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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A very nice addition to WWII historical fiction. This book follows Emmy Lake, who ends up working at a woman’s magazine in London during the war. I vacillated between 4 and 5 stars. I really enjoyed it while reading (so 5 stars), but as I write this a couple days later I find I am already having trouble remembering parts of the book (so 4 stars). I don’t feel particularly motivated to continue the series, but I would recommend it for an easy read, especially if you enjoy this genre.
emotional
funny
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:
No
"'Dear Mrs Bird,... I am rather ignorant about Married Life'. 'I'm pretty sure Married Life is a no.'...gasped Kathleen, glancing at the door as if Mrs Bird might be about to crash through in a terrible rage. 'Intimate won't do at all. Mrs Bird says she didn't have to answer that sort of thing in 1911 and she has no intention of doing so now.' "
A heart-warming and sometimes tear-jerking story of Emmy Lake's escapades in wartime London. With a dream of being a 'Lady War Correspondent' she accidentally ends up working for Mrs Bird, a brusque and unsympathetic agony aunt at Woman's Friend magazine. Horrified by Mrs Bird's list of 'Topics that will not be published or responded to' (including 'sexual, marital or extra-marital relations' anything 'political' and 'the war', which is what most people write in with!), Emmy decides to respond in Mrs Bird's name...
The descriptions of wartime Londoners' determination for life to go on despite the Luftwaffe's best efforts is entertaining but tinged with sadness. I found the characters' language, especially Mrs Bird's phrases and use of capital letters, particularly funny, with many laugh-out-loud moments. I also enjoyed Emmy and her best friend Bunty's close relationship.
A wonderful read!
A heart-warming and sometimes tear-jerking story of Emmy Lake's escapades in wartime London. With a dream of being a 'Lady War Correspondent' she accidentally ends up working for Mrs Bird, a brusque and unsympathetic agony aunt at Woman's Friend magazine. Horrified by Mrs Bird's list of 'Topics that will not be published or responded to' (including 'sexual, marital or extra-marital relations' anything 'political' and 'the war', which is what most people write in with!), Emmy decides to respond in Mrs Bird's name...
The descriptions of wartime Londoners' determination for life to go on despite the Luftwaffe's best efforts is entertaining but tinged with sadness. I found the characters' language, especially Mrs Bird's phrases and use of capital letters, particularly funny, with many laugh-out-loud moments. I also enjoyed Emmy and her best friend Bunty's close relationship.
A wonderful read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Grief
funny
hopeful
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:
Yes
A warm and frothy book I mistook it for initially, but how wrong was I? It’s got great pace and narrative but is a warm and endearing tale of love and friendship. The detailed accounts of London through those long bombed out nights are realistic, terrifying and feel utterly authentic. The book has heart and soul and while I will always wonder if the Blitz spirit ever existed, it is wonderful to bring a new angle to a well known story. The characters are real and their relationships do not lack in dimension and light and shade. I loved it. A brilliant read.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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:
Yes
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
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:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
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
I adored this novel - it will for sure be going on my favorite reads of the year. It’s funny and hopeful even in difficult times. I couldn’t put it down. AJ Pearce’s writing was so well-done!