myjourneywithbooks's review
4.0
1940, England - When Emmeline Lake responds to an ad for a job at a newspaper company, she believes she is taking her first step to achieving her dream of becoming a Lady War Correspondent. To her dismay however, she discovers that she is to work as a typist for the formidable Mrs Bird, a brusque advice columnist who will not entertain questions with any Unpleasantness. Letters mentioning unhappiness, social anxiety, troubles with love and anything to do with martial, premarital or extramarital relations are promptly discarded in favour of letters from those who are worried about their ankles and have husbands who won't allow them to have a haircut. But before long, Emmy can no longer bear to leave these desperate women unanswered and decides to do something about it herself.
herreadingroom's review
4.0
This book was a delight from start to finish. It beautifully evokes the wartime spirit and bravery shown by so many in that time. I especially loved the clever use of Capital Letters throughout. Highly recommended
grace_hepworth's review
3.0
I would say I liked this book, but I didn’t love it.
I never felt overly invested in the characters or their lives which meant I wasn’t fully sucked in to the story.
I appreciated hearing from the point of view of someone in London during the Blitz and the idea that people carried on trying to live their lives as normally as possible seemed crazy to me! But then, what else do you do I suppose?
I found the end uplifting but it wasn’t enough to save the rest of the book for me, which is why I went for 3 stars. Definitely not a bad book, just not one I necessarily gelled with.
I never felt overly invested in the characters or their lives which meant I wasn’t fully sucked in to the story.
I appreciated hearing from the point of view of someone in London during the Blitz and the idea that people carried on trying to live their lives as normally as possible seemed crazy to me! But then, what else do you do I suppose?
I found the end uplifting but it wasn’t enough to save the rest of the book for me, which is why I went for 3 stars. Definitely not a bad book, just not one I necessarily gelled with.
totallytales's review
5.0
Emmy dreams of being a fearless Lady War Correspondent. To do her bit in the war effort she applies for a job with the Evening Chronicle unfortunately there was a terrible mix up and she has in fact accepted a job to type up letters and advice for a problem page. The agony Aunt Mrs Bird refuses to answer most of the letters sent in as they are full of unpleasantness; Emmy resolves to make the best of it and help these poor women herself after all there can't be any harm in responding can there?
I utterly adored this light-hearted historical novel. The characters are infectious in with their make the best of it spirit, they all funny, sweet but not without their flaws. The premise is unique and engaging. Full of humour but far from glossing over the grief, loss and horrors of WWII Pearce tackles them perfectly through the letters sent to Mrs Bird and the well intentioned advice sent back my Emmy. This hugely enjoyable book is the perfect tonic for these long winter nights, sure to give to that warm fuzzy feeling! I can't to read more of Emmy adventures.
I utterly adored this light-hearted historical novel. The characters are infectious in with their make the best of it spirit, they all funny, sweet but not without their flaws. The premise is unique and engaging. Full of humour but far from glossing over the grief, loss and horrors of WWII Pearce tackles them perfectly through the letters sent to Mrs Bird and the well intentioned advice sent back my Emmy. This hugely enjoyable book is the perfect tonic for these long winter nights, sure to give to that warm fuzzy feeling! I can't to read more of Emmy adventures.
katiecatbooks's review
4.0
Historical fiction. Advice column. WWII.
Story: In London, December 1940, Emmeline works as a secretary and volunteers with the war efforts. On her way home one night, she spots an ad in the newspaper for her dream job, a journalist. She has no experience, but lots of enthusiasm and the idea of being a Lady War Correspondent sounds adventurous. But the job turns out to be much different than she anticipates.
Language: This is a historical fiction that reads like a contemporary. The character of Emmy is so believable, and many topics in the book could be transposed into today. The book is told in first person, and Emmy's work and friends allow the reader to see and not see events and situations going on around her. That said, the reader is drawn right into the past with descriptions of landscapes, clothing, food and a plethora of time fitting slang and expressions. The pace is fast, with short chapters and many letters, and the book is a page turner for those who enjoy themes of friendship, women's lives during WWII and advice columns.
Characters: Emmaline (or Emmy) is a young woman in her early 20's. She is hard working and patriotic and has a fiance who is a soldier off in the war. Bunty is Emmy's best friend. Around the same age, they share a flat and adventures and are the best of friends, even if they don't always agree.
I couldn't resist a book about advice columns during WWII set in England, but I never expected to read through it so fast. Highly enjoyable. My only criticism is that while the book's ending was written well, I would have loved an extra chapter or two or even some resources where I could read real historic advice columns. Also, the endpapers are delightful.
Story: In London, December 1940, Emmeline works as a secretary and volunteers with the war efforts. On her way home one night, she spots an ad in the newspaper for her dream job, a journalist. She has no experience, but lots of enthusiasm and the idea of being a Lady War Correspondent sounds adventurous. But the job turns out to be much different than she anticipates.
Language: This is a historical fiction that reads like a contemporary. The character of Emmy is so believable, and many topics in the book could be transposed into today. The book is told in first person, and Emmy's work and friends allow the reader to see and not see events and situations going on around her. That said, the reader is drawn right into the past with descriptions of landscapes, clothing, food and a plethora of time fitting slang and expressions. The pace is fast, with short chapters and many letters, and the book is a page turner for those who enjoy themes of friendship, women's lives during WWII and advice columns.
Characters: Emmaline (or Emmy) is a young woman in her early 20's. She is hard working and patriotic and has a fiance who is a soldier off in the war. Bunty is Emmy's best friend. Around the same age, they share a flat and adventures and are the best of friends, even if they don't always agree.
I couldn't resist a book about advice columns during WWII set in England, but I never expected to read through it so fast. Highly enjoyable. My only criticism is that while the book's ending was written well, I would have loved an extra chapter or two or even some resources where I could read real historic advice columns. Also, the endpapers are delightful.
sophieettaylor's review
5.0
Apart from a very abrupt ending I looooved this book and I’m so glad I took the chance to read it! Certainly not my typical genre but 100% worth it, it sucked me in from the start and I couldn’t put it down.
brewtifulfiction's review
5.0
What a wonderful book.
Should have read it sooner.
Brilliantly narrated, I could hear the characters voices in my head the whole time I was reading.
Emmeline as the leading lady was an absolute delight. What a role model. Brave and determined, I certainly admired her gumption.
Set in London during the year of 1941, there were highs and lows (not just from the war) in this tale and the varying emotions were felt throughout.
The whole novel was written in a way that was highly believable and I thoroughly enjoyed the mix of humour and sarcasm combined with some sadder, more sombre moments.
Now looking forward to reading Yours Cheerfully.
Should have read it sooner.
Brilliantly narrated, I could hear the characters voices in my head the whole time I was reading.
Emmeline as the leading lady was an absolute delight. What a role model. Brave and determined, I certainly admired her gumption.
Set in London during the year of 1941, there were highs and lows (not just from the war) in this tale and the varying emotions were felt throughout.
The whole novel was written in a way that was highly believable and I thoroughly enjoyed the mix of humour and sarcasm combined with some sadder, more sombre moments.
Now looking forward to reading Yours Cheerfully.
annmarie_in_november's review
3.0
3.5 stars. A very twee, good-hearted novel. It doesn't reinvent the wheel - it's chock full of cliched, stock phrases and over-the-top absolutes, but it's a lovely story of lots of terribly upstanding people just trying to get through the Blitz with dignity.
Emmeline Lake is eager to do her bit and become a war correspondent at a newspaper. She ends up opening letters for failing magazine, 'Woman's Friend'. Its agony aunt column is trapped in the Edwardian era, with the terrifying editress Mrs. Bird refusing any letters that reference 'unpleasantness'. Emmie begins to reply to and print the letters of those women she feels are truly in need of guidance on all those difficult or uncomfortable topics Mrs. Bird won't countenance.
I felt a little too much of the story veered into Emmie's friendships and the war, with some particularly mawkish moments. This also took pressure off the magazine plot where the key tension of the story resided. Once the focus shifted, it was difficult to regain the momentum of Emmie's predicament - her keeping the fact that she's replying as agony aunt in Mrs. Bird's place a secret from all her colleagues and her ensuing crisis of conscience.
While it's all resolved in lovely fashion - nothing less would have suited such a sweet story as this - too much blame is piled on poor Emmie's shoulders. She continually took responsibility for things she had no hand in and spent the second half of the novel firmly feeling she had 'let herself down awfully'.
Emmeline Lake is eager to do her bit and become a war correspondent at a newspaper. She ends up opening letters for failing magazine, 'Woman's Friend'. Its agony aunt column is trapped in the Edwardian era, with the terrifying editress Mrs. Bird refusing any letters that reference 'unpleasantness'. Emmie begins to reply to and print the letters of those women she feels are truly in need of guidance on all those difficult or uncomfortable topics Mrs. Bird won't countenance.
I felt a little too much of the story veered into Emmie's friendships and the war, with some particularly mawkish moments. This also took pressure off the magazine plot where the key tension of the story resided. Once the focus shifted, it was difficult to regain the momentum of Emmie's predicament - her keeping the fact that she's replying as agony aunt in Mrs. Bird's place a secret from all her colleagues and her ensuing crisis of conscience.
While it's all resolved in lovely fashion - nothing less would have suited such a sweet story as this - too much blame is piled on poor Emmie's shoulders. She continually took responsibility for things she had no hand in and spent the second half of the novel firmly feeling she had 'let herself down awfully'.
ruthie_the_librarian's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this lighthearted, sweet story. Emmy is a very likeable character, and her friendship with Bunty is a perfect best friend friendship. I also really liked the various characters at the magazine where Emmy works, who were easy to imagine, even with just small sideline roles. The dark desperation of the London bomb raids was there, and yet they're written with a light touch. You see the horror, but it doesn't become such a depressing read that it's unbearable.
My only complaint was that I often felt like Emmy sounded too contemporary...although there are lots of bits of vocab from the period liberally sprinkled throughout they felt forced somehow. I'm probably being far too picky because I see lots of readers have already absolutely loved this. It was just a personal feeling, that something didn't quite sit right in the way the characters were talking. Perhaps there were just too many phrases that made it seem like the author was trying too hard to evoke the period? I'm not sure. It's a shame because otherwise I really did enjoy the story very much, and I was extremely anxious towards the end, worried for Emmy and the resolution of her story.
With thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
My only complaint was that I often felt like Emmy sounded too contemporary...although there are lots of bits of vocab from the period liberally sprinkled throughout they felt forced somehow. I'm probably being far too picky because I see lots of readers have already absolutely loved this. It was just a personal feeling, that something didn't quite sit right in the way the characters were talking. Perhaps there were just too many phrases that made it seem like the author was trying too hard to evoke the period? I'm not sure. It's a shame because otherwise I really did enjoy the story very much, and I was extremely anxious towards the end, worried for Emmy and the resolution of her story.
With thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.