A Tale of Two Times. This book was a fascinating look at how World War One truly marked a demarkation in American history that is often times glossed over between the tumult of the American Civil War and the birth of the modern American Superpower in WWII, though I do not think it quite as glossed over as the author implies in her notes at the end of the book. The story presented here truly examines the author's thesis in detail though, and presents a moving drama within that framework. An excellent book that brings attention to one of the conflict's groups of unsung heroes, this book could well do for the 'Hello Girls' what other recent books did for the ladies of the Apollo program in NASA.

Brief synopsis from the book cover:
December 1917. As World War I rages in Europe, twenty-four-year-old Ruby Wagner, the jewel in a prominent Philadelphia family, prepares for her upcoming wedding to a society scion. Like her life so far, it’s all been carefully arranged. But when her beloved older brother is killed in combat, Ruby follows her heart and answers the Army Signal Corps’ call for women operators to help overseas.
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 work to secure a victory for the cause. But balancing service to country is complicated further by a burgeoning relationship with army medic Andrew Carrigan.
What begins as a friendship forged on the front lines soon blossoms into something more, forcing Ruby to choose between the conventions of a well-ordered life back home, and the risk of an unknown future.
My rating:
Story: 5 out of 5 stars
Writing: 5 out of 5 stars
Character development: 5 out of 5 stars
Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

Review:

This is the little known story of a group of American women who served as telephone operators at the front during World War I. It is obvious from the way the book is written that the author has researched the subject well. The characters, their actions and surroundings are described with great attention to detail. This gives you a real inside look what it was like for the women to serve and what motivated them to put themselves in harm’s way. The story is well written and very captivating. Once I started I could not put it down. I had to keep reading as I had to know what would happen to these brave and courage’s women. If you love historical fiction, definitely give this book a try.

I received an ARC from the publisher through Netgalley at no cost to me.

Aimie K. Runyan has become one of my go-to authors when it comes to historical fiction off the beaten track. Those women of history that left marks we rarely heard about in history class. She researches and writes compelling stories that educate me at the same time as keeping me captivated, plus you can feel her passion for the story in her telling.

Girls on the Line takes place in World War 1 and told from the POV of Ruby a young woman wanting to do her part (reasons I won't divulge) and not states side but in France. Her journey across the ocean is more than just a change of location but an inner journey of self-discovery, of self-worth and discovering who she is. There is much she must overcome and it isn't an easy trek.

Girls on the Line is a story of friendship, duty, trust, and family, with some love mixed in. The telling had me right in the action feeling the heartache and struggles taking place.

'...success is usually pretending you're capable of doing something until you are.'

I received an e-arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Another fabulous war genre novel from this author. I love a novel that not only moves you but educates you. I was not familiar with the service of the women of the signal corps and thoroughly enjoyed reading about them.
Great character development. This was a could not put down story. Very much a 5 star book.

This is a very well-written and researched book on a topic that few know about – the women sent into WWI as telephone operators. This book is told in the first person making it somehow more personal and more intense. You may be tempted to zip through the book because of the story the author tells, but don’t – read the book slowly and savor all the author is offering you.

I recommend this work of historical fiction, bringing to light a group of American women who served during World War I as telephone operators on the front lines. Ruby is a product of Main Line Philadelphia society, engaged to a man she does not love. Ruby is non traditional and does not want the life of a wife and mother before she experiences more of life. Volunteering to be sent overseas to staff the telephone facilities necessary for communication to and from the front lines, Ruby rejects expectations and ends up supervising the group of women known as the Hello Girls. Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this wonderful book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this eARC.
.
Girls on the Line is about the Hello Gilrs during WWI. The story follows Ruby Wagner, who is a telephone operator at Pennsylvania Bell. She is engaged to Nathaniel, who us currently serving.
When tragedy strikes within Ruby's family, she decides to apply to be a Hello Girl with the US Army. Once she passes her exams, she is sent to France. There she meets Andrew Carrigan, who is a medic.
Soon she will have to choose between what her family wants, and what her heart wants.
.
.
Historical fiction is one of my favorite things to read. This was my first book by Aimie K Runyan, and won't be my last. While the first half of this book seemed slow to me, it eventually picked up, and I did not want it to end. This is one book I will be buying, to add to my shelves.
.
.
Pub date November 6th, 2018.

I loved this book! The way Ruby tries to make herself & her parents happy was a true struggle many of us have been through with our own families. I learned so much of how important women were during WWI that I had never known before. This was my first book by Aimie K Runyan & I look forward to reading more!

Aimie Runyan is becoming a favorite author of mine, mainly because she writes about historical fiction (which is my favorite genre) and she picks topics I have never heard of before. After reading her "Daughters of the Night Sky" about the Night Witches of the Red Army during WWII, I could not wait for her next book to come out. I was so excited to see Girls on the Line come out.

Girls on the Line is about the Hello Girls during World War I. The story follows Ruby Wagner, a telephone operator with Pennsylvania Bell (which is the company my husband's grandmother worked for as an operator). When tragedy strikes her family, despite her mother not wanting her to work at all because women of their status don't do that. Ruby applies to be a Hello Girl with the US Army on the front in France. Their job was to connect the front with the rest of the world, but had to have telephone operator experience and be fluent in French. Along the way she meets, Andrew Carrigan, a medic from Brooklyn, who captures her heart even though she is already engaged to a Main Line elite. It follows her time supervising operators in France, an outbreak of the Spanish Flu in which she helped nurse soldiers, and finding the reason she enlisted. Ruby is sent to the front line in the final days of the war, ordered to Germany to work in the telephone office there, but it takes months before she is granted discharged to go home for a family emergency. Once she returns, she finds just how much privilege is important to her mother, the people they hang around, and also her former fiance. But privilege does not top love.

This was a great read about something I had never heard of in the war efforts. But I am finding more and more reads about World War I, which are fascinating. The Hello Girls were given the same treatment as men, they had to have physicals, were subject to the same regulations, and wore uniforms. They were part of the US Army, but due to a technicality in their contracts because it said service "MEN", not "PERSON", they were considered "civilian" employees of the US Army. Once the war was over they were not entitled to any benefits, medals, or medical care - unlike the women serving in the Marines or Navy. Because of that the Hello Girls did not get military recognition until 1978 (60 years after the end of the war and the Hello Girls' fight for equal status of their male Army counterparts) after Congress approved veteran status and honorable discharges for the remaining Hello Girls.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this advanced copy. I was not required to give a positive review, all opinions are my own.

Girls on the Line is the fictional account of the women who served in World War I as part of the US Army Signal Corps as switchboard operators.

After the loss of her brother, Francis, who was with the 11th Engineers, in Cambria, Ruby Wagner, applies to serve with the US Army Signal Corps. What follows is the remarkable story of the women who served their country without the benefit of being active members of the US Army.

While I found the first half of the book a little slow, the second half moved so fast, I wanted it to slow down as I wasn't ready for it to end. There's a great lesson in the story about following your heart rather than family expectations.

Be sure to read the author's note at the end..."Not only were these women groundbreaking in what they accomplished; they really were the catalyst for major changes in women's rights for the next century."

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for the advanced copy; all opinions are my own.

This was a captivating story about what people, especially the female operators, experienced during the war. I enjoyed the camaraderie between the women who worked together. And I liked Andrew! The novel is set during World War I. Ruby is twenty-four years old and engaged to marry a high society man mostly arranged by their parents. As the war goes on, Ruby decides to join the Army Signal Corps to be a telephone operator overseas. She is determined along with the other women who are the “Hello Girls” to be successful at helping with the war effort. Some things were more simpler back in these days years ago. And some things were more complicated, especially for the wealthy who had to keep up their appearance. The war changed everything, especially for those who served and for those who lost loved ones. In particular, Ruby changed while she was overseas, and gained strength and courage to change her life.

Wowza!! I love historical fiction and Girls on the Line was amazing! I was instantly pulled into the captivating story of Ruby and the Hello Girls of World War One. I enjoyed reading and learning about a little known part of history. Aimie K. Runyan did her research and it shows! A must read for historical fiction fans!!

This book is set during WWI and is about a group of women volunteers who enlisted in the Army Signal Corps as telephone operators. They served long hours and suffered terrible conditions close to the front lines, but their service wouldn't be recognized after the war until 1979, when most of these brave women had already passed away. The main character Ruby Wagner is based on the journals of real life women who served as operators.
I had never heard about the "Hello girls", as they were called and I found this book both entertaining and informative. Ruby is a strong female character, a true suffragette for women's rights. She stood up to strong family and community pressure to fight for a cause she believed in. 5 stars for this amazing story.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent story. well researched and well written. 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.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishers for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this book. From start to finish it captivated me. I never knew that women were involved in WWI. I learned a lot by reading this one. I have not read any with this time frame before and am very glad I read this one. It was the start of women being able to do things they were never allowed to do before. From the rich spoiled young women to the not so lucky young women, they were picked to run the communications part of this war. It’s obvious the author did great research with this book and captured how things were so well. It will make you feel like you are there. It’s well written with characters you will love and root for in many places. They endured a lot and came home heroes in my opinion. It was the beginning of women knowing that they can do things besides just get married and have babies. Or do things and be married and have babies. Women have come a long way since this time so we should be very grateful for their service at all times. I admire these women so much.

This book touches on how things were for women and even the men during the war and also throws in a beautiful love story. I brought out lots of emotions in me and made me stop and think quite a bit. I love a book that has lots of things going on. It will keep you turning the pages and wanting more. I highly recommend this book and personally look forward to reading more by this author.

I gave it a 5 star rating based on my honest opinion, the wonderful characters. The in depth research and all around good story. Well done.

A well written, well researched piece of historical fiction. It was fun to read about the women in 1918 (my grandmother’s generation) who volunteered to serve in the army as switchboard operators. These were clearly not only courageous women but also very bright and capable women. It was interesting to feel the struggle between the old and the new and the wealthy and the working class through the eyes and heart of Ruby. I definitely recommend this book and I look forward to reading the author’s earlier books.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an early release in exchange for an honest review

h my this was so good! You know what? I slept on my review and I bumped this up to a 5 star rating because it recounted a little known history of WWI telephone operators, featured a take charge female protagonist, and was just an all around fantastic story. Not to mention that it included terrific lines like this one; I refuse to marry a man who spends his life in a dark room, longing for the sun but lacking the backbone to stand and open a window GASP! So utterly gorgeous and perhaps a nominee for best line of 2018 uttered by a female character

I feel like I should write a humongous book review, but I would rather you scuttle over to NETGALLEY and check it out. So worth it!

BOOK REVIEW:

Girls on the Line by Aimie K. Runyan

A story of family, friendships, love and war.

Girls on the Line is a wonderful work of historical fiction drenched with interest, tenacity, spunk, humor, romance and is truly authentic in a time known as..... The Great War.

I truly enjoy a work such as this when historical events are uncovered and brought forth as to a subject not known by many, in this case, the woman of the U.S. Army Signal Corps with their highly specialized talents and services as switchboard operators which became an integral part of WWI and highly regarded and praised as such for their efforts.

These brave, resourceful young women (characters) putting themselves in harm's way in order to help the war effort all the while forging friendships, protecting one another and dealing with issues at post as well as back home in the states, is nothing short of amazing.

Aimie K. Runyan has written a novel that not only flows seamlessly, it takes the reader on an interesting yet meticulous journey. The historical aspect is meshed beautifully with the lives of each and every character whom you'll feel too be true and believable throughout.

With the pain, the joys and everything in between you will form a real connection as well as be drawn in by these true heroes of the time within this narrative.
#GirlsontheLine is an informative, warm and intriguing story you will certainly appreciate.

Thank you to #AimieKRunyan and NetGalley for the gift of this ARC. A truly enjoyable read.

Novels N Latte Book Blog
Novels & Latte Book Club

Loved the book!! The cover is beautiful . I hate to say that I never knew women were sent oversees to work as operators during World War I. The book was very eye opening at the part women played during the war. How horrible that these woman risked their lives as operators and then weren't even recognized by the military or received benefits until so many years later. I loved the characters, especially Ruby. She was such a strong woman, except when it came to her mother (although I will agree her mom was a little scary.) Ruby was strong enough to join the Army Signal Corps, go to France during the war but would rather marry a man she didn't love so she wouldn't disappoint her parents and make them unhappy.

Ruby Wagner is from a prominent Philadelphia family. Her brother, Francis, and her fiancé, Nathaniel (a man she hardly knows), are overseas during World War I. Ruby helps with the Red Cross and works as an operator at the Pennsylvania Bell Company. When word comes the Francis was killed during combat, Ruby feels the need to take his place. She becomes an operator for the Army Signal Corps and is deployed to France.

Loved the story, writing style and characters. I loved reading about Ruby, Margot and the rest of the girls working as operators. They were all so brave, even when they weren't seen as equals.
Andrew, the charming Army medic was a plus and he adds some romance to the story.

Definitely recommend the book, especially if you enjoy historical fiction with a bit of romance. Look forward to reading more from the author.

Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author, Aimie K. Runyan, for a free electronic ARC of this novel

“Girls on the Line” is a fictionalized story set in 1917, shortly after the United States enters World War I. The story focuses on the events in the war from the perspective of Ruby, a young woman who (against her social-conscious mother’s wishes) works as an operator at Pennsylvania Bell. When a tragedy befalls the family, Ruby decides she wants to be more than a society wife, and applies to become a member of the US Army Signal Corps. These were the women who were sent to France to work the communication lines between headquarters and the front lines. Ruby’s bravery makes her a heroine worth rooting for, the plot is balanced, and the supporting characters are realistic (who wouldn’t love a dashing Army medic who wants to be a doctor?). I particularly found the wording of the title to be fascinating: the girls worked the communication lines, they were on the front lines, and they straddled societal lines (all of which are supported in the novel itself). An excellent way to mark the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day and recognize the sacrifices of the men and women who did their duty to protect American freedoms. Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and the author for a digital ARC in return for an honest review.