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Wrong Line, Right Connection
Could a mortifying day on the job end up netting you true love?
When switchboard operator Mabel Jennings reports to work on a Monday in the summer of 1964, she doesn’t have any interest in finding love again. A visitor from Coatesville, Pennsylvania changes that. On a business trip, Roy Stentz calls her station, and his deep yet kind voice intrigues her. She tries to remain professional, but in her smitten state, she connects him to the wrong line...twice, in fact. Finally, Roy invites her out to dinner, saying he wants to see if she’s a better date than an operator.
The haphazard introduction sets an unexpected romance into motion. Going out every night while he’s in town, their bond deepens as they share the tragedies they’ve endured and observe each other’s beautiful qualities. Mabel's past travails with love, however, hold her back from committing to anything permanent. Will she overcome her reluctance and open her heart to the love calling out to her? Or will she hang up on her chance for happiness?
When switchboard operator Mabel Jennings reports to work on a Monday in the summer of 1964, she doesn’t have any interest in finding love again. A visitor from Coatesville, Pennsylvania changes that. On a business trip, Roy Stentz calls her station, and his deep yet kind voice intrigues her. She tries to remain professional, but in her smitten state, she connects him to the wrong line...twice, in fact. Finally, Roy invites her out to dinner, saying he wants to see if she’s a better date than an operator.
The haphazard introduction sets an unexpected romance into motion. Going out every night while he’s in town, their bond deepens as they share the tragedies they’ve endured and observe each other’s beautiful qualities. Mabel's past travails with love, however, hold her back from committing to anything permanent. Will she overcome her reluctance and open her heart to the love calling out to her? Or will she hang up on her chance for happiness?
187 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2022
4 people want to read
About the author
Karina Bartow
10 books31 followersKarina Bartow hails from northern Ohio. Though born with Cerebral Palsy, she’s never allowed her disability to define her. Rather, she’s used her experiences to breathe life into characters who have physical limitations, but like her, are determined not to let them stand in the way of the life they want. She may only be able to type with one hand, but she writes with her whole heart!
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 7, 2022
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
WRONG LINE, RIGHT CONNECTION by Karina Bartow is a heartfelt, enjoyable historical romance novella set in 1964 featuring a switchboard operator who has given up on love.
Mabel Jennings is back at the telephone company as a switchboard operator after once again having to earn her own living. She is sharing a house with a close friend and more than happy to be on her own again. She is done with love after losing the first love of her life and then being in an abusive second relationship.
One day on the switchboard, Mabel receives a call for connection from a man with a deep and kind voice. She is so frazzled by her reaction to this man, she accidently transfers him to the wrong line, not once, but twice. Roy Stentz is not put off but intrigued by this operator and asks her out. Roy and Mabel quickly find their relationship is more than either expected, but Mabel’s past relationships may not allow her to believe in love once more.
I really enjoyed this romance. Even though this was a novella, it is packed with interesting characters, plenty of emotion and the HEA in the epilogue. Mabel has lived with several tragedies in her life which made her guarded and yet Roy was able to get her to open up and attempt dating again even as she kept comparing him to the previous two men in her life. The author also did a good job of immersing the reader in the 1960’s time period with the descriptions of the switchboard operators, the types of dates Mabel and Roy went on and the fact that Mabel felt her divorce would stop any man from being interested in her. The secondary characters are all fully drawn and add to the story. The only slight problem I had with this novella was Mabel's flashbacks to her previous relationships which were necessary to understand her reluctance for another relationship, but they sometimes pulled me out of the flow of the story.
Overall, this is a fast, entertaining romance novella with a memorable heroine.
WRONG LINE, RIGHT CONNECTION by Karina Bartow is a heartfelt, enjoyable historical romance novella set in 1964 featuring a switchboard operator who has given up on love.
Mabel Jennings is back at the telephone company as a switchboard operator after once again having to earn her own living. She is sharing a house with a close friend and more than happy to be on her own again. She is done with love after losing the first love of her life and then being in an abusive second relationship.
One day on the switchboard, Mabel receives a call for connection from a man with a deep and kind voice. She is so frazzled by her reaction to this man, she accidently transfers him to the wrong line, not once, but twice. Roy Stentz is not put off but intrigued by this operator and asks her out. Roy and Mabel quickly find their relationship is more than either expected, but Mabel’s past relationships may not allow her to believe in love once more.
I really enjoyed this romance. Even though this was a novella, it is packed with interesting characters, plenty of emotion and the HEA in the epilogue. Mabel has lived with several tragedies in her life which made her guarded and yet Roy was able to get her to open up and attempt dating again even as she kept comparing him to the previous two men in her life. The author also did a good job of immersing the reader in the 1960’s time period with the descriptions of the switchboard operators, the types of dates Mabel and Roy went on and the fact that Mabel felt her divorce would stop any man from being interested in her. The secondary characters are all fully drawn and add to the story. The only slight problem I had with this novella was Mabel's flashbacks to her previous relationships which were necessary to understand her reluctance for another relationship, but they sometimes pulled me out of the flow of the story.
Overall, this is a fast, entertaining romance novella with a memorable heroine.
September 15, 2022
A switch gone wrong turns into love gone right.
About The Book: It is the turbulent 1960’s when women are expected to go along to get along–in the workplace as well as in marriage—but Mabel Banks has had enough of the abuse and neglect doled out by her husband. She makes the difficult and—for those times—the often unacceptable decision to leave the marriage and start over. It’s not easy but she perseveres with the aid of dear friends, family and her faithful dog. Enter businessman Roy Stentz whose voice sends Mable over the edge as she strives to connect his call to the right location. After a series of misconnections, success is achieved but mortification abounds. Roy does not give up, and neither does Mabel, as he shows her the value of her spirit and drive and courage.
Our Review: Writing in the voice of a woman with a brain, something not often accepted in the swinging sixties, author Bartow brings readers into the mind and heart of a courageous, intrepid woman, Mabel Banks—and we are better for it.
On a scale of 1-5, Wrong Line, Right Connection deserves a 5.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
About The Book: It is the turbulent 1960’s when women are expected to go along to get along–in the workplace as well as in marriage—but Mabel Banks has had enough of the abuse and neglect doled out by her husband. She makes the difficult and—for those times—the often unacceptable decision to leave the marriage and start over. It’s not easy but she perseveres with the aid of dear friends, family and her faithful dog. Enter businessman Roy Stentz whose voice sends Mable over the edge as she strives to connect his call to the right location. After a series of misconnections, success is achieved but mortification abounds. Roy does not give up, and neither does Mabel, as he shows her the value of her spirit and drive and courage.
Our Review: Writing in the voice of a woman with a brain, something not often accepted in the swinging sixties, author Bartow brings readers into the mind and heart of a courageous, intrepid woman, Mabel Banks—and we are better for it.
On a scale of 1-5, Wrong Line, Right Connection deserves a 5.
Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
September 11, 2022
A sweet, entertaining, and compelling historical romance set in the 60s. I liked the characters, rooted for them, and the plot was well developed.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
October 21, 2022
Pleasant, intriguing and contemplative.
I appreciated the character development and how she was able to analyze and change her reactions. As the reader you go through the transitions and realizations with her.
I appreciated the character development and how she was able to analyze and change her reactions. As the reader you go through the transitions and realizations with her.
November 3, 2023
What a sweet and wonderful story! Mabel and Roy meet in such an original way. I absolutely loved it and smiled every time it was mentioned during their courtship. And it IS a courtship in all the best possible ways.
For one thing, it's not rushed. Mabel and Roy are such fine characters. Hopeless romantic that I am, it was immediately clear to me that they belonged together. But not so fast! Sometimes we need time to adjust to a new situation, to get past our fears and accept that we might actually be allowed happiness. The unexpected little twists and turns kept me turning pages. It was a delight -- as well as surprising -- to see Roy giving Mabel the time and space she needed.
All the way to a magnificent ending/epilogue -- one for the books! Many thanks to the author for such a beautiful story!
For one thing, it's not rushed. Mabel and Roy are such fine characters. Hopeless romantic that I am, it was immediately clear to me that they belonged together. But not so fast! Sometimes we need time to adjust to a new situation, to get past our fears and accept that we might actually be allowed happiness. The unexpected little twists and turns kept me turning pages. It was a delight -- as well as surprising -- to see Roy giving Mabel the time and space she needed.
All the way to a magnificent ending/epilogue -- one for the books! Many thanks to the author for such a beautiful story!
September 9, 2022
My thanks to the author for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Wrong Line, Right Connection is a light, sweet, whirlwind of a romance read. I loved the characters and the setting, but most of all I loved how Mabel and Roy connected! Fresh and entertaining, I enjoyed it from start to finish. 4 / 5
You can read the review in full here: https://sammicox.wordpress.com/2022/0...
Wrong Line, Right Connection is a light, sweet, whirlwind of a romance read. I loved the characters and the setting, but most of all I loved how Mabel and Roy connected! Fresh and entertaining, I enjoyed it from start to finish. 4 / 5
You can read the review in full here: https://sammicox.wordpress.com/2022/0...
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews