A second-chance romance between former sweethearts reunited in their sixties, fifty years after a betrayal neither has forgotten. Witty, bittersweet British fiction about later-life love, old wounds and the courage to try again.
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, whilst 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.

Once We Were Lovers is the fifth standalone 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.

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. His book Dream Café was shortlisted for the Romantic Novelists' Association's Joan Hessayon Award, 2016.


Praise for Once We Were Lovers:
★★★★★ "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."
★★★★★ "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."