We were first introduced to Emmy Lake in the book 'Dear Mrs Bird' where she had got a job working on the 'Women's Friend' magazine. Emmy had a longheld ambition to be a journalist and was eager to do her bit for the war effort so was initially dismayed to find that she was only engaged for secretarial work.

Time and opportunities have moved on and now Emmy is happily married, though with her husband fighting overseas. And she is overseeing the popular letters pages in the magazine, seeking to help women with their raft of troubles in these difficult times.

She's a spirited, joyful individual who takes her job and her friends very seriously and her positive, optimistic outlook is a delight to read. 

But Emmy is faced with new challenges when the owner of the magazine dies and leaves the publication to his niece, Mrs Porter. She has big ideas for the title and seems dismissive of the loyal readership and the dedicated staff. How will Emmy and her colleagues respond?

It's a lovely book. Emmy is a tonic and the can-do spirit and camaraderie is wonderful. I'm eagerly waiting for book four!