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Petticoat Lane #2
Make Do and Mend on Petticoat Lane
An uplifting and heartwarming tale of courage, straight from the factories of WWII's East End, perfect for fans of Rosie Clarke, Elaine Everest and Lesley Eames! 🪡 👰♀️ 💔 ✨
While this novel features the same characters as the other books in the Petticoat Lane series, it can be read as a STANDALONE
Praise for Patricia McBride
'a compelling story of friendships and the hardships of war, with excellent sketches of the East End. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend.' Rosie Clarke
'If you like Dee Williams' books about Silvertown and Rotherhithe, you'll love Patricia's Library Girls series.' Lizzie Lane
'I was hooked from page one. Rich in historical detail and with characters you feel you know... Highly recommended!' Lynette Rees
'A brilliant read - the sort of book you can immerse yourself in completely ... You couldn’t read the story without it reaching your heart, or without wanting to know what will become of these women' Fran Smith
'This took me to the east end of London during the blitz, so well written and researched. Great storytelling, very evocative.' ★★★★★ Reader Review
'I couldn't put it down! The characters and their stories. It is well written and researched' ★★★★★ Reader Review
'Such a well written book like the ones before, very readable and full of characters that are so believable.' ★★★★★ Reader Review
While this novel features the same characters as the other books in the Petticoat Lane series, it can be read as a STANDALONE
Praise for Patricia McBride
'a compelling story of friendships and the hardships of war, with excellent sketches of the East End. I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend.' Rosie Clarke
'If you like Dee Williams' books about Silvertown and Rotherhithe, you'll love Patricia's Library Girls series.' Lizzie Lane
'I was hooked from page one. Rich in historical detail and with characters you feel you know... Highly recommended!' Lynette Rees
'A brilliant read - the sort of book you can immerse yourself in completely ... You couldn’t read the story without it reaching your heart, or without wanting to know what will become of these women' Fran Smith
'This took me to the east end of London during the blitz, so well written and researched. Great storytelling, very evocative.' ★★★★★ Reader Review
'I couldn't put it down! The characters and their stories. It is well written and researched' ★★★★★ Reader Review
'Such a well written book like the ones before, very readable and full of characters that are so believable.' ★★★★★ Reader Review
- GenresHistorical Fiction
322 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 30, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood for an advance copy of this book.
In the opening pages of this second entry in her Petticoat Lane series, Patricia McBride sets a familiar scene for many working girls in Second World War era England. The author notes ‘the smell of weak tea’ coming from the pre-dawn kitchen of Mrs.Cohen’s boarding house, the ‘tang of coal smoke that seeped through every London wall,’ the faded wallpaper, the coat with the mended sleeve on the chair. Amanda, a seamstress in the market of nearby Petticoat Lane, debated with herself as to whether to feed coins into the metre on her portable gas heater, and whether she could have her turn at a bath with no more than the permitted five inches of water (it was not her turn).
These are small, very ordinary details. In little more than a paragraph, they represent the everyday lives of young working girls trying to support themselves as well as the war effort. This is the second book of the Petticoat Lane series, returning to the hard-pressed but infinitely courageous young textile workers, the three tight friends, Bethan and Maisie in addition to Amanda.
In the first book, the girls were trying to extend their meagre pay and their flair for designing and making, or remaking, fashionable clothing out of limited war rations and recycled materials. They shared a market stall and took small, do-able commissions, while continuing their shifts at the factory. This continues in the second book with enough detail that it can stand alone.
One huge difference increases the stakes, however. While hard at work at their noisy industrial sewing machines, an all-too-familiar keening noise breaks through. The air raid siren pushes everyone out through the doors and into the shelter, as it had countless times before, at work and at home, during the day or at night. As the girls crowd in the dark and suffocatingly close shelter, crowded in with many others, initially tapped in the shelter, they were freed with some difficulty—only to find that their massive brick factory was destroyed.
In desperate need of new employment, quickly, the friends each admit that they don’t want to go back to factory work. They all need money urgently, and their side job in custom sewing won’t bring in enough. Bethan decides to help Big Sal at her stall; Maisie will attempt to find enough as an itinerant worker, knocking at doors to see if any still-standing dressmakers need her skills. Amanda is the one who takes the biggest leap: having already decided that she wanted to volunteer for the war effort, she quickly chooses to apply for a job driving ambulances.
Plenty of drama is introduced quickly, and the pace keeps up steadily through the book. Amanda, driving ambulances through the severely damaged East End, risks her life with each drive. The other two are constantly weary from work and worry. All three have to deal with the sharper, largely unseen edges of a ‘survival of the fittest’ society where responsibilities are a challenge to uphold and rewards are few. Yet, as McBride shows, even in times of upheaval and brutality, the human spirit can keep aflame, neighbours can look out for each other, and good friends can provide reassurance and respite.
This is an evocative, warm-hearted, beautifully written story, and it is clear how carefully the author has researched the historical details. She makes you feel the sights and sounds of war, the suffering and loss, but also the determination to overcome. Here’s to the third volume in this first-rate series.
In the opening pages of this second entry in her Petticoat Lane series, Patricia McBride sets a familiar scene for many working girls in Second World War era England. The author notes ‘the smell of weak tea’ coming from the pre-dawn kitchen of Mrs.Cohen’s boarding house, the ‘tang of coal smoke that seeped through every London wall,’ the faded wallpaper, the coat with the mended sleeve on the chair. Amanda, a seamstress in the market of nearby Petticoat Lane, debated with herself as to whether to feed coins into the metre on her portable gas heater, and whether she could have her turn at a bath with no more than the permitted five inches of water (it was not her turn).
These are small, very ordinary details. In little more than a paragraph, they represent the everyday lives of young working girls trying to support themselves as well as the war effort. This is the second book of the Petticoat Lane series, returning to the hard-pressed but infinitely courageous young textile workers, the three tight friends, Bethan and Maisie in addition to Amanda.
In the first book, the girls were trying to extend their meagre pay and their flair for designing and making, or remaking, fashionable clothing out of limited war rations and recycled materials. They shared a market stall and took small, do-able commissions, while continuing their shifts at the factory. This continues in the second book with enough detail that it can stand alone.
One huge difference increases the stakes, however. While hard at work at their noisy industrial sewing machines, an all-too-familiar keening noise breaks through. The air raid siren pushes everyone out through the doors and into the shelter, as it had countless times before, at work and at home, during the day or at night. As the girls crowd in the dark and suffocatingly close shelter, crowded in with many others, initially tapped in the shelter, they were freed with some difficulty—only to find that their massive brick factory was destroyed.
In desperate need of new employment, quickly, the friends each admit that they don’t want to go back to factory work. They all need money urgently, and their side job in custom sewing won’t bring in enough. Bethan decides to help Big Sal at her stall; Maisie will attempt to find enough as an itinerant worker, knocking at doors to see if any still-standing dressmakers need her skills. Amanda is the one who takes the biggest leap: having already decided that she wanted to volunteer for the war effort, she quickly chooses to apply for a job driving ambulances.
Plenty of drama is introduced quickly, and the pace keeps up steadily through the book. Amanda, driving ambulances through the severely damaged East End, risks her life with each drive. The other two are constantly weary from work and worry. All three have to deal with the sharper, largely unseen edges of a ‘survival of the fittest’ society where responsibilities are a challenge to uphold and rewards are few. Yet, as McBride shows, even in times of upheaval and brutality, the human spirit can keep aflame, neighbours can look out for each other, and good friends can provide reassurance and respite.
This is an evocative, warm-hearted, beautifully written story, and it is clear how carefully the author has researched the historical details. She makes you feel the sights and sounds of war, the suffering and loss, but also the determination to overcome. Here’s to the third volume in this first-rate series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Make Do and Mend is the wonderful follow-up to The Market Girls of Petticoat Lane. Amanda, Maisie and Bethan are struggling to make something of their dress making business in a time when most can barely afford to "make do and mend". Will it be the lack of business or everything going on around them that will bring them down?
The drama in Make Do and Bend grabbed me and wouldn't let go. The reader gets to ride in the ambulance with Amanda experiencing the aftermath of bombing during WW2. The war is the least of Amanda's worries. It is books like this than remind be how different things were for women in the 1940's. Amanda's bravery will make all the difference for so many. l
Maisie is trying to find her footing. For years she has been the one holding up her family as her mother hid in a bottle. Open the book and witness her new struggles. Witness her mother's new struggles as she tries to begin again. The issue was such an eye opener. I learned so much. I felt so much. My heart broke for them both.
I think Bethan is my favorite of the girls. She is working on Sal's stall mending clothing as she waits to make dresses with the girls. She sees the struggles. The reader experiences the struggles. We are reminded that the enemy didn't always speak German. There are many that are out to take advantage during wartime. It just takes someone to stand up to evil to start a movement.
At times the story was a total nail biter. Danger and violence was everywhere. The girls bravery lightened my heart. Their determination to stand up against evil was inspiring. I can only hope they get their happily ever afters in the future.
The drama in Make Do and Bend grabbed me and wouldn't let go. The reader gets to ride in the ambulance with Amanda experiencing the aftermath of bombing during WW2. The war is the least of Amanda's worries. It is books like this than remind be how different things were for women in the 1940's. Amanda's bravery will make all the difference for so many. l
Maisie is trying to find her footing. For years she has been the one holding up her family as her mother hid in a bottle. Open the book and witness her new struggles. Witness her mother's new struggles as she tries to begin again. The issue was such an eye opener. I learned so much. I felt so much. My heart broke for them both.
I think Bethan is my favorite of the girls. She is working on Sal's stall mending clothing as she waits to make dresses with the girls. She sees the struggles. The reader experiences the struggles. We are reminded that the enemy didn't always speak German. There are many that are out to take advantage during wartime. It just takes someone to stand up to evil to start a movement.
At times the story was a total nail biter. Danger and violence was everywhere. The girls bravery lightened my heart. Their determination to stand up against evil was inspiring. I can only hope they get their happily ever afters in the future.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a second book in a series, which I didn't realise when I started reading it but I was able to keep up with the story.
Three friends Amanda, Bethan and Maisie are all good seamstresses and Amanda a good designer. Their dream is to have their own business but it's still far off as they don't have the money to set themselves up. Bethan and Maisie work on Big Sal's stall in the market. She has a fabric stall and the girls do repair work for her customers. Amanda wanted to do her bit for the war so trained to drive an ambulance.
There are some great characters in the market but a bunch of shadowy ones too and the story here is about them, how the girls get involved and what the out come is.
All this is going on around the girls love lives and home lives.
It was a very good read with a few little niggles along the way. I loved reading about the market. My mother went to England in 1946. She said she couldn't wait to get paid so she could go to the market and spend her money on Saturday's. She talked of Sid, a stall holder and how she enjoyed haggling with him over prices. I was picturing this as I was reading.
The next one in the series is out soon I think and I'll definitely read it to see what happens to everyone.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an early copy.
Three friends Amanda, Bethan and Maisie are all good seamstresses and Amanda a good designer. Their dream is to have their own business but it's still far off as they don't have the money to set themselves up. Bethan and Maisie work on Big Sal's stall in the market. She has a fabric stall and the girls do repair work for her customers. Amanda wanted to do her bit for the war so trained to drive an ambulance.
There are some great characters in the market but a bunch of shadowy ones too and the story here is about them, how the girls get involved and what the out come is.
All this is going on around the girls love lives and home lives.
It was a very good read with a few little niggles along the way. I loved reading about the market. My mother went to England in 1946. She said she couldn't wait to get paid so she could go to the market and spend her money on Saturday's. She talked of Sid, a stall holder and how she enjoyed haggling with him over prices. I was picturing this as I was reading.
The next one in the series is out soon I think and I'll definitely read it to see what happens to everyone.
Many thanks to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for an early copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I absolutely loved this! It’s one of those books that just feels comforting to read, even though it’s set during such a difficult time. I got really attached to the characters—they felt so genuine, and I found myself rooting for them the whole way through.
I especially liked the mix of hardship and hope. It never felt too heavy, but it also didn’t shy away from the realities of wartime life. The friendships and sense of community really stood out to me, and it just left me with a warm feeling by the end.
Honestly, I didn’t want it to finish. If you like historical stories with heart and strong characters, this is definitely worth picking up.
📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Patricia McBride and Boldwood Books📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚
I especially liked the mix of hardship and hope. It never felt too heavy, but it also didn’t shy away from the realities of wartime life. The friendships and sense of community really stood out to me, and it just left me with a warm feeling by the end.
Honestly, I didn’t want it to finish. If you like historical stories with heart and strong characters, this is definitely worth picking up.
📚I was able to read an advanced copy of title thanks to NetGalley, Patricia McBride and Boldwood Books📚
📚All reviews and opinions are entirely my own📚
May 3, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this latest addition to the Petticoat Lane series and catching up with main characters Amanda, Maisie and Bethan. When the uniform factory where they work is bombed they initially have no idea what they are going to do. While Maisie and Bethan find work on Petticoat Lane Amanda signs up to be an ambulance driver. What none of them realised though was that there is some very underhand goings on at the market as well as issues closer to home. I really love how you get a good sense of community, friendship and family alongside what life was like in London at this time. The story itself flowed so well keeping me totally engaged. Really looking forward to the next one in the series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Petticoat Lane Series #2
Amanda, Bethan and Maisie are friends and seamstresses, Amanda is a good designer. They dream that one day they will have their own business. When the uniform factory is bombed, Bethan and Maisie help down Petticoat Lane, Amanda learns to drive an ambulance, doing her bit for the war.
This book is a great addition to the series. The characters are well-developed and likeable. This is a story of love and friendship. There were some clandestine occurrences. There is a real good, feel good, atmosphere. I can't wait to read the next book.
Published 30th May 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #PatriciaMaBride for my ARC of #MakeDoAndMendOnPetticoatLane in exchange for an honest review.
Amanda, Bethan and Maisie are friends and seamstresses, Amanda is a good designer. They dream that one day they will have their own business. When the uniform factory is bombed, Bethan and Maisie help down Petticoat Lane, Amanda learns to drive an ambulance, doing her bit for the war.
This book is a great addition to the series. The characters are well-developed and likeable. This is a story of love and friendship. There were some clandestine occurrences. There is a real good, feel good, atmosphere. I can't wait to read the next book.
Published 30th May 2026
I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #PatriciaMaBride for my ARC of #MakeDoAndMendOnPetticoatLane in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book one was a great start to the series; this latest instalment is even better!
Maisie, Bethan and Amanda's stories continue as they have to work elsewhere rather than at the uniform factory. They meet new people and make friends, and sadly, some enemies.
Drama comes in the form of the bombing of the area, but there are also problems on Petticoat Lane. Both events will have you possibly reaching for the tissues, I know I did. The way the author describes scenes really helps you to picture yourself there and feel all that the girls are going through.
The girls' personal lives are both swoon-worthy at times and dramatic at others. I felt like I was one of their friends by the end of the book. I am invested in their lives and look forward to reading what happens next for them.
Maisie, Bethan and Amanda's stories continue as they have to work elsewhere rather than at the uniform factory. They meet new people and make friends, and sadly, some enemies.
Drama comes in the form of the bombing of the area, but there are also problems on Petticoat Lane. Both events will have you possibly reaching for the tissues, I know I did. The way the author describes scenes really helps you to picture yourself there and feel all that the girls are going through.
The girls' personal lives are both swoon-worthy at times and dramatic at others. I felt like I was one of their friends by the end of the book. I am invested in their lives and look forward to reading what happens next for them.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It was wonderful to revisit Amanda, Maisie and Bethan. This is book two in a series. After the factory they worked at was blown up, they had to take new directions. Amanda becomes an ambulance driver, Bethan sews and Maisie is working at the tea shop, while helping her family. Between thugs and rapists, there are still some beautiful moments, where the sense of community and kindness comes through. Everyone is just scraping by through the bombings and the wartime shortages, however, there is also time for love and friendship. I’m looking forward to book 3 to see what happens to these feisty girls next. Thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for allowing me to enjoy this series of books.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved this WW2 saga, it was a fantastic story of friendship, love, fear and family. There is a lot happening on Petticoat Lane, a bustling market loved by the locals. There are some huge problems troubling the stall holders, can Beth, Amanda and Maisie get their dressmaking business underway, help the market stall holders and deal with their own personal issues? This was such a heartwarming and well told story, I really enjoyed it. I can’t wait for the next book in the series, the girls are starting to feel like old friends!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. Publication date 30 May 2026.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. Publication date 30 May 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I received a free copy of, Make Do and Mend on Petticoat Lane, by Patricia McBride, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This is book two in The Petticoat series. Maisie, Bethan, and Amanda are out of jobs, after their work caught fire.They all try new adventures, with a war going on. This was a nice read, not to heave or depressing, a nice story of friendship.
April 26, 2026
A great start to a new series. During WWII during the hardships of the war friends are ones that help you get through it. This book shows the importance of friendships and life in the East End.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews