Description

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From the author of the bestselling “jaunty, heartbreaking winner” (People) Dear Mrs. Bird, a charming and irresistible novel featuring aspiring journalist Emmy Lake as she navigates life, love, and friendship in London during World War II—perfect for fans of The Paris Library and Lessons in Chemistry.

London, April 1943. Twenty-five-year-old Emmy Lake is doing her part for the war effort by spearheading the hugely popular “Yours Cheerfully” advice column in Woman’s Friend magazine. The postbags are full, Emmy’s guidance offers much needed support to her readers, and Woman’s Friend is thriving. Cheered on by her best friends Bunty and Thelma, and resolute in the absence of her husband who is fighting in the army, Emmy is dedicated to helping women face the increasing challenges brought about by over three years of war.

But Emmy’s world is turned upside down when glamorous socialite, the Honorable Cressida Porter, becomes the new publisher of the magazine, and wants to change everything about it. Aided by Mrs. Pye, a Paris-obsessed editor with delusions of grandeur, and Small Winston, the grumpiest dog in London, Mrs. Porter fills the pages with expensive fashions and frivolous articles about her friends. Worst of all, she announces that she is cutting the advice column. Her vision for the publication’s future is dreadful and Emmy is determined to fight back.

Emmy and her friends must save the magazine they love, but when personal tragedy strikes, they are forced to face the very real implications of life in war-torn London.

Set in 1943 but inherently resonant with how we live today, Pearce’s signature blend of laugh-out-loud funny and heartbreakingly sad storytelling delivers a tribute to the strength of friendships. An enriching story about women coming together, Pearce’s latest novel is the perfect tonic for our times.

About the Author

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AJ Pearce grew up in Hampshire, England. She studied at the University of Sussex and Northwestern University. A chance discovery of a 1939 women’s magazine became the inspiration for her series The Emmy Lake Chronicles, which includes Dear Mrs. Bird, Yours Cheerfully, and Mrs. Porter Calling. She lives in the south of England.

Praise For…

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“Immersive... Pearce enhances the [story] with lively characters, showing how they find joy in simple pleasures and humor in the face of loss.” —Publishers Weekly

“Delightful…with liberal amounts of pluck, compassion, and the day-to-day details of wartime life in London…For readers who love plucky heroines or World War II fiction – or who just need encouragement to keep going in tough times – Mrs. Porter Calling is just the thing.” —Shelf Awareness

“Clear a space on the shelf reserved for your favorite comfort books. Mrs. Porter Calling is the rare novel that manages to be deep as it is delightful. Funny, endearing, heartbreaking, and uplifting — it’s a thoroughly entrancing story about friendship, work, and finding the best in life, even during the worst of times.” —Nina de Gramont, author of The Christie Affair

“A ray of sunshine.” —Good Housekeeping

"Both endearing and amusing. While the realities of war are not ignored, the focus of this heartwarming story is on how these people meet their difficulties with optimism and determination and move forward knowing that they are not alone." —Booklist

“AJ Pearce has created a great boo-hiss villainess in Mrs Porter for her third Emmy Lake book . . . This is at heart a cosy, jolly diversion in the best Joyce Grenfell tradition.”  —The Times (UK)

“Heartbreaking yet feel-good and thoroughly enjoyable, we loved it.” —Woman's Weekly

“This book has everything: humour, heart, and, most important, the reminder that true friendship can help us move whatever mountains get in our way!” —FIRST For Women

“Heartbreaking yet feel-good, we loved it.” —Woman & Home

“A pleasure you’d be daft to deny yourself…Pearce has hit on a winning blend of irrepressible fizz and poignant period charm.” —Mail on Sunday

“Fans of AJ Pearce’s’ Emmy Lake Chronicles series will be enchanted by this third installment…Both hilarious and heart-wrenchingly sad, this charming book is an utter delight.” —Heat

“Utterly charming and uplifting.” —Jill Mansell

“A winning combination of warmth, humour and a compelling story of the power of friendship.” —Katie Fforde

“If ever there was a book to cheer a heart, it’s Mrs Porter Calling. Touching, beyond charming, meticulously researched and full of the best one-liners, it is playful, perky, poignant and perfect. I love, love, LOVED it.” —Milly Johnson

“If Nancy Mitford and Jilly Cooper had collaborated in 1943, I can imagine Mrs Porter Calling might be the result. Humorous and sharp, poignant and profound, it is a book that will stay in my heart and on my shelf, and I suspect will become a very battered comfort-read, to be returned to whenever my spirit needs a lift or I need a good old sob.” —Iona Grey

“I loved AJ Pearce’s previous novels in the series, Dear Mrs Bird and Yours Cheerfully but I have to say Mrs Porter Calling is absolutely glorious. So spectacularly joyful, uplifting and just the treat I needed. I found I couldn’t wait to get back to it once I’d started – I absolutely loved it.” —Tracy Rees

“I loved Mrs Porter Calling, it’s her best yet! In this gorgeous novel AJ Pearce takes us on an incredible journey full of gumption. I cried, I laughed and I finished it feeling full of hope. A beautiful story of love and friendship. Absolutely stirring stuff!” —Jo Thomas

“A book to sink into. With Emmy and Bunty by your side you know you are in safe hands. Smashing!” —Sally Page