The Number of Love

The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White is the first book in her Codebreakers series. World War 2 has always interested me. So, a story about a female codebreaker during that time in history was a must read. Ms. White did not disappoint. She wove such a wonderful story along with facts, and history that I couldn’t put the book down until it was completely read. Margot De Wilde loves numbers; they speak to her as a friend. She is recruited to help the Admiralty in Room 40 as a codebreaker. There she meets Drake Elton, an agent in the field. Together they must solve the hardest puzzle of their life. The way Drake was able to empathize with Margot was great. He didn’t try to change her, he just loved her and encouraged her to be herself. No pressure, just take all the time she needed. I don’t know how Ms. White was able to write such an outstanding book about numbers. I would never have been able to keep it all straight. This story has everything you could want for in a fiction story – London, spies, suspense, intrigue and of course a sweet romance. I can’t wait for the next book! I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.

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.

I will admit, I had mixed feelings as I opened this beautiful book and let my eyes wander through the delightful maze of words printed onto the pages. I was excited to finally read Margot's story, to peek inside her mind once again and uncover the heart buried underneath all the numbers and logical thoughts. But in a way, I was almost afraid. Think a soldier going to battle. Proud to be fighting for his country, but doubting that he may make it through the day. I expected, to be honest, for the character Drake Elton to be exactly what he was: caring, kind, perfect big brother material. And bland. With basically no personality that would differentiate him from some of White's other characters, such as Thaddeus Lane from Whispers From the Shadows. Overall, he was a good character. But if I were asked what Drake would've done in a certain situation, I couldn't have replied. Because I didn't get to know him well enough. Because I couldn't see past the silver-blue eyes to his heart. Unlike Margot. Who, though I loved immensely, as I knew I would, did bother me at times with her feminist attitude. As usual, White's prose is perfect--fast-paced in the quick moments of action, emotional in the tough times, tense in the situations that were as intense as the war that raged around them. There was such emotion in Margot's viewpoint, in her mind and the heart she denies having, that I cried with her and for her at times. All in all, I would recommend The Number of Love to those who have read Roseanna M. White's Shadows Over England series, the Ladies of the Manor series, or anyone searching for a suspenseful, intriguing tale of love and loss during the first World War. Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review.