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R J Gould
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Jack and Jill went downhill: A witty, poignant story about love & second chances Kindle Edition

by R J Gould (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 274 ratings
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“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.”
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  1. Print length
    298 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    May 1, 2016
  4. File size
    903 KB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01F2JYV12
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ R J Gould (May 1, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 1, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 903 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 298 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 274 ratings

About the author

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R J Gould

R J Gould

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R J Gould is a rare male member of the UK Romantic Novelists’ Association, writing contemporary fiction about relationships using a mix of wry humour and pathos to describe the tragi-comic life journeys of his protagonists. He has been published by Headline Accent and Lume Books and also self-publishes.

Before becoming a full-time author he worked in the educational 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, England.

You can connect with him at www.rjgould.info, on twitter and Instagram @rjgould_author, and on Facebook at RJGouldauthor

Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
274 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • seasnowblue
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping Romance
    Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    A gripping romantic novel, I highly recommend it! R J Gould is an incredibly talented writer, with a great insight on the way men and women think, and all the fun, turmoil, and sometimes utter confusion our differences can create. I'm keen to read his other books!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Ddlowe
    4.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining, easy-to-read book with wonderful characterizations
    Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2016
    I received a free copy of the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

    Overall I was very pleased with this book. It was an entertaining, easy-to-read book with wonderful characterizations.

    The book is split into three parts. The first part is where the main characters meet and their university years. The second is their married life and ending of their relationship. The third is where they meet and begin again. The first part is the longest of the book and perhaps drags on a bit; though it does provide a lot of background and character development. While this does give the reader the ability to see why the main characters are who they are, I think that this could have been done a bit faster. The second and third parts go more quickly. Almost too quickly. I felt a bit let down not hearing the inner struggles of the main characters.

    The three parts of the book also reflect the changing characters. In the first part the characters are young, things are new, and you get to know the characters and why they react like they do. In the second part of the book, you begin to dislike who each of the characters have become. In the third part of the book you get to see that after the bottom has dropped out, the main characters pick themselves up and become better people. You’re thankful that they get a second chance to make things work.

    The character interactions were honest and realistic. In real life, people are tough on each other. Acceptance, forgiveness, and understanding don’t happen overnight; sometimes never. The interactions between the characters in this book felt real. The beginning of a relationship is all getting to know each other, fun, and new. The middle is difficult and grinding. If work between two individuals doesn’t happen, then end of a relationship can be brutal. In the case of this story the characters are given a second chance with each other.

    Overall it was a good read, with realistic characters, and a happy ending.
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  • Sherri_Bryant
    3.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining Story
    Reviewed in the United States on August 29, 2017
    An entertaining story by new to me author R.J. Gould about love found, love lost and love rediscovered. Jack and Jill meet at university and immediately fall head over heels for each other in what appears to be a solid relationship, despite their different backgrounds and personalities. As they finish university and begin their lives together, the reality of adult life of bills and responsibilities sets in and begins to fracture the relationship as they both make decisions that further damage the relationship beyond repair.

    I enjoyed this story and liked both Jack and Jill immensely, flaws and all. Surprisingly, I never felt myself taking one side over the other. I thought these characters were written very realistically and easy to relate to. The plot kept me engaged throughout the entire story; my curiosity was quite high about what would happen and whether or not this couple could make their way back to one another. The road getting there was quite bumpy for them both and not without a few tumbles and falls.

    My Final Verdict: Readers who enjoy the chick-lit genre overall will enjoy this offering by Mr. Gould. Witty and funny with several twists that keeps the story engaging and interesting.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • sigipooh
    5.0 out of 5 stars What a shame! Finished the book already?!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Thoroughly enjoyed the book. It's a book you start reading and don't want to put down. You find yourself caring for the characters, getting upset or relating to the events they undergo as the story evolves. Download and read, ENJOY!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Danielle Urban
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2016
    Jack and Jill Went Downhill by R.J. Gould is a great read. The beginning moved too slow for my own interest. However, the middle was where it got super interesting. I mean there was action and all to enjoy. I felt that R.J. Gould could have left off the first part aka the beginning or shortened to bits and pieces throughout the book like a flashback from the characters' standpoint. The characters' emotional journey hit it off in the middle. The ending made me wish the book wasn't ending quite yet. The romance between the main characters is symbolic in many ways. I thought the portrayal of the romance between them was real. I can't see most humans forgiving so easily all the time like most novels would have us readers think is believable. The realistic side of relationships can come off harsh and difficult. But that's life. The story overall was entertaining once the action started to come into play. Then, from there the rest was highly entertaining. I enjoyed the title and how the story captured the title onto its pages. I would recommend this read to others.
    One person found this helpful
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  • arthur levene
    5.0 out of 5 stars really good engaging read
    Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    very engaging and a good mix of humor and pathos Easy read and well written. I have enjoyed all of richard goulds books
    One person found this helpful
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  • weecrews
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2016
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    Very English, but enjoyable.
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  • Jess
    4.0 out of 5 stars This book and I had a love and hate relationship
    Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2016
    I would actually give this book 3.5 stars but since that's not an option, I will round up. This book and I had a love and hate relationship. Divided into three parts, I barely made it through part one. I don't know if it was the writer's prose or if the first part was just that boring. Part one introduces you to Jack and Jill and takes you through the beginning of their relationship. If this was a serial novel, part one would barely qualify for two stars, but oh does this book get better. Part two and three move smoothly and quickly as Jack and Jill "fall down" and work towards building things back up. So many things happen in parts two and three, I found I didn't want to set the book down and I would gladly give those parts of the book 4-4.5 stars ( thats why I said 3.5 stars for the whole book). This book is a good read when you persevere to the end. I received a free copy of this book from Read for Review in exchange for an honest review.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Diana
    5.0 out of 5 stars Good read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 30, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Being someone who pretty much only reads crime literature, I was not expecting to like this as much as I did! The book follows the trials and tribulations of a couple transitioning from the care free days of university to the rat race that is life. Anyone who has lived and worked in London, will find the author’s descriptions of the city, the working hours and how life goes from “playing house” to tube drudgery very relatable. It is indeed a very English book as one person has noted, however the themes and observations on how two people can drift apart when hit by the train of life will be relatable to people from any country. Whilst following the life choices of two people, the book makes a wider observation on the choice that many are making these days, namely the choice between career and money and life balance. As well as being a wonderful example of how relationships can fail between two people who love each other, it is also highlights how easy it is to loose control of your life and sacrifice your relationships and well being to the corporate world.
    In general the characters are relatable, you like them both and I didn’t feel a pull to either one. I think this would make an excellent film, it reminds me of One Day, with a slightly less traumatic ending!
    I would definitely recommend this book. It is certainly a good holiday read and a book that anyone can pick up and read, irrespective of taste in genre, mainly because the theme is recognisable to most people. The writing also flows well and you can easily sit down and read this book from cover to cover if you have the luxury of time!
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  • k
    4.0 out of 5 stars VERY ENJOYABLE
    Reviewed in Australia on October 30, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This author’s style is quietly endearing. His books are easy to read, and he captures emotion perfectly.. He writes of everyday people in a straightforward, warm manner. Editing is well done, and the setting well described. I enjoy sitting down with one of his well-written novels.
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  • Tom Williams
    4.0 out of 5 stars In the end, it's another romance novel - which is a shame.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Jack and Jill meet on their first day at university and fall head-over-heels in love. Their love unites them despite their very different backgrounds. It is not enough, though, to keep them together faced with the pressures of working in 21st century London. He’s a City trader and she’s a teacher, both working ridiculous hours and constantly stressed. He turns to drugs and alcohol and occasional lovers. She nags a bit and eventually takes a lover of her own. There are authorial suggestions that they are both to blame, which seems a bit overly-generous to the patriarchy, but it’s still a credible portrait of a disintegrating marriage. The final straw is two very public scandals.

    Jack and Jill have both screwed up and both regret it. It’s a convincing story of how marriage problems escalate out of control and the distress that ensues.

    Gould writes well and (the odd appalling misogynistic family member apart) with layered characters who even a miserable old git like me is drawn to and cares about. It would definitely be a 4.5+ rated book except for the ending. No spoilers, but I felt it let the rest of the book down. Still, this is probably as edgy as most romance readers are going to tolerate and they should enjoy the ride.
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  • Bethan
    5.0 out of 5 stars I'm already looking forward to my next R.J Gould read.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 7, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I have been a fan of R.J. Gould for a while, having read several of his previous novels.
    This story was told with his usual wry style, and tells the tale of a couple who meet at university, fall in love and get married. And then things start to go downhill.

    This is no fairy tale. It’s realistic and down-to-earth, and the characters are mature and well-rounded. And flawed. Brilliantly flawed.

    I'm already looking forward to my next R.J Gould read.
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  • Jools
    3.0 out of 5 stars It was ok
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 13, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I think I had high hopes for this book but I found it was just OK. At times nothing really happened which in some ways sums up life sometimes...but I found myself skipping chunks of it searching for the "action".
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