The Number of Love

Taking a new approach to the topic of World War I, the author seamlessly blends fact with fiction to create the secretive world of cryptographers. A savant teenage girl, 'from Antarctica,' coupled with a young man called 'Eighteen' dance around each other throughout the entire novel, eventually culminating in a satisfying ending (to the reader). In the meantime, other cryptographers play in and out of the story, cracking codes, thwarting the Germans, and generally doing their best to keep the people of England safe...without them ever knowing about the danger they were in. Those with a mathematical bent will find the story riveting and be interested in certain elements of the historical fact, as well as the way that the main character thinks, but even readers without a head for numbers will be interested in the espionage and race to crack the code and save lives!

This was the first book I have read by Roseanna M. White, and it certainly will not be the last! The Number of Love, the first of the author’s “Codebreakers” books, weaves historical facts with fiction in a beautiful tapestry that kept me quickly turning the pages to see what would happen next.

Brilliant, beautiful, and amazingly gifted with numbers, Margot De Wilde is a codebreaker for British Intelligence – a very rare career for a woman in the years of World War 1. Drake Elton is a skilled British intelligence officer in the field who is likewise striving to thwart the Germans and keep the people of England safe. Fate leads the two to work together in a high-stakes battle of wit in a world where espionage, bombing raids, and biological warfare pose very real threats and love and career aspirations are not always compatible.

I highly recommend The Number of Love to anyone with an interest in World War 1 or historical fiction in general. I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are entirely my own.

The Number of Love is the first book in Ms. White's Codebreaker series. Various characters from her previous books are part of the story. It's always cool to run into old friends from previous books! I always look forward to a new book from Ms. White and then before I know it I'm waiting for the next one! I particularly enjoyed Margo and Drake's story. Both are strong, intriguing characters who move the plot along quickly. Ms. White also enjoys research and it shows throughout the story. I always learn something new when I read her books. She is also very adept at weaving faith into their lives.

So grab a cup of tea, no sugar or milk as they were suffering war rations and settle back for a great read!



I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own,

Fascinating! Reading Roseanna M. White's books (The Culper Ring Series and Shadows Over England Series) had me visiting The National Cryptologic Museum on a recent trip to Maryland. The museum chronicles efforts in our Intelligence community since the revolutionary war. In The Number of Love, we read about Margo De Wilde working in England's Intelligence headquarters, the secretive Room 40, during WWI where she deciphers intercepted messages from the Germans. Author Roseanna M. White weaves a fascinating fictional story set in a very real time and place in history. Her attention to historical accuracy and her amazing storytelling skills make her one of the finest authors of historical fiction. Roseanna M White is on my must-read author list. I enjoyed seeing some favorite characters from the Shadows Over England series make an appearance in The Number of Love. I highly recommend The Number of Love, and cannot wait for number two in the series!

Margot was such a unique character I wasn’t sure how the author was going to proceed with her story. I was so pleasantly surprised at how it was played out for Margot. I enjoyed it immensely and it fit her personality so well. It’s war time and nothing is perfect. The mathematics impressed me a lot. I like how previous characters were spoken of here and there and we were introduced to new ones as well. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All views stated here are my own.

I can't find the proper words to describe this book <3

I think it's safe to say that whoever has read "A Song Unheard" has loved Margot De Wilde and probably has been anxiously waiting for this book. And it did not disappoint!

No, it completely deconstructed me, only to gently put me together again. I say this because it's what happens with the characters. War has a way of scarring that is almost unforgettable. But Margot has her numbers and she has her new life close to mamma and Lukas. She has a job where she can be herself and she can give up on ever learning to knit as she doesn't plan to ever be a proper lady.

But when the unspeakable happens, when the numbers stop adding... when an insufferable 18 sticks to her undeterred... can Margot see she can still be herself, but also open up to something new? Can she see that healing is never too far, but also never a one-sided journey?

The historical setting was superb. The friendship as always transcending the pages and pulling us readers into the camaraderie. The romance, endearing, lovely, and tender. And the faith, soft but certain. I'm so excited for this series!!!!

I absolutely loved this book! The author did a fantastic job mixing fact with fiction. This plot is u inquest in the fact that the main character, Margot, is a mathematician. She thinks in numbers and I have yet to read a book where this is the case. For this fact alone, this book peaked my interest and kept me coming back for more. I would highly recommend it to any reader.

"The Number of Love" is a suspenseful Christian romance set in the Fall of 1917 in England and Spain. The hero was an undercover spy in Spain who was trying to stop the things that German spies were doing there. So there were some spy versus spy suspense scenes. His sister worked as a secretary at the naval building where intercepted German coded messages were decoded. She's friends with the heroine, a super smart mathematician and code-breaker who prized logic while denying emotions. The hero was wounded and returned to London to heal, and so he got to know the heroine through his sister. They worked well together when they realized that a German spy was attempting to steal a British codebook.

The main characters acted realistically, were engaging, and I cared about what happened to them. The hero and heroine were a good match who respected and supported each other. The heroine was afraid that marrying someone would mean giving up using her gift for mathematics as she'd dreamed. She was also mad at God for once asking her to pray for an unknown person instead of someone that she cared about who needed help. She came to recognize that she was asking the wrong questions of God. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable spy and code-breaking novel.

The Number of Love is the first book in Roseanna White's new Codebreakers series. This was the first book I read from this author, and it was an enjoyable novel. I liked how the historical facts were weaved into the storyline and the insight into having a female codebreaker character in the novel, which was rare during World War I. I learned a lot in this well researched novel. Readers of historical fiction will enjoy this latest novel from Roseanna White.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Bethany House through NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine.

The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White was my most anticipated book of the year. I couldn't wait to read about spies, history, and code breakers. The cover is beautiful and definitely something to admire. But unfortunately, White's novel really didn't hit it out of the park for me. The story has love in its title, and majority of the story is about the romance between Drake and Eloise. The novel starts with a little bit of spy information for Drake, then it moves pretty far away, before coming back in the last fifteen percent in the novel. The main heroine thinks of math in everything she does. She loses her mother early on in the novel, but she seems to move on pretty quickly. Yes, it comes up a couple of times, but as someone who lost a parent I was really close to, this pain doesn't just move on so quickly. Eloise doesn't really change either. She is still the math nerd but falls in love with Drake by the end of the novel. Overall, The Number of Love was not what I expected it to be. I wanted a spy novel with history and elements of love. Not have the romance take over the whole plot. Others who are fans of historical romance might devour this novel, but it didn't deliver for me.

I received a complimentary copy of The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

***Hooray! Theme & Characters from ‘Shadows Over England’ Series Return ***

London 1917, WWI
Margot De Wilde has returned to us as a key player in this story featuring Room 40 and the life of Codebreakers whose sole job is to decode war messages in various forms day in and day out.
She has always seen life through numbers. The Lord speaks to her in numbers. She calculates every step and motion with the utmost effectiveness. At 17, she is generally the most intelligent person in a room. However, her intelligence and calculations leave little room for emotion.

Drake Elton is an undercover agent and a very good one. His younger sister Dot struggles through life and he needs to see her settled with a job before he heads out on his next assignment. In doing so, he meets a girl with “impossibly dark eyes” who challenges his thoughts. But, he has little time to delve into that while a war is raging and answers need uncovering.

Das Gespenst proves to be a mysterious villain and adds the necessary element of danger. His character was interesting while trying to discover his “angle”. He also brought a GO board with him, another attention-grabbing throw-back to the previous series.

The story is continually moving forward at a great pace as the players in the war, on both sides, do their parts. Reading about anthrax and the effort to uncover code books from U-boats, Zeppelins and Gotha bombers were very interesting.

Tea Quotes: “Here you go.” Cheerful and smiling and utterly oblivious, she handed him a cup of steaming, fragrant tea. “Just the way you like.”
“And after another night shift, she was more than looking forward to a hot cup of tea, her clanking radiator, and maybe a not-warm-enough bath before she went to bed.”

Spiritual Moment: “Do not neglect your prayers, Drake. Neglect your chores, neglect your ablutions, neglect your mother, but never neglect our prayers. They are what root you to the Lord.”

Wonderfully written as always. While we do get to visit old friends, you do NOT need to have read the previous series as plenty of backstory is scattered within this book. I am looking forward to Phillip Camden’s future story.

It is my privilege to share my opinion without expectation or compensation. I received an advance copy without charge from BETHANY HOUSE PUBL.

After having started the story, I did not want to stop reading any more. Margot and her world captivated me and it was very easy to understand her and feel with her. The auther created a wonderful story with tons of great details, which finds an amazing balance between romance, action and history.
I really enjoyed the writing style and Roseanna M. White's great ideas, for example when Margot cut her hair in the hospital just because she wanted to show a nurse, that she wasn't like other girls and she didn't care about other's opinions.

I hate math.

But I love how math is used in this book!!!! (And my family and friends cannot believe they just read those words!) Oh my goodnes, Roseanna has done it again. There was so much of Margot and Dot, both, that I could relate to. I loved the different sides to Margot, the way her witty nature came out from the get-go, and I think part of why I love her is because of how similar she is to another well-loved White character. I hadn't noticed the similarities until this book.

There is so much good packed into this book and it all flows naturally. Like, asking the wrong questions of God. How often do we do that? The faith elements are seamlessly woven into the story. Whether intentionally or not, the discussion of love reminded me a lot of love languages. Margot was recognizing how the different people in her life loved. Each one did it in a different way and there was a sacrifice for them involved. Also probably unintentional was that Margot and her numbers reminded me of synesthesia. I love how she prayed. I get caught in the rut of prayers having to be a certain way, but Margot reminded me that prayers take many different forms.

I'm one who loves when past characters are interwoven with the current story, so having Willa, Lukas, and the rest of Willa's family make small appearances was wonderful. However, the best part was a small cameo of possibly my favorite Roseanna White character EVER!!! I was thrilled beyond belief. Thank you, Roseanna!!

I could go on and on, but at this point, it would just be babbling incoherently and no one wants to read that. I'm so honored to have been a part of The Codebreakers Launch Team and been a small part of the process of launching this book. I can't wait to read more in this series and I'm hoping book two might involve Philip somehow. He intrigues me :)

I received a complimentary copy The Number of Love from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

What an excellent start to this series. Fans of Roseanna M. White's "Shadows over England" series will be glad to see some old friends in the first book of the Codebreakers series. This book focuses on Margot De Wilde, who we met in A Song Unheard (book 2 in the Shadows over England). I'll insert the caveat here that this series stands alone just fine - enough background information is given in this book that you don't have to have read the Shadows over England series to enjoy this novel. However, I felt like I received visits from some old friends and found it interesting to already know how it was that Margot ended up in England.

Margot works in Room 40, the name given to the location where the cryptographers (among whom she is the most gifted) sit each day and decode transmissions intercepted by the Germans. This room did actually exist for this reason in history and though Margot is a fictional character, the job she did was a very real one and helped immensely in thwarting some German attacks. The main male character, Drake Elton, was an intelligence agent (aka spy) for the Royal navy. The connections that draw the 2 of them together are definitely God-ordained and I loved the faith thread in this book as well.

This story is very well written, the characters are well developed and likable, and the history is rich and well-researched. The romance is well done, the adventures are believable and the faith thread was solid. Overall, this was an excellent read! I would strongly recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, romance, and WWI era. Special thanks to NetGalley for an advanced ecopy of this book. I was not obligated to write a review and the thoughts contained herein are my own.

I was so excited for this book! I loved the first series, and thought that Margot was so interesting. This book is set during World War II, and Margot is a codebreaker in London. She meet Drake Elton, a spy for the British in Spain. They are instantly intrigued by one another. As strange occurrences begin to happen and suspicious people appear, they have to have the chance, although briefly, to see the rest of the family as well.
Margot is such a cool character! Her love of numbers and mathematics as well as her unique belief are both so interesting. She is very focused on her work, though she loves her family. Originally, she has an almost childlike faith in God, obviously He alone can be God and He must be in control. She even feels God’s working through numbers. She has to learn to trust God in a new way after sad events in her life. The entrance of Drake Elton, and his sister who works with her, also begins a change in her.
Drake was so sweet. He loved everything about Margot. He truly sought to show her this how she would understand. He courted her through numbers and patterns. Drake is a spy, and he is extremely observant. He was also extremely caring of his sister, Dot, almost to overprotectiveness. It was nice to see their relationship, and also to see her little romance.
I thought that this was in interesting, fun book. I loved the characters and the romance. It was lovely to see Lukas and Willa (and their daughter!) again. I would recommend this book to those who like historical fiction, romance, and a bit a of mystery. It is very clean, though it does mention a war and some of its effects.

3.5 stars

I’ve never read a book about codebreakers, so I was excited to have the opportunity to read this book and be on the launch team.

White’s latest takes the reader into the secret world of World War I codebreakers. Characters, including the secondary ones, are well developed and integrated. Those who enjoy math may connect with the story in ways that the average reader might not. However, the non-mathematical readers will likely enjoy the espionage angle and the challenge to crack the code.

The author blends fiction with historical facts, as this book was obviously well researched. The cover is lovely, and it’s a good fit for the story. I had hoped for a bit more mystery vs. romance, but this was still an enjoyable story overall. This is the first book in the Codebreaker series, and I look forward to reading the next installment.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and NetGalley, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review.

I quite enjoyed this upcoming release by Ms. White, although again, it took several opening chapters for me to finally get into the story of mathematician and codebreaker, Margot De Wilde and British Spy, Drake Elton.
The story begins one year before the end of the First World War, examining the work of Room 40 and how this group of mathematicians cracked codes providing vital intelligence to the British Military officials. Margot De Wilde is the only female codebreaker, and considered a “walking calculator”. Math soothes her and invades her very thought life. It’s the only thing that makes sense to her so when the numbers fade with the entrance of British Intelligence Officer Drake Elton, Margot’s world spins out of control.
When Drake Elton is first introduced to Margot, he is instantly drawn and knows he’s in trouble. She fascinates him and he appreciates her intelligence and steady wit, but when duty calls him overseas he wonders if he’ll ever really get to know the woman from Room 40. His life will become connected to hers in an interesting twist of events that have both Margot and Elton confronting a German spy, though in very different ways.
I was delighted to find characters from previous series – Shadows Over England, and Ladies of the Manor, make cameo appearances. Despite their appearances, this book is sufficient enough to read without reading Brooke’s or Willa’s stories.
Danger, intrigue, and pulse-racing moments fill the pages of this historical, Christian romance. Ms. White does a beautiful job of weaving fact and fiction together to create a page-turning-stay-up-til-midnight reader experience.
I’m looking forward to the next installment of the final year of War and what The Codebreakers will do to bring the end about.
I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

(5+ stars) - Totally loved it - I did not want to put it down!

Margot is a math savant who has no interest in most of the social norms. Men are attracted by her beauty but put off by her no-nonsense intelligence.

Drake is very much the exception as he is attracted to the whole package. He realizes that he can't pursue her in the ordinary way so he sets out to connect with her in a way that's a bit out of the ordinary.

Meanwhile, Drake's work as a field agent has garnered him some serious enemies. And he has unwittingly brought his work home with him.

This book had everything just right - an intriguing premise, wonderful characters, an authentic historical setting, a well developed plot with suspense, excitement & a rather different sort of romance. The dialogue is frequently witty. The plot is complex & yet plausible, keeping the reader guessing.

This may well be the best book I've read this year; I'm so looking forward to the rest of this new series!

Clean romance level: passionate kisses
Religion: References Christian beliefs & Christianity from a mainstream perspective (main characters are Catholic with minor references to attending Mass & saying the Rosary - I was surprised & grateful for the respectful knowledge demonstrated by the author's depiction)

This was another wonderful book by Roseanna M. White! I loved getting to see more of Margot's story, and the plot was amazing. From the workings of Room 40 with the encrypted letters, to the German spy who has big plans of his own, there were twists around every corner. The characters were also very nicely done, and the settings were wonderful. I already can not wait until the next book in the series is released!







I received this book free through NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. The opinions are my own.

As always, Roseanna M. White does not disappoint! I did have a bit of trouble getting into this book, but once I'd read a couple chapters I was completely hooked. Even though it's a bit of a longer read than what I'm used to, I flew through it in about a day. I especially enjoyed all the parts from Margot's point of view because she reminds me quite a bit of myself (though I'm nowhere near as smart as her). Especially her ideas about emotions equaling chaos (and, as such, they are to be avoided).

Drake wasn't my favorite RMW hero but he did have his good points. I liked how humble and brave he was. It was also lots of fun seeing Willa, Lukas (my favorite!), and Barclay again. And I continue to appreciate how RMW doesn't shy away from the nitty-gritty of life and wartime and high danger...she makes the dangerous situations real and heart-pounding and the romantic situations lovely and, well, romantic.

I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction. (Especially if you want to learn more about intelligence operations in WWI because the research is soooo good and interesting.)

I received a free copy of this book from the publishers in exchange for my honest review.

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.

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.

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’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.

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 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!

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.

“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 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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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!

The Number of Love is a story that deals with love, spies, and faith during a time of war. Focusing on Margot De Wilde, a character from author White’s previous series and earlier book, A Song Unheard, this child genius with numbers is now a young woman working as a codebreaker in the top secret Room 40. Margot is such an interesting character, a woman yet a woman who is unbelievably smart and can compete in a dominant man’s world when women were thought not to be able to. She is also drawn within herself and looks at life and relationships a little bit differently than the average young woman of her day and even ours.

Enter Drake Eaton a spy who has a sister with complicated needs and he becomes quite taken with Margot and is determined to get to know her. I like Drake, he was not pushy at all and yet he was kind and caring and gave Margot what she needed even though she thought there was probably no one out there for her. Their souls clicked and they both were better together.

We get to visit with others from White’s previous series and there were other complicated secondary characters that were quite interesting to get to know. Even the protagonist had a complicated character arc that kept me interested in the drama in his life as he was a bit of a gray character.

I always enjoy author White’s stories and this was no exception. The writing was superb and the mystery was tight, the danger palpable, and the love story was sweet and endearing. I like that these characters were a bit out of the norm and I am not a number person, but I really liked that aspect of the story. Very clever storytelling.

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher. I was not required to post a positive review and all views and opinions are my own.

Once I started reading this story, I couldn’t put it down! Roseanna White has penned another delightful story, with dynamic characters that come to life within the pages and quickly become as real as if you were in the action right alongside them.

Margot knows what she wants and she isn’t afraid to go after it with everything she has. She is a brilliant mathematician and codebreaker. Her work in room 40 cracking codes for the Brittish Intelligence Office is paramount in helping to change the tide against the German forces in World War I.

Drake Elton is used to reading people upon meeting them, but Margot is unlike anyone he’s ever met before. After their brief encounter, her dark eyes and snapping whit capture his attention and linger in his memory. When their paths cross again, sparks are sure to fly.

There is so much to love about this story! Historical details, encrypted letters, biological warfare, rogue spies, adventure, drama, love, and dynamic characters that take ahold of your heart and don’t let go. You won’t want to miss a moment of this page-turning adventure!

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I am not required to write a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.)

Margot was first introduced to the readers in A Song Unheard, the sister of the great violinist, Lukas De Wilde . Now she is the heroine in the beginning of a new series by White……. Books set in WWI are rare, and I really enjoyed the setting and plot of this story. Margot DeWilde is a mathematical genius and works at Room 40, the location where the cryptographers sit each day and decode transmissions intercepted by the Germans. This room did actually exist for this reason in history and although Margot is a fictional character, the job she did was a very real one and one very relied upon. Drake the hero seeks a job here for his timid sister who has anxiety and sees Margot and is immediately attracted to her and cannot forget her although he does not know her name. Drake lives in Spain but is actually a spy for Britain. When he finally becomes acquainted with Margot he is determine to court her and is very patient with this code breaking genius. Lots of danger and suspense in this first book in the new series.
The story is well written, the characters are well developed and likable, and the history is rich and well-researched. The romance is well done, the adventures are believable and the faith in God is very prevalent. Overall, this was an excellent read! I would strongly recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, romance, and WWI era. Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Bethany for an advanced ecopy of this book. I was not obligated to write a review and these words are my own.

I'm at a loss for words to describe how wonderful this book was. To say it's good is a vast understatement. I've loved all of Roseanna White's books, but this one takes the cake. She's out done herself here. The Number of Love is my favorite one yet. In fact, I think it's the best book I've read this year (and I've read quite a few great ones).

Time flew by while I was reading. I'd look up at the clock and be shocked by how much time had passed. I was completely immersed in the story, feeling as if I was right there, back in 1917, with these characters.

With a sarcastic wit and a sharp, brilliant mind, Margot's a leading lady unlike any other. The way that her mind worked, her way with numbers, was so fascinating. Drake was a perfect match for her. His respect and his patience with her was so sweet. And I have to say, I loved all the appearances of the characters from some of White's previous books. It was so fun to see them again.

I can't recommend this highly enough. It was exciting and romantic and just an all-around awesome story. It's one not to be missed!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

The Number of Love #1 The Codebreakers by Roseanna M. White

London, England 1917… Since reading the Shadow’s Over England series I have waited to read Margot De Wilde’s story. . .it was well worth the wait! The way Margot incorporates numbers in everything she thinks and does is fascinating and fits well in the secretive Room 40 where she works. I love that she finally has a friend, shy Dot Elton, and how they help each other in their own different “oddities”. Drake Elton is the perfect hero, handsome and strong, a man of integrity and faith and falls in love at first sight. But the war makes it difficult to court his young lady and I love the way he does it in the manner his beloved would understand and maybe open her heart to him. In addition to the war there are enemies lurking, waiting to strike. There are some tense moments, especially in one scene, that had me on the edge of my seat. Throw in intriguing characters (some from previous series which I enjoyed seeing again), fascinating plot-line with mystery and intrigue, danger and suspense, joys and sorrows, love and enduring faith weave this fascinating, powerful story. I love the historical aspects of the story, the author’s attention to detail and her notes at the end of the book.

~I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher/NetGalley (no monetary gain were exchanged), this is my honest review~

After reading and loving the Shadows Over England series. I was excited to find out that one of my favorite characters were coming back in their very own book.

As always, Roseanna’s books never disappoint. There are just so many things that I loved about this. I loved getting to see Margot and learning more about her. She is a very interesting and intriguing character. While not your typical heroin, she is intelligent and works as a cryptographer during WWI.

This book was hard to put down once I had started it. I can’t wait until the next Codebreakers book comes out.

The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White is a fantastic historical fiction book. Having read several of this author’s books before I was excited to read this one and was not disappointed in the least. It is a beautiful, captivating story of love, loss, friendships, and faith. With an expert pen and graceful characterization, the author ushers readers into London’s codebreaking room during WWI where they are quickly pulled into the lives of Margot, Dot, and Drake, vibrant characters that each have poignant backgrounds and with which readers will easily connect. Drake, of the broken nose and insightful questions; Margot, driven by ratios, rates & angles—an education her dream not a brood of children; Dot, fearful of life outside her apartment and yet a fearsome friend to have; and a ghost of an enemy who is out for revenge. I loved how the author skillfully wove their lives together into a compelling read with the intrigue and dangers of war, the friendships that are formed in difficult circumstances, and of course, the romance…ahh, the romance. Interest is kept high with lots of action in a number of settings—a fearsome gunfight on a train in Spain, a frightening mugging on London streets, and a furtive midnight flight into France. This multifaceted story kept me turning the pages wondering if Dot was really the only connection between Drake and Margot? Would Dot and Margot still be friends since Dot was set on marriage and Margot on academia? What is this game of Go in the park? Why is Jaeger out to kill Drake? So many unexpected twists and reveals in the story. The Number of Love is a book fans of historical fiction will not want to miss. It is not only a story of friendships and love in wartime but a story where individuals learn that their faith in God is valid and that He can be trusted even with their dreams, and that He gives guidance and direction in dangerous times—sometimes even in the form of numbers.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and was not required to write a review. The opinions are my own.

The Number of Love begins a new series by Roseanna M White called Codebreakers. Readers are introduced to Margot de Wilde, a Belgian teen, breaking German codes during World War I. She wants all she can to help her country.
I have enjoyed reading books by this author in the past and The Number of Love does not disappoint. Margot is a fabulous character that I loved getting to know. her story is full of adventure, danger, mystery, action and suspense. This kept me intrigued and I wanted to keep reading. I have it read from start to finish in one sitting.
I am giving The Number of Love four and a half stars. I look forward to the next installment from the Codebreakers series, On Wings of Devotion. I recommend this one to readers who enjoy clean historic fiction, especially involving the first World War. I think it is definitely a must read.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

I fell in love with Margot in “A Song Unheard” and was SO happy when I found out she was the MC for this book! Roseanna has done it again—pulling off a riveting novel with a beautiful balance of suspense, faith, and intrigue.

I usually have a hard time writing a well-balance review of Roseanne’s books because I just want to say, “It was so good! Just read it!” I mean, it’s true. There were pieces to the puzzle that I didn’t put together, and I love it when an author can do that to me. I absolutely loved the “villain” and everything connected with him.

I think one thing I liked the best about this one is Margot’s detestation of feelings and romance. Totally a girl after my heart. I loved how she had to journey through the difficulty of an emotional trial yet rejecting the emotions, and having to learn about being a girl with emotions and calling. Yes, totally my girl.

And I just have to take a moment and appreciate the very realistic journey that Drake took along. It’s a pet peeve of mine when a character goes through something challenging and bounces right back. I really did just like Drake all the way around.

I definitely didn’t find the romance as strong in this as in some of Roseanna’s other books (which isn’t an issue with me). There was some sap and a couple of kisses, but romance definitely wasn’t the highlight of everyone’s thoughts.

As for faith content, I found the characters to be very historically accurate. They were Catholic, as was historic their genealogy, so a couple of Catholic rituals were mentioned (namely mass and praying the rosary). The characters were portrayed as those who had genuine faith in God and not in the church; a relationship not mere religion. I don’t agree with the Catholic beliefs of salvation and the Bible, but none of the controversial topics were brought out in this novel. At times, I forgot the characters were supposed to be Catholic, until the rosary or mass were mentioned (and coming from my homestate steeped in Catholicism, it didn’t seem authentic ritualistic religion). Some people would have a problem with this, but honestly, I didn’t find any unBiblical doctrine covered in the book.

My conclusion? Just read it. Be sure to read “A Song Unheard” first (or, just read that entire series—it’s good too), but read this one!

*I received this book from NetGalley and happily provided my honest review*

Once again, Roseanna M. White has blown me away with her talent at writing strong and intelligent protagonists, as well as a romance that will make you swoon. I loved everything about this book; the characters, the setting, the message. I did not want to put it down and it quickly earned a spot on my list of all-time favorite books. Many things factored into this, not the least of which are the amazing heroine and hero.



Margot De Wilde is a heroine after my own heart. Granted, she’s a cryptologist and a mathematical genius, and I have always anything math related abhorrent. But I loved her because she was so smart and strong, and she defied expectations for women of her time while also being a humble follower of Christ. Her struggles with maintaining her own hopes and dreams while falling in love are relatable to many people and are portrayed perfectly in the book. Another hardship Margot faces is grief, and I think that Roseanna M. White portrayed this thoughtfully, as well. While it is apparent from the start that Margot is a strong believer and that her faith is very important to her, that faith is tested and I think this is something all believers can relate to. Among the most life-like and surprisingly relatable heroines in recent memory, Margot is one of the best heroines I’ve read about in a long time.



While Peter Holstein will always hold first place in my heart where White’s heroes are concerned, Drake Elton has to be among my favorite heroes in recent Christian fiction. A little mysterious and very adventurous, Drake has such a big heart, for Margot, especially, yet also for his family and his countries. Similar to Margot, Drake is also a strong believer whose faith is put to the test as he wrestles with the demands of war. Yet while at times he struggled with certain tasks, he maintained a strong faith. I loved this big hearted hero.



Aside from our lovely heroine and hero, I loved the secondary characters. The book boasts a rich cast of characters that create a very full, diverse reading experience. I love that Margot and Drake’s family and friends were portrayed with their own quirks, showing that even though none of us are perfect and we all struggle with different things, God is still there, loving us and helping us through it all.



I must also mention Room 40, a character in and of itself. Prior to White’s Shadows Over England series, I had never heard of the secretive intelligence hub known as Room 40. This mysterious network was described so vividly that I practically felt as though I was there myself, watching these incredibly gifted individuals cracking codes and razzing one another. It definitely made me eager for book two in the series!



Fans of WWI fiction and Christian historical fiction alike won’t want to miss The Number of Love. I can’t recommend this book enough.



All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Thank you to the NetGalley, author and Bethany House for the complimentary copy of this book.

The Number of Love is the first book in Roseanna M. White's new series, The Codebreakers. I love it when I'm reading along and begin to realize the connections with an author's previous works. White's fans will be thrilled to renew their acquaintance with characters from her Shadows Over England series.

Margot De Wilde is a brilliant, young mathematician who works in Room 40 in the Old Admiralty Building in London during the First World War, decrypting, and sometimes encrypting, coded messages. Not usually tolerant of other young women, Margot was blessed with her friendship with a Room 40 secretary, Dot Elton. Having always been more logical than emotional, and focused on her future in academia, Margot was surprised by her reaction to Dot's brother, Lieutenant Drake Elton. It would take a man of Drake's faith, insight, and patience to woo a woman like Margot who was one-of-a-kind.

Fans of Sarah Sundin are likely to enjoy the book, as are historical fiction fans and fans of intrigue. I give this book five stars and am grateful to have received a copy from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review and received no monetary compensation.

I’m completely enamored with The Number of Love since I’m a big fan of math! It was my favorite subject in school. I can totally relate to Margot’s love of concrete formulas and answers. Drake is witty, perceptive, and patient. The idea of two people who are so drastically different, maybe moreso than the average couple, makes for such a compelling story! I love the way that Margot and Drake learned to communicate! There’s one scene that was so romantic and I won’t spoil the surprise, but as others have mentioned, there’s one particular number that carries a lot of meaning for Margot and Drake. It’s literally their love language. I’m a little bummed that there’s no epilogue in this book, but if the next story picks up where this one left off then I’ll be happy!



I received a copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley and am under no obligation to provide a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Roseanna White never, ever fails to completely delight and enthrall me with her stories. Every single time, the storyline is intriguing, the characters are layered and relatable and unique...and Margot might be her most unique character yet. I adored her! Her love of numbers and her very analytical, rational personality are pretty much the complete opposite of me...and yet, I still connected with her so deeply. I felt what she felt. I loved getting to know her in a deeper way (after first meeting her in one of Roseanna White's past books) and the whole plot revolving codebreaking and spies was wonderfully interesting. The romance was steady and heartfelt. I'm excited for another wonderful series by one of my faves!

The number of Love, a new series by author Roseanna White, comprises of intrigue and complex characters as the Codebreakers first introduces us to Margot DeWilde, an extremely intelligent young lady. Margot's world revolves around numbers. During WWI she thrives in Room 40, decoding German messages during a time when women were expected to be nothing more than a secretary.

When Drake Elton meets Margot, he is captivated by how different she is from every other woman he has met. He pursues her by learning her numbers language, and over time, gets to know her and her quirky sense of humor.

I found the book to be engaging with a different twist in teaching us a little bit more about the intelligence operations of the British during the War. The mystery and adventure were well played, adding a bit of romance to the mix.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

White’s story of a female codebreaker during World War One is a masterpiece!

I loved Margot, the heroine. I wasn’t sure if I would like her, because initially I was a little shocked by her abrupt personality. However, over the course of the book, she grew on me. I acquired an immense of amount of respect for her, beginning with the fact that she held a job often withheld from females and my respect continued due to her incredible bravery.

I also loved Drake, the hero, and their relationship. I liked how they challenged each other and helped each other to improve. They complimented each other perfectly.

The plot was a little slow at first, but then picked up as Margot and Drake were faced with multiple conflicts. I could not put the book down!

I would recommend this book to those that love Christian Fiction, Historical Romance, and the early twentieth century.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but all opinions are my own. Thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

If you enjoyed Roseanna M. White's Shadows Over England series, you will love the beginning of the her latest Codebreakers series. Characters I came to love made a reappearance in this story and I enjoyed reconnecting with some old favorites. Margot De Wilde's story begins in A Song Unheard, but don't worry if you haven't read it, this story can be easily followed and enjoyed on its own. I was thoroughly intrigued with the secretive code breakers of the Great War and the dedication and superior intelligence of these individuals made a great premise for this story. Margot is unlike any heroine I have ever read. She uniquely lives in a world of numbers and puzzles. Roseanna wrote her character so well! I especially loved how Drake understood how to reach Margot in a way that others did not and I enjoyed their special relationship. The beginning of the story when Drake was in Spain did not really hold my attention, but the rest of the book was captivating! If you enjoyed The Imitation Game you will enjoy The Number of Love. The next book in this series will follow Philip Camden (an intriguing friend of Drake's that we meet in this book), and Roseanna M. White promises a return of some well-loved characters as well. I can hardly wait!

Thank you Net Galley and Bethany House for the free copy of The Number of Love. The opinions expressed here are my own.

Wow!! Roseanna White’s books have always captivated me and this one was no exception!
I was thrilled to read Margot’s story, after seeing her in “A Song Unheard” in the Shadows Over England Series.
I’m thrilled that this Series is like a countinuation of the last one, because I just loved the Shadows Over England Series!!
Only, this time, the characters are all related to Room 40 and the Codebreakers, the secret intelligence place were spies and people serving their country worked relentlessly to break the codes from the Germans and try to intercept secret missives in order to help England and the Allies end the war.
I really love learning about WWI so I was truly excited when I read the blurb of this first book in the series and discovering it would be the same setting! I’m an avid reader of Historical Fiction, and I especially like reading about different wars. It’s such important part of History and it’s something I’m still trying to comprehend. I’ve read most books about WWII or the Civil War in the States, but have found less books set during WWI, so I was fascinated. It’s a time that it’s just a century ago! And I find that Roseanna is a master in detail and research. How can she know so much? I’m not an historical expert, but I’m sure it’s because of a well invested research. Some things may be fictional, as the characters, but many things truly happened, so it always amazes me to learn of this part of History.
The plot is totally engaging, with the risky missions Drake has to complete and to the code decifering, the enemy’s pursual and attack, etc. I really felt as if I was there and the description made easy to imagine the different places, be London or Spain. It was a real page turner and I never felt it dragged!
I also completely loved the characters! Margot was truly a heroine to me, and special because she was so out of the ordinary. I loved that she was a genius, a mathematician, and that we got to see the way she saw life and people, through numbers. A real cryptologist, and an astounding one at that. It was original and yet very realistic. I saw a movie about the Codebreakers in WWII and was delighted to learn more about them in the first war. I can’t say I’m a math lover but it wasn’t difficult to relate to her and her way of thinking, it made the story all the more interesting. She was truly selfless and giving, and overly matured for her age. She seemed in her early or late twenties and not a seventeen almost eighteen year old girl. But I’m sure that’s how most woman were at that age, growing up during war time and poverty. It was easier then to see what’s important in life and what is not, even if at a costly price. I just loved Margot! And wow! How she weathers her grief of loss! She was truly affected, yet she remains strong in her way, even if she thinks she’ll never be the same again.
And I loved her friendship with Dot. Both awkward and lacking social qualities, so different, yet kindred spirits who understood each other’s quirks very well. I liked that they are different, yet both endearing in their way and struggles.
And Drake, well, I just fell in love with him. I loved that he had Spanish ancestors (I do too) and his relationship to his Abuelo. He was daring, no nonsense, but kind and compassionate and with a heart of gold. I loved how he cared for his sister and how he fell for Margot. He was patient with Margot, gave her space, and tried his best to understand her so he could court her in the way she needed. The romance was totally sweet and clean! Just the way I like it, not overly to much, but enough to warm your heart.
I loved how they talked easily with God, and ask for his guidance and help. Both Margot and Drake, had an important upbringing that kept them close to their faith. So the book has an inspiring message about trusting God to be in control of your life, instead of carrying everything by yourself.
This is my favorite quote:
“Do not neglect your prayers, Drake. Neglect your chores, neglect your ablutions, neglect your mother, but never neglect your prayers. They are what root you to the Lord.”... and they definitely did.
I also loved how God inspired Margot to pray for agent 18, never knowing who he was really. The number theme was really awesome.
This book is a treasure and the best thing is that we’ll get a few more in coming years. I’m only sad I have to wait so long, but I know it’s truly worth it. An awesome book as this one can’t be written and perfected in a few weeks or months.
Thank you Roseanna for another incredibly story!! I can’t praise enough this new book of yours! It’s a must read I vividly recommend!
I can’t wait to read the next in the series. Phillip Camden!
I received a printed copy of this book from the Bethany House Publisher via Netgalley. All opinions here are completely honest and my own.

One thing one can always depend upon when reading a story by Roseanna White is her attention to detail and accuracy. Reading one of her stories is a delightful way to have a history lesson. I must admit I have read a lot of WWII stories but very few WWI. I knew that there had been code breakers in WWII, but to learn that we had them in WWI was what drew me to wanting to read this story. Another eye opening fact was that there were submarines back then and that men would actually drive into the deep ocean trying to retrieve the enemy’s code books.

If I had to pick a favorite character it would be Dot, Drake’s little sister, followed by Margot. The author brought to life the true meaning of how one feels as we delve into the minds of these two quirky individuals with real live social struggles. Dot with her fear of leaving the security of her home, and Margot living in her mind of numbers. How their friendship developed and their way of helping each other constantly kept me looking forward to reading their interactions within this story.

This book overall was a very charming story to read. Would I read it again? Maybe, maybe not and here is why... Drake, who was the English spy working in Spain, in this intriguing WWI Christian historical novel, started out so strong in the beginning that I was looking forward to reading his part in this duel POV more so than Margot’s. However, once he returned home to England after being wounded the story took a complete right turn so to speak for me until about the last quarter, and then the story picked up, but not like the on-the-edge-of-your-seat action I have read in Roseanna White‘s other books. I would have to say that this story was more mind action than physical which is a slightly different approach for this author which was a surprise and took some getting used to. My rating 4.5 stars for historical and Christian content, 3.5 stars for mystery & suspense, and romance.

I received a complimentary copy (or ARC) of this book from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley for its JustRead Publicity Tour. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Well. In case you didn’t know, I love Roseanna M. White, and I will gladly read any book she writes. (Although, I’m a very bad favorite author fan, and actually haven’t read most of her books. But still) I actually got to meet her last year, and totally made a fool of myself when I did, but it was THE HIGHLIGHT of my bookish career!

I loved her Shadows Over England series, and when I heard she was writing another series in the same setting, I was HYPED. And because I’m a bad bookish fan (have I mentioned yet?), I didn’t realize this was a spinoff series until I started it! IT’S A SPINOFF SERIES OFF THE SHADOWS OVER ENGLAND SERIES!!! If you look at my A Song Unheard review, you’ll see that I enjoyed Margot, Lukas’ sister, and wanted to see more of her. WELL GUESS WHAT. WE ALL GOT IT! AND I LOVED IT.

The actual romance part of this book wasn’t actually great? And yes, I know that it’s LITERALLY THE TITLE, but I feel like that the romance wasn’t really done that well. Margot and Drake are a great couple, and I enjoyed their romance, but I felt like it could have been done better (Drake just,,was obsessed with her pretty soon after knowing her, without any seeming reason?).

Aside from that, though, I really enjoyed the book! It still hasn’t topped the Shadows Over England series, but I so enjoyed going back to that world, and hearing about WWI, and Margot’s job, and her code-cracking, and war and it just,,MAKES ME SO HAPPY.
My Rating-

7/10

Things liked-

Margot! she’s so brilliant and is making her own life in a world that isn’t really all that friendly towards women in the workforce yet
the “in the field” looks were also really fun!!
I also really liked Dot (Margot’s friend and Drake’s sister): can we get a book on her next?
allusions to previous books/characters!
WWI, which is very different from most other historical (that is to say, WWII) books I read
also just spies and codebreaking and room 40 and aaa can you tell I really like this time period?
Drake was also so cool! The bits where he was investigating was so fun and aaa

Things disliked-

the romance wasn’t done great
sometimes the plot points weren’t all the way fleshed out
the book ran a little long? I’m not really complaining because more of Roseanna White isn’t a bad thing, but also,,it was a bit long

Thank you to Bethany House Fiction and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review: I was not required to write a positive review.

What an incredible story!
And yes, it's the first book in a new series, from the talented Roseanna White....but it didn't really feel like the first book in a new series.....because...well, some of her beloved characters from the Shadows over England series join us in this series too.
Yeah, I wasn't expecting it, but I loved it.

But wait. Let me go back and start at the beginning. What first caught my attention about this book (well, after the fact that I knew I had to read it because of who the author is) was the beautiful cover. It's not only gorgeous, but also intriguing. The girl is pensive, and she's writing a number into the condensation on the window....?

So. Meet Margot DeWilde. And you will see almost immediately why numbers are on the cover, although it took awhile to figure out why 18 was significant, but I had my suspicions... :0 )
I loved her...Margot DeWilde. As the heroine, she was great. I think I probably should have remembered her as a secondary character in A Song Unheard. (Or maybe it's just that her brother was the main character there, I can't remember, exactly...)
She's smart, talented, and dedicated to her work. A job which was highly unusual for a woman in those days. She's a codebreaker, one of the best, actually, during the Great War. She's so talented in numbers that she thinks in numbers.
She's not looking for love, or romance, of any kind.
So when she meets Drake Elton, she's not quite sure what to think. Because he makes it very obvious that he wants to pursue her.
And then there's the whole danger factor. And the fact that her mom died quite unexpectedly.
So yes, there's a bit of suspense involved here.

The characters are so real. And relatable. I love how Ms. White has the ability to bring those days to life right before my eyes! I love, loved this visit to England in 1917!
This whole book wraps up into a absolutely engaging story.
If you enjoy historical fiction, you won't want to miss it!
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Great history, descriptive scenes, complex romance, and realistic tragedies all come together in perfect order to craft a truly delightful novel! This book is the start of a new and exciting series by Roseanna M. White, but readers will be thrilled to find characters from her previous books intermixed among the new ones. I like that she includes short snippets of the mindset of the villain, as I think it adds to the suspense and mystery. Margot is the perfect strong female lead with intelligence and wit combined with her adorably oblivious attention to her own good looks. I also really liked her friend Dot, who struggles with agoraphobia. The romance was realistic in its timetable and its outcome. I learned much about World War I too, and it is obvious that the author did her research. I really loved this book and cannot wait for book two!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. The opinions of the review are my own and I was not required to write a positive review.

Ever since I was introduced to the young mathematician Margot De Wilde in A Song Unheard, I couldn’t wait to know her better in Roseanna White’s latest release The Number of Love. While this first story of The Codebreakers series is filled with spies and coded language, it’s also a beautiful glimpse of how trusting in God isn’t always easy but it’s hands down the best mode of operation. And all of this is set to the mysterious backdrop of WWI.

About the Book:

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.

My Thoughts:

Let me say it was super interesting living inside Margot’s intelligent mind and experiencing how she processes the world around her. I also loved how she used the gift God had given her to contribute to the war effort. Another element I adored was the friendship that blossomed between Margot and Dot. It was the perfect picture of how friendships should be. Add all of these factors to her spiritual journey – one that learns how to place complete trust on a worthy God – and you have a memorable heroine.

I’m going to be completely honest and say I LOVE LOVE LOVE a pining hero! Drake’s efforts to win Margot’s heart all the while respecting her need for space was nothing short of brilliant. And while I enjoyed their witty banter as well as their heart-to-heart conversation, I was completely taken with Drake’s thoughtful nature which sometimes confused – but no doubt intrigued – Margot’s authentic soul.

Of course, I cherished cameos by characters from previous stories. It’s SO cool when authors do that!

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this story and am excited for the next in The Codebreakers series!

*I received a copy from the author. All opinions are my own.

To purchase The Number of Love, click HERE!

About the Author:

Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award nominated author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary. You can learn more about her and her stories at http://www.RoseannaMWhite.com.

I don't think I have ever met someone who thinks in numbers, prays in numbers, lives by numbers, but that is exactly what Margot de Wilde does. She is a code-breaker for the Royal Navy. Because she has lived in Belgium, France, and Germany, she has a good ear for the languages. She graduated from high school when she was twelve years old and had a university degree by the time she was sixteen. While working in Room 40, Margot meets Dot and her brother Drake. Drake was an agent for the Royal Navy and often got the code books that the code breakers used.

Drake is home for a bit after he was shot by an agent (called "Opposite Number"). Drake's mission is to find "Opposite" and neutralize the threat he presented. What Drake doesn't know is that Margot has met him in the park playing a Japanese board game called Go. Margot makes interesting plays that keeps Opposite intrigued.

Drake doesn't really know what Margot does, but he knows she'd be a good friend to his sister, Dot. The three of them become very close friends, and then take in another friend who has been homeless since he got home from the war with an amputated leg.

This is an intriguing book that holds the reader's attention and doesn't let go until the last page. The characters are easy to follow through the plot lines and different settings. Every character is believable, likable, and compelling. Roseanna M White is a great author and I will be looking for her next book in the Code Breaker series with much anticipation.

I am very thankful to Bethany House and NetGalley.com for allowing me to read and review this book. It's a five star book, with two thumbs up, and a secret agent decoder ring.

Let me just say that I absolutely hate math.

With that said, I LOVED this book! I've never read anything by this author but I definitely will start! I can't wait for the next book to come out! Definitely worth reading!

This book is definitely my new favorite of Roseanna's...And that is saying a lot. Margot is an absolutely unique heroine and I love every aspect of her. She processes things differently. She thinks differently. And her responses and reactions are different than what most people would do. And Drake UNDERSTANDS her. He realizes her need to express herself through math and numbers. And by doing so, he learns how to speak her language. 18.

I loved getting to learn more history about WWI and Room 40 and the codebreakers. The adventure, romance, and friendship are engaging and addicting. I really didn't want the story to end and am so glad that this is only the first in the series. I love Roseanna's style and voice. She infuses so much detail and real life in her stories that make you feel a part of the story. I also love getting a variety of viewpoints throughout the story.

Y'all really need to go pick up a copy of this book. It is so good.

I received a complimentary copy of The Number of Love from the publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

The Number of Love was an intriguing story. Even though it's the first in the Codebreakers series, the author has added several appearances from characters in previous books. I wish I would have read her book A Song Unheard so I could have known a bit more of Margot's life prior to this book, but it didn't prevent me from following along with the story at all. (I actually didn't know this fact until after I saw a few other reviews). it was really incredible how the author was able to weave it all together. Have you ever finished reading a book, and then you're sad because you wish you had more time with the characters? That's the type of gem you receive when reading this one. :)

I liked that Margot wasn't your typical heroine. Women are often considered the more "emotional beings" but that isn't always the case. It was really interesting to see a young woman facing hurdles that may not be typical of others. I marveled in getting inside of her mind as she faced both success and heartache. And Drake? Ohh Drake. Men, take some notes, because Drake was wonderful. Instead of trying to "fix" Margot, he found ways to be supportive of her.

I admit that while I've heard of codebreakers before and find them fascinating, I haven't read much about them in the past. At the end of the book the author shares a bit of the "fact and fiction" from her research. I always appreciate when authors share this because it shows a deep respect for true history even when the stories may (or may not) slightly alter people or events. I don't believe I've heard of Room 40 before, but it's incredible the work that those people did and how close they were as people.

I enjoyed this novel and I'm interested in seeing where the story continues with the next in the series. Fans of WWI and WWII history are sure to get sucked right in.

*I received a copy of this book through CelebrateLit. Thoughts and opinions expressed are mine alone.

I am always amazed that authors can write stories about war that people like me will want to read. Yet Roseanna M. White has done just that, and admirably so, in The Number of Love. First, in The Codebreakers series, we are introduced to Margot de Wilde, a mathematical whiz who actually thinks and perceives all of life around her in numbers. I struggled some with this. First, it was way beyond my comfort zone. I can learn and even teach a bit of math, but I much prefer words. So even just reading that much about numbers was a little bit of a struggle, but thank goodness God gives everybody different strengths. What an interesting look into the battlefield that was played, not on land, but in minds, in 'room 40' in London. I also struggled with someone who saw herself as one of the most intelligent people on earth, next to God. Yes, God gave Margot and the other codebreakers an unusual gift, but I like to think others also have/had very unusual gifts, too. So I guess I felt like she thought a little highly of herself, which, coincidently, I would say, she was on her way to putting things back into perspective by the end of the book.

What I loved about the book was plentiful. There was lots of action. The reader gets to vicariously travel a bit. There are many different storylines going at once, giving a healthy vigor and breadth to the novel. Faith and kindness play huge roles in The Number of Love and actually lead to a remarkable ending.

What I really loved, though, was that Ms. White allowed her character to question God. She asked the tough questions. But it was the answer that she arrived at that I have either never heard, or it hit me afresh. So wonderful! I would suggest reading this book just to find out what her answer from God is. The romances are sweet; I enjoyed the tie-ins to characters from other books; the suspense was palpable; but that answers for life, we can use. Thank you, Ms. White.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher and Celebrate Lit through NetGalley. I was in no way influenced by this fact, and all opinions are my own.

I have been excitedly awaiting this book ever since meeting Margot in A Song Unheard, and it did not disappoint! Roseanna White's characters are always the perfect blend of intelligent and quirky, her historical settings are always spot on, and the spiritual journey of her characters is always inspiring. This book checks all those boxes and more. I have always been a sucker for characters who are a little socially awkward because of their genius and for the characters who love them, both romantically and as loyal friends. For all those reasons, I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it! My 14-year old daughter also read and enjoyed this book as part of our studies on WW1 this year!

After thoroughly enjoying watching Bletchley Park and being amazed by the book Code Girls, I jumped at the chance to read Roseanna M. White’s latest novel, The Number of Love. Set in England in the midst of World War I, rather than WWII like the others, I knew it would give a different perspective on women codebreakers in war time. And it was fascinating!
I so appreciated how White brought Margot’s mathematical mind to life. I am not a numbers person (shocker, right?), but I loved how Margot thought and felt in numbers. It kind of gave me a peek into the kind of mind I sometimes wish I had (at least at tax time ). And her connection with God through numbers and equations and theorems was so interesting and added such a beautiful level of depth to the character.
And the story didn’t leave me wanting, either. The plot moved swiftly, with just the right amount of action and intrigue to keep the pages turning and keep me guessing. All in all, The Number of Love, was a very enjoyable read. I definitely recommend it!
Many thanks to Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book for review purposes. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my very own!

Thank you to Bethany House for the free review copy. All opinions are my own.

This was a wonderfully unique novel set during World War I. I loved how White had a female character, Margot, working among the men and being treated equally in her department. I think that this was so good. I also enjoyed how the author had Margot have a special way of hearing from the Lord. I thought that this was awesome.

I also loved the friendship developed in the book between all of the characters. I also liked the romance and the buildup of it. I was not sure if it would pan out or not. I think that this novel has great suspense elements, which made me fly through it.

Spies and codes, and secrets, oh my!

The Number of Love grips you at every page turn. A new secret, a new code, a dangerous spy mission, and sweet, beautiful love stories.

Simple, yet poetic. Funny, yet heartwarming.

Not only was all the action super fun, but the characters were deep and diverse. These compelling characters really had a story to tell.
Each one had a perspective on life. It was really incredible to view such an interesting period of history through these deep thinkers and feelers eyes.

Margot was sarcastic, funny and a genius. She was generous, kind and is no like no other character I've met.

The same goes for Drake. Both were diverse and layered characters.

Not one to waste air on useless words Margot is quiet, determined and feels the need to be completely on her own.
Buuuut then Drake walks into her life and everything familiar is swept away, replaced with exciting new adventures that might just lead to the most exciting adventure of all- love.

He is feeling, she is thinking.
Combine the two and you'll get a really epic love story.


I definitely recommend buying The Number of Love!

**I was given a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are purely my own.**

-Rebekah

The Number of Love is the first book I’ve read by Roseanna White and it won’t be the last! I’m now an absolute fan. I enjoyed this book from cover to cover. I loved the secret agent elements, as well as the history and romance. The characters are very well developed and multi-faceted. I enjoyed Margot’s sarcasm, it made her funny and appealing to someone like myself who doesn’t quite comprehend mathematics. I thought the numbers angle gave her a unique persona, and I was intrigued by how she thought and prayed in number form. I relate most to Dot, Drake’s sister. I’m a little disappointed that Dot’s story was wrapped up at the end, I was hoping there would be an entire novel dedicated to her journey as she learns to overcome her fears. I loved how a board game played a crucial part in the story. I also enjoyed the unexpected twists at the end.
The Number of Love has a beautiful theme of trusting God’s plan for our lives and trusting Him with our dreams, especially when they take a turn contrary to our own dreams. We need to be open to allow him to lead and guide us as he seems fit. We need to trust His plan instead of getting angry and bitter. Instead of asking, “Why,” we should ask a different question, like “What is He trying to teach me?” or even “What next?” We can also focus on His blessings through trials, how he protected us physically, mentally, or emotionally. This book is about learning that emotions aren’t necessarily a bad thing, that God gave them to us for a reason, and that we should use ALL our gifts to bring glory to Him.
I recommend this book for lovers of World War I stories, “spy” adventures, logical thinkers, mathematicians, and those who like a little suspense with their romance. If you’ve already read A Song Unheard, you’ll definitely want to read this one. But if you haven’t, it won’t impede your enjoyment of The Number of Love.

Though The Number of Love is the first in a new Codebreakers series I would highly recommend that you first read the Shadows Over England series. In this series you will be introduced to the characters and learn back story that I would argue is fairly essential to a full understanding of this book.

I really appreciate Roseanna White’s writing and anticipate when a new book is released. The Number of Love did not disappoint. It had suspense, intrigue, character growth, grief, loss, triumph, love and faith. I am the polar opposite of the main character in both personality and thought, yet I connected deeply with her story. I think that in itself is quite a feat of writing. I imagine a mathematician would find this story even more riveting that I did. I also found the historical foundation of Room 40 and the code breakers to be fascinating and I walked away from the story with a deep appreciation for people whose gifts are far different than my own.

All in all it was a fascinating story that I highly recommend.

I received a free digital copy of this book for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

This is a great book for fans of historical romance who enjoy a little action as well. There is lots of intrigue and action to balance out the love story. The main character is a mathematician which made her very unique. I also liked how prayer was woven into the story. Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction.

I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of review.

A secret room where agents during the Great War are working to break codes and crack every German telegram before they carry out there missions. Margo is a codebreaker and one of the best. Drake is one of the best field agents they have and when Margot and Drake have to work together.. It quickly becomes one of those with danger around every turn and watch over your shoulder because the standing up hair on your neck is doing overtime. Wonderful war time drama!
I was gifted a copy, no review was required. My review is voluntary.

“He’d chosen his words carefully, so that he’d remember his own intentions. He wasn’t waiting for her. He was waiting on her. That kind of waiting wasn’t impatient, didn’t sit there tapping its foot. That kind of waiting was service. Selfless. Unflagging.”

Roseanna White has yet again outdone herself. I don’t know how she does it, but her writing becomes more intense, more gripping, and more lyrical with each new book and series. I thoroughly enjoyed the Shadows Over England series and love that some of the beloved characters from that series have roles in this story between Margot and Drake. Of course, we met Margot in A Song Unheard (book 2 in Shadows Over England) as the quirky younger sister of the world-renowned violinist Lukas De Wilde but this book can be read as a stand-alone, without having read the previous series (but I highly recommend that you do read the series if you haven’t yet).

So knowing what a fantastic storyteller the author is, the wait for this book was agonizing....but so worth it. The deliciously fast-paced suspense, mystery, and secrecy of espionage in this book far surpass what I remember from the previous books. The fascinating and clever dialogue that is the author’s trademark is taken up a notch. Roseanna White has a way of creating unforgettable characters and she has indeed gone above and beyond in introducing Margot and Drake to the world. Margot thinks in numbers and relies on methodical calculations and logic to face the world of loss as WWI destroys everything she holds dear. She’s a very different kind of heroine with a unique voice that comes so clearly across the pages. Drake is an injured espionage agent who has survived on instinct and fearlessly takes on Margot’s intelligence to show her that emotions and feelings are not enemies but something to treasure. His devotion, maturity, and selflessness make him quite swoon-worthy. And there is a villain with a voice that sends chills up my spine whenever I think about him! And, of course, there is that gentle spiritual reminder in this book that “faith isn’t just feeling. We have to know He’s still there, unchanged, even when we can’t feel Him. When the grief’s too loud to let us hear His voice.”

Now I am in my agonizing waiting period again for the next book to be released so I can revel in Phillip and Arabelle’s story!

I received a copy of the book from Bethany House Publishers via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.

I have never before considered numbers to be romantic!

Margot is a genius who thinks, dreams, and even prays in numbers. She clearly used them in learning and remembering, cataloging information in her brain by the number of times it occurred. She is not impressed with flattery or pretty things. She is extremely logical and literal (which made for amusing conversations!) Despite this, she is also witty, with a quirky sense of humor. I loved her first meeting with Drake and the responses she gave to his getting-to-know-you questions!

As a woman in a "man's world" doing cryptology, Margot was insulted when people assumed she must be a secretary simply based on her gender. As a woman who valued logic over feelings, she rebuffed the men who attempted to flirt with her, often with enumerated lists of how she would hurt them if they persisted!

While Margot was very strong and prided herself on being logical, she also had a side that was frail and hurting. After her loss, for which she felt responsible, she struggled with the sovereignty of God and personal responsibility.

While I am not a numbers person and don't do calculations in my head just because, the author made Margot's character so real and her thoughts so plausible to me. I loved the ways she was constantly calculating - from the area of a room to the angle of the stair rail to anything else that caught her attention. If not for reading the notes at the end, I would have thought the author herself was a numbers person, like Margot.

Drake was an observer. That was what made him valuable to the war effort. With the ability to see things many overlooked, and to ask just the right question, he was not only able to ferret out the enemy's secrets, he also was able to deduce the secret to Margot's heart. The manner in which he wooed her was so beautiful!

Dot, Margot's friend and Drake's sister, was also eccentric, suffering from agoraphobia. I loved her courage in getting and maintaining a job despite this.

In addition to the amazing and rich characterizations, as if they are not enough for me to suggest you run out and buy this, the mystery and suspense related to the enemy agent greatly added to my enjoyment of The Number of Love, as did the historical gems incorporated.

Though this is the first book of a new series, The Codebreakers, Margot was originally introduced in the Shadows over England series. While it is not necessary for understanding this story, it could enhance your experience if you read those first. And they are so good, you'll want to do that anyway!

A mysterious read that crosses between A Beautiful Mind and Bing Bang Theory.

Margot De Wilde understands mathematics and finds comfort in numbers. After her family fled Belgium at the beginning of the Great War, Margot has found use for her talents as one of the lead codebreakers in the British navy. An unconventional position for a woman at the time, but Margot is quite unconventional herself. She does not notice any of the attentiveness of men and hopes to secure a professorship at a university after the war. While at work one day, she meets a new young lady named Dot, who is to be serving as a secretary. Dot has her own quirks and doesn’t like to leave her house but knows she must. Margot and Dot strike up a mutual friendship where each person can accept their own faults. But when Dot’s brother Drake shows up, things become much more interesting.

Drake Elton serves as a spy for the British navy. Fluent in three languages and having a grandfather in Spain who runs a prosperous shipping business gives him the perfect cover to set up a base of operations there. But after a botched mission lands him in the infirmary in London, Drake dreads the recovery time. His sister Dot comes to visit him quite often as does her friend the mathematician, Margot. Drake has never met anyone like Margot, who is extremely intelligent and can match wits with Drake on any occasion. When remnants from his mission in Spain begin to show up in London, Drake knows that he must return to duty to save his country and Margot.

This was a very entertaining story from the beginning to the last sentence. Margot became my best friend instantly and we had a great adventure throughout the journey. Granted, I’m married to an engineer, so maybe math people are my friends. Even so, the best way that I can describe Margot is like a female Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory. She fully understands numbers and math but is completely oblivious to social norms. The romance between her and Drake evolved in its own time and wasn’t forced like so many books attempt. Everything flowed great and her armor was slowly chipped by Drake until it was worn down and she finally understood what it was to love and be loved. I also appreciated the author weaving faith into the story and the trials and tribulations that Margot had to go through to become the woman she was meant to be.

I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

‘There were others — a brilliant confederacy — whose names even now are better wrapt in history.’
Winston Churchill in ‘The World Crisis’ , one Room 40

Oh my gosh! What an incredible beginning to a new series - certainly one you and I won’t want to miss! Young Margot was absolutely brilliant with dreams and aspirations that were not in step with the time she was living in. Working in cryptography certainly wasn’t a job for the faint of heart nor a young lady. In all of this, she realized that God was smarter than she was - she didn’t always understand but she knew she could trust Him. She lived in a world of cause and effect, actions and reactions. Emotionally withdrawn, numbers were her world until unexpected events occurred. How was she to deal with them?

A fabulous book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next. With intelligence agents, German spies, kidnapping and a poisonous substance the story is sure to keep your attention!

I received this ARC through NetGalley and CelebrateLit. The impressions and opinions stated are my own.

I was very excited to learn that Margot had her own story. After meeting her in White's previous series, I was intrigued by this young woman with an amazing mind. I don't understand a thing about what she does, but she is an interesting person that I could easily connect with. A great storyline with fantastic characters makes this a must-read!

I loved The Number of Love! A very exciting story of a girl that has a fascination with numbers, Margot meets Drake, who is an undercover agent for the allied forces of WW1. He begins to understand her view of the world and begins to break down her defenses. A very exciting story to read! I enjoyed it very much!

I think I love spy novels even more than frontier stories.  I don't know if it's the secret codes or the chance to become someone you're not.  The way people who aren't quite normal in regular life find meaning and purpose.  At least a little bit of it is the way the work that is done in secret can save lives, stop wars before they start, or reduce the casualty count.  Maybe it's because there are spies in the Bible.  But if spy novels are just plain awesome, historical spy novels are the next level.  My favorites are World War I, World War II, Cold War stories. Today's technology makes for some great gadgets, but I love the human element and the old school, hands-on ways of doing things. So take my love for historical fiction, all things intelligence, and the last Roseanna M. White book I read, and you can bet I was eagerly anticipating The Number of Love.

A Great WWI Story

Ms. White tells a great story, long enough for my taste too!  She'll make you fall in love with the world of WWI codebreakers, and with a young lady who thinks and feels in the land of numbers.  This gal is really, really smart!  You'll feel a sense of good vs. evil and a sense of purpose - even a hunger to find purpose in what you do every day.  And you may find yourself thinking about the "bad guy" through different eyes too.  I am really looking forward to reading more of The Codebreakers series!

This Girl is a True Believer

I was so glad to get to know a cast of characters with a Catholic background.  See, while I'm not Catholic, and I'm not always on the same page theologically with my Catholic brothers and sisters, we serve the same Christ. In Protestant circles, Catholics have a reputation for being more ritualistic than religious, but I think you'll find the same thing to some degree in any tradition.  In every group of Christians, you'll find "nominal" believers (I call them "cultural Christians") and true believers.  The Catholics in this story, like so many, are true believers, and their journey of faith so closely resembles mine.

Enemy or Opponent?

I loved how our heroine, Margot, sees the enemy. When her home was occupied in Belgium by the Germans years before, she learned "that a uniform didn't make a man by nature a friend or an enemy. But choice did."  Even as she faithfully serves as a codebreaker in the secret Room 40, her desire is not to see the enemy destroyed but the enemy stopped.  At the end of the day, at the end of the battle, at the end of the war, the guy in the other uniform is a son, a brother, a father, a husband, a patriot.  Margot's love for her enemy comes out in a beautiful way at the end of the story.

"Das Gespenst," one of the German spies in The Number of Love, thinks of Margot not as an enemy, but an opponent.  The difference is honor.  Respect.  And a different desire, because when you defeat your opponent, you can shake hands and move on to the next match.  When you defeat an enemy, the enemy is destroyed.

Margot's war, "The Great War" as it was called, seems a lot more cut-and-dry than some of our wars today.  Today the battle lines seem more blurry. How much more important, then, is Margot's perspective?  On the other side of the battle, no matter how important, is another human, another life created in God's image.

It doesn't mean we shouldn't fight.

There are times to stand and fight, to come between evil and the innocent and say "it stops here."  But we fight with God's heart for those who oppose us.  We grieve when there is loss, because God grieves.  Maybe, too, we can fight in the way of honor.  A way that honors God, that honors those who have gone before us, and yes, even our opponents.  The Number of Love reminds us that in whatever fight, be it on the battlefield, the courtroom, or even with your coworker or neighbor or your teenager, we can remember that Satan, not the human in front of us, is the real enemy.

43 “You have heard that it was said, You must love your neighbor[a] and hate your enemy. 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who harass you45 so that you will be acting as children of your Father who is in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both the evil and the good and sends rain on both the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Therefore, just as your heavenly Father is complete in showing love to everyone, so also you must be complete.  - Matthew 5:43-48 CEB

I received a review copy of this book; all opinions are my own.

The Number of Love is powerful historical novel. Roseanna M. White produced a well-crafted and thoughtful novel with strong, complex characters. Margot De Wilde is a brilliant mathematician whose education was interrupted by the war. She utilizes her talents by breaking the enemy’s codes. Numbers are constantly running through her head and some of them are vitally important. She relies on facts instead of emotions and pours herself into her work. Drake Elton is a naval lieutenant whose background makes him a perfect field agent for the intelligence services. Drake has a big heart and Margot is never far from his thoughts since the moment they met. Drake has an enemy following him who performs missions, but he also has his own agenda. The author did her research for this book. I like how she incorporated the historical information from the Great War along with Room 40 with the codebreakers and the work of the field agents. Faith was an integral part of the story and our character’s lives. I appreciated that Barclay, Willa, Lukas and other characters from Shadows Over England series were included in the story. The vivid and detailed descriptions allowed me to visualize the characters and scenes. I would have liked a little more action which would have added a little more spark to the story. The Number of Love is an intriguing and captivating historical novel with suspense, romance, friendship, mystery, faith and family.

When I got the chance to read The Number of Love, I was so excited. I always liked reading about spies and codes. This book took you deep into the heart of Room 40 as seen through the eyes of Margot. I thought Margot was an interesting character. She saw the world through the filter of math and numbers. I had to wrap my mind around the whole hearing the Lord’s voice in number form. I did feel like she learned how to really hear the Lord’s voice. I l thought the characters were well written. I liked some better then others.
One of my favorite things about historical fiction is learning something new about the time period the story is set. I did not realize that there was the threat of biological warfare during WW1. It makes me want to find out more.
This was a good story. I enjoyed it and had to know what happened. It didn’t capture me quite as much as some of her other stories. I loved how the characters from her other books popped in and out of this story. There are wonderful truths that the reader can learn right along with the characters.
I’m excited to read more of Roseanna White’s stories.

I recommend this book to my family and friends.
I received this book from the publisher to read and give my honest opinion. All thoughts are my own.

In the first of a new series, "The Codebreakers", this book has ties to the author's Shadows Over England series. Featuring a more mature Margot de Wilde, little sister of Lukas de Wilde from "A Song Unheard", I found it not only fun to catch up a little with Lukas and Willa but interesting to see what was next for Margot.

Margot has been working as a codebreaker in Room 40 for her country and enjoys the way that God talks to her through numbers. In spite of her age (17), her unique mind is critical to England's war efforts. She also has a very close relationship with her mom - after all, it's been just the two of them for some time - but no true friends. Margot wants to get an education, not get married; the other girls just can't relate. While at work one night she cracks the code of communications about spy number 18, and feels an overwhelming and urgent need to pray for him. She has also encountered some strange newcomers to the neighborhood - are they friend, or foe?

Drake Elton meets Margot when he brings his sister to Room 40 for an interview for secretary. He is intrigued with her answers to his casual questions but immediately leaves to return to the field, deep undercover as he works to prevent a biological attack. When he is wounded, he returns to England and eventually to the care of his sister, Margot's new friend.

With many strong subplots, sweet romance, and a mystery that kept me guessing almost to the end, I happily recommend this book. Also, if you have not read any of the author's other series I highly recommend those as well! Starting with the Shadows Over England books first will only enrich your enjoyment of this one, but it can easily be read alone.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

I wish I could give this more than five out of five stars. Reading about someone who thinks in numbers was so fascinating. I loved Margot and her friend Dot. They both had obstacles to overcome. It is so cool how people can come up with so many codes. I love that Drake was able to show Margot how he really felt in a way she could understand. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

This may have been my first book by Roseanna White, but it definitely will not be my last! From the very first page, I was captivated by this unique story and drawn into the complex plot. In general, I have not read a great deal of historical fiction set during WWI, and never about those responsible for decrypting and encrypting enemy code. There is an enigma surrounding codebreakers, one that brings to mind spies, conspiracies, and scheming. “The Number of Love” has all of that and more, tautly woven into an absorbing narrative.

Employing meticulous pieces that continue to add to the puzzle as a whole, White calculatingly draws the reader into what becomes a multifarious story. Early on in the novel, the setting is relatively serene, and Margot De Wilde had me grinning from the outset. There is so much to love about her character, particularly given the time period in which she lives. Forging a career for herself and defying convention, she is very much an innovative woman in a man’s world. She carries herself with aplomb and a sarcastic wit and is incredibly intelligent, being the only female codebreaker of the confidential Room 40, and only 18 years old at that.

“Mathematics never led her astray.” As an English major and someone whose worst subject was always math, Margot’s aptitude awed me. It was fascinating for me to read how White created this character who thinks and acts in terms of mathematics, whose ultimate goal is to complete her university studies and attain a professorship. Witnessing how Margot implements mathematical principles into all aspects of her life gave her character a stimulating individuality. Another aspect of her character that I really appreciated was her faith in God, demonstrating that the sciences and math do not preclude the existence of God and a personal relationship with Him. I thought that it was very fascinating that God communicates to Margot, and vice versa, through numbers. Also, the insight into the grieving process is well done, including facets of post-traumatic stress and anger toward God. Social anxiety is explored as well, along with various relationships and their consequences. “The Number of Love” provides a tale of intrigue, romance, and faith in the midst of battles both personal and national, a thoroughly engaging novel highly recommended for historical fiction lovers.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

London 1917 lernt die Dechiffrier-Spezialistin Margot De Wilde in den Räumen der Admiralität zufällig den Agenten Drake Elton kennen, der seine jüngere Schwester zu einem Vorstellungsgespräch begleitet. Drake stellt sich Margot vor, aber sie will ihm ihren Namen nicht verraten. Er würde ihr Rätsel und diese Herausforderung gerne annehmen, aber er muss umgehend zu seinem nächsten Auftrag nach Spanien aufbrechen, um dort den Handel mit Wolfram zu unterbinden. Drake ist sofort von Margots Augen und ihrem Witz eingenommen und kann sie die nächsten Wochen nicht vergessen.

Derweil hat ein deutscher Agent, das Gespenst genannt, den Auftrag erhalten ein Codebuch aus der Admiralität zu entwenden. Er will sich den notwendigen Zugang über die dort Beschäftigten Frauen verschaffen. Einige Zeit später wird Drake im Einsatz vom feindlichen Agenten Jäger verwundet und kehrt schwer verletzt nach London zurück, wo er erneut Margot begegnet, die inzwischen selber von einem harten Schicksalsschlag getroffen wurde, der sie schwer erschüttert hat.

Mit dem Geflecht aus biologischer Kriegsführung, verschlüsselten Nachrichten und der Verfolgung durch feindliche Agenten entwickelt sich eine sehr spannende Geschichte. Zum Finale kommt es zum Show Down, das Ende kann überzeugen.

Die Autorin schafft es auf einzigartige Weise den außergewöhnlichen mathematischen Geist von Margot zu beschreiben. Die Autorin hat mit ihr eine ganz einmalige Protagonistin geschaffen. Sie kann auch eindringlich vermitteln, wie belastend es sein kann nach einem Verlust auch noch den gewohnten Kontakt zu Gott zu verlieren. Man folgt der herzerwärmend Darstellung, wie Margot und Drake sich immer mehr einander zuneigen. Wie Drake sich von allen schlechten Vorzeichen nicht von seiner Werbung um Margot abbringen lässt. In Margot lernt ein rein analytischer Geist, die Antworten des Herzens zu erkennen.

Man erhält sehr viele spannende Einblicke in die damalige Zeit und die Arbeit der Geheimdienste. Es stellt sich heraus, dass der Titel wunderbar zu dieser ganz speziellen Liebesgeschichte passt.

You know those stories that leave you satisfied and sad at the same time? Satisfied because the book is good in every way. Sad because the final page has been read, but you’re just not ready for the adventure to be over. Yeah, this is exactly the kind of story The Number of Love is. This book is so excellent I can’t help but be excited for the future novels in this series.

My most favorite thing to do is to study God’s Word. I pray and sing and go to church, but God meets me the most when I am in His Word. When I study, I’m all in. I have my Bible, my Strong’s concordance, a few of my favorite online sources opened, a notebook, my favorite highlighter and pencil, and some sticky notes. I mark my current study Bible up with facts, connections, notes, prayers, thematically similar Bible verses, Hebrew/Greek word studies, number symbology, personal connections, etc. When I am in God’s Word I feel like I am in His presence. The world quiets down, and it’s just me and Him. In these moments, He speaks to me. He leads me. In these moments I am at peace, and I feel safe and loved. It’s truly the best feeling!

As they do to almost every human on earth, traumas throw me for a loop. In my personal experience, they hurt me so deeply I shut down for a while. I struggle to pray or sing or go to church. I struggle with getting into my Bible and studying. Honestly, I struggle with the most basic of human interactions. I become like a hurt animal who crawls into a hole to escape the world. In these moments, God’s Voice seems to disappear. It scares me. I feel alone, cold, and utterly shaken.

Margot De Wilde endures a devastatingly unexpected loss that throws her world into chaos. Her beloved numbers, the conduit through which God has used her entire life to communicate with and guide her has been shut off. God’s Voice disappears. Margot becomes angry, scared, and lost. She, too, becomes the wounded animal who wants to hide in a hole until life becomes a little more understandable again. What really rocks Margot’s world is that communicating with God was always so easy. But when communicating with God stops being easy, when it is clear He isn’t right there, how does one find Him again? This is the question Margot desperately wants answered.

I will not share how Margot gets to the bottom of this scary question because I will not ruin any part of this magnificent book. But, I will share how I answer this question. For me, I try with all my might to remember two things. First, God is ALWAYS there no matter what. It’s kind of like a radio. Certain frequencies pick up certain stations. If your radio accidentally gets bumped it could mess with the frequency and then you no longer hear your favorite station. All you have to do is get back to the right frequency and you’ll be fine. God is always at the same station. He is unchangeable. I just have to make sure I am set to the right frequency. Sometimes this is harder said than done, but I have to remember in times of utter grief and pain that God is always right there! The second thing I remember is 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. These are the verses where Paul talks about being strong in weakness. Even though he may be physically or emotionally weak, if he relies on Jesus Christ, he is the strongest man alive. I love the mental image these two verses create, and I try to keep an image of me leaning into Jesus in my mind so I can stay strong.

When it feels like God has gone silent, I force myself to Bible study. I force myself to utter some kind of prayer or praise to God. Eventually, the forcing leads back to my normal habit of studying and praying, and I do hear God’s beautiful Voice again. I find my proper frequency again. Margot eventually realizes that she needs to lean into God no matter what. She puts one tiny faith footstep into motion, which allows God to help her get back on His right station. I’m going to be honest, I sobbed like a baby when Margot hears God’s Voice again. I’m not sure I’ve ever been more relieved for a fictional character.

The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White is an outstanding story. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment I spent reading this beautiful novel. The action, the intrigue, the timely themes, and the endearing characters make The Number of Love a 2019 must-read novel for sure. I highly recommend purchasing a copy for yourself today. You will not be disappointed!

I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form and in paperback from the publisher, Bethany House, via snail mail and NetGalley & Celebrate Lit. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I am always intrigued by reading about the lives of those who joined forces during World War I and II to protect their nations. Rosanna White brought to light for me new heroes in her newest novel, The Number of Love. Set during World War I, Margot works for the DID in London as a codebreaker to help England decode messages that have been intercepted by the Germans. Margot is unique that she sees and thinks in numbers. The character was so very well written that White did not deviate even once from the character development so by the end, the reader was also thinking in numbers for Margot! I felt like this was so realistic and it also made me think about how others around me view the world and how it should be appreciated for their uniqueness.

Margot experiences a lot of life challenges but grows in her faith because of them. Along the way, she meets Drake, an intelligence officer for Britain, and begins to change how she views things. She soon learns that the life she had planned out for her might be different than how God has designed her life. She begins to learn that faith is trusting in His plan. My favorite part was Margot’s epiphany of the choice of two questions, “Why did this happen?” and “Why did God let this happen?”

The Number of Love was a fantastic start to a new series. It visited old friends from other series of White’s books. I enjoyed how White mixed fiction with the research she discovered in cryptography. I look forward to doing a little of my own research to learn more. I also enjoyed the mystery and intrigue of putting together the puzzle pieces to solve the mystery by the end. I look forward to reading more in this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not required to leave a positive review.

Sometimes love does have a number...

I have been looking forward to this book for awhile now. First introduced to the teenaged math and cryptology genius, Margot, in author Roseanna M. White's previous series, I was both intrigued by her and excited to read her story. Needless to say, when I found out that the The Number Of Love would be That story I was beyond thrilled.

And I was not disappointed in any way at all. The Number Of Love is filled with danger and intrigue, spies and counterspies, secret codes and unexpected romance. Plus it has one of my favorite heroines. While I was not a genius, especially not with numbers, I was a lot like Margot at that age. A bit awkward in social and emotional situations and annoyed by the shallow silliness of girls my age. Yeah, for me Margot is definitely a relatable character.

Anyway, I totally loved The Number Of Love and am pretty sure this it is going on my 2019 Favorites list. Wonderful story and I can't wait for what Roseanna M. White has in store for readers in the next book in The Codebreakers series...

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

Margot De Wilde is a perplex character. Love is the last thing on her mind, numbers are the first. Margot actually thinks in numbers. Her profession? Codebreaker. During the Great War.

Margot works in room 40 – an intelligence room that existed during the Great War, and was a huge part of the preparation of World War II intelligence agencies. Read her ‘notes from the author’ at the back of the book for more on this. So interesting.

Drake is basically a spy. Margot is given documents to decode when she comes across his agent number. 18. Zip over to the book cover, do you see the number in the window?

Many times, before her realization that 18 is Drake, the Lord brings this number to her remembrance. Annoyingly so. At the most inconvenient times. When he needs prayer the most. And when she least wants to.

I love how Roseanna didn’t shy away from tragedy in this book. I cried. I’ll save you the spoiler, but this book will tug on your heart. I also loved how the villain, the Ghost, was not completely unfeeling. He was terrible, yes. Evil, yes. But he was human. And he had losses. He was crazy, for sure. Yet, Margot somehow found a way to have compassion for him. Don’t get me wrong, she still took him out when she needed to. I mentioned her complexity, didn’t I?

I have to mention the faith elements in this book. Roseanna did a great job of weaving the message through the story in a compelling and natural way. I especially loved when Drake wanted so badly to tell Margot not to worry, that his mission would end with him coming home alive. But he couldn’t. Yes, God was directing him to go, but that didn’t mean a happy ending. There were no guarantees.

Can I give this book a 6 star? Because this historical, adventure-driven love story had me laughing, crying, gasping, sighing and totally gripped me to the end. Great job, Roseanna M. White. I can’t wait for book 2!

Having read a few of Ms. White's stories before this, I knew I was in for all sorts of adventures with wonderful characters before I even started chapter one. And I was right! From first page until the last, I was swept up into the crazy-awesome world of Room 40 during WWII. And wow, what an intriguing part of history that I never knew about! Ms. White certainly has a way of finding bits of history and making them come alive. It's incredibly clear that she enjoyed her research findings because so many details fairly leaped off the pages and into my imagination.

Firstly, let me just say that I did adore Margot. She is quick-witted, intelligent, and someone I'd love to call my friend. The way her brain works...she's simply unique! And I love unique and quirky characters. I really loved getting inside her brain and learning to see the world as she does... As did Drake, and oh boy did that bring a load of adorableness and fun to the story! He truly understands her and the way he pursues her while letting her have her say in how their relationship builds...ah, my heart. Those two..! Yeah. Super cuteness happens a few times and my romantic heart was gleefully happy!

From the compelling historical context, wonderful secondary characters, delightful romance, and the utterly fascinating Margot (and Drake), I was blown away by Ms. White's beautifully written story. I am definitely looking forward to book two of the series when next it comes! And unashamedly urge you to move this one to the top of your TBR, reader friends. Like now. ;)

**I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is such a one of a kind story. Margot is unlike any heroine I have ever read before. She is beautiful, brilliant, and doesn’t want to get married, at least not any time soon. She is completely oblivious to the looks men give her, and thinks she didn’t receive any of her mother’s beauty. Working in a field dominated by men, she has learned that life for a smart woman isn’t always going to be easy. I loved seeing her interact with Drake. Unlike Margot, Drake moves easily throughout the world and social situations. The chance of the two meeting and getting to know each other is slim, but sometimes God has a way of changing things. This book is full of mystery, romance, and loss. I was taken to another time and place and enjoyed every moment. I couldn’t imagine my home being taken over and being forced to flee to another country for safety. White painted an amazing picture and I wasn’t ready for the story to end. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was in no way forced to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Everything about this book was intriguing right from the beginning. I really enjoyed getting to know Margot. She is quite a unique person with numbers floating around in her head all the time. I thought she was brilliant, trustworthy and dedicated to her job. What an exciting life she led decoding secret messages that were vital to the safety of our nation. It amazed me how quickly she was able to decode an encrypted message with numbers that came to her. If only my mind was as brilliant with numbers as Margot. But alas, she is one of a kind and I marveled at her flaws as well as her intellect.

Drake was a wonderful addition to the story with his courage and determination to outsmart the enemy. His attraction to Margot seemed like love at first sight, but how could you not fall in love with her? She is without a doubt a breath of fresh air that explodes with confidence. It is a slow build to a relationship that digs deep into the heart and sees the beauty of God's love surrounding them.

The exceptional historical facts make the story easy to feel as if you are there. Actually I wanted to follow Margot for just one day. I wanted to know how her mind worked and how she kept her sanity with numbers flying across her mind all the time. The element of espionage escalates the story to an intriguing guessing game. The action is at a great level and figuring out what would happen next was exciting for me.

It is always nice to read how characters grow in their faith and this book is full of inspirational journeys to find God for several characters. There is one particular part in the book that especially spoke to me. Margot goes through something very painful and I liked how she made Margot very vulnerable at this time. I felt like I was able to see beyond the numbers that take over Margot and allowed me to witness a real emotion that only Jesus can heal.

The story is a wonderful journey of growing for Margot and allowing Drake to become an important part of her life. Together they make a great combination of steadfast faith and determination to save their country. This is one of my favorite books from the author and I have to mention how much I appreciate the hard work put into this story to make it as authentic to the time period as possible.

I received copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. and Netgalley. The review is my own opinion.

The Number of Love
By Roseanna M. White
“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.”
Margot De Wilde is a numbers girl and I am not. I just wanted to put that out there. It was fascinating to read about someone so different than myself. I enjoyed trying to imagine a conversation with Margot as well as what it would be like to work in Room 40. I might not be good with numbers but I enjoy puzzles. I imagine the weight of decoding enemy messages and then knowing that the messages you are decrypting are being used in the big picture of war strategizing would be stressful rather than a fun challenge. That being said love bloomed in this book through all the chaos.
This book was not all about love, however. Life is about relationships and I thought that Margot and Dot’s relationship was a great example of how friendships work. Being a good friend means more than fun times. Margot and Dot patiently supported and encouraged each other to be the best version of themselves. That is being a good friend.
Overall this was a great book and I look forward to the next installment to this series!
I was provided a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion which I’ve shared here. For more book reviews visit: https://simplyannehere.wordpress.com

A riveting start to White's new series!
I love this author's books, she is one of my favorite historical romance authors, and I am always eager to read her next book, as was the case with The Number of Love! I loved Margot in A Song Unheard and was absolutely ecstatic when I learned that she would star in the first book of The Codebreakers series! I loved Margot so much, she is just so fun and delightfully real! I liked Drake a lot. And I absolutely loved Drake and Margot on the page together, their banter was always such fun, and their meet-cute was fabulous!
I absolutely loved getting to catch up with some old friends from the Shadows Over England and Ladies of the Manor series, that was fantastic and put the biggest grin on my face! One of my favorite parts of this book was the faith story, which was deep and soul-stirring without being preachy, it grabbed my heart and hasn't let go! Another thing I love about Roseanna's books is the historical detail, as soon I open one of her books I am spellbound and swept away into another time and place, which is what I love most about historical fiction, and The Number of Love was no exception! This book is a great read that I very much enjoyed and highly recommend! I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series!
(4 Stars!)


I received an ebook copy of this book from the publisher which did not influence my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

The Number of Love is the first book in a new series from Roseanna M. White. Margot, the main character, was previously introduced in A Song Unheard. Margo is a codebreaker in World War I. Her mind sees numbers and patterns everywhere. She even prays in numbers. After the war, she wants to go to university and study mathematics. She doesn’t want to be the traditional wife and mother. She has goals and dreams.

Enter Drake Elton. He is her best friend’s brother and secretly a spy for England stationed in Spain. When he gets hurt and sent back to England, he falls for Margot. She declares she has no use for romance but slowly her feelings for Drake intensify.

The tension rises as enemy spies are about. Margot needs to break the code they are using so Drake can stop them.

I really enjoyed this story. Margot is a well thought out character. Her journey from extreme logical thinking to finally accepting and giving love was very believable. The plot with the enemy spies was exciting. It was nice to learn more about codebreaking in World War I.

I received this book from Netgalley for an honest opinion.

THIS WAS SO MY JAM! I loved a unique heroine who saw the world in a different way and the man who learned her language in his soft and patient pursuit of her. But, I also loved the splendid cast of supporting characters: Red and Dot and Philip Frigging Camden ( my play on his name). It is about TIME the CBA got a Philip Camden so I am delighted that the next book in the series is his.

Roseanna White is one of the most intelligent writers on the planet: balancing impeccable research, a penchant for codes and yet never breaking the trail of her accessible, well-paced romantic read.


Major shout out to the feminist overtones, intelligently resourceful women who mentally put men in their place and to the portrayal of a strong female friendship.


I love this book and you should read it.


( also featured on all my social media platforms: including instagram)

My thoughts:

When I first read the title of the book, didn’t really know what to think! A story about a female cryptographer set in World War I paired with that title name….interesting. I decided to give it a try, and I sooo don’t regret it! This book has such an exciting set of characters and plot development! Each character has such a unique personality, and I loved that for a nice change, the main character, a girl, actually loves mathematics and strives to be a college professor! (Way to go, girl!!!) I remember one time watching a movie about a little girl that was a mathematics prodigy, and it set my curiosity on fire! Yeah, like, *nonchalantly speaks* Margot started college at the age of thirteen, phew, no biggie… (And I’m here trying to stay sane with college stuff, lol) So yeah, very very interesting characters! Margot has this passive, yet bold personality I admire! She’s not intimidated with what others think of her but instead always follows ”the number”…the way God uses to speak to her. Yeah, she can sometimes be hotheaded and ends up messing everything up, but, seriously, don’t we all? Then we have Drake, the mysterious half Spanish guy with t a broken nose, hehe, you’ll get the reference soon my friends! He’s no slouch, either. He personality is so much fun and mature. He complements Margot’s character so well even though they are complete opposites in some ways. What I really liked seeing in this book was the variety of ethnicities! We have English, Spanish, French, Belgian, and German characters, poor, rich, and in between, all working towards the same goal. Victory. The plot is very well paced, though the middle was somewhat slow, it gets better and better. From the title, you might expect a cheesy love novel, but it is nothing like that. This is my first book from Roseanna M. White, and I can’t wait to read her other works 🙂

Plot:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

Characters:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

Cleanness:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

I have loved every book I have read by Roseanna. You simply can’t go wrong with one her books. You know you will be drawn into a story that you will be fully immersed in. Such is the case with this book.

I loved getting to know Margot. I remember meeting Margot in A Song Unheard and thought she was a very interesting character so I was so excited to read this new series and get to know her more.

She is definitely unique and I love that she gets to make a friend with her own quirks.

Drake is a wonderful hero who is a perfect match for Margot. Their first interactions promises that there will not be a dull moment between the two.

There is a mystery involved as well that keep this story moving. Basically, what’s not to love about this book?

A copy of this book was given to me through the Celebrate Lit Team. All opinions are my own.

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.

Interesting story set in WWI. It is both a Christian romance and suspense novel. The main character is an English codebreaker and her love interest is an intelligence officer. Great plot development and interesting characters. This is first book by this author and it won’t be my last.

The Number of Love by Rosanna White was a very enjoyable read and my first book by Roseanna. I was thrilled to learn it is book one in the Codebreakers Series! I will be looking for the next in the series and have already added most of her previous books to my TBR list.

She created a remarkable character in both Margot and Drake. Margot is the only woman codebreaker in Room 40. She is wicked smart. Picture a female Sheldon  . She deciphers codes that have been intercepted. She thinks in numbers.

Drake was adorable. He accepted that she was crazy smart and was intrigued by her even more; not intimidated. He was perfect for her which was shown in how he decided to woo her.

I enjoyed her relationship with Drakes sister as much as I did her relationship with Drake. Roseanna was able to capture the acceptance and friendship of two women that very different from each other.

There was also a captivating mystery with the story. Truly I would have loved the story even if it was just the relationships. They were that good.

I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

At 17, Margot De Wilde has one of the most important jobs in
all of England during the Great War. She works for Admiral Hall in Room 40—the secret
code-breaking operation. Much to Margot’s annoyance, most people assume she
works as a secretary. In reality, she works with a team of cryptologists to
crack Germany’s intelligence communication.

When Lieutenant Elton escorts his sister to the offices for
an interview, and questions her accent, Margot gives him a sarcastic answer.
When he grins in reply instead of looking befuddled, his response piques her
curiosity. She sticks around for a few minutes of conversation—not her normal
response to male attention.

Margot has no use for the things ‘normal’ people do—chattering
about fashions and the opposite sex, mild flirtations, or inane conversations.
She’d much rather spend her spare moments with her mother, or her brother and
the large family he inherited when he married Willa.

Lieutenant Drake Elton leaves for another mission in Spain, knowing
that his sister has a job that will keep her from starving during his absence.
As he ferrets out information about a shipment of wolfram from Spain to Germany,
the nameless girl’s sense of humor and beautiful brown eyes linger in his
memory. He determines to find her identity and discover if she felt the same connection.

Unlike most of the population, Margot sees the world in numbers and mathematical formulas. She entered the university in Belgium before the war at the age of 13 and hopes to one day finish her studies. She dreams of teaching as a professor at a university one day—but in 1917, few women attained such a position.

If you love good historical romance novels, you'll love this book. White gives life to an underrepresented segment of espionage during World War I: Room 40. I love this book because the main character sees the world in ways I’ve never thought of. Even better, the hero displays a willingness to learn Margot’s language of love and woo her with numbers.

It's also the first book in the Codebreaker series, and I can't wait to see which character from "The Number of Love' White Features in the next one.

If you’ve read any of Roseanna White’s Shadows Over England books, you’ll know all about Margot De Wilde. But don’t worry, you don’t have to read the other books first to enjoy this one. As always, White weaves multidimensional characters and adds the perfect touch of suspense, humor, and romance to create a beautiful whole.

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.

This was an interesting book. Not only did we get an incite into the workings of the intelligence workings of WWI, but also the inner workings of people with high intelligence and people with phobias. Margot is a genius with a head for numbers. She has no trouble figuring out the codes. But she has trouble communicating with people in everyday things. Drake tries to crack the shell that Margot has erected around herself. She has vowed never to marry or have children because her dream is to be a college professor. The only thing is that in the early 1900's women definitely did not become college professors. Dot, Drake's sister, has trouble leaving her apartment. With Margot's help she is able to go to work on a daily basis.

I thought it took awhile for the mystery to appear. But once it did, I had trouble putting it down.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way.

The Number of Love, book #1 in the Codebreakers, is set in mainly London 1917, during WWI. I instantly took a strong liking to the main female character, Margo. She was intelligent beyond measure, very opinionated with a wicked wit. She was the only woman in the field of code breaking the enemies messages. The rest of the women were secretaries. But the men respected her to the point of thinking of her as one of them. She had plans to further her education after the war with no plans for marriage or children. Drake was an intelligence agent (or spy) for the allies. They spend a good amount of time together getting to know each other through his sister Dot, who Margo befriends. I was fascinated with Margo’s love for numbers. She counted everything in her going and coming each day, steps, tiles, bricks in a building, stitches in a blouse, etc. God put numbers in her mind that caused her to listen, stop, and pray.
This was an interesting story in the time of war that included secrets, spying, revenge, grief and a touch of romance. Be sure and read the author’s notes in the back. Although fiction, some of the history included was real as well as a few characters.
I received an ebook copy of this book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit but was not required to write a review positive or otherwise.

3.5 stars

The Number of Love is the first book in Roseanne M. White's newest series, The Codebreakers. I've read and loved White's previous two series and so I was eager to read this book. It was a very interesting story and I loved the setting. WWI storylines are fascinating and this one about codebreakers definitely grabbed my attention.

I really enjoyed the characters. The romance was sweet and it was intriguing how the heroine felt numbers. There were a couple things about the storyline that felt a bit weird to me; but, besides that, it was a good read.

All in all, The Number of Love was a memorable read and I look forward to the next book.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

One thing about a book set during World War ll it takes a lot of research. To know what took place during that time. A lot of the book is fiction but the author still has to do the research. To know that time period. Some parts of the book are true. That would take a lot of time writing the book. 

Margot works with numbers and is an expert in doing so. How her character work with numbers and the codes is interesting. I loved Drake, he was determined to get to know Margot. Also after he got injured he was not one to just sit around. 

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a positive review. This is my own opinion.

The Number of Love was one of my most anticipated reads of 2019 but boy did I get more than I anticipated! I knew the book would be terrific because Ms. White's writing is always impressive. I will say that this is one of the most compelling novels that I have ever read.

I absolutely loved the young and brilliant Margo De Wilde who deciphers intercepted messages during WW1 in Room 40 which was a highly secretive British Intelligence Organization. Margo is a mathematical genius who tends to have an analytical mind which made her interesting to me. It was refreshing to find a character during that time period who was less interested in finding a husband than other girls her age. That's not to imply that she is unfeeling because she is a loving daughter and sister. The fact that she was highly respected and an asset in what was typically a male dominated profession added my love of this book.

Drake Elton added a bit of humor to the storyline and his interactions with Margot were some of my favorites as they become better acquainted. It's not all fun and games for Drake though since he is a spy and his life is in danger. I loved his relationship with his sister who is a complicated young lady but one who I really liked.

There are just so many things to love about this book, from reconnecting with characters from the authors previous books to meeting new and exciting ones in this book. I loved the fast-paced and riveting storyline and the fact Ms. White clearly does her research. It will be hard to wait for the next book in the series to be released but in the meantime, I will read this one again. I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction or anyone who loves a well written fantastic novel.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley but was under no obligation to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I’ve enjoyed White’s books ever since I first had a chance to read the first book in her Shadows Over England series, A Name Unknown. Then, in the next book, we met Margot, and I instantly fell in love with her. Somehow, her spunky, focused, determined self did something that I loved, and I know I quoted her in my review because I loved her comebacks so much. I’ve wondered about her story ever since then—and was beyond thrilled when I saw that the first book in the new Codebreakers series was from her perspective! I immediately requested it for review, and eagerly anticipated it once I finished a few other pressing books.

Margot hasn’t changed much since I met her in A Song Unheard. She’s grown up a little, of course, but she’s still her witty, somewhat-distracted self. Her work was of particular interest to me; I’ve always loved codes and things like that, but only on a child’s level of the term. Seeing how she used her abilities to help others was special, and I also enjoyed seeing how her coworkers worked with her. They were doing a potentially dangerous job; if someone found out what they did, they could have suffered personal consequences, but they really did help out Britain’s war effort in the end. I also loved seeing Margot’s personality shine through; her contented aloofness, the joy she had in her family, her fierce independent yet also fiercely loyal spirit when her friends were in need, her dependence on the Lord’s direction, and her struggles when His direction didn’t seem to be as much of a constant in her life.

I also enjoyed meeting Drake. His love and desire to protect his sister were special, even while he was doing a dangerous job. His job was also interesting; I had no idea that the Germans tried to infect animal cereals with a disease in order to hurt Britain’s war effort! I have to wonder what happened to all of that.

As far as history, this book seemed to be steeped in it. I feel like I’ve learned another piece about what England looked like during World War I, but that I didn’t really even know I was learning because the story was so interesting! The writing style was beautiful, as always. Yes, there were the scenes where people were being hurt, and a few choice words appeared fairly regularly that I don’t appreciate, but overall I really enjoyed this book. If you like historical fiction with a romance on the side, you’d probably like this book.

(Note: One reviewer mentioned the feministic leanings in this book, and I would have to agree. It wasn’t overt all the time, but one of the characters did lean that way more than I appreciate. I understand why the author made the choice she did, though, and I think I would make the same—but if this is something you watch out for, do know that it is here somewhat.)

I requested a free review copy of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest opinion of it.

Simply wonderful! It has mystery, suspense, romance, humor, real pain and forgiveness.
I fell in love with Margot’s unique character. The numbers speak to her and it’s intriguing how she analyzes everything in an equations or other mathematical terms. Author Roseanna did a splendid job with the plot and characters, I felt like I was in the mist of it feeling all their emotions. I can’t wait for book two!

My thoughts...This novel was unlike many of the historical Christian fiction that I've read lately. I particularly found the heroine to be very unique. Margot De Wilde is a highly intelligent code breaker that works practically around the clock to solve complex German messages, but number codes aren't just her job. Her whole life revolves around them. It's how she communicates love, spirituality, and how she relates to people...which can be awkward at times because most people don't communicate that way. It makes her character very complex and at times hard to relate to, but at the same time the author does a great job at inviting us into her world.
The hero in the story helps balance out Margot's character with an intensity of his own. Drake is courageous...a dedicated soldier and spy who will risk everything to defeat the enemy. He and Margot have a connection before they even realize it, and when they do finally meet they are drawn to one another. I really liked that Drake wasn't just written as a big, strong man who swoops in to win the day, but has needs, weaknesses and intelligence that makes him a good counterpart to Margot.
Overall, I was impressed with all the detail in this novel. The depth of everything from the game Margot and her mysterious rival played with one another to the descriptions of the messages Margot decoded...practically everything about this novel displayed the author's research skills and applying that research to create an intriguing novel. It could feel a bit heavy at times, as there was a lot of pieces to this story, including psychological and emotional aspects. It did enhance the story and make the characters more believable, but it wasn't always easy to read.

**I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley in order to share my honest opinions, which I did.**

What a fascinating book! I love reading about women who are given opportunities, in a time that was unlikely, like Margot was! I've never been a history buff but this book made me want to do some digging.
This book will hold your attention and not allow you to put it down for long!

I will be anxiously waiting for the next book in the series!


I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

Margot De Wilde escaped the German occupation in Belgium, and now she and her mother are living in London where Margot works in Room 40 of the Old Admiralty Building. She’s a codebreaker—one of the stars of the department, despite being the youngest cryptographer and the only female.

She has a unique brain, in that numbers seem to rearrange themselves into words and messages. Drake Elton is a British spy disguised as a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy. He is half-Spanish so is the obvious choice to work as an undercover agent in neutral Spain. He finds himself back in London after a mission goes wrong. But the mission follows him to London and is now targeting him and those around him … including Margot.

The whole concept of coding has always fascinated me, as I suspect it has fascinated Roseanna M White. I understand the basic principles of cyphers and codes, but I am clueless when it comes to the maths behind creating and (especially) cracking codes. That’s why I find a heroine like Margot De Wilde fascinating. She might be only a teenager, but she’s cleverer than most of the men working in her department and has gained their respect because of her skill.

If you read Roseanna M White’s excellent Shadows Over England series, then you’ll recognise Margot De Wilde and her family from A Song Unheard. And if you’ve read The Cypher Ring series, then you’ll know Roseanna M White has a longstanding fascination with codes and codebreakers.

But don’t worry if you haven’t read them: The Number of Love is an excellent standalone novel that combines White’s love of codes with an excellent romantic suspense story set against the backdrop of World War I London.

The characters are fascinating, the writing is excellent, and the result is a unique page-turner. Recommended for fans of historical fiction, and for those intrigued by movies such as Enigma or Hidden Figures. I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series.

Thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

The Number of Love is the latest book from Roseanna M. White. Margot DeWilde spends her days working as a codebreaker to help England's efforts in WWI. By deciphering messages that are intercepted from the German troops, Margot wants to help England gain an upper hand!

When Margot meets Drake Elton, she has no idea how her controlled world is about to change. Drake is immediately drawn toward Margot; however, Margot does not know what to make of this man from the war front. Soon you will find these unique characters working together to track down a critical German spy!

Drake and Margot will encounter some interesting hiccups along the way, but their belief and trust in God hold them fast in the end!

I've enjoyed Roseanna M. White's other books and was looking forward to starting this new series, and while I enjoyed this book as well, I didn't like it as much as the others I've read. First I'll mention that, as usual with this author's books, I did like the historical setting, and the way the author weaves in real historical events and figures into her stories. Also, if you read the Shadows Over England series then you will recognize the main character and several others. I liked that we got another glimpse of Lucas and Willa among a few others.

While I liked Margot I did find that I had a hard time relating to her at times because she thought so much in numbers, which is definitely not my thing. I did however find the code breaking interesting. I liked the love interest Drake a lot, but I felt like the romance was a bit flat. I think that was a lot because of Margot's personality.

The mystery aspect of the book was ok, but it didn't really keep me on the edge of my seat or anything. The lack of romance and the so-so mystery resulted in me being a bit bored at times. Because this author usually does a really good job keeping me interested, I'm not giving up on this series just yet, but I'm also not thrilled that the next book features a character that I didn't care too much for in this one. Hopefully he has a really good redemption story.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

In The Number of Love, Margot de Wilde solves puzzles for a living – she is one of the few female codebreakers, deciphering German telegrams for hints of their battle plans. Her success in deciphering those complex messages is critical to England’s intelligence network. Then her mother’s death shakes up her world, leaving her alone except for some friends and her work. Can she find her footing again in this new world without her beloved Maman?

Meanwhile Drake Elton, wounded field agent, is recuperating in London, unaware that an enemy followed him home vowing revenge. Attracted to the intelligent but unconventional Margot, who vows not to get involved in a relationship, he knows a regular courtship won’t win her. Drake works on deciphering the Margot he is coming to love. Will they have a future together, once they deal with the enemy pursuing him?

White excels at both character and plot development. Rich in plot twists and historical detail, as well as romance and adventure, The Number of Love is a delight to read. The faith element is evident but not heavy-handed or distracting. The Asian strategy game of Go is a symbol of the plot in the story. Margot engages in the game with a man who plays a pivotal role. Relationships are clean, making the book suitable for adults and older teens. Margot was introduced in White’s earlier book, A Song Unheard, another example of excellent historical fiction readers expect from the author.

Wow. This was a story that I just couldn't get myself to finish in one sitting. I tried and I tried, but I did finish eventually. 

I loved the book. It was just finding the time to devote to reading it that kept me away from finishing. Outside watching the cats to keep them from wandering off. This was our weekend trip and devoting time to reading was limited to travel. But finally, I finished it and want to reread it again in one sitting.

It was rich of details and drama, it had me guessing the direction of the story and each time I ended up wrong. The way it cumulated at the end was a moment of ahhh. In addition, I truly appreciate the epilogue.

Margot De Wilde is the sister of the violinist, the one we met in a previous story when he met his wife, Willa. This story is a new series of codebreakers and I found myself fascinated with how well Roseanna could keep her details and facts together. That in itself is what led me to the amazing conclusion to the book. 

Margot is a codebreaker and faces loss and heartbreak, while at the same time gaining a friend. There is so much within the story that to create a synopsis outside of the one given on the back of the book is hard. But the number 18 is what is echoed throughout the story, and to understand the number, you will have to read the book.

Excellent book by an excellent author. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.

My thoughts on The Number of Love:
I have loved everything I have ever read by Roseanna M. White, and I’ve read everything of hers that I’ve been able to find. They’re marvelous. They are wonderful. You will love them.

Really, I should just go ahead and say go get this book and read it now. You will not want to stop reading. It’s wonderful!

I loved getting to know Margot more. She is someone I can relate to as I’ve always had an affinity for numbers and love solving number puzzles and such. Numbers can also be calming as they are always in a pattern. I can relate to how she sees them everywhere. That is she did see them everywhere until one disaster befell her too many and her life changed forever. And then the numbers stopped. Not the numbers that you see on a page but the numbers inside, the ones that would dance through her head, the voice of God.

As someone who is not Catholic, I don’t have that in common with our main character group in this story, but I could still relate to them on so many levels. It’s all about asking the right questions!

The teaser at the end with who the next Codebreaker book will follow was also a great one. I can’t wait to hear his story and find out what really happened with his pivotal life moment.

WWI is not a time period I am extremely familiar with, especially as it would pertain to those living in England at the time. I knew that they did some horrible things but I never realized that anthrax could possibly have been involved. War is such a different time period. Learning new bits and pieces of history always fascinate me.

Is it asking too much for the next book to be available right now?

Pivotal and key points to me in the story without giving away too much include dealing with grief in a healthy or unhealthy way. We see both in this story. As a nurse and a mental health nurse at that, it is such a great thing to talk about and shed light on. I don’t think that way even on the author’s radar when writing this book but maybe it was. Grief causes us to lose parts of ourselves we didn’t know we needed. It’s how we fill the holes that matter.

Reading is a fun pastime for me. I love that I can escape into a book. The really good books make you a part of the story rather than just a bystander though. This is one of those books. It draws you in and then makes you a character. I related most with Margot. Though I have to admit Drake was also very relatable to me. I really enjoyed meeting his character and learning about him.

Margot turns 18 within the pages of this book. She’s a child forced into adulthood during the war. Although she maintains that she was never truly a child as her mind was never that of a child with her numbers racing through. Life marches on whether we’re ready for it or not and sometimes death comes like a thief with no warning. You’d think during the war she’d be used to that by now.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from JustRead Publicity Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

I loved this book! The characters are wonderful, it is well written, I learned about WWI, and it has suspense and romance. What isn't there to love?

Margot is a woman of numbers. I can't imagine what it would be like to have numbers constantly running through your mind. It makes her a perfect code breaker. Everyday she works on breaking the code on intercepted German intelligence. She is a loner and keeps up emotional walls. It is hard for someone to get inside and when they do, they become someone she treasures. An example is Dot. Dot has her own issues that make it hard to navigate in society. She is an anxious person who has a hard time going outside of her front door. The women understand each other and are amazing friends.

Dot has a handsome brother, Drake, who is a spy. He is working in Spain against the Germans. I loved his adventures. When he is injured and returns home to recover, he and Margot make a formidable team.

This book kept me fascinated from cover to cover. As I stated above, I loved everything about it. I look forward to reading more from this series. This book is Christian fiction, contains non-graphic violence, and sweet romance.

I enjoyed the characters and the historical background of this story. World Wars always has fascinating me. Plus this story was written surrounding London and I personally know these places by heart as Westminster is one of my favourite places to meet God.

The story was fast-paced and I missed the interaction between the two main characters. I would love loved to see their relationship blooms. That was my missing and wished it was developed.

I will definitely pick another book from this author.

loved this book. Highly recommend. Great character development. Interesting story. Didn't want it to end.

This was one of my most anticipated reads for 2019, so I was thrilled to receive my copy of The Number of Love! Those who have read Roseanna's previous series, Shadows over England will especially appreciate this book, since it stars Lukas De Wilde's (A Song Unheard) sister, who has used her unique intelligence to work as a codebreaker for England. (by the way, I highly recommend all of Roseanna's other books, but your don't have to read her other series to enjoy the characters in this one!)
I loved getting to know Margot as the heroine, and thought that Roseanna did a phenomenal job of bringing this young genius and her top secret work to life. A young woman who has lost a lot during the pre-war and war days, she also has a way of processing that is entirely her own, making it hard for new people to get close to her. I love the variety that Drake and his sister add to Margot's life! This is a story worth picking up, since the characters are well written and the history is fascinating. This book has all the elements I enjoy: history, a lovely romance, and thought provoking questions, along with a suspenseful plot. This book needs to go on your summer reading list!
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review and is in no way influenced by receiving a complimentary copy.

I’m late in the game of getting to this popular new novel by Roseanna White, but it was very worth the time it took me to get it to the top of my TBR pile. I love the fact that there are more novels coming out about WWI. What an unusual heroine! The way her mind worked boggled my own, and I credit Ms. White for the mounds of research she must have done to bring Margot De Wilde and the code breakers to life. I really liked the hero. I found him dashing and dangerous, yet real. I do admit that it took me a little longer to attach to Margot. At first, I had trouble keeping her and another character’s personalities separated. But with time, the differences between them became clearer, and I liked the way they brought out one another’s strengths and weaknesses. As far as spy novels and novels of intrigue go, it kept me worrying, as it should. This was a well-written novel about an aspect of the WWI I knew very little about.

Roseanna M. White has become one of my go-to authors since her Ladies of the Manor series debuted 4 years ago. It turned out to the first of 3 series set in Edwardian England.

The Number of Love, the first novel in her new Codebreakers series has been one of my favourite yet. There’s Romance, intrigue, unlikely heroes, witty banter, a train escape scene, and espionage galore.. Yeah, it’s about people breaking German codes so there's gonna be espionage.

It’s absolutely fascinating to learn that there were people doing this for the British Admiralty in the Great War: everyone has heard of the work of the women and men at Bletchley Park in WW2, but I had no idea that kind of thing was happening over 20 years before.
That's one of the other things I RMW's work, is how she works interesting and unusual historical details into the story.

The book is meticulously researched, and the characters brilliant. Margot de Wilde first appeared in the second novel of the last series as a Mathematical child genius who deserved her own story. Margot also happened to be autistic, so whilst she can do calculations and crack codes in minutes, she has problems with emotions, feelings and interacting with others. I appreciated having a woman with learning differences as a heroine as too many protagonists in fiction are perfect and good looking.

Drake Elton was a marvellously chivalrous and heroic leading man: but he also had a strong conscience, and even during war, did not seek to kill unnecessarily. He respects Margot's intelligence and choices, but also wants to help her understand that feelings and love are not something to be feared: nor will they necessarily spoil her dreams.

It was also great to see characters from earlier novels playing a role in the novel: including Brook and her father from the first series.
My only real complaint is I felt bad guy became obvious and a little sloppy in his schemes towards the end. After all that build up, it was a bit disappointing and felt rushed.

Other than that, however, this story was an almost perfect read for me. I look forward to the next one in the series.

I requested this from the Publisher via Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

Personal Rating: 4.56 Start Rating: 4/5

I love math. My dad loved it and I inherited his desire to be great at it. When I saw the title and read the summary of this book, I knew I had to read it. The Number of Love is my first Roseanna M. White book and I was fortunate to discover it as it's the beginning of her new series, The Codebreakers. You'll have a hard time putting down this character-driven book.

Set in England during WWI, historical detail adds richness to an already intriguing story line. Our main character, Margot De Wilde, is brilliant at Math and she dedicates her time as a cryptographer to decipher intercepted German messages. It's no easy task when others want you dead. Margot is strong-willed and determined in the face of danger. She has no time to be frivolous with romance because she knows that others depend upon her skills as a matter of life and death. In a world of drama, enemies, and espionage a story of teamwork, selflessness and honor is built. It's a story that leaves you wanting the next book. The Number of Love is highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley. All Opinions expressed are my own.

The Number of Love was written by Roseanna M. White and is the first book in the Codebreakers series.
Summary: Margot De Wilde has a unique mind for numbers, making her perfect at her job-cracking codes and deciphering intercepted German telegrams for the English military.
But when life takes a devastating turn, her fascination with numbers might not be enough to sustain her outside her work. Can she find a way to relate to the real world-and still solve a German mystery that could save those she cares about?
My Thoughts: I always enjoy Roseanna White’s ability to interweave actual historical events within intricate plot lines that grab my attention and just don’t let go-making her one of my all-time favorite authors.
This book was no exception. The storyline was fascinating, the characters were flawed and yet so relatable, and I was completely engaged.
I am looking forward to the next one, and I would definitely recommend this book!
Note: This book does contain characters from the Shadows Over England series, but it is not necessary to have read those books to enjoy this one.
As always, I would like to thank Bethany House for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for my review.

When the protagonist is a mathematical genius and also happens to be female, I have to read the book. I love to read historical fiction that correctly depicts the effect women had during war, especially when they were awesome code breakers and it was obvious the author did her research. I felt the book was historically accurate and I loved all the details throughout the book.

Margot was one of those characters you'll love and her relationship with her family was inspiring. While she starts the book as quite the loner, it was nice to see her grow and develop friendships. I found the plot to be paced perfectly and I had a hard time putting this one down. I highly recommend this book and I can't wait to read another book by this author.

The Number of Love is the first book in the Codebreakers series by Roseanna M. White. Margot de Wilde serves as a codebreaker in Room 40, and her keen mathematical sense aids the Allied effort. Her life is turned upside down with the death of her mother, and she is forced to train Drake Elton, who had assigned to Room 40 after serving abroad in World War I. With a German spy to foil, White has once again created an engaging novel filled with twists and turns and romance interspersed between the pages. Fans will see a few familiar faces appear throughout the story. If you have seen Bletchley Circle, see its predecessor with Room 40 during WWI.

This is a great historical fiction book. The historical setting adds richness and depth to the story. I enjoyed learning more about the code breakers of World War I. I loved the quirky Margot DeWilde, with the way that her brain works and her new friend Dot. I enjoyed how Drake meets her on her level and learns how to communicate effectively with her. It is a sweet romance with interesting characters and an educational and entertaining historical setting. I would absolutely recommend this book and am excited that I have a couple others by Roseanna M. White on my To Read shelf!!.

I'm intrigued when the main character has an unusual process of thinking and the author successfully draws me into their mind. Two of my favorite examples are Pimpernel by Sheralyn Pratt and The Unlikely Master Genius by Carla Kelly. The Number of Love is now added to that list! Margot's mathematical intellect bleeds into her spirituality and emotions, and I was fascinated by the idea that she received her personal revelations and inspiration through the types of numbers that run through her head. She's pragmatic, but also caring and compassionate. I enjoyed the variety of facets to her personality and the way she developed with her new relationships with her friend Dot and romantic interest Drake. I appreciated Drake's realization that he needed to court Margot in a way that she would be open to receiving, and his creativity and gentle determination in reaching out to her and waking up her responses. Propelling the pace of the story is the wartime setting, the codebreaking, the secret agent activities, and the danger on the homefront. I was captivated throughout the entire book and felt it had a good balance of suspense, personal reflection, and relationships. I can't wait for the next book!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

This was absolutely amazing. Roseanna writes in such an incredibly rich and gorgeous style and it was such a treat to read another one of her books. 😍 RTC.

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Number of Love by Roseanna M. White was such an incredible read! Every time I finish one of White's books my respect for her grows bigger and bigger. She writes with such fluidity and experience; you can really tell that she did her research, and I adore how incredibly rich and full each of her chapters are. White's books are really a treat to read!

After reading A Song Unheard featuring Lukas DeWilde and loving the glimpse of Margot in there, I especially loved how Number of Love dove into Margot's story and her talent + innate ability to dissect numbers and math, and I feel like the author explained her personality really well. The other main characters, Drake and Dot, had such beautifully vibrant and rich personalities ; especially Dot and her reserved self. I definitely found myself connecting to Margot and Dot and I also loved their friendship (as well as Drake and Margot's romance)! The plot was the only thing I felt was somewhat average compared to other books of similar genres -- though that's not a bad thing. I just can't find anything particularly spectacular to mention of it. xD

Overall, amazing book! Such great content in there and I loved how each of the characters really learned to trust and lean on God! I would definitely and highly recommend this book to anyone and especially lovers of historical fiction. 5 stars!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.

I loved this book!

I usually don't read WWI or WWII books as they don't interest me enough, but I surprisingly gave this one a try since I do love to read about spies and intrigue, and loved it!

The heroine, Margot, works for the London Spy network during the Great War. Every day she has to crack the german's code. She meets a handsome lieutenant, Drake when he drops off his sister at her first day of work. Unbeknowest to Margot, he's an agent, Agent Eighteen. He uses his Spanish connection and heritage to find and beat the German's and persuade neutral Spain over to the English.

Tragedy hits both Drake and Margot at the same time worlds apart and are thrown together to crack the German code and win the war.

Both characters were fleshed out and relatable, but unique in their characteristics. Margot hears, sees and thinks in numbers, Fibonacci, quadratic equations ect. God talks to her through numbers usually, until suddenly he doesn't. Her journey back to a loving God and learning to trust by faith and not just by numbers was a great theme.

I also enjoyed Drake. He was handsome, suave, but really cared about Margot. He didn't push her to get married, he let her make her own decisions. He himself had to have patience and understanding.

What really stood out was use of side characters. No person was introduced who wasn't important either then or later in the story. There were no one off characters given a name and then forgotten, never to return.

The grammar, language, and historical setting were, for my knowledge and understanding, very accurate. I enjoyed learning about the spying during the great war.

Overall, an awesome read that I consumed in about a day. The beginning was slightly slow but picked up fairly quickly.

White's characters are deliciously complex and her plot delightfully unexpected for an intellectually and emotionally satisfying reading experience. Historical aspects of the story fascinated my mind while intimate details of each character's life captivated my heart!

Margot's uniqueness makes her an especially endearing character. In addition to her mathematical genius, she is a genuine young woman with vulnerabilities. Drake's intelligence, bravery, and persistence in not only serving his country but also wooing a reluctant young lady are just the beginning of his long list of admirable character traits.

Fans of White's previous series, Shadows Over England, will be just as pleased with this first installment of The Codebreakers series including its occasional cameos by beloved characters. The Number of Love is Margot's chance to shine as the heroine of her own story and shine she does!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was under no obligation to post a review. The opinions expressed are my own.

The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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Story Notes

Roseanna M. White introduces her new Codebreakers series to readers with a story that keeps up the suspense until the very last chapters and leaves readers hoping the next book will be out soon.

I’m not usually a fan of WWI based books but as this one was focused more on the intelligence part of the war effort, I was hopeful that I would like it. I was not disappointed in the story or the characters although there was some overly drawn out instances that could have been shorted. They were few though so I was otherwise pleased with the story. It begins with Margot De Wilde, a code breaker in the war department of London, who enjoys the challenge of deciphering the latest codes invented by the Axis powers to hide information of their efforts. But her happy world is about to be upended with the sudden death of her mother. Struggling to find peace and purpose again, Margot retreats into her world of numbers, using them to center her once again. Drake Elton is a war spy seeking out answers in his grandfather’s country of Spain. When a mission ends successfully but with him injured, he returns to England to recover. Happy to have a chance to get to know the enigmatic Margot better, Drake determines to find out what makes her mind tick. She has somehow managed to help his homebody sister find a job at the war office and is helping her break out of her introverted shell. But danger is closer than any of them think and with an important code still unbroken, all the agents in the field are on alert for ambush. Drake and Margot work together to figure it all out and are surprised at the relationship that begins to grow between them. But both must decide if they want to take a chance on love or if they want to go life alone. Margot is hurting from the many losses in her life and Drake is trying to decide how to tell those closest to him about his missions without compromising them. But for the sake of their friends they will have to lay aside the past and solve the puzzle before many people lose their lives. It’s always hard to tell enough about a story but not reveal the most important parts. I really enjoyed getting to know Margot, Drake and the many other characters of this story as they were very realistically written. I was given a different look at the war effort and how necessary the code breakers of that time were. This was before any computers or digitizing so they really had to work hard to solve the encryption. The romantic journey and the spiritual journey of each of these main characters was well done and will be appreciated by readers. There was just enough of both without either of them taking over the story. I will certainly be recommending this story to others as I believe that they will enjoy it immensely. I’m hopeful the next in the series will be coming out soon and I’m curious to see who will be the focus of it.

I received this E-book free of charge from Bethany House Publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.

"The Number of Love " by Rosanna White is an historical fiction book. It takes place during World War 1. The Intelligence Network helped to decipher the German's codes during the war. Those workers were very important. Margot DeWilde enjoyed being a code breaker and worked in Secretive Room 40. Drake Elton came home from the war and was wounded. He is taken with Margot. They are faced with one conflict after another. Will Margot and Drake survive it all? This book gives some good insights about the secret intelligence and other challenges during World War I. The book is well written. Thank you to the publisher and author for allowing me to read and review this book. I am not obligated to give a positive review. I am posting my review on : Amazon, Goodreads, facebook, my blog, CBD.com ,for church staff.,netgalley.

9, 18, 27, 36, 45, 54 or 6, 12, 18, 24 or 14, 28, 42, 56, all these numbers float through Margot's head as she looks at life. She is a codebreaker during the Great War and loves the challenge of figuring out the intercepted messages from Germany. But she keeps hearing the number 18 in her head and is not sure what it means, but she feels compelled to pray.

We all know what that was about right? Agent 18, Drake Elton, young, eligible and available. Need I say more?

But the story is good. Margot doesn't know how to have friends because her knowledge base is so far above other girls her own age that their conversation bores her and she is almost repulsed by the social manners and the niceties of her day. While she is a codebreaker, Drake is an information gatherer in the neutral country of Spain until an accident sends him home to recover. So yes, it's a romance and yet it's also a story of friendship between Margot and Dot, Drake's sister, and a story of courage in facing a scary world.

The mathematics and code-breaking part went way above my head and I have a hard time even fathoming how anyone can do that kind of math, but otherwise the story was intriguing and based loosely on historical facts.

I received this book through NetGalley and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I studied Spanish linguistics in grad school and loved his name for her in this book. I also loved all the codebreaking. I don't have a mathematical mind, but the word part intrigued me!

This book had a little bit of everything. Love, action, adventure, rescues, friendship, flirting, history, war, and family. I especially loved the espionage!

I received an advanced copy from the publisher through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Anyone into Christian fiction? I usually don't check out this particular genre, but thanks to Netgalley, I had the opportunity to read "The Number of Love" by Roseanna M. White. I enjoyed this book because it was different. Despite a genre that often feels cheesy to me, this book had an intriguing plot line that kept me interested and seemed more realistic.

"The Number of Love" follows the story of Margot De Wilde and Drake Elton during The Great War. Margot and Drake both play significant roles in both the war and in each other's lives. Ultimately, both characters feel the pull between duty and calling, as well as the struggle to remain christian when times are trying.

One thing I really loved about this book is Margot. She seemed like a different character from what I usually read. I'm all for intelligent protagonist women, but Margot takes this to a whole new level. Margot thinks in patterns and numbers, a world that is completely foreign to me. Initially, I didn't like Margot, because so much of her thinking seems superior, but as we peel back the layers of her personality, I grew to really enjoy her.

One criticism I would have for this book is that it doesn't always seem like the characters make real choices. Sometimes it was easy to predict what they would do simply because they would always end up picking the "right" thing to do. That leads to a message really hitting home, but doesn't reflect real life where choices often become more difficult than that.

All in all, I really enjoyed this book. It was one of the best Christian fiction books I've read in a while.

A few months ago, I read The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White. It is book #1 in White’s new series The Codebreakers. However, it like a continuation of White’s book series Shadows Over England, also set during World War I. There were only three books in the Shadows Over England series (A Name Unknown, A Song Unheard, and An Hour Unspent), and I really wish there had been more books in that series. Oh well. So the next best thing is a continuation of the series in a new one, with some of the same characters still.

We were introduced to Margot de Wilde, the younger sister of Lukas de Wilde, in A Song Unheard. Lukas, a world-renowned violinist, had to flee war-torn Belgium, and while in England falls in love with amateur violinist and professional thief Willa Forsythe. At the end of A Song Unheard, Lukas’s mother and his sister Margot are rescued from Belgium and go to live in England.

Margot is a child-genius and has been learning the craft of codebreaking since she was a very small child. England is desperate to win the war, and now that she’s a teenager, and she is brought to work in the secretive Room 40 in London, helping to crack codes intercepted from the enemy.

A new secretary starts working at British headquarters, and Margot and she become friends. When Margot’s mother unexpectedly and tragically dies of (supposed) influenza, Margot leans more heavily on her friend, even though she previously did not have many friends her own age, and especially not in her new homeland of England. When Margot meets her new friend’s dashing brother Drake Elton (recently returned wounded from the field), she is unprepared for the feelings that start to rise within her.

But there is more to Drake Elton than meets the eye. Eventually Margot discovers that he is not a soldier and wasn’t wounded in battle, but rather a spy for the British Crown. And he was wounded by his “opposite number” - a dangerous German spy.

Margot’s feelings for Drake Elton get further complicated as the story goes on. And when the supposed German spy shows up in England, things get complicated even faster!

I won’t say more, but this was a very good book. I prefer the Shadows Over England series, but this is still very good as well. It was definitely a darker book with the death of Margot’s mother and Margot’s struggles after that. There was also violence as it related to Drake Elton’s espionage activities for the British Crown and his interactions with his opposite number. For that reason, I would not recommend this book for young children or even young teenagers.

I would HIGHLY recommend that you read the Shadows Over England series (in order) before reading this book! It will make a lot more sense to you!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House (via Netgalley) for this review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

Math Mystic and Majesty


I love mystery, intrigue, and when people are willing to sacrifice for the things they believe in. It is why I love these books. I am always amazed at the level of historical detail in Rosanna's books.
. Brook from the Lost Heiress makes an appearance. The Lost Heiress is the first of Shadow’s Over England. It takes place in England. Her spy books are from the United States during war time where men and women sacrificed for that which the love of family and country. Which is the common heart in all of her books.

Margot De While was first introduced in A Song Unheard from the Shadows over England series, Margot is a strong woman that has experienced hard times and lived with fear in German occupied belgium. The Number of Love by Rosenna White is Margot’s story. Margot is living in war torn London and most of the people she knows have left the city. Margot has a great gift that is useful for England's government. ,She is a part of a secret spy office and her job is to decrypt German messages that have been intercepted. .Margot finds her place in the secret office.
As she uses her gift that God has given her Margot views life in the form of numbers. God guides her with numbers as she seeks His will in every decision. She feels an urging to pray for some of the secret agents as she decodes their reports. It made me think about the things around me that God may urging that I need to pay attention to. Who does God want me praying for? I am not a math person, but I really enjoyed seeing the vast strength of the universe with the rules of numbers, I was cheering Margot on as she is the very picture separation between men and women in a time when women were not valued for their brains . Yet she knows that God has given her purpose. Sometimes she struggles with that purpose and loses sight.
It makes me examine some of my actions, I question myself am I putting too much of me in the gifts and purpose that God has given me. `` I am encouraged by the fact that sometimes we may lose sight of God but He never loses sight of me.
God loves us. Check
Mystery check
Mystery intrigue and secret spy stuff
Good wins over evil check

The Number of Love
by Roseanna M. White

Bethany House

Bethany House Publishers

Christian


Pub Date 04 Jun 2019


I am reviewing a copy of The Number of Love through Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley:



The Number of Love will transport you three years into the Great War taking you on a journey back to 1917 where we meet England’s greatest assets, their intelligence workers, threes field agents risk their lives to gather information, and the code breakers are able to crack every German Telegram. One that thrives in the secret environment of Room 40 is Margot De Wilde, she spends her time in that room deciphering intercepted messages. But afrer her world is turned upside down by her Mothers Murder, she finds for the first time in her life numbers aren't enough.


After Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, an enemy that just won’t give up, is following him. He also finds that he has become quickly smitten by the intelligent Margot, but he does not know how to begin convincing Margot who lives entirely in her mind, that sometimes you need to seek the answers with your heart.



Amidst the biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them but those that they love Margot and Drake find themselves having to Work together to save themselves from the same secrets that brought them both together.

If you love clean historical romance with a dose of adventure and intrigue then The Number of Love is just the ticket.



I give The Number of Love five out of five stars, happy reading!

I was so excited to read Margot's story! The reader is first introduced to Margot in the book, A Song Unheard, which is the second book in another series called Shadows Over England. I would definitely suggest reading that series prior to this one to fill in Margot's back story. Margot is such a fun, unusual character. Her quick wit, humor, spunk and fire made me smile. I love how she thinks in numbers about everything, and I enjoyed watching her character grow throughout the story. The historical aspects of this book were great. It was fun to read about Room 40 and to imagine what it would of been like to work there, especially for a woman. This story is filled with suspense and mystery as they try to solve the puzzle and decode the German messages in time.
I think the book was a great read and would definitely recommend it!

***I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to give a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Honestly, I will read anything Roseanna White publishes, so when The Number of Love became available I was quick to snatch it up. And for not understanding one bit how numbers played a part in Margot’s life, I was delighted with the story.

Margot has a rather complex way of looking at life. Personally, I hate numbers. I was never good in math and to this day cannot keep a balanced checkbook. But the way Rosanna White depicted this character’s quirky ways made numbers more interesting. Not so interesting that I am going to take up becoming a mathematician, but interesting enough to keep my attention all the way through.

I found Margot to be a very guarded character. She has a very specific way of looking at her life as it is constructed with guidelines that she is set up for herself. As with numbers, everything has its place and time. The idea of something new happening seems to put her on edge. I will say that she has quite a cast of characters around her that love her despite how guarded she keeps her self.

There is one aspect of this character that I can relate to. When someone close to her is no longer there, the numbers that she once saw, as a warning or as confirmation that something is OK, leaves. Her ability to gauge people and events through numbers becomes difficult. I could relate to that struggle as that is how it is with music for me. Music is a constant thing running through my mind but after losing two people recently, the music is a struggle to hear. Like Margot, Praying ceases to come easily when grieving and is required to become a conscious effort. I won’t tell you if prayer returns the numbers for her but I know it returned the music for me.

The Number of Love is also has a mystery or two waiting to be solved. Being that it takes place during the great war, also known as World War I, I was intrigued with the Discovery of the various cases that the characters must solve. As a codebreaker, Margot’s job exposes her to the background workings of the Royal Navy and other military branches. While she thinks she is making a discovery in one area, something in the shadows lurks close by. It is more than just Drake’s desire to make a life with her and for her to love him in return. (I love how he gets her attention.)

** The Number of Love was provided by the publisher through CelebrateLit. This review is purely my own thoughts.

I loved Margot so much! Her brain works differently than most people's, with numbers running through her mind to signify different things. She had no interest in anything but her work as a codebreaker until she meets Dot, a new secretary who suffers from anxiety. God clearly tells Margot to befriend Dot, and they soon become fast friends. Margot's friendship with Dot leads her to Dot's brother Drake.

I loved the connection between Drake and Margot (you'll have to read the novel to see just how great it is), and I thought Margot's life and work was fascinating. While there's obviously romance in this novel, what really had me flying through the pages were the relationships between characters. White has written some excellent characters (with real life problems) in this book—anyone with any sort of role in the story has something intriguing about him or her. And I especially loved Margot's relationship with the book's antagonist—it was beautiful and unexpected.

This book has romance, intrigue, and friendship, all set in the backdrop of World War I, and it's such a satisfying read!

Roseanna M. White has written another fantastic story in her WWI novel about the London codebreakers in Room 40 who are responsible for decoding German telegrams that cross their paths. From page one readers will be drawn to the intriguing plot and characters within, especially the woman and strong female lead Margot de Wilde a Belgian young woman circulating in a male dominated environment. White has crafted a beautiful historical novel with details that have obviously been well researched, drawing readers more fully into the tale. A powerful, intriguing, and captivating story, readers will not want to miss the excellent first story in the Codebreakers series.

Series: Codebreakers
Genre: historical, WWI, romance
Publisher: Bethany House
Publication date: June 4, 2019
Number of pages: 370

Other books in the series:
2-On Wings of Devotion (coming 2020)

LOVED this book! The characters are so well developed that they seem like friends and the plot is intricately weaved and expertly crafted. Perfect amounts of historical romance, high tension and biblical perspective.

Every time Roseanna White releases a new book, I cannot wait to read it. She is one of those authors that delivers every.single.time. There are some books that are just a good read, and then there are those that leave you mulling certain aspects, delving into new subjects, and so completely satisfied.

The Number of Love follows a young codebreaker, Margot De Wilde, as she works to decipher the enemy’s messages. Margot sees the world through an interesting lens – numbers. Through her secretive work she meets “18” – a young man who quickly falls for her quirks and sees the heart of the girl behind the numbers. Together the delve into breaking a crucial code that will save many lives, but not before their own, and the lives of many they love, are threatened. White offers a peek into another aspect of WW1 and the role many men and women played in helping foil the enemy’s plans by using their own codes against them.
While this book goes hand-in-hand with a previous series by White, it can be read independently without the reader missing a beat. There aren’t many series I feel that can be said about, but after reading you will likely want to read her other books. Another great read and one that I highly recommend.

I requested The Number of Love on a whim. I liked the description, but I'm not typically big into spy books or this time period. But something about it drew me in. I ended up putting off reading it because of this. But I'm glad that I ended up reading it when I did.

Sometimes I struggle with characters and people who base so much of their beliefs on science. But I suppose I've never encountered a character that did the same with math. And you know what? I actually ended up liking Margot because of her relationship with math. I also appreciated her relationship with God which involved math as well. It's just how she thinks and processes information.

I loved Drake as well. His understanding of Margot and how her brain works was the most endearing trait. The side characters were bright and complex. I appreciated each one and what they each brought to the story.

I certainly didn't predict each piece of this story which is a good thing. The Number of Love does have a love story, but it took a while to get going and I often thought that piece wasn't the focus of the story. The Number of Love gets 4 Stars even if I don't feel like my review is showing off it's merits as well as I'd like. I enjoyed the romance and the unique way Margot sees the world. Have you read The Number of Love? What did you think? Let me know!

Can You Think, Pray, and Love in Numbers?
Sometimes you read a book that instantly climbs its way to the top of your favorite books of the year. The Number of Love is that book for this year.

To be fair, I expected it. When you have a young woman with a unique perspective on life, a war that needs to be won, and characters weaving in and out of those two facts, you have a winner of a book idea.

Add to that a writer who knows how to pull you into a story and hold you as a prisoner of the war for your time—it just doesn’t get any better than that.

I’ve not yet read a book by Roseanna M. White that I didn’t love. Part of me thinks (not just hopes) that this will never happen. I think it’s because Ms. White knows that beautiful, delicate balance of all the elements of a book. She has scales with multiple pans and manages to keep each element—description, faith, character, plot, twists, herrings (all of it)—in perfect balance.

In The Number of Love, that balance shows even stronger than ever, because of how carefully Ms. White layers her elements. With each peel of the page, we uncover the beautiful story until it it unfolds before us—a perfect rose in bloom.

My two favorite elements?
Faith. In this book, the characters are Catholic—but not stereotypical “book Catholics” as you often see in fiction. There aren’t a few nods to what people think of as Catholic and then prescripted prayer bytes dumped here and there. These Catholics show the deep faith in Jesus that the Catholics in my world exhibit. No, I am not a Catholic. Just had to drop that there.

I don’t remember once a reference to Mary—only to the Lord. And you know what? Very rarely do my Catholic friends reference Mary in their discussions of faith. What may seem “off” to non-Catholics who are accustomed to the stereotypical is actually very accurate in current-day reality.

Is it historically accurate? I have no idea. What it is, however, is encouraging, Scriptural, and beautiful. Roseanna M. White dug deep into the heart and the soul of the young woman “the Lord created” (work with me here) and sought how He would encourage her. He “spoke” her language—nudged her in ways that He does every one of us… but translated to be how she could “hear” Him.

All without me feeling like she added to Scripture. Brilliantly done.

Characters.
Each character in this book stands strong—even in weakness. Margot is herself. Always. Even when things go wrong and unsettle and dismay her, she’s strong and consistent. Her uncertainties appear where they should. The same goes for her strengths.

Drake brings stability into an unstable world and then has to provide that without his usual physical strength. As a result, we see vulnerabilities that might otherwise have gone unnoticed. Additionally, his sister and her personal issues prepared him for dealing with Margot’s peculiarities.

The villain, Drake’s and Margot’s friends… even the neighbors and coworkers all add to the plot rather than take up space in it. This is brilliant writing. I’m taking notes.

And one final bonus coolness.
Not until I went to write this review did I realize that Drake has what is almost “insta-love.” It isn’t. Not really. But he’s immediately attracted, and his mind goes to “happily-ever-after” much sooner than most might expect.

This works within the story because of how Ms. White addresses it. She uses the war, characters’ personalities, circumstance, and the careful, brilliant use of words to craft a scenario so plausible that it would have seemed less real if she hadn’t done as she did.

The Number of Love is a perfect blend of everything that a historical novel should be and written with a delicate hand so that even contemporary lovers couldn’t help but be drawn in and held captive among the beautiful world White created among the horrors of London in 1917.

Recommended for anyone who loves good writing, great storytelling, and characters who will never leave your heart.

Oh, and can you eat, think, and pray in numbers? Well, I don’t know about you, and I do know I can’t, but Margot? Definitely.

I devoured this in little more than one sitting. Ms. White had me hooked from page one. Such a fascinating view into women codebreakers and a swoony love story to boot!