Yours Cheerfully: The Times Bestseller from the author of Dear Mrs Bird (The Emmy Lake Chronicles, 2)

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I really liked the writing style of this one and I’m excited that it seems like a series, can’t wait to read #3. There’s Still a War to Win! Mr. Collins announces he will be attending a meeting at the Ministry of Information and invites Emmy to join. The Ministry is calling upon British women's magazines to assist with what they call 'Doing Your Bit'. There is an urgent need to rally female workers to the war effort. Male factory workers need to be replaced with female workers so men can respond to the fight for freedom on the front lines of the war. I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.” Emmy and the children who enter her life, her friends and loved ones are what keep this story engaging, and Emmy’s desire to give more of her time to share the lives of those whose women who work is not only important, but crucial, as the jobs who previously were held by men who are now serving their country, can now show that they are capable of doing these jobs - if only the companies would provide child-care.

But when a glamorous new owner arrives, everything changes. As the Honourable Mrs Porter tries to charm her way around the rest of the team, Emmy realizes that she plans to destroy everything readers love about the magazine. You do need persistence to get published as it is quite tough to get an agent, but if you keep going, keep reading and writing, you give yourself the best chance Emmy takes her job to heart and embraces the challenge. She happens to meet a young woman with two small children who is trying to do a precarious balancing act of being a mother and working in a munitions factory. She needs the money because she is also a war widow. What a wonderful break this book was from all of the thrillers that I’ve been reading. This is a follow up to Dear Mrs. Bird, but honestly I liked this one a lot more. In London, 1941 brought a time of need to families as their husbands were at war. So many of the jobs men had filled were assigned to the women, so where does that leave the children?

Now enjoy Claire’s chat to A. J. Pearce about her writing and inspiration…

I listened to the audiobook of 'Dear Mrs. Bird and loved it! I was afraid I might be disappointed with 'Yours Cheerfully' because it's a physical ARC. Fear not! Emmy came across just as effervescently in this format as she did in the audiobook!

This reading group guide for Yours Cheerfully includes an introduction, discussion questions, and ideas for enhancing your book club. The suggested questions are intended to help your reading group find new and interesting angles and topics for your discussion. We hope that these ideas will enrich your conversation and increase your enjoyment of the book. It has been said a lot, but you have to really love what you are writing. It takes a long time to write a novel, so you really do have to be passionate about it. Don’t try to write a thriller if you don’t like that genre! That’s where patience comes in as well. You can’t write a good novel overnight and there will be highs and lows along the way – there are even for the most successful authors.As columnists, one of their jobs was to encourage women to work in the factories...the same factories that supply artillery to their husbands. With little empathy for their plight, doing the same job, less money, still man the house and take care of the kids making it ever so difficult to keep up. Once the jobs were filled the demand to appreciate them became centerfold. There are so many great characters in this story, some of the same characters from the first book, with new characters mingled in specific to this one. This author does a great job of including quirky, stoic, lovable and unlikable characters ensuring there is a happy mix of eclectic-ness! In an unreliable world, I’m glad we can depend on AJ Pearce to deliver a delectable read." — Annie Barrows, co-author of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Emmy takes on a position as a columnist for Yours Cheerfully in the Women's Friend Magazine. Her and the staff make such a delightful team and I laughed aloud at their escapades. A difficult time for all, but you will find humor in their efforts and circumstances. Am I also able to mention here that I think A J Pearce has done a great job of creating well rounded, engaging characters, full of humour, camaraderie and resilience.The build up to the wedding and the last minute mad rush to get everyone together on time left me laughing along with the wedding party. Somehow with everyone’s help, a wedding dress is made from parachute fabric, various small cakes and other food items appear along with a quite potent sounding “punch”. For at least these few hours everyone can think of happy things and find some relief from the constant presence of war, shortages and loss. Mrs. Edwards of Woman Today is a memorable figure and a role model for Emmy. Why does she make such an impression on Emmy? The characters in this one were full of life and determination, in spite of the war raging on. They were smart, resourceful and sometimes unconventional and I thoroughly enjoyed them.

Compare Mr. Terry and Mr. Rice. Are they equally at fault in the issues facing the women at Chandlers?A lot of the book centers around Emmy’s crusade to find help for these women. This includes a march in the square just before Christmas when there are lots of people about. The parade and speakers are amazing and I wanted to cheer for them. They get things done!! An absolute delight! I loved Dear Mrs. Bird and was thrilled to spend more time with Emmy and Bunty in Yours, Cheerfully. AJ Pearce shines a light on the hardships that women factory workers faced during World War II, an echo to the plight of working mothers today. Endearing, poignant, and relevant, this uplifting novel is a treat!" —Janet Skeslien Charles, author of The Paris Library