First Line Friday – “Line by Line” by Jennifer Delamere

Posted July 10, 2020 by Leslie in Reviews by Leslie / 12 Comments

 

Happy Friday! It’s time for First Line Friday, hosted by Hoarding Books.

It’s time to grab the book nearest to you and leave a comment with the first line.

Today on First Line Friday, I'm featuring the latest release from Jennifer Delamere, Line by Line. Share on X

 

First Line Friday

 

And the first line is …

Alice McNeil looked up at the London boardinghouse that had been her home for over a year.

About the book…

Since she was young, Alice McNeil has seen a career as a telegrapher as the best use for her keen and curious mind. Years later, she doesn’t regret her freedom in foregoing marriage, especially when she acquires 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 now determined to marry into high society—a step that will ensure he never returns to the conditions of his past. 

He immediately earns Alice’s respect by judging her based on her skills and not her gender, and a fast camaraderie forms. However, when Alice accidentally angers a jealous coworker and his revenge threatens both their reputations, Alice and Douglas are forced to confront what is truly important in their lives. Will their growing bond give them the courage to see the future in a different light?

Let me know the first line of the book closest to you and then head over to Hoarding Books to see who else is participating.

My review…

If you like sweet historical fiction, this is a book you should add to your pile. It’s the first installment in the “Love Along the Wires” series.

I wasn’t necessarily a fan of history in school, but I really enjoy it in my novels. I learned a lot about telegraphs in Delamere’s latest, which is something I wouldn’t have necessarily investigated on my own. I like how the author compared it to today’s Internet, as well (her author’s note at the end).

Characters and scenes are well-drawn and detailed. I appreciated the fact that Alice chose something beyond the normal path of getting married and having a child…and then choosing a typically male career. I cheered for Douglas as his character grew throughout the story.

This book has a nice mix of mystery and romance.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

 

 

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12 Comments

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12 responses to “First Line Friday – “Line by Line” by Jennifer Delamere”

  2. Kirby Boehm

    Happy Friday!

    This one sounds like a great read, and I love the setting.

    On my blog this week, I’m sharing the first line (from the prologue) from The Solid Grounds Coffee Company by Carla Laureano:

    “By all accounts, Suesca was haunted.”

    I hope you have a lovely weekend 🙂

    • Leslie

      Thanks for sharing, Nicole. I haven’t read Toni’s book yet, but I’ve heard good things about it.

      Happy reading, and have a wonderful weekend! ☺️ ?

    • Leslie

      Ooh, I enjoy Christmas stories … and it’d be really nice to try and combat the heat and humidity ?

      Happy reading! Have a wonderful weekend, Kelly-Ann.

  6. Paula Shreckhise

    Going to read Line by Line next.

    My first line this week is from A BRIDE OF CONVENIENCE by Jody Hedlund:
    Vancouver Island January 12, 1863
    “I ain’t gonna make it, Zoe.”