A lovely end to a charming series

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Dear Miss Lake is a fitting end to the 4-book Emmy Lake Chronicles by A.J. Pearce. We've experienced World War II with Emmy Lake Mayhew, from the early days of the Blitz, when Emmy joined the Woman's Friend magazine team writing advice, to the late days of the war. It's 1944 and Emmy and her Woman's Friend family know that the end of the war is getting close; even so, that doesn't mean life has gotten easier for any of them. They've lost friends and family, they have loved ones fighting, and they're trying to figure out what life in peace times will look like.

I have so appreciated this series for showing life on the home front in England and how it's highlighted the experience of women as they take up unexpected jobs and positions. Pearce manages to balance more global concerns with everyday life, showing wartime weddings and Christmas fairs. I've also really liked the glimpses at Emmy and co. having to balance writing the stories they want with publishing what the government wants them to say; there's a tension at trying to show that "Keep calm and carry on" attitude without seeming like the magazine workers have no sympathy for the hardships their readers are experiencing.

Pearce continues to have Emmy walk the fine line of being a naturally optimistic, driven person but not being irritating. She's chipper without being twee. And I have no doubt that I'll go back and reread The Emmy Lake Chronicles time after time; it manages to be a comfort read even as it tackles heavy subjects. Emmy is someone with whom you want to spend time.

The first three books in the series are Dear Mrs. Bird, Yours Cheerfully, and Mrs. Porter Calling, and all are very much worth a read; they provide insights into different aspects of the war, including life in London during the Blitz and what life was like for women factory workers. And because I work in publishing myself (though in a quite different sector!), I loved the scenes throughout the series about running the magazine.

Many thanks to Scribner and NetGalley for the advance copy in return for my honest review.