Yours Cheerfully: A Novel

Written by AJ Pearce

Narrated by Anna Popplewell

From the author of the “jaunty, heartbreaking winner” (People) and international bestseller Dear Mrs. Bird comes a charming and uplifting novel set in London during World War II about a plucky young journalist and her adventures as wartime advice columnist.

London, November 1941. Following the departure of the formidable Henrietta Bird from Woman’s Friend magazine, things are looking up for Emmeline Lake as she takes on the new challenges as a wartime advice columnist. Her relationship with boyfriend Charles is blossoming, while Emmy’s best friend Bunty, still reeling from the very worst of the Blitz, is bravely looking to the future. Together, the friends are determined to Make a Go of It.

When the Ministry of Information calls on Britain’s women’s magazines to help recruit female workers to the war effort, Emmy is thrilled to step up and help. But when she and Bunty meet a young mother who shows them the very real challenges that women war workers face, Emmy must confront a dilemma between doing her duty and standing by her friends.

As funny, heartwarming, and touching as Dear Mrs. Bird, Yours Cheerfully is an endearing portrait of female friendship and “a fruitful exploration of the solidarity among women in times of grief, love, and hardship” (Publishers Weekly).

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Aug 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797124155

AJ Pearce

AJ Pearce grew up in Hampshire, England. She studied at the University of Sussex and Northwestern University. A chance discovery of a 1939 women’s magazine became the inspiration for her series The Emmy Lake Chronicles, which includes Dear Mrs. Bird, Yours Cheerfully, and Mrs. Porter Calling. She lives in the south of England.

Reviews for Yours Cheerfully

[Kathryn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

While I did not love this quite as much as Dear Mrs. Bird I did enjoy it very much.
I thought Yours Cheerfully lacked the immediacy of the first book. The plight of women factory workers (and their children) was an important topic, and not one I had ever thought much about, but it wasn't happening to Emmy, it was happening to a group of women that she (and we the reader) had just met, which made it harder to care about them the same way we would with established characters. I was also sorry to see little to no page time given to Emmy's volunteer work with the Fire Service, which took up such a large part of the first book.
Still, wonderful to read more about Emmy and her friends and family.

[Carla Calvert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent sequel to Dear Mrs. Bird!

Don’t miss this series!

[Leslie Schoeb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A little jewel of a book. Well researched and well written. A great follow up to Dear Mrs Bird.

[Nicole Blanchard · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really was so glad to see that there was a second book! I love the characters! Sometimes I feel like I was born in the wrong era.
I was so glad to see Mrs Bird go. I was nervous about Emmy’s job but was so glad she was fought for! Such a beautiful story! Definitely recommend!

[Roxanna Lancaster · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this author and I can't stop listening. I love British stories about how they get by without their husbands.

[Melanie Sherrow · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book and the first one Mrs. Bird. I laughed, teared up and worried a bit. Look forward to the next book.