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Make Do and Mend
The Second World War. It’s not all fighting and glory; there are battles on the Home Front, too, and some are not exactly heroic. That’s what injured naval officer Harry discovers when he befriends conscientious objector Jim � a friendship frowned upon in their small Welsh valley even before they begin to fall in love. But they both have secrets to conceal, and it takes a bizarre sequence of events before the full truth can be uncovered.
A novel about healing, compromise, making the best of it and just plain managing to survive.
A novel about healing, compromise, making the best of it and just plain managing to survive.
353 pages, ebook
First published November 1, 2012
2 people are currently reading
260 people want to read
About the author
Adam Fitzroy
12Ìýbooks20ÌýfollowersImaginist and purveyor of tall tales Adam Fitzroy is a UK resident who has been successfully spinning male-male romances either part-time or full-time since the 1980s, and has a particular interest in examining the conflicting demands of love and duty.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 15, 2017
5 Stars
Some stories blast and bombast their way into a reader’s heart and mind with bravado and bluster. Others, like Adam Fitzroy’s “Make Do and Mend,� wind and weave their way softly and gently into the heart and soul of the reader.
I loved this story. It is my first by Fitzroy, but I have already added more of this author’s works to my library. Fitzroy writes with a gentle, mellow and thoughtful tone that lulls a reader into a contemplative and reflective journey.
The majority of the story takes place in a small village in Wales. The year is 1941, and as Royal Navy Commander Harry Lyon travels home to Wales on convalescent leave, World War II looms large and ominous in the foreground. Bombing raids are common events, and rations and lack of provisions have taken their toll on the populace.
Harry returns home to a once stately fortified manor house that has fallen into disrepair and ruin. Harry’s brother Jack, who was just 16 when Harry left home, and is now 26, has been running the family farm and tending the livestock in Harry’s absence. Part of the beauty of the story involves Harry and Jack reconnecting and supporting each other through many hardships, struggles, and the occasional joy.
Other than the bombing raids, the story does not focus on the horrors of war; instead it examines the trials and tribulations of life on the home front during wartime.
On his brother's farm, Harry meets all-purpose farmhand Jim, a conscientious objector. Jim has suffered for his beliefs, and lives a life of solitude and hard labor. Harry strives to protect Jim from the prejudices of the town, and over time begins to win Jim’s friendship, trust, and deep affection. The romance between them builds slowly and gently.
Over the course of a bleak and harsh winter, a multitude of characters from the village are by turns charming and bedeviling. I loved the pluck and fortitude of Kitty (and her beloved horse Spook), the compassionate and loving vicar, and Jack, the gruff, yet supportive, brother.
At over 300 pages, this is not a quick read. But it does not deserve to be read quickly. It is a tale to be savored, appreciated, and treasured. My review does not do the story justice, but I hope that my love for the story is evident.
Highly recommend.
Postscript: 3/15/17
Adam Fitzroy wrote an interesting piece on the writing process behind this story. His article is titled "How I made do and mended" and can be found here:
Some stories blast and bombast their way into a reader’s heart and mind with bravado and bluster. Others, like Adam Fitzroy’s “Make Do and Mend,� wind and weave their way softly and gently into the heart and soul of the reader.
I loved this story. It is my first by Fitzroy, but I have already added more of this author’s works to my library. Fitzroy writes with a gentle, mellow and thoughtful tone that lulls a reader into a contemplative and reflective journey.
The majority of the story takes place in a small village in Wales. The year is 1941, and as Royal Navy Commander Harry Lyon travels home to Wales on convalescent leave, World War II looms large and ominous in the foreground. Bombing raids are common events, and rations and lack of provisions have taken their toll on the populace.
Harry returns home to a once stately fortified manor house that has fallen into disrepair and ruin. Harry’s brother Jack, who was just 16 when Harry left home, and is now 26, has been running the family farm and tending the livestock in Harry’s absence. Part of the beauty of the story involves Harry and Jack reconnecting and supporting each other through many hardships, struggles, and the occasional joy.
Other than the bombing raids, the story does not focus on the horrors of war; instead it examines the trials and tribulations of life on the home front during wartime.
On his brother's farm, Harry meets all-purpose farmhand Jim, a conscientious objector. Jim has suffered for his beliefs, and lives a life of solitude and hard labor. Harry strives to protect Jim from the prejudices of the town, and over time begins to win Jim’s friendship, trust, and deep affection. The romance between them builds slowly and gently.
Over the course of a bleak and harsh winter, a multitude of characters from the village are by turns charming and bedeviling. I loved the pluck and fortitude of Kitty (and her beloved horse Spook), the compassionate and loving vicar, and Jack, the gruff, yet supportive, brother.
At over 300 pages, this is not a quick read. But it does not deserve to be read quickly. It is a tale to be savored, appreciated, and treasured. My review does not do the story justice, but I hope that my love for the story is evident.
Highly recommend.
Postscript: 3/15/17
Adam Fitzroy wrote an interesting piece on the writing process behind this story. His article is titled "How I made do and mended" and can be found here:
March 30, 2023
What a marvelous book !! Although this might not be everybody’s cup of tea because even though there is a quite charming and gentle romance the book is more like a chronicle , a specific moment in the life of a handful of British ppl during WWII and it was such a pleasure to read it. It’s actually very similar to James Anson’s The Larton Chronicles (minus the war) as in two British country folks fall in love quietly and gently and naturally , in a very no-nonsense, no-drama British way.
It’s the year 1942 . Harry (29) comes home from the war (after many years of absence), seriously injured while serving on a submarine . His father (a baronet) just died so Harry inherited the title (as he’s the eldest of the 4 sons) and a run down estate and farm. He founds his brother Jack working the farm with the help of a handful of ppl, among them our second MC, Jim (42) who is much more than he seems at first sight (we only have Harry’s POV so we get to discover Jim bit by bit as the story unfolds. I loved Harry so much ..He’s kind and gentle and so honest and pure (he’s also gay) And Jim , so shy and so innocent gah, I loved him too (Jim had a hard time with the ppl in the village because he is a pacifist and he refused to fight in the war . )
And so we read about Harry and Jim, Jack and Kitty (amazing side characters) and snotty Thomas (the other brother) and about the horrors of the war and how hard it was for the ppl in the village and everything is so British and the writing is so beautiful..
I wish I could give it 5 stars but I can’t…The romance was way too subtle, Jim’s POV was needed because by the end of the book I still didn’t know him very well. And I needed more of them . Also there is no sex scenes and this is the kind of book where the sex scenes would have helped, where I needed to see more intimacy between them. Everything is too polite and ..prudish lol.
Still, I enjoyed this book immensely and not only for the romance but also because every character was interesting and every event in the book was realistically painted . Excellent book!
It’s the year 1942 . Harry (29) comes home from the war (after many years of absence), seriously injured while serving on a submarine . His father (a baronet) just died so Harry inherited the title (as he’s the eldest of the 4 sons) and a run down estate and farm. He founds his brother Jack working the farm with the help of a handful of ppl, among them our second MC, Jim (42) who is much more than he seems at first sight (we only have Harry’s POV so we get to discover Jim bit by bit as the story unfolds. I loved Harry so much ..He’s kind and gentle and so honest and pure (he’s also gay) And Jim , so shy and so innocent gah, I loved him too (Jim had a hard time with the ppl in the village because he is a pacifist and he refused to fight in the war . )
And so we read about Harry and Jim, Jack and Kitty (amazing side characters) and snotty Thomas (the other brother) and about the horrors of the war and how hard it was for the ppl in the village and everything is so British and the writing is so beautiful..
I wish I could give it 5 stars but I can’t…The romance was way too subtle, Jim’s POV was needed because by the end of the book I still didn’t know him very well. And I needed more of them . Also there is no sex scenes and this is the kind of book where the sex scenes would have helped, where I needed to see more intimacy between them. Everything is too polite and ..prudish lol.
Still, I enjoyed this book immensely and not only for the romance but also because every character was interesting and every event in the book was realistically painted . Excellent book!
September 27, 2013
The year is 1940/41, and we're in rural Wales, at least for the most part. Harry Lyons, naval officer, comes home on medical leave after the wreck of the submarine he commanded. On his brother's farm, Harry meets all-purpose-farmhand Jim, a conscientious objector. Even though Jim isn't above any task, and a good hand at many things, he seems oddly out of place in the Welsh countryside, and Harry's curiosity arises. Over the course of a bitter winter of hard work, frugality, small bliss and strokes of faith taken with equanimity, Jim and Harry form a fast friendship that slowly, oh-so-slowly turns into affection and then more, much more.
Almost from the first word onward, I fell in love with this book. It's a portrait of the unsung, quiet, everyday heroism of the "home front", well-tempered with a healthy dose of bone-dry humor and laced with a slow romance that I can only call lovely. A gentle tale of harsh times. Oh, it's not as if anything were glossed over--not the living conditions, nor the pettiness and prejudices of those times. This story portrays unmasked humanity in many shapes and colors, good and bad and --pardon the bad pun--ugly. However, unbroken optimism in the face of adversity permeates the pages. Air-raid protection sirens may howl, and the world may be at war, but people still laugh and have fun, make friends and fall in love. Add to that the affectionate, if slightly detached narrative and a cast of wonderful characters, and this book shrouded me in warmth like my favorite thick woolen cardigan. I sank into it and reemerged only reluctantly, but with a contented sigh. Highly recommended.
Almost from the first word onward, I fell in love with this book. It's a portrait of the unsung, quiet, everyday heroism of the "home front", well-tempered with a healthy dose of bone-dry humor and laced with a slow romance that I can only call lovely. A gentle tale of harsh times. Oh, it's not as if anything were glossed over--not the living conditions, nor the pettiness and prejudices of those times. This story portrays unmasked humanity in many shapes and colors, good and bad and --pardon the bad pun--ugly. However, unbroken optimism in the face of adversity permeates the pages. Air-raid protection sirens may howl, and the world may be at war, but people still laugh and have fun, make friends and fall in love. Add to that the affectionate, if slightly detached narrative and a cast of wonderful characters, and this book shrouded me in warmth like my favorite thick woolen cardigan. I sank into it and reemerged only reluctantly, but with a contented sigh. Highly recommended.
November 7, 2014
Harry is a former submarine commander, seriously wounded in an accident and sent home on convalescent leave. Jim has a "gentle heart" and couldn't bear the thought of killing a lamb for food, let alone to kill a man in war. I loved this story, from the fragile beginnings of friendship between the two through to the satisfying end.
It takes Harry a while to break through Jim's reserve, as he initially hopes for Jim's friendship. I enjoyed the conversations between them, as they formed a closer relationship. The later love scenes are understated and circumspect, befitting the atmostphere of the book, but this IS a romance so there are several lovely scenes. And even though the men demonstrate their British stiff upper lips throughout, it didn't keep them from talking about their feelings for each other.
The secondary characters were wonderful, too. Harry's brother Jack is a sweetheart, so hard-working and accepting that this must be his lot in life because it is his duty. Kitty, who ran the household, epitomizes the practical working woman, but also has a romantic side that peeks through. The various villagers, like the Welsh landscape, provide a backdrop for the developing relationship between the two men.
The book is also about a people living at war, stolidly going on day by day, dealing with what they must and getting on with life. I really got a feel for the wartime rationing and privations, with hardworking citizens who would "make do and mend" whatever they had to keep going in hard times.
In several of the novels I've read lately, I've found myself skimming and waiting for the author to "get to the good stuff." In my case, the good stuff is not the sex scenes but mostly the thoughts and feelings of the characters. Even though this novel seems to move slowly on the surface, I don't believe I skimmed a single word of it, because I felt it was all so real, so moving, and so well-written that I didn't want to miss a word.
It takes Harry a while to break through Jim's reserve, as he initially hopes for Jim's friendship. I enjoyed the conversations between them, as they formed a closer relationship. The later love scenes are understated and circumspect, befitting the atmostphere of the book, but this IS a romance so there are several lovely scenes. And even though the men demonstrate their British stiff upper lips throughout, it didn't keep them from talking about their feelings for each other.
The secondary characters were wonderful, too. Harry's brother Jack is a sweetheart, so hard-working and accepting that this must be his lot in life because it is his duty. Kitty, who ran the household, epitomizes the practical working woman, but also has a romantic side that peeks through. The various villagers, like the Welsh landscape, provide a backdrop for the developing relationship between the two men.
The book is also about a people living at war, stolidly going on day by day, dealing with what they must and getting on with life. I really got a feel for the wartime rationing and privations, with hardworking citizens who would "make do and mend" whatever they had to keep going in hard times.
In several of the novels I've read lately, I've found myself skimming and waiting for the author to "get to the good stuff." In my case, the good stuff is not the sex scenes but mostly the thoughts and feelings of the characters. Even though this novel seems to move slowly on the surface, I don't believe I skimmed a single word of it, because I felt it was all so real, so moving, and so well-written that I didn't want to miss a word.
August 11, 2016
An excellent book that effortlessly evokes Wales in wartime, featuring a truly lovely romance between two very different and very likeable men. Every moment is vividly realised and pitch-perfectly written. Nicely done, Adam!
February 21, 2013
One of the reasons why I love the books by this writer so much (and almost every book published by Manifold Press) is because they seem to care about the story. When this writer tells the story about two men in love, you know that you are going to get so much more than the characters having sex most of the time on page. You are getting the characters who are firmly situated in their settings, who grew to be the people they are because of the world and people that surrounded them.
When I was reading this story I caught myself more than once being so happy when the writer devoted so much care to atmosphere of the village in Britain during the beginning of Second World War, when so much attention was paid to quite a few lovely secondary characters. Jim and Harry had enough page space to interact, to become friends first and lovers next, but IMO the story, especially a novel should always pay attention to more than two characters, even if romance is at the front and center of the storyline. Sadly, it does not always happen and this writer is one of my go to authors, when I want a meaty story.
The pacing is quite slow, beware of that, but I thought it was a very comfortable not a boring "slow" if that makes sense.
When I was reading this story I caught myself more than once being so happy when the writer devoted so much care to atmosphere of the village in Britain during the beginning of Second World War, when so much attention was paid to quite a few lovely secondary characters. Jim and Harry had enough page space to interact, to become friends first and lovers next, but IMO the story, especially a novel should always pay attention to more than two characters, even if romance is at the front and center of the storyline. Sadly, it does not always happen and this writer is one of my go to authors, when I want a meaty story.
The pacing is quite slow, beware of that, but I thought it was a very comfortable not a boring "slow" if that makes sense.
February 10, 2013
Reviewed By BlackTulip for
By choice, I'm not used to reading historical novels placed in wartime, and the early 1900s are generally as far as I go forward in time, my preference being long past. The reason I picked this book is because it tackles a very sensitive, challenging and a rarely enough addressed subject: conscientious objection. It can only raise interesting conflicts ... and personally the more, the better!
I always thought that these men were very brave; they had to have a lot of strength, resolve and courage to stand by their convictions and to be able to face the scorn, prejudice and misunderstanding from a whole population and often even rejection from their own family. But I also do understand the other side, people who lost their brother, husband or father while fighting for their country. A controversial issue to say the least, but hooo so very interesting! And I have to say that it's treated with finesse and that it mirrors perfectly human nature in all its badness but also its goodness...
Mr. Fitzroy offers us here a very thoughtful and imaginative character study of how two very different men, with their own personal baggage, react to the difficulties of simply living during uncertain and dangerous days coupled with their secret and their guilt, doubts and hope.
This novel has a gentle pacing with a real sense of character, a feel of authenticity and a very natural plot development. The strength of the story is that it focuses not only on a group of individuals but that it also concentrates on a small part of Wales, giving us a strong sense of place and community at that time. It feels utterly genuine, so attractive and never contrived.
The length of the book enables us to get to know well a very varied cast of characters and in particular our two protagonists, Harry and Jim. They become our friends at the same time that their personal friendship grows and you cannot help but love them both.
The author has a very engaging and fluid style of writing. I love the attention to detail that can be found everywhere in the story when it comes to describe feelings and emotion, family tension, the harsh farm life in the depths of the Welsh valley or in Liverpool or even during enemy raids. I love the liveliness and the intelligence of the dialogues, sometimes witty and always believable and sincere. The end twist was very cleverly done!
Adam Fitzroy has written an absorbing and inspiring story with two very endearing characters that have first to free themselves from the past before being able to live their life to the fullest and believe that together, a better future is possible.
Simply let Harry and Jim carry you through this brilliant story. This is the kind of book that I certainly will read again someday. In the meantime, I give 5 stars!
March 14, 2017
4.5 stars
Beautiful, gentle and slowly developing love story set in the Welsh countryside between a wounded submarine commander and a conscientious objector spending the WWII years as a farm labourer. The Welsh setting and the early 1940s feel were so perfectly done.
Beautiful, gentle and slowly developing love story set in the Welsh countryside between a wounded submarine commander and a conscientious objector spending the WWII years as a farm labourer. The Welsh setting and the early 1940s feel were so perfectly done.
November 14, 2012
The Second World War has been under way for a couple of years when a submarine commander is invalided out of active service, and returns to his ancestral home in South Wales to find that many changes, some subtle, some less so, have taken place. As time goes on he realises that he himself is changing too; in short, he's growing up!
Young Sir Harry Lyon has always known what he is, but that he should find love in a place he escaped from years before is a surprise to him; and the story of that love, for a most enigmatic person, carried this reviewer effortlessly through a long and absorbing novel. The identity of that person isn't the only mystery; there are several more that are revealed as time goes on.
I love the research that went into this, and the atmosphere of a nation at war, frequently surpassing itself, but falling short often enough to make me wince in sympathy. We brush shoulders with a figure or two from the Welsh heartland, and see story and song providing inspiration in this greatest of trials. Harry has a lot to go through before the end of the story � for instance, he's re-posted to a city that endures bombing raid after bombing raid - and his exhausted, dreamlike journey through a South Wales that seems to be mostly on fire will stay with me for a long time to come. Harry's true love has tests of equal severity to endure, but the ending can only be described as wholly satisfactory to this reviewer at least.
Adam Fitzroy is one of my favourite creators of m/m romance, and has provided me with many hours of engrossed reading; this story is one of his best.
Young Sir Harry Lyon has always known what he is, but that he should find love in a place he escaped from years before is a surprise to him; and the story of that love, for a most enigmatic person, carried this reviewer effortlessly through a long and absorbing novel. The identity of that person isn't the only mystery; there are several more that are revealed as time goes on.
I love the research that went into this, and the atmosphere of a nation at war, frequently surpassing itself, but falling short often enough to make me wince in sympathy. We brush shoulders with a figure or two from the Welsh heartland, and see story and song providing inspiration in this greatest of trials. Harry has a lot to go through before the end of the story � for instance, he's re-posted to a city that endures bombing raid after bombing raid - and his exhausted, dreamlike journey through a South Wales that seems to be mostly on fire will stay with me for a long time to come. Harry's true love has tests of equal severity to endure, but the ending can only be described as wholly satisfactory to this reviewer at least.
Adam Fitzroy is one of my favourite creators of m/m romance, and has provided me with many hours of engrossed reading; this story is one of his best.
October 2, 2013
This novel is wonderfully written, deeply rooted in time and place with two beautifully crafted protagonists.
It filled me with joy and made me smile at the end.
"Dear Jim! But I'm afraid my 'romantic encounters', as you call them, have not so much been of 'one sort' as 'another'. I'm not talking about some carefree girl here, you realise? I'm talking about men. Specifically ... I'm talking about a man."
"Ah." There was a long, slow, resolving sigh.
August 28, 2014
4.5
This was a lovely book. Not much ''real'' war in it, luckily, but more love story. There is a realistic description of the situation in a country at war though (air-raids, lack of goods, suspicions, ...). I also loved the setting, mainly in rural Wales. The half star missing is because of the
This was a lovely book. Not much ''real'' war in it, luckily, but more love story. There is a realistic description of the situation in a country at war though (air-raids, lack of goods, suspicions, ...). I also loved the setting, mainly in rural Wales. The half star missing is because of the
March 7, 2018
I really REALLY loved this book. I got completely sucked into it, such that I suddenly realized I hadn't eaten or drunk in hours and hours and my room had gotten completely dark around me. it has my favorite romance 'trope': where the conflict comes from outside the couple, and is nothing to do with them fighting or having a misunderstanding etc. I adore the supporting characters, even the ones I don't like at all, because they are well rounded, and I feel like they have whole, full lives off the page. I never thought I had a particular liking for WWII-era fiction, but this is the fourth book set in that time period that I've completely adored, so I might have to re-think that.
July 25, 2013
I'd actually give this a 4.5 or a 4.75.
This is a beautifully written book and one that I loved more and more as I read. The world building is fantastic and the character work is just wonderful.
It felt like I had walked in to a painting, I could see the Welsh countryside so clearly in my head, without the details being too much or the exposition being to "telling".
I loved all the side characters and loved how they filled out Harry and Jim's world, so that everything felt real.
The danger of the world they were living in was so real and heavy and THERE- both the danger of the Germans bombing them and the danger of being caught as queer felt real and heavy. This was not a story where the weight of homosexuality was hand waved away and I appreciated that.
I did like that while the danger of the law and the danger of its repercussions was always there, there were people who were willing to accept their family and friends for who they were, which I truly believe did happen in history, and I feel that Jack and Kitty were set up as characters who were capable of those choices from the beginning so that was not surprising in the slightest to me.
Thomas was a bit over the top, although I did appreciate the attempts to make him a real person who was believable. I liked that Joan and her decision to marry a man like Thomas was explained- her need to support and protect her children when she knew that she couldn't count on her brother financially made sense and choosing Thomas, despite the fact that he's kind of a giant tool box but a tool box with money and stability does make sense.
The only ding I would give this book is that there isn't a lot of explicit sex in the book, which is fine, but the one time where the author does get as close to graphic as you'll see in this book, it's not between Harry and Jim, but between Harry and another man, trading sex for favors. I was disappointed that their encounter was much more graphic and explicit than anything that we saw between Harry and Jim. I would have much preferred to have just had that encounter been alluded to rather than be so blunt if we weren't going to have as much or more with those that we cared so much for.
This is a bit of a slower read, but one that is worth every moment.
I would recommend this book to readers of historical romance and those that enjoy m/m stories. The love story is sweet, despite the lack of descriptive sex. Not for those looking for porn, but great for those looking for deeper connections.
This is a beautifully written book and one that I loved more and more as I read. The world building is fantastic and the character work is just wonderful.
It felt like I had walked in to a painting, I could see the Welsh countryside so clearly in my head, without the details being too much or the exposition being to "telling".
I loved all the side characters and loved how they filled out Harry and Jim's world, so that everything felt real.
The danger of the world they were living in was so real and heavy and THERE- both the danger of the Germans bombing them and the danger of being caught as queer felt real and heavy. This was not a story where the weight of homosexuality was hand waved away and I appreciated that.
I did like that while the danger of the law and the danger of its repercussions was always there, there were people who were willing to accept their family and friends for who they were, which I truly believe did happen in history, and I feel that Jack and Kitty were set up as characters who were capable of those choices from the beginning so that was not surprising in the slightest to me.
Thomas was a bit over the top, although I did appreciate the attempts to make him a real person who was believable. I liked that Joan and her decision to marry a man like Thomas was explained- her need to support and protect her children when she knew that she couldn't count on her brother financially made sense and choosing Thomas, despite the fact that he's kind of a giant tool box but a tool box with money and stability does make sense.
The only ding I would give this book is that there isn't a lot of explicit sex in the book, which is fine, but the one time where the author does get as close to graphic as you'll see in this book, it's not between Harry and Jim, but between Harry and another man, trading sex for favors. I was disappointed that their encounter was much more graphic and explicit than anything that we saw between Harry and Jim. I would have much preferred to have just had that encounter been alluded to rather than be so blunt if we weren't going to have as much or more with those that we cared so much for.
This is a bit of a slower read, but one that is worth every moment.
I would recommend this book to readers of historical romance and those that enjoy m/m stories. The love story is sweet, despite the lack of descriptive sex. Not for those looking for porn, but great for those looking for deeper connections.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 30, 2016
If you've just finished reading something incredibly angsty or sad, you’ll benefit from picking up a copy of Make Do And Mend.
A historical read set during WWII, it has the slowest slow burn ever in the history of ever, but you’ll quickly fall in love with British naval officer Harry. He’s been sent home to recover from an injury, and he’s not quite ready to talk about the accident that happened on his watch and left two men dead.
While healing on his family’s sprawling, storied estate, Harry meets the newly-hired handyman, Jim. It’s clear Jim’s harboring some secret demons of his own, but the two men manage to come together to work on various projects around the farm. Even though many in the town shun Jim for objecting to the war, Harry defends Jim and the two men form a strong friendship.
Harry and Jim are so sweet together, but it takes them an excruciatingly long time to figure out they might be more than friends. Even though Harry knows who and what he is, Jim has lived much of his life in denial. They’re also both extremely sensitive to the fact that they live in a time when homosexuality is considered a crime. (Oh. I should mention here that Jim’s a virgin. Yes, I just let out a heavy sigh. Caution, though. Most all of the sexy time happens off page. *Cries.*)
Make Do And Mend is well written, descriptive and engaging, but I found it to be a bit too much of all those things at times, too. A very strong cast of supporting characters—including Harry’s jerk of a brother and other more likable folks—helped to move things along and kept the story interesting enough that I ended up really cheering for Harry and Jim to find a way to be together. It was a story about finding yourself and learning to accept who you are, and I enjoyed the experience very much.
A historical read set during WWII, it has the slowest slow burn ever in the history of ever, but you’ll quickly fall in love with British naval officer Harry. He’s been sent home to recover from an injury, and he’s not quite ready to talk about the accident that happened on his watch and left two men dead.
While healing on his family’s sprawling, storied estate, Harry meets the newly-hired handyman, Jim. It’s clear Jim’s harboring some secret demons of his own, but the two men manage to come together to work on various projects around the farm. Even though many in the town shun Jim for objecting to the war, Harry defends Jim and the two men form a strong friendship.
Harry and Jim are so sweet together, but it takes them an excruciatingly long time to figure out they might be more than friends. Even though Harry knows who and what he is, Jim has lived much of his life in denial. They’re also both extremely sensitive to the fact that they live in a time when homosexuality is considered a crime. (Oh. I should mention here that Jim’s a virgin. Yes, I just let out a heavy sigh. Caution, though. Most all of the sexy time happens off page. *Cries.*)
Make Do And Mend is well written, descriptive and engaging, but I found it to be a bit too much of all those things at times, too. A very strong cast of supporting characters—including Harry’s jerk of a brother and other more likable folks—helped to move things along and kept the story interesting enough that I ended up really cheering for Harry and Jim to find a way to be together. It was a story about finding yourself and learning to accept who you are, and I enjoyed the experience very much.
April 26, 2014
It was such a pleasure to read this book. Mr. Fitzroy's writing is emotive, captivating, and beautifully detailed. He has packed Make Do and Mend with historical, geographical, and linguistic facts that provide the opulent background for his slow boiling romance between the two main characters.
A very enjoyable read. Five Stars.
A very enjoyable read. Five Stars.
March 13, 2017
Lovely, gentle, slow story where place and time are as important as the very likeable and real characters.
October 4, 2015
Lovely, gentle story. I really enjoyed it.
March 19, 2019
The book has wonderful reviews and I completely concur.
February 3, 2022
I loved this so much I ordered a physical copy to put on my shelf. What more can I say?
November 28, 2024
I had been looking for this book in AGES. Finally I found it on amazon for sale again. I was so excited. Everything in this story was supposed to be right up my alley.
Well, it wasn't. It's so incredibly dull I swear it worked better than ambien on my usually insomniac brain. So it has some perks. But... how can you write a story that in theory should be so compelling and make it so bloody boring?
Oh yeah. With boring characters. ESPECIALLY JIM. He should have been so charming, so interesting. Instead he was as dull as stale bread. And I get it, really. He's an academic. As a fellow academic myself, I can testify for the hundreds of incredibly dull white men populating this environment.
They're relationship wasn't memorable, wasn't well delved into, wasn't anything. The moment Henry says he thinks he loves Jim more than his wartime lover had me stop reading. There's was NOTHING jn the story to justify that.
Well I'll go now. But I'm still salty about this disappointing mess of a book
Well, it wasn't. It's so incredibly dull I swear it worked better than ambien on my usually insomniac brain. So it has some perks. But... how can you write a story that in theory should be so compelling and make it so bloody boring?
Oh yeah. With boring characters. ESPECIALLY JIM. He should have been so charming, so interesting. Instead he was as dull as stale bread. And I get it, really. He's an academic. As a fellow academic myself, I can testify for the hundreds of incredibly dull white men populating this environment.
They're relationship wasn't memorable, wasn't well delved into, wasn't anything. The moment Henry says he thinks he loves Jim more than his wartime lover had me stop reading. There's was NOTHING jn the story to justify that.
Well I'll go now. But I'm still salty about this disappointing mess of a book
February 6, 2016
2 étoiles et demie
C'est avant tout un roman historique situé pendant la deuxième guerre mondiale qui vous transporte dans l'atmosphère d'un petit village gallois. La romance est particulièrement lente et ennuyeuse. Je n'ai pas réellement senti d'alchimie entre les personnages et la fin a un goût d'inachevé... Bref, un livre qui a des qualités mais que j'ai eu du mal à finir, à lire uniquement pour le côté fresque historique...
C'est avant tout un roman historique situé pendant la deuxième guerre mondiale qui vous transporte dans l'atmosphère d'un petit village gallois. La romance est particulièrement lente et ennuyeuse. Je n'ai pas réellement senti d'alchimie entre les personnages et la fin a un goût d'inachevé... Bref, un livre qui a des qualités mais que j'ai eu du mal à finir, à lire uniquement pour le côté fresque historique...
October 30, 2014
Lovely and lyrical.
February 22, 2013
3.5 stars
January 8, 2014
A charming time capsule set in rural Wales.
See my full review at
See my full review at
November 1, 2015
2013 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
April 1, 2017
Gentle & Beautiful Romance
You can read the blurb and get an idea about who Harry and Jim are--but you need to wallow your way through this beautifully paced and constructed piece of literature in order to appreciate, understand, and ultimately love, these two. And you can throw in the whole supporting cast of characters while you're at it.
Let's not muck up your pleasure--I am not going to disclose Harry's background and Jim's real identity here. Nor will there be any spoilers which are, in effect, the secrets each of them hold. What I will say is that this is a book for sedate pacing with a snifter, or tumbler, at your side.
You will not likely finish it in a day or so, and that is all to the better, because you will not want to leave these two and their dedicated crowd--even the thorn in their side who tries to stir up angst but simply cannot overcome a love that will not say "no." Perfect title, as well. Bravo!
You can read the blurb and get an idea about who Harry and Jim are--but you need to wallow your way through this beautifully paced and constructed piece of literature in order to appreciate, understand, and ultimately love, these two. And you can throw in the whole supporting cast of characters while you're at it.
Let's not muck up your pleasure--I am not going to disclose Harry's background and Jim's real identity here. Nor will there be any spoilers which are, in effect, the secrets each of them hold. What I will say is that this is a book for sedate pacing with a snifter, or tumbler, at your side.
You will not likely finish it in a day or so, and that is all to the better, because you will not want to leave these two and their dedicated crowd--even the thorn in their side who tries to stir up angst but simply cannot overcome a love that will not say "no." Perfect title, as well. Bravo!
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