Roberta Reads

A Head Full of Magic by Sarah Morrell:   Fleur is used to balancing her two different cultures - from her English Mum to her West Indian Nan - but when she discovers that she can talk to animals she finds herself in a whole new world! Can her new powers help her take down Celeste 'The Best' the hockey-loving, ankle-smashing new girl, once and for all? My Review: 4 out of 5 Stars Sarah Morrell is a new author to me, but the cover and description looked fun, so I thought I’d give it a go. I liked Fleur and her family very much. Fleur is a determined girl and gets on with things, even when life is very much not going her way. Her mum obviously works very hard to keep the family together. I enjoyed the story very much. Fleur has a tricky time, with magic popping up unexpectedly, and her friends abandoning her. I felt like the plot of this book is very much the beginning of a longer story, so I really hope there will be a sequel. Sir Barclay adds a nice touch of humour to the book,...

Seed by Caryl Lewis My rating: 5 of 5 stars Caryl Lewis is another new author for me. I could not resist the amazing cover! I really loved this story. The characters are great. They’re all well-rounded and feel real. They all have their difficulties, but they work to overcome them. I loved the plot, it’s like a modern day fairy tale. It’s so unexpected, and slightly crazy, but utterly brilliant. I can’t really say much more without spoilers, so you’ll have to read it to find out! Oh, and the illustrations are marvellous. I especially love the one of the shed at the beginning of each chapter. Overall, this was a brilliant story that was just so much fun. It reminds us all to keep believing in ourselves. I’ll certainly be looking out for more books from this author. I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

The Bangalore Detectives Club by Harini Nagendra My rating: 5 of 5 stars I was attracted to this book by the cover and title. I love murder mysteries, and the setting of 1920s India is one I’ve not read before. I really enjoyed Kaveri’s character. She is very determined, and becomes more confident as the plot moves along. I loved the evolving relationship between her and Ramu, how he supports her, but also tries to stop her from getting hurt. I liked the descriptions of the clothing, particularly when Kaveri adjusts her sari. Somehow it made me feel very present in the story. The settings come across well, there’s enough description to visualise them, without at all pulling back from the story. The plot is well constructed, a really interesting mystery where I wasn’t sure of the culprit until quite near the end. The only thing I didn’t like, was the prologue. It doesn’t seem to have any bearing on the current book, I would call it more an epilogue that hints at th...

The Holiday Bookshop by Lucy Dickens My rating: 5 of 5 stars I have been enjoying Lisa Dickenson/Isla Gordon/Lucy Dickens books for many years now, so when I saw The Holiday Bookshop, I definitely had to read it (also, it’s set around two bookshops!). I really loved this book. It’s a great story. I liked both Marianne and Jenny very much. I enjoyed both their character development over the course of the story. I loved the settings - particularly the island where Jenny stays. It comes across very well, and sounds beautiful (though I suspect it would be too hot for me). I also enjoyed the USA locations, and how much fun Marianne and Drew had. The plot was a lovely combination of the personal development, and two romances. I thought the various threads were woven together skilfully, and it certainly produced a very enjoyable result! Overall, this was a thoroughly lovely story, with beautiful islands, bookshops, and romance. What more could you possibly ...

Wish by Jack Ryder My rating: 3 of 5 stars I was attracted to this book by the beautiful, glorious cover. Jack Ryder is a new author for me. I loved the characters. Pixie, Wyld, and Nanny Monkton were all great fun, and very likeable. I loved the treehouse, and what it turned into (can’t say because I don’t want to give spoilers). I also loved the magical forest, and I’m sad that they didn’t stay and protect it. The wishing well, and the story behind it, were a lot of fun. The only thing I didn’t like, was the fact that the ending didn’t really feel finished, but hopefully that’s because there’s a sequel on the way. Overall, this was a fun, quick read, with plenty of entertaining magic. I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

A Scottish Highland Surprise by Julie Shackman My rating: 4 of 5 stars Julie Shackman is a new author for me, but I thought it would make a nice change to read a book set in Scotland, and the cover and blurb were appealing. I liked Sophie a lot, she stood up for what was right. I also really liked most of the more minor characters, especially Cass. However, I didn’t really like Xander (more later). I really enjoyed the story. I loved the plot line of Sophie being left the tea shop, and finding happiness in her work. I also loved the mystery surrounding the tea set that is dropped off at the shop. It was fun reading as Sophie and later Ophelia researched and gradually discovered the truth of what happened in the 1900s. SPOILER IN THIS PARAGRAPH However, I was less convinced by the love story between Sophie and Xander. Xander was grumpy and taciturn, and I don’t remember a single thing he did that would attract Sophie to him before they got together. W...

Hedgewitch by Skye McKenna My rating: 5 of 5 stars I chose this book mostly because of the cover. I love the swirling leaves. I loved this book, it was easy and fun to read. Cassie is an appealing character, and very relatable. She’s not had the easiest childhood, but she’s brave and a good friend. I liked the setting too, Hedgely felt like it was part of a whole world. I enjoyed the magic, and the elements of faerie that were in this book. I’m looking forward to seeing more in the rest of the series. Overall, this was a fun read, full of magic and friendship. I definitely recommend it to readers young and old! I can’t wait to read the next book. I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions are my own. View all my reviews

Retreat to the Spanish Sun: Fall in love with the perfect escapist romance from the bestselling author by Jo Thomas My rating: 4 of 5 stars I’ve really enjoyed a lot of Jo Thomas’s previous books, so I was looking forward to this one. I wasn’t disappointed. I loved the setting for this book - a pig farm in Spain. The descriptions gave a real sense of place, without detracting from the pace of the story. I loved the pigs too, especially the boar. I loved Eliza - she has a great sense of determination, and of justice, though she does things I wouldn’t dare to! Josep was a very likeable character too - we see a bit less of him, but I liked his integrity and ideals. I also loved some of the more minor characters too - the Spanish conversation class members, and especially Juan and Thiago. Their little subplot was lovely. There were funny moments, as well as emotional. The ham and van scene especially was tense and hilarious at the same time. Overall, thi...

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen My rating: 5 of 5 stars Pride and Prejudice is a favourite and well known story to me. I already have the audiobook read by Juliet Stevenson, which is excellent. However, when I saw that another favourite narrator, Adjoa Andoh, had recorded a version, I had to have it. I was not disappointed! I won’t here review the story, as it is such a well known one, except to say that it is a lovely historical romance, with plenty of humour too. Adjoa Andoh does an excellent job of narration. Her great range of expression really brings out the humour and little dramas of the story, in a way that none of the other audiobooks have done. I noticed things in the story that I had missed on previous readings. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this audiobook. I felt that the range of accents, though perhaps not strictly accurate to the period, added something to the story, and increased my enjoyment. As this is fiction, I don’t feel t...

Review: 5 stars The Lady Eleanor Swift series is so much fun, and so I was thrilled to receive an ARC of the 9th book, A Royal Murder. I’m this story, Eleanor attends the royal regatta, where she becomes entangled in another murder investigation. I really enjoyed this book. I love this collection of characters, and the way they all tease and support each other. Eleanor and Clifford are my favourites. I like Hugh very much too, though I do hope he and Eleanor will make some substantial progress in their relationship soon. The mystery itself was intriguing. Although I was suspicious of the culprit early on, I soon got caught up in the investigation, and I didn’t know who it was until the big reveal. As always, the story was leavened with plenty of humour. Gladstone, in particular, kept me entertained with his antics. Overall, this was a wonderful blend of excitement and humour, that kept me turning the pages until I reached the very end. I was given a free copy of this book, my opinions ...