Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I'm torn. I think the story and the characters deserve 5 stars, but the writing was just a bit too clunky for me to walk away loving the book. If you're reading 3 star reviews because you can't decide if you want to read this or not, definitely do it. It's 100% worth it and it's a fast read.
I think the fact that this is one of two books by this author to come out in one year might mean something. It felt like not enough "tough love" editing took place where something sounds off and you have to rewrite the whole chapter/scene.
The main character was a completely different person around her parents. Like not just "you don't understand the real me" which is a completely fair thing to do, but even internal monologue felt like a different person. I liked the political undertones in the internal monologue, but those were also clunky! Also, lots of character development in the beginning of the book for people that weren't in the rest of it. And at one point, one of the characters spoke up about prejudice in the middle of a restaurant and everyone heard her and after the rude person left from embarrassment, people clapped. Clapped?? No. This is all stuff that might be fun to write in an earlier draft, or a good vibe you're setting up when putting words on paper, but I felt like it could've been edited out to be less clunky.
Very specific complaints aside, the story was super interesting. I think WWI and WWII historical fiction, especially romance, tends to only have two women surrounded by a lot of men overseas, so this was a very fun perspective to read about. And I really liked the ending; I thought it was realistic and clever.
Read the book, enjoy it, and try to ignore the clunkiness. Have I used the word clunky enough yet? Oof, maybe this review was clunky.
I think the fact that this is one of two books by this author to come out in one year might mean something. It felt like not enough "tough love" editing took place where something sounds off and you have to rewrite the whole chapter/scene.
The main character was a completely different person around her parents. Like not just "you don't understand the real me" which is a completely fair thing to do, but even internal monologue felt like a different person. I liked the political undertones in the internal monologue, but those were also clunky! Also, lots of character development in the beginning of the book for people that weren't in the rest of it. And at one point, one of the characters spoke up about prejudice in the middle of a restaurant and everyone heard her and after the rude person left from embarrassment, people clapped. Clapped?? No. This is all stuff that might be fun to write in an earlier draft, or a good vibe you're setting up when putting words on paper, but I felt like it could've been edited out to be less clunky.
Very specific complaints aside, the story was super interesting. I think WWI and WWII historical fiction, especially romance, tends to only have two women surrounded by a lot of men overseas, so this was a very fun perspective to read about. And I really liked the ending; I thought it was realistic and clever.
Read the book, enjoy it, and try to ignore the clunkiness. Have I used the word clunky enough yet? Oof, maybe this review was clunky.
UPDATE: New link https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2018/12/01/womens-wartime-communications/
The women who went to Europe in 1917 as signal corps officers with the US Army, played an enormous part in helping bring the “Great War” to its conclusion. However, until 1979, they were literally the unsung heroes of WWI, because the army refused to recognize them as proper soldiers. This injustice brought author Aimie K. Runyan to write this gripping historical fiction novel, that highlights these women and their contributions. You can read my #bookreview of “Girls on the Line” on my blog now.
The women who went to Europe in 1917 as signal corps officers with the US Army, played an enormous part in helping bring the “Great War” to its conclusion. However, until 1979, they were literally the unsung heroes of WWI, because the army refused to recognize them as proper soldiers. This injustice brought author Aimie K. Runyan to write this gripping historical fiction novel, that highlights these women and their contributions. You can read my #bookreview of “Girls on the Line” on my blog now.
Great World War I story
War, love, passion, sacrifice... I cried and I laughed, reading about US Army Women Signal Corps.. Fabulous story with a happy ending
War, love, passion, sacrifice... I cried and I laughed, reading about US Army Women Signal Corps.. Fabulous story with a happy ending
I love it when historical fiction takes a little-known piece of history and builds an entire story around it. And that's exactly what happens in this story. After her brother is killed in WWI, Ruby applies to become a "Hello girl"—a switchboard operator on the front lines, responsible not only for connecting calls in a high-pressure environment, but also for translating those calls between French and English. The pressure, the trials, the camaraderie—it all came through so vividly in this story. And I was shocked to learn that these women didn't get official recognition for their service until 1979!
Ruby's personal story was a little less original. As the only daughter in a prominent Philadelphia family, she's engaged to be married to an equally prominent son at the opening of the story, but as her friendship with army medic Andrew Carrington develops into something more, she's forced to make some difficult choices. I wouldn't have made the same choices in some circumstances, but overall, this was an engaging read about a vital group of women and their role in WWI.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Ruby's personal story was a little less original. As the only daughter in a prominent Philadelphia family, she's engaged to be married to an equally prominent son at the opening of the story, but as her friendship with army medic Andrew Carrington develops into something more, she's forced to make some difficult choices. I wouldn't have made the same choices in some circumstances, but overall, this was an engaging read about a vital group of women and their role in WWI.
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not influenced the content of my review, which is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Ruby Wagner is Philadelphian socialite whose parents weren’t thrilled when she joins Bell Telephone Company in 1917 as a switchboard operator for the army. Her mother especially has all planned out for her; marriage to Nathaniel, from a prominent Philadelphian family, being a wife and hostess. After Ruby’s brother gets killed in a battle, the whole family is devastated. When Ruby learns that Army Signals Corps are recruiting women to serve as a switchboard operator in France, she enlists. Her parents are not happy when they learn about that.
While in France get meets army medic, Andrew. When their friendship deepens Ruby starts to question her future marriage with Nathaniel.
This was an interesting read. I hadn’t read about the “Hello Girls” before so that was new. And for a change, it is WWI book instead of WWII.
Ruby was a likeable character who was a strong and determined woman. I liked seeing how Ruby and Andrew’s friendship grows into something else slowly. It wasn’t insta-love so yey.
I don’t know why I waited so long to read it. I really enjoyed it and was a well-written book. I’ve liked her previous books that I’ve read so I guess it wasn’t a surprise I liked this too.
While in France get meets army medic, Andrew. When their friendship deepens Ruby starts to question her future marriage with Nathaniel.
This was an interesting read. I hadn’t read about the “Hello Girls” before so that was new. And for a change, it is WWI book instead of WWII.
Ruby was a likeable character who was a strong and determined woman. I liked seeing how Ruby and Andrew’s friendship grows into something else slowly. It wasn’t insta-love so yey.
I don’t know why I waited so long to read it. I really enjoyed it and was a well-written book. I’ve liked her previous books that I’ve read so I guess it wasn’t a surprise I liked this too.
Such a wonderful story about the women operators during WWI! I absolutely love Ruby and Andrew; what a beautiful romance, and I enjoyed how they respect, admire, and support one another in all their endeavors. Also, I really loved all the friendships between the women, especially Ruby and Margot. This book shed light on how much women contributed as well, and how this war affected a generation of women and men physically and emotionally. And I really appreciated the author’s note, and learned how this war also significantly influenced the suffragette movement in the U.S. and how it ushered in a new cultural and social mindset as well.
I was lucky enough to win a copy of Aimie K. Runyan’s "Girls on the Line" from a Goodreads Giveaway. I am thrilled to say that I have found another favorite author in the historical fiction genre. I only have a vague understanding of the role women played in World War I and after reading about the author’s desire to shine a spotlight on the bravery of women like the Hello Girls, I find myself wishing I had learned more about them during school.
Within the first few chapters, Ms. Runyan’s beautiful writing transports the reader back in time where we are introduced to Ruby Wagner, a young Philadelphia woman that belongs to a prominent family. After her brother dies, a devastated Ms. Wagner answers the Army Signal Corps’ call to duty and offers her skills as an operator overseas. The novel’s fast pace made it seem as though it was written to describe snapshots in a photo album. We follow Ruby and her fellow operators through their testing, training, and eventually to war-torn France where they work alongside Allied soldiers and adjust to life near the frontlines.
The friendships and relationships that were forged were a true delight to read. I adored Ruby and Margot. Their friendship was so heartwarming and their teasing made me laugh out loud several times.
“I’ve rarely seen someone so intimate with their thoughts.”
“What a lovely way of saying ‘brooding.’”
Still makes me chuckle when I think about it. Margot is a treasure. Additionally, I appreciated that the burgeoning relationship between Andrew and Ruby didn’t take over the story arc. In fact, as time went on it felt like their conversations and interactions really helped highlight the toll war has on both active participants and victims of circumstance and locality. Extending the story beyond the end of WWI gave us a glimpse at the efforts that go into restoring war-torn areas.
This book was so tough to put down and at the end, I decided that it will definitely be going on my list of favorite books! I will be keeping an eye on Runyan’s future work as well. I adore books that highlight realistic, strong female characters and it seems like Runyan plans to continue in this vein for a while yet.
Within the first few chapters, Ms. Runyan’s beautiful writing transports the reader back in time where we are introduced to Ruby Wagner, a young Philadelphia woman that belongs to a prominent family. After her brother dies, a devastated Ms. Wagner answers the Army Signal Corps’ call to duty and offers her skills as an operator overseas. The novel’s fast pace made it seem as though it was written to describe snapshots in a photo album. We follow Ruby and her fellow operators through their testing, training, and eventually to war-torn France where they work alongside Allied soldiers and adjust to life near the frontlines.
The friendships and relationships that were forged were a true delight to read. I adored Ruby and Margot. Their friendship was so heartwarming and their teasing made me laugh out loud several times.
“I’ve rarely seen someone so intimate with their thoughts.”
“What a lovely way of saying ‘brooding.’”
Still makes me chuckle when I think about it. Margot is a treasure. Additionally, I appreciated that the burgeoning relationship between Andrew and Ruby didn’t take over the story arc. In fact, as time went on it felt like their conversations and interactions really helped highlight the toll war has on both active participants and victims of circumstance and locality. Extending the story beyond the end of WWI gave us a glimpse at the efforts that go into restoring war-torn areas.
This book was so tough to put down and at the end, I decided that it will definitely be going on my list of favorite books! I will be keeping an eye on Runyan’s future work as well. I adore books that highlight realistic, strong female characters and it seems like Runyan plans to continue in this vein for a while yet.