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 … 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?
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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.
I loved this book that was so informative about the telegraph. It’s set in Victorian England and the characters struggle to rise above the lives of their families. A great book for lovers of the Victorian Era.
n 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
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 book started out a little slow for me. While I found Alice’s occupation as a telegrapher and the look at business practices of the day to be interesting, I found Alice’s insistence on never marrying a bit overly emphasized; I also found her friend Lucy’s insistence that she should marry to be tiresome and really wanted Alice to tell her off! The story picked up for me about 20-percent through, and the final 25-percent was great–particularly the resolution–and moved very quickly.
My favorite things about the book:
the historical setting was very interesting–there’s a look at businesses, telegraphy, class differences, societal expectations for women, and more, all artfully woven into the story;
Douglas’s journey to realizing there’s more to life than business and getting ahead financially and socially;
Alice’s intelligence–I love how quick-witted she was how she wanted to learn more about business and had valuable input;
Alice’s mishaps when she tried to use a book entitled The Spinster’s Guide to Love and Romance to help her, not to find a husband but to get along better with men;
and, as previously mentioned, the resolution. I won’t give details so there are no spoilers, but I love the way one character reached out to the other!
Fun start to a new series! 4 stars.
I read an ARC provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Line by Line is such a wonderful start to a new series, Love Along the Wires, which delves into telegraphy in Victorian London. I loved how the main characters each went through deep soul searching to discover their true calling in this heartfelt and romantic tale of discovering one’s true purpose. Definitely recommend! 5 stars!
I was thrilled when I seen this book! I knew I had to read it!
I like how she’s added a bit of mystery. Just enough to keep your attention and of course I was hooked!
It was so good! I just finished it here at 5 am. I couldn’t wait to see how it ended. I wasn’t disappointed.
I learned a lot from the descriptive passages about telegraphy. I could imagine myself sitting there doing that. I think it would be an interesting job.
There were a few quotes throughout the book but this one was my favorite quote from the book ” As our great Scottish poet once said ” The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” ” So what do we do”? ” Why make new plans of course”! As the little poem says, our little nest has been turned out, we shall seek out other pastures. How true this is! Believe me it’s happened to me more than once and I’m sure it will again but I’ll just have to pick myself back up and keep going. They usually work out for the best in the end.
Life is ever changing and I don’t believe that it’s supposed to stay the same! I think it would be very boring if it did! When one door shuts another opens just as God intended.
You see, the heart is a very tricky organ in my opinion. It can do some very weird things to your mind.
Alice and Douglas were perfect examples. I grew to love them both while reading this wonderful tale about telegraphy. I even found myself rooting for them.
I loved both individuals as they discovered what life had to offer them. Life does offer a lot! You just have to know the exact time when to grab it. That’s what I consider a challenge!
I even found myself snickering in some spots! In my mind I could actually see some of Alice’s expressions. They were priceless!! She quickly because my favorite! She’s a woman before her time!
Douglas is handsome inside and outside. Not too many men are like him. “Sigh”
As I kept reading this book a supporting character kept jumping out at me. Miss Templeton. She stood out because she reminded me of a few teachers in my life who’ve had a good impact on my life just like Alice.
It’s where my love of reading and music came from.
One other verse jumped out at me and made me think about it was Brethern this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things that are before.
The word of God applies as much to us today as it did when time began. It never changes. God loves us yesterday, today and tomorrow.
I don’t know where I’d be without Him. His love and Mercy knows no bounds and I’m forever grateful.
This author does a great job with her stories. I was so wrapped up in this story it was over before I knew it! I was sad to see it end!
I was very happy to have the opportunity to read Line by Line. It has so much to offer!
I really liked the title of the book. Very catchy!! It caught my eye and my hope is that it will yours too!
Five stars hands down!
I very highly recommend this book! I believe you will love Alice and Douglas as much as I did!
I will be adding this to my keeper shelf!
My thanks to Netgalley and the author for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.