LINE BY LINE
(Love Along the Wires #1)
Jennifer Delamere
Bethany House Publishers | June 30, 2020
Christian Fiction, Romance
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?
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?
> > > > > > > > > > < < < < < < < < < <
I was provided with a complimentary copy thanks to Bethany House Publishers, in exchange for my honest review.
WARNING: Possible Spoilers!
THE BASICS
I was immediately intrigued by the book blurb more than anything. I can honestly say I knew nothing about telegraphers before reading this novel. It was really neat to see a bit of the behind-the-scenes in regards to this particular career in this era of London, England.
I found myself expecting more in lieu of the life & duties of telegraphers, but all told, this book was well-paced with relatable characters & a good smidge of romance.
Being the first book I've read by this author, I'll most likely find myself reading more stories of hers should they ever come my way. :]
VIOLENCE
None, really.
SPIRITUAL CONTENT
It's certainly a piece of Christian fiction, but I believe the faith aspect of it was well done & certainly not overwhelming or in-your-face. Characters pray on occasion, or visit a church or two. Scripture is referenced & quoted.
LANGUAGE // ALCOHOL & DRUGS
None.
A man smokes a cigarette before entering his workplace. There are some alcoholic beverages & maybe punch served at a high society dance.
ROMANTIC CONTENT
Alice, our main character, seems extremely averted to the idea of marriage, and because of this (and possibly being happily married myself), I found her views quite irritating. However, in her defense, we learn this was unintentionally cultivated in her through her school years. She was encouraged to blaze her own trail & to pursue a career---in NO way a bad thing!---but HOW she went about thinking & pursuing said career while her friends & family are in marriages of her own, she came to bear a rather snobby attitude towards the idea of marriage. That's not to say she doesn't love her family, she loves them dearly! and eventually [SPOILER!] comes to realize a deep yearning for a family of her own someday.
There's some kind of attraction between Alice & Douglas. They strike up a great friendship & find they have much in common. At one point, they share an unplanned kiss during a local dance. (Needless to say, this changes their relationship considerably, and not for the better at first...)
Douglas goes about courting a socialite, purely for the status such a union could bring to himself personally, as well as the company he's devoted his life to. The rather bold young debutante steals him away from the gathering her family is hosting & they kiss in a secluded room. (Nothing more happens, I assure you! Douglas is very focused on leaving both their reputations intact.)
CONCLUSION
All in all, this was an entertaining read, though probably not one I would pick up to reread anytime soon.
I greatly admired Alice's character arc & how she came to see things in a much different perspective. Only then did she truly appreciate the relationship her own parents' shared, and those of her siblings & their spouses---who all show a beautiful amount of familial love. As well as her growing relationship with Douglas... :]
I also admired his character & ambition. He wasn't afraid to go after the things he wanted, but he also learned some valuable lessons, and in so doing, his own relationships with his parents were restored where first they'd been extremely strained.
That said, this was a good, clean romance novel, and I would definitely recommend if you're looking for something a little slower paced & opposite any shoot-'em-up mysteries for a change. ;D
> > > > > > > > > > < < < < < < < < < <
Ages: 16+
> > > > > < < < < <
Also, apologies, y'all for the weird post formatting! I can't figure out why all my photos are aligning to the left only... Currently trying to fix that. :]
Meanwhile, hope you had a lovely July!
Ready for August, me lovelies??
Comments
Post a Comment
To each is given a bag of tools,
A shapeless mass, and a book of rules,
And each must make, ere life is flown,
A stumbling block or a stepping stone.
-Anonymous-