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The Number of Love
The Number of Love
The Number of Love
Audiobook14 hours

The Number of Love

Written by Roseanna M. White

Narrated by Susan Lyons

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

()

About this audiobook

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 form 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 form the very secrets that brought them together.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateJun 4, 2019
ISBN9781980033967
The Number of Love
Author

Roseanna M. White

Roseanna M. White (RoseannaMWhite.com) is a bestselling, Christy Award-winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she's homeschooling, 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.

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Reviews for The Number of Love

Rating: 4.6249999347826085 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Exciting adventure. Thrilling mystery. Warm meaningful romance. Reverence for God’s work in our lives.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The audiobook caught my eye when I was looking through the library catalogue. In 1917, a Belgium teenager Margot De Wilde is working in London for Room 40 as a codebreaker when she meets the Elton siblings. Drake Elton, ostensibly in the navy, has spent most of the war undercover in Spain; his sister Dot is starting a new job as a secretary for Room 40. I was surprised to realise that this was Christian fiction. The main characters are all practising Catholics of European background who are working for British intelligence, so in some respects they’re not a very diverse bunch, yet I liked how accepting both the narrative and the characters themselves are of people’s unusual quirks. Most notably, Margot, who is brillant with numbers, is determined to pursue a career in academia and is disinterested in conforming various social conventions, while Drake’s sister Dot struggles with leaving the house and has much more domestic goals for her future.I also liked that, while they share the same beliefs, the relationship they each have with prayer and with God is very personal and therefore looks different for each of them. And all their conclusions or pronouncements on issues of faith felt in keeping with the characters’ personalities and circumstances. A few quibbles aside -- such as the first part having less codebreaking than I was expecting -- I ended up enjoying this a lot. I’m curious about the author’s other books, since the library has quite a few of them. The book wins points for a cover that near-exactly matches a scene described in the book, and loses points for using the word “airplane” -- I don’t actually, maybe it was sometimes used in Britain in WWI, when aeroplanes were still comparatively new, but the word makes me cringe.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The Number of Love is the first book in The Codebreakers series, an historical romance set during WWI. That is its first recommendation — a time period I do not often read in. Historical detail is key. I found the information on the war fascinating, especially the work of spies and analysts ferreting out information on the other side. Characters are well-developed and are very likable. They also do not fit into stereotypes — main character Margot is very unconventional for her time in that she is a woman of reason and mathematics, not relying on feelings, but on logic. Drake, a great hero, is more about the emotional side of things. The juxtaposition of their personalities from the norm is wonderful. As I said spies play a big part in the novel, and the suspense kept me listening (I downloaded the audiobook) and on the edge of my seat. The faith message is very strong. I loved that the author had the characters examine not just the why of their experiences, but also for what purpose. And the way God communicates with Margot is an excellent portrayal of how He gifts us and uses us.All 3 books in The Codebreakers series are now available — I cannot wait to get back to London during WWI. And some of the secondary characters have a series all their own! The 3 books in the Shadows Over England series are also all available. I have the promise of some great reading ahead of me.Highly Recommended.Audience: Adults.(I purchased the audiobook from Audible. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    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.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The Number of Love is truly all about the numbers. This was the first book by Roseanna M. White that I have read and boy was it a good place to start. The first book in her series “The Codebreakers”. The author weaves historical information with the fictional characters and scenes beautifully. Margot, one of the main characters, is intelligent, independent and forward thinking. I enjoyed reading about a woman who is portrayed in this light, when this would have been against the cultural norm of the era. If you are a fan of numbers, you will be intrigued by the codes and numbers throughout that make up Margot’s thoughts, job and world. Without giving any spoilers, Room 40 and cryptography are now on my list to research. This read was fascinating to say the least. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. If you are looking for a mystery that captivates not only your emotions but is thought provoking, The Number of Love will do the trick.**I received a review copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and this is my honest review.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is my frist time reading a Roseanna M. White's book. "The Number of Love" is a historical romance fiction set during the WWI. It contain a plot of being a spy and codebreaking. The book focuses on Room 40. I don't know a whole lot about Room 40, but during the Great War, Room 40, was the intelligence hub of the Admiralty. In the book, White portrays it as an organization of codebreakers and secretaarial staff as a diverse yet tight-knit group of professionals. According to the author's note she drew a number of real life events into her story but she had to alter the timeline a little to fit her storyline. really happened when it comes to Room 40. Margot is extremely intelligent and she knows it. She doesn't want to be a proper lady. She wants to be a career woman. She loves what she does because she can use her smartness and be herself. She is close to her mamma and Lukas. Margot is a very complex character. I love Dot and Margot's friendship and how it kept growing stronger and stronger as the story progresses. Drake is a man full of paitence. He doesn't push Margot, or make her rush into things she isn't ready for. This is rare in historical romance novels usually the women characters always get forced into doing things they aren't ready for. He went through some hard life challenges but seemed to bounce back. All of the characters have uniqueness. White does a great job of including historical depth as well as even using authentic British dialogue. The romance in the book isn't over the top. There was some sap and a few kisses. The book also contains gunfights and espionage throughout the book. There is some faith content in this book. These characters are Catholic, but you the book doesn't preach. Most of the characters had genuine faith in God but not in the church. The found the first two chapters to be on the slower side but it quickly picked up to the point I couldn't put it down. "The Number of Love" is a beautiful book. Its about friendship, love, trust, and happiness while all the life struggles are hitting at you. Each of these characters have a quirkiness to them. White does a great job of getting the readers into the time period and into the life of these characters. I am looking forward to reading more of her books and especially from this series. FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this novel for promotional purposes from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    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. The review is my own opinion.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    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.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    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.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    'The numbers marched across the page in a glory all their own.'Margot De Wilde has a mind that most of us can't really comprehend and it is amazing to see how she can analyze and solve mathematical problems. Knowing that she has been blessed with such mathematical genius prompts Margot to volunteer to help break the codes that are being used in German telegrams during WWI and she spends long hours in a secret room, Room 40.The Number of Love features spies, biological warfare and danger that lurks everywhere but there is also romance and Margot's eventual understanding that she needs to learn to wholly and completely trust God. Margot has never felt a need for love, marriage, or children and even though she believes in God, she finds herself often wondering just what God's Plan truly is as this dreadful war continues. Author Roseanna M. White has a knack for combining fiction with historical facts and she has succeeded in making The Number of Love another must-read for lovers of Christian historical fiction! It is very apparent that she devoted a great deal of time and effort in researching for this book and it is a fantastic way to begin a new series. I am looking forward to the next book in The Codebreakers series.I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher and all opinions in this review are my own.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    ‘There were others — a brilliant confederacy — whose names even now are better wrapt in history.’Winston Churchill in ‘The World Crisis’ , one Room 40Oh 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.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    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.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    In the start to her new Codebreakers series, Roseanna M. White brings back A Song Unheard’s Margot De Wilde for an engrossing, addicting, utterly fascinating World War I story. Readers of historical fiction, I highly, highly recommend reading The Number of Love right now.Throughout the story, Margot proves a capable, strong-willed, brilliant heroine as she works to decrypt German messages in Room 40. She may not relate well to the ladies her own age, but that does not stop Drake Elton from pursuing her heart with all he’s got. As they work together to thwart the lurking danger, the romance that grows between them is completely precious, tugging at all the emotions.Action, adventure, history, romance… White combines it all so well as the story between Margot and Drake unfolds. I loved it from beginning to end and now, cannot wait to read the next book in the series.I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    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.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White blends war-time intrigue, delicious romance, and lurking danger to create a captivating story that is unexpectedly thought-provoking. Roseanna M. White's writing finesse shines in her prose and characters. My favorite character in The Number of Love is Margot. She fascinated me with her mathematical genius and unique way of thinking. The correlation between numbers and Margot's prayers prodded me to consider... Does God use our unique abilities and interests to speak to us in ways others might not understand? I think so.What I loved most in The Number of Love was the author's treatment of God's silence during difficult times. I could identify with many of Margot's thoughts and emotions. Plenty of time is allotted to the examination of this issue and easy, pat answers are bypassed in favor of deep character development. Margot's struggle and resulting growth was a pleasure to observe.The Number of Love is the first novel in The Codebreakers series by Roseanna M. White. It does have returning characters from her other novels, particularly A Song Unheard; however, it can be read as a stand-alone novel. I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy inspirational historical romances.Disclosure of Material Connection: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. The opinions I have 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."
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Roseanna M. White's newest release is out! The Number of Love is the first book in her new series, The Codebreakers. If you're ready for a thrilling ride through mysteries, espionage and love, this is a book you won't want to miss!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.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    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.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    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.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I love when fiction melds with historical accuracy. The Number of Love not only entertained me, but also educated me on the past. Though the story contains fictional characters, they are involved in actual events and practices that took place during WWI. I learned a lot about spies, codebreaking, and wartime intelligence.I’m not highly interested in math, codes, or deciphering, so I did get a little distracted here and there, but the historical details, elements of danger, and authentic and intriguing characters more than made up for it. Margo and Drake make a good team, and the blend of logic, emotion, and spirituality results in an engaging and absorbing relationship.The author is a talented storyteller who has obviously done a lot of research to make her stories compelling and historically accurate. And I always love it when a story teaches me something new.First Line: The numbers marched across the page in a glory all their own.Source: I received a complimentary copy as part of the JustRead Publicity Tour and was under no obligation to post a positive review.