58472089._SX318_Synopsis: “London, 1941. Emmeline Lake and her best friend Bunty are trying to stay cheerful despite the Luftwaffe making life thoroughly annoying for everyone. Emmy dreams of becoming a Lady War Correspondent and when she spots a job advertisement in the newspaper she seizes her chance – but after a rather unfortunate misunderstanding, she finds herself typing letters for the formidable Henrietta Bird, the renowned agony aunt of Woman’s Friend magazine. Mrs Bird is very clear: letters containing any form of Unpleasantness must go straight into the bin. But as Emmy reads the desperate pleas from women who may have Gone Too Far with the wrong man, or can’t bear to let their children be evacuated, she decides the only thing for it is to secretly write back . . .
Irresistibly funny and enormously moving, Dear Mrs Bird by AJ Pearce is a love letter to the enduring power of friendship, the kindness of strangers and the courage of ordinary people in extraordinary times. Exclusive to the audiobook, Dear Mrs Bird includes an Author’s Note read by A J Pearce.“

My Review

This was such a wonderful audiobook! I actually pre-ordered the hardback in 2018 and it’s been sitting patiently on my bookshelves for years. It was even on my 20 Books of Summer list a few times, but this year I was too embarrassed to add it just in case I ignored it again! :/

Of course I’m kicking myself for not reading it back then as it was so, so good!

Emmy was a wonderful character as was her best friend and flat mate Bunty! I loved their friendship and loved the glimpse I had into their wartime lives. As well as being uplifting it was also quite sad at times, and rather tense when the air raids were going on and Emmy was manning the telephones for the Pimlico fire station. I can’t imagine what life must have been like for those on the Home Front, or how many lives were lost and buildings destroyed during that time. How did people keep going? Thank goodness there were Agony Aunts to help those who didn’t have any one to turn to, but thank goodness they weren’t all like Henrietta Bird!!

Anna Popplewell’s narration was perfect, she really brought all the characters to life. I particularly liked her portrayal of Emmy, Bunty, Clarence the post boy, Lord Overton, and of course the formidable Mrs Bird!

If you enjoy uplifting books set during WW2, I highly recommend this on audio, and can’t wait to listen to the follow up, Yours Cheerfully!

Book 6/20

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