Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
Facing the horrors in WWII London with a dose of dry British humor (humour?) makes Yours Cheerfully a refreshing read. The events and topics are heavy and heartrending, but the author presents them in a very hopeful, even upbeat, manner. The female friendshps and camaraderie are tangible and memorable, and Emmy's romance is one of the sweetest I've ever read. This really was a delightful follow-up to Dear Mrs. Bird, and I am very much hoping there will be another installment in the series!
**I received an ARC of this book via Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.**
Spoiler
(I may have found my new Mr. Darcy, by the way. Not in demeanor or personality, but I dare you not to fall in love with Charles as deeply as Emmy did!)**I received an ARC of this book via Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.**
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
For a book that revolves so much around dealing with injustice, this was an extremely palatable read. So palatable, in fact, it was a little bland.
Dear Mrs. Bird was my favorite book of the year when I read it at the end of 2019 because I felt like it did a really good job of dealing with the complexity of trying to "carry on" and build a life for oneself when coming of age in "difficult times." Yours Cheerfully, unfortunately, completely does away with this complexity. The line between the good guys and the bad guys is very clear, and the good guys never do anything questionable. They are simply nice white ladies trying to find childcare for their children so they can do their patriotic duty and work in the factory. They aren't even asking for equal wages. Who in their right mind could oppose to that?
Furthermore, one of the best things about Emmy Lake was the tension between who she was and the societal expectations for women in her time. That tension is gone in this book, and while she still has a little bit of a temper and a tendency to say what's on her mind, she never upsets any of the good guys in this book and she has for the most part figured out how to hold it in and conform to expectations. It's very disappointing because Emmy has fulfilled her dream of becoming a reporter who never upsets anyone worth worrying about, and I feel like that is a huge disservice to her as well as to the readers because how is that possible?
Everything wraps up nicely when we have our lovely "patriotic march," (not a protest- we have to be clear about that) in the morning and luckily that nice police officer tells the bad guy he has to listen to us and everything is very civil and wraps up in time for us to make it to our wedding by dinner.
Honestly, I was really upset and disappointed that a topic with so much potential for complexity and a portrayal of navigating between what other "nice" people think is proper, and what you actually have to do to get people in power to listen to people with no power. Furthermore, it struck me as extremely odd that everyone in this book seemed to be white and English. This was a book only about helping white women in the most palatable way possible, and it was honestly, quite a let down.
Dear Mrs. Bird was my favorite book of the year when I read it at the end of 2019 because I felt like it did a really good job of dealing with the complexity of trying to "carry on" and build a life for oneself when coming of age in "difficult times." Yours Cheerfully, unfortunately, completely does away with this complexity. The line between the good guys and the bad guys is very clear, and the good guys never do anything questionable. They are simply nice white ladies trying to find childcare for their children so they can do their patriotic duty and work in the factory. They aren't even asking for equal wages. Who in their right mind could oppose to that?
Furthermore, one of the best things about Emmy Lake was the tension between who she was and the societal expectations for women in her time. That tension is gone in this book, and while she still has a little bit of a temper and a tendency to say what's on her mind, she never upsets any of the good guys in this book and she has for the most part figured out how to hold it in and conform to expectations. It's very disappointing because Emmy has fulfilled her dream of becoming a reporter who never upsets anyone worth worrying about, and I feel like that is a huge disservice to her as well as to the readers because how is that possible?
Everything wraps up nicely when we have our lovely "patriotic march," (not a protest- we have to be clear about that) in the morning and luckily that nice police officer tells the bad guy he has to listen to us and everything is very civil and wraps up in time for us to make it to our wedding by dinner.
Honestly, I was really upset and disappointed that a topic with so much potential for complexity and a portrayal of navigating between what other "nice" people think is proper, and what you actually have to do to get people in power to listen to people with no power. Furthermore, it struck me as extremely odd that everyone in this book seemed to be white and English. This was a book only about helping white women in the most palatable way possible, and it was honestly, quite a let down.
Heartwarming story of friendship, love and making the best of the situation, set in London during WWII.
When the magazine Emmeline works for is called on to help recruit women to work in factories to support the war effort, she meets a great group of women and learns the real challenges they face.
When the magazine Emmeline works for is called on to help recruit women to work in factories to support the war effort, she meets a great group of women and learns the real challenges they face.
This is the 2nd book in the series. Emmy is working for the magazine and is dating Charles.
After attending a meeting with other journalists, Emmy has an idea to feature stories about the women's work effort during the war. Her work exposes the hardships the women face with childcare as they work to support the war effort. Yet, the employers turn a blind eye to the plight of the women. Many of these women have husbands who were killed during the war, and must work to support their family. It covers the protests and the efforts made to expose this.
Additionally, the story focuses on Emmy's friendship with Bunty, and her relationship with Charles. It is funny at times. A different look at WWII and the way it affected society.
After attending a meeting with other journalists, Emmy has an idea to feature stories about the women's work effort during the war. Her work exposes the hardships the women face with childcare as they work to support the war effort. Yet, the employers turn a blind eye to the plight of the women. Many of these women have husbands who were killed during the war, and must work to support their family. It covers the protests and the efforts made to expose this.
Additionally, the story focuses on Emmy's friendship with Bunty, and her relationship with Charles. It is funny at times. A different look at WWII and the way it affected society.
A very pleasant and uplifting read. Part of a series about life in wartime London.