Girls on the Line is another great read from Aimie K. Runyan. I loved learning about the "hello girls" and the services they provided during ww1. I'm trying to read older books on my TBR, this is one of those. The romance was sweet and the writing was engaging.

Book Spotlight Posted on September 9, 2023: https://travelingwitht.com/2023/09/09/book-spotlight-womens-fiction/

I received a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions expressed are my own. I do like historical fiction and this was a good one. The characters were good and I connected with the overall story.

I am not typically a fan of books about WWI, but this was a great read. I learned so much about the telephone operators that served both in the U.S and abroad during the war. The personal stories woven throughout the pages made it a perfect balance. You will find yourself invested in Ruby and the rest of the “hello girls.” Their dedication was amazing. And their willingness and ability to learn new code at a moment’s notice was inspiring.

Having read the author’s previous book, Daughters of the Night Sky, I was excited to read another book of historical fiction. The author’s research and attention to detail are impressive. So even if WWI is not your forté, I highly encourage you to read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

I am really, really kicking myself for not getting to this book sooner. From the first chapter to the last, this was an amazing story that I just could not put down. And reading this so close to a very important election, the epilogue was very timely and well thought out.

This incredible, intense story makes me want to scoop up the rest of Aimie Runyan's work. I appreciate how she gives unsung heroes of WWI their due.

I loved reading about the “Hello Girls” and these trailblazers were really inspiring, especially considering I didn't know anything about the subject. Runyan's writing was smooth and heartfelt.

This book was okay - it did not blow me away. This was one of the books that had been pitched for a book club idea, but I just could not connect with Ruby. Her entire character was to sculpted and just did not feel genuine. The remainder of the book was alright, but definitely not on my "will read again" list.

Girls On the Line is an historical fiction story about the brave, dedicated, and spirited young women who were the America Signal Corps on the front lines in Europe during World War I. These intrepid young women worked hard and sometimes played hard. The primary protagonist, (who narrates this excellent story), a young high society woman from Philadelphia’s Main Line, and a part-time switchboard operator for Bell Telephone, defies her parent’s’ expectations for her (especially her mother, who is grooming her to be a society wife - in fact, she is already engaged - by arrangement - to a boring, stiff-necked and stultifying young man). Her father gives her his blessing and, after training in New York, she is shipped off to France, where very hard work and personal peril await her and the girls on her team.

While abroad, our young Signal Corps leader spends a lot of time regretting her engagement and fearing the dull boredom of the marriage that awaits her back home in Philadelphia. She meets and falls in love with a handsome young medic named Andrew, and ... well, you’ll just have to read the book to find out what happens.

While this is a novel, it is based on fact and historical records. I found it fascinating and intriguing. The characters are so well-developed that I felt like I knew them, and the description of the War so accurate that I felt that I was right there on the front lines.

I highly recommend this book which I received as an ARC from NetGalley, and I look forward to reading more by Ms. Runyon.

Just finished Girls on the Line. I loved it. Ruby is an engaged socialite in Philadelphia living the life expected of her. . Her brother is killed in WWI, and soon after she decides to buck her family’s wishes and joins a group of women operators in the Army Signal Corp.

This is my first Aimee Runyon book, and it won’t be my last. I like how there are more books about women and their roles during WWI and II. I enjoyed following Ruby and her journey in the Corp and her relationship with Andrew Carrigan an Army medic. I am sorry it took so long to read this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love WWII fiction, but I don't think I was in the right mood to finish this one. I put the story down a few months ago and haven't felt the need to pick it back up yet. For now it's a DNF at 35%. Others may love it, the storyline did feel unique compared to other WWII stories I've read.

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.

In this book you follow Ruby, who sees the effects the war has on her family and decides to make a contribution of her own. She becomes one of the first telephone operators and serves her country during its time of need.
I loved Ruby's transformation from a socialite to being truthful to her heart and doing as she pleases and not exactly as is expected of her. It is a very honest journey which reflects the athmosphere before, during and after war time.

Girls on the Line tells the story of the first female operators in World War 1. Specifically. It follows socialite Ruby as she defies convention in order to serve her country. Along the way she discovers her strengths, finds her love, and does her part to change society. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

Girls on the Line is a historical fiction dating to WWI and the year 1917. Ruby Wagner, is being groomed by her mother to be a socialite in Philadelphia and has already been betrothed to the son of one of the older families in Philadelphia society. Ruby’s mother has carefully planned out every possible detail of Ruby’s future. But things change when Ruby’s older brother Francis joins the war and is killed while stationed in France. Though Ruby’s mother has everything planned out, Ruby has other ideas. Ruby decides that it is time for her to do her part in the War and joins the Army Signals Corps.

Ruby is one of the original “Hello Girls” as they were called by the Army, to serve overseas in France as a telephone operator. Before her trip over to France, Ruby is tagged as a supervisor. Once in France, she struggles to find her place in the military hierarchy as well as trying to gain respect for the job she and her girls do. Things get complicated when Ruby is introduced to an Army Medic named Andrew Carrigan.

Ruby works so hard to try and stay faithful to the promise she made to her fiancé in Philadelphia and to fulfill the duty her mother expects, but she also can’t run away from the feelings she has every time Andrew is near.

Aimie K. Runyon has written a wonderful story using facts from a true point in history. While reading you have to remind yourself that the story itself is fiction but the women and the jobs they did for the Army are real. So little seems to have been written about the women of WWI and it’s nice there is a beautiful story to go along with those beautiful women from WWI

This book was a joy to read. I personally enjoyed the story that was intertwined with true historical facts.

Thank you to #netgalley and #lakeunionpubilishing for allowing me to read this book for a fair and honest review.

I liked the idea of this book. Perfect title too! It’s a historical fiction novel about women’s roles in WW1 and the lack of recognition for it. Women played a huge role in communications for the front line. Unfortunately, these women were not recognized as part of the military until decades later.
I had a hard time warming up to Ruby though. She was so timid at home but at the workplace she seemed pretentious to me. In her defense, she grew up in a prominent Philadelphia family and she wasn’t allowed to make any decisions for her own future and she just wanted to work and make her way in life. Instead of empowering Ruby, her parents made her feel bad for that because it could embarrass them. I admired how brave she and all the women were to leave their lives behind and go to war to help. They risked their lives and had to fight to be treated as equal to the men. I loved Andrew and was glad he could make Ruby relax a little. In the end, I was happy with Ruby and the decisions she made for herself.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Aimie K. Runyan and Lake Union Publishing for giving me a free ARC of this novel

I just adore Amy’s book!!! I was invested in this story from the first page and held on all through!!, just loved it

I LOVE historical fiction because it often introduces me to groups and people who are heroes. This book had such strong female heroines. I was inspired and did not want it to end!

As one of the trailblazing “Hello Girls” deployed to war-torn France, Ruby must find her place in the military strata, fight for authority and respect among the Allied soldiers, and forge a victory for the cause. But balancing service to country becomes even more complicated by a burgeoning relationship with army medic Andrew Carrigan. Set during the First World War, GIRLS ON THE LINE follows the journey of an Army telephone operator who is forced to navigate a world of codes and spies and the complexities of love

The characters are believable and the setting so realistic it is almost painful. Runyan has written a story that captures the human side of war.. A must read for historical fiction. Another well written book by Amie Runyan.

Girls on the Line by Amy K. Runyan

Brief Summary: Ruby Wagner is the only daughter of an elite Philadelphia family. When her brother is killed overseas, she signs up to be a radio operator and is deployed to France. This is my first read by this author.

Highlights: Ruby is a strong willed woman not wanting to settle down as is expected of her. Like many women; a timeless theme highlighted here is living a life of duty and obligation; rather than pursuing your own dreams of adventure, a career, or other goals. It was refreshing to see a heroine who went against the norms of the time. I loved learning about the contributions of these women veterans who ran the behind the scenes communications crucial to army strategy. Though I was dismayed that they did not get veterans benefits. The mystery aspect of this novel was also interesting and turned it into an action packed page turner. I have no idea how these women returned to their normal lives after the war. The love story was an added bonus.

What makes this book unique?: Learning about the women’s roles as radio operators.

Explanation of Rating:4/5 This was an engaging and entertaining read that was satisfying up to the end.

Thank you to Net Galley and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review

Fab story. I love that I've never heard of the Night Witches before - great romance too. Worth the read!!!