The women in the factories are paid less, expected to sort out childcare, run households and basically be available to work any shift over a 24-hour period. Emmy can see the strain this is having and her conscience plays with her. Can she really promote and encourage women to work in such an imbalanced environment? Can she, as a journalist, do more? Mr. Collins and Charles, though half-brothers, present two very different male experiences during World War II. What characteristics do they bring from their respective generations? How do they experience this war differently?

Following the departure of the formidable Editor, Henrietta Bird, from Woman’s Friend magazine, things are looking up for Emmeline Lake as she takes on the challenge of becoming a young wartime advice columnist. Her relationship with boyfriend Charles is blossoming, while Emmy’s best friend Bunty, is still reeling from the very worst of the Blitz, but bravely looking to the future. Together, the friends are determined to Make a Go of It. Emmy reflects that in the letters to Yours Cheerfully the readers often “referred to something a friend of theirs had said. They weren’t always complimentary, but invariably you knew that their friends were a central part of their world, especially with so many men now away” (220). How does the war affect women’s everyday lives? Why are friendships so vital? 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.London, September 1941. Things are looking up for Emmy Lake as she takes on the challenge of becoming a young wartime advice columnist. Her relationship with her boyfriend, Charles, is blossoming, while her best friend Bunty, still reeling from a terrible loss in the Blitz, is trying to move forward. Together, the friends are determined to Make a Go of It.

Jill Mansell, author of Promise Me [A] charming, comforting book, which never shies away from the horrors and the losses of the war. My Year in Nonfiction 2023 #NonficNov #NonfictionNovember #NonfictionBookParty #bookblogger #blogger October 31, 2023 AJ Pearce grew up in Hampshire and studied at the University of Sussex. A chance discovery of a 1939 woman’s magazine became the inspiration for her ever-growing collection and her first novelDear Mrs Bird. S 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

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? Read more about nurseries and the role they played in World War II in Britain via the East End Women’s Museum at https://eastendwomensmuseum.org/blog/2018/8/7/women-babies-and-bombs-how-day-nurseries-contributed-to-working-womens-lives-during-wwii. Even though Yours Cheerfully can be read as a stand-alone, I recommend reading Dear Mrs. Bird first for a richer reading experience. Dear Mrs Bird centers around the London Blitz and its affect on Londoners (bombings are a part of the story) and follows Emmy as she begins her journalism career, Yours Cheerfully focuses on the war effort from the perspective of women left behind and on Emmy’s activism. Yours Cheerfully is very much a “day in the life” type of story. 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. Mrs. Mahoney tells Emmy that “caring about getting things right is worth its weight in gold” (16). How do the staff members at Woman’s Friend express that they care about getting things right?

Brimming with charm, wit, and poignancy, Yours Cheerfully is a wartime story of women's strength and friendship that touches deeply and shines with heart. Emmy Lake is a character for the ages." —J ennifer Rosner, author of The Yellow Bird Sings Yours Cheerfully is a tonic—comforting and uplifting. So much fun and a breath of fresh air!" —Tor Udall, author of A Thousand Paper BirdsFollowing the departure of the formidable Editor, Henrietta Bird, fromWoman’s Friendmagazine, things are looking up for Emmeline Lake as she takes on the challenge of becoming a young wartime advice columnist. Her relationship with boyfriend Charles is blossoming, while Emmy’s best friend Bunty, is still reeling from the very worst of the Blitz, but bravely looking to the future. Together, the friends are determined to Make a Go of It. QandA with Louise Davidson author of #TheFortunesOfOliviaRichmond | @LouiseDWriter | @moonflowerbooks When Emmy attends the first meeting at the Ministry of Information, she can’t wait to get started on the campaign to encourage women war workers. Why does Emmy feel this call to arms so keenly? London, September, 1941. Following the departure of the formidable Editor, Mrs Henrietta Bird, things are looking up for Emmeline Lake at Woman's Friend magazine. And while the war rages on, Emmy is even firmer that she must do all she can to help on the Home Front. As ever, she is determined to Make a Go of It. When the Ministry of Information calls on Britain's women's magazines to help recruit female supporters to the war effort, Emmy is thrilled to be asked to help. Following the departure of the formidable Editor, Henrietta Bird, fromWoman’s Friend magazine, things are looking up for Emmeline Lake as she takes on the challenge of becoming a young wartime advice columnist. Her relationship with boyfriend Charles is blossoming, while Emmy’s best friend Bunty, is still reeling from the very worst of the Blitz, but bravely looking to the future. Together, the friends are determined to Make a Go of It.

A] charmer of a book. . . . This heartwarming novel moves through laughter and tears, romances and deaths. As she weaves historical events, slang, and popular culture into her story, Pearce brilliantly evokes the era." — Historical Novels SocietyWas Emmy right to suggest the parade to Anne and her friends at Chandlers? What might you try to do for the women if you were Emmy? Once again, AJ Pearce has provided us with a beautifully escapist read. Yours Cheerfully is a balm for the soul." —Tracy Rees, author of Amy Snow