Roberta Reads

Much Ado About Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin My rating: 5 of 5 stars Having loved two previous books by Uzma Jalaluddin (Ayesha At Last and Hana Khan Carries On), I was thrilled to be invited to review Much Ado About Nada. I really enjoyed reading this book. Nada is definitely an interesting character. At times, I almost disliked her (especially at age 11). And yet, I always felt a connection and empathy towards her. And then I came round to really liking her again! But she definitely feels like a very real person to me - as do all the characters. I loved the fact that the story covers her starting to move on from the past and fight for what she wants out of life. Uzma Jalaluddin has a way of making me root for her characters! Overall, this was a heartwarming second chance romance, with great character development. I highly recommend it - and all of Uzma Jalaluddin’s books. The richly drawn characters and wonderful storylines are there every time. I was gi...

  Review - 5 out of 5 stars: If you’ve seen my previous reviews, then you’ll know I’m a big fan of the Lady Eleanor Swift Mysteries. And here we are for the 14th instalment, in which Eleanor & Co are finally in New York (after their rather adventurous trip from England). What a joy to be back reading about Lady Eleanor Swift and her slightly eccentric household again. They are some of my favourite characters, and they are written with a frivolity, but also a depth of character, that is just perfect. The sense of place was good. With surprisingly few words, the very different feel of New York is conveyed. I relished seeing the different areas of the 1920s version of the city through Eleanor’s eyes. The mystery was an involving one, and although I guessed the culprit before the big reveal, it was entirely on gut feeling, so I couldn’t be at all sure! I thoroughly enjoyed going along for the ride as Eleanor and Clifford figured out who among the multiple villains was the one to co...

  Review - 3.5 out of 5 stars: I’ve not read anything by Laura Briggs before, but the blurb was appealing, so I decided to give it a try. I enjoyed reading this book, which was slow and gentle. I loved all the animals that gradually appeared, especially the hedgehog and the llamas. It was very pleasant to watch Lucy slowly settling into her new home. It definitely feels like the beginning of a good story. I would recommend this book if you’re looking for something really relaxing to read, and you love animals. I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own. Blurb: Young and quiet, Lucy Granger leads an introverted life in Reading, living in a flat and working in design at a graphics company—until it is upended when she both sells her idea for a mobile game and suffers an unexpected medical diagnosis shortly afterwards. Facing a mandated medical rest period, she decides to use her windfall earnings to take a year's holiday, renting a farm on New Moon Lane in a country villa...

  Review - 4 out of 5 stars: Fliss Chester is back, with another episode of the Cressida Fawcett Mysteries, Death in the Highlands. This time, Cressida, Dotty, and Ruby are attending a house party in the Scottish Highlands, for the start of the shooting season. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I liked the setting of a castle (complete with secret passages) in the highlands. Although I didn’t relish reading about the shoot, it was only a couple of very short scenes, and so didn’t interfere with my enjoyment. It was fun to be reading about Cressida and Dotty again, and of course Ruby. Ruby manages to be both hugely entertaining and also a good detective, leading Cressida to things she hasn’t spotted yet. As well as the regular cast, who feel like old friends, the castle is full of suspicious characters and mysterious happenings - both in the past and the present - that make for a tantalising mystery to solve. It was delightful trying to unravel the threads alongside the characters. I...

  Review - 5 out of 5 stars: I’ve not read any books by Camilla Isley before, but The Love Theorem sounded like a lot of fun (scientist meets actor in supplies closet, what a great meet cute!). I enjoyed this book right from the first page. I was thrown immediately into the story, and very quickly liked Lana. I can relate so much to being an outnumbered female in a science field. I loved her attitude and resilience. It took me a little longer to warm up to Christian, and I don’t love him as much as I do Lana. He seems kind, but a bit clueless. But importantly, he’s willing to learn, and accept Lana’s decisions, so he won me round. It was delightful watching the relationship between the two develop. I really feel that they might have what it takes to have a long term relationship, if they keep communicating.  As well as the romance, this book was a lot of fun. There’s plenty of humour between the more emotional moments, and I especially loved the packing up Johnathon’s clothes ...