Line by Line

Love Along the Wires #1

by Jennifer Delamere

Alice McNeil resolved at a young age to travel through life unencumbered by love or marriage, free to make her own decisions. A seasoned telegrapher, she's recently acquired a coveted position at an important trading firm, but when the company's ambitious junior director returns to London, things begin to change in ways Alice could never have imagined.

For Douglas Shaw, years of hard work and ingenuity enabled him to escape a life of grinding poverty. He's also determined to marry into high society--a step that will ensure he never returns to the conditions of his past.

He and Alice form a friendly relationship based on mutual respect, but anything deeper is not in their plans. However, when Alice accidentally raises the ire of a jealous and vindictive coworker who's intent on ruining her life, Alice and Douglas are forced to confront what is truly important in their lives. Will their growing bond give them the courage to risk finding a better way?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Historical, British Literature, Historical Romance

384 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2020

About the author

A history fan, travel lover, and outdoor enthusiast, Jennifer Delamere writes tales of the past...and of new beginnings. Her debut novel An Heiress at Heart was an RWA RITA® award finalist, and her follow-up, A Lady Most Lovely, earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly and the Maggie Award for Excellence from Georgia Romance Writers. Jennifer earned her B.A. in English from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, where she also gained fluency in French and developed an abiding passion for winter sports. An avid reader of both classic novels and historical fiction, she also enjoys biographies and histories, which she mines for the vivid details to bring to life the characters and places in her books.

Reviews

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer Delamere has started a new series with Line By Line. It is set in Victorian England in the offices of Henly and Company. The story follows Alice McNeil. She is a modern Miss trying to prove that women can do a good job in the workplace. Alice can support herself; she has no need to pursue a marriage match. Until she meets fellow telegrapher and her supervisor, Douglas Shaw.
This was an interesting mix of history and budding romance. Ms. Delamere is very adept at incorporating facts and tidbits into her stories. She conveys her character’s feelings in a relatable way. One tool she uses is a volume called The Spinsters Guide to Love and Romance, based on a real book of the era. This little tome could get Alice into all kinds of trouble. It was fascinating to see how Alice used the advice contained in it.
A character who makes an appearance is Andrew Carnegie. Ms. Delamere used his own words to show his faith and the reason for his philanthropy. Mr. Carnegie counsels Douglas to put his priorities in the right order. There are lessons for us all. Another character I enjoyed was Miss Templeton, a former teacher who Alice visits to get some perspective.
I look forward to reading the rest of this series to see what other trouble the little advice book can stir up.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*

[Lisa (Bookworm Lisa) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a series that I want to continue reading. Of course, I'll have to wait for the next book for a while...

Alice McNeil is a forward-thinking young woman. She is positive that the way she wants to live her life is as an independent spinster. She has goals in her career as a telegrapher. She is quick and smart. The future is waiting for her until she meets Douglas Shaw.

Douglas has decided that the way to get ahead in life is to marry money. He began his career as a telegrapher and now is the right-hand man to the owner of the company. Now, he has set his sights on woman of society! Too bad that she's not everything he thought she would be and not as intelligent as Alice.

This book is well-paced and a fantastic read. I loved the relationships built between the characters. There is chemistry, both the good and the kind that rubs you raw. That is evident between Alice and her co-telegrapher, Clapper. He is the kind of man that doesn't like to be proven wrong or have another employee excel at their position. Alice quickly makes him an enemy and the story gets very interesting from that point.

I enjoyed reading this book. I'm just sorry that I have to wait for the next one to come out.

Source: I received a complimentary copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[Staci · Rating 4 out of 5]

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?

My gratitude to publisher Bethany House for a NetGalley copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls)]

DNF @ pg. 135.

I have been trying so hard to keep going with this book, but I just can't force myself to continue anymore. It wasn't necessarily because of content (thus far), I am not a fan of either Alice or Douglas.

Douglas infuriated me in many ways. He is so desperate to climb the social ladder and admits that. Because of this, he is going after a rich man's daughter, but yet! He is constantly complimenting Alice and flirting with her. He finds Alice interesting because of her skills for a woman and I found him so annoying with his brash comments about others.
[Because I am not finishing this book, I should note: It is possible that he'll change by the end of the story. Off topic in some ways, I do want to note that he does smoke cigarettes; which I don't believe I've seen in Christian Fiction unless it's the soon-to-be-reformed-bad-boy.]

Alice. Oh, Alice. She went from "I don't need a man"/"I don't want to get married" to blushing and stuttering over Douglas in a blink. I can get that a guy is cute/handsome/whatever, but she was struggling to keep her mind on her original goals of being an independent woman. [Is this because they will inevitably get together? Of course.] According to a couple other reviews, her mind is changed even more so after a passionate kiss.

Alice is also given terrible advice about stroking a man's ego (from her friends & a book) so that they will be friendlier and not as short with her (at work or a dinner party). If it was just about being kind to the snooty man at work, I think I would have been fine with it, but Alice is told to make a man feel superior to her. It's commented that prior when Alice did a similar thing to another sour man at a dinner party, that she felt like she had played a joke on him and he didn't even realize it. To which her friend brings up and comments
"What if you did the same to [the man at work]? How delicious would that be? He might feel superior, but you would know that you are superior."
It was a tempting prospect. Maybe there was some truth to what Rose was saying. "Perhaps I will give it a try. It would be nice to have a more civil work environment."
In my eyes, this is terrible advice. It borderlines on trickery and deceit. Why can't you genuinely ask the man about his hobbies? Not trying to trick him that he's superior by teaching you something, but genuinely being kind? Maybe the book decided to add this in for the sake of the time period, but I thought it was sad it was done this way.

I'm so tired of the love at first sight/attraction at first sight trope. I understand that "romance" authors only has so many pages to make a story, but when it's over three hundred pages, I don't see the reason at all on why everything has to be rushed.

I gave this author a second try, but, unfortunately, it will be my last by her.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

First Initial Thoughts

Alice is in her late 20s determined to build a telegraph career and forgo marriage. She just acquired a new position at a prestigious shipping company looking for a telegrapher. The first day she starts she meets Douglas Shaw, a senior director at the company. She is instantly attracted to him for his good looks and charm. That first night after work she goes to the local bookstore and decides to purchase a book about not being a spinster and how to attract a man. She first thinks the book is outlandish and ridiculous but is also curious about its contents. Also, at work, she has to sit across a man named Archie. A man that despises that she is working there and makes sure she knows it. He also doesn’t put his workload in and puts the extra work on her. What a great co-worker…

Douglas Shaw came from poverty in Glasgow and is working his way up into society so that he no longer has to live in poverty. He thinks that by working hard, his hard work will pay off and he will become successful in life. Then he meets Alice. They get along easily and he is attracted by the way Alice is able to handle her workload and able to defend herself to the other men in the office, especially Archie. One day his luck is in the cards and he meets Andrew Carnegie. He is able to secure a meeting about a working partnership with Henley and Company. Will this meeting change everything?

Setting

I absolutely loved the office setting in this book. Even though this story took place many decades ago, office politics were still existent and you definitely got a sense of this. It definitely also reminded me how much I did not like working in a corporate environment and how some people thrived in it.

Final Thoughts

Halfway through the book, this book kind of reminded me of the show, Mad Men. While this story was much cleaner and didn’t have all the scandals, this story definitely had office politics and life. There was a lot of drama in the office and like in Mad Men, each co-worker had a life outside the office and it was heavily written about.

With that being said, I felt like the story did drag on just a little bit. The main part of the story didn’t really get revealed until the very end and just shortly thereafter resolved. However, I do have to say that the actions Alice chose to partake in, resulted in consequences she didn’t want.

Speaking of Alice, she was very adamant about keeping a career and not getting married. She had no time for that. She often felt different from other women but didn’t let that get in her way. I liked her determination and motivation. Though she still had a pull to read that spinster book. While I am all for women establishing a career and waiting for marriage, love doesn’t have to not be in the picture. Alice was afraid to let love in because she felt it would interfere with her plans. However, it doesn’t have to.

Douglas was determined to get to the top and become wealthy. I think his conversation with Carnegie changed his perspective. While Carnegie was very wealthy, he also started with humble beginnings. He was also well known to use his money for good. I think the biggest thing to be learned is that money can’t buy happiness. If we have money, it’s important to know how to use it wisely. If I was wealthy as Carnegie, I know I wouldn’t just be hoarding it. I would definitely be using it to help the needy.

Overall I really enjoyed this story and I am excited about the next book in the series!

Please Note: I was sent a copy of this book to review from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Joleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read several stories centered around the telegraph, but I have to say, I enjoyed this one the most.

Alice, a confirmed spinster and telegrapher for the past 10+ years decided she would not rely on a man for her future and livelihood. But when she met co-worker Douglas Shaw, her heart was awakened. She was never aware of these emotions, however she knew she needed to put them them in storage.

At a bookstore she didn’t mean to eavesdrop on Douglas's conversations with friends and the book they were laughing over. It was The Spinster‘s Guide to Love and Romance. Picking it up and utilizing some of the advice, Alice found herself in predicaments she never expected.

I actually appreciated some of her predicaments and the lessons they taught about manipulation and the need to be honest.

This book surprised me, and I really liked it. It wasn’t silly or simply lighthearted. Good topics were dealt with and a true relationship came out of it all. Loved both characters although it was a bit harder to appreciate Douglas. But his big heart learned to soften to what was truly important.

Clean and easy for me to recommend.

[Dana Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1880 Alice McNeil has pretty much determined she will go through life, unmarried and making her own decisions. She has acquired a position as a telegram operator. She loves her job though finds Archie Clapper, another telegraph operator, difficult to work with. Douglas Shaw has left behind the poverty of his childhood and is now junior director of the London company. He also has plans to use his good looks to marry into to high society, leaving the conditions of his past firmly in the past. But when Alice and Douglas meet and get to know each other better, they each have to confront what is most important in their lives.
The setting was interesting as were all the facts about telegraphy, not to mention the office politics. Alice and Douglas are interesting and I liked the support of Alice’s friends, except for Lucy who doesn’t have a clue what Alice wants from life. And what part does a book bought from the local bookstore have to play in events?
I loved this gentle story. Characters and setting all so well drawn and the story hooked me in from the outset. A very enjoyable read that I would recommend to all who like a well told story. I loved the dancing to Morse code incident. My first book by this author I would be keen to read another and it appears this is part 1 of a series, so I will look forward to the next one.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Line By Line was truly a charming story. This is my first book by this author but it will not be my last. The book caught me early on and I loved every moment of it. The meet cute between Alice and Douglas was one of the best I have read. Alice's reactions during that scene were absolutely hysterical. Their developing relationship was entertaining and their friends helped to round out the story very well. The story didn't lag and kept me invested and the ending was perfect. I really really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading Jennifer's earlier books as well as reading the upcoming books in this series. Jennifer Delamere has a new fan in me!

I received this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my honest opinion.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid entry to a new series set in Victorian England. I loved the intensity of the historical setting and the obvious study of the culture of the times, plus all the details of the telegraph office and the warmth of the small bookstore.

The characters weren't as consistent and endearing as I hoped at first, though. I liked them in the first half better than the second half because they showed some promise; in the second half, the promise was turned into action rather than a full expansion of character, leaving me feeling rather disappointed.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Line by Line promised so many of the things I love in historical fiction, namely: the promise of a working woman in Victorian London, close to thirty, long past the age most married, and content to be both single and career-minded. Alice works as a telegrapher in London, and thanks to her (mostly) supportive family and the mentorship of an unforgettable teacher, she has no intention of ever marrying. She's content to be a beloved aunt and among a close circle of female friends, all gainfully employed and currently single. An independent, intelligent heroine working in a male-dominated field? This is total Ruth catnip. I've read Delamere before (though its been years, and prior to her pubbing with Bethany House) and remember enjoying her writing. Sadly this novel was a disappointment.

It's not that its "bad" per se...but for a novel with such a promising set-up, n-o-t-h-i-n-g happens for at least two-thirds of the novel. There's very little forward momentum to the plotline; rather, there are PAGES of Alice (or Douglas, during his point-of-view chapters) thinking. Yes, thinking. Which might be fine if it was remotely interesting, or there was really any point to the seemingly endless pages of internal rumination, but there's just not. I'm not opposed to a "quiet," slice-of-life story, but in my view like all fiction that type of story succeeds or fails on the merits of whether or not the characters are engaging. And Alice, while likeable enough - and a much-needed viewpoint in historical fiction - just fails to carry the story for me.

As a hero I loved how Douglas Shaw immediately "saw" Alice for who she is - tremendously capable and intelligent, followed by any measure of physical appeal. However, he is one-note in his single-minded pursuit of wealth by marriage, until a chance encounter with Andrew Carnegie prompts him to think beyond the acquisition of temporal wealth. So while he is clearly capable of appreciating a woman's intellect, for over half the novel he's bent on a single-minded pursuit of using another "frivolous" woman to further his career. *facepalm* Everything works out fine, but let's be honest its not a great look.

This novel had so much potential, and it succeeds best when it confronts timeless issues such as sexual discrimination in the workplace. Delamere also nicely sets the scene, successfully bringing 1880-era working-class London to life. Also, there's a cat (who also made the back cover!), which is a huge win for me personally. But one-note characterization and a plot that lacks focus and momentum makes Line by Line fall far short of what I'd hoped (or remembered from my previous experience with Delamere's fiction). I like the concept and given my history I'll definitely give her work a further chance.

[Libby May · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun!
So the characters were so much fun. Alice was a bundle of hilarious nerves. I loved the way her brain worked, the way she processed things. I loved the way that the author described her falling for Douglas and how everything fell into place. Oh she denied it only once, but as an independent spinsters she sure fell for him pretty fast!
And still! It was not too fast. I felt like it was executed so well. The pacing was immaculate. The way that Douglas and Alice interacted was just so so satisfying and hilarious.
You know how there are books you read, and you say "Wow, that was a good book! I really enjoyed it!" And then there are books where you feel that way about individual chapters. In this book, I enjoyed ever single paragraph. I had such a good time and I laughed so many times reading this book.
Douglas was a splendid gentlemen. I love the way he handled Alice's independence. It was appropriate for the time in history, but also he earned so much respect from my by appreciating her skill and personality, and THEN bringing up the fact that Alice was gorgeous. That was really a great thing to read, especially in something that was traditionally published. If you've followed me a lot before, you know that I am a big indie-published supporter! I love the individuality that comes with it. This book stood up to and met that standard.
If you enjoy historical fiction with some good clean romance, this one comes with a high recommendation! Beware, you will lose your heart to Douglas. At least, I did. XD
I received a complimentary copy of this book, a positive review was not required. All words in this review are my own!

[Marian Baay · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Kav · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in Jennifer Delamere's Love Along the Wires series is chock-full of history, a bit of mystery and, of course, romance.

Douglas and Alice are alike in their professional ambition and both have a clear vision of the trajectory their lives will take. He's intent on climbing up the social ladder and finding a wealthy, well-connected wife is the next step. Alice has put aside thoughts of marriage for the satisfaction of a career and she's not about to get foggy-headed over any man...even if Mr. Shaw is an assault on all her senses!

Lots of scope for angst and upset along with a bit of humour. Douglas is beguiled by the insightful, intelligent woman who comes to work at his company. Alice, in turn, is smitten by the easy way Douglas accepts her proficiency and business acumen. It should be a match made in heaven but they are too driven by their own notions of success to notice. Gah!

Throw in a book entitled 'The Spinsters Guide to Love and Romance' and some well-meaning (and not so well meaning) secondary characters to stir things up even more and the result is a page-turning reading binge.

I listened to the audible version of this book narrated by Bianca Amato who did an amazing job of bringing these characters to life -- especially Douglas's Scottish burr (my toes may never fully uncurl!)

Book provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications.

[Cara Putman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable historical romance set in London. Alice is going to be a career woman. She has a job she loves. Douglas has risen above his impoverished childhood and is determined to secure his future. Then they work together and there is a synergy. It is not a straight road, but it is enjoyable. A compelling story that I enjoyed.

[Nora St Laurent · Rating 4 out of 5]

The inspiration for this story was from a book titled “The Victorian Internet.” The author says, “It was fascinating to read about ways the telegraph’s impact on the world in the nineteenth century was similar to the internet in the twenty-first. “The world got smaller, news traveled faster, and businesses were completely altered. As with the internet, there were even scams and long-distance romances!”

I found it interesting that the author has Andrew Carnegie make a appearance in this novel sharing an actual trip across England and giving advice to Douglas about money that comes directly from Carnegie’s own writings.

I enjoyed the antidotes taken from a book The Spinster’s Guide to Love and Romance. This book causes many uncomfortable situations for the main character Alice as she tries to apply the suggestions from the book. I enjoyed how the author shows how some of the work situations in the book still exist today. I found it interesting to read about the “inevitable conflicts with coworkers, and the vital importance of business machines, Victorian offices don’t seem so different from many today.”

Alice is an independent, hardworking, strong women with a good work ethic. She is willing to do the tasks no one wants to do to gain a higher position. Alice tests Douglas and his motivation for doing what he is doing to climb the business ladder. I giggled and liked how Alice used suggestions from the Spinster book to help her get along with male co-workers in her office. It was fun to read.

Douglas Shaw is an ambitious businessman and social climber. He has worked hard to get the position he has. He is surprised by the many ideas Alice has about business and how it could grow at Henley and company.

I look forward to reading other books in this series that will go on to explore business situations, how people embark on embracing these machines, how business standards came about and the fact that Alice’s friends will be using advice from the Spinster book in the next story. It’s a winning combination. This is the first book I’ve read by this author it won’t be the last. This book would work well for your next book club pick as there is so much to discuss.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted like this book, I really did but I just could not get into this book at all. The one thing that I did enjoy about this novel was getting to see the detailed interworking’s of a telegraph office, but that was it. It wasn’t even content that made me disconnect, it was the charcters.

I did not like the main characters at all. They both were super infurrairating and I just could not connect with them at all. Alice was a sweet woman but her whole attitude of “I don’t need a man” and “I don’t ever want to get married” really got on my nerves because it was too feminist for this time era. Also when she started reading that silly book, she started playing with men’s emotions and it was trickery and deceit. Alice also got on my nerves because she got all blushful and like any other girl around Douglas, even though she was so hard pressed on not ever falling in love. I just couldn’t help but roll my eyes. I know that it was suppose to be character develop of her slowly changing her mind about romance because of Douglas but Douglas is a whole other story, plus I felt like the way that she does eventually fall in love is rather ridicuouls and rather chessy.

Honestly Douglas infuriated me in more ways than Alice did. I know that his character was more realistic towards this time era but still I just could not with him. I know he eventually turns around but I still could not get myself to like him.

These honestly are just my opinions about this book, I know plenty of people who love it, I just could not get myself to enjoy it. Characters are a huge thing for me and when I can’t connect to a character, the book usually isn’t going to be for me.

*FTC: I received this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.*

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 do book 2 in this series.

[Faith · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[MJSH · Rating 5 out of 5]

"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.

[Lucinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

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's 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 they 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.

[Abigail Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Alisha]

Might revisit if I’m in the mood, but the first few pages are a little maddening. The main character Alice has just returned from her sister’s wedding and her roommate wants to hear about it but Alice’s internal monologue is pretty patronizing because her path as a career woman is “better.”
Eye roll... come on, Alice, they just want to hear about the clothes and the ceremony, there’s no need for you to get all superior and judgy.

[Christian Fiction Addiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who knew that a book written for spinsters could cause so much trouble? Jennifer Delamere has written a highly entertaining novel in "Line by Line", following the journey of Alice, who is determined to live her life with independence and nary a thought of love, when her decision to follow some advice from "The Spinsters Guide to Love and Romance" takes her life down one unexpected turn after another. As an avid reader who could highly relate to the bookstore scenes where characters are sneaking books out of stores that they may not want someone to see them reading, I found myself thoroughly engrossed in these characters' lives.

While I immediately developed a liking for Alice, it took me awhile to warm up to Douglas, as sometimes his confidence bordered on cockiness. But as the layers were peeled back, and another character prods him to reconsider the reason God has put him on Earth, I developed a whole level of appreciation for him. The addition of a terrible injustice that Alice suffers meant that I simply couldn't put the book down (though I was tempted to throw it!), because I needed to ensure that all wrongs were set to right. I fully admit I entered into this story expecting a happy ending, and for those readers who have the same hope I did, I can assure you that the ending is exactly what you were looking for! The characters have learned a hard lesson or two along the way, but Delamere has expertly taken her characters on a journey that has shaped them into the better people they needed to become. And, quite sneakily, she has imparted some life lessons to us readers as well, as we are left pondering what really matters in life, and what legacy we want to be leaving behind us as we make our choices in life.

After greatly enjoying Delamere's prior series (London Beginnings), I was curious about what was next in store for us readers. I am pleased to say that Delamere has offered up another great start to what is sure to be an entertaining series. Filled with interesting historical details, entertaining characters, and a message that will long linger on your mind if you'll let it, "Line by Line" is a solid addition to Delamere's repertoire. I award this novel 4 out of 5 stars.

Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.

[Monica H (TeaandBooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It sounds like telegraph notices were some of the best communication of the time when it was used. I didn't know much about being a telegrapher, but I thoroughly enjoyed learning about it and reading Jennifer Delamere's new release, Line by Line.


Alice McNeil is a topnotch telegrapher who works at a well-regarded company. Douglas Shaw also works at the company as an ambitious junior director. It doesn't take long for the two of them to become friends although it appears that they have vastly different goals for their lives. Then something happens to shake them both up to see what really matters.


I truly enjoyed this first book in the Love Along the Wires series. Line by Line was interesting in that I truly enjoyed reading about the way business was conducted at that time as well as how the people of that era utilized the technology of the day. I found all of the backstory to be quite interesting in the way Delamere wrote the book. I also enjoyed watching the relationship between Douglas and Alice unfold. At the same time, I found it interesting that a book on love and romance would create so many interesting situations. I smiled and giggled a little at some of the barbs and situations within this book. I also liked how Douglas grew spiritually. I wish we could have seen a little more of that in Alice but the little we know leads me to believe that it was also important to her. I found Alice's friend Lucy a little irritating at times. However, I enjoyed her interactions with her friends and family throughout the book. All in all, Line by Line was an enjoyable read for me.



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

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
" . . he was pretty sure she wasn't the sort of woman who would stab a man with a joiner's chisel."

Alice McNeil was a self-made woman, way ahead of her time one might say, with no inclination to add a husband into her carefully constructed lifestyle; going to work, coming home, visiting with friends, enjoying all the perks that a large city like London had to offer. It was that one random stroll to the bookstore one evening that tripped her up; after eavesdropping on a conversation between three bachelors, she made a totally out of character purchase; "The Spinster's Guide to Love and Romance" changed everything.

Douglas Shaw is a rising star at Henley and Company, taking advantage of every opportunity to better himself so that he might secure a future far beyond his humble beginnings. Arriving back in England after an extended trip to America, he becomes acquainted with the exceptionally skilled Miss McNeil, one of the company's telegraphers. Her quick wit and attention to detail serves her well in the workplace and makes her an interesting conversationalist when their paths happen to cross outside of their work environment. But she's not the daughter of a prominent London banker, so those out-of-the-office conversations need to remain few and far between. . . . or not.

This book has so much to offer. The author navigates beautifully through the time period by writing in pertinent details while including a wonderful cameo appearance by none other than Andrew Carnegie. Cleverly coupling self evident hilarity with heart tugging interludes, she ultimately leads Alice and Douglas down a life path that neither of them expected . . . line by line by line.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Line by Line is an enjoyable Victorian romance. Though it did take me a bit to get into the novel (probably 50 pages or so), I soon began really enjoying my reading. I especially appreciated the dash of humor brought by both the banter and the frequent references to The Spinster's Guide to Love and Romance (a guide book that should make reappearances in future novels!).

I enjoyed the romance (especially Alice and Douglas's first kiss!), but I think what I liked the most was just viewing Alice's daily life. I also loved her spunk and that she could go toe-to-toe with any man. And I appreciated how both Alice and Douglas grew throughout the novel—they were not static characters.

Those who enjoy historical romance featuring strong women will find much to like in this novel!

Disclosure of material connection: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.