Twenty-two-year-old Emmy Lake, hopeful war correspondent, begins her new job at
Woman’s Friend is working under a bear of a woman, Mrs. Henrietta Bird. Mr. Collins writes stories for the magazine, he helps Emmy get adjusted to her position. Emmy types Mr. Collins's stories and helps with the advice column, Henrietta Helps, however, Mrs. Bird refuses to answer most of the letters because they are too personal. “Spines, Miss Lake, that’s what these women need.” But of course, Emmy’s empathetic heart can’t refuse the women writing in for Mrs. Bird’s help so she starts answering them on her own time.
Dear Anxious,
You should be very proud of yourself for doing your best when things are at their worst.
Emmy’s best friend and roommate, Bunty, helps her through a tough time when Emmy’s fiance
ended their engagement. Her folks are supportive as well, “Is your mother doing the Fatheads speech? Absolute dunderhead…look at the bright side at least we won’t have idiots for grandchildren,” her dad said with a wink. Fortunately, even though fatheads may abound so do those of the handsome, brave, caring sort…enter Charles, Mr. Collins’ ½ brother.
Emmy’s nights are spent volunteering at the fire station as a dispatcher. The bombings and fires made London in 1940 anything but safe. The camaraderie of Emmy and her friends during this terrible time in history draws readers into the fray living day by day in the shadow of bombings… surviving by grit and determination. When Bunty and Emmy’s friendship hits a stonewall Emmy embraces the challenge of what a real friend must do even when proverbial doors are slammed in faces… She shows up and she keeps on showing up even while trouble’s brewing at her day job as well.
Won’t you show up too? Please get a cup of tea and join Sheila and Kate, as they recap Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pearce, a novel first rate!