AJ Pearce

This is book two about Emmeline Lake, a young woman who was introduced to readers in Pearce’s Dear Mrs Bird. Emmy has now taken over the advice column, but she has also been tapped to helped formulate a new plan to encourage women to take up the jobs in factories that the men have left to fight in World War II.

I was completely charmed by Emmy in the first book and really like to see her continued growth as a woman and journalist. As Emmy meets the women on the line in a munitions factory she also begins to identify the societal and industrial prejudices that women are suffering. They are penalized if they are late or skip a day due to childcare issues, but neither the government nor the factory owners seem able to even recognize the unique issues faced by this new workforce, much less to address them. Well, Emmy is bound and determined to open the eyes of her readers and of the country’s leaders, and to advocate for solutions. I loved that she had a boss who was so supportive and encouraging, who even pushed her a bit to spread her wings.

Like many other readers, I’m getting tired of the barrage of WW2 books, but still really enjoy novels like these that deal with the effects of the war on those “back at home.”… (mere)

After an excellent start to the series, in this second episode Pearce takes a serious subject and places it in a romantic story. Emma Lake is advice columnist for a woman’s magazine and is writing articles in support of women recruited to help with the war effort. Working conditions for women in munitions factories in wartime clashed - some might say contrasted - with the rest of the story. I’m still not quite sure if it worked or not. Pearce, however, deserves kudos for accurately describing the state of life for many women in the 1940s, facts made more shocking when compared with 21st century standards.… (mere)

This story was inspired by letters and newspapers from London during WWII.
Emmeline Lake works hard to become a respected reporter working for Woman's Friend publication. It takes awhile for Emmy to warm up to Henrietta Bird who is the publisher of Woman's Friend. She is disappointed when she is assigned the advice column since she wanted more serious articles. It wasn't easy but Emmy pushed the boundaries of the "proper" responses and articles that had been enforced by Mrs. Bird for years. With publication sales dropping and women starting to enter the work force to help the war effort, the news should reflect the needs of the women during the war. Emmy had to convince Mrs. Bird that some changes to the column is vital to helping women endure the war while their husbands are away.

There is a wonderful cast of well-developed characters who each touch your heart. Emmy's best friend Bunty is engaged to marry William who joined the Auxiliary Fire Department before being sent to war with her brother Jack. Emmy also works part time as a telephone operator at the Auxiliary Fire department as well. This is a story of grief, loss, reconciliation, friendship, resilience and uplifting.… (mere)

This continues the story of Emmy Lake who has worked hard for to prove herself a worthy reporter at Woman's Friend publication. When Henrietta Bird stepped down as editor of the Woman's Friend, Mr. Guy Collins became the new editor. Over time, Mr. Collins allowed Emmy the responsibilities and assignments she desired after accompanying him to the Ministry of Information HQ at Senate. A confidential meeting comprised of many of the prominent journalists trusted with dispersing information to assist the war effort. Emmy becomes empowered with this new opportunity to prove herself as a true journalist. The relationships and marriages form during the war along with tragedy and hardship. These events bring people together to support each other and form their own "family".

In this installment, it is 1943 in London and it's Emmy Lake's 25th birthday. Newly married to Captain Charles Mayhew, she works 2 jobs while he is serving in the war along with most other men. The story continues with its same witty, lively characters which really drive the stories which are an encouraging look at life during WWII. Of course, just as the group at Woman's Friend are relieved to have recovered from some setbacks they have currently increased revenue with their increased sales with the new format which readers have come to depend.

This is all upended when Mrs Porter inherits Woman's Friend from her uncle Lord Overton who owned the magazine for 48 years. It was assumed that it would be passed down to his son along with The Evening Chronicle and rest of the Launceston Press empire. Since the magazine was currently doing well no one expected many changes with the new ownership. Everyone is appalled when the new owner, Mrs. Porter, wants nothing more than to make dramatic changes creating havoc amongst the employees and the readers. She is an uppity, know-it-all who looks down on everyone and eventually decides to sell the magazine without concern about the livelihood of the staff. For the dedicated workers, Woman's Friend has become an integral piece for people to contribute to the war effort. They provided useful information for the everyday person about getting through the difficulties faced by the war. They were especially proud of their ability to help mostly women in need who had no where else to turn for assistance.

With help from Monica Edwards, an old friend of Guy Collins and successful publisher of Woman Today publication, they try to problem solve a way to save the magazine from failure. They know how to run a successful magazine but they lack the funding to purchase the publication themselves. Not to fear, this group of dedicated, loyal folks are determined to make lemonade out of lemons. Again, this is a story which has many likeable characters with budding relationships and connections. I hope that this is not the last we hear about them.

https://bookwormreviewblog.blogspot.com/2024/03/mrs-porter-calling-by-aj-pearce....… (mere)