Everyone fell in love with the quirky, genius, number-loving Margot in A Song Unheard. And now she has her own story.

Roseanna White is an author with many strengths and talents, from strong plots to the historical depth her stories contain, but perhaps her greatest strength is her characters. Each and every one is unique with their own quirks, and each one sees the world a little differently. For this character-loving girl, that makes these books for me. Margot is quite possibly White's most complex character, and while she is so different from me, I quickly fell in love with her. Drake, too, is a very distinctive character. I don't think there is a character I don't like in any of White's book. (Okay, actually there is one.) From page one, these characters grab your interest and you're rooting for them for the rest of the story.

The plot moves along at a nice clip and there wasn't ever a moment I wanted to put this book down. Packed with loads of historical depth, espionage, spies, encoded messages, gunfights, romance, and authentic Brittish dialogue, there's something for everyone in The Number of Love! White explores themes of love, loss, and trust throughout the story, and there are several heartfelt scenes, a few of which had me tearing up. The romance is swoon-worthy without being over the top or sensual in any way.

All in all, White pens another fabulous novel. I have nothing negative to say! The quality of these novels is unsurpassed; I always know I'm in for an excellent read when I pick up this author's books. Well done, Ms. White! I cannot recommend The Number of Love enough!

3 Reasons to Recommend: The Number of Love

3 - History.

During the Great War, Room 40 was the intelligence hub of the Admiralty. White portrays this organization of codebreakers and secretarial staff as a diverse yet tight-knit group of professionals. She draws a number of fascinating real-life events into her story—explaining in her author's note how she had to alter the timeline of a few to fit her storyline.

2 - Friendship.

“I’m not a secretary—I’m one of the cryptographers. I hate fashion, I hate gossip, and I absolutely cannot stand girls who giggle over every man who sends a smile their way. So if you want to walk the other way, I won’t begrudge it.”

When Margo made this forthright statement and Dot accepted her, I smiled. I've begun two friendships in a similar way and one is still going strong—24 years later. I would much rather have a few friends I can be completely transparent with than a gaggle of shallow acquaintances. Dot and Margo's friendship grows deeper and stronger as the story progresses and the two women change for the better because of it—like iron sharpening iron (Proverbs 27:17). In this fast-paced story or espionage and subterfuge, I felt like the friendship shared between Dot and Margot grounded the story.


1 - Margo De Wilde.

"Emotions didn’t obey the rules. They existed somewhere outside the set of axioms that governed the rest of her life. They confused her."

When I look back over the list of books I've read this year (61 so far), Margo is one of the most memorable characters. I admire her intelligence and wit and I can relate to her introverted ways. While it's not easy to gain access to her inner circle of trust, once you're in, she is fiercely loyal. Drake "gets her" and works to win her by deciphering and speaking her love language.

*I deducted a star because Margo receives direct revelations from God, apart from scripture.

Christian Shelf-Esteem received a book to facilitate this review. The views and opinions expressed are 100% honest and my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, Part 255 Guidelines, concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising.

I loved everything about this book! First of all, Margot!! I’ve wanted to know more about Margot since I read about her in the Shadows over England series. Margot’s not your usual heroine. She thinks in numbers and values logic over feelings. I can admire that and it made for a great read.

And Drake! What a hero. Instead of forcing Margot to comply to his way of thinking, he woos her in a way she can appreciate. It was so sweet to see their romance bloom and I have to admit, I started spying connections with the numbers everywhere!

Oh and the cameos! I would love to spoil it but trust me, there are cameos galore in here that make you happy you and make you want to pull out some old books in Ms. White’s backlist. Enjoy them!

I devoured this book in one sitting—although I slowed down toward the end to savor it a bit—and can’t wait until the next Codebreaker releases.

*I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley. This review was not required nor influenced.

I just loved the mind the author gave the main character Margot and she turned out to have her wits about her in direr situations.
We put faces to those making the ultimate sacrifices during the First World War, and we are able to walk in their shoes for a while.
Love reading historical fiction that is based on fact, and this read did not disappoint! I can’t wait for the next in this series!

I received this book through Net Galley

This is an amazing historical romance!

I love each of the main characters in this book. There is quite a variety of personalities and unusual quirks among them. Some of them seemed to be very duplicitous and it was difficult at times to figure out their true motives.

There are many different languages that people use to express love. Margot has a language all her own. It totally captivated me to try and figure her out and see how others would communicate with her.

The fact that there was an intelligence network in place on both sides during WWI was not a surprise to me. I was fascinated by how intricate it was though. The plot of this story was very well developed and kept me enthralled. I was very caught up in the details and pulling for England to prevail in the spy game. Having quickly developed an emotional attachment to Drake, Margot, Dot and the others involved in the work done in Room 40 added to my deep interest.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and through NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

Margot De Wilde is a young woman who has had to endure chaotic change in her life due to WWI. She and her family had to flee their homeland of Belgium and move to England when the German's invaded. Her father having died she now lived with her mother in England and they both worked for the war department.

Margot, even though just 18 years old was a brilliant mathematician, just as her father had been. She was hired to work as a cryptologist and had proven herself just a brilliant as any of the men in the department. As such, the men accepted her as an equal, something that wouldn't happen for most women in the early 1900's.

Margot will, along with others, solve the major codebreaking needed so that they could thwart the efforts of the Germans. She will befriend another young lady, a new secretary, and together they will forge a bond that will change both their lives.

What makes this novel particularly enjoyable is the faith in God that Margot and her new friend, Dot share. They see that God is sovereign and thus they can depend on him to keep them and their families safe. Or can He? Because of circumstances Margot finds herself in a dilemma of faith. Can she or can she not trust God.

Not only do we have a historical novel about WWI, but the added benefit of a love story and a story of how women could also do the same work as men and do it well. Add in to that the principles and truths of God that weave through the story and you have a great "Book Club" read for any church or community book club. Discussion questions at the end of the book will add to it's use for your book club.

Enjoy!

I loved Margot when we met her in A Song Unheard, so I was super excited to learn she was going to get her own novel. I was even more excited to know the series was going to be based on Room 40 and the codebreakers. And what a great start to the series this is. The historical setting is well-realised and authentic, as it always is with Roseanna White’s novels, and the plot is compelling both in terms of the war effort and the characters’ personal lives. But for me, the standout factor in this novel was Margot. Margot as a character, and the way Drake set about courting her.

I love unique characters, and Margot is certainly that. She’s a brilliant mathematician—genius level brilliant—which can be quite a challenge to portray convincingly, because it’s not just about being a brilliant mathematician when mathematics is called for. A brilliant mathematician sees the world in a different way, and it’s capturing that unique outlook that really brings characters like this to life. And Roseanna White totally nailed it. Not just Margot’s mathematical way of processing life, but the logical and analytical personality that often accompanies it. And her wit and sense of humour were a perfect match for her personality.

And then there was Drake—the perfect match for her. Margot was very clear about her intention not to marry, but Drake took the time to understand why and discover what was important to her, then set about winning her heart accordingly. Now that’s true romance! And through all this, the tension mounts over who Das Gespenst really is and whether he will succeed in his mission, and Margot struggles to come to terms with certain events that have unfolded and how they affect her relationship with God. Oh, and Phillip Camden…I can’t wait for his story!

Seriously, if you enjoy engaging and intelligent characters, an authentic WWI setting, and a plot that sucks you in, Roseanna M. White should be on your “must read” list.

I absolutely loved the Shadows Over England series by Roseanna M. White and was so happy to see that one of the secondary characters from that series was going to be in the first book of a new series. I've been (im)patiently waiting to get my hands on The Number of Love and I was not disappointed. This book was full of twists and turns with a bit of romance to make it a read I won't soon forget.

Margot De Wilde intrigued me. I think she was well ahead of her time as not only a brilliant woman but as a codebreaker. I found it absolutely fascinating to read about her part in helping the Allied forces during WWI. I even found her to be a bit like Sheldon Cooper from The Big Bang Theory in the way that she used facts instead of emotions to get through life. Drake Elton was the perfect counterpart for Margot as he softened her up a bit and made her not only see things differently but made her feel things. This couple is high on the list of all time favorites. They were a perfect combination and so fun to read about. I also enjoyed Dot and Red and would love to read more about them in future books.

One thing I've always loved about this author's work is her ability to make me forget I'm reading a work of fiction. It is so easy to become totally immersed in her stories and the lives of the characters that she creates. Many times while reading her work I have to put the book away and think about what I've read and make sure I absorb the story before moving on.

This book is a great start to what I'm sure will be a fabulous series. I can't wait to read the next installment. If you are a historical fiction/romance fan or a fan of WWI novels be sure to pick up a copy of this book. It's a must-read!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions are mine.

The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White is the first in her new series The Codebreakers. This book begins a phenomenal addition to her Shadows Over England series, which is set during the first great war, or World War I as we know it. The Number of Love mainly focuses on several aspects of the intelligence field during the war, from the perspectives of the two main characters--one involved in code breaking at home in England, while the other is an intelligence agent (a.k.a. spy) in Europe.

As is common to Ms. White's writings, this work has an extensive historical depth, giving the characters very real situations, challenges, and trials to endure.  As a World War I and II buff, I greatly appreciated the very realistic scenes of the home front and the situations based off of actual events.  The historical context of the story created an excellent background for the plot as well as strengthening the characters.

Another aspect of this book that I greatly enjoyed was the theme of mathematics and code breaking. Although I am most definitely not a mathematician, I do appreciate the logic and order of mathematics. It was a very intriguing new aspect of the main character to have her thinking and life revolving around mathematics and numbers. I thought that it was very interesting and added an new twist to the character, taking a strength of her career to make a difficulty for her socially and romantically.   

Margot De Wilde is a very intellectual young woman, serving as a code breaker for the English during World War I. Margot loves her job of cracking the German codes from the intercepted German telegrams in the top secret Room 40 of the headquarters of the British intelligence in London. She uses her love and talent for mathematics and logic to fight against the Germans. When Margot unexpectedly loses a loved one, she is completely devastated and even loses her faith in God  

Drake Elton is an intelligence agent serving his country in Spain, which is the homeland of his grandfather. With his cover as a student at the university in Bilbao, Drake gathers critical information to aid the allied forces in the fight. When Drake is tasked with gathering information and tracking a dangerous shipment, he is injured very severely. After his injury, Drake is sent back to England to recover, where he becomes more acquainted with Margot. Drake doesn't realize how involved Margot is in the code breaking, assuming that she is a secretary at the headquarters like his sister, but soon realizes her true intelligence and passion for life.

Drake and Margot must work together with their combined talents and knowledge to uncover the secrets of the German plans as well as to keep their loved ones safe from a certain German spy determined to kill them. Between the threats on their life, the losses dealt with, threats of bombings, impossible to unravel coded messages, threats of biological warfare, Margot and Drake discover that their friendship is developing into more. But will it survive the barrage of attacks?  

To say that this book has adventure and excitement, would be a gross understatement. This book is full of plot twists, intrigue, mystery, suspense, extremely dangerous situations, and various added elements of literary excellence.  However, merely from the book's description and the main character's position as a code breaker, many readers could accidentally pass over this book. Don't make that mistake!  This was an excellent historical Christian fiction work, which keeps the reader entertained, surprised, and turning the next page. I would highly recommend The Number of Love.

Rich in history and based on true events, this novel is quite remarkable. Margot sees the world through math which makes her an intriguing character. Room 40, the secret hub of intelligence for decoding German messages and deterring their plans was hugely successful. This story invites readers to become a part of a critical time in history. Highly recommended!

Margot De Wilde is all grown up and thriving by putting her skills to use as a codebreaker, but her world changes and her faith is shaken by a sudden loss that puts her in a tailspin. Numbers have always been there to help Margot make sense of the world around her, but in light of current events she must move outside her comfort zone. I admired Margot's strength and compassion, she understands what it is to be different, and I liked how she makes new friends and grows in her faith.



Drake Elton returns from the warfield ready to serve his country again in a different capacity. He is enchanted by Margot, who is different from every woman he has even met before, and the more he gets to know her the more he wants to be a permanent part of her life. Drake is strong and resourceful, persistent, he takes his time getting to know Margot learning to speak her language. I admired his strong faith and how he encourages and counsels Margot as they get to know each other.



A fast paced read with excellent tension that kept me glued to the story, with fingers poised to turn the next page. A riveting race against time, Drake and Margot must work together to catch the enemy because lives are at stake. Very well researched, Ms. White brings the world of codebreaking to life, I loved learning about the brilliant men and women who used their gifts for their country. I was so excited when I first heard about this book, because I had loved Margot ever since I read A Song Unheard, where she is featured alongside her brother, Lukas. And while you certainly don't have to read A Song Unheard in order to understand this book, but I felt like I appreciated it so much more having read its companion book.



Overall, one of my favorite books by Roseanna White that I have read so far, fantastic characters, great plot, and a historical setting that comes to life in all of its intrigue and suspense, grounded in faith.



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

My family is mathematically minded. My daddy taught math and computers for many years; my brother is an accountant; my husband is an engineer, and my mom almost became one. I, however, am horrible at math. I wasn't too bad at in school, although it was my least favorite subject, but now I can barely do basic math.  Maybe that's why I was fascinated with a character that thought entirely in math formulas. I had been looking forward to Roseanna White's newest book, The Number of Love since I finished her last book, An Hour Unspent. The Number of Love is the first book in a new series, but it is closely related to her last series. I started it, and then I couldn't stop reading it. I was drawn into World War I with Margot De Wilde and Drake Elton. I wanted to know more about the codebreaking happening in Room 40, I wanted to know more about Drake's adventures in Spain, and I wanted to know what would happen with the romance forming between Margot and Drake. The historical details, the fascinating characters, the mystery and adventure, all these make the book an amazing read. It truly was a stunning book; one that I will definitely be reading again and again. And maybe, as I'm reading it I'll become more mathematically minded like the rest of my family.

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction with mystery, romance, and adventure. I would also highly recommend this book if you have enjoyed Roseanna White's other books. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

“The numbers marched across the page in a glory all their own.” - Opening line of The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White

Being a lover of mathematics and, by extension, codebreaking, this book’s plot appealed immediately! Spies, decryption and an intelligent female lead? Yes please! Add Roseanna White as the author and it’s a winning formula!

Margot, codebreaker extraordinaire, fast became one of my favourite fictional characters. She shares a unique perspective on the world: Christianity mixed with logic. I just love it! She struggles to connect with people and show emotion, she see the world in numbers. She is fabulous and fascinating.

Her opposite number, and leading man, Drake, runs on emotion and instinct serving as an intelligence officer for the British. In the midst of the Great War, he sets out to stop biological warfare by collecting information. Drake’s understanding of people, how to influence and motivate them, is wonderful and a great addition to the story.

The plot moves swiftly and narration switches from Margot to Drake to an enemy spy on the prowl. This adds to the tension and mystery, building the suspense. I found it a page-turner! To share more would be to spoil the excitement!

Christianity (in war, in hurt, in fear) features strongly and I so enjoyed how Roseanna’s characters wrestle with God for clarity and come out stronger in their faith for it!

I am glad this is the beginning of a series and look forward to the next one! It’s five out of five on the en-JOY-ment scale and highly recommended!

My Review:

Genre: Historical, romance, fiction, WWI.

My Rating: 5 stars.

My Favorite Character/s: I have no words to adequately explain how much I love this book because of these characters. And I am not even going to try.

My Verse for this book is Deuteronomy 33:25 Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be. (King James Version.)

I just can't believe I got to read this book! I wasn't able to get on the lunch team sadly and therefore had thought I would have to wait until it was published, then I saw it on NetGalley and requested and received it!!!! This book is so AMAZING!!! And the characters that made cameo appearances, AWESOME!!! Mrs. White is one of my all-time favorite authors, and this book was no different from her previous novels with their intrgue, deep characters, and most of all the history woven through. I just loved this book and the cover is so perfect for The Number of Love with the 18 and window it ties in wonderfully with the story. If you haven't read Roseanna White's books before you need to get in your car, drive to your bookstore pick up one or five of her books, go home, snuggle in bed with a cup of tea and one of the books. Or if you're like me order them off Amazon and eagerly await the mailman.

I have read every novel by Roseanna M. White that I have been able to get my hands on, and loved every. single. one. of. them. The Number of Love was no exception. From the brilliantly written scenes, to the memorable and wonderful human characters, I was invested in the story from the very beginning. I will always be first in line to grab anything written by this wonderful author. A masterful story and a definite recommend!

I loved this book. It was deliciously complex, the details intricately woven. It was wonderful. I also love that this series is a spinoff of White’s “Shadows Over England” series so a lot of the characters are already familiar. It was a delight to encounter Willa and Barclay and the others again in this book.
I enjoy reading books set in the world wars. I haven’t read many that deal with codebreaking so that was fascinating to me. Margot De Wilde is an amazing mathematician who hears God’s voice through numbers. I have a nephew who also worships God in patterns and numbers in math so I enjoyed that.
Margot is not looking for a man to marry or even date but from the moment she meets Drake Elton, the sparks fly. It was very entertaining and wonderful to see how God can bring people together who truly suit one another in a unique way.
I highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to read the next one in the series.
Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I’ve loved Roseanna M. White’s characters in each one of her books. I think, however, that Margot might be my favorite character of all. . Margot is an unusual heroine. She has a genius-level intellect. Her obsession with mathematics and numbers leads to her looking at the world from a different viewpoint from most of us. She’s somewhat socially awkward which makes her even more endearing. It was fun watching her develop a romance with Drake and discovering that she did indeed have feelings as well as logic and could fall in love. Drake won my heart when he started courting Margot in a way that helped her see how much he valued her unique gifts.

There’s mystery, suspense, and tension that builds all throughout this story. As both Drake and Margot race towards danger to save their friend and thwart an attack on London, I could hardly turn pages quickly enough. Don’t miss the author’s notes about her research for this story. I found the history behind the real code breakers fascinating. I also appreciated the faith aspect of this story. Both Drake and Margot find that even when circumstances are desperate and hard to understand, God is always there in time of need, waiting for His children to turn to Him for help.

This is such an intriguing and inspirational story. If you enjoy Christian historical fiction, you’ll love this one.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

World War I is in full swing, and deep in the heart of London the codebreakers in Room 40 are responsible for deciphering German telegrams to preserve the Allied cause. Margot de Wilde, a young Belgian woman not yet eighteen, is an anomaly in the all-male environment. Her mathematical mind makes her capable of far more than secretarial work, and she works side by side with men twice or thrice her age to discover and anticipate the actions of the German armies responsible for destroying her homeland. Thrown together by circumstance with a British intelligence officer named Drake Elton, Margot discovers, for the first time, that the calculations and formulas that provide her certainty have become eerily silent on matters of the heart. In the wake of death and tragedy, Margot must decide whether to let Drake court her or to reject him entirely as a variable that doesn't fit into her life.

The perfect blend of action hero and intelligence agent (a la Jack Ryan?), Drake takes a bullet during a secret operation in Spain. While recuperating in England, he finds that his sister has befriended the mysterious dark eyed girl who works in Room 40. He also finds that the German assassin who shot him on a moving train may very well have followed him back to England to finish the job. With German agents on the loose in London, it's a race against time for Margot to solve the Germans' most enigmatic code while Drake tries to crack another code entirely-- the code that is Margot de Wilde.

This book is a spinoff from White's Shadows Over England series. A teenage Margot appeared as a secondary character (Lukas de Wilde's little sister) in A Song Unheard, and was probably my favorite character in that story as she matched wits with the German officer occupying their Belgian house. Now, on the cusp of womanhood, Margot must reconcile the logicality of her head with the promptings of her heart. Aware that Margot is wholly different than his mother, sister, or the ordinary Englishwoman, Drake must prove himself inventive and understanding to win her affections. I enjoyed this unique romance between a girl with extraordinary talents and a man with an overwhelming desire to know her and love her as she is.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I'm not a big fan of historical fiction, but I've just become a HUGE fan of Roseanna M. White! Her new novel in her Codebreakers series is packed with intrigue, sprinkled with romance, lush with historic detail, and populated with memorable characters.

First of all, I want to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was drawn to this book because codebreaker stories intrigue me. I loved The Bletchley Circle and the movie adaptations about Enigma.

The Number of Love is however set during the First World War. The story is told from three perspectives, Margot De Wilde, a Belgian refugee working as a codebreaker, Drake Elton an English spy in Spain and a German spy who threatens them on a personal level.

As I am Belgian myself (although I'm Flemish and not from Wallonia) I loved reading about a Belgian character, which is a rare opportunity for me. Margot views the world through numbers, loves her family and despite avoiding many social interactions with others, is able to strike up a meaningful friendship with Elton's sister. I did irk me at times that she is always described as incredible smart or the smartest person they know and only being 18 years old. Before the war started she already attended university.

Elton's perspective was interesting to read from as I like reading about spies. The romance between Margot and Elton was very slow-paced (my favourite kind!) and well-developed. Despite their many differences they always respect the feelings and wishes of the other.

The German perspective added some tension to the story and while I enjoyed this, I would also have enjoyed a book that focused on the first two perspectives alone as well.

All in all, I had a wonderful time reading this book. I liked the setting (I love Spain, England and actually live in Belgium) and the period. The characters were interesting and well-developed as was the slow burning romance. I highly recommend this book and gave it 4,5 stars!

I haven't read any other books by Roseanna M. White but I'm looking forward to checking them out. I'm now highly anticipating the second codebreakers book which focuses on a secondary character from The Number of Love.