I’m thrilled to be able to say I am part of the book tour for Then and Now by R.J Gould for Rachel’s Random Resources. Thank you to both Rachel and R.J Gould for the copy of the book so I can take part today.
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 is considering retiring from running his fundraising consultancy.
These three were the best of friends at university before a tragedy wrecked their friendship. They haven’t spoken since.
Fifty years on, they arrange to meet at a reunion. Having reminisced about student life during a wild and self-indulgent 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.
I have read this authors books before and have thoroughly enjoyed them all. As I started this book ,Then and Now, I wondered if this would be up to the standard I am used to. I needn’t have worried at all, it is as good, if not better, as anything else I have read from him.
We meet Sandy, Jonathan, and Micheal. Fifty years ago, they were at university together. They attend their fifty year reunion, and what follows is a look at their lives through alternating chapters for each character. We see the past, then, as young university students and in the present day, now, as older, mature people, wondering what’s next for them in this stage of their lives.
They all fall out during their third year at university and haven’t spoken to each other until now. This is something they decide they must deal with together, too.
R.J. Gould always gets to the very centre of human emotions. Then and Now is a layered novel with complex characters who, having found the opportunity to return to their younger years with the people who mattered, grab it with both hands. I was gripped by this insightful story. I love delving into other people’s worlds, real or not, and I felt like these three could all actually be real.
Again, the author has brought characters that you really can relate to, with issues that aren’t all sweetness and light. He also handles them in the correct manner with sensitivity, too. Then and Now highlights how a twist of fate can totally change everything about your life, but sometimes it just takes a bit of courage to face your problems with good friends to help and you can move forward.
Another emotional and true to life story that again had me reading far too late. I am looking forward to his next book.
Purchase Links
UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/R-J-Gould/e/B006QLQZ8S
US https://www.amazon.com/R-J-Gould/e/B006QLQZ8S
Author Bio
R J Gould writes contemporary fiction about relationships, using a mix of humour and pathos to describe the tragi-comic life journeys of his characters. Then and now is his seventh novel, following The Engagement Party, Jack and Jill Went Downhill, Mid-life follies, The bench by Cromer beach, Nothing Man and Dream Café. He is a member of Cambridge Writers and a rare male member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association.
Before becoming a full-time author he worked in the educational and charity sectors.
R J Gould lives in Cambridge.
Social Media Links
Website http://www.rjgould.info
Twitter https://twitter.com/RJGould_author
Email rjgould.author@gmail.com
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/RJGouldauthor
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rjgould_author
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6432126.R_J_Gould
sharonbeyondthebooks.uk 
What a lovely review! A huge thank you for taking the time to read and write about my new novel – it is greatly appreciated.
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