DEAR MISS LAKE
Emmy Lake Chronicles #4
By: AJ Pearce
Published: August 5, 2025
Publisher: Scribner
Historical Fiction
I happened upon the first book in this series mostly because of the cover. I loved it so much and breezed through the rest of the books as they became available. The series includes four books, DEAR MRS. BIRD, YOURS CHEERFULLY, MRS. PORTER CALLING, and ending with DEAR MISS LAKE. The series is set during World War II, from the beginning to the end, in England, and follows best friends Bunty and Emmy, as well as their families and friends.
“We might be helpless in terms of putting an end to this war, but as Miss Peter says, whatever time and effort it takes, I promise that we will do everything we possibly can to get our readers through to the end.”
Bunty and Emmy have now worked for several years at Women’s Friend, a magazine for women. Emmy answers the questions sent in by readers, many heartbreaking and dire stories, and women needing advice about handling the war, how to provide for their families with the meager rations, and how to find their POW husbands. Emmy has also found herself identifying with the women who are sending in the letters, due to her own circumstances.
“Our role at Women’s Friend was to encourage hope, not dwell on sadness and fear.”
Though we are near the end of the war, there is still a lot of uncertainty about Hitler; there are still bombs being dropped in various areas of the city, and many of their men are missing. Emmy finds ways to stay involved by joining up with various groups working to help the POWs by sending packages and numerous letters to the authorities. As with the other novels in the series, there are some tragic moments, but the crew stands by each other through difficult news and tries to be upbeat during the summer and other holidays.
“What a strange life it was when sending Red Cross-issued chocolate and a knitted vest in a cardboard box now counted as spoiling.”
I adored this whole series and was completely satisfied with the ending. I’ll miss being part of the lives of Emmy and Bunty and their co-workers-turned-family at Women’s Friend. I would say that this is one of those series that you really need to read all of them to appreciate where each character has grieved, struggled, and overcome. You’ll be just as excited as the characters when the war is over.
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Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.
Posted Under A.J. Pearce, Book Review, Emmy Lake Chronicles, WWII, historical fiction, series