Yours cheerfully A novel

In this sequel to Dear Mrs. Bird (2018), readers rejoin Emmeline Lake, the plucky young woman determined to make a difference as a WWII journalist, back at the offices of the ladies' magazine Woman's Friend. Now officially hired, Emmy continues to respond to readers' questions without having to hide her answers from the magazine's prudish and proper editor, Henrietta Bird. Emmy and her best friend, Bunty, strive to keep their optimism while war continues to devastate London. On a train ride to the country, they meet young widowed mother Anne, traveling to her new job at a munitions plant. Emmy and Anne become friends, and, after visiting the factory, Emmy discovers the challenges women endure working to support the war effort and their own families. In true Emmy fashion, she rallies everyone to help the cause, making friends and a few enemies along the way. Pearce captures the spirit and hopefulness of those left at home during war, and readers will delight in this second chance to ride along with Emmy.

In the enjoyable second installment to The Emmy Lake Chronicles (following Dear Mrs. Bird), journalist Emmy and her "hundred-mile-a-minute mind" tackle trouble on the English home front during WWII. While Emmy juggles her new position an advice column, volunteer shifts with the Fire Watch, and her fiancé's paltry leave from his new station outside of London, she lands a recurring magazine feature on women working for the war effort. But as she starts peeling back the chipper veneer of the government's gung-ho recruitment messaging, Emmy realizes her fellow gals are facing difficult working conditions at the new factories supporting the war effort in ways the public doesn't realize. Of course, the stern disapproval of factory directors and under-secretaries isn't enough to keep Emmy from giving it her best, even if taking a stand puts her professional reputation, her friends, and even her wedding day at risk. Pearce packs in lighthearted banter and depictions of the good-spirited citizens of London working together to survive the war, returning readers to the delightful milieu of the previous book. With big stakes and formidable opponents, this exciting saga is a fruitful exploration of the solidarity among women in times of grief, love, and hardship. (Aug.)

Aspiring wartime advice columnist Emmeline Lake returns in Pearce's follow-up to Dear Mrs. Bird. In 1941 London, Emmy adjusts to life after the departure of Henrietta Bird from Woman's Friend magazine. When the Ministry of Information calls for help to attract more women factory workers, Emmy is thrust into championing their work in the magazine while discovering the harsh obstacles they face as wartime workers, wives, and mothers. Supported by her spunky best friend Bunty (recovering from physical and emotional wounds sustained in the Blitz), and boyfriend Charles (now stationed back in the UK), Emmy fearlessly pursues the bigger story--the need for government-sponsored nurseries--no matter the consequences. Pearce weds plucky prose and dialogue to an authentic moment in history with humor and heart, effectively underscoring the main theme of the novel: the power of female friendship to weather any storm. VERDICT Fans of the first novel in the series will appreciate the crisp narrative that deftly deals with vexing topics women face in wartime; they'll also enjoy meeting several charming new characters who are bound to return. Yours Cheerfully lives up to its name, with a welcome dose of British "Carry on" spirit on every page.--Peggy Kurkowski, EDUCAUSE, Westminster, CO