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Nothing Man
One man in need of an overhaul. Two women determined to drag him there.
Neville Watkin’s life is so dismal surely things can’t get any worse. Yes they can, because his wife leaves him, he loses his job, has a car crash and ends up in hospital.
Feisty Laura, the other party in the car crash, befriends him and sets out to turn his life upside down. For reasons he struggles to understand, Caroline, her equally feisty mother, seems to like him. Rather a lot.
All in all things are looking up, but is Neville courageous enough to seize these new opportunities?
What reviewers are saying about Nothing
“More than a feel good read, it’s a feel great read.”
“Interesting, funny, sad and so very enjoyable.”
"A wonderful observation of life that’s uplifting, humorous and realistic."
“There is a wonderful realism and humanity to the book.”
“Utterly refreshing throughout.”
“Addictive, well written and full of memorable characters.”
“A book that leaves you with a smile on your face.”
“An absolute gem told with the perfect amount of humour and emotion.”
“A completely unique funny, heartwarming contemporary novel.”
Neville Watkin’s life is so dismal surely things can’t get any worse. Yes they can, because his wife leaves him, he loses his job, has a car crash and ends up in hospital.
Feisty Laura, the other party in the car crash, befriends him and sets out to turn his life upside down. For reasons he struggles to understand, Caroline, her equally feisty mother, seems to like him. Rather a lot.
All in all things are looking up, but is Neville courageous enough to seize these new opportunities?
What reviewers are saying about Nothing
“More than a feel good read, it’s a feel great read.”
“Interesting, funny, sad and so very enjoyable.”
"A wonderful observation of life that’s uplifting, humorous and realistic."
“There is a wonderful realism and humanity to the book.”
“Utterly refreshing throughout.”
“Addictive, well written and full of memorable characters.”
“A book that leaves you with a smile on your face.”
“An absolute gem told with the perfect amount of humour and emotion.”
“A completely unique funny, heartwarming contemporary novel.”
- GenresRomance
313 pages, ebook
Published March 14, 2021
44 people are currently reading
45 people want to read
About the author
R.J. Gould
14 books27 followersThanks for wanting to find out about my writing.
I have been published by Lume Books and Headline Accent and I also self-publish. I write contemporary fiction about relationships, using humor and pathos to describe the tragi-comic life journeys of my characters. I tend to flip the traditional romantic novel with my insecure male leads in search of an alpha female. I’m a rare male member of the UK Romantic Novelists’ Association and a member of both Cambridge Writers and the Society of Authors.
Ahead of writing fiction full time, I led a national charity and am the co-author of a major work on educating able young people. Although I enjoy writing about education, fiction is my passion.
I live in Cambridge. In addition to writing, I help promote my partner's mosaic and glass art business and am a trustee of a national food poverty charity. I have a minor addiction to dried mango slices.
Visit www.rjgould.info to find out more.
I have been published by Lume Books and Headline Accent and I also self-publish. I write contemporary fiction about relationships, using humor and pathos to describe the tragi-comic life journeys of my characters. I tend to flip the traditional romantic novel with my insecure male leads in search of an alpha female. I’m a rare male member of the UK Romantic Novelists’ Association and a member of both Cambridge Writers and the Society of Authors.
Ahead of writing fiction full time, I led a national charity and am the co-author of a major work on educating able young people. Although I enjoy writing about education, fiction is my passion.
I live in Cambridge. In addition to writing, I help promote my partner's mosaic and glass art business and am a trustee of a national food poverty charity. I have a minor addiction to dried mango slices.
Visit www.rjgould.info to find out more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 22, 2021
Thank you for the opportunity to read nothing man. Such a brilliant book and devoured it in a weekend. I loved that the characters were so real with real up to date issues too face and that the book worked through realistic real life problems and also tackled themes of depression and loneliness in a sensitive way as well as covering topics of finding friendship and love.
I loved how the character of Neville evolved in the story and also how Caroline helped to bring him out of his shell and her personality contrasted and complemented his. Would love a sequel to see how their lives together developed.
This would make a brilliant drama. I would recommend that fans of Nick Hornby, Tony parsons or Mike Gayle give this author and book a try.
I loved how the character of Neville evolved in the story and also how Caroline helped to bring him out of his shell and her personality contrasted and complemented his. Would love a sequel to see how their lives together developed.
This would make a brilliant drama. I would recommend that fans of Nick Hornby, Tony parsons or Mike Gayle give this author and book a try.
September 18, 2021
Neville’s life is going nowhere, his wife has left him and he’s been made redundant from his job at the bank. After he’s been in a minor car crash he lands up in hospital for observation and starts thinking about his life. Laura is the person involved in the car crash and she visits Neville and takes him under her wing. Sad and funny as we follow the story of why Neville became this person and why he has to change. A good thought provoking read
March 25, 2021
Neville Watkin's life has never been spectacular, but over the last year or so, it's taken a real turn for the worse. He and his wife, Stella, have been distant for years. Now, she has moved out, and is divorcing him. Then he's laid off from his job at the bank--where he's been working since leaving school, thirty years ago.
He really, really doesn't need the accident he has not long after, backing out of a parking spot, into the minivan of a woman and her two kids. The woman is yelling at him for his carelessness, and he can't really defend himself. Especially once his attempt to voice any defense at all ends in him passing out and collapsing at her feet.
He wakes up the next day in a hospital, not very badly injured, and receives an unexpected visitor--Laura, the woman whose car he hit. His life is about to take a truly strange change of direction.
Laura invites him to her house; they work on the insurance paperwork for their accident together. Neville figures that will be the end of it. It's not.
After finding that he is very familiar with all the same old albums her mother likes, she starts encouraging him to get out of his funk and open up to the world. She introduces him to her mother, Caroline. They convince him to use his current free time and severance package from the bank to take a vacation for the first time in, well, ever, it turns out. They get him to buy a more current and more lively wardrobe. They encourage him to get outside more--and a newspaper article about a volunteer conservation group that's looking for more volunteers catches his interest.
Caroline invites him to dinner.
It's a strange, funny, heartwarming journey.
Neville starts to rediscover some of the joys and passions of his youth, including the guitar.
The conservation group doesn't see Neville as the boring guy with the job that is being taken over by computers; they see him as the guy who shows up for every conservation project, and has a background in budgeting and finance.
He discovers along the way that he also has, when doing something he enjoys, interesting and creative ideas.
There are some rough bumps for him along the way, of course. There are also some rough bumps along the way for me as the reader, but my advice is, when you hit them, keep going. It's worth the trip. Neville learns more about himself, more about those around him, and that even a bad mistake isn't necessarily all there is to a person.
Recommended.
I received a free electronic galley of this bookk from the publisher, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
He really, really doesn't need the accident he has not long after, backing out of a parking spot, into the minivan of a woman and her two kids. The woman is yelling at him for his carelessness, and he can't really defend himself. Especially once his attempt to voice any defense at all ends in him passing out and collapsing at her feet.
He wakes up the next day in a hospital, not very badly injured, and receives an unexpected visitor--Laura, the woman whose car he hit. His life is about to take a truly strange change of direction.
Laura invites him to her house; they work on the insurance paperwork for their accident together. Neville figures that will be the end of it. It's not.
After finding that he is very familiar with all the same old albums her mother likes, she starts encouraging him to get out of his funk and open up to the world. She introduces him to her mother, Caroline. They convince him to use his current free time and severance package from the bank to take a vacation for the first time in, well, ever, it turns out. They get him to buy a more current and more lively wardrobe. They encourage him to get outside more--and a newspaper article about a volunteer conservation group that's looking for more volunteers catches his interest.
Caroline invites him to dinner.
It's a strange, funny, heartwarming journey.
Neville starts to rediscover some of the joys and passions of his youth, including the guitar.
The conservation group doesn't see Neville as the boring guy with the job that is being taken over by computers; they see him as the guy who shows up for every conservation project, and has a background in budgeting and finance.
He discovers along the way that he also has, when doing something he enjoys, interesting and creative ideas.
There are some rough bumps for him along the way, of course. There are also some rough bumps along the way for me as the reader, but my advice is, when you hit them, keep going. It's worth the trip. Neville learns more about himself, more about those around him, and that even a bad mistake isn't necessarily all there is to a person.
Recommended.
I received a free electronic galley of this bookk from the publisher, and am reviewing it voluntarily.
March 26, 2021
Nothing Man by R J Gould is an entertaining story of one man’s journey to become what he was always meant to be.
Life seemed to pass Neville by without his participation or realization. One day he woke up, and his wife had left him, he was let go from his banking job because young computer-savvy employees were in demand, and he had no idea how his life had come to this. He was a dull, unloved man with no friends.
After a minor automobile accident brought him into Laura & her family’s world, his life would never be the same. They bring color and life to his dreary existence.
The author takes what seems to be a simple story and makes it into a page-turner. Could Neville change? Could he be the man he always wanted to be? So many subtle small happenings build upon each other until a major turnaround happens without realization.
The story will make you look at your own life through different eyes. If all your comfort zones were taken away, would you have the strength to thrive? No matter the age of the reader, there are lessons to be learned from the Nothing Man.
Don’t think for a moment this is a sad, dreary story. It’s full of subtle and laugh-out-loud humor. Romance, happiness, and fun abound throughout the chapters. It’s not easy to classify a genre for this book, but do we need to? The answer is a resounding no from me.
Pick up a copy of this book today and see for yourself.
Life seemed to pass Neville by without his participation or realization. One day he woke up, and his wife had left him, he was let go from his banking job because young computer-savvy employees were in demand, and he had no idea how his life had come to this. He was a dull, unloved man with no friends.
After a minor automobile accident brought him into Laura & her family’s world, his life would never be the same. They bring color and life to his dreary existence.
The author takes what seems to be a simple story and makes it into a page-turner. Could Neville change? Could he be the man he always wanted to be? So many subtle small happenings build upon each other until a major turnaround happens without realization.
The story will make you look at your own life through different eyes. If all your comfort zones were taken away, would you have the strength to thrive? No matter the age of the reader, there are lessons to be learned from the Nothing Man.
Don’t think for a moment this is a sad, dreary story. It’s full of subtle and laugh-out-loud humor. Romance, happiness, and fun abound throughout the chapters. It’s not easy to classify a genre for this book, but do we need to? The answer is a resounding no from me.
Pick up a copy of this book today and see for yourself.
June 14, 2021
Neville is not having a good time of things; hence the title of the book! Everything has gone wrong at the same time - his wife has left him, he has to sell the house as part of the divorce and he has been made redundant! A trip to the supermarket isn't much better as a sneeze on his way out of his parking space causes him to accelerate and hit another car! His life is going from bad to worse! He ends up in hospital where he is visited by Laura, whose car he crashed into. This is the point his life changes as she drags him out of his comfort zone, introduces him to her mother, Caroline, and he finds his life taking all kinds of twists and turns!
A well written book with lots of humour and parts that you can relate to, especially in the current conditions where we are unable to meet as many people as previously and loneliness can play a big part.
Definitely one to read and enjoy!
A well written book with lots of humour and parts that you can relate to, especially in the current conditions where we are unable to meet as many people as previously and loneliness can play a big part.
Definitely one to read and enjoy!
May 2, 2021
Neville doesn't have a lot going for him. He is in his 50's recently divorced and also recently redundant. He is a man stuck in his ways and there is only one way he is going which is downhill. That's until the day that he encounters Laura in a supermarket car park and through Laura he meets Caroline who is Laura's mum.
Is it possible for a man who is going nowhere to change direction? You'll have to read Nothing Man to find out.
Really enjoyed this book. Thoroughly entertaining.
Is it possible for a man who is going nowhere to change direction? You'll have to read Nothing Man to find out.
Really enjoyed this book. Thoroughly entertaining.
February 7, 2024
Like the narrators voice in this book . I feel for Nevillie as he going through this in his life . I can see all these things happening the ward and it very relatable some comments in this book really made me laugh out loud.
Each chapter is quick witten and you get tk know Neville more through and learn about his past I feel sorry for him at times throughout the book.
I feel for Neville during the hicjkis and how Caroline finds him and that Valentine's day bit had me laughing out loud so much. Inl really enjoyed this book and it has a nice relaxing atmosphere to it and I loved that it was through a male aspect. Neville has some really sweet moments
Note : As I had the audio Book and KU edition I listen and read at the same time and learnt you can use the audible with the KU edition news to me.
Each chapter is quick witten and you get tk know Neville more through and learn about his past I feel sorry for him at times throughout the book.
I feel for Neville during the hicjkis and how Caroline finds him and that Valentine's day bit had me laughing out loud so much. Inl really enjoyed this book and it has a nice relaxing atmosphere to it and I loved that it was through a male aspect. Neville has some really sweet moments
Note : As I had the audio Book and KU edition I listen and read at the same time and learnt you can use the audible with the KU edition news to me.
February 10, 2024
I didn’t know what to expect when I went into this book. But I am happy to say that it didn’t disappoint. I loved every minute of it. I really think that this is a book that I can see myself reading again because how well it was written.
I do think that the characters were some of my favorite parts of this story. Because I really enjoyed getting to go on their journey and seeing how they all changed from when we first met them to where they end up at the end of the novel.
I do think that the characters were some of my favorite parts of this story. Because I really enjoyed getting to go on their journey and seeing how they all changed from when we first met them to where they end up at the end of the novel.
February 19, 2024
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Nothing Man' by R.J Gould.
Read and reviewed for R J Gould and Rachel's Random Tours
Publication date 14th March 2021.
This is the second book I have read by this author. I have also read 'The American Woman' which is the third book in the 'At The Dream Café Series' but can be read as a standalone and is just as good as this book!
This book is very well written with vivid descriptions setting the picture perfectly in the readers mind. The title, description and cover works perfectly with the storyline.
This book is a unique story about a man called Neville who is down on his luck after being mid way through a divorce with his cheating life, loses his job, has a car accident and ends up in hospital. Neville is then befriended by the other party in the car accident Laura and her mother Caroline and his life starts to change. It is an absolutely fantastic light hearted read which I enjoyed listening to via audible. It is one of those pick me up books that will turn a frown upside down and s filled with laughter, friendship, love, loss, healing, second chances, adventure and so, so much more than I can put into words!! It is one of those easy to read books that is perfect to listen to curled up on the sofa under a fleece with a hot chocolate or sprawled out on a towel under the sun on the beach! I was completely invested in the storyline and the characters from start to finish and absolutely devoured it in one sitting. I was listening to it in the car, on walks, doing jobs around the house and I devoured it in one sitting/standing as I could not stop listening to it and just had to know what would happen in the end!! It is very well written and thanks to Gould's evocative writing skills and Karl's brilliant narration the areas, characters and the storyline comes to life in front of the readers eyes ensuring they see and hear everything and feel what the characters feel. This is one of those brilliant books that will stay with me for a long time and I am looking forward to reading more of Gould's books and listening to more of Karl's narrations.
This is one of the few books that I have listened 100% on Audiobook. If I listen to a book on audiobook I usually also read the physical book between but I listened to the whole book and I was impressed! I must say a HUGE congratulations to the narrator Karl Jenkinson who did a great job bringing this story to life. I would listen to it in the car and while walking at any opportunity and Karl did a fantastic job on both male and female characters voices!!! I'm not only looking forward to reading more books by Gould but also to listening to more books narrated by Karl!
The characters were all very strong and realistic and Gould's writing ensured they jumped off the pages at me. Our main protagonist is Neville Watkins who is in his 50's, has recently separated, lost his job and is half way through a divorce!!! If that isn't bad enough he then ends up in a car accident!! I absolutely loved Neville and Karl portrayed his voice perfectly in his narrations on him!! The storyline is very character driven and it is nice that we get to know each of the characters so well. Neville seems like a lost lamb at the start of his book and my heart went out to him. Gould really has done an amazing job creating such realistic, believable and likeable characters in this book. I adored seeing Neville's personality change throughout the storyline as he grew from a withered weed with nowhere to go into a vibrant and colourful bouquet full of life, love and character. It wasn't just Neville I adored though but after the first worrying meeting with Laura, where she is screaming and shouting at poor Neville, she grew on me and it was wonderful seeing her friendship and interactions with Neville grow and blossom with her helping him to come out of his shell. The other main character in this storyline is Caroline who is Laura's mum and is another likeable and feisty character! I could literally go on about all of the characters but it will turn into an either longer essay then and I don't want to run the risk of ruining any of this lovely book for other people so grab your copy and get to know them all yourself! One thing I will say is that there is a negative to the characters and that is that they are fictional as although Gould brings them to life during the book and they stay with you long after, these are characters I loved getting to know and was sad to say Goodbye to! Congratulations Gould for creating such fantastic, unique and memorable characters that will stay with me for a long time and well done to the narrator Karl for bringing them to life so well with your fantastic narrative skills!
Congratulations R.J Gould on yet another fantastic book! Here's to your next success!
Overall an engaging book that will take you on a journey filled with hope and new beginnings, laughter and friendship.
313 pages/ 8 hours 35 minutes
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle, free with Kindle Unlimited, £16 on Audible and £9.45 in paperback via Amazon at time of review which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 4/5 (I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
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Review for 'Nothing Man' by R.J Gould.
Read and reviewed for R J Gould and Rachel's Random Tours
Publication date 14th March 2021.
This is the second book I have read by this author. I have also read 'The American Woman' which is the third book in the 'At The Dream Café Series' but can be read as a standalone and is just as good as this book!
This book is very well written with vivid descriptions setting the picture perfectly in the readers mind. The title, description and cover works perfectly with the storyline.
This book is a unique story about a man called Neville who is down on his luck after being mid way through a divorce with his cheating life, loses his job, has a car accident and ends up in hospital. Neville is then befriended by the other party in the car accident Laura and her mother Caroline and his life starts to change. It is an absolutely fantastic light hearted read which I enjoyed listening to via audible. It is one of those pick me up books that will turn a frown upside down and s filled with laughter, friendship, love, loss, healing, second chances, adventure and so, so much more than I can put into words!! It is one of those easy to read books that is perfect to listen to curled up on the sofa under a fleece with a hot chocolate or sprawled out on a towel under the sun on the beach! I was completely invested in the storyline and the characters from start to finish and absolutely devoured it in one sitting. I was listening to it in the car, on walks, doing jobs around the house and I devoured it in one sitting/standing as I could not stop listening to it and just had to know what would happen in the end!! It is very well written and thanks to Gould's evocative writing skills and Karl's brilliant narration the areas, characters and the storyline comes to life in front of the readers eyes ensuring they see and hear everything and feel what the characters feel. This is one of those brilliant books that will stay with me for a long time and I am looking forward to reading more of Gould's books and listening to more of Karl's narrations.
This is one of the few books that I have listened 100% on Audiobook. If I listen to a book on audiobook I usually also read the physical book between but I listened to the whole book and I was impressed! I must say a HUGE congratulations to the narrator Karl Jenkinson who did a great job bringing this story to life. I would listen to it in the car and while walking at any opportunity and Karl did a fantastic job on both male and female characters voices!!! I'm not only looking forward to reading more books by Gould but also to listening to more books narrated by Karl!
The characters were all very strong and realistic and Gould's writing ensured they jumped off the pages at me. Our main protagonist is Neville Watkins who is in his 50's, has recently separated, lost his job and is half way through a divorce!!! If that isn't bad enough he then ends up in a car accident!! I absolutely loved Neville and Karl portrayed his voice perfectly in his narrations on him!! The storyline is very character driven and it is nice that we get to know each of the characters so well. Neville seems like a lost lamb at the start of his book and my heart went out to him. Gould really has done an amazing job creating such realistic, believable and likeable characters in this book. I adored seeing Neville's personality change throughout the storyline as he grew from a withered weed with nowhere to go into a vibrant and colourful bouquet full of life, love and character. It wasn't just Neville I adored though but after the first worrying meeting with Laura, where she is screaming and shouting at poor Neville, she grew on me and it was wonderful seeing her friendship and interactions with Neville grow and blossom with her helping him to come out of his shell. The other main character in this storyline is Caroline who is Laura's mum and is another likeable and feisty character! I could literally go on about all of the characters but it will turn into an either longer essay then and I don't want to run the risk of ruining any of this lovely book for other people so grab your copy and get to know them all yourself! One thing I will say is that there is a negative to the characters and that is that they are fictional as although Gould brings them to life during the book and they stay with you long after, these are characters I loved getting to know and was sad to say Goodbye to! Congratulations Gould for creating such fantastic, unique and memorable characters that will stay with me for a long time and well done to the narrator Karl for bringing them to life so well with your fantastic narrative skills!
Congratulations R.J Gould on yet another fantastic book! Here's to your next success!
Overall an engaging book that will take you on a journey filled with hope and new beginnings, laughter and friendship.
313 pages/ 8 hours 35 minutes
This book is just 99p to purchase on kindle, free with Kindle Unlimited, £16 on Audible and £9.45 in paperback via Amazon at time of review which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 4/5 (I enjoyed it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
#NothingMan #RJGould #RichardGould #KarlJenkinson #RachelsRandomResources #rararesources #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #BookReview #BlogTour #BooksOnTour #Goodreads #Amazon #AmazonKindle #Bookstagram #Bookblogger #KindleUnlimited #Audiobook #Audible
@NothingMan @RJGould @RichardGould @KarlJenkinson @RachelsRandomResources @rararesources @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86 @Goodreads @Amazon @AmazonKindle @Bookstagram @BookBlogger @KindleUnlimited @Audiobook @Audible
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May 14, 2021
Should be 4.5 stars
I enjoyed reading the book. Wish I could rate in half stars, not quite a 5 star read but it deserves more than 4. I liked the characters. I could relate to Neville in some aspects. Not something I would normally read but it looked interesting and I went for it. May have to sty what else Mr. Gould had written...
I enjoyed reading the book. Wish I could rate in half stars, not quite a 5 star read but it deserves more than 4. I liked the characters. I could relate to Neville in some aspects. Not something I would normally read but it looked interesting and I went for it. May have to sty what else Mr. Gould had written...
November 12, 2021
Delightful!!
October 5, 2022
Nothing Man
I liked this book. Lots of ups and downs. Just goes to show you it’s not too late to be happy
I liked this book. Lots of ups and downs. Just goes to show you it’s not too late to be happy
August 8, 2024
I was given a free copy of this title in exchange for my unbiased review.
I listened to the audiobook version of this title, ably narrated by Karl Jenkinson. I want to say that this is a pedestrian tale of a lost, lonely, broken and unhappy man. But that sounds negative and critical. It isn’t however, it’s descriptive and biographical. (I imagined Neville Watkins character as a little hangdog, in the way that Nicholas Lyndhurst portrays Rodney Trotter in Only Fools and Horses).
Neville really isn’t in a good place when we first encounter him; his wife has just left him for another man (having spent the past countless years cheating on him) and then subsequently getting “laid off” from his banking job on April Fool’s Day, culminating with a “Road Traffic Accident” in a supermarket car park!
Things can only get better, right? Well, not straight away… this is the story of how - dragging and screaming - Neville turns his life around, with a little place from his RTA Nemesis!
This is a Great Story and SO relatable to me. I doubt that I’m as reticent in my interactions as Nigel but I am very keen to not give offence or upset the status quo. This is the story of him navigating life, following his car accident, with the “victim” of the RTA! (Kicking and screaming, kinda).
A more reluctant makeover, is hard to find and that’s what makes this an enjoyable, easy going “coming of age” tale.
I would highly recommend this book. The narration is good and admirably supports this timing, self-effacing character.
I listened to the audiobook version of this title, ably narrated by Karl Jenkinson. I want to say that this is a pedestrian tale of a lost, lonely, broken and unhappy man. But that sounds negative and critical. It isn’t however, it’s descriptive and biographical. (I imagined Neville Watkins character as a little hangdog, in the way that Nicholas Lyndhurst portrays Rodney Trotter in Only Fools and Horses).
Neville really isn’t in a good place when we first encounter him; his wife has just left him for another man (having spent the past countless years cheating on him) and then subsequently getting “laid off” from his banking job on April Fool’s Day, culminating with a “Road Traffic Accident” in a supermarket car park!
Things can only get better, right? Well, not straight away… this is the story of how - dragging and screaming - Neville turns his life around, with a little place from his RTA Nemesis!
This is a Great Story and SO relatable to me. I doubt that I’m as reticent in my interactions as Nigel but I am very keen to not give offence or upset the status quo. This is the story of him navigating life, following his car accident, with the “victim” of the RTA! (Kicking and screaming, kinda).
A more reluctant makeover, is hard to find and that’s what makes this an enjoyable, easy going “coming of age” tale.
I would highly recommend this book. The narration is good and admirably supports this timing, self-effacing character.
July 29, 2021
Neville Watkin’s is having a really rubbish time of it.
His wife leaves him, he loses his job and he has a car crash which ends up with him in hospital.
Now Neville has hit rock bottom.
His whole life has revolved around a job he never really wanted in the first place.
And his wardrobe reflects his life – bland and boring.
Fortunately for him, feisty Laura, the other party in the car crash, befriends him and sets out to turn his life upside down.
And she’s on a mission to shake Neville out of his funk – from his head to his toes!
For reasons he struggles to understand, Caroline, Laura’s equally feisty mother, seems to like him.
Rather a lot actually.
Things are finally starting to look up, but is Neville courageous enough to seize these new opportunities?
I really enjoyed Nothing Man.
It’s all about starting over, unlikely friendships, stepping outside your comfort zone, and seizing the day.
The story is also about letting things go and moving on from past trauma.
Neville is like a Phoenix rising from the ashes and his transformation is really nothing short of remarkable.
Nothing Man is a really enjoyable read with tender and humorous moments.
And Neville is anything but a Nothing Man!
His wife leaves him, he loses his job and he has a car crash which ends up with him in hospital.
Now Neville has hit rock bottom.
His whole life has revolved around a job he never really wanted in the first place.
And his wardrobe reflects his life – bland and boring.
Fortunately for him, feisty Laura, the other party in the car crash, befriends him and sets out to turn his life upside down.
And she’s on a mission to shake Neville out of his funk – from his head to his toes!
For reasons he struggles to understand, Caroline, Laura’s equally feisty mother, seems to like him.
Rather a lot actually.
Things are finally starting to look up, but is Neville courageous enough to seize these new opportunities?
I really enjoyed Nothing Man.
It’s all about starting over, unlikely friendships, stepping outside your comfort zone, and seizing the day.
The story is also about letting things go and moving on from past trauma.
Neville is like a Phoenix rising from the ashes and his transformation is really nothing short of remarkable.
Nothing Man is a really enjoyable read with tender and humorous moments.
And Neville is anything but a Nothing Man!
February 15, 2024
This was such a wonderful listen. The narration was wonderful- so easy to follow and full of character and passion.
The story was lighthearted and entertaining. There is humour in tragedy and poor Neville has it by the bucket full.
There was a real sense of wanting Neville to succeed and I couldn’t help feeling the ups and downs of his journey.
Laura had me in stitches - she was very blunt and there are a few moments perhaps not for the prudish but I couldn’t help smile when she started off on a point of ‘What you need Neville’
Although full of humour there were moments of seriousness - touching on loneliness and dementia which were done with sensitivity.
I would definitely recommend this one and look forward to more audiobooks from Richard in the future.
The story was lighthearted and entertaining. There is humour in tragedy and poor Neville has it by the bucket full.
There was a real sense of wanting Neville to succeed and I couldn’t help feeling the ups and downs of his journey.
Laura had me in stitches - she was very blunt and there are a few moments perhaps not for the prudish but I couldn’t help smile when she started off on a point of ‘What you need Neville’
Although full of humour there were moments of seriousness - touching on loneliness and dementia which were done with sensitivity.
I would definitely recommend this one and look forward to more audiobooks from Richard in the future.
September 14, 2021
Poor Neville - recently made redundant, recently separated feom his wife, crashed his car. From then on his life changed for the better. Gradually with the help of two women he made friends, fell into a job which he loved, met a new love and left the grey man that he had become behind.
This is a romantic novel from a male perspective. Brilliant
This is a romantic novel from a male perspective. Brilliant
January 22, 2023
sorry but so boring
Thousands of conversations….building mundane things and attempting to make them bigger than they were. Sorry, just boring, I don’t know how I finished, it, was so glad when it ended, which is so unlike me. Also, how did this guy have sooo much money to spend, his redundancy, bank pension and house sale would no way have funded his lifestyle.
Thousands of conversations….building mundane things and attempting to make them bigger than they were. Sorry, just boring, I don’t know how I finished, it, was so glad when it ended, which is so unlike me. Also, how did this guy have sooo much money to spend, his redundancy, bank pension and house sale would no way have funded his lifestyle.
February 16, 2024
An uplifting story about a man at his lowest point and the friendships he builds that helps him find his feet again. I liked getting to know the character of Neville and enjoyed following his story to happiness. It’s 4 stars for “Nothing Man” by R J Gould!
My full review: https://whatrebeccasread.wordpress.co...
My full review: https://whatrebeccasread.wordpress.co...
February 17, 2024
This was a really good easy listen which I managed to finish in just a day. I wasn’t sure on the narrator at first but soon gelled with the voice.
The main character Neville was so relatable and I love how he overcame a lot of negativity and found positivity.
This is a good listen and I would recommend.
The main character Neville was so relatable and I love how he overcame a lot of negativity and found positivity.
This is a good listen and I would recommend.
January 10, 2022
This was a very entertaining book. I could relate to so many things it must have reflected real situations from someone's life. Funny in parts (many parts) and realistic in others.
November 14, 2022
unusual
Really enjoyed the book very different couldn’t put it down so funny unusual story about different people one I could read again
Really enjoyed the book very different couldn’t put it down so funny unusual story about different people one I could read again
October 4, 2024
4.5 stars
April 18, 2021
Enjoyed this book more than I expected to...great story, characters, outcome...a feel good read from beginning to end!
April 1, 2021
'Nothing Man' by R.J Gould is a story of one man in need of an overhaul with two women determined to drag him there.
Neville Watkin's is having a bad time, he thinks. Until his wife leaves him, he loses his job THEN has a car crash and ends up in hospital. Laura was the person in the other car and she makes it her mission to sort him out after she befriends him. Laura's mother Caroline is as fiesty as her daughter is and takes a liking to Neville also. Neville has no clue what is actually happening, all he knows is his life seems to be taking a turn for the better. The problem is can Neville gather himself together to grab his chances while he can...or not?
'Nothing Man' is a romantic and really entertaining adventure and RJ Gould has created a set of characters that stand out. Poor Neville is really low and finds nothing positive about himself or his life until the fateful day of the crash. He has no inkling of the impact that this one incident will have on his life at all. As the story unfolds and we see Neville forming friendships and meeting people who will help him create the change he wants. He slowly begins to feel like he can live again.
It was lovely to see Neville grow and develop, rather like a flower in the sun. He started as a rather withdrawn man and eventually he came around. The other characters are equally as interesting and unique with their own part to play in this delightful and humourous book. I enjoyed seeing the impact each one had in the story.
R.J Gould has managed to write a book that you get slowly drawn into and you realise you can't tear youself away, it immerses you so much, right from the off you are with Neville and then as time goes on his new friends too. I was really connected to these people in this story and thought the author balanced the humour and emotions perfectly. Now, I really just need to know what happens to Neville next!
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and R.J Gould for the copy of the book today.
Neville Watkin's is having a bad time, he thinks. Until his wife leaves him, he loses his job THEN has a car crash and ends up in hospital. Laura was the person in the other car and she makes it her mission to sort him out after she befriends him. Laura's mother Caroline is as fiesty as her daughter is and takes a liking to Neville also. Neville has no clue what is actually happening, all he knows is his life seems to be taking a turn for the better. The problem is can Neville gather himself together to grab his chances while he can...or not?
'Nothing Man' is a romantic and really entertaining adventure and RJ Gould has created a set of characters that stand out. Poor Neville is really low and finds nothing positive about himself or his life until the fateful day of the crash. He has no inkling of the impact that this one incident will have on his life at all. As the story unfolds and we see Neville forming friendships and meeting people who will help him create the change he wants. He slowly begins to feel like he can live again.
It was lovely to see Neville grow and develop, rather like a flower in the sun. He started as a rather withdrawn man and eventually he came around. The other characters are equally as interesting and unique with their own part to play in this delightful and humourous book. I enjoyed seeing the impact each one had in the story.
R.J Gould has managed to write a book that you get slowly drawn into and you realise you can't tear youself away, it immerses you so much, right from the off you are with Neville and then as time goes on his new friends too. I was really connected to these people in this story and thought the author balanced the humour and emotions perfectly. Now, I really just need to know what happens to Neville next!
Thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and R.J Gould for the copy of the book today.
March 30, 2021
Neville has been dealt a pretty crap hand. If I’m honest with you his life sucks and everyone else is passing him by. He’s miserable. He’s got a cold and there’s nothing is going right. He’s lost his job. He’s lost his wife. And he is about to lose his house in the settlement. Things couldn’t get much more crappy for him.
Well, add in a sneeze that in that moment will drastically change his life, and well, crash him into another car. He ends up hospitalised when the most unexpected visitor comes to check up on him and hold out a hand.
Little did he know that his story would suddenly gain more energy, more chaos, more life.
* Nothing Man was a joy to read. It was addictive, well written and full of memorable characters. It was unexpected, sarcastic in places and reminded you of that Neville that you know.
* I found the book to be a quick read: quicker than I expected as it’s not a favoured genre of mine. I was happily rooting for Neville and wanted him to discover a new leash of life rather than discovering another Boots employee to badger. He deserved happiness and something to go right.
* The characters were a varied cast, they felt real and relatable. As an ex-retail worker, I am fairly certain I have served every single one in the past. Especially Neville, we had a few Nevilles. They reminded you of real people and that made me enjoy it even more.
* I am so glad to have pushed myself outside of my comfort zone with this read. You never know what you might enjoy until you try.
Well, add in a sneeze that in that moment will drastically change his life, and well, crash him into another car. He ends up hospitalised when the most unexpected visitor comes to check up on him and hold out a hand.
Little did he know that his story would suddenly gain more energy, more chaos, more life.
* Nothing Man was a joy to read. It was addictive, well written and full of memorable characters. It was unexpected, sarcastic in places and reminded you of that Neville that you know.
* I found the book to be a quick read: quicker than I expected as it’s not a favoured genre of mine. I was happily rooting for Neville and wanted him to discover a new leash of life rather than discovering another Boots employee to badger. He deserved happiness and something to go right.
* The characters were a varied cast, they felt real and relatable. As an ex-retail worker, I am fairly certain I have served every single one in the past. Especially Neville, we had a few Nevilles. They reminded you of real people and that made me enjoy it even more.
* I am so glad to have pushed myself outside of my comfort zone with this read. You never know what you might enjoy until you try.
March 18, 2021
Involving and absorbing romance
Neville is going through a difficult time, he’s lost his job, his wife has left him and just this minute he’s backed into another car in Sainsbury’s car park. But sometimes good things can come from bad.
This contemporary fiction sees Neville, aged mid-fifties, being steered out of a life he finds disappointing into one of hope with bright options for the future. Following a fortuitous meeting with Laura, whose mother Neville finds very attractive, the reader follows Neville through his sometimes bumpy, and often funny journey from being a nothing man (as his ex-wife put it) to ....... well, you’ll need to read the book to find out!
Gould is a wonderful observer of life, adding humour to tricky situations. Neville is a character it is easy to relate to, and I found myself completely involved in what was going on, and staying up late to see how things would turn out.
5*s from me, as, even with the complications in Neville’s life, I found this uplifting, humorous and just the tonic I needed for being rather fed up with lockdown. This author’s writing is neither heavy nor frivolous, and looks at life (in particular romance) with a realistic, but upbeat outlook.
A perfect read for anyone who wants a comfort read, with some awkward moments.
This is the third book I have read by this author and my favourite so far, but they are all great!
Neville is going through a difficult time, he’s lost his job, his wife has left him and just this minute he’s backed into another car in Sainsbury’s car park. But sometimes good things can come from bad.
This contemporary fiction sees Neville, aged mid-fifties, being steered out of a life he finds disappointing into one of hope with bright options for the future. Following a fortuitous meeting with Laura, whose mother Neville finds very attractive, the reader follows Neville through his sometimes bumpy, and often funny journey from being a nothing man (as his ex-wife put it) to ....... well, you’ll need to read the book to find out!
Gould is a wonderful observer of life, adding humour to tricky situations. Neville is a character it is easy to relate to, and I found myself completely involved in what was going on, and staying up late to see how things would turn out.
5*s from me, as, even with the complications in Neville’s life, I found this uplifting, humorous and just the tonic I needed for being rather fed up with lockdown. This author’s writing is neither heavy nor frivolous, and looks at life (in particular romance) with a realistic, but upbeat outlook.
A perfect read for anyone who wants a comfort read, with some awkward moments.
This is the third book I have read by this author and my favourite so far, but they are all great!
March 24, 2021
Neville Watkin’s is having a really rubbish time of it.
His wife leaves him, he loses his job and he has a car crash which ends up with him in hospital.
Now Neville has hit rock bottom.
His whole life has revolved around a job he never really wanted in the first place.
And his wardrobe reflects his life - bland and boring.
Fortunately for him feisty Laura, the other party in the car crash, befriends him and sets out to turn his life upside down.
And she’s on a mission to shake Neville out of his funk - from his head to his toes!
For reasons he struggles to understand, Caroline, Laura’s equally feisty mother, seems to like him.
Rather a lot actually.
All in all things are starting to look up, but is Neville courageous enough to seize these new opportunities?
I really enjoyed Nothing Man.
It’s all about starting over, unlikely friendships, stepping outside your comfort zone and seizing the day.
The story is also about letting things go and moving on from past trauma.
Neville is like a Phoenix rising from the ashes and his transformation is really nothing short of remarkable.
Nothing Man is a really enjoyable read with tender and humorous moments.
And Neville is anything but a Nothing Man!
His wife leaves him, he loses his job and he has a car crash which ends up with him in hospital.
Now Neville has hit rock bottom.
His whole life has revolved around a job he never really wanted in the first place.
And his wardrobe reflects his life - bland and boring.
Fortunately for him feisty Laura, the other party in the car crash, befriends him and sets out to turn his life upside down.
And she’s on a mission to shake Neville out of his funk - from his head to his toes!
For reasons he struggles to understand, Caroline, Laura’s equally feisty mother, seems to like him.
Rather a lot actually.
All in all things are starting to look up, but is Neville courageous enough to seize these new opportunities?
I really enjoyed Nothing Man.
It’s all about starting over, unlikely friendships, stepping outside your comfort zone and seizing the day.
The story is also about letting things go and moving on from past trauma.
Neville is like a Phoenix rising from the ashes and his transformation is really nothing short of remarkable.
Nothing Man is a really enjoyable read with tender and humorous moments.
And Neville is anything but a Nothing Man!
October 26, 2021
The Nothing Man is a breath of fresh air in these troubled times, it is a totally feel good read.
The book begins as Neville has hit the lowest point in his life, his wife of 30 years has left him, he's been made redundant from the job he's been in since leaving school and then has a crash in his car which lands him in hospital. The accident is the turning point for Neville and the point where the larger than life characters that are Laura & Charlotte leap into the pages of the novel.
The Neville at the beginning of the story is a completely different person to the one we leave on the last page. It was literally like watching from a distance the journey of a caterpillar to a butterfly!
There are parts where I laughed so much i cried, situations that Neville finds himself in and the way he handles them are funny and so endearing, tongue in cheek humour sparkles throughout Nothing Man.
Laura and Caroline are bright and colourful characters that light up every page, I challenge anyone who reads this book to not finish the last page with a huge smile on their face... I'm off to download Richards other novels!
June 7, 2021
An hilarious look at life of a man in his 50’s, who is really down on his luck. Can things really get worse in Neville’s life? After his wife leaves him and he has just been made redundant down in the dumps Neville has a car accident. Little did he know that this was going to change his life. Enter Laura and Caroline whose sense of humour and fun-loving characters put my faith back in the human race. They were all so believable and it was so well written that you could not help but laugh and fall in love with the characters. I am sure there will be many people reading it who can relate to the feelings that Neville’s character went through. I felt that it was very true to life. This is the second novel I have read by Richard Gould and I adore his style and he has certainly done it again, an absolutely fabulous read.
March 18, 2021
I loved this book. Poor Neville Watkins was at his lowest point after losing his wife and his job, followed by the car accident which must have seen like life was against him. What followed was quite an adventure and the author has created such marvellous characters who I’m sure many can relate to in real life. It’s full of humour and it’s one of those books I didn’t want to end. I could just see this story being made into a tv film as there’s so much going on, with the right mixture of sadness and humour.
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