Roberta Reads

Madame Koska & the Imperial Brooch by Ilil Arbel My rating: 3 of 5 stars I picked this book because of the striking cover - it just stands out from all the rest. This was a fun and interesting mystery, centred around Madame Koska and her business. I enjoyed reading about all the various characters, many of whom have been through difficult circumstances and are making new lives for themselves. There were plenty of suspects to keep us guessing, and I whiled away a few hours very happily reading. I hope there will be a sequel, I’d love to know more about Madame Koska. I was given a free copy of this book. My opinions are my own. View all my reviews

Wishful Wisteria by Angela Pepper My rating: 4 of 5 stars 🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧 I greatly enjoyed this audiobook, another interesting, and not too stressful, magical mystery set in Wisteria. I liked the way that the characters from the different strands of the Wisteria books are gradually coming together, and I’m definitely enjoying Zara and Bentley’s ongoing relationship. After all the hassle with Chet, it’s lovely to see her in a happy relationship. I did miss Zoe though, she hardly came into this one at all. I hope that she’ll be a bigger part of the next one. The narration was excellent, as always. Tiffany Williams has a way of bringing the story alive, and her expression is always spot on. I’d definitely recommend this audiobook, no doubt I’ll be doing another listen through of this series at some point in the not too distant future. I was given a free copy of this audiobook. My opinions are my own. View all my reviews

The Georgian Rake: An intriguing historical romance by Alice Chetwynd Ley My rating: 5 of 5 stars I think this is one of my favourites by this author. I like Amanda so much, and she does get herself into such fine tangles! I will definitely be reading this one again. View all my reviews

Grave Magic Bounty by Shannon Mayer My rating: 5 of 5 stars This book was so much fun, it made me laugh quite a few times. I’ll definitely be continuing with the series when the next book comes out. If you’d like to read a book with magic and a kick-ass female who is 40+ instead of a teenager, here’s a book for you. View all my reviews

Wisteria Warned by Angela Pepper My rating: 5 of 5 stars 🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧 I particularly loved this audiobook. It had all the things I like so much about this series - the characters, the humour, the snark (especially between Zara and Zoe - have I mentioned how much I love their relationship), the mystery and the magic. It was not easy to see what was going on with this story, but the conclusion was so, so satisfying, the culprit was someone I’ve long found creepy! I can’t say any more without spoilers. The narration from Tiffany Williams was absolutely spot on, as always. She takes an excellent, enjoyable book, and raises it to a whole new level. I also didn’t find Zara’s father’s accent (I’ve forgotten his name) as irritating this time around. I’m unsure if it’s just that there’s so little of it, or I was just less irritable, or whether it’s actually changed. This series just gets better and better, I definitely recommend it, and specifically enjoying it

Wardens of Wisteria by Angela Pepper My rating: 5 of 5 stars 🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧 It was a joy to return to both Zara’s perspective, and Tiffany Williams’ narration. Whilst I did enjoy the two audiobooks from Zinnia’s POV, and the narrator was excellent, I just love Zara and Zoe’s attitude to life, and the way that Tiffany Williams brings this alive. The story itself was great fun, easy to listen to and entertaining. All of the usual sass, magic, etc that I love about this series. The narration was absolutely top notch, of course. View all my reviews

Wisteria Wrinkle by Angela Pepper My rating: 4 of 5 stars 🎧 Audiobook Review 🎧 I enjoyed this audiobook much more than Wolves of Wisteria. I think the change in narrator, change in point of view, and change in tone, threw me rather. Having now adjusted to these, I was able to enjoy this much more. Zinnia seems happier in this story, which definitely added to my enjoyment. It was fun to return to the City Hall permits department, and all the interesting characters who work (or worked, in one case) there. The mystery element was intriguing, and it was fun hearing it gradually unfold. The narration was excellent, good expression, and really brought the story to life. View all my reviews

The Remarkable Life of the Skin: An intimate journey across our surface by Monty Lyman My rating: 5 of 5 stars The Remarkable Life of the Skin definitely lives up to its title - it is a remarkable overview of the many, varied aspects of our skin. I chose this book because I’m interested in human biology in general, but particularly in skin and how the various tissues heal. Those topics, and many more from the scientific aspect of skin, are covered in and interesting and easy to read way. The book then moves on to cover the social and psychological aspects of skin. I found it absolutely fascinating, and the author does a great job of balancing using proper scientific terminology, and making his writing accessible and interesting to those without a scientific background. Definitely recommended to anyone with an interest in any aspect of the skin. View all my reviews

Maybe One Day by Debbie Johnson My rating: 4 of 5 stars I have been a fan of Debbie Johnson for a while now, and have greatly enjoyed her Comfort Food Cafe series. When I saw this book on NetGalley, I decided to request it. It is very much outside my normal tastes - I knew in advance that it was a far more emotional story than the author’s previous books. It tells the story of how Jess and Joe become separated, and Jess’s search for Joe. In many ways it is a very sad story - there is a lot of grief and needless pain caused by various people - but it is also a reminder that there is hope, and the possibility of building something new, even after devastating loss. Although I probably won’t read this book again (I prefer happy fiction), it is very well written, and I would recommend it to anyone who doesn’t mind some sadness and pain, but loves to read stories of hope. I was given a free copy of this book. My opinions are my own. View all my reviews

Summer at the Highland Coral Beach by Kiley Dunbar My rating: 4 of 5 stars I loved Christmas at Frozen Falls, so I jumped on the chance to read Summer at the Highland Coral Beach. This is more of an emotional book than Frozen Falls, as it deals with miscarriage and the resultant grief. I enjoyed this story, and I thought the balance of Beatrice learning to cope with her grief, and the romance, was handled well. The characters were all interesting, and had their own stories and motivations. The sense of place was great, and I loved Port Willow. I’ll definitely be looking to read the next book, which I believe is also set in Port Willow. If you can cope with the sadness as well as the romance, this is a lovely book, with a warm sense of place. I was given a free copy of this book. My opinions are my own. View all my reviews