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? The Ministry of Information calls on Britain’s women’s magazines to help recruit women workers to the war effort and Emmy is thrilled to be asked to step up. But when she and Bunty meet a young mother who shows them the very real challenges that women war workers face, Emmy is caught between fulfilling her professional duties and standing by her friends. 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. Meeting Anne gives Emmy a new perspective on women war workers, particularly factory workers. Why do you think Emmy was surprised by the experiences, challenges, and circumstances of the women working at Chandlers? I leapt on it when I saw the audio version as I’d listened to book 1 that way too so I was so happy when I saw the narrators name. She’s so good.

I also loved the characters. Not just Emmy, but Bunty, Charles, Mr. Collins and new friend Anne. These are people you’d want on your side. Following the departure of your previous formidable Editor, Henrietta Bird, from Woman’s Friend magazine, things are looking up for you now that Emmeline Lake has taken on the challenge of becoming a young wartime advice columnist. And we all know how hard that will be in 1941 England. However, I am certain that Miss Emmeline (Emmy) Lake is up to the task and will find a way of answering our letters that women will find supportive under the signature, ‘Yours Cheerfully’.

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

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. There are so many, particularly female authors. I am a huge fan of authors from the mid-twentieth century such as D E Stevenson, Angela Thirkell, Verily Anderson and Dodie Smith. More and more authors from that era are being republished now and it’s wonderful to get to discover them. I also admire many current authors, such as Katie Fforde, Jill Mansell, Jo Thomas and Milly Johnson.

Main Character: I admire Emmeline as the protagonist. I like a series that follows one character (as opposed to other series that rotate the protagonist of each story). We notice Emmeline’s growth as a competent and confident columnist, observe as she’s challenged by the unfairness of women’s work conditions, and cheer for her actions and involvement. Although Emmy has a fiance, the romance is not a main focus of the story. 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.” 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. Emmeline Lake is living with her best friend, Bunty, working as a journalist with a women’s newspaper, and volunteering with the fire service to contribute to the “war effort”. She relishes the brief moments she gets to spend with her solider boyfriend, Charles, as she knows that others around her are dealing with the immense loss of their loved ones. When Emmy gets offered the chance to write an honest portrayal about women and their war effort, she is ecstatic to be asked. However, she continues to face numerous obstacles when she realizes that the War Ministry has an agenda- and that all of her articles will be scrupulously reviewed. Up against the government itself, Emmy and her friends decide to take things into their own hands and make things better for women who are “doing their part” for their country.Although this is wartime London, and from the first book, Dear Mrs. Bird, we know the challenges and threats that all of England faces, both books have a lighthearted feel to them. I enjoy these stories and self deprecating characters that are able to support each other and find humor in the everyday strangeness of this wartime life they are living. No one is allowed to forget the loss of life and also the loss of health for those who do return from war. Wartime rationing means creativity is a part of each day and the generosity of others is often what gets people from one hour to the next. Everyone has lost someone and, for the most part, Emmy and her friends try to put a good face on each minute because that's the only way to keep going.