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Girls on the Line
From the celebrated author of Daughters of the Night Sky comes a stirring novel inspired by the courage, dedication, and love of the unsung heroines of the Great War.
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 forge a victory for the cause. But balancing service to country becomes even more complicated 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.
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 forge a victory for the cause. But balancing service to country becomes even more complicated 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.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 6, 2018
3,029 people are currently reading
6,200 people want to read
About the author
Aimie K. Runyan
14 books1,376 followersAimie K. Runyan writes to celebrate history’s unsung heroines. She has been honored as a Historical Novel Society Editors’ Choice selection, as a three-time finalist for the Colorado Book Awards, and as a nominee for the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writer of the Year. Aimie is active as an educator and speaker in the writing community and beyond. Her next books, The Castle Keepers (in collaboration with J'nell Ciesielski and Rachel McMillan) and A Bakery in Paris will release in 2023 from Harper Collins. Also from Harper Collins, Aimie's contemporary Women's Fiction debut, The Memory of Lavender and Sage, will release in early 2024. She lives in Colorado with her amazing husband, two (usually) adorable children, two (always) adorable kitties, and a dragon. To learn more about Aimie, please visit www.aimiekrunyan.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 624 reviews
October 25, 2018
Thanks to Netgalley for an e-Arc in exchange for an honest review.
Oh 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!
Oh 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!
January 15, 2019
Such an excellent book!! Not enough stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ to give! Excellent balance of war and personal / relationship. Loved the ending. Cried a couple of times and got goosebumps. If you love historical fiction, pick this one up. It'll stay with me a long while and I feel confident saying this is my first favorite of 2019!
October 27, 2018
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.
October 29, 2018
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. This was definitely a 4.5 star read.
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 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.
September 9, 2018
Girls on the Line is an emotionally captivating book about a group of courageous, groundbreaking women....the women operators who served this country as members of the Army Signal Corps during The Great War. With great attention to detail, the author has brought to life a subject I knew little about, in a story brimming with heart, compassion, and humanity. Ruby’s story touched my heart as she was transformed by world events as well as her own determination and bravery. This book is about conflicts beyond those fought on the battlefield, as the world was undergoing changes along with Ruby...old vs new, traditional vs progressive, privilege and advantage vs ambition and hard work, passion vs complacency. I highly recommend this compelling book that celebrates these unknown heroes who were instrumental in bringing an end to a horrific war along with the other women of that era who fought for the right to be heard.
November 26, 2018
I love reading historical fiction when I am given not only a fantastic story but have the opportunity to learn about something that I knew little or nothing about. Aimee Runyan has done considerable research into the Army Signal Corps during WWI and their need for women operators to go overseas to help with the communications of the war. This was at a time in history that women's main goal was to marry well and spend their days taking care of their husbands and families. It was because of women who were willing to step outside society's norms that women finally got the opportunity to vote.
Ruby was 24 years old. As a member of high society in Philadelphia, she was engaged to another prominent member of society. While he was away in the war, she took a job for the telephone company. She loved working and when there was an opportunity for the best of the best to get a job with the Army as a member of the Signal corps, she applied and was accepted much to her parents' dismay. After training, Ruby is sent to war torn France to work in communications. Not only is she totally out of her comfort zone but she has to prove her worth as a member of the army to the male members of the Army. Will she be able to return to her society life or will her experiences as a woman who helped win the war send her on another path when she returns home?
This is a wonderful well written, well researched novel about the unknown role of women in WWI. It's about love and family and friendship and how women's roles were changing during this time.
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
Ruby was 24 years old. As a member of high society in Philadelphia, she was engaged to another prominent member of society. While he was away in the war, she took a job for the telephone company. She loved working and when there was an opportunity for the best of the best to get a job with the Army as a member of the Signal corps, she applied and was accepted much to her parents' dismay. After training, Ruby is sent to war torn France to work in communications. Not only is she totally out of her comfort zone but she has to prove her worth as a member of the army to the male members of the Army. Will she be able to return to her society life or will her experiences as a woman who helped win the war send her on another path when she returns home?
This is a wonderful well written, well researched novel about the unknown role of women in WWI. It's about love and family and friendship and how women's roles were changing during this time.
Thanks to the author for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.
August 4, 2022
Let me preface this review with this: I absolutely adore this specific brand of historical fiction where I get to see women's contributions to wars past (whether based in fact or history bending alternate timelines).
But this book fell short of the mark for me where it mattered: the war itself.
Our protagonist Ruby Wagner is a member of Philadelphia high society with a mother stuck in the ways of the Victorian era. Her mother has even gone so far as to arrange a marriage for her daughter to a currently deployed fellow high society man in order to cement their place within the elite and their social circle. Her father is a bit more lenient with his baby girl, but still is not entirely on board with the surge of women looking to make their own way in the world.
Ruby is okay with her lot in life at first. She's content to sit in her mother's sewing circles preparing socks and rolling bandages for the boys overseas as their fellow high society matrons titter on about local gossip and the progress of the war—but all of that changes when they receive a telegram stating that her brother Francis has been killed in action during the first American battle of the war.
It's this event that spurs Ruby on to take her chances with applying to the Army's Signal Corps when an errant ad in the paper calls for women to take up their patriotic duty and volunteer to run the switchboards overseas. As an experienced operator at Philadelphia's own switchboards, the choice was clear for her. She would continue where her brother left off and ensure the war was ended that much sooner, sparing other families the agony her own had gone through with the death of Francis.
A compelling idea for a novel, yes? I certainly thought so. And I absolutely loved the lead up to Ruby's deployment. Her suffering through high society, the testing she had to get through in order to be accepted as a switchboard operator for the army, and even seeing where she wound up being deployed to. I thought it was fascinating, especially seeing as I never even knew these women existed. All we really hear about in reference to both WWI and WWII when it comes to women's involvement is their time as nurses or perhaps administrative staff. These women were sometimes on the front lines, connecting the soldiers in the trenches to the brass to receive orders and give updates. They slept in their barracks and dealt with the same threat of gas and bombing and shelling as the soldiers did, and yet I'd never heard anything about them.
A shame I was only given the most shallow look at their duties.
The author apparently did painstaking research in reference to this book. She spoke to the lawyer that helped these women win their legal battle to be recognized as real soldiers who deserved all of the same benefits the men received after their service (which was not won until 1979. Ah, America.), to the descendants of these amazing women, and even visited symposiums and archives.
And yet, for all of that research, I did not get the one thing I wanted out of this book: the true horror and trauma of the War to End All Wars.
I never once got to see the girls dealing with the actual calls they were connecting throughout their service. I would just be told that the lines were busy, that they had been on shift for fourteen hours, that they slept for two to four hours at a time, that they could hear shells and gunfire in the distance.
It was all very passive, the author instead deciding to focus on fairly bland conversations in between the girls and Ruby and her love interest (we'll get to him in a bit). I'm all for building relationships in your story, especially meaningful relationships between women, but if you're going to write a novel about the war that harkened in the age of modern warfare, the war that left its soldiers so grotesquely scarred both physically and mentally, you have to address that. You cannot glaze over it in favor of conversations about how bad the food from the mess is.
And, might I add, I had no idea how important the concept of "Chekov's Gun" was before I read this book. In fact, I found the concept a bit stupid.
In case you are unaware of the concept, this is the explanation I got from the website Now Novel:
C'mon. Every element of a story should contribute to the whole? That sounds a bit like overkill. As a writer, I can say that not every detail I include is super important to the plot, but more for mood and character establishment. Surely this is outdated advice.
Hoo, boy. I was wrong. I finally understand this concept fully.
So, once Ruby was transferred from a post far behind enemy lines (and filled with... a lot of fairly boring day to day actives and only one instance of a bomb drill that amounted to nothing), I got pumped. Finally, the author is going to give me what I came here for. We're going to be right by the fighting. Finally Ruby will witness the horror of this war and give me the gut punch I've been waiting for.
Ruby gets there and is given some new supplies, including a gas mask. Probably the most infamous piece of equipment to come out of World War I. We all know of the horror of gas attacks and the blood and gore and absolutely agony riddled deaths it inflicted upon the soldiers. Surely, Ruby will bear witness to one of these attacks and what it does to those who do not have a gas mask or do not properly secure it to their face.
But... that never happened. Ruby gets the mask, looks at it once and muses about it a bit, then it's put under her bed, never to be mentioned again.
Uh. All right.
And then there is an instance where the girls light some candles after the call for lights out comes down, and their lights are noticed in the window, forcing Ruby's love interest, the medic Andrew Carrigan (I'm getting to him, I swear), to come running to give the girls a talking to about the importance of lights out.
He is so frazzled at the idea that Ruby could have been put in danger, that he gives her a small pistol to defend herself with. "Finally," I sigh. "Maybe Ruby is going to be forced to fend off a German troop that manages to break through the lines. Maybe a German spy accosts her in order to attempt to get the ever changing American codes out of her and she will have to shoot him to defend herself."
Nope. Nadda. The gun is never mentioned again. Pretty on the nose with the Chekov's gun argument, huh?
I could not believe this. Not only was I not given even the slightest peak at how Ruby would handle the stress of being the middle man for the troops in the midst of an important battle, but you don't even incorporate the very real dangers of being on the front lines after giving me these two key props? I felt cheated in the worst way, and the book officially just became a day-to-day account of a late 1910's women at her stressful job.
Ruby wasn't even fazed by the constant barrage of mortor fire and machine guns. Except for a few throwaway lines about how the noises were there and she had grown used to them, they really had no affect on our main character. To the point that I even forgot about it.
I also don't understand how the ladies, when walking around in mud with their pretty skirted uniforms, didn't face the same threat of trench foot as the men did when left without clean socks and the ability to leave your feet uncovered and out of the moisture.
Like, I don't care if the girls didn't mention these things in their journals or letters that the author had access to. I don't care if the official archives assured us that they never had to worry about gas attacks or shelling or trench foot—in order to get the true horrors of the World War I battlefield across, these things absolutely should have been included in the narrative. If that meant cutting out thirty pages of the girls going through yet another uneventful half-shift at HQ, then for the love of god it should have been done.
The fact that the main love interest was a medic (I'M GETTING TO HIM NEXT I PROMISE) and I was only shown like one single instance of him getting a little stressed out by the horror and blood and gore he'd seen is absolutely a travesty. Medics have arguably the absolute hardest job in the military, especially back then. They were not armed back then. Their one and only job was stabilizing the men so they could either be sent back to the front, sent behind the lines to a hospital (and maybe back home), or just making them relatively comfortable before they died of grievous injuries.
I got to see none of this strain on dear Andrew's face or in his overall demeanor. It legitimately makes me angry.
Okay, I could go on and on about my gripes with how the war was handled, I should probably talk about other things now.
SO! About our dear Lieutenant Andrew Carrigan.
I felt none of the romance between Ruby and him, and I'm mad about it.
I did not feel any of the spark I think the author wanted me to. He was just as dull as her fiancé Nathaniel (who I pictured to look like Benedict Cumberbatch in War Horse lmao). I felt nothing. Their conversations were stilted and lacked any actual connection—whether platonic or romantic.
And I was upset about this!! I was so excited for her to meet a dashing soldier at the front who paled in comparison to the tame, boring man she was betrothed to. And he was a medic at that! I have an incredible soft spot for them since I first saw Eugene Roe in Band of Brothers. I was so excited.
But I got nothing. If it wasn't for the fact that author was so clearly forcing them together, I'd have had no idea that they were supposed to become a couple.
Also, he was from Brooklyn (Brooklynites represent!!!!) so I feel doubly cheated out of a proper romance with this army medic.
There was also a ham-fisted attempt at a German spy narrative where one of the girls had been in love with a German boy whose family decided to move back to Vienna before America entered the war. She wasn't even a German spy! She was just a girl who wanted to know if the boy she loved was still alive!!! So it wound up amounting to absolutely nothing with no real stakes, like quite a lot of things in this book.
I just. throttles the air This book had such potential! gestures emphatically upwards toward the block of text above Come on!!!!
Anyway, I'm giving this book two stars because I really did enjoy learning about the existence of these girls, and getting even just the barest hint of their duties in a war that history is so determined to pretend they never took part in. And maybe there are people out there who would enjoy this! But it just didn't wind up hitting the mark for me when it came to addressing what this war really did to the body and minds of everyone who served and got caught in the middle of the violence.
Anyway, I sure hope that Daughters of the Night Sky by this very same author handles World War II better. Please, God. I don't want to be disappointed again.
But this book fell short of the mark for me where it mattered: the war itself.
Our protagonist Ruby Wagner is a member of Philadelphia high society with a mother stuck in the ways of the Victorian era. Her mother has even gone so far as to arrange a marriage for her daughter to a currently deployed fellow high society man in order to cement their place within the elite and their social circle. Her father is a bit more lenient with his baby girl, but still is not entirely on board with the surge of women looking to make their own way in the world.
Ruby is okay with her lot in life at first. She's content to sit in her mother's sewing circles preparing socks and rolling bandages for the boys overseas as their fellow high society matrons titter on about local gossip and the progress of the war—but all of that changes when they receive a telegram stating that her brother Francis has been killed in action during the first American battle of the war.
It's this event that spurs Ruby on to take her chances with applying to the Army's Signal Corps when an errant ad in the paper calls for women to take up their patriotic duty and volunteer to run the switchboards overseas. As an experienced operator at Philadelphia's own switchboards, the choice was clear for her. She would continue where her brother left off and ensure the war was ended that much sooner, sparing other families the agony her own had gone through with the death of Francis.
A compelling idea for a novel, yes? I certainly thought so. And I absolutely loved the lead up to Ruby's deployment. Her suffering through high society, the testing she had to get through in order to be accepted as a switchboard operator for the army, and even seeing where she wound up being deployed to. I thought it was fascinating, especially seeing as I never even knew these women existed. All we really hear about in reference to both WWI and WWII when it comes to women's involvement is their time as nurses or perhaps administrative staff. These women were sometimes on the front lines, connecting the soldiers in the trenches to the brass to receive orders and give updates. They slept in their barracks and dealt with the same threat of gas and bombing and shelling as the soldiers did, and yet I'd never heard anything about them.
A shame I was only given the most shallow look at their duties.
The author apparently did painstaking research in reference to this book. She spoke to the lawyer that helped these women win their legal battle to be recognized as real soldiers who deserved all of the same benefits the men received after their service (which was not won until 1979. Ah, America.), to the descendants of these amazing women, and even visited symposiums and archives.
And yet, for all of that research, I did not get the one thing I wanted out of this book: the true horror and trauma of the War to End All Wars.
I never once got to see the girls dealing with the actual calls they were connecting throughout their service. I would just be told that the lines were busy, that they had been on shift for fourteen hours, that they slept for two to four hours at a time, that they could hear shells and gunfire in the distance.
It was all very passive, the author instead deciding to focus on fairly bland conversations in between the girls and Ruby and her love interest (we'll get to him in a bit). I'm all for building relationships in your story, especially meaningful relationships between women, but if you're going to write a novel about the war that harkened in the age of modern warfare, the war that left its soldiers so grotesquely scarred both physically and mentally, you have to address that. You cannot glaze over it in favor of conversations about how bad the food from the mess is.
And, might I add, I had no idea how important the concept of "Chekov's Gun" was before I read this book. In fact, I found the concept a bit stupid.
In case you are unaware of the concept, this is the explanation I got from the website Now Novel:
'Chekhov's Gun' is a concept that describes how every element of a story should contribute to the whole. It comes from Anton Chekhov's famous book writing advice: 'If in the first act you have hung a pistol on the wall, then in the following one it should be fired.'
C'mon. Every element of a story should contribute to the whole? That sounds a bit like overkill. As a writer, I can say that not every detail I include is super important to the plot, but more for mood and character establishment. Surely this is outdated advice.
Hoo, boy. I was wrong. I finally understand this concept fully.
So, once Ruby was transferred from a post far behind enemy lines (and filled with... a lot of fairly boring day to day actives and only one instance of a bomb drill that amounted to nothing), I got pumped. Finally, the author is going to give me what I came here for. We're going to be right by the fighting. Finally Ruby will witness the horror of this war and give me the gut punch I've been waiting for.
Ruby gets there and is given some new supplies, including a gas mask. Probably the most infamous piece of equipment to come out of World War I. We all know of the horror of gas attacks and the blood and gore and absolutely agony riddled deaths it inflicted upon the soldiers. Surely, Ruby will bear witness to one of these attacks and what it does to those who do not have a gas mask or do not properly secure it to their face.
But... that never happened. Ruby gets the mask, looks at it once and muses about it a bit, then it's put under her bed, never to be mentioned again.
Uh. All right.
And then there is an instance where the girls light some candles after the call for lights out comes down, and their lights are noticed in the window, forcing Ruby's love interest, the medic Andrew Carrigan (I'm getting to him, I swear), to come running to give the girls a talking to about the importance of lights out.
He is so frazzled at the idea that Ruby could have been put in danger, that he gives her a small pistol to defend herself with. "Finally," I sigh. "Maybe Ruby is going to be forced to fend off a German troop that manages to break through the lines. Maybe a German spy accosts her in order to attempt to get the ever changing American codes out of her and she will have to shoot him to defend herself."
Nope. Nadda. The gun is never mentioned again. Pretty on the nose with the Chekov's gun argument, huh?
I could not believe this. Not only was I not given even the slightest peak at how Ruby would handle the stress of being the middle man for the troops in the midst of an important battle, but you don't even incorporate the very real dangers of being on the front lines after giving me these two key props? I felt cheated in the worst way, and the book officially just became a day-to-day account of a late 1910's women at her stressful job.
Ruby wasn't even fazed by the constant barrage of mortor fire and machine guns. Except for a few throwaway lines about how the noises were there and she had grown used to them, they really had no affect on our main character. To the point that I even forgot about it.
I also don't understand how the ladies, when walking around in mud with their pretty skirted uniforms, didn't face the same threat of trench foot as the men did when left without clean socks and the ability to leave your feet uncovered and out of the moisture.
Like, I don't care if the girls didn't mention these things in their journals or letters that the author had access to. I don't care if the official archives assured us that they never had to worry about gas attacks or shelling or trench foot—in order to get the true horrors of the World War I battlefield across, these things absolutely should have been included in the narrative. If that meant cutting out thirty pages of the girls going through yet another uneventful half-shift at HQ, then for the love of god it should have been done.
The fact that the main love interest was a medic (I'M GETTING TO HIM NEXT I PROMISE) and I was only shown like one single instance of him getting a little stressed out by the horror and blood and gore he'd seen is absolutely a travesty. Medics have arguably the absolute hardest job in the military, especially back then. They were not armed back then. Their one and only job was stabilizing the men so they could either be sent back to the front, sent behind the lines to a hospital (and maybe back home), or just making them relatively comfortable before they died of grievous injuries.
I got to see none of this strain on dear Andrew's face or in his overall demeanor. It legitimately makes me angry.
Okay, I could go on and on about my gripes with how the war was handled, I should probably talk about other things now.
SO! About our dear Lieutenant Andrew Carrigan.
I felt none of the romance between Ruby and him, and I'm mad about it.
I did not feel any of the spark I think the author wanted me to. He was just as dull as her fiancé Nathaniel (who I pictured to look like Benedict Cumberbatch in War Horse lmao). I felt nothing. Their conversations were stilted and lacked any actual connection—whether platonic or romantic.
And I was upset about this!! I was so excited for her to meet a dashing soldier at the front who paled in comparison to the tame, boring man she was betrothed to. And he was a medic at that! I have an incredible soft spot for them since I first saw Eugene Roe in Band of Brothers. I was so excited.
But I got nothing. If it wasn't for the fact that author was so clearly forcing them together, I'd have had no idea that they were supposed to become a couple.
Also, he was from Brooklyn (Brooklynites represent!!!!) so I feel doubly cheated out of a proper romance with this army medic.
There was also a ham-fisted attempt at a German spy narrative where one of the girls had been in love with a German boy whose family decided to move back to Vienna before America entered the war. She wasn't even a German spy! She was just a girl who wanted to know if the boy she loved was still alive!!! So it wound up amounting to absolutely nothing with no real stakes, like quite a lot of things in this book.
I just. throttles the air This book had such potential! gestures emphatically upwards toward the block of text above Come on!!!!
Anyway, I'm giving this book two stars because I really did enjoy learning about the existence of these girls, and getting even just the barest hint of their duties in a war that history is so determined to pretend they never took part in. And maybe there are people out there who would enjoy this! But it just didn't wind up hitting the mark for me when it came to addressing what this war really did to the body and minds of everyone who served and got caught in the middle of the violence.
Anyway, I sure hope that Daughters of the Night Sky by this very same author handles World War II better. Please, God. I don't want to be disappointed again.
November 6, 2018
This is a wonderful book about Ruby, a young woman who leaves her fiance after her brother is killed fighting in World War I and joins the Army Signal Corps. to serve in war-torn France. It is not only a great story, but you will love learning about the "Hello Girls" the women who served so bravely as switchboard operators during the First World War.
November 7, 2018
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Happy Reading, friends!
GIRLS ON THE LINE BY AIMIE K. RUNYAN BOOK REVIEW
Mom wants a comfy life for her daughter. Too bad her daughter wants more out of life & she isn’t afraid to go out of her comfort zone to find it. Following her heart, Ruby heads to France to help the US in WW I.
MEET RUBY
First, I need to say I love Ruby. She is strong-willed, determined & so smart. Ruby is one of those rare people who doesn’t tell you how to get the job done. Instead, she shows you. As she puts in her application to be a “Hello Girl” she is fearless against every challenge that comes her way. Although I finished Girls on the Line, I’m not sure I’m ready to let go of Ruby.
SERVICE WOMEN
Let me tell you, Aimie researched the heck out of Girls on the Line. Reading through her Author’s Note is amazing. A friend sent her an article on the under-celebrated “Hello Girls”. In the 1970’s, an attorney fought for these women to receive benefits and honor for their military service. They fully deserve it.
Reading through what their job entails is intense. Imagine receiving a call, connecting the cal and translating it in a different language knowing one mistake could alter the course of the War. Throw in an everchanging system of codes to thwart spies and you’ve got yourself a very stressful work environment. Oh, and the women are working, resting, studying & sleeping- without electricity no less. Don’t get it twisted, these women play a huge role in the War. I’m glad Aimie helps bring their important story to life.
THE VERDICT
I am Really Into This book! Ruby is such a fantastic & memorable character. Also, I love stories (especially true!) about badass, strong women who persevere. If you’re a fan of historical fiction & strong women you’re sure to love Girls on the Line.
Be sure to check out The Radium Girls by Kate Moore. It’s another tale about undercelebrated women.
Special thanks to Aimie K. Runyan for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
GIRLS ON THE LINE BY AIMIE K. RUNYAN BOOK REVIEW
Mom wants a comfy life for her daughter. Too bad her daughter wants more out of life & she isn’t afraid to go out of her comfort zone to find it. Following her heart, Ruby heads to France to help the US in WW I.
MEET RUBY
First, I need to say I love Ruby. She is strong-willed, determined & so smart. Ruby is one of those rare people who doesn’t tell you how to get the job done. Instead, she shows you. As she puts in her application to be a “Hello Girl” she is fearless against every challenge that comes her way. Although I finished Girls on the Line, I’m not sure I’m ready to let go of Ruby.
SERVICE WOMEN
Let me tell you, Aimie researched the heck out of Girls on the Line. Reading through her Author’s Note is amazing. A friend sent her an article on the under-celebrated “Hello Girls”. In the 1970’s, an attorney fought for these women to receive benefits and honor for their military service. They fully deserve it.
Reading through what their job entails is intense. Imagine receiving a call, connecting the cal and translating it in a different language knowing one mistake could alter the course of the War. Throw in an everchanging system of codes to thwart spies and you’ve got yourself a very stressful work environment. Oh, and the women are working, resting, studying & sleeping- without electricity no less. Don’t get it twisted, these women play a huge role in the War. I’m glad Aimie helps bring their important story to life.
THE VERDICT
I am Really Into This book! Ruby is such a fantastic & memorable character. Also, I love stories (especially true!) about badass, strong women who persevere. If you’re a fan of historical fiction & strong women you’re sure to love Girls on the Line.
Be sure to check out The Radium Girls by Kate Moore. It’s another tale about undercelebrated women.
Special thanks to Aimie K. Runyan for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.
September 24, 2018
The best historical fiction opens a window into the past, allowing us to see it anew and reordering our preconceptions. Girls on the Line does just that with the role of women in the Army Signal Corps in WWI. The heroine, Ruby Wagner, seeks to honor the memory of her brother, a fallen solider, by entering Corps against the wishes of just about everyone. Ruby is brave, sharp-tongued, and complicated--my favorite sort of character--and she's surrounded by a lively cast. Runyan's sure pacing and deft hand with nuances of plot kept me turning the pages as Ruby's story unfolded.
Runyan, a careful historian, weaves in period details that cement the book's undeniable realism.
Captivating, compassionate and assured, Girls on the Line is fresh take on how war changes the course of lives--one woman at a time.
Runyan, a careful historian, weaves in period details that cement the book's undeniable realism.
Captivating, compassionate and assured, Girls on the Line is fresh take on how war changes the course of lives--one woman at a time.
November 6, 2018
I love historical fiction because it's a chance to learn something through the art of story. And by that definition, Girls on the Line excelled. On its surface, it was about friendship, romance, and family with the backdrop of World War I. But subtly, it demonstrated how women of the era had their feet in both the Victorian times and the new world. It was quite a life to straddle. Equally compelling was learning about the women who operated telephone lines even quite close to the front lines and didn't get proper recognition from the government until the 1970s. I don't say this often about a book, but put this one at the TOP of your TBR list.
November 1, 2018
An interesting look into the “Hello Girls” of WWI - the women who join the war effort as telephone operators! This was something I really knew nothing about and found fascinating. More than the history in this novel, the relationships between Ruby Wagner and those in her life, from her wealthy Philadelphia society parents, her dear friend Evangeline who her family views as just the maid, her fiancé Nathaniel and of course, her fellow Girls on the Line, were all written so well that they truly gave life to these characters.
I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
I received an advance copy. All opinions are my own.
November 11, 2018
So happy this book is now out in the world! Here was my quote:
“Once again, Aimie K. Runyan shines a much-deserved spotlight on unsung female heroes in history. Set during the First World War, GIRLS ON THE LINE follows the arduous journey of an Army telephone operator forced to navigate a world of codes and spies and the complexities of love. Brimming with strong women who are easy to root for, this story of loyalty and sacrifice makes for an inspiring, heartfelt read.”
“Once again, Aimie K. Runyan shines a much-deserved spotlight on unsung female heroes in history. Set during the First World War, GIRLS ON THE LINE follows the arduous journey of an Army telephone operator forced to navigate a world of codes and spies and the complexities of love. Brimming with strong women who are easy to root for, this story of loyalty and sacrifice makes for an inspiring, heartfelt read.”
August 1, 2019
Another book about the unknown contributions of women to the war efforts, in this case the "great war". Well written, and so informative.
January 26, 2024
Set towards the end of WWI, Girls on the Line was a fascinating look at the women who served as telephone operators for the U.S. Army Signal Corps. The story focuses on Ruby, who is engaged to Nathaniel and set to become a society wife just like her mother before her. After her brother, Francis, was killed in action, however, Ruby becomes even more restless and longs to help in the war effort. Keeping the home fires burning and knitting socks for the soldiers overseas just isn't enough for her.
Already working as a telephone operator, Ruby jumps at the chance to do her part and applies for the job. I thoroughly enjoyed this story about a woman's role in the army and would highly recommend it for fans of historical fiction, strong female characters, and a bit of romance.
If you enjoyed this one, then I would highly recommend Daughters of the Night Sky (4 stars) by the same author!
Lastly, I was appalled to read the afterward and learn that the brave women who served in this role were not considered "real soldiers" and were not awarded the benefits and honors due them until 1979 when only 28 of the 228 who had served were still living!
I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Location: Pennsylvania (Philadelphia), New York City, France (Chaumont and Paris), and Germany (Coblenz)
Already working as a telephone operator, Ruby jumps at the chance to do her part and applies for the job. I thoroughly enjoyed this story about a woman's role in the army and would highly recommend it for fans of historical fiction, strong female characters, and a bit of romance.
If you enjoyed this one, then I would highly recommend Daughters of the Night Sky (4 stars) by the same author!
Lastly, I was appalled to read the afterward and learn that the brave women who served in this role were not considered "real soldiers" and were not awarded the benefits and honors due them until 1979 when only 28 of the 228 who had served were still living!
I received an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Location: Pennsylvania (Philadelphia), New York City, France (Chaumont and Paris), and Germany (Coblenz)
December 8, 2018
I am out of the norm for rating this book. I expected more historical insight. The majority of the book is built along the main character -- a struggle with her compliant and obedient nature with a domineering mother and then, a VERY predictable romance while in the military. It had so much potential, but to failed to engage or challenge me.
November 7, 2018
Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “GIRLS ON THE LINE” By Aimie K. Runyan
Aimie K. Runyon, Author of “Girls on the Line” has written an intriguing, intense, captivating, riveting, enthralling and amazing novel. The Genres for this novel are Historical Fiction and Fiction. There is a touch of Romance and Suspense. The timeline for this novel is around World War 1. The author describes her colorful cast of characters as complex and complicated, possibly due to the circumstances.
I love that Aimie K. Runyon describes the importance of women and the part they played during World War 1. Although it will be many years until women were given the same benefits as the men in the army during war, I appreciate seeing that women were heroes, and worked in dangerous situations to save their country. One of the ways that women did help out was by being switchboard operators, and constantly manning the phones.Often they had to learn new codes. The women in this story had to know French, and wound up going to France.
Ruby Wagner is one of my favorite characters in this story. She seems to exist in two types of life. One is the wealthy “line” in Philadelphia where she is engaged to a prosperous gentleman that belongs in her “circle”. After Ruby’s brother dies, Ruby is determined to do her part. The other “line” in World War 1, as an operator in horrible conditions, and in the way of bombing and fires. Ruby works hard, and becomes a supervisor, and has girls that have to follow her orders. Ruby has to follow orders as well, and at times it is difficult.
Ruby is considered one of the “Hello Girls” and sent to France. She meets and makes friends. One of them is a medic that wants to become a physician. Will Ruby’s worlds collide? I recommend this novel for those readers who enjoy Historical Fiction. I appreciate the research that the author has spent hours and hours on. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
Aimie K. Runyon, Author of “Girls on the Line” has written an intriguing, intense, captivating, riveting, enthralling and amazing novel. The Genres for this novel are Historical Fiction and Fiction. There is a touch of Romance and Suspense. The timeline for this novel is around World War 1. The author describes her colorful cast of characters as complex and complicated, possibly due to the circumstances.
I love that Aimie K. Runyon describes the importance of women and the part they played during World War 1. Although it will be many years until women were given the same benefits as the men in the army during war, I appreciate seeing that women were heroes, and worked in dangerous situations to save their country. One of the ways that women did help out was by being switchboard operators, and constantly manning the phones.Often they had to learn new codes. The women in this story had to know French, and wound up going to France.
Ruby Wagner is one of my favorite characters in this story. She seems to exist in two types of life. One is the wealthy “line” in Philadelphia where she is engaged to a prosperous gentleman that belongs in her “circle”. After Ruby’s brother dies, Ruby is determined to do her part. The other “line” in World War 1, as an operator in horrible conditions, and in the way of bombing and fires. Ruby works hard, and becomes a supervisor, and has girls that have to follow her orders. Ruby has to follow orders as well, and at times it is difficult.
Ruby is considered one of the “Hello Girls” and sent to France. She meets and makes friends. One of them is a medic that wants to become a physician. Will Ruby’s worlds collide? I recommend this novel for those readers who enjoy Historical Fiction. I appreciate the research that the author has spent hours and hours on. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
October 9, 2018
I love finding out about things that happened in history, but that we never read about or learned about, in our dry history books in school. Girls on the Line is about female telephone operators who went to the front during WWI with the Army Signal Corps. They were needed to make sure that the extremely, important communications lines were kept open and important calls got through to those in charge of making life or death decisions when it came to our men at the front. I had no idea! I knew that women went as nurses, but telephone operators? Phenomenal. These girls were in the thick of it. The story focuses on Ruby Wagner from a prominent, Philadelphia family who seems destined to marry a man from a similar background in Philly society. But, Ruby has a lot of spunk and tenacity and answers the call to action after her own brother is killed in the early days of WWI. Ruby and her "Hello Girl" operator friends and colleagues were funny, brave, and endearing. There's intrigue and even a bit of romance. You'll find yourself cheering Ruby on. This story is needed now more than ever to show just how strong and tenacious women have always been and will continue to be. Thank you to the author for the ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 3, 2018
Four inspiring stars to this fabulous historical fiction featuring strong, courageous women!
🌟🌟🌟🌟
The “Hello Girls” are credited as being among the many unsung heroes of World War I. Leading the pack is Ruby, the daughter of a prominent Philadelphia family and a member of high society. Her older brother is killed in combat and suddenly, Ruby is presented with an opportunity to go overseas and do her part in the war. The military is looking for women operators to help overseas and Ruby is thrilled to be chosen to join this crew of courageous women. The “Hello Girls” are sent to France, in the thick of the war, to do their part to help their country. Based on real history, this was a fabulous tale of strong women blazing their way in unlikely circumstances. This novel is thick with strong, likable female characters and I am all for it! For me, Girls on the Line was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars. Thank you @amazonpublishing for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.
🌟🌟🌟🌟
The “Hello Girls” are credited as being among the many unsung heroes of World War I. Leading the pack is Ruby, the daughter of a prominent Philadelphia family and a member of high society. Her older brother is killed in combat and suddenly, Ruby is presented with an opportunity to go overseas and do her part in the war. The military is looking for women operators to help overseas and Ruby is thrilled to be chosen to join this crew of courageous women. The “Hello Girls” are sent to France, in the thick of the war, to do their part to help their country. Based on real history, this was a fabulous tale of strong women blazing their way in unlikely circumstances. This novel is thick with strong, likable female characters and I am all for it! For me, Girls on the Line was ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars. Thank you @amazonpublishing for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.
February 27, 2021
This work of historical fiction relates the story of the telephone operators who signed up to go overseas in World War I and were an all female unit of the United States Signal Corps. The set up to the book sounded interesting as we follow our protagonist from Philadelphia to New York and then to France. The author emphasizes the important work of the operators and gives examples of what kind of messages they would be relaying from the front to headquarters and back again.
However once the book gets to France and the war we are not privy to any of the messages and we don't really get any kind of feeling of what a typical shift was for these operators, we also get no description of the war and what exactly was going on in France.
Instead we get a romance which is essentially what Girls on the Line is, the men are cardboard cut outs and extremely unbelievable. Andrew, the love of Ruby our heroine, is badly written and the plot holes would allow many a truck to be able to drive through them. As soon as the war ends in the book the pace slows to a crawl, the post war portion makes up to about a fourth of the book and really nothing happens at the end.
Certainly long forgotten stories of women's achievements should be celebrated, but it is too bad that in this particular forgotten story turns into a romance with dialogue right out of the 21st century.
However once the book gets to France and the war we are not privy to any of the messages and we don't really get any kind of feeling of what a typical shift was for these operators, we also get no description of the war and what exactly was going on in France.
Instead we get a romance which is essentially what Girls on the Line is, the men are cardboard cut outs and extremely unbelievable. Andrew, the love of Ruby our heroine, is badly written and the plot holes would allow many a truck to be able to drive through them. As soon as the war ends in the book the pace slows to a crawl, the post war portion makes up to about a fourth of the book and really nothing happens at the end.
Certainly long forgotten stories of women's achievements should be celebrated, but it is too bad that in this particular forgotten story turns into a romance with dialogue right out of the 21st century.
October 9, 2020
Girl power all the way!!
Girls on the line an amazing story that talks about the great work of the women in the Military such as "The Hello Girls" who were in charge of the communications during the war, many of them were giving service to their country, some of them left willingly to serve. courage us women who live many times in terrible conditions but their duty was always more important, to help soldiers and their country to win this war.
Ruby the main character of the story was the best, she was strong, bold, and very determined. at first, she was the typical society lady with an arranged marriage. her parents control her life even her decisions at all times, but life decided to throw a hardball to them pushing Ruby outside of home wanting to serve her country even if that meant to go against her mother wishes... during those times Ruby was finally able to meet herself, to learn more about her and to grow up. she discovers a beautiful woman in herself, kind and gentle someone far better than what her mother wanted, she not only stood up to higher rank commanders to help her team to survive but also was loyal and very determine whenever something aroused.
Nathaniel really was a loser, when he met Ruby again at the party, what he said was just unbelievable, I mean he really was nice when he was ill but as soon as he was back in the US he became his usual, an arrogant, mamas boy who didn't have any will or power in his future, the typical man following orders and making everything his parents wanted. I'm sorry but what a loser, caring more about society than his own feelings? or even his future... Nathaniel, you're not a man, I'm so glad you left that magnificent woman alone, she deserves a man, not a kid hiding behinds his mother skirt.
Andrew, was my favorite he was a real hero, always kind, always a gentleman, trying to protect Ruby and the girls, he was always very supportive. what I love about him was that he was always there for Ruby, whenever she was going through a hard time, he never tried to change her not even when he knew the truth and the circumstances of her life, what her parents think, and wanted for her. For him everything was always doable and fixable, he was very optimistic and always had the right thing to say. Thank you Aimie for this character, for giving us hope and a sweet taste of Ruby and Andrew.
Many great secondary characters that supported this story and even made it deeper, Margot was another amazing woman who fought so hard against bullies who saw her as less or as a burden, but she never gave up and fought hard against the bullies. Evangeline was one of Ruby's best friends, I wish Ruby's family was kinder to her, she deserved more than what she got, she deserves everything.
During this story, we see many situations and cases like Evangeline's, society, and money were more important than hard work and honesty, the idea during those years of fixing and arranging marriages was terrible in my own opinion were callous and evil. it seems like they were selling their own daughters like they didn't care what they want and their opinion didn't matter at all.
I got so angry at the end of the story to see how women were dismissed and not even acknowledged for their work in the War, they were fearless, they work hard and even spend their time in very harsh conditions, and not even that made the US government recognize all of these women who left their home and country to be nurses, operators, and even work as the Hello Girls to help soldiers and commanders to be in touch and communicate during the most crucial times of the Wat.. no matter what they did, their work was not recognized, they will argue and say they were not soldiers, that they never made an oath, stupid excuses, this really made me angry how can you dismiss such a heroic work? how can you pretend the work of hundreds of women was not meritable, was not valuable? we are EQUAL!!
I totally agree with Aimie, the US government should recognize and reconsider the work of all these great amazing, brave, women during the War, they deserve more but what can we expect if they don't even care for the Veterans?
Overall this is a great book, that finally make justice to all these wonderful women. I will always encourage others to read and listen to this kind of stories, so they can learn more about women, women who are fearless, and are ready to fight and defend our country when is needed.
Note: To the Hello Girls and to all these amazing women, doing all these amazing hard jobs, I salute you, I applaud you, I recognized you, I see you, you're beautiful, you're needed, and you're strong. Your work is very valuable and the people that matters will always acknowledge you and to all of those who constantly reject us and diminish our work, you'll have to go back a few lifetimes to be able to learn we're all ONE, that we're equal, and that we're more than capable to do any job, any task that is giving to us.
Girls on the line an amazing story that talks about the great work of the women in the Military such as "The Hello Girls" who were in charge of the communications during the war, many of them were giving service to their country, some of them left willingly to serve. courage us women who live many times in terrible conditions but their duty was always more important, to help soldiers and their country to win this war.
Ruby the main character of the story was the best, she was strong, bold, and very determined. at first, she was the typical society lady with an arranged marriage. her parents control her life even her decisions at all times, but life decided to throw a hardball to them pushing Ruby outside of home wanting to serve her country even if that meant to go against her mother wishes... during those times Ruby was finally able to meet herself, to learn more about her and to grow up. she discovers a beautiful woman in herself, kind and gentle someone far better than what her mother wanted, she not only stood up to higher rank commanders to help her team to survive but also was loyal and very determine whenever something aroused.
Nathaniel really was a loser, when he met Ruby again at the party, what he said was just unbelievable, I mean he really was nice when he was ill but as soon as he was back in the US he became his usual, an arrogant, mamas boy who didn't have any will or power in his future, the typical man following orders and making everything his parents wanted. I'm sorry but what a loser, caring more about society than his own feelings? or even his future... Nathaniel, you're not a man, I'm so glad you left that magnificent woman alone, she deserves a man, not a kid hiding behinds his mother skirt.
Andrew, was my favorite he was a real hero, always kind, always a gentleman, trying to protect Ruby and the girls, he was always very supportive. what I love about him was that he was always there for Ruby, whenever she was going through a hard time, he never tried to change her not even when he knew the truth and the circumstances of her life, what her parents think, and wanted for her. For him everything was always doable and fixable, he was very optimistic and always had the right thing to say. Thank you Aimie for this character, for giving us hope and a sweet taste of Ruby and Andrew.
Many great secondary characters that supported this story and even made it deeper, Margot was another amazing woman who fought so hard against bullies who saw her as less or as a burden, but she never gave up and fought hard against the bullies. Evangeline was one of Ruby's best friends, I wish Ruby's family was kinder to her, she deserved more than what she got, she deserves everything.
During this story, we see many situations and cases like Evangeline's, society, and money were more important than hard work and honesty, the idea during those years of fixing and arranging marriages was terrible in my own opinion were callous and evil. it seems like they were selling their own daughters like they didn't care what they want and their opinion didn't matter at all.
I got so angry at the end of the story to see how women were dismissed and not even acknowledged for their work in the War, they were fearless, they work hard and even spend their time in very harsh conditions, and not even that made the US government recognize all of these women who left their home and country to be nurses, operators, and even work as the Hello Girls to help soldiers and commanders to be in touch and communicate during the most crucial times of the Wat.. no matter what they did, their work was not recognized, they will argue and say they were not soldiers, that they never made an oath, stupid excuses, this really made me angry how can you dismiss such a heroic work? how can you pretend the work of hundreds of women was not meritable, was not valuable? we are EQUAL!!
I totally agree with Aimie, the US government should recognize and reconsider the work of all these great amazing, brave, women during the War, they deserve more but what can we expect if they don't even care for the Veterans?
Overall this is a great book, that finally make justice to all these wonderful women. I will always encourage others to read and listen to this kind of stories, so they can learn more about women, women who are fearless, and are ready to fight and defend our country when is needed.
Note: To the Hello Girls and to all these amazing women, doing all these amazing hard jobs, I salute you, I applaud you, I recognized you, I see you, you're beautiful, you're needed, and you're strong. Your work is very valuable and the people that matters will always acknowledge you and to all of those who constantly reject us and diminish our work, you'll have to go back a few lifetimes to be able to learn we're all ONE, that we're equal, and that we're more than capable to do any job, any task that is giving to us.
November 7, 2018
Sarah contributed this review to Really Into This
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
GIRLS ON THE LINE BY AIMIE K. RUNYAN BOOK REVIEW
Mom wants a comfy life for her daughter. Too bad her daughter wants more out of life & she isn’t afraid to go out of her comfort zone to find it. Following her heart, Ruby heads to France to help the US in WW I.
MEET RUBY
First, I need to say I love Ruby. She is strong-willed, determined & so smart. Ruby is one of those rare people who doesn’t tell you how to get the job done. Instead, she shows you. As she puts in her application to be a “Hello Girl” she is fearless against every challenge that comes her way. Although I finished Girls on the Line, I’m not sure I’m ready to let go of Ruby.
SERVICE WOMEN
Let me tell you, Aimie researched the heck out of Girls on the Line. Reading through her Author’s Note is amazing. A friend sent her an article on the under-celebrated “Hello Girls”. In the 1970’s, an attorney fought for these women to receive benefits and honor for their military service. They fully deserve it.
Reading through what their job entails is intense. Imagine receiving a call, connecting the cal and translating it in a different language knowing one mistake could alter the course of the War. Throw in an everchanging system of codes to thwart spies and you’ve got yourself a very stressful work environment. Oh, and the women are working, resting, studying & sleeping- without electricity no less. Don’t get it twisted, these women play a huge role in the War. I’m glad Aimie helps bring their important story to life.
THE VERDICT
I am Really Into This book! Ruby is such a fantastic & memorable character. Also, I love stories (especially true!) about badass, strong women who persevere. If you’re a fan of historical fiction & strong women you’re sure to love Girls on the Line.
Be sure to check out The Radium Girls by Kate Moore. It’s another tale about undercelebrated women.
Special thanks to Aimie K. Runyan for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
GIRLS ON THE LINE BY AIMIE K. RUNYAN BOOK REVIEW
Mom wants a comfy life for her daughter. Too bad her daughter wants more out of life & she isn’t afraid to go out of her comfort zone to find it. Following her heart, Ruby heads to France to help the US in WW I.
MEET RUBY
First, I need to say I love Ruby. She is strong-willed, determined & so smart. Ruby is one of those rare people who doesn’t tell you how to get the job done. Instead, she shows you. As she puts in her application to be a “Hello Girl” she is fearless against every challenge that comes her way. Although I finished Girls on the Line, I’m not sure I’m ready to let go of Ruby.
SERVICE WOMEN
Let me tell you, Aimie researched the heck out of Girls on the Line. Reading through her Author’s Note is amazing. A friend sent her an article on the under-celebrated “Hello Girls”. In the 1970’s, an attorney fought for these women to receive benefits and honor for their military service. They fully deserve it.
Reading through what their job entails is intense. Imagine receiving a call, connecting the cal and translating it in a different language knowing one mistake could alter the course of the War. Throw in an everchanging system of codes to thwart spies and you’ve got yourself a very stressful work environment. Oh, and the women are working, resting, studying & sleeping- without electricity no less. Don’t get it twisted, these women play a huge role in the War. I’m glad Aimie helps bring their important story to life.
THE VERDICT
I am Really Into This book! Ruby is such a fantastic & memorable character. Also, I love stories (especially true!) about badass, strong women who persevere. If you’re a fan of historical fiction & strong women you’re sure to love Girls on the Line.
Be sure to check out The Radium Girls by Kate Moore. It’s another tale about undercelebrated women.
Special thanks to Aimie K. Runyan for providing our copy in exchange for an honest & fair review.
November 7, 2018
Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “GIRLS ON THE LINE” By Aimie K. Runyan
Aimie K. Runyon, Author of “Girls on the Line” has written an intriguing, intense, captivating, riveting, enthralling and amazing novel. The Genres for this novel are Historical Fiction and Fiction. There is a touch of Romance and Suspense. The timeline for this novel is around World War 1. The author describes her colorful cast of characters as complex and complicated, possibly due to the circumstances.
I love that Aimie K. Runyon describes the importance of women and the part they played during World War 1. Although it will be many years until women were given the same benefits as the men in the army during war, I appreciate seeing that women were heroes, and worked in dangerous situations to save their country. One of the ways that women did help out was by being switchboard operators, and constantly manning the phones.Often they had to learn new codes. The women in this story had to know French, and wound up going to France.
Ruby Wagner is one of my favorite characters in this story. She seems to exist in two types of life. One is the wealthy “line” in Philadelphia where she is engaged to a prosperous gentleman that belongs in her “circle”. After Ruby’s brother dies, Ruby is determined to do her part. The other “line” in World War 1, as an operator in horrible conditions, and in the way of bombing and fires. Ruby works hard, and becomes a supervisor, and has girls that have to follow her orders. Ruby has to follow orders as well, and at times it is difficult.
Ruby is considered one of the “Hello Girls” and sent to France. She meets and makes friends. One of them is a medic that wants to become a physician. Will Ruby’s worlds collide? I recommend this novel for those readers who enjoy Historical Fiction. I appreciate the research that the author has spent hours and hours on. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
Aimie K. Runyon, Author of “Girls on the Line” has written an intriguing, intense, captivating, riveting, enthralling and amazing novel. The Genres for this novel are Historical Fiction and Fiction. There is a touch of Romance and Suspense. The timeline for this novel is around World War 1. The author describes her colorful cast of characters as complex and complicated, possibly due to the circumstances.
I love that Aimie K. Runyon describes the importance of women and the part they played during World War 1. Although it will be many years until women were given the same benefits as the men in the army during war, I appreciate seeing that women were heroes, and worked in dangerous situations to save their country. One of the ways that women did help out was by being switchboard operators, and constantly manning the phones.Often they had to learn new codes. The women in this story had to know French, and wound up going to France.
Ruby Wagner is one of my favorite characters in this story. She seems to exist in two types of life. One is the wealthy “line” in Philadelphia where she is engaged to a prosperous gentleman that belongs in her “circle”. After Ruby’s brother dies, Ruby is determined to do her part. The other “line” in World War 1, as an operator in horrible conditions, and in the way of bombing and fires. Ruby works hard, and becomes a supervisor, and has girls that have to follow her orders. Ruby has to follow orders as well, and at times it is difficult.
Ruby is considered one of the “Hello Girls” and sent to France. She meets and makes friends. One of them is a medic that wants to become a physician. Will Ruby’s worlds collide? I recommend this novel for those readers who enjoy Historical Fiction. I appreciate the research that the author has spent hours and hours on. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
November 18, 2018
Words can't express what a complete joy this book is to read - no, savor. Aimie Runyan has written a virtual love letter to all of those women who remain unsung heroines during wartime. I'm grateful to Runyan for shining a light on a portion of history that for many of us was unknown. Good literature entertains; excellent literature also educates.
The women in this novel are selected to maintain communications during the war. Ruby, our main character, comes from a well-to-do family. When tragedy occurs, she feels a deep obligation to serve her nation and the signal corps offers her that opportunity.
There are so many characters that I embraced and adored in this book. The author creates a solid, fast moving and suspenseful plot and has a way of weaving words so beautifully. I found myself highlighting certain passages that just spoke to my heart.
Ms. Runyan, this is the first book that I've read of yours but I can assure you that it won't be my last.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
The women in this novel are selected to maintain communications during the war. Ruby, our main character, comes from a well-to-do family. When tragedy occurs, she feels a deep obligation to serve her nation and the signal corps offers her that opportunity.
There are so many characters that I embraced and adored in this book. The author creates a solid, fast moving and suspenseful plot and has a way of weaving words so beautifully. I found myself highlighting certain passages that just spoke to my heart.
Ms. Runyan, this is the first book that I've read of yours but I can assure you that it won't be my last.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book from netgalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
November 6, 2018
Girls on The Line by Aimee Runyan tells us so much about an often overlooked piece of war history. I have seen old footage with telephone messages from the front line relaying timely and sensitive information that was essential to the war. But I never stopped to think about how in the United States at that time we still needed operators to connect a call... of course, we would need phone operators to travel with our military to help facilitate this process overseas. Runyan provides us with a great historical fiction story about a young woman who is compelled to do her part in the war. I highly recommend this book! I received an ARC of this book, all opinions are my own.
Shelved as 'maybe-try-again-later'
December 19, 2018The audiobook was kind of flat. I might try again with the physical book.
February 4, 2019
When I read historical fiction, it often tends be set during World War II, probably because there are so many wonderful novels to choose from that take place in this time period. I was thrilled to find this fascinating novel set during the lesser written about World War I.
I picked up Girls on the Line for so many reasons—the title is a clever pun (can’t pass that up!), the cover is gorgeous and the story is about a topic I knew nothing about. The story is about the "Hello girls", a group of female telephone operators who served in the army in Europe during World War I, helping to make sure battle plans could be communicated across the continent. Runyan has clearly done an enormous amount of research to make sure the novel stays true to their incredible story of courage and patriotism. A perfect combination of entertaining story and education, Girls on the Line truly delivers in so many wonderful ways.
The story centers on Ruby Wagner, a society girl from Main Line Philadelphia who is engaged to a Nathaniel, a man of similar standing. When her brother is killed in one of the early battles of the war, Ruby is devastated.. She feels useless sitting at home while the war rages on in Europe, and when she discovers the signal corps where she can put her knowledge of both switchboards and French to good use, she knows she must go. On the front, she forms fast friendships with many of her co-workers, forming a makeshift family within the hostile environment of war. A medic named Andrew also becomes a part of their group, but as Ruby and Andrew grow closer, Ruby starts to question where the relationship is headed and what that means for her future marriage to Nathaniel. She soon comes to understand that with everything she’s witnessed and withstood, nothing will ever be the same again.
“The fighting was finally over, but so much had been lost in the endless fields of mud. The landscape of the world and of every man, woman, and child in the path of the machine of war had been irrevocably changed.”
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for the advanced review copy. I loved everything about this book. The story is engaging, the characters interesting and real, and the ending satisfying. I rooted for Ruby every step of the way and am now a dedicated fan of Aimie K. Runyan.
I picked up Girls on the Line for so many reasons—the title is a clever pun (can’t pass that up!), the cover is gorgeous and the story is about a topic I knew nothing about. The story is about the "Hello girls", a group of female telephone operators who served in the army in Europe during World War I, helping to make sure battle plans could be communicated across the continent. Runyan has clearly done an enormous amount of research to make sure the novel stays true to their incredible story of courage and patriotism. A perfect combination of entertaining story and education, Girls on the Line truly delivers in so many wonderful ways.
The story centers on Ruby Wagner, a society girl from Main Line Philadelphia who is engaged to a Nathaniel, a man of similar standing. When her brother is killed in one of the early battles of the war, Ruby is devastated.. She feels useless sitting at home while the war rages on in Europe, and when she discovers the signal corps where she can put her knowledge of both switchboards and French to good use, she knows she must go. On the front, she forms fast friendships with many of her co-workers, forming a makeshift family within the hostile environment of war. A medic named Andrew also becomes a part of their group, but as Ruby and Andrew grow closer, Ruby starts to question where the relationship is headed and what that means for her future marriage to Nathaniel. She soon comes to understand that with everything she’s witnessed and withstood, nothing will ever be the same again.
“The fighting was finally over, but so much had been lost in the endless fields of mud. The landscape of the world and of every man, woman, and child in the path of the machine of war had been irrevocably changed.”
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for the advanced review copy. I loved everything about this book. The story is engaging, the characters interesting and real, and the ending satisfying. I rooted for Ruby every step of the way and am now a dedicated fan of Aimie K. Runyan.
November 18, 2018
Actual rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
I really liked the premise of the story. This historical fiction is about the women who went oversees as telephone operators during WWI. This book let us see the part the women played during the war and the risks they took. It was a wonderful story but I found the pace to be rather slow. I agree with other reviewers where at times, I thought the dialogue was sophomoric.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of Aimie K. Runyan's "Girls on the Line" in exchange of an honest review.
I really liked the premise of the story. This historical fiction is about the women who went oversees as telephone operators during WWI. This book let us see the part the women played during the war and the risks they took. It was a wonderful story but I found the pace to be rather slow. I agree with other reviewers where at times, I thought the dialogue was sophomoric.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of Aimie K. Runyan's "Girls on the Line" in exchange of an honest review.
December 8, 2018
UPDATE: New link https://tcl-bookreviews.com/2018/12/0...
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.
November 6, 2018
Aimie Runyan has done a marvelous job! Strong characters and rich storytelling, this is a must read! You will fall in love with Ruby and all the Operators and care deeply for each character as they are on the field and as they find their way back home after the war. Such strong women who made the way for the women of today!
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