Line by Line

A Change of Hearts

Get a fascinating peek into Victorian London’s industrial age and how telegraphy was transforming business and working class life in Line by Line, Book 1 in Jennifer Delamere’s new Love Along the Wires series. Not only did I feel like I had a front row seat to the technological improvements and workplace developments taking place, but I was also reeled in to the emotional struggles and changes experienced by the hero and heroine, Douglas and Alice. Each had envisioned their own predetermined route to success in life until some momentous events brought about deep soul-searching as to what was really important and whether or not they should change course.

This poignant story was not without its laugh-out-loud moments, however, and had several humorous quips sprinkled throughout, many of which were related to Alice’s purchase of a particular book and the advice contained therein.
I so love a historical fiction book that not only pulls me in with great storytelling, but also teaches me something I hadn’t previously known or considered. That’s what you will find in this and other books by Ms. Delamere: wonderful, inspiring writing woven with informative and interesting facts. Am looking forward to seeing other characters from Line by Line appear in their own stories. Great start to a new series!

#LinebyLine #NetGalley #BethanyHouse #JenniferDelamere

I received an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed here are my own.

This is an exceptional story with many wonderful and colorful characters. I was drawn into the story from the very start. A great plot that leads to a story with humor and a lot of soul searching for the main characters. The author does a wonderful job at making the case that even the best laid plans can and will go awry. Learning about the telegraph was a neat tidbit along with how much memorizing went along with it. This is a sweet clean romance that will keep the midnight oils burning for the outcome. There is so much to love about this story!
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

What an amazing read!

I loved so many things about this story. First, the historical setting and the profession of telegraphist, which were both well done and interesting. I also liked the contrast between life in London and life in the country (Alice's family).

Alice is a telegraphist and she values her independence. She's approaching her later twenties and she doesn't want to marry to only become a wife and mother without any education and growth. She's good at what she does and intends to keep single.

Douglas has been traveling in American working for his company and finally returns home to London. He's ambitious and has plans to keep climbing the social ladder, which include marrying an heiress.

When Douglas and Alice meet at the office where they both work, they become friends but soon their relationship develops into something more. Little by little, their attraction grows and it starts upsetting the plans each made before.

One of the things I loved was to see their individual growth and how they changed their minds from what they wanted in the beginning to how they end—together but still individuals.

Can't wait for the next in the series!

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

4.5 stars! I really liked this book. I read it in three days and I think that contributed to how much I enjoyed it. It was fun to learn more about telegraphs. I loved both of the main characters, but I also enjoyed many of the side characters. It was a fun story that had people changing for the better! Cute, clean romance.

This new series by Jennifer Delamere is one you won’t want to miss! Miss Delamere has written a sweet love story set in England in the late 1800’s. Douglas and Alice are two independent people who are trying to work their way up the business ladder but instead find love in a very unconventional way! Full of drama, romance and a bit of intrigue, I found this book to be a delightful read!

Line by Line is the start of a new series by Jennifer Delamere. This book is a history loving reader's delight. The story revolves around a heroine who is a telegrapher. The Victorian era is full of new inventions and books like this one brings those things to life for the reader. This book also features a visit from Andrew Carnegie. There is fun humor as well sprinkled throughout. I really enjoyed it. There is romance, but I wish it had a bit more. Overall, a very good read.

This is such a delightful beginning for Jennifer Delamere’s new Love Along the Wires series.. It opened my eyes to the tremendous impact of telegraphy on business in England and the development of international commerce—as well as on how people interact with one another in society at large. The story is beautifully told. I loved that the heroine is resolute and faces life challenges head-on, while managing to find both a satisfying career and a loving relationship.

Line by Line
by Jennifer Delamere
Bethany House
You Like Them You Are Auto-Approved
Bethany House Publishers
Christian
Pub Date 30 Jun 2020 | Archive Date 05 Aug 2020

I love a good Historical fiction novel! I love the light romance and learning about a time or place that is different than what I know.
Thanks to Net Galley and Bethany House for a great book. I will recommend it to our patrons. Many of our readers like the good Christian books that Bethany House publishes.
5 star

In Line by Line, Ms. Delamere pens an enjoyable read highlighting the Victorian working class. It centers around a female character who has chosen the pursuit of a career, not a husband as many of her contemporaries have done. Ms. Delamere has crafted the story of an ambitious young lady who is pursuing a career in a male-dominated business world. The author' research into the field of telegraphy and its contributions for business and industry on a world-wide scale is an engaging backdrop.
I love the hero and heroine and how each faced moments of introspection and soul-searching as the realized that 'the best laid plans' can change. This story is filled with witty conversations and well-plotted romantic moments that will captivate readers. This is my favorite book by this author and I am looking forward to reading more books in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine.

This was an interesting book. I didn’t know too much about women telegraphers. I enjoyed the mystery and the romance in the book. I’ve read several of this author’s books and each one is good. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the early copy

Line by Line by Jennifer Delamere is a story that will take you back in time. Before the internet and telephone, telegraphy was the means of communication across the globe. Jennifer makes a compelling story about how, not only communication was at the height of industry, but how women were addressed as being intellectually inferior.

Alice McNeil is an independent young woman, who does not feel that she needs a man to complete her life. Her goals as a telegraphist finds her matched with a surly co-worker, who makes nothing but trouble for her. Douglas Shaw pulls himself out of poverty, determined to marry into high society. He and Alice form a friendship, but their growing bond leads them to decisions that change their lives. When the surly co-worker sets Alice up with lies, Douglas sets out to discover the truth. In doing so, he finds out more than he imagined.

The author had done a wonderful job of research which makes the story come alive with how things were in the past. I found the reference to the Spinster book very funny. As the author states at the end there was such a book written in 1901.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

LINE BY LINE by JENNIFER DELAMERE takes place in Victorian England at the time that telegraphy was fast changing business dynamics, in much the same way that the internet is doing in modern day business practices.
I find this really fascinating, especially seeing women coming into their own in this career, working alongside men. Add to this some gentle romance, a wealth of interesting characters and good Christian content and you have a most enjoyable read.
The story takes place in London in 1881. Alice McNeil has procured a prestigious position in the telegraphy department of Henley & Company, who deal in imports of wheat and cotton. Douglas Shaw is Mr Henley's right hand man and he and Alice relate well in that they are both interested in business practices, particularly inventions that benefit businesses financially. Douglas, who comes from abject poverty and has worked hard to rise above his origins, is ambitious and quite a social climber. He encourages Alice to aim for a higher position in the company.
The introduction of "The Spinster's Guide to Love and Romance" and its effect on everything, particularly on Alice's determination to stay unmarried, brings some lively humour into the story.
The book deals with love and marriage, jealousy and relationships between family members, friends and co workers, all against the background of the social norms of the time.
It is a delightful book and one I can highly recommend. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

It's a beautiful story!
Alice is a young Telegraph operator, an independant woman who doesn't want to marry. Her career is more important to her than marriage... Until she meets Douglas Shaw at her new workplace and start using the advices she reads in a spinster book! Douglas grew up in a poor neighborhood in Glasgow and he's a very ambitious man
hard worker, he longs to go far in his career and marry into high society. Alice and Douglas develop a friendship who arouse the jealousy of one of their co-worker... they both will have to reconsider the path they have chosen at first and focus on what really matter, familly, love and helping others because wealth and career is not everything in life...
I really enjoyed reading this book, it was funny and beautifully written.

I absolutely adored this story! I'm a huge reader of romance novels, both historical and contemporary, and I really enjoyed the uniqueness of the plot behind this book. The story focuses on Alice who is determined to make her own way in the world as a telegrapher. Obviously, I know that telegraphs existed and the basics of how they worked, but I found myself really drawn in to a story where this played such an important role. It make for an interesting change of pace.

I loved Alice's independent nature, but also that she experienced growth. She learned along the way that she could be ambitious, but still find love with the right man. Douglas also underwent a fantastic transformation as he learned that his goals needed to be about so much more than just acquiring money.

When Douglas tapped out thank you in Morse code after Alice helped him to feel more confident with dancing, I think I fell for him right then and there. That moment just really stood out to me as so sweet. There is enough tension in the book to keep you reading, but not so much that it's overwhelming. I was able to see possible routes for more of the series (which I assume there will be more since this was labeled as book #1?). I really hope there's more because I want more of these characters!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and I am leaving an honest and voluntary review.

I just loved this book! It is the best book by this author that I have read. I was able to read this book smoothly and seamlessly. It was a pure delight to read. I just kept thinking about the book all the time and kept picking up up to read in every moment that I had. If I could rate this book higher than a 5 star I would, it was just fabulous. Great job Jennifer Delamere!

What a lovely start to the Love Along the Wires Series. The characters were charming and the history of telegraphs interesting.

Alice is driven to have a successful career as a telegraph operator and is quite pleased after landing a job with a private company. She has no desire to marry or have children. Alice has nothing against men. She simply wishes to be self-sufficient.

In contrast, Douglas is also driven to be successful, however, his motivation is to amass wealth and never return to the poverty he was born to. His primary focus at the time he meets Alice is to marry a banker's daughter.

What I loved most about Line by Line was the characters. They are portrayed in such a realistic fashion. Not only Alice and Douglas, but all the secondary characters as well. I'm hoping the remainder of the series will be about Alice's friends Emma and Rose. The story line also includes a not so easy to like character, but he is described in stellar fashion.

And what's not to love about a small bookstore serving a key role in the romance?

Line by Line is set in London in the 1800s and tells the story of Alice who doesn't desire or expect to marry. Instead, Alice focuses on her career as a telegrapher. When she unexpectedly purchases a book detailing the way men think, she begins using the new knowledge to help navigate a difficult work relationship. Meanwhile, Douglas begins working in the same office with Alice and a friendship quickly develops. Will it lead to more? Can Alice and Douglas work past each of their preconceived desires for their personal futures? This delightful book grabbed my attention from the very beginning and kept my interest until the very end. I impatiently look forward to book 2 in the series!

Very enlightening story about telegraphy during the Victorian age. Alice grew up in the midst of the Morse code and a telegraph office. I liked that her father taught her telegraphy and allowed her to follow in his footsteps.Alice had a lot of spunk which was appealing. Clapper was truly a despicable character that used his connection to the fullest. Andrew Carnegie's advice to Douglas was an encouragement and applicable even today. Enjoyable! Recommended!

Set in London in 1881, Line By Line, the first book in the Love Along the Wires series, features independent, hardworking telegrapher Alice McNeil and ambitious businessman and social climber Douglas Shaw who are both employed by Henley and Company. In this character-driven story, romance and history combine with a little drama and humor to make an entertaining read. The romance between Alice and Douglas develops slowly with its ups and downs. There is a definite “first sight” attraction that they both try to ignore for some time because of goals they have set for their individual lives. This quote gives insight to their feelings: “Of all the things he planned to accomplish in this life, falling in love with a determined spinster was most definitely not among them. Nor did love appear to be in her plans either.” Their flirtatious banter, however, is delightful. The well-researched historical aspect of the story involving the telegraph and its world-wide importance in those times and the inclusion of the meeting and conversation with Andrew Carnegie is very interesting and informative. The story immediately caught my attention and kept it through the satisfying ending. All the characters including secondary ones are well-developed and memorable. This is the first book I have read by this author. I like her expressive, flowing style and will be checking out her other works and looking forward to the next book in the series. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.
I received a copy of this book in e-book form from the publisher via netgalley but am under no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.

Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to the things before you.

You could almost say that was the motto for the life of Alice and especially of Douglas. As a well educated young lady, Alice has dreams that don’t include marriage and a family, at least not now. After all, she has worked very hard to become a first-class telegraph operator. Long before the telephone, the telegraph operator was a very important position as that was the way to communicate with much quicker results than the postal mail would allow. Douglas had left his very humble beginnings behind and was moving up in the business world, becoming indispensable to his employer.

I thoroughly enjoyed the repartee between Alice and Douglas. For her, it seemed to be an affirmation of the knowledge she worked so diligently to acquire. On his behalf, it appeared to be a real treat to be able to discuss technical things with a friend. Learning more about the telegraph as well as the added intrigue makes the first book in this new series, Love Along the Wires, even more captivating.

This digital copy was received through Baker Publishing Group, Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley. All impressions and comments are my own and were in no way solicited.

What a wonderful historical fiction tale by Author Jennifer Delamere. I always enjoy her stories. Her impeccable research makes the time period she writes about come alive! In "Line by Line", we meet Alice, who, against the standards of the day, was totally happy being an independent "spinster". She went up against the expectations and simply wished to have a good job and stay single. She became very adept at her job as a telegraphist. I enjoyed reading what it was like to communicate by telegraphs before phones were common. I loved her no-nonsense personality, it reminded me of a friend of mine in high school.

I chuckled how she bought a Spinster book, not that she wanted to catch a man, but she wanted to try a few experiments to see if it made any difference with men she had trouble communicating with.

Douglas, a self-taught, up and coming, invaluable right-hand man to the owner of a large company, has come a long way from where he grew up. He is looking to marry a wealthy woman to cement his standing in society. One more thing he has to learn is how to dance. After several failed lessons, enter his colleague Alice to teach him. She finds a very creative work-related way to teach him!

Both Alice and Douglas learn some important lessons about life through their individual and shared experiences. It's fun to see them try to ignore their attraction. I love the history of that time, the sweet story, the epilogue, and the author's notes at the end. I highly recommend Line by Line!

What a great book!! This is my first book by Jennifer Delamere and definitely did not disappoint!! II will definitely be adding her to my to-be-read authors list!! I absolutely loved this story. It was thoroughly engaging and had all those elements you look for in a story; love, a somewhat villainous character, comedy, disappointment and more love! Right away you can tell that the author has done extensive research to make this book come alive! It was interesting to relive that moment in history when technological improvements were just beginning.

The characters are very relatable and endearing. Both main characters Douglas and Alice are determined to make their own way into the world and be successful in what they do. For Alice that means being an independent woman, not focused on marriage or starting a family but rather focus on making herself a successful telegrapher. Douglas on the other hand has come from poverty so he is determined to make a name for himself in the business world and climb that corporate ladder in whatever way that may be even the possibility into marrying into a what most consider a noble family. That is until he meets Alice!

Oh my stars! Their love story is so good! It really all starts with a friendship and a bookstore! (How can you go wrong with a book that includes a book store?!) And seriously it all starts with a book she picks up from the bookstore called "The Spinster's Guide to Love and Romance". I don't want to give you any spoilers but by picking up this book it causes Alice to come across many comical problems. They moments she encounters truly have you shaking your head and smirking!

There are some sweet moments as well with Douglas and Alice that are swoon worthy! Especially on one scene where Douglas taps out Thank You in Morse Code after Alice helps him to feel more confident with dancing! Gah!! You definitely fall in love with Douglas and are pulling for him the entire time!

Although the love element is great in this story, it's only part of it. Douglas and Alice are both on a journey. They are both learning what they truly want out of life. When Douglas meets with Mr. Carnegie (yes the Carnegie from our history books) he definitely has an eye-opening experience. He not only learns that Carnegie is a business minded person but that his outlook on wealth is not to accumulate it but rather help others with it. I love how he says this " No idol is more debasing than the worship of money. If a person is going to spend so much of their life's blood and sweat on something, it should be something that is elevating in character." Wow! That is a teaching moment not only for Douglas but I think of all of us as human beings as well!

Alice also goes through an eye opening experience of her own after she gets dismissed from her telegraphy job (this is where that somewhat villainous character comes in) and heads out to her parents wedding anniversary celebration where she hears her dad say "You have been my best life's work." All this time she has been thinking that her sole purpose was to stay unmarried and focus on her independence. She has never wanted to have that independent spirit to be taken away. She realizes after speaking with her mentor as well that all this time she has wanted "a man to whom she could safely entrust her heard and her hard-earned independence."

It was lovely to see these characters grow and learn about themselves throughout the story. Jennifer Delamere definitely left the story open for continuation as we were introduced to two of Alice's friends; Rose and Emma and I for one cannot wait to read their stories in hopes to also catch glimpses of Douglas and Alice!

If you love historical fiction in a Victorian Era then I know you will love this book!

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

Alice McNeil is living the life she dreamed of, that of a spinster careerwoman. Drop-dead gorgeous Douglas Shaw may turn her head, but she won’t be derailed by dreams of love. Will she?
Douglas is ambitious and full of himself. He rose from abject poverty to become an admired businessman in London. Marry for wealth and position? Why not? I love the way Andrew Carnegie tactfully guides him into considering benefiting others.
They enjoy discussing technical advances, but easy comradery is strained when Alice’s life unravels. Both must determine what they really want in life.
After a slow start for me, this became a riveting tale.

Line by Line was my first Jennifer Delamere novel and I’m glad I read it. This was a true historical romance. There is plenty of history regarding the telegraph, essentially the ‘internet’ of the age. I also enjoyed the characters in this novel. They developed well and the romance unfolded nicely, maintaining my interest throughout. When reading a story, I enjoy having to put some of the pieces together myself. That was not the case in this story, as everything was clearly spelled out for the reader. Personal preference. I’m looking forward to book 2 in this series.

This was such a wonderful historical novel. I loved the characters. And the best part was the little bit of mystery that was woven throughout the book.

Line by Line by Jennifer Delamere

“Alice was made of different stuff. She relished the opportunity to strike out on her own, to prove her worth and value. She was glad the field of telegraphy is open to women.”

I have been seeing this book a lot lately and the cover is beautiful so I want to read it. Jennifer is a new-to-me author. I like her writing style. The conversations are great and evokes emotions. Alice and Douglas are both determined to succeed in their work and be recognized by it. They are very good at Morse code that it was perfect when Alice used the dots and dashes to teach Douglas how to dance. I don’t have first hand knowledge with the rhythms of the codes but it works well with Douglas.

Alice wants to remain a spinster and Douglas aims to be a millionaire but as their worlds collide, they both can’t set aside their growing affection. It’s cute and fun when they are together. Mr. Clapper is not someone you want to work with. I don’t like Lucy either. She seems to be self-absorbed. I do like Emma as Alice’s friend. I’d love to see her plants. I enjoyed this book and learning more about telegraphy. I like reading about Andrew Carnegie in the story. The ending is great but I feel like I want more. 4.5 stars

Thank you #netgalley and #Bethanyhouse for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Jennifer Delamere has looked into the history of telegraphy and its impact on the world, and pulled together a quite amusing novel centered around telegraphs and telegrams.

Alice McNeill is a telegrapher for the Central Telegraph Offices in London, but when she hears of an opening at the Henley Company, an imports company, she applies for the job. She is a conscientious telegrapher who works on incoming telegrams by ear, listening to Morse Code as it comes in. She rarely has to read the ticker-tape, which makes her more valuable to the company.

Douglas Shaw is second only to the owner in the Henley Company and is relied on by Henley to make contracts and provide profit.

Archie Clapper is Mr. Henley's wife's cousin, and whose only purpose in life is to make life harder for his coworkers. When he feels that he's been jilted by Alice, he goes out of his way to get back at her, and eventually get her fired.

This is a compelling novel that has cameos by real historical people who were active in the business world at the time. The secondary characters really flesh out the plot and make it more enjoyable, and the novel itself is very hard to put down.

Five Stars, Two Thumbs Up, and a telegram full of good news.

Bethany House and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I love how Jennifer Delamere consistently incorporates fun nuggets of history into her books and weaves compelling plots from them, and Line by Line is no exception. I didn’t know much about the telegraph beyond its association with Edison, so it was cool to get some insight into the actual inner workings of the device and what a big technological advancement it was at the time, with Delamere even drawing comparisons in her note at the end to the Internet for us today.

The characters are also incredible and well drawn. It was cool to see in Alice a heroine who not only prefers to work instead of pursuing the traditional “marriage and children” route, but also that she works as a telegrapher, something I saw as a stereotypically male career in my limited experience.

I also rooted for Douglas to come to his senses about what he really wanted out of life. I could empathize with his having come from nothing and wanting to use marriage as a tool to rise higher, but also love how his arc conveyed that life doesn’t always go the way you plan.

This is another winner from Jennifer Delamere, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next in this series! I recommend this to anyone who likes sweet historical romance.

Line by line is a historical romance novel by Jennifer Delamere. It is centered around Alice, a self declared spinster who is loving her career as a telegraph operator and can’t wait to make a life for herself. That starts when she gets hired at a private company, as she can now afford her own house, and with it comes the most adorable cat ever, which she names Mrs. T, after her old school teacher who believed in her. She is very happy with her life, and she hates it when her family and friends seem to think she’s missing something, but she’s not as she choose this path deliberately.

Life at the office is quite different from the huge station she was used to, but she really likes it. Most of the people are nice, except for Mr. Clapper (a fellow telegraph operator), and I loved reading about the work place in that time period! You can see some things will always be the same... Thankfully Alice is not above giving Mr. Clapper a piece of her mind and I admire her professionalism and wit. But, of course, another very attractive employee walks in after months away on business, and she suddenly feels things she’s never felt before. But bend on her own career and spinsterhood, she’ll do everything to keep it that way.

Douglas, the man that causes the sparks, has plans of his own. His career is very important, and in line with that he wants to make an advantageous match to further business. But he gets distracted by his new coworker... especially how he can effortlessly talk to her and how intelligent she is.

So, there are sparks flying from the moment they meet. I personally prefer it to take a bit longer, growing as they know each other this felt like instalove, though the growth was definitely there. I loved all the banter, and to get to know the inner workings of the office! This book was seriously so much fun to read! There is this spinster book to help find love, you know, we now chuckle over those books now. Well, Alice chuckles too, but in the name of science she decides to try a few tricks and well... the outcome is quite unexpected! There are also friends with their own stories and I can’t wait to read more about them in the sequels! And of course, we’re here for the romance. It is very well done, loved all of it! I even wasn’t sure if it would work out as the obstacles are quite high and very diverse, but it is handled in unexpected ways, and the characters experience a lot of growth. I love the antagonist in this story, as we all know someone like him in real life, it’s very realistic.

The only downside, beside the instalove, is that for me sometimes the scenes didn’t flow, the changes of POV or setting sometimes took me out of the story instead of drawing me in. But halfway it got a lot better and I didn’t notice it anymore. All in all, can really recommend this one! It’s a fun and addictive read, but also has some bigger Christian themes on love, friendship, and what’s valuable in life, what do you live for.

I received a free e-copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

It is refreshing to find a fiction which is ‘clean’ – the boundaries seem to be being stretched further & further - but there is more to this book than that. These characters are more realistic, more true-to-life than many in this genre. Believe it or not, there really are people whose sole intention in life is not just to get married & leave their working life behind. Who can take an interest in their work, even when they are at a relatively junior level. And who can have a male-female friendship without seeking romantic overtones. And real office workers do come across unwarranted jealousies, too, with spiteful behaviour from co-workers. It made a welcome change to read about a heroine for whom romance took her by surprise, actually upsetting her lifeplan rather than fulfilling it. The other thing I particularly liked about this book was that I learned something from it, in this case about the occupation of a telegrapher. This is an interesting way of becoming informed about history, & occupations from the not-so-very-distant past. Line by Line is the first book I have read by this author, but I will certainly be looking out for more.

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?

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Line by Line is the start of a new series by Jennifer Delamere, and it's a great start! Alice is a driven young women who is determined to be a successful telegraph operator. She's very good at it and believes the only way to continue to succeed and be self sufficient is to remain single and fight to be treated as an equal. Douglas is also driven to succeed, but he wants to amass wealth and social status. The character development was absolutely delightful. I really enjoyed both of them along with the secondary characters. I also really enjoyed the storyline of the telegraph. I found that very interesting! Looking forward to the next book in this series!

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

I loved this entertaining book from Jennifer Delamere. .I enjoyed learning more about the importance of the telegraph in conducting business during this period of history, and just how crucial Alice’s work was as a telegrapher. I admired Alice for her great work ethic and determination to advance in her career. She had some important decisions to make, and it would have been easy for her to make choices based on her immediate needs rather than searching her heart and trusting God to open the best doors for her life. I enjoyed the sweet romance that grew between Alice and Douglas and thought they made a terrific couple. They discovered that the reasons for marrying for love far outweighs marrying for convenience or advancement.

The appearance in this book by Andrew Carnegie comes at the perfect time in this story. His role in history as a philanthropist has been well documented, and his influence has Douglas taking a different view of life. I enjoyed seeing the characters grow and change throughout this story, and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Jennifer Delamere's books have been a delight in the past and this is no exception!

Alice is a telegrapher, determined to live a single life. She makes her life as a telegrapher in a world where men are prized and women are seen as inferior in business. An angry male coworker makes Alice's job harder, even going so far (view spoiler)

Douglas is a business man, vice president of the company, who wants to rise above his humble roots. Defending Alice might ruin his prospects.

I enjoyed it so much. Alice and Douglas were really fleshed out as characters, with vices and values. They were likable, with tics and flaws, ambitions and motivations outside of just driving the romance. The romance wasn't overpowering the plot, but wasn't pushed off to the side and brought into the end to tie up loose ends; it was balanced and well paced.

4.7 Stars - Would reread

I liked this story overall. The backdrop of the late Victorian/early Georgian telegraphy (forerunner of telephones or the internet) network was an interesting choice and worked quite well. In fact, I think this might have been better than the first novel in the author's first trilogy which come out a couple of years ago.

The story and some of the characters were quite normal for this genre but not uninteresting. The heroine's assortment of cats was an amusing touch.

There were a few Americanisms in the characters speech and mannerisms, but that's to be expected and I'm usually pleasantly surprised when there aren't.

Recommended.

Thanks to the publisher Bethany House for allowing me to read a copy of this title. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

I don't recall a book with a telegraphist as the main character and this story reminded of the importance of the telegraph in the nineteenth century. Alice McNeil is an accomplished telegraphist because of her desire to be more than just a wife and mother and she has been rewarded with a rewarding job in a prestigious trading firm in London. But is it possible that her close working relationship with fellow employee Douglas Shaw may interfere with her previous plans? Will Alice decide that devoting her life to a career isn't all that she thought it would be? Is it possible that Douglas will change his mind about finding a wealthy, affluent wife?

Line by Line has history, romance, and some great supporting characters. I was especially intrigued by Andrew Carnegie's appearance and appreciated that Delamere includes some of Carnegie's actual words as he urges Douglas not to put too much stock into wealth and prestige and to recognize the perils of idolizing money. I also enjoyed the conversations between Alice and Miss Templeton, the owner of Miss Templeton's School for Young Ladies. She had seen great potential in Alice and she continues to encourage her. "Don't waste a minute of your life when you could be doing something productive." Certainly words to live by but it is an eighteen word telegraph from Douglas that forever changes Alice's life. Eighteen words but "a ten-page letter couldn't have said more."

I love it when a book entertains and teaches at the same time and this is what author Jennifer Delamere has accomplished in Line by Line. It is a well-written, well-researched story and I recommend it to all who enjoy historical Christian romance.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author but there was no obligation to write a positive review. These are my own thoughts.

I received an ARC from Bethany House Publishers, via NetGalley. This review is my personal opinion.

In this new serie of Jennifer Delamere, she took an interesting and in my case an unknown topic. About the telegraph, from the first chapter, you can see that she did a thoughtful investigation. The historical elements of this story are so vivid that you can little by little understand more of the subject. We first meet Alice she had been working for the London Central Telegraph office as a first-class operator, she is good and in the world where men are majority she finds herself with many challenges. She has decided to focus her life on her achievement and has a clear mind about her goals. When she decided to start working at Henley’s because she is looking for a place where she can have a better payment and also opportunities to grow. Then we have Douglas, he is young, handsome, intelligent and he wants to know in the business world. He has the vision and desire to make it happen. While the story is developing Alice and Douglas start a friendship, we can see how they help each other and complement. What I like about this story is that it present two very interesting views of life, in the one hand we have Alice that since a young age has value and defend her singleness, and Douglas who wants a better life than he had while growing up.

I like the view and how Jennifer Delamare not only takes the story through a different stage, but we can see how the characters themselves change and evolve with a new and clear vision. I truly appreciate the lack of unnecessary dramatic situations, and we have a balance. I had a great time while reading this book and it makes me think about the perception of life and how necessary is to have God filter them according to His Word.

Well-written, interesting characters, vivid descriptions of the historical background, faith, family, and some funny situations. This book is a great choice if you like good Christian historical stories

Wonderfully researched and full of strong, dimensional characters, Delamere's latest proves once more how at home she is in exploring aspects of Victorian London that don't always find their way on the page.

A smart romance and a relatable heroine, not to mention a fascinating tenet of history kept the pages turning.


I always look forward to what this author has in store and was so glad to escape our world for a bit !

What a great story! I loved the strength Alice showed even when wrongly accused. Of course throw in the unexpected romance and I was all in! I can’t wait for the next book to come out!