Holding the Line - Review

Holding the Line (Love Along the Wires, # 3)

By: Jennifer Delamere

Publication: December 1, 2022

384 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A widow at just 30 years of age, Rose Finlay is determined to put all ideas of marriage and family behind her and pursue an independent life. But when she notices a young woman about to be led astray by a roguish aristocrat, bitter memories from her past arise, and she feels compelled to intervene. The unintended consequences of her efforts will ultimately force Rose to reexamine her life in a new light.

As the overseer of his two widowed sisters' financial and domestic affairs, John Milburn carries heavy responsibilities for a single man. But he's faced with his biggest challenge when his headstrong niece falls prey to the attentions of a powerful man who could ruin both her and her family.

When Rose and John join forces to protect his niece, they put everything they hold dear--including their growing attraction--in jeopardy.

Rose has a jaded outlook on men, relationships, and romance. She's been married, and her husband horribly betrayed her. She's sworn off marriage and men. But she's also witnessed her two closest friends find love--love that seems genuine compared to what she experienced. Since she's widowed, Rose has more freedom to move about in society. She's worked her way up in the post office from the lowest level clerk to potentially becoming a new branch manager. She's proud of her accomplishments, especially because she didn't need a man's help to get where she is now. But she can't seem to help herself from wanting to help a girl she sees a little too much of younger, more naive self from making the same mistakes that she made--trusting the wrong man.

John had to step up to head of the family when his older brother died. Similarly, his brother-in-law has also passed away. So he's trying to manage his own affairs, his brother's business, his sister and her two daughters, as well as, his sister-in-law and her children. He's being pulled in all directions, but he handles it well. I respect the lengths to which John will go in order to protect and guide his niece, Sophie, when she catches the eye of a known philanderer. While my own nephews and nieces are beginning to forge their own paths, and not all of them seem to be heading in the healthiest directions, I find myself wanting to do a little protecting and guiding myself. Regardless, he can't help but appreciate Rose's help and sees her for more than his family is willing to see her.

I enjoyed this book a lot. Rose and John had a sweet maturation from reluctant allies and then into friends and then of course to more. But I also appreciated Sophie's story, every aspect of it. I could relate to both Rose who has been hurt and is a little jaded and to Sophie who is naive and hopes for the best from the one who has captured her heart and attention. Oh man, all of these pieces had me remembering my own youth and inexperience with hurt and betrayal from those with less-than-pure intentions.

Rose and John's story was a wonderful wrap-up to an interesting series following three telegraph operators who also got a little wrapped up in a spinster's guide to love and romance book. I appreciated all the aspects of this story. I liked Rose and her tough exterior. I liked Sophie and her naivete. I wish I knew more Johns who loved their families enough to sacrifice so much for them. Holding the Line was a good reading experience all around. And I wouldn't mind a book about Sophie finding her happily ever after (or her younger sister) either. Holding the Line gets 4 Stars. Have you read Holding the Line? What did you think? Let me know!

Crossed Lines - Review

Crossed Lines (Love Along the Wires, # 2)

By: Jennifer Delamere

Publication: August 3rd 2021 by Bethany House Publishers

384 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

Source: Personal Kindle Library

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Emma Sutton knows she should be satisfied with her position at London's Central Telegraph Office. But ever since she was orphaned young, she's longed for a family of her own. Things look up when a handsome engineer is thrown into her orbit and he sends Emma the love note of her dreams.

Mitchell Harris's sharp wit and facility with a pen have enabled him to thrive despite serious obstacles. That the woman of his dreams works just one floor above his should make life perfect. But a childhood accident has left Mitchell convinced he'll never draw a woman like Emma Sutton's attention. When his best friend--who once saved his life--falls in love with Emma, too, and asks for help writing her love letters, Mitchell is torn between desire and loyalty.

Believing the writer of the letters is the answer to her prayers, but confused over her growing attraction to Mitchell, Emma's heart must decide where to call home.

Retellings can go one of two ways for me. Either I'm excited to see how the author takes essential aspects of the original story and uses them in the new story. Or I get frustrated that the new story is essentially the exact same as the original. Seeing that Crossed Lines was basically a retelling (or inspired by) Cyrano de Bergerac was part of what excited me about reading it. Yet, I was frustrated when the parts that truly mimic the original came to pass because those moments felt too predictable. But also, I tend to dread watching a trainwreck you can't avoid. Knowing one character is writing in the place of another character has to lead to an inevitable crash.

Mitchell has worked himself from being a child laborer in a factory/mill to being up for a promotion to manager at the CTO. He is proud of his hard work, but he also feels unworthy when it comes to relationships because of an injury. He spotted Emma while riding the bus to work as she was walking and has been seeking an introduction ever since. He has a bit of love at first sight. But when he finally does meet her, he sees her character and personality are even better than her beautiful face.

Emma is a romantic. You could almost say that she has her head in the clouds. She has a love-at-first-sight experience with Mitchell's best friend. Except Christopher isn't as eloquent or wordy as Mitchell. And even though Christopher is a great guy, he isn't what Emma is ultimately looking for. Emma gets trapped in a pretty face and doesn't see what's right in front of her. How many of us can relate to that?

I think one reason I felt like this was a trainwreck is that forgiving someone for a betrayal as big as someone's identity is a tall order. I say it all the time, if you've ever watched Catfish I think in all the seasons there might have only been a handful of people ever willing to even keep in contact with someone who catfished them. This shows in general most people can't get past a lie like this, especially in a romantic relationship. However, this is a Christian book, and Christians are called to forgiveness. Yet forgiveness and reconciliation aren't the same thing. Anyway, just something to ponder.

Favorite quotes:

-In Emma's view, if a lady would be equally happy with either of two men, surely that meant neither was the right one.

-He refrained, however, reminding himself, as he often did, that living his own life well was the most satisfying way to spite the people who enjoyed belittling him.

-He should not be falling in love with Emma Sutton, but his heart continued to insist it was impossible to do anything else.

-Mitchell had learned over the years that it was often easier to butter up irascible people than to push back.

-Mr. Frya would say that was evidence of how God was looking out for her. He'd once remarked that life could be messy at times, but even the prettiest gardens needed weeding. It was in putting forth that diligent effort to tend the garden that its blooms were able to flourish.

-"You're coming at it from the wrong direction. To believe in God is not to say that bad times will not come. Rather, it's the knowledge that God will always carry us through them."

-"Everything looks better from the river. What a difference it makes to change one's vantage point."

-"We may pray to God for things, and He is often gracious enough to grant them. But how He does it is for Him to decide. Over the years, I've found that it rarely happens in the way I'd direct it if I were running the operation. But that's the interesting part. He always seems to have a better plan than I could ever come up with."

-"'The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed; it blesseth him that gives and him that takes.'"

Crossed Lines was an easy and fast book for me. Emma and Mitchell were both characters that were easy to like. I felt a little bad for Christopher and I wouldn't mind stumbling upon his story one day. Some parts of the retelling were a struggle for me because how they end was obvious and felt a little like a train hurling toward the inevitable crash. Crossed Lines gets 3.5 Stars. Have you read Crossed Lines? What did you think? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Holding the Line

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Holding the Line (Love Along the Wires, # 3)

By: Jennifer Delamere

Expected Publication: December 1, 2022

384 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--A widow at just 30 years of age, Rose Finlay is determined to put all ideas of marriage and family behind her and pursue an independent life. But when she notices a young woman about to be led astray by a roguish aristocrat, bitter memories from her past arise, and she feels compelled to intervene. The unintended consequences of her efforts will ultimately force Rose to reexamine her life in a new light.

As the overseer of his two widowed sisters' financial and domestic affairs, John Milburn carries heavy responsibilities for a single man. But he's faced with his biggest challenge when his headstrong niece falls prey to the attentions of a powerful man who could ruin both her and her family.

When Rose and John join forces to protect his niece, they put everything they hold dear--including their growing attraction--in jeopardy.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Top Ten Summer 2021 TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together. This week's topic is Top Ten Summer 2021 TBR List.

1. The Prince of Spies (Hope & Glory, # 3) by
2. The Second Blind Son (Chronicles of Saylok, # 2) by Amy Harmon
3. The Shaadi Set-Up by Lillie Vale
4. Crossed Lines (Love Along the Wires, # 2) by Jennifer Delamere
5. The Last Legacy by Adrienne Young
6. The Thief of Blackfriars Lane by Michelle Griep
7. The Ice Swan by J'nell Ciesielski
8. Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, # 7) by Sarah J Maas
9. Love Scenes by Bridget Morrissey
10. Hooked on You (Maple Falls, # 1) by Kathleen Fuller

Which books are on your Summer 2021 TBR List? Let me know!

Can't Wait for Crossed Lines

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted by Wishful Endings to spotlight and talk about the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released as well. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. Find out more here.

Crossed Lines (Love Along the Wires, # 2)

By: Jennifer Delamere

Expected Publication: August 3rd 2021 by Bethany House Publishers

384 pages

Genre: Adult, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--Emma Sutton knows she should be satisfied with her position at London's Central Telegraph Office. But ever since she was orphaned young, she's longed for a family of her own. Things look up when a handsome engineer is thrown into her orbit and he sends Emma the love note of her dreams.

Mitchell Harris's sharp wit and facility with a pen have enabled him to thrive despite serious obstacles. That the woman of his dreams works just one floor above his should make life perfect. But a childhood accident has left Mitchell convinced he'll never draw a woman like Emma Sutton's attention. When his best friend--who once saved his life--falls in love with Emma, too, and asks for help writing her love letters, Mitchell is torn between desire and loyalty.

Believing the writer of the letters is the answer to her prayers, but confused over her growing attraction to Mitchell, Emma's heart must decide where to call home.

What are you guys waiting on this week? Let me know!

Line by Line - Review

Line by Line (Love Along the Wires, # 1)

By: Jennifer Delamere

Publication: June 30th 2020 by Bethany House Publishers

384 pages

Genre: Historical Fiction

Source: Publisher via NetGalley (Thank you!!)

( Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository )

*Note: The above links to Amazon and Book Depository are affiliate links. Affiliate links support giveaways for Somewhere Only We Know readers.

Goodreads description--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?

I've read and enjoyed Jennifer Delamere in the past. So I knew that there was a high probability that I would also enjoy Line by Line, yet something about the description kept me from racing to pick this one up once it was in my possession. I think it has more to do with the time period of women entering the workforce perhaps. I can't really nail it down. I do remember that Douglas would have to rescue Alice's reputation from the book description. However, I wrongly assumed this would mean they'd been seen or found in a compromising position and would have to marry...not that Douglas would have to rescue her work reputation.

The first chapter starts off with discussion about Alice's desire to remain unmarried and work a career. This is unconventional for the time period, and I always struggle with female characters that are staunchly against marriage. This is because I can't relate. One of my deepest desires from an early age was to find love and get married. I've also had the other dream of being a stay at home mom, which I now am. So while I know and understand that many women (today and in the past) haven't shared my dreams, but rather, want quite the opposite, I always find these characters a little more difficult to read.

I was also under the impression for some reason that this book would have a slow start. I'm not exactly sure what gave me that idea except for me reading the first page and not immediately being hooked. But come on! Sometimes you've got to give a little bit more than that. And in this case, I did have to read several pages to feel well and truly invested. But not terribly many.

Now that I've discussed what was hindering me from diving into this book, I'd like to take a look at the pieces I enjoyed. I can't say that I enjoy the same topics that Alice does when it comes to reading, hobbies, etc. But I can appreciate someone who is constantly in search of bettering their minds, exploring new ideas, and seeking to understand the world around them. I appreciated that she and Douglas shared so many topics of common interests.

I was also worried when the "spinster book" came upon the scene. I wasn't sure which direction that would go or how much of the book would be wrapped up in the messages from the book. I ended up enjoying this piece of the story and how it played into Alice finding herself in some comical situations. Yet it wasn't really used in the main romance storyline. I give props to Jennifer Delamere for how she worked this into the plot in a way that I could appreciate rather than roll my eyes at.

As I've already mentioned, I was expecting Douglas and Alice to be forced into some kind of premature marriage relationship due to the mention of her reputation needing to be rescued. So when there was one scene in particular, I began to wonder if that would be the catalyst. Yet it turned out not to be. That scene did in fact spur me into a reading frenzy to see where the story would go from there. At first I was disappointed to find things weren't as I assumed they would be because I find myself typically enjoying arranged or forced marriage books often. However, I was happy that Jennifer Delamere went into a different direction than I was thinking. And it makes much more sense that Alice's career reputation would need salvaging more than her personal one as it seems her career reputation was probably of a higher value to her.

Favorite quote:

-Alice could not fathom why someone would deliberately try to poison their workplace environment.

Me either Alice! Me either! Yet it happens all the time. Some people are just well and truly miserable. And we all know that misery loves company.

Line by Line was so much more enjoyable than I was expecting it to be for some reason. I have no real idea why I kept putting this book off or why I was convinced it would be a struggle for me to read. Alice and Douglas were both easy to root for through each stage of this book. I look forward to continuing this series. Line by Line gets 4 Stars. Have you read Line by Line? What did you think? Let me know!