AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - 100 Rules for Living to 100

 

Title:  100 Rules for Living to 100

Author:  Dick Van Dyke

Publisher:  Hachette Audio

Genre:   Autobiography

Format:  Audio ALC

Narrators:  Tom Bergeron; 

   Dick Van Dyke

Length:  7 hrs 27 mins

No. of Pages:   320

Date of Publication:   November 18, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

On the eve of his 100th birthday, national treasure Dick Van Dyke brings us this autobiographical collection of life advice, stories, and reflections on how he's maintained good health and a zest for life as he enters his tenth decade.

Dick Van Dyke danced his way into our hearts with iconic roles in Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and The Dick Van Dyke Show. Now, as he's about to turn 100 years old, Dick is still dancing, still approaching life with the twinkle in his eye that we've come to know and love.

In 100 Rules for Living to 100, he reveals his secrets for maintaining your joie de vivre, staying physically healthy, and making the most out of the life you've been given. Through stories from his past and present—the pivotal moments from childhood to film sets to his expansive family and finding love late in life—Dick reflects on both the joyful times and the challenges that shaped him.

His indefatigable spirit and positive attitude will surely inspire readers to count the blessings in their own lives, persevere through the hard times, and appreciate the beauty and complexity of being human.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

“They are our shared artifacts. And just like a sacred relic dug up at an archaeological dig, they’re about so much more than the thing itself.”

The beloved entertainer Dick Van Dyke will soon celebrate his 100th birthday, and his third memoir feels like both a reflection and a celebration of an extraordinary life. Told through a series of short, titled anecdotes, the book opens with Dick Van Dyke’s own introduction, followed seamlessly by Tom Bergeron’s warm and effortless narration. Naturally, the story unfolds in Dick Van Dyke’s unmistakable first-person voice.

One of the first chapters, titled “Learn to Fall,” sets the tone for an incredibly entertaining read. How many people in my generation have witnessed his not-so-graceful trip over the ottoman in the opening of his show? Or the near trip? Or the side step? Yes, there were three different opening scenes, and they all still bring a smile to my face.  As a physical actor, Dick Van Dyke used his lanky frame to great comic and artistic effect — not just in pratfalls, but in his unforgettable dancing in Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Bye Bye Birdie.

This memoir radiates his love of life, his joy in staying active, and his determination to keep moving forward despite age. His optimism is contagious. Chapters like “Make Your Own Rules” and “Tolerate and Cherish Your Little Brother” highlight his humor, gratitude, and deep affection for his brother, Jerry. Another standout, “Accept Your Limitations,” offers a gentle wisdom that only a century of living can bring. Honestly, there are too many memorable chapters to count.

As the age progresses, Dick Van Dyke’s dependence on his wife, Arlene, becomes more evident — not only as his partner in daily life but also as a keeper of memories. This adds tenderness to his recollections, though I found myself feeling a bittersweet awareness of his mortality as I listened. While I thoroughly enjoyed every minute, it also made me quietly aware that time, even for the most vibrant among us, moves on.

For me, the book stirred memories of my own — evenings spent watching classic television with my mother. Icons like Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Burnett, Betty White, and, of course, Dick Van Dyke, were part of that shared joy. Having lost my mother years ago, listening to this memoir brought both nostalgia and a touch of melancholy. That same awareness of life’s fleeting nature that Van Dyke shares in his stories is one we all eventually come to feel.

In the end, this memoir is far more than a collection of memories — it’s a celebration of humor, resilience, and the art of aging gracefully. It’s a reminder to keep dancing, keep laughing, and most of all, to keep living with joy. A truly worthy read — not one to be missed.

Many thanks to Hachette Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Review - 59 Minutes

Title:  59 Minutes

Author:  Holly Seddon

Publisher:  Atria

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   320

Date of Publication:   November 18, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

The internationally bestselling author of the “brilliant, gripping must-read” (Glamour) Try Not to Breathe brings suspenseful thrills in this unputdownable novel following three women as they face an incoming nuclear attack. 

Nuclear missile threat to South England. 59 minutes until impact. Seek immediate shelter. This is not a test.

Carrie is a young mother desperate to reunite with her daughter. Frankie, newly pregnant, faces a romantic vacation that takes a terrifying turn. Then there’s the enigmatic older woman determined to protect her teenage daughter, Bunny, no matter what.

Across South England, these three women must navigate survival amidst chaos when the country receives a nuclear bomb alert. With only 59 minutes before mass destruction, will they make it to their loved ones in time?

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Nuclear missiles are set to strike South England, with impact expected in just 59 minutes. In less than an hour, countless lives will be plunged into pure destruction. This gripping story focuses on three women: Carrie, her daughter Frankie, and an unnamed woman desperate to find and protect her teenage daughter, Bunny.

As the clock ticks down, the question looms: is survival possible? Will Carrie reach Frankie in time? And then there’s the added concern of Frankie’s pregnancy, heightening Carrie’s worries. These women are not only fighting to find safety but also facing dangers along the way.

Throughout my reading, I couldn’t help but think of my own children, my grandchildren, and my own preparedness. As a lover of historical World War II fiction, I imagined the sound of an air horn blaring in my neighborhood, the proximity of my closest daughter living 20 minutes away, and the fact that my other children and all of my grandchildren live much farther. How would I ensure their safety in such a dire situation? Holly Seddon’s story effectively conveys this sense of urgency.

This book was an absolute page-turner! Whether it was the desperate search for connection to loved ones or the relentless pursuit of safety, avoiding desperate individuals who believed they were about to meet their end, the story held me captive.

I couldn’t help but consider this book speculative, especially in these critical times. While it’s purely fiction, the reality of wars, environmental issues, lawlessness, and more makes me wonder if we shouldn’t consider the possibility of a more literal interpretation.

This book was incredibly difficult to put down. As I focused on the three women in the story, a creeping sense of unease settled over me, making it impossible to tear my eyes away.

Many thanks to Atria and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Holly Seddon is the international bestselling author of TRY NOT TO BREATHE, DON'T CLOSE YOUR EYES, LOVE WILL TEAR US APART, THE HIT LIST, THE WOMAN ON THE BRIDGE and THE SHORT STRAW.

After a childhood spent moving around the English countryside and obsessing over books and music, she later became a journalist and editor. She has lived in London and Amsterdam and now lives in Kent with her family. She has an MA in Creative Writing.

Alongside fellow author Gillian McAllister, Holly co-hosts the popular Honest Authors Podcast. You can find her on Twitter @hollyseddon, Instagram and Facebook @hollyseddonauthor.

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Review - Murder on the Clock

Title:  Murder on the Clock

Author:  Lucy Connelly

Series:   Mercy McCarthy Mystery #4

Publisher:  Bookouture

Genre:   Cozy Mystery

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   251

Date of Publication:   November 14, 2025

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

The town of Shamrock Cove is gearing up for a grand summer festival… but the fête turns fatal when a clockmaker is killed. Can amateur sleuth Mercy McCarthy crack the case? 

When Mercy McCarthy takes her beloved mother’s watch to be fixed, she’s completely charmed by the little repair store and the father-and-son duo who run it. Little does she know that the clock is ticking… when she returns, she finds the father lying unconscious amid broken glass, and her mother’s watch is missing.

The police think Mr. Flynn was attacked in a burglary gone wrong but soon suspects closer to home start coming out of the clockwork. Mercy, her sister, and their canine sidekick, master body sniffer-outer Mr. Poe, set out to gather clues and help the local detective find the killer.

Could it be the family next door to the Flynns who’ve been feuding for decades? His fiercest rival, who’s long dreamed of shutting him down? Or was his son less devoted than he seemed? As the hours tick away, another murder and the discovery of a long-buried secret changes everything…

The summer festival is fast approaching. Can Mercy solve the mystery in the nick of time, or will someone stop her clock?

A completely charming and page-turning Irish cozy mystery. Fans of Agatha Christie, Carlene O’Connor and Faith Martin will absolutely love the Mercy McCarthy series!

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS:

It’s summer in Shamrock Grove, and soon, Mercy and her twin sister, Lizzie, will be celebrating their birthday. While rummaging through her mother’s belongings, Mercy discovers an elegant watch. She feels a strong sense of nostalgia and decides to gift it to Lizzie. However, before she can make it a birthday gift for Lizzie, she first takes the watch to a local repair store hoping that it can get working again.

Mercy goes to check on the status of the watch, and she finds the elderly shopkeeper gravely injured. Without a doubt, there were many valuable items in the shop, so the police think that it was perhaps a burglary gone wrong. Ever the astute observer, Mercy realizes that her mother‘s watch is one of the things that has been stolen. 

This is the fourth book in a delightful series that I have had the pleasure of binging thanks to the first three books being available on KU. I have gotten to love Mercy, Lizzie, as well as the detective inspector, Kieran O’Malley, who has become a staple in their lives. While Kieran is the one in charge of the investigations that have had to take place, Mercy doe her best to stay one step ahead of him. All the while, their sweet little fur-baby Mr. Poe, is right by her side and is great at sniffing out clues. 

I love that both sisters have gone “boots on the ground” after leaving their lives in the U.S. to living in Ireland. Lizzie is doing a great job at running their grandfather’s bookshop while Mercy, a very well-known author, is writing with ease, much to the delight of her editor. More than that, Mercy has become an excellent amateur sleuth.  I am thrilled that I have read all of the books in the series so far and can’t wait to read the next book.  

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lucy Connelly (aka Candace Havens)

Bestselling author Candace Havens has published more than 25 books. Her novels have received nominations for the RITA’s, Holt Medallion, Write Touch Reader Awards and National Reader’s Choice Awards. She is a Barbara Wilson Award winner. She is the author of the biography Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy and a contributor to several anthologies. She is also one of the nation’s leading entertainment journalists and has interviewed countless celebrities from George Clooney to Chris Pratt. Candace runs a free online writing workshop for more than 2000 writers and teaches comprehensive writing classes. She does film reviews with Hawkeye in the Morning on 96.3 KSCS, and is a former President of the Television Critics Association.

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Review - One Little Mistake

Title:  One Little Mistake

Author:  Miranda Rijks

Publisher:  Storm Publishing

Genre:   Psychological Thriller 

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   278

Date of Publication:   November 9, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Some thoughts should never be shared.

Kate thought the spreadsheet was harmless—a private ranking of her four best friends detailing their various strengths and weaknesses. But when it leaks online and goes viral, her carefully curated life implodes.

Social invitations vanish, her business crumbles, even her marriage starts to fall apart. It’s as if the silken thread that has been holding everything together has been pulled and now it’s all unravelling.

What Kate has done is a situation that goes from bad to worse. There was a list that she made that was never to see the light of  day. Not only has the list been leaked, but someone on the list seems to be out for revenge, determined to destroy whatever is left of Kate’s perfect life. As anonymous threats multiply and her son falls mysteriously ill, Kate doesn’t know where to turn or who to trust.

Then, as the fallout from the list turns deadly, she finally understands that her one little mistake could cost her everything – including her life.

One Little Mistake - the chilling psychological thriller from the best-selling author of The Visitors and Make Her Pay.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

How far can forgiveness really go? That’s the question that stuck with me as I read One Little Mistake by Miranda Rijks. I honestly wasn’t sure how this situation could ever be fixed, but I couldn’t look away as it all played out.

It all starts when Kate realizes something’s wrong. Very wrong. No one will look her in the eye at school pickup. The whispers start. She’s suddenly out of all the parent chats, and even her kids are cut off from their WhatsApp groups. Losing friends is bad enough, but when clients start dropping her too, things really start to unravel.

So what did Kate do that caused all this? Well, she made a spreadsheet ranking her friends from 1 to 100. She thought it was harmless… until that list somehow got leaked. Then everything came crashing down.

You can’t help but feel for Kate as she tries to pick up the pieces of her life after one little mistake that snowballs into something huge. And just when you think things can’t get worse, another layer of drama unfolds that keeps you glued to the story.

It’s a fast, emotional read that makes you think about how quickly life—and friendships—can turn upside down.

Many thanks to Storm Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Miranda Rijks is the author of 26 psychological thrillers, many of which have been Amazon bestsellers. She lives in Sussex, England with her Dutch husband and black Labrador. 

Her fast-paced, twisty thrillers are inspired by scary things that have happened to her or places she has visited.

Miranda turned to writing after recovering from Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer. She's so grateful that she's now a full-time author and living the dream!

Visit www.mirandarijks.com to get her FREE novella, The Cheat, and the chance to name characters in her books

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Review - Still Waters

Title:   Still Waters

Author:  Patricia Johns

Series:  The Amish of Shepherd’s Hill #2

Genre:   Inspirational Romance 

Publisher:   Bethany House Publishers

Format:  Kindle ARC
No. of Pages:  352

Date of Publication:  November 4, 2025

My Rating: 5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Unsure of her future within the Amish community, Beth Peachy arrives in Lancaster County to care for her ailing grandmother for the summer at her lake house. Yet with dementia threatening to steal away Mammi's memories, Beth's visit quickly evolves into an urgent quest for the answers to questions that her relatives seem determined to avoid. How can Beth possibly make a lifelong vow to the Amish church when her own family is concealing so much of the past from her?

Beth's childhood friend Danny Lapp faces his own dilemma as his ex-Amish older brother turns his back on their wholesome family upbringing, dishonoring his Plain heritage. Struggling to find some sort of connection with his brother despite their deep difference of opinion, Danny is determined to find a solution before church leadership becomes involved. As Beth and Danny reconnect and seek to help each other in the search for answers, they find themselves stirring up not only surprising revelations about the past, but questions about a possible future together.

Bestselling author Patricia Johns's latest novel is a can't-put-down mix of romance, family secrets, and life within the cloistered Amish community.

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS:

“Still waters ran deep … Notice how still the water is. If the surface is like glass, the water is deep. Don’t be fooled. Lakes can seem almost bottomless.”

Beth Peachy is at a real crossroads in her life. She’s torn between staying in her Amish community or stepping out into the wider world. While she’s in Lancaster County caring for her ailing grandmother, she knows she’s where she’s supposed to be for now — but she can’t help wondering what comes next. The simple Amish life just doesn’t seem to fit her dreams anymore, and she’s struggling to figure out where she truly belongs.

Her childhood friend Danny Lapp is wrestling with his own challenges. His brother has left the Amish and has been pretty outspoken about it, which hurts Danny deeply. Even so, Danny still loves his brother and wants to keep that connection alive.

As Beth and Danny spend time together, they find comfort in being able to talk honestly about their doubts and frustrations. Patricia Johns does such a great job showing the emotional side of their journeys and the very real questions they’re facing. It’s easy to relate to both of them as they try to make sense of faith, family, and their futures.

I also loved seeing Tabitha Schrock again — she was in the first book, Green Pastures, and I hope her story continues in future books. Like the first one, Still Waters focuses more on the emotional and spiritual growth of the characters than on the romance. It’s a heartfelt, thoughtful read that complements the first book perfectly. I’m already looking forward to what comes next in the series.

Many thanks to Bethany House Publishers and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I am a Harlequin author who writes for the Love Inspired, Western/American Romance and Heartwarming lines. I have recently signed a book deal with Kensington Books for Amish romance, so in 2019, you’ll find me being published by both Harlequin and Kensington. You can find my books in any place that books are sold. I am represented by Rachel Beck of Holloway Literary.

I have my Hon. BA in English Literature from University of Toronto, and I live in Northern Canada where the weather dominates our small talk. Mr. Johns has the distinct challenge of being married to a writer, and our young son has yet to be impressed by seeing his mother’s books on a store shelf. 😉 It’s the perfect life for me.

Click on over to see my books, or check out my blog where I talk about writing, books, marriage, kids, and everything else that distracts me from my work. And leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you.

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AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - Closer Than You Know

Title:  Closer Than You Know

Author:  Debra Webb

Publisher:  Thomas & Mercer

Series:  Vera Boyett #2

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Audio ALC and Kindle ARC

Narrator:  Elise Arsenault

Length:  10 hrs and 43 mins

No. of Pages:   314

Date of Publication:   May 6, 2025

My Rating:   5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

From USA Today bestselling author Debra Webb comes the riveting return of crime analyst Vera Boyett, fighting for justice—and her life—amid her Tennessee roots.

Vera Boyett is a master at cracking a case.

After tragedy destroyed her career as deputy police chief, she felt lost. Moving back home near her sisters, she put her skills back to use as a crime analyst, and now her star is finally back on the rise. Vera’s work really begins to heat up after the local sheriff, Gray “Bent” Benton, calls to ask her for assistance with a pressing case.

Pushing aside their complicated past, Vera agrees to help Bent search for a missing reporter. But their investigation uncovers an improbable connection to the Messenger, a serial killer she put behind bars twelve years ago. The killer, who is dying of cancer, wants his final revenge. And the reporter is merely a distraction—Vera is his true target.

When the Messenger pulls her sister Eve into his twisted game, Vera vows to stop him for good. But can she find Eve and the reporter before it’s too

Link to shop the series

MY THOUGHTS:

Former police chief Vera Boyett has returned to her hometown after the collapse of her once-distinguished career. Now working as a criminal analyst, she finds herself navigating not only a demanding new role but also the uneasy terrain of family, particularly her strained relationship with her sister, Eve.

When Sheriff Gray “Bent” Benton seeks her expertise on a troubling case involving a missing reporter, Vera is drawn into an investigation that quickly takes a dark turn. Evidence suggests the work of a serial killer known as The Messenger, whose methods echo a case from Vera’s past. As connections between old and new crimes emerge, it becomes clear that vengeance is at the heart of the mystery—and that Vera herself may be the next target.

Webb crafts a tightly woven narrative filled with tension, layered characterization, and emotional depth. The pacing is finely tuned, balancing procedural detail with moments of vulnerability that make Vera a particularly engaging protagonist. Her dynamic with her sisters adds an authentic family dimension to the story, grounding the suspense in genuine emotion.

Equally compelling is Vera’s partnership with Bent, whose mutual respect and underlying warmth lend the novel a subtle romantic undercurrent. Webb handles their relationship with restraint, allowing it to develop organically without detracting from the central mystery.

As in the first installment, Deeper Than the Dead, Webb demonstrates her skill for blending psychological insight with taut suspense. Closer Than You Know stands as a strong second entry in the series—smartly written, emotionally resonant, and impossible to put down. Readers will be eager to continue the journey in the upcoming third book, Secrets You Can’t Keep.

Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Debra Webb is the award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of more than 130 novels, including reader favorites the Faces of Evil, the Colby Agency, and the Shades of Death series. With more than four million books sold in numerous languages and countries, Debra's love of storytelling goes back to her childhood on a farm in Alabama. Visit Debra at www.DebraWebb.com

or write to her at PO Box 176, Madison, AL 35758.

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Review - The Writers’ Retreat

Title:   The Writers’ Retreat

Author:  Samantha Vérant

Publisher:  Storm Publishing

Genre:   Romance

Format:  Kindle ARC 

No. of Pages:   294

Date of Publication:   June 30, 2025

My Rating:   3 Stars 

DESCRIPTION:

Stunning views.

Solitude.

Murder.

It’s every writer’s dream. The chance to get away for a while, to carve out time and space to focus on your craft in a small group of like-minded creatives. And where better to do it than in a sprawling luxury estate in the Catskills? Surrounded by nothing but rugged mountains and wilderness, where not a soul will hear you scream…

When Liv Montgomery is invited on an exclusive, week-long writing retreat, she can’t believe her luck. But some of her fellow novice writers are better at spinning a yarn than they seem. And Liv winning a place was certainly no accident. Then the plot takes a turn towards murder, and Liv is found holding the knife…

Perfect for fans of Lucy Foley, Ruth Ware and Lisa Jewell, The Writers’ Retreat is a pulse-pounding tale of obsession, ambition and the dangerous power of the past that will keep you guessing until the final page.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

 

Liv Montgomery has had a rough time — she’s been cheated on, lost her fiancé, and said goodbye to a dear friend. So when she receives an unexpected invitation to a writers’ retreat at a luxurious estate in the Catskills, it feels like exactly what she needs: a reset, a chance to find her voice again, and maybe even a bit of peace.

Once she arrives, though, things aren’t quite as idyllic as they seem. Liv can’t shake the feeling that her invitation came with strings attached. Surrounded by established authors, she’s unsure why she was chosen — and as strange things begin to happen, she starts to suspect that there’s more to this retreat than writing exercises and inspiration.

This is a character-driven story with a slow burn of suspense and a few unexpected turns. While I liked the concept and found it to be a quick, easy read, the execution fell a little flat for me. I wanted more depth in the characters and a stronger emotional punch to match the setup.

Still, The Writers’ Retreat offers an intriguing premise — a mix of creative ambition, personal healing, and dark secrets — that makes it worth a look if you enjoy psychological suspense with a literary twist.

Many thanks to Storm Publishing and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Samantha Vérant is a travel addict, a self-professed oenophile, and a determined, if occasionally unconventional, at-home French chef. Over the years, she’s visited many different countries, lived in many places, and worked many jobs— always on the search for the one thing that truly excited her. Then, one day, she found everything she’s been looking for: a passion for the written word and true love. Writing not only enabled her to open her heart, it led her to southwestern France, where she’s now married to a sexy French rocket scientist she met over twenty years ago, a stepmom to two incredible kids, and the adoptive mother to one ridiculously adorable Charteux cat. When she’s not trekking from Provence to the Pyrénées, tasting wine in American-sized glasses, or embracing her inner Julia Child while deliberating what constitutes the perfect boeuf bourguignon, Samantha is making her best effort to relearn those dreaded conjugations.

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