on the work of women in factories to produce ammunition for the war. As she begins interviewing and befriending women to craft the articles, she discovers that many are struggling to juggle both childcare and work hours. Thus begins Emmy’s crusade to have nurseries added to war-time factories.
The book flew by and I was entertained throughout, though I did find myself missing some of the deeper, cutting emotions of the first book in the series. The war felt just that one more step removed in this book and while I know that was still accurate to many people’s experiences of the war, it also just felt that one degree flatter. Still, the characters were as charming as ever and when book three is released, I’m sure I’ll find Emmy, Charles, Bunty, and Mr. Collins easy to return to.
Just as good as Dear Mrs Bird, this is such a jolly read (a word that may not immediately spring to mind in 1941, but is absolutely the right word for Yours Cheerfully!). A right rollicking read!!
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
Yes
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Felt really slow and sometimes repetitive and poorly written, especially compared to Dear Mrs. Bird which I enjoyed a lot more. The characters didn't feel as believable this time around. I like that the author tried to focus on the lives of women in WWII, but it all just felt a bit flat.