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 … the first time in her life numbers aren’t enough.
Drake Elton returns wounded from the field, followed by an enemy who just won’t give up. He’s smitten quickly by the intelligent Margot, but how can he convince a girl who lives entirely in her mind that sometimes life’s answers lie in the heart?
Amid biological warfare, encrypted letters, and a German spy who wants to destroy not just them but others they love, Margot and Drake will have to work together to save themselves from the very secrets that brought them together.
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“The numbers marched across the page in a glory all their own.”
Margot De Wilde stays quite busy using her prodigious mathematical prowess to aid England’s intelligence network at its highest level; in short, Margot is a codebreaker. She would rather calculate the number of bricks used to construct a building, than bat her eyes in flirtation; thus keeping her male counterparts in Room 40 at a comfortable distance. That is until one day, when Lieutenant Drake Elton barged into her private conversation of numbers and popped just the right question, “Have you a name?”
Drake Elton cannot forget the girl without a name, whose dark eyes pervade his memory through-out the hours of his dangerous days and nights. When his own service as an intelligence agent is interrupted by a life threatening injury, Drake returns home to England to recuperate and discovers the enigmatic Margot De Wilde once again; this time at the side of his hospital bed, in the shadow of his beloved sister. Unfortunately, all is not fair in love and war as pundits would have us to believe, for there are some puzzles that seem impossible to solve, or perhaps it’s just a matter of asking the right question.
“Three, nine, twenty-seven, eighty-one . . . Eighteen. Eighteen. Eighteen.” The number of love.
Outstanding hardly seems adequate to describe the manner in which Roseanna White has brought these characters to life!
I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
I truly loved getting to know Margot and Drake in this book. It’s the first in a series, although Margot was introduced in a previous series, Shadows Over England.
I loved Margot’s personality and her strength. But I also loved reading about her weaknesses, her imperfections and struggles. Drake is introduced very early on, but we get to know the characters as individuals before knowing them as anything else.
Roseanna White knows just how to write character’s spiritual journeys in a way that doesn’t seem forced or fake. She does a great job with writing Historical Fiction that inspires you to learn about new things (Go) and adopt new things as favorites (18). I am ready for the next book in this series already!!
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.
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.
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.
Roseanna White’s ability as a master storyteller rises to new heights, starting a new series off with a big bang!
I absolutely loved Margot’s story! White never fails to populate her stories with endearing characters. Her stellar attention to historical detail and skillful plotting make it difficult to put the book down when real life calls.
Margot faces an unexpected loss and finds solace in her work as a codebreaker in England’s Room 40. Drake Elton is recovering from wounds he attained on the field. Margot’s friendship with his sister bring the two together. They find that they will need to work together to solve the biggest puzzle yet. This story of spies and espionage is filled with plenty of witty banter and romance. Most importantly, the reader can always count on Ms. White to weave in a spiritual thread that is timeless.
A few of my favorite quotes:
“Sometimes God let people die. Let His children break. And then pieced them back together into something new. Something that He could use for His glory instead of theirs.”
“We’re never restored fully, whole again, after we lose someone. We just learn to go on with the pieces missing.”
“..faith isn’t just feeling. We have to know He’s still there, unchanged, even when we can’t feel Him.”
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed 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.)
(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 story opens up in the fall of 1917. Margot has been with room 40 for 3 years now, still loves her challenging work, and hopes the war will be over soon. Drake meets Margot while trying to secure a job for his sister, Dot, before he goes out on assignment again. Just like the Shadows Over England series, which pulled us in to the beginning of the war, this story puts us in the trenches of the codebreaking and agents in the field. As the story continues we meet Red, Camden, Abuelo and a few others. Fascinating learning about the role of codebreakers in this time, as well as agents who put themselves at risk intercepting communications. Margot is a great and brilliant heroine. Drake is someone who knows how to ask the right questions and be patient enough to wait, no matter the assignment or task. This author does a wonderful job in bringing WWI to our hearts through characters that reach out to us and invite us into their lives. Fast paced, page turning story that I didn’t want to end. Looking forward to the next one and where it will take us.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Bethany House. A review was not required and all thoughts and opinions 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. So any books having to do with this subject are on my radar. 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 truly one of the finest authors of historical fiction. Roseanna M White is on my must-read author list. I really enjoyed Margot’s story, and seeing some favorite characters from the Shadows Over England series make an appearance in The Number of Love, was a bonus! I highly recommend this story, and I cannot wait for number two in the series. I received an early copy and all opinions are my own.
I’ve loved Roseanna M. White’s characters in each one of her books. I think, however, that Margot might be my favorite character of all. Margot is an unusual heroine. She has a genius-level intellect. Her obsession with mathematics and numbers leads to her looking at the world from a different viewpoint from most of us. She’s somewhat socially awkward which makes her even more endearing. It was fun watching her develop a romance with Drake and discovering that she did indeed have feelings as well as logic and could fall in love. Drake won my heart when he started courting Margot in a way that helped her see how much he valued her unique gifts.
There’s mystery, suspense, and tension that builds all throughout this story. As both Drake and Margot race towards danger to save their friend and thwart an attack on London, I could hardly turn pages quickly enough. Don’t miss the author’s notes about her research for this story. I found the history behind the real code breakers fascinating. I also appreciated the faith aspect of this story. Both Drake and Margot find that even when circumstances are desperate and hard to understand, God is always there in time of need, waiting for His children to turn to Him for help.
This is such an intriguing and inspirational story. If you enjoy Christian historical fiction, you’ll love this one.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I don’t read book blurb’s for authors that I love. I don’t need to because I know I’m going to totally enjoy the book. What a thrill it was to find that some of the characters I fell in love with from her previous series, were in this series!! One of them is the main character.
This book grabs the readers attention right from the start. I connected with Margot in some respects. I’m not emotional, and I don’t run my life based on them. I even get confused by my own emotional reaction when they occur so this was a rare chance for me to relate to the female lead. Margo’s character is incredibly well done, and who couldn’t like Drake. He sought her through what she loved…
Books set in WWI are rare, and I really enjoyed the setting and plot of this story. The actual spy angle isn’t a common one, not like was done in this read. The whole idea of Room 40 is fascinating, and the author does a great job of making the reader feel a part of the process.
The secondary characters in this read are so enjoyable as well, but I’m thrilled that Margo got her own story!
I received this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
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.
Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book 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. 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.*
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 and the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.