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Once We Were Lovers

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A heartwarming and heartbreaking story of lost love, regrets, and the chance to put things right. When Georgie walks into a London café quiz night, Peter turns away without a word. Fifty years ear...
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  • 14 July 2026
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A heartwarming and heartbreaking story of lost love, regrets, and the chance to put things right.

When Georgie walks into a London café quiz night, Peter turns away without a word. Fifty years earlier she betrayed him on the eve of graduation, and he’s never forgiven her for breaking his heart.

Their lives since have gone in opposite directions. Georgie soared briefly to fame in a punk band before falling into addiction, while Peter built a quiet, steady career in academia. Now fate has thrown them back together, and two determined young women are convinced they belong with each other.

But to have any hope of a second chance, Georgie and Peter must confront the night that tore them apart. The clock is ticking.

Once We Were Lovers is the fifth book in the At the Dream Café series—perfect for readers who love witty, character-driven fiction about second chances, messy families, and rediscovering love when you least expect it.
 

  • Shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association's Joan Hessayon Award for first novel, 2016 (Dream Cafe)
  • Feature contributor for various publications, including Writing Magazine and Pen to Print
  • Various presentations covering The MAN in RoMANce eg Romantic Novelists' Association annual conference and regional workshops, University of the Third Age, PentoPrint, Cambridge Writers


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Praise for Once We Were Lovers:

★★★★★ ""A wonderfully told story about love lost and found, second chances and finding happiness, Once We Were Lovers is an absolute delight by R J Gould and perfect for fans of Mike Gayle.""

★★★★★ ""Wonderful book, full of humour, regret, young love and old love, lost love and rekindled love.""

★★★★★ ""I devoured Once We Were Lovers in just over a day — a real treat from start to finish.""

★★★★★ ""A truly endearing story of what ifs, second chances and self-discovery — one I would heartily recommend!""

★★★★★ ""The storytelling was excellent and immersive and you can’t help but feel with the characters and their choices. If you’re looking for a second chance romance with older characters then you will enjoy this.""

★★★★★ ""The characters have so much depth and both the main characters have such engrossing stories that you struggle to put the book down as you want to keep up with them on their journey.""

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Price: $19.99
Pages: 300
Publisher: Vinci Books Ltd
Imprint: Vinci Books Ltd
Series: at the Dream Café series
Publication Date: 14 July 2026
ISBN: 9781036712587
Format: Paperback
BISACs: FICTION / Romance / General, Modern and Contemporary romance, FICTION / Romance / Contemporary, FICTION / Romance / Clean & Wholesome, FICTION / Romance / Friends to Lovers, FICTION / Romance / Second Chances, Romance: wholesome / clean, Romance: cosy / cozy
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R J Gould writes contemporary fiction about relationships using a mix of humour and pathos to describe the life journeys of his protagonists. He is published by Vinci Books and also self-publishes.
Before becoming a full-time author he worked in the education and charity sectors. In addition to his addiction to telling stories, he has somewhat milder addictions to playing tennis, watching film noir cinema, completing wordle and eating dried mango slices.
R J Gould lives in Cambridge, UK.