Book Review ~ Dear Mrs. Bird by AJ Pearce

Dear Mrs. Bird—what a fantastic story AJ Pearce tells! WWII is always such a fascinating, inspiring, and heartbreaking time in history, and the author manages to capture all three of those feelings. And can I just say how wonderful it was to read a book dealing with sensitive issues in such a tasteful and old-fashioned way? 

Emmy Lake is likable—and she needs to be for how the story goes. She's enthusiastic, sympathetic, hardworking, kind. Even when she takes over and starts secretly writing replies using Mrs. Bird's name, it's not for any purpose other than to try to help the magazine readers. No money, fame, or pride are involved. Her views are sympathetic, sensible, and morally sound. But it's also not viewed that it's a good thing that she's using Mrs. Bird's name.

I cried a few times during my read—the first time was 10 minutes before I had a meeting (luckily we weren't on camera). AJ Pearce knows how to write heartbreaking things in simple terms, making it feel all the more relatable.

I can't write a review without mentioning the incredible supporting cast. What fun characters! Bunty, Kathleen, Roy, the girls from the fire station, William, Charles...I love them all! But special attention goes to the editor Mr. Collins, who I found the most intriguing.

WWII lives of people who remained in London was depicted in such an excellent way. The pluckiness and fear was such an intriguing mix. I loved the vintage feeling of everything. And I also really enjoyed the parts with the girls answering calls at the fire station, as I'd never heard about people calling in bombings and firemen going to take care of it. 

As much as I love this book, I do have a few caveats/warnings I need to mention. There is a fair bit of language (some of it is British words, and I'm not sure if it's mild or worse). Additionally, there's unfortunately some misuses of God's name. Most of them are concentrated in two parts, one towards the beginning and one towards the end, and the rest are only sprinkled a little throughout the majority of the book. Additionally, a few of the topics in the letters—while handled very tamely—might make some readers uncomfortable.

All in all, I loved this book. It reminded me once again how firmly my reading mind is planted in historical, especially WWII. 

I can very easily give this book 5/5 🌟