Overview
When romance finally blossoms in her life, will it grow in the right direction?
Emma Sutton knows she should be satisfied with her life. She has a position at London’s Central Telegraph Office, and behind her rented rooms is a small plot where she can indulge her passion for gardening. But ever since she was orphaned as a child, she has longed for a family of her own and the stability and consistency it provides. Her deepest wish appears realized when a handsome engineer is thrown into her orbit and sends her a thrilling love note.
Mitchell Harris’s sharp wit and facility with a pen have enabled him to thrive despite serious obstacles. That the woman of his dreams works just two floors above his should make life perfect. But a childhood accident has left Mitchell convinced he’ll never draw a woman’s affection, especially from someone like Emma. When his best friend–who once saved his life–falls in love with Emma too and asks for help writing her love letters, Mitchell must choose between desire and loyalty.
Review
Disclaimer: Although I received a copy of this book from the publisher, the opinions below are my own.
Jennifer Delamere returns to the world of telegraphy with the second in her Love Along the Wires series. Of the three friends on which the trilogy focuses, this time it’s Emma’s time to shine when she meets the man she believes God has intended for her. Christopher is handsome, has a steady income, and has taken to writing the most eloquent love letters. Or so she believes. Instead, his best friend has taken on a Cyrano de Bergerac role and is telling him what to write. A Happily Ever After is guaranteed, but who will ultimately win Emma’s heart?
I found Crossed Lines to be an entertaining book, but I grew weary of the letters and all the flowery language in them. My husband and I were involved in a trans-Atlantic relationship for two years before we married, and we wrote each other regularly. Maybe it’s because I’m from a different time – Emma is Victorian, after all – but I was interested in my man’s day to day activities. If he’d written half of the “nonsense” Emma received, I probably would’ve told him he was “full of it.”
Crossed Lines could be read as a standalone novel, but it can be tricky jumping into the middle of a series. Alice and Douglas from the previous book are mentioned, along with the reason why they don’t physically appear. Part of that reason is detailed in the first book, Line By Line. Something else that makes a return appearance is a book called The Spinster’s Guide to Love and Romance. Alice bought it at the beginning of her story. Maybe it’s meant to be a joke, but I loathe it. And, at the end of this novel, I couldn’t tell whether Emma found it useful or not! It’s now been passed on to the third friend, so unfortunately, I’m sure we’re see it in the final book in this series.
Rating
4/5
Product Information
Publisher: Bethany House (a division of Baker Publishing)
Publication Date: 31 August 2021
Author Information
Jennifer Delamere’s debut Victorian romance, An Heiress at Heart, was a 2013 RITA Award finalist in the inspirational category. Her follow-up novel, A Lady Most Lovely, received a starred review from Publishers Weekly and the Maggie Award for Excellence from Georgia Romance Writers. Jennifer earned a BA in English from McGill University in Montreal, where she became fluent in French and developed an abiding passion for winter sports. She’s been an editor of nonfiction and educational materials for nearly two decades, and lives in North Carolina with her husband.
Jennifer Delamere’s Website https://www.jenniferdelamere.com/index.php
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