The Number of Love

Author: Roseanna M. White
Genre: Historical Romance
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​Three years into the Great War, England's greatest asset is their intelligence network--field agents risking their lives to gather information, and codebreakers able to crack every German telegram. Margot De Wilde thrives in the environment of the secretive Room 40, where she spends her days deciphering intercepted messages. But when her world is turned upside down by an unexpected loss, for the first time in her life numbers aren't enough.

Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy who just won't give up. He's smitten quickly by the intelligent Margot, but how can he convince a girl who lives entirely in her mind that sometimes life's answers lie in the heart?

Amid biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them but others they love, Margot and Drake will have to work together to save themselves from the very secrets that brought them together.

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Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise
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The Number of Love by Roseanna White is the first in the new series The Codebreakers. 

This is a new series but we get to reconnect with some characters from previous books! The most notable one is Margo De Wilde, who we first met as a child prodigy in A Song Unsung. Margo may be only 17, but some find her intimidating because of her expertise with numbers, namely in codebreaking for the government. She is intriguing to Drake Elton. Drake is used to being a patient man in his capacity for the war effort. He uses that patience in his relationship with Margo.

I admit that I don’t like Math. But Roseanna White has made me a fan of the orderliness of numbers, codes and encryption. She even makes numbers romantic! I became so immersed in this story that I worried along with Dot, looked over Margo’s shoulder while she was at work and was right there on that train with Drake. 

This book was extremely well researched. I have come to appreciate that in a Roseanna White novel. The story she weaves around the facts is fascinating and so well thought through. It was fun to learn about Room 40 and decryption and that Anthrax and Wolfram were around long before I thought they were. Take note of the cover and look for references in the text. It is spot on! 

The spiritual thread gives the reader much to mull over. When we think God is silent, is He still in control or are we just not listening? A quote from the book: “Sometimes God’s will was to let man taste the consequences of his folly, his hatred and his supposed self sufficiency. Sometimes God lets people die. Lets His children break. And then pieces them back together into something new. Something that He could use for His Glory instead of theirs.”

I enjoyed the family dynamics. They were different for each family but they also showed that in times of adversity families pull together and affirm their faith in God. 

Recommended for fans of Historical Christian Fiction with a suspense thread. 

I am sure the next books in this series will be as exciting as this one. They just keep getting better! 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers on behalf of the author. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Winnie Thomas

I’ve been wanting to read Margot De Wilde’s story since I met her in Roseanna White’s previous series. She is such an unusual heroine with a unique way of looking at, and coping with, the world. Her intelligence and wit shines in The Number of Love, and Drake Elton is the perfect counterpoint to her character. He sees something deep inside her and is willing to work to understand her world. White is a master at creating fascinating and colorful characters, and this story has plenty of them, including several cameo appearances of people from her Shadows Over England series. It was such fun to see them pop up here and there.

With a setting in London during World War I, this tale is replete with rich historical detail and fascinating information about the intelligence network during the war. The author’s research shines through and adds such deep interest to the story, while the inspirational themes of faith, hope, courage, and the power of love lend depth and satisfaction. I would recommend this book to those who love well-written historical romantic fiction with large doses of suspense and intrigue thrown in.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from Bethany House Publishers. All opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

You know a book has hooked you when you have a flight to catch in the morning and you stay up all night to finish it instead! I loved this book!

Our heroine (Margot De Wilde) was not your standard simpering female. She was analytical, intelligent, quirky and committed to her goals. One of which was to never marry or have children. She was focused on her education and her future after the war, and as far as she was concerned it didn't include marriage. But then she wasn't prepared for Drake Elton.

Drake, for his part, had never met anyone like Margot. She saw things in numbers. Even God speaking to her was through numbers. How do you win a girl like that? You'll love what he does! I'm not telling.

The historical accuracy of this book was enlightening and the mystery kept me up at night. You won't be disappointed in this book. I highly recommend it!

I received this book courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley.​

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