Roberta Reads

Call of the Penguins by Hazel Prior My rating: 5 of 5 stars Away with the Penguins was one of my favourite books of 2020, so I was thrilled to be offered an ARC of Call of the Penguins, the sequel. I was concerned I wouldn’t remember the previous book well enough, but reading Call of the Penguins was like coming home. It’s absolutely stuffed full of characters that I love (human and penguin). Veronica and Daisy are my favourites, but I love all the others too. As before, the penguins run through the story, with their irrepressible characters, and ability to draw people together. It was fun to see a variety of different species this time. I very much enjoyed the plot. It was great to delve deeper into the links between Veronica and Patrick. Away with the Penguins only really scraped the surface. Overall, this was another beautiful, wonderful story, full of penguin (and human) goodness. I can’t really find the words to say how much I loved it, I would ...

A Winter in Wonderland by Isla Gordon My rating: 5 of 5 stars I’ve been enjoying Isla Gordon’s books (including those written under other names) for many years now, so I was thrilled to receive a copy of A Winter in Wonderland. I loved the setting of this story. I loved reading about the snowmobiles, reindeer, huskies, northern lights, snow, and everything else that makes this a wintery paradise. The characters were great. I particularly loved Esteri, she was very up front about how she felt about things. The friendship between her and Myla was my favourite thing about this book. I also enjoyed Myla’s story, how she gradually realised not everything about Christmas is bad, and learned to put her past in its proper place. Overall, this was a lovely, relaxing read, full of Christmas magic. Perfect to get you feeling festive. I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

Kingscastle by Sophia Holloway My rating: 4 of 5 stars I love Regency romance, so I thought I’d give Kingscastle a go. Captain William Hawksmoor unexpectedly becomes Marquis of Athelney, and inherits Kingscastle, with the clause that he must marry to be in full control. I really enjoyed the first half of this book. It took me a little bit to get into it, as it’s not fast moving. However, it soon resolved into a gentle story of William learning his new place in the world, and there were a number of fun moments with Eleanor. I really enjoyed the sense of connection between them. There’s also a gentle touch of humour. I found the second half really frustrating, as William and Eleanor believed various things about each other, but didn’t bother to actually communicate to resolve things. Admittedly, they had virtually no opportunity to do so, but I found it irritating. I loved the subplot between Harry Bitton and Anne Greenham, in fact I think I liked them...

Kingscastle by Sophia Holloway My rating: 4 of 5 stars I love Regency romance, so I thought I’d give Kingscastle a go. Captain William Hawksmoor unexpectedly becomes Marquis of Athelney, and inherits Kingscastle, with the clause that he must marry to be in full control. I really enjoyed the first half of this book. It took me a little bit to get into it, as it’s not fast moving. However, it soon resolved into a gentle story of William learning his new place in the world, and there were a number of fun moments with Eleanor. I really enjoyed the sense of connection between them. There’s also a gentle touch of humour. I found the second half really frustrating, as William and Eleanor believed various things about each other, but didn’t bother to actually communicate to resolve things. Admittedly, they had virtually no opportunity to do so, but I found it irritating. I loved the subplot between Harry Bitton and Anne Greenham, in fact I think I liked them...

Kingscastle by Sophia Holloway My rating: 4 of 5 stars I love Regency romance, so I thought I’d give Kingscastle a go. Captain William Hawksmoor unexpectedly becomes Marquis of Athelney, and inherits Kingscastle, with the clause that he must marry to be in full control. I really enjoyed the first half of this book. It took me a little bit to get into it, as it’s not fast moving. However, it soon resolved into a gentle story of William learning his new place in the world, and there were a number of fun moments with Eleanor. I really enjoyed the sense of connection between them. There’s also a gentle touch of humour. I found the second half really frustrating, as William and Eleanor believed various things about each other, but didn’t bother to actually communicate to resolve things. Admittedly, they had virtually no opportunity to do so, but I found it irritating. I loved the subplot between Harry Bitton and Anne Greenham, in fact I think I liked them...

Vetman and his Bionic Animal Clan by Noel Fitzpatrick My rating: 4 of 5 stars I found the cover and blurb of Vetman and his Bionic Animal Clan very appealing, and I fancied a break from Christmas romances, so it seemed ideal. I really enjoyed reading this book. The concept is excellent, a superhero who heals injured animals with bionics that enhance their abilities. I liked Imogen and Findlay, who have been through a tough time, but don’t let it stop them doing the right thing. Overall, this was a fun adventure, with kindness and love for animals at its heart. I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

From Shetland, With Love at Christmas by Erin Green My rating: 3 of 5 stars I haven’t read the first book in this series, however From Shetland With Love at Christmas works well on its own. I really enjoyed this story. It is Christmassy, and I really liked the collection of crafters. I loved the sense of community that they built in the stables. The book is well written, with well thought out details. The characters all have their own stories going on, and seem well realised. However, I struggled with the sheer number of characters and plot lines going on. I felt like there wasn’t enough time spent on anyone’s story, so I never really got properly involved with any of the characters. I found the constant switching of POV confusing too. I would have liked to focus on Verity and Magnus’s story for this book, and had a separate one for Nessie and Isaac. Overall, this was a fun, Christmassy story, with a good sense of community. I was given a free copy...

Death on a Winter's Day by Verity Bright My rating: 4 of 5 stars The Lady Eleanor Swift series is a favourite for fun and cosy crime, so I was pleased to receive an ARC of Death on a Winter’s Day. I really enjoyed reading this book. I love this collection of characters, so it’s always a welcome return. This time, they’re off to an isolated castle in Scotland, where (as usual) Eleanor gets entangled with dead bodies. This story was a lot of fun. Eleanor and Clifford have a more difficult time of it, as they are so isolated from sources of information. The conclusion was quite dramatic, and there’s a slight touch of fantasy in parts, but I really enjoyed it. I’m very much looking forward to the next book in the series. Overall, this was a fun and exciting cosy crime. Perfect for happily whiling away a few hours. I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune My rating: 5 of 5 stars This book is a bit of a departure from my most common genres. However, I have been recommended it several times now, so when I was offered a copy in exchange for an honest review, I jumped on the chance. This book was simply wonderful. I don’t really know how to convey how much I enjoyed this. The setting is marvellous, and the contrast of the island with where Linus lives is wonderful. I loved the characters so much, and the story of how Linus gets to know everyone. The gentle unfolding of characters and relationships. The triumph of hope over prejudice. It’s all just perfect. If you’re looking for a heartwarming tale of found family, that feels like a big, warm hug, this is the book for you. I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

Underneath the Christmas Tree by Heidi Swain My rating: 5 of 5 stars I’ve enjoyed many Heidi Swain books before, including The Secret Seaside Escape (the first book in the Wynmouth series), so I was pleased to receive an ARC of Underneath the Christmas Tree. I really loved this book. The atmosphere was wonderfully Christmassy, with the Christmas tree farm, the little Christmas shops and so on. The characters were well drawn, and all of them were appealing. I liked Liza especially. The emotional journey she went on during the course of the book was lovely to read. I enjoyed the developing relationship between her and Ned, and the ending was very satisfying. But Bandit was my favourite character, of course! Overall, this was a lovely, Christmassy romance, with great character development. Perfect to curl up with in the cold winter evenings. I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

The Christmas Escape by Sarah Morgan My rating: 4 of 5 stars I love Sarah Morgan’s books, and especially the Christmas ones, so I leapt at the chance to read this one. I really enjoyed this story. As usual, I was quickly absorbed in the tale. I really liked the fact that the book was more about the friendship between Alix and Christy, than about romance (though there’s plenty of that too). To start with, I really disliked Zac. He was always so smug and superior. However, as the story continued, he seemed to calm down, and turned out to be a nice person in the end. All the other characters were likeable right from the start. I really enjoyed the development in Alix and Christy’s characters particularly. They both have stuff to work through, and eventually help each other to do so. The atmosphere was very Christmassy, with the snow, the Northern Lights, sled dogs, and so on. Overall, this was a lovely Christmas story, centred around a friendship, but w...

The Winter Cottage: A feel-good festive romance from the author of The Village Green Bookshop by Rachael Lucas My rating: 5 of 5 stars I have read and enjoyed many Rachael Lucas books before, so I was thrilled to receive an ARC of this one. I love the location - Applemore House is a delightful (if slightly crumbling) manor house (definitely not a castle, in spite of the turrets), and the surrounding village, cottages, and countryside sound similarly lovely. The characters are all well realised and sympathetic. I really liked Rilla and Lachlan, they are both at a crossroads, but are still kind and honest. I also liked the other Fraser siblings, and I can’t wait to read their stories too. And of course I loved Hugh, who wouldn’t? The plot is lovely, I enjoyed reading about Rilla and Lachlan getting to know each other as adults, and the work on Applemore House. And the ending is just perfect. If you’re looking for a lovely, Christmassy romance, with ple...

The Perfect Christmas Gift by Katie Ginger My rating: 5 of 5 stars This was a really lovely and heartwarming story. Katie Ginger has knocked it out of the park with this one! I really loved the main characters, Freddie especially. He was such a kind boy, even when people had not been kind to him. Nick and Bella both really appealed to me too. Meadowbank made the perfect setting for this story. I loved the fact that people cared about their neighbours, and the giving tree was such a great idea. The cold weather made it even more atmospheric. Overall, this was a wonderful story, just so heartwarming and happy-making, and very Christmassy. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. TW: bullying View all my reviews