Warm, witty British fiction about a man in his forties whose marriage and career have both curdled, and the arts café he dreams of opening as a fresh start. Character driven and hopeful, with second chances, family friction, midlife reinvention and late blooming love.

His wife left him for his best friend. His boss thinks kindness is a character flaw. But David’s not done dreaming yet.

At forty-three, David Willoughby’s life is a mess. He’s stuck in a soulless job, navigating his daughter’s simmering anger, his boss’ biting sarcasm, and his ex-wife’s meddling, while living in a house that feels more like a museum of mistakes than a home. Then, at a school reunion he nearly skipped, he sees Bridget—and remembers what it’s like to dream.

Armed with a list titled How to Change My Life, the top point being opening an arts café and winning the heart of the gorgeous Bridget, David sets out to realise his dreams. But to rebuild his world, David must first figure out who he is without the life he thought he’d always have.

Dream Café is the first standalone book in the At the Dream Café series. perfect for readers who love witty, character-driven fiction about second chances, messy families, and finding love (and laughter) the second time around.

Dream Café - shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association's Joan Hessayon Award, 2016

RJ Gould is a feature contributor for publications including Writing Magazine and Pen to Print, and a presenter covering The MAN in RoMANce at Romantic Novelists' Association annual conferences, regional workshops, The University of the Third Age, and Cambridge Writers.

Praise for Dream Café:

★★★★★ "Dream Café is exactly the kind of story I love—funny, heartfelt, and rooted in the ups and downs of real life."

★★★★★ "You don’t have to be middle aged to read it... those of an age or older will recognise the feelings, hope, embarrassment and enlightenment."

★★★★★ "I followed along and couldn't stop reading. It was true life and I could see myself in some of the situations."

★★★★★ "A witty, warm tale of love, life and fresh starts."

★★★★★ "This is a warm tale, easy to read, totally relatable and well-written."

★★★★★ "A man facing life’s problems and not giving up."

★★★★★ "Richard Gould has the dreaded mid-life crisis down to a T."

★★★★★ "The main characters are totally believable and drawn with wit and insight."

★★★★★ "This story definitely held my attention!"

★★★★★ "It was fun, lighthearted, and I would read more by this author!"