Reading this anonymous review on the Barnes & Noble website gave me one of those quietly proud moments—the kind you take a deep breath and smile over. When Kate and I set out on our tandem adventure around France, it was more than just a cycling trip. It was a journey rooted in curiosity, courage, and the quiet determination to prove that age is never a barrier to new experiences. That someone out there not only read our story but connected with it so deeply is incredibly humbling. 

To hear that the book struck a chord with those who love travel, cycling, or simply a good, uplifting story is exactly what I hoped for when writing Snails Around France. The road we took wasn’t always smooth—either on the bike or in life—but every bump, detour, and hill came with laughter, learning, and a renewed appreciation for the world and each other. 

The reviewer’s mention of pursuing dreams "at any stage in life" is especially meaningful. So often we are conditioned to believe that adventures belong to the young or the bold. But this journey—and this book—was our quiet rebellion against that notion. Life doesn’t ask for permission slips or perfect timing; it rewards curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to say “why not?” 

The hashtags—#QuickRead, #LaughedOutLoud, #CouldntPutItDown—are the cherry on top. Humour was our third passenger on the tandem, always there to lighten the load. And if this book could bring a laugh, a moment of joy, or a touch of inspiration to someone’s day, then that alone makes the effort worthwhile. 

To the anonymous reviewer—thank you. Thank you for joining us, for sharing your thoughts, and for reminding me why stories like ours need to be told.