This is Youd's second novel under his own name on the S & S list, and shows a maturing quality that is heartening. Where the earlier book- posed specific issues and used an industrial background, yet failed to blend the aspects of the characters and plot, Messages of Love makes considerable advance in this direction. Again there is a conflict between the cotton industry background of Manchester and its area in England and the unrealistic upbringing of two sisters, accustomed to leisure and luxury in Switzerland, but the real trouble is deeper. Both sisters are in love with the same man; he, in turn, is of first importance to his associate and friend, John, who marries Katharine, not knowing she will never love anyone but Lionel. And then a further conflict develops as Katharine has the children Victoria would like to have given Lionel -- and Katharine and John split over their youngest -- twins born badly crippled. Many threads to a complex psychological novel, which extends to a second generation -- but the interest and conviction is sustained at a reasonably high level throughout.