READERS’ FAVORITE REVIEWS:

Review #1:

My Friend the Spy is a wonderful read. Author Roberta Seret does an amazing job of seamlessly uniting current events with a fictional story of the friendship between these two interesting characters. What I found most intriguing was the author’s ability to dig into the backstories of these two intelligent, successful, vivacious, and courageous women who have both, in their ways, suffered trauma and difficulties in their lives. I particularly appreciated the passion with which the author expresses the desire for freedom, democracy, and the ending of political corruption of the ordinary Belarusian and indeed Ukrainian citizens. If there was one major takeaway from this book, for me, it was that Belarusians and Ukrainians do not see themselves as Russians; they have cultures, histories, and ideals that they very much consider their own. I found fascinating the power dynamic between Putin and Lukashenko. Although Belarus does rely greatly on Russia for almost everything to survive, Lukashenko was not without options and could powerfully influence Putin’s stance on Ukraine and any possible future peace between the nations. This was a well-thought-out novel with real-life, identifiable events that had me enthralled from beginning to end. This is a book I can highly recommend.

Review #2:

This is the first book I have ever read that is so up-to-date that it brings the story right into the present. My Friend the Spy by Roberta Seret is part fact and part fiction. I enjoyed learning about the history of a small, landlocked country, with only eight million inhabitants, that is prominently featured in the news. Is Belarus about to help Putin in his brutal invasion of Ukraine or can he remain on the sidelines, despite relying on Russia for most of his country’s imports? Does Laryssa know the answer? Seret’s book shines a light on the long-serving dictator, his rise to power, and the secrecy surrounding those who work for him. We question if the friendship between an American and a close friend of Lukashenko’s, is one spy spying on another. There is a growing attraction between the pair, but do you behave like that with one of your best friends? Can you truly understand a confidant from another culture, and can you trust her? This book had me guessing, but I especially loved it because of the information it contained. I love learning from my reading, so if you like novels with a political twist, you will enjoy this book too.

Review #3:

Roberta Seret’s entertaining story fuses actual events from history into her novel effortlessly. Her characters and their development do not match what I would expect from your typical espionage plot but then the art of blending into the crowd to the point of being invisible has always been regarded as the hallmark of that business. The way Seret develops the conversation between her principal characters is revealing as it transitions the story from a formal one to an emotional journey where both participants seem prepared to be completely open with one another yet unwilling to initiate the process. The analysis of Belarus is interesting and serves as a fitting context for this unusual story. My Friend the Spyis not so much a spy story as it is one of enduring love. It would make a worthy addition to any library.

Review #4:

(This is a review from a former U.N. Diplomat-student who is from Latvia)

What a story, what a mix of true and false! I want to believe that everything is real, and it is a documentary. 

I am puzzled, I don’t know what is true, and what is not! Roberta Seret is THE master!

The story guides the reader though decades (historical frame); though regimes (democratic frame); though professions (military – intel) and romantic frame. 

Once again, I truly enjoyed reading My Friend the Spy!