Emmeline Lake has always dreamed of being a war correspondent. She's a young woman making a go of surviving in London during WWII. She lives with her best friend and does her part for the country as much as possible. She volunteers for the fire brigade at night answering phones. But when she sees an advertisement for a typist/assistant at the newspaper she jumps at the chance. This could be her chance to really make a difference! However, when she shows up for the job, she finds out that she isn't working for the main newspaper. She's working for Woman's Friend owned by the same company, but focused entirely on knitting patterns, recipes, fictional stories, and an advice column called Henrietta Helps. Emmy is stuck working for Mrs. Bird, the editress of the magazine and author of Henrietta Helps. But Mrs. Bird is a relic herself and has very, very decided opinions about what shall be permitted in the advice column. Emmy's heart goes out to these women who are desperate enough for advice on relationships and such that they'll write in to a complete stranger. But what can she do? Meanwhile, she's juggling everyday life in the war and her own relationship issues.
I absolutely adored Emmy's voice in this. She is perky and has such a way with words. She made the majority of this book a hoot to read. And definitely makes WWII everyday life come to life for the modern reader. Things do get a little more serious eventually, but even then, Emmy is still great to hang out with. There aren't a whole lot of books that focus on everyday life for an average young woman in London during WWII. They either focus on her love life, she becomes a spy, she goes overseas, or she's a background character for someone else who has a much more exciting role in the war. This one touches on Emmy's love life, but that isn't the focus. Her friends get more page time than any love interest. Her job probably gets an equal amount of page time to her friends. Her family gets a decent amount of page time too. So it feels like normal life. Friends, work, volunteering, family, and personal life. All during the midst of WWII. Highly recommended to anyone who is looking for a great WWII read with a likable main character who is fun to follow around.
Notes on content: About 4 minor swear words (American). There are a handful of more serious British swear words which likely won't even register with American readers. No sexual content beyond a little kiss. Some of the letters that Emmy reads are related to whether or not to go farther with a man, but it is stated in terms like that. True to the time period, too, Emmy advocates abstinence till after marriage, though she is also very compassionate to those who have gotten themselves in sticky situations. War deaths and injuries are mentioned. There is a rather detailed account of carnage after a bomb hits and Emmy witnesses it immediately after. True to the time period, characters drink and smoke, Emmy personally doesn't smoke and doesn't drink much regularly.
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Find out what you’re good at, Miss Lake, and then get even better.Highlighted by 202 Kindle readers- Mother always said it wasn’t just about keeping going, but about standing up for what you believed in as well.Highlighted by 183 Kindle readers
- “In terms of children, four is ample. More than that and one veers into the working classes or Catholicism.”Highlighted by 113 Kindle readers
From the Publisher
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| Mrs. Porter Calling | Yours Cheerfully | |
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| Don't miss these novels from AJ Pearce | An irresistible novel featuring journalist Emmy Lake as she fights for her readers, her friends and her found family in London during World War II | "The best possible antidote for the blahs, the doldrums, all slumps, but also effective against letdowns and general malaise. Loved. Every. Word." —Bonnie Garmus, author of Lessons in Chemistry |
Reviews with images
I really enjoyed this book.
Emmy finds herself in a job she didn’t apply for, working under a stodgy older woman who wants to only help those she deems worthy. Emmy doesn’t quite understand why and finds herself in a predicament that could end up costing her that job._I found Dear Mrs. Bird to be quirky, charming and humorous; yet it had a little bit of the realness that accompanied the happenings during the war. So, a little bit like real life. It was a somewhat lighthearted take on wartime, without dismissing some of the hardships that occurred._Dear Mrs. Bird gives us a look at what it was like to be a woman during the war; a woman who wants to help any way she can but is held back because of her gender.By the end, I found myself cheering on Emmy and her friends in their war efforts and hoping it would be a happily ever after.
Top reviews from other countries
Miss Marple
Excelente novela del Londres durante el Blitz
Reviewed in Mexico on September 19, 2021Sue S
Thoroughly lovely tale with warm and happy fuzziness
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2024Antonia Grote
Ein schönes Buch aus schwierigen Zeiten
Reviewed in Germany on July 28, 2021