Second Chances series – serie

“A tale of self-doubt, adultery and forgiveness shot through with humour and compassion. A most enjoyable read.” David Lister, ex-Arts Editor, The IndependentLiz has no idea why she walked out on Hugh. Hugh has no idea why Liz walked out on him. Is she having a midlife crisis? Should he be having one, too? Oh dear - marriage! Just when you think life is sorted ...When Liz flees their comfortable family home in Cambridge after twenty-three years of contented marriage, a baffled Hugh is left to figure out why his wife has abandoned him.A succession of twists and turns are preventing a restoration to the normality that the couple increasingly crave as their children, parents and friends discover that immaturity is not solely the preserve of the young.A satirical novel about the fragility of even the most robust relationships.“Warm, witty, poignant…characters that stay with you.” June Flath, author of A Secret Affair and Lost and Found“An insightful and enjoyable novel about relationships and life’s changes. Lovely!” EmmabBooks“Modern life is captured in a completely recognizable way, the style is accessible, vivid and entertaining. Best bit of fiction I've read on this theme.”“Laugh out loud funny and completely moving at the same time.”

One man in need of an overhaul. Two women determined to drag him there.Neville Watkin’s life is so dismal surely things can’t get any worse. Yes they can, because his wife leaves him, he loses his job, has a car crash and ends up in hospital.Feisty Laura, the other party in the car crash, befriends him and sets out to turn his life upside down. For reasons he struggles to understand, Caroline, her equally feisty mother, seems to like him. Rather a lot.All in all things are looking up, but is Neville courageous enough to seize these new opportunities?What reviewers are saying about Nothing Man:“More than a feel good read, it’s a feel great read.”“Interesting, funny, sad and so very enjoyable.”"A wonderful observation of life that’s uplifting, humorous and realistic."“There is a wonderful realism and humanity to the book.”“Utterly refreshing throughout.”“Addictive, well written and full of memorable characters.”“A book that leaves you with a smile on your face.”“An absolute gem told with the perfect amount of humour and emotion.”“A completely unique funny, heartwarming contemporary novel.”

“It's not a fairy tale – it’s probably the closest to a real life experience I've ever read.”Jack and Jill meet on the Freshers Big Party Night at university and it’s love at first sight. There’s passing amusement when they discover that their names match those of the nursery rhyme, but any connection with the children’s story is long forgotten as their relationship takes off.With their student days over, life couldn’t be better, with successful careers, a dream home, and top of the list, a marriage made in heaven.Then it starts to go wrong – very wrong – and the nursery rhyme plot is mirrored in reality. Jack falls from grace as his stellar career at the investment bank dives as quickly as it had soared. Jill tumbles from her promising teaching career with one crazy act leaving her reputation at school in tatters.And saddest of all, their marriage is on the rocks. Once they were so close, but now are so distant. Is a second chance possible?“A fun, uplifting novel.” David Lister, The Independent“I adored everything about it. An absolutely brilliant true to life romance novel.”“What a refreshing read. A true love story but with a twist.”“Recommended to those with a heart and feelings.”“The characters are real and believable and there is humour to lighten the darker moments.”

‘I didn’t just ‘enjoy’ this book. I rapidly became mesmerised by it, lost in it, consumed to the extent that I couldn’t put it down and had to stay up all night to finish inhabiting this timeless take on life, love, risks, wins and losses.’Sandy is about to retire following an illustrious career as editor of an upmarket fashion magazine.Michael can’t retire, he thinks his work to explain the dangers of climate change is far too important.Jonathan would like to retire from running his fundraising consultancy but a family crisis is getting in the way.These three were the best of friends at university before a tragedy wrecked their friendship. That was fifty years ago and they haven’t spoken since.Sandy urges the other two to join her at a weekend reunion. Together they reminisce about their student days, such a wild era with its heady mix of free love, drugs and ground-breaking music. They share their life journeys since the Swinging Sixties – the successes and failures, the happiness and despair, and their optimism and fears for the future.The reunion is drawing to a close. Dare they tackle the incident that tore them apart, an event that has brought guilt for so many years? If they are to have any chance of reconciliation they have to, but the clock is ticking.What book review bloggers are writing about the novel:“A gorgeous ray of sunshine of a book. I can’t put into words how much I love this author’s style of writing. The characters truly feel like people you know and their stories are very real but also captivating.” Wrong side of forty‘Loved it all. Enjoyed it. Devoured it. Recommended.’ Between the Pages Book Club‘Full of humanity and gentle humour – another wonderful and thought-provoking read from R J Gould.’ Ceri’s Lil Blog‘A poignant and life affirming read – I absolutely love this author’s books and writing style.’ Rachael, NetGalley reviewer‘Fiction at its best with the characters in the story living on in the reader’s thoughts after the book is read.’ Reading High Reviews‘An amazing book with lives examined, the past slowly revealed, and most of all, the truth told.’ NetGalley reviewer‘I was gripped by this emotional and true to life story.’ Beyond the Books‘A fantastic read – a book that really pulls on the heartstrings.’ TBHonest‘I loved Then and now. I was utterly hooked and thought the characters were brilliantly written. A great and superbly written, almost life affirming read.’ Niki, Professional Book Reviewer