Thanks to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC copy in exchange for an honest review. Edda is back from the front lines where she worked as a “Hello Girl”, as a switchboard operator. While at the front, she spent her nights memorizing connection codes to stay ahead of the enemy. Her days were spent connecting calls and vital lines between the front lines and bases.  Now back in Washington, she works for American Bell Telephone as an operator. One night, just as her shift is ending, she gets a phone call and the caller utters a codeword “Brightwood” that sends her spiraling back to her time in France. She must confront her past and attempt to uncover the secrets that have followed her home. 

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book faster. I couldn’t put this down. The suspense and the writing easily pulled me in and kept me engaged. I eagerly flipped the pages, trying to figure out who was calling Edda and keeping her on edge. I was on edge while reading it and Monica Hesse is a fantastic writer who engages her readers with each page turned. I didn’t know anything about HR the Hello Girls prior to this story and now I cannot wait to read more about them.  Highly recommend this for a unique WWI story.