What a sweet story! Although it was not my favorite, it is still a story of hope. It is a story of second chances. It is a story of the greatest Love of all.
All the historical facts in this novel were amazing. Everything is precise and easy to understand compared to most adult WWII books.
Margot thinks in numbers. God spoke to her in numbers and I found that extremely unique. For example, if she got the go-ahead from God, then she would see numbers dancing around in her vision. Despite her thinking in numbers, she is a very realistic character with emotions that she tries to hide. Just reading her about her journey with all of its ups and downs was inspiring.
Drake, also was an interesting character. Readers really get to know him and how he operates because of the chapters from his perspective. I loved reading about his plan to win Margot over. Who would have ever thought of courting her the way that Drake did? Needless to say, it worked. :)
All and all, Roseanna White did a fantastic job of portraying Lucas' little sister and her story.
Rating: 4 Stars
Content: 4 Stars
*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. ( )

Still one of my very favorite books of all time!

Old review:

Genre: Historical, romance, fiction, WWI.

My Rating: 5 stars.

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

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

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

I suspect there was a good story buried in this but listening to it in audiobook form, erratically, I couldn't follow it or get into it. ( )

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. ( )

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.) ( )