I am not very much of a historical fiction fan, but Jennifer Delamere hooked me in on this book! I felt is had a slow start by mostly because she was setting up the scene and story (and that has to be done).
I loved the humor, strong characters, learning the history of the telegraph and the office workers during that time period. I totally loved the bookstore, the 'book' and the 'thank you.'. !! My one question would be when did Douglas find out that Alice bought 'the book' or is that for the next story in the series?
There was a little too much story about the wedding, etc at the end but I would totally recommend reading this book. It was fun and I learned a lot!
I received this as an ARC from NetGalley but these opinions are all my own.

Delamere pulls you in with barely the first line.

From the first page, I was attached to Alice, she is not the usual heroine. Neither too feminine nor too much of a feminist, I was thrilled to follow along as the story progressed.

Douglas is a hero who I liked from the first as well, you can see instantly that he is not perfect and yet he is not a hero that you are disappointed in.

With a smart writing style that is as alluring as the plot is, "Line by Line" had me eagerly turning every page until I reached the end on a new favorite historical romance.

Note, there is a slight villain and he is something of a creep but he does not take over the story in any way that made me uncomfortable.

I voluntarily received and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

I enjoyed the historical detail of this book. I felt I was taken back in time with the customs, dress, mannerisms and speech & struggles of woman in the work place. Alice and Douglas each had boxed themselves into an idea of what would ultimately bring them joy. The journey Jennifer Delamere took them on to grow and expand their view was written well and flowed nicely. The romance felt genuine and realistic. The challenges the H & h each had felt natural & not contrived. I really liked having Andrew Carnagie make an apperance. The supporting characters really helped move the plot along & gave the readers and h & H food for thought. I have enjoyed Jennifer Delamere's books prior to this one. I feel confident that when I pick up one of her books I'll get a richly written story with depth & layers. Good dialogue and the ending was wrapped up beautifully. I had wondered how the author would wrap up and tie loose ends satisfactory as the book neared it's end. I love this is going to be a series and will get to know more of Alice's friends' stories. Douglas had wonderful friends as well that added to the enjoyment of the story. My only dissapointment is the waiting for the next story to come out.

Career driven and independant, Alice and Douglas find a kindred spirit when they cross paths, but could there be more than their well laid plans?



Alice is telegraph operator, confirmed spinster, with modern sensibilities. She is determined to make her own way in the world, without a man. I admired her self sufficiency and how she took initiative to pursue a career, she is very intelligent and a modern woman for her time.



While Douglas is very career driven and focused on attaining the next goal to take him one step further away from the poverty that marked his youth. Douglas and Alice are very set on their current trajectories, but as they get to know each other they find themselves questioning what they thought they wanted.



Slow to start, it took awhile for me to warm to this book, but it picked up speed as it moved along. Douglas and Alice are very set on their paths and stubborn, but I loved how this story shows how sometimes there are better things than what we plan for ourselves. There were great moments that were bright spots in this book, but I wish that more of their moments together had been captured as I think that it would have added depth to their friendship as it grew. A romance about being surprised by love.



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I enjoyed this story about Alice, a woman who wants to make her own way and not settle for the stereotypical female role of marriage and motherhood in Victorian England. She is thriving as a telegrapher when she comes upon a book about spinsters and romance. She buys it to disprove it and tries to apply it in situations with men who annoy her. When these relationships change a bit, she sees that the principles just might work. However, they didn't work in the way she wanted them to. It was quite unexpected and funny. It made me laugh.

It was very interesting learning more about the telegraph and its impact on the world. The author states its effect in the 19th century was similar to the internet in the 21st century. Wow! The way the system works provides great potential for a fun new series. I look forward to reading more in the next installment in the "Love Along the Wires" series.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

"Troubles - even those not of our own making - are part of every person's journey. It's how one deals with them that shows true character. I have no doubt you will find a way to triumph in the end."

Line by Line kicks off Jennifer Delamere's newest series Love along the Wires set in Victorian England during the boom of telegram usage. Her attention to detail will envelope the reader in 1881 London as international commerce and trading is rapidly expanding. The leaps made in technology during that time are fascinating and how the business world used encoded telegram/Morse code messages is quite intriguing to learn about. The two main characters, Alice and Douglas, are like two peas in a pod - both ambitious, intelligent, and devoted to work life without much need for romantic love. They both come from quite humble backgrounds and are proud of what they have achieved so far - she a telegraph operator at a prestigious company and he an assistant to the owner at the said prestigious company. Neither likes returning home but going back to their roots points them toward a more fulfilling direction in life.

There is definitely humor in the plot as Alice employs a book touted as "the spinster's guide" to love and romance and her curious nature begs to experiment with some of the theories from the book on real men of her acquaintance. That experiment unfortunately backfires and puts her in a bit of conundrum as she re-evaluates what she really wants out of life. Alice and Douglas' friendship is natural and fun since they have so many things in common; their romance is fraught with hurdles but they do overcome each one.

If you enjoy historical romance, you will definitely enjoy this book. I can't wait to see who the second book in the series will feature.
I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

I really love Jennifer Delamere’s books and this was another great book in a new series! I loved all the historical aspects that she gave while describing women and telegraphy in the Victorian Era. I loved the humor that she used and I loved how strong and independent her heroine was. I love how the hero and heroine started off with a deep respect for each other as coworkers and then it developed into love as they got to know each other more. I also loved how the heroine needed to realize that she could be successful and have a husband, not just one or the other. I look forward to reading more by Jennifer and more in this series.

I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, and or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.

Alice McNeil was a career woman in the 1880's. She doesn't count on meeting Douglas Shaw.

I found the book entertaining and enjoyed the relationship between Alice and her friends.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Charming! Line by Line is my first read by Jennifer Delamere, and now I definitely plan on reading more of her books. I really enjoyed this story. Some of my favorite parts include the details about working as a telegrapher, as well as a woman working in what was previously considered primarily a man's job. I also have to mention that fact that a mutually visited bookstore, and a rather humorous book about understanding the opposite sex has a lot to do with the story line - quite humorous and delightful! Oh, and dancing to the "tune"of Morse code - you'll just have to trust me on that one!

Both leads are endearing. Alice is a self-proclaimed spinster, but she didn't have that aggravating, over-the-top stubborn quality that similar characters in other books have had. Douglas is also goal-driver, but not to the point of it being unrealistic. The romance is lighter, but also easy to root for them as a couple. I adored Alice's friends Rose and Emma, and I hope future books are about them. Her friend Lucy did nothing for me, because she treated Alice like a doormat, but other than that, I loved the secondary characters.

Ultimately, my favorite thing about this novel is that it shows that even when life doesn't go quite like you planned, things are not hopeless:
"She had begun to feel as though every door was closed to her. Now she was ready to test the notion that it simply meant new ways were opening up. That something very different were on the horizon. She might not know exactly where she was going, but she had to believe that the right path was out there and that she would find it."

Here's to a closed door leading to the right path for us all.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel; this review is my honest opinion.

Line by Line by Jennifer Delamere was exactly the story I needed. I enjoyed this book SO much that I hated putting it down the few times I had to. The storyline is highly engaging and captivating. The characters are unique and endearing, and I found them to be well-crafted and highly relatable. The romance that blooms between Alice and Douglas is wonderful and hilarious and realistic. This story includes wonderful discussions on very timely themes, but what I really appreciated the most in this book is the wit. It’s subtle, but it’s there and it made me laugh out loud. Several times I read whole passages to my husband because the sense of humor needed to be shared. Truly, Line by Line is a really great read. If Line by Line is an indication of what is to come in the Love Along the Wires series then we, readers, are in for a real treat!

Motivation — why do we do the things that we do? What drives us? These are questions that Douglas Shaw will be forced to answer in Line by Line. Shaw is one seriously motivated man. He has a plan and he will do whatever it takes to fulfill his dreams. Douglas comes from a VERY poor background and he wants nothing to do with the life he left behind. It’s taken a decade, but he is finally beginning to see some wealthy fruit from all his dogged determination and hard work. The problem with Douglas’s plan, though, is that it’s HIS plan. His myopic obsession with leaving his past behind and joining the ranks of millionaires in high society has made him unable to see the real paths and gifts God has in store for him. It actually takes one very unique and special telegrapher and one American billionaire to help Douglas reevaluate his motivations and help him get back on track — God’s track. I really love Douglas’s character and found his motivation issue to be very relatable. I, personally, have never had dreams of becoming a billionaire, but I have struggled with the why questions that Douglas wrestles within Line by Line. There have been moments in my life where I realized that I had fallen from God’s path for me and was doing things that only benefited myself. Like Douglas, it took the advice and constructive criticism of some very wise people in my life to help me see how self-focused I was and how badly I needed to get back onto the path God had for me. I love it when I can relate so well to a character!

Line by Line by Jennifer Delamere is a must-read story that I highly recommend. It is a well-researched, very well-written historical romance that swept me off my feet and left me wanting more. If you are looking for a sweet historical romance to escape into today, Line by Line is the book for you!

I received a copy of this novel in eBook form from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This was my first book by this author, and I was thoroughly drawn in right from the start! Jennifer Delamere is a talented writer and makes me want to read more of her work! I love historical fiction, and this book revealed the importance of the telegraph in the late 19th century. As a note at the end of the book says, it was the internet of the day! A sweet romance ensues and you’ll love the couple!

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review.

This enjoyable read came at the perfect time. With just the right amounts of romance and humor, this historical fiction had me hooked. I found the use of the telegraph in 1881 very interesting, as well as, everything surrounding that profession. The female telegraph operator and her male coworker learned a lot about forging a path in business and in life. As their lives take directions that they hadn’t planned, they once again had to make choices regarding what was truly important to them. I’m excited that Line By Line is just the first book in the Love Along the Wires series. I can’t wait to see what happens to the telegraph operator in the next book. I hope that the great characters from this book will be involved. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

What a fantastic start to the new series Love Along the Wires by Jennifer Delamere. I loved the story of Alice McNeil and Douglas Shaw; she is a young telegrapher who is far more interested in a career than l marriage and children while he is concerned with his social standing and desperately wants to marry into high society. That’s one of the many things I loved about this storyline because in most novels the situations are reversed.

There was only one character in the story that I didn’t like but he is supposed to be unlikeable, so kudos to the author for crafting him perfectly because I truly found him to be so annoying. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the other characters and am anxious to read their stories as the series progresses. I found this to be a delightful and well written novel, full of humor, hard working delightful characters with a sweet romance. If you are a fan of historical romance novels you will want to get a copy of this one.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

(4.5 stars) - discerning "life's best work"

Jennifer Delamere's new series, Love Along the Wires, begins most auspiciously here.

Alice is a very competent, professional young woman who is determined to live life on her own terms. Douglas is an ambitious young man who has risen from poverty to become a successful man of business. Both feel attraction and admiration for the other, but neither intends to let that sidetrack their plans. Of course, if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans, right?

The story was immediately engaging and held my interest well thru to the end. I enjoyed the realistic way that the two main characters first developed a friendly relationship that eventually led to more. The shifts in points of view between the two main characters sometimes felt a bit too abrupt, but the story is well written and the characters are completely sympathetic. The happily-ever-after was fully satisfying, and the hint of what's next for the group of friends has me eagerly looking forward to book 2!

*Clean romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic

*Religion: mild Christian themes

Having grown up in a home where marriage was sacred and a gift, I have never understood why a woman would decide to live the life of a spinster (keyword is decide). When I first began the book, I struggled to relate to Alice McNeil, who at a young age, resolved to travel through life unencumbered by love or marriage. I have never thought marriage to be something to which you can be “encumbered”, but reading this book has given me a new perspective on women of this era. Alice sought to make herself known through her career and thought that a life spent with a husband and children was a wasted one, or at least the waste of the woman’s ability. And for many women, marriage meant giving up a career or a passion of interest to them. But, not in every case. I believe love and marriage strengthen a woman. The support of a family and husband will boost a woman’s success, not remove it. And as Alice learns, God often has more in store for us than we ever imagine.

Now onto my thoughts on the book itself. I enjoyed reading about an era in which I don’t usually read about. I honestly do not know much about telegraphy and have always been curious about how it works. The technology itself is amazing. What used to take weeks or months to receive could take minutes to hours. The ability to send information quickly between cities, countries, and even across the ocean changed our world as we know it. Now we have email, text messaging, telephones, but it all stems from the telegraph. I loved learning about morse code as well. I have always wondered how it worked. Jennifer Delamere made it sound like an art. The rhythms and tempo of it relating to dance.

Having a real-life rags to riches story of Andrew Carnegie to compare Douglas Shaw to was a nice addition. What a fascinating man! Many of his quotes and philosophies are present in the book, and his victory trek to his home city in Scotland with his mother.

The romance between Alice and Douglas was sweet and inspiring. Neither of them was looking for love, but love they found nonetheless. And where is the best place to fall in love? A bookstore! And how do you learn how to fall in love? A book, of course! I appreciated Alice’s journey as she began to discover what she really wanted in life. It was a slow process, but most journeys that are truly life-changing are! They start small, but end up changing the course of our lives!

As more true to life, I appreciated how everything did not work out the way they intended for them to. Sometimes things don’t work out, and often for the better!

I was given a free copy of the book, but the opinions in this review are entirely my own.

I look forward to more from this series, but for now, Line by Line will be released tomorrow, June 30th.

The Red Review: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
***4 Hearts: Compelling Characters, Well-Written, Interesting Storyline, Unable to Stop

A lovely start to a new series from Jennifer Delamere! Line by Line is evocative, heartwarming, and has all the makings of a dreamy historical story.

The solid friendship between Alice and Douglas was wonderfully refreshing. Too often I see the romance prematurely begun, and while there was an obvious attraction between the two, they were friends first and foremost. Alice is a determined and gratifying heroine, and Douglas is a swoon-worthy, ambitious hero. It was a delight to see them interact. Their “modern” knight-in-shining-armor tale does not involve a sappy, useless heroine and an unbelievable hero, but rather features two driven, flawed people who are made better by their relationship with the other.

I also loved how telegraphy was more than just an occupation, but became the underlying theme of the book, evidenced by Delamere’s portrayal of communication between Alice and Douglas. Whether they used this shared skill while dancing or in romantic speeches, telegraphy was an intriguing thread throughout the book that added another layer of satisfying storytelling.

I absolutely cannot wait for this series to continue! 4.5/5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Hooked from page one, this was a great read. The bit of mystery kept me turning the pages. Interesting historical facts that readers of this genre will love for sure!

There is just something about Jennifer Delamere's writing that really takes me away. I can always envision what she's writing, almost like seeing a movie. This historical fiction book is about Alice, who back in 1881 sets her sights on a career in telegraphy instead of landing a husband. She feels her life is full enough with her job, friends and other hobbies. She loves her life just the way it is and can't imagine ever needing to change it.

Well, don't we all feel that way? I know there's plenty of times in my life where I am comfortable with the way things are and something comes along to upset the apple cart, so to speak. Anyway, Alice is enjoying her work except for dealing with the other telegrapher, Mr. Clapper, who has a very self inflated ego. Otherwise, she feels fulfilled. But, enter the enchanting Mr. Douglas Shaw and things are brighter around the office. But, Alice is determined to stay focused on her work. She doesn't have time for silly affairs of the heart!

However, one night in her favorite bookstore, Alice sees a book about living life as a spinster and how to change all that. She buys it on a lark thinking it will bring a good laugh but will it offer some practical advice, too? What follows is Alice's story and how she balances work, avoiding Mr. Clapper's attitude, her social life (what little there is) and her resolve against any feelings she may have for Mr. Shaw. Can Alice really have it all?

I am no a big romance person, but Ms. Delamere always makes her stories with a lot more depth than just a romance in my opinion. Also, she always delivers on one of my favorite things and that is showcasing a piece of history that always either teaches me something I don't know, or makes me look online for more information. I was glad to see that this is the first in a series. I always enjoy her books and I look forward to the rest of the series.

Thank you to Ms. Delamere and to the publisher. I will also leave reviews on other sites when allowed at publication date.

This is my first read of Delamere's and I really enjoyed it! Victorian era relationships, comedy, an interesting history of the telegraph and the way it changed life in the time period.

The characters are both motivated by their own ideas of success and the people that surround them. I liked seeing people from history also mentioned (Andrew Carnegie, for example) and seeing the character's growth was cool to see.

I hope to see more of these characters in the coming entries in the series.

I was an early reader, thanks to #NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers. All opinions are my own.

What a fun book to read! This is a book that is not only interesting from the beginning, but it is exciting as well! Alice is a telegrapher, beginning a new job. Her coworker Archie doesn't like her or anybody else it seems. Another coworker, Douglas, is more handsome than should be allowed. The good thing is, Douglas is very easy to get along with, and they build a friendship quickly.After some time, the friendship grows deeper, which is frightening for Alice, since she is determined to stay unmarried. Archie comes up with a plan to sabotage her job and she is released from it, unbeknownst to Douglas, who is out of town. What can he do to help his friend?