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Bitter Sweet
When a young book publicist finds herself in an all-consuming workplace affair with her literary idol, she learns that the things you love most can sometimes be the very things that tear you apart in this intoxicating and moving debut novel.
Charlie hasn’t always had high hopes for herself. But now at twenty-three, she’s landed her dream job as an assistant at a historic London publishing house, moved into a stunning townhome with two of the most glamorous, kind and generous people she’s ever met, and her favorite author, the award-winning, generation-defining, charming Richard Aveling, is about to publish his magnum opus—and Charlie is going to be working with him.
She couldn’t be more excited to help publish the man whose writing has inspired her since she was a teenager. When Charlie bumps into Richard while having a smoke in the rain, the attraction is immediate, and the moment feels nothing short of cinematic.
So when the Richard Aveling begins to take her advice over that of more senior staff, Charlie finds herself drawn to him despite their thirty-year age gap, his marriage, and the disparity in their power at the publishing house. Once Richard makes it clear that he’s drawn to her as well, they begin an affair that Charlie never saw coming; it is a relationship founded in control and silence.
Too soon, she can’t imagine her life without Richard, and too late, she understands that losing him will unravel more than just their relationship…it might also unravel her.
Tender and poignant, Bitter Sweet is an intimate exploration of power, of vulnerability, of what it means to love another person, and of what it means to love yourself.
Charlie hasn’t always had high hopes for herself. But now at twenty-three, she’s landed her dream job as an assistant at a historic London publishing house, moved into a stunning townhome with two of the most glamorous, kind and generous people she’s ever met, and her favorite author, the award-winning, generation-defining, charming Richard Aveling, is about to publish his magnum opus—and Charlie is going to be working with him.
She couldn’t be more excited to help publish the man whose writing has inspired her since she was a teenager. When Charlie bumps into Richard while having a smoke in the rain, the attraction is immediate, and the moment feels nothing short of cinematic.
So when the Richard Aveling begins to take her advice over that of more senior staff, Charlie finds herself drawn to him despite their thirty-year age gap, his marriage, and the disparity in their power at the publishing house. Once Richard makes it clear that he’s drawn to her as well, they begin an affair that Charlie never saw coming; it is a relationship founded in control and silence.
Too soon, she can’t imagine her life without Richard, and too late, she understands that losing him will unravel more than just their relationship…it might also unravel her.
Tender and poignant, Bitter Sweet is an intimate exploration of power, of vulnerability, of what it means to love another person, and of what it means to love yourself.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published July 8, 2025
657 people are currently reading
43519 people want to read
About the author
Hattie Williams
2 books163 followersI'm a writer based in East London. I left education in my teens to pursue a career as a musician. I have toured Europe extensively, made three studio albums, and worked as a composer with my tracks still regularly featured on TV and streaming services across the world. In my mid-twenties I found myself working in publishing quite by accident, and an admin temping job turned into a twelve-year career in which I worked with some of the biggest authors in the world. I'm the former producer of the Iceland Noir Literary Festival.
My debut novel, BITTER SWEET, will be published in July 2025. My second novel, BEGINNING. MIDDLE. END. will follow.
My debut novel, BITTER SWEET, will be published in July 2025. My second novel, BEGINNING. MIDDLE. END. will follow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 606 reviews
August 17, 2025
This has been the most frustratingly addictive book I’ve read in awhile. It’s been a very long time since I’ve picked up a book that makes me have so many physical reactions while I’m reading it. Im angry and sad, but also understanding and empathetic towards the main character and I can’t put it down.
I would check TWs!!
Our main character Charlie (23), who also works in the publishing space, finds herself in an affair with an author (56) that she’s been familiar with her whole life and seems to be the single lasting connection to her late mother. You get sucked into this toxic and manipulative relationship, that we as a reader can see coming from a mile away, but like most people in toxic relationships, they cannot and will not see it for themselves. You’re feeling all of these emotions, but you’re also rooting for her the entire time.
If you’ve been in it, you understand it and if you haven’t, this book captures that feeling so perfectly. And for that, it will forever hold a special place in my heart 💛
I would check TWs!!
Our main character Charlie (23), who also works in the publishing space, finds herself in an affair with an author (56) that she’s been familiar with her whole life and seems to be the single lasting connection to her late mother. You get sucked into this toxic and manipulative relationship, that we as a reader can see coming from a mile away, but like most people in toxic relationships, they cannot and will not see it for themselves. You’re feeling all of these emotions, but you’re also rooting for her the entire time.
If you’ve been in it, you understand it and if you haven’t, this book captures that feeling so perfectly. And for that, it will forever hold a special place in my heart 💛
July 23, 2025
i always enjoy reading books about girls making terrible decisions. it's important to see yourself represented on page
(review to come / thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
(review to come / thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)
February 3, 2025
4 stars
I couldn’t put this book down. I felt an instant connection to the main character, Charlie. Oh, Charlie—you stupid, stupid girl, honey, but I love you. There’s something so raw and real about her that made me want to reach into the pages and hug her, even while I wanted to shake her and scream, “What are you doing?!” I completely understood her thoughts, her choices, and the messy, complicated emotions driving her actions. She reminded me so much of myself—my younger, more naïve self, who thought love could fix everything and that sacrificing my own happiness was worth it for someone else.
Charlie’s relationship with that manipulative jerk was painfully relatable. She hid so much from her family and friends, knowing they wouldn’t agree, and they’d be right. Yet, she clung to that stubborn hope things might change. It’s that awful tug-of-war between logic and emotion, where your head screams, “Run!” but your heart whispers, “Stay.” Love can be such a bitch sometimes, can’t it? But there’s something so human about wanting to believe in the best of someone, even when they show you their worst.
But it wasn’t all heartbreak and frustration. The sweet part came from Charlie’s not-by-blood family. They brought warmth, humor, and unconditional love, a perfect contrast to the toxicity. Their support made my heart feel full, like I was part of their world too.
This book was a perfect blend of bitter and sweet. It made me laugh, cry, and reflect on my own past choices. It’s the kind of story that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
Note 1 : Thank you to Ballantine Books and Hattie Williams for sending me this ARC. I heard this is her debut novel? I’m already looking forward to her next one.
Note 2 : Even though I hate the old bastard Richard, I must thank him because he introduced me to the song 'Famous Blue Raincoat' and some awesome books that I’ve added to my TBR. Oh, and thanks to Laura too, I will definitely check out Marian Keyes.
I couldn’t put this book down. I felt an instant connection to the main character, Charlie. Oh, Charlie—you stupid, stupid girl, honey, but I love you. There’s something so raw and real about her that made me want to reach into the pages and hug her, even while I wanted to shake her and scream, “What are you doing?!” I completely understood her thoughts, her choices, and the messy, complicated emotions driving her actions. She reminded me so much of myself—my younger, more naïve self, who thought love could fix everything and that sacrificing my own happiness was worth it for someone else.
Charlie’s relationship with that manipulative jerk was painfully relatable. She hid so much from her family and friends, knowing they wouldn’t agree, and they’d be right. Yet, she clung to that stubborn hope things might change. It’s that awful tug-of-war between logic and emotion, where your head screams, “Run!” but your heart whispers, “Stay.” Love can be such a bitch sometimes, can’t it? But there’s something so human about wanting to believe in the best of someone, even when they show you their worst.
But it wasn’t all heartbreak and frustration. The sweet part came from Charlie’s not-by-blood family. They brought warmth, humor, and unconditional love, a perfect contrast to the toxicity. Their support made my heart feel full, like I was part of their world too.
This book was a perfect blend of bitter and sweet. It made me laugh, cry, and reflect on my own past choices. It’s the kind of story that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.
Note 1 : Thank you to Ballantine Books and Hattie Williams for sending me this ARC. I heard this is her debut novel? I’m already looking forward to her next one.
Note 2 : Even though I hate the old bastard Richard, I must thank him because he introduced me to the song 'Famous Blue Raincoat' and some awesome books that I’ve added to my TBR. Oh, and thanks to Laura too, I will definitely check out Marian Keyes.
May 17, 2025
this isn’t my typical taste but i was nonetheless drawn in by the strong characterization, moving story, and cool, sally rooney-esque sentences. i felt close to charlie and really enjoyed this book!!!
February 6, 2025
The first thing I would say is that I can't believe this is a debut novel. It definitely reads like a confident writer who has a really strong voice.
The second thing I would say (and bear with me cause this is a compliment) is that I normally race through a book within a day or so, often within hours, but this one took me some time. Why? I just felt so uncomfortable reading it.
The novel tells the story of Charlie, 23, single woman currently working in a relatively low level job in a publishing company. Through this, she meets Richard Aveling, married, 50-something, successful novelist, Booker Prize winner and you can see where this is going...
Charlie is instantly attracted to Richard and they begin an affair, hidden from Richard's wife and the rest of the world. The novel then tells the story of how this affair plays out, affecting both Charlie and others towards its ultimate conclusion.
I genuinely read this with a sickening feeling in my stomach and I am not sure I can explain why. The power dynamic between them was so interesting and well-written but was difficult to read.
Although clearly vulnerable, Charlie is smart, funny, articulate with a strong support network of friends and colleagues and to see her fall for Richard was tough. The impact this had on her entire life was so beautifully written. Although she made some dubious life choices, I really loved her as a character.
Thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group | Orion for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The second thing I would say (and bear with me cause this is a compliment) is that I normally race through a book within a day or so, often within hours, but this one took me some time. Why? I just felt so uncomfortable reading it.
The novel tells the story of Charlie, 23, single woman currently working in a relatively low level job in a publishing company. Through this, she meets Richard Aveling, married, 50-something, successful novelist, Booker Prize winner and you can see where this is going...
Charlie is instantly attracted to Richard and they begin an affair, hidden from Richard's wife and the rest of the world. The novel then tells the story of how this affair plays out, affecting both Charlie and others towards its ultimate conclusion.
I genuinely read this with a sickening feeling in my stomach and I am not sure I can explain why. The power dynamic between them was so interesting and well-written but was difficult to read.
Although clearly vulnerable, Charlie is smart, funny, articulate with a strong support network of friends and colleagues and to see her fall for Richard was tough. The impact this had on her entire life was so beautifully written. Although she made some dubious life choices, I really loved her as a character.
Thanks to Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group | Orion for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 16, 2025
No idea why I requested this but I’m grateful that I did. I’m more of a heartwarming / happy ending person. This debut novel is just wonderful, despite the cringeworthy subject matter. So many novels about an imbalanced extramarital affair are heavy handed and depressing, you read with your hand over your eyes. This one is tender, realistic, and will anger you but also keep you wanting to protect Charlie.
Charlie is an assistant at a UK publishing company, she does pretty menial work, processing expense reports and getting coffee. But at age 23, she is happy just to be working in the publishing industry and hoping to advance her career. She inevitably meets Richard, a 56 year old bestselling author, her favorite. Immediately she is star struck and they connect and start an affair that lasts a year. Obviously the imbalances of power in the relationship is egregious, and the reader is likely older than Charlie. I remember what it is like to be- truly- in a sort of relationship with your job, with the hope of your industry and in becoming something special. "Work never ceased to give us something to talk about."
The author has this way of sharing a few anecdotes about a character, and within a few paragraphs, you know exactly who this person is and how they will interact with everyone else. Charlie never really properly grieved the sudden loss of her mother at age 16, and at 23 she is eager for love and approval in a way that makes her - while brilliant - insecure to the point of being incredibly vulnerable. It is also written from a past perspective, as if Charlie has had 10 years of therapy and is now able to look back at her relationship with a healed perspective. "If you told me ... I wouldn't believe you."
Somehow by the end- you realize that she has grown and taken back her power. It's depressing and sad and yet at the end she has come full circle. Well written and a fresh voice in literary fiction.
Thanks to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review. Book to be published July 3, 2025.
Charlie is an assistant at a UK publishing company, she does pretty menial work, processing expense reports and getting coffee. But at age 23, she is happy just to be working in the publishing industry and hoping to advance her career. She inevitably meets Richard, a 56 year old bestselling author, her favorite. Immediately she is star struck and they connect and start an affair that lasts a year. Obviously the imbalances of power in the relationship is egregious, and the reader is likely older than Charlie. I remember what it is like to be- truly- in a sort of relationship with your job, with the hope of your industry and in becoming something special. "Work never ceased to give us something to talk about."
The author has this way of sharing a few anecdotes about a character, and within a few paragraphs, you know exactly who this person is and how they will interact with everyone else. Charlie never really properly grieved the sudden loss of her mother at age 16, and at 23 she is eager for love and approval in a way that makes her - while brilliant - insecure to the point of being incredibly vulnerable. It is also written from a past perspective, as if Charlie has had 10 years of therapy and is now able to look back at her relationship with a healed perspective. "If you told me ... I wouldn't believe you."
Somehow by the end- you realize that she has grown and taken back her power. It's depressing and sad and yet at the end she has come full circle. Well written and a fresh voice in literary fiction.
Thanks to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review. Book to be published July 3, 2025.
April 5, 2025
Bitter Sweet is a very sad and uncomfortable book, not in a way that was compelling to me but in a way that felt frustrating and unnecessary. The ‘love’ felt by the narrating character, Charlie, for a much older, more powerful narcissist of a man didn’t really feel developed enough to warrant the horrific fallout it caused. The only reason this didn’t get one star is because of the ending. After the truly awful relationship highlighted in this book, which honestly was unbearable to read about, our main character finally goes to therapy and finds some peace and happiness. Thank you to the publisher for the proof copy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2025
Bitter Sweet
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
(Contemporary fiction)
This book was an absolute gem.
At first glance, the plot follows Charlie, a 23-year-old girl, as she becomes involved in a romance with Richard, a renowned (married) writer that she idolizes since forever, more than two decades older than her and with whom she also works as part of the marketing team for her next novel. However, the story goes far beyond than just representing the forbidden romance that occurs between the two of them.
Bitter Sweet is a kind of a coming of age book that uses the power disparity between the main couple to also explore topics such as the connections to things and people that may occur while going through a grieving process, trying to find our place in the world and mental health, but despite dealing with such complex situations, the pages turn by themselves. It is IMPOSSIBLE to stop reading and even having an idea of what the ending could be, it still comes as a surprise.
The dynamic between Charlie and Richard is literally a roller coaster and I think the author knew how to perfectly handle that line where I, as a reader, often felt anger and anguish for no obvious reason. It's hard to explain without actually spoiling, but it wasn't so much the situations as the way the protagonist felt in many of them that made me feel uncomfortable while reading if that makes sense.
Something I really liked about this book, too, was the connection that Charlie felt with her friends. A full-fledged found family, where each one feels like a complete and well-structured character, with an unbreakable bond with one another above all and despite the initial prejudices that one reading may experience. Once again, the author filled with beauty and depth something that at first glance could seem banal and superficial.
I think it's clear that I loved both the narration and the story itself so so so much. I got excited, I got frustrated and I find it incredible that this is a debut. Totally recommended.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
(Contemporary fiction)
This book was an absolute gem.
At first glance, the plot follows Charlie, a 23-year-old girl, as she becomes involved in a romance with Richard, a renowned (married) writer that she idolizes since forever, more than two decades older than her and with whom she also works as part of the marketing team for her next novel. However, the story goes far beyond than just representing the forbidden romance that occurs between the two of them.
Bitter Sweet is a kind of a coming of age book that uses the power disparity between the main couple to also explore topics such as the connections to things and people that may occur while going through a grieving process, trying to find our place in the world and mental health, but despite dealing with such complex situations, the pages turn by themselves. It is IMPOSSIBLE to stop reading and even having an idea of what the ending could be, it still comes as a surprise.
The dynamic between Charlie and Richard is literally a roller coaster and I think the author knew how to perfectly handle that line where I, as a reader, often felt anger and anguish for no obvious reason. It's hard to explain without actually spoiling, but it wasn't so much the situations as the way the protagonist felt in many of them that made me feel uncomfortable while reading if that makes sense.
Something I really liked about this book, too, was the connection that Charlie felt with her friends. A full-fledged found family, where each one feels like a complete and well-structured character, with an unbreakable bond with one another above all and despite the initial prejudices that one reading may experience. Once again, the author filled with beauty and depth something that at first glance could seem banal and superficial.
I think it's clear that I loved both the narration and the story itself so so so much. I got excited, I got frustrated and I find it incredible that this is a debut. Totally recommended.
September 4, 2025
it was fine! the ending was kinda cheesy. the writing felt forced at times, telling rather than showing.
August 27, 2025
The fact that my phone decided to shuffle to My Tears Ricochet when I was at the end of this book was an actual hate crime 😭😭😭
I loved Hattie's writing, and to think that this was a debut novel is actually crazy to me. This reads like a mix of Elin Hilderbrand and Sally Rooney to me and I mean that as highest praise.
The whole time I was reading this, I felt nauseous tbh. And I mean that as a compliment lol. The power dynamic was very well-written. So well-written that I was ill lol.
I loved Hattie's writing, and to think that this was a debut novel is actually crazy to me. This reads like a mix of Elin Hilderbrand and Sally Rooney to me and I mean that as highest praise.
The whole time I was reading this, I felt nauseous tbh. And I mean that as a compliment lol. The power dynamic was very well-written. So well-written that I was ill lol.
June 18, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
I could not put this book down. It’s fast-paced, written beautifully, with an engaging premise. You are invested in the narrator’s well-being, from the moment that you meet her and understand how things are going to play out.
Even still, the last 30% of the book felt just a little bit… like a lecture. It was as if the author had switched into using the narrator’s decisions to show us why these situations are bad, what they can do to your life, etc. It’s not as though I wanted to stop reading so much as I wasn’t as engaged.
That being said, the ending was really lovely! I enjoyed reading this book and recognized little pieces of myself in Charlie!
I could not put this book down. It’s fast-paced, written beautifully, with an engaging premise. You are invested in the narrator’s well-being, from the moment that you meet her and understand how things are going to play out.
Even still, the last 30% of the book felt just a little bit… like a lecture. It was as if the author had switched into using the narrator’s decisions to show us why these situations are bad, what they can do to your life, etc. It’s not as though I wanted to stop reading so much as I wasn’t as engaged.
That being said, the ending was really lovely! I enjoyed reading this book and recognized little pieces of myself in Charlie!
June 28, 2025
Bored to tears
July 30, 2025
𝗕𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗪𝗘𝗘𝗧 by debut author Hattie Williams tells the story of Charlie, a young book publicist. On the job she meets and falls in love with a much older author who she’s long admired. He also just happens to be married. Charlie knows she shouldn’t get involved with this man. She’s risking her job, friendships, and even her own sanity. She moves from giddy happiness at being able to be so close with him to wildly unstable, doing whatever it takes to protect and secure their relationship. Charlie sees that it can’t turn out well for her, but she’s obsessed.
While overall, I liked the book very much, it took a while for me to get there. I found the first half to be slow and a little tired. A younger woman with an older, married man is not a trope we rarely see. Eventually though, this story started to distinguish itself, moving in directions I didn’t expect. I’m so glad I stayed with 𝘉𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵 despite my initial doubts. The second half was the real heart of this book. And before I give my star rating, I just want to give a shoutout to Ophelia, the best roommate 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to @BallantineBooks for an electronic copy of #BitterSweet.
While overall, I liked the book very much, it took a while for me to get there. I found the first half to be slow and a little tired. A younger woman with an older, married man is not a trope we rarely see. Eventually though, this story started to distinguish itself, moving in directions I didn’t expect. I’m so glad I stayed with 𝘉𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘚𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘵 despite my initial doubts. The second half was the real heart of this book. And before I give my star rating, I just want to give a shoutout to Ophelia, the best roommate 𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to @BallantineBooks for an electronic copy of #BitterSweet.
August 27, 2025
I think this was one of the most intimate and honest books I have read in a long time. I think it truly examines what it means to be in a relationship with not only with an unfair power dynamic but also just being in love with your own personal idea of someone rather than the truth. Charlie's journey was incredibly relatable in so many different ways and I think this book is an incredible look into what it means to have a poor relationship with your true self while pursuing someone who is taking advantage of what you offer rather than who you are. This was so hard to get through but also healing in so many ways that I did not realize I needed after my own journey. Charlie is such a flawed and imperfect character in the best way that I will continue to hold on close to. I also think Richard’s fate was too kind to him, I needed him taken to the glue factory.
March 28, 2025
Minor plot spoilers ahead Thank you to Ballantine Books for the arc!
4 stars! The story follows Charlotte "Charlie" in her early twenties as she finally gets her dream job in publishing, enters her first serious relationship that happens to be an affair with a famous author whose work is inextricably tied to some of the most difficult periods of her life and her mother whom she lost at a young age to a traumatic situation. At the same time, she is navigating her dream job and making some of the closest friend she's ever had. In all aspects of her life she seems to be grappling and holding on for a dear life at which at the climax of the story everything comes tumbling down, but those who care about her most step up. This book was a really complex and interesting experience to read. I at the beginning completely understood where Charlie was coming from in the sort of parasocial and deeply emotionally tenuous start of her affair with Richard. The way in which the author described his "charismatic" nature, made it easy to understand where the youth of Charlie and her connection to his work and how that connected to her relationship with her late mother, all collided to create this storm for a very intense, unstable, and dangerously passionate relationship. As the story progressed, I found it less easy to understand where she was coming from because she continue to ignore what she knew was the reality of her situation and as her friends became more frustrated with her, so did I, as I had begun to really care for her and understood where she was coming from, but she pushed everyone who truly was in her corner away. I think there was some things in terms of pacing where at times it got a bit cerebral and the prose was a bit heavy handed that made the story progressed very slowly. I would've liked that sort of third act conflict to have an occurred a bit sooner so we got more insight into her recovery as there was some really beautiful lines in this portion. I definitely enjoyed the trip to France portion the most as the duality between her real and healthy relationships with her friends and those folks of a similar age compared to the blinding, and upsetting dynamic between her and Richard. Overall, it definitely made me feel quite a bit of things, and I was rooting for the character, even though that time she wanted me to pull my hair out. As I said in some of my reading updates at times, it felt like a horror novel because of just how far Richard went in his poor treatment of her and how she continue to rationalize his behavior. I really enjoyed seeing the sort of commentary and quips about the publishing industry as even someone who is also wanting to make it in publishing and they rang true to even what I know at my stage.Truly the highlight for me overall was the relationship with her friends and that sort of insight into what it is to be a insecure, figuring it out, young woman in her early 20s. This is definitely the sort of book for those who like a coming-of-age adjacent literary fiction that feels similar to Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney. It definitely won't be for everyone as even though it is quite gripping you definitely have to relate/truly understand Charlie as a main character because of how frustrating she can be at times. This as a debut novel is definitely one of the strongest i've read and I look forward to this authors next work.
preread: this sounds sooo good the description has me so intrigued
(edit: and now i have an arc for it 😎 heck yes)
4 stars! The story follows Charlotte "Charlie" in her early twenties as she finally gets her dream job in publishing, enters her first serious relationship that happens to be an affair with a famous author whose work is inextricably tied to some of the most difficult periods of her life and her mother whom she lost at a young age to a traumatic situation. At the same time, she is navigating her dream job and making some of the closest friend she's ever had. In all aspects of her life she seems to be grappling and holding on for a dear life at which at the climax of the story everything comes tumbling down, but those who care about her most step up. This book was a really complex and interesting experience to read. I at the beginning completely understood where Charlie was coming from in the sort of parasocial and deeply emotionally tenuous start of her affair with Richard. The way in which the author described his "charismatic" nature, made it easy to understand where the youth of Charlie and her connection to his work and how that connected to her relationship with her late mother, all collided to create this storm for a very intense, unstable, and dangerously passionate relationship. As the story progressed, I found it less easy to understand where she was coming from because she continue to ignore what she knew was the reality of her situation and as her friends became more frustrated with her, so did I, as I had begun to really care for her and understood where she was coming from, but she pushed everyone who truly was in her corner away. I think there was some things in terms of pacing where at times it got a bit cerebral and the prose was a bit heavy handed that made the story progressed very slowly. I would've liked that sort of third act conflict to have an occurred a bit sooner so we got more insight into her recovery as there was some really beautiful lines in this portion. I definitely enjoyed the trip to France portion the most as the duality between her real and healthy relationships with her friends and those folks of a similar age compared to the blinding, and upsetting dynamic between her and Richard. Overall, it definitely made me feel quite a bit of things, and I was rooting for the character, even though that time she wanted me to pull my hair out. As I said in some of my reading updates at times, it felt like a horror novel because of just how far Richard went in his poor treatment of her and how she continue to rationalize his behavior. I really enjoyed seeing the sort of commentary and quips about the publishing industry as even someone who is also wanting to make it in publishing and they rang true to even what I know at my stage.Truly the highlight for me overall was the relationship with her friends and that sort of insight into what it is to be a insecure, figuring it out, young woman in her early 20s. This is definitely the sort of book for those who like a coming-of-age adjacent literary fiction that feels similar to Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney. It definitely won't be for everyone as even though it is quite gripping you definitely have to relate/truly understand Charlie as a main character because of how frustrating she can be at times. This as a debut novel is definitely one of the strongest i've read and I look forward to this authors next work.
preread: this sounds sooo good the description has me so intrigued
(edit: and now i have an arc for it 😎 heck yes)
August 31, 2025
You're a 23 year old woman just starting out in your career at an independent publishing house in London. This means you get to work with the author you love more than anything, and whose work has defined a generation; you are living a dream come true. That author is also over 30 years older than you and married, but one day he takes a liking to you that turns into a bitter sweet relationship that makes you both hate yourself, and feel more special than anyone in the world.
This is Charlie's life. Her mother passed away when she was 16, and even though they have a decent relationship, her father isn't her biological father so she kind of pushes him away and doesn't feel very connected to him. She finds it hard to make friends, but makes two really good ones in Ophelia and Eddy, who also work at Winden & Shane and who she shares a flat with.
Richard Aveling is an author her mother used to read a lot of, and she would pass down his books for Charlie. In reading his books now, Charlie almost feels more connected to her mother. But when Richard takes a liking to Charlie that turns into a relationship they have to keep secret, Charlie will have to decide if the slow erasure of herself is worth the crumbs of affection she pursues in order to feel wanted.
I loved this book, it was a trainwreck you couldn't look away from. I physically recoiled when Charlie would do things to keep the relationship going at the expense of her friendships and career, when she was doing so well in both aspects of her life. My favourite character was Ophelia. She was the best friend to Charlie - tough when she needed to be, but gentle enough not to push Charlie away entirely when she was pretty much the only girl friend she had.
The writing itself was amazing and drew me in completely. There were times I would read this on the train to work and in the rush of the crowd at 8AM during the walk I have after, I would still hold tightly to my ereader, looking up only sparingly, to continue on reading (I know that's probably annoying to other people but I don't care, it was worth it 😭).
This book is in line with another book I read and loved, Green Dot by Madeleine Gray. If you liked this, read that, and vice versa. I would read anything by this author in the future. One to look out for, for sure!!
This is Charlie's life. Her mother passed away when she was 16, and even though they have a decent relationship, her father isn't her biological father so she kind of pushes him away and doesn't feel very connected to him. She finds it hard to make friends, but makes two really good ones in Ophelia and Eddy, who also work at Winden & Shane and who she shares a flat with.
Richard Aveling is an author her mother used to read a lot of, and she would pass down his books for Charlie. In reading his books now, Charlie almost feels more connected to her mother. But when Richard takes a liking to Charlie that turns into a relationship they have to keep secret, Charlie will have to decide if the slow erasure of herself is worth the crumbs of affection she pursues in order to feel wanted.
I loved this book, it was a trainwreck you couldn't look away from. I physically recoiled when Charlie would do things to keep the relationship going at the expense of her friendships and career, when she was doing so well in both aspects of her life. My favourite character was Ophelia. She was the best friend to Charlie - tough when she needed to be, but gentle enough not to push Charlie away entirely when she was pretty much the only girl friend she had.
The writing itself was amazing and drew me in completely. There were times I would read this on the train to work and in the rush of the crowd at 8AM during the walk I have after, I would still hold tightly to my ereader, looking up only sparingly, to continue on reading (I know that's probably annoying to other people but I don't care, it was worth it 😭).
This book is in line with another book I read and loved, Green Dot by Madeleine Gray. If you liked this, read that, and vice versa. I would read anything by this author in the future. One to look out for, for sure!!
August 24, 2025
one of my favorite genres of books is a woman struggling, so i absolutely loved this. while i can’t relate to the affair aspects of the book, i could wholeheartedly relate to the self sabotaging traits and chronic depression that seems to plague charlie through her early 20s. there were so many points in time that it felt too close to home, almost like my own diary had been published. i would definitely check trigger warnings for this, but this was such a good read.
August 3, 2025
I could not put this down
July 15, 2025
I truly dont have enough good things to say about this book. I still can't wrap my mind around the fact that this is a debut novel!! This author wrote such a beautifully complex story, one that I will be thinking about for a good long while.
Bitter Sweet follows Charlie, a young book publicist, starting off her career in publishing, who gets to work with one of the most famous and powerful male authors in the industry. Charlie quickly forms a crush on him and when he starts to notice her, she will do anything for his attention. They start seeing each other, despite Richard having a wife and her fear of other people in the publishing industry finding out about their relationship. But throughout the entire book, Charlie is vying to keep Richard's attention, dealing with his wrath when things don't get his way, and forced to live through the ups and downs of being his dirty secret.
I loved how Charlie worked in the publishing industry, it felt so cool to see some of the behind the scenes. I felt every emotion with Charlie as she tried to convince Richard to love her and discovering throughout the book that she was not in a healthy relationship. I mostly related to Charlie's struggle with her mental health. The way the author depticted depression and suicidal ideation and thoughts was SO real and felt like it was plucked out of my head. For those of us who suffer with depression and have dealt with bad relationships or fallouts from relationships in the past, I think you will really connect to the lows and feelings Charlie dealt with. I loved how Charlie had a group of friends and family surrounding her, who supported her and cared for her, and SHOWED UP when she was in her darkest spots, even when they hated that she was with Richard and in a bad relationship.
I could go on, but just READ THIS BOOK if you like literary fiction, contemporary fiction, messy characters, and great mental health rep!! Thanks to Ballantine Books for the free book.
Bitter Sweet follows Charlie, a young book publicist, starting off her career in publishing, who gets to work with one of the most famous and powerful male authors in the industry. Charlie quickly forms a crush on him and when he starts to notice her, she will do anything for his attention. They start seeing each other, despite Richard having a wife and her fear of other people in the publishing industry finding out about their relationship. But throughout the entire book, Charlie is vying to keep Richard's attention, dealing with his wrath when things don't get his way, and forced to live through the ups and downs of being his dirty secret.
I loved how Charlie worked in the publishing industry, it felt so cool to see some of the behind the scenes. I felt every emotion with Charlie as she tried to convince Richard to love her and discovering throughout the book that she was not in a healthy relationship. I mostly related to Charlie's struggle with her mental health. The way the author depticted depression and suicidal ideation and thoughts was SO real and felt like it was plucked out of my head. For those of us who suffer with depression and have dealt with bad relationships or fallouts from relationships in the past, I think you will really connect to the lows and feelings Charlie dealt with. I loved how Charlie had a group of friends and family surrounding her, who supported her and cared for her, and SHOWED UP when she was in her darkest spots, even when they hated that she was with Richard and in a bad relationship.
I could go on, but just READ THIS BOOK if you like literary fiction, contemporary fiction, messy characters, and great mental health rep!! Thanks to Ballantine Books for the free book.
August 22, 2025
4.5 stars
Visceral and emotionally raw, it’s rare for me to be this invested in a slow-moving, character-driven literary novel, but Bitter Sweet strikes that fine balance. It offers both a clear, engaging plot (I loved its unromantic glimpse into publishing as a marketing machine) and a flawed protagonist whose perspective is compelling to follow.
Charlie is portrayed as deeply imperfect, constantly making objectively bad choices that push her further into crisis and depression. Yet Hattie Williams builds her with such depth, grounding her personality with a thoughtfully constructed backstory. Instead of feeling frustrated by her repeated returns to unhealthy patterns, I found myself empathizing—feeling compassion rather than judgment—and remained invested right through to the last page.
The 2002 film Unfaithful starring Diane Lane and Richard Gere comes to mind. While only tangentially connected to Bitter Sweet (both centre on taboo romantic entanglements), its melancholic tone and its focus on the nuanced emotions—rather than sensationalizing the physical act—make Adrian Lyne, in my mind, the ideal director for the fictitious film adaptation. Overall a vulnerable, moving read.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
Visceral and emotionally raw, it’s rare for me to be this invested in a slow-moving, character-driven literary novel, but Bitter Sweet strikes that fine balance. It offers both a clear, engaging plot (I loved its unromantic glimpse into publishing as a marketing machine) and a flawed protagonist whose perspective is compelling to follow.
Charlie is portrayed as deeply imperfect, constantly making objectively bad choices that push her further into crisis and depression. Yet Hattie Williams builds her with such depth, grounding her personality with a thoughtfully constructed backstory. Instead of feeling frustrated by her repeated returns to unhealthy patterns, I found myself empathizing—feeling compassion rather than judgment—and remained invested right through to the last page.
The 2002 film Unfaithful starring Diane Lane and Richard Gere comes to mind. While only tangentially connected to Bitter Sweet (both centre on taboo romantic entanglements), its melancholic tone and its focus on the nuanced emotions—rather than sensationalizing the physical act—make Adrian Lyne, in my mind, the ideal director for the fictitious film adaptation. Overall a vulnerable, moving read.
**This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Much appreciated!**
August 19, 2025
this hit me in a way i didn’t expect and im tearing up while writing this... i resonated so much with Charlie’s inner thoughts, especially the moments when she feels like she’s watching her life from the outside, not fully part of it. It actually made me sit with my own thoughts for a while. I started rethinking some of my past choices and honestly, it scared the hell out of me a bit when i thought about the choices i might make in the future. How easily life can turn, how we can lose ourselves chasing something we thought we wanted, only to realize later that it wasn’t what we needed at all. Her story was amazing and really comforting at the end, it made me feel genuinely happy to see her get a second chance to remake her life in her own terms and finally find the kind of happiness that feels right.
July 6, 2025
Bitter Sweet
By Hattie Williams
My heart needs a little time to recover from this story of intense, overwhelming, toxic love. Richard is a 56 year old, highly respected author at the peak of his career. Charlie is the 23 year old assistant at his publishers, a long time admirer of his work. They embark on an affair that must remain secret because of his marriage, which must not be compromised, and because of how she would jeopardise her job and her future career. But secrets do much more than protect. They also enable control.
This is such a fascinating trope, the subject of so many stories going back to ancient times. It explores themes of gender power imbalances, lust and desire, cultural and societal values and morality.
Williams tells this story in first person from the point of view of Charlie. She brings us straight into Charlie's fascination for this alluring man. As the reader, we can only watch in horror as she falls for his charms despite knowing why she shouldn't. This is a romance that is impossible to root for, and as painful as it is to experience through Charlie's interior narrative, it is horrific to notice all the devices of predatory control that Richard employs so succinctly and successfully.
This story went to a lot of places I wasn't expecting. It is very dark in places. Williams writes so profoundly about the loneliness and isolation of an unequal relationship. She explores the lasting effects of early loss and grief, how it cracks the mold of a person's identity and can lay you waste to layers of vulnerability. She explores platonic relationships with nuance and depth, finding hope and love in friendship, finding home and love in non-blood family and finding care and friendship in colleagues.
This is a debut and at times I felt that, the pouring of everything into the story, but more times I was aghast at the exactitude in the writing. This author is going on my watch list.
Thanks to #Netgalley and #OrionPublishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
By Hattie Williams
My heart needs a little time to recover from this story of intense, overwhelming, toxic love. Richard is a 56 year old, highly respected author at the peak of his career. Charlie is the 23 year old assistant at his publishers, a long time admirer of his work. They embark on an affair that must remain secret because of his marriage, which must not be compromised, and because of how she would jeopardise her job and her future career. But secrets do much more than protect. They also enable control.
This is such a fascinating trope, the subject of so many stories going back to ancient times. It explores themes of gender power imbalances, lust and desire, cultural and societal values and morality.
Williams tells this story in first person from the point of view of Charlie. She brings us straight into Charlie's fascination for this alluring man. As the reader, we can only watch in horror as she falls for his charms despite knowing why she shouldn't. This is a romance that is impossible to root for, and as painful as it is to experience through Charlie's interior narrative, it is horrific to notice all the devices of predatory control that Richard employs so succinctly and successfully.
This story went to a lot of places I wasn't expecting. It is very dark in places. Williams writes so profoundly about the loneliness and isolation of an unequal relationship. She explores the lasting effects of early loss and grief, how it cracks the mold of a person's identity and can lay you waste to layers of vulnerability. She explores platonic relationships with nuance and depth, finding hope and love in friendship, finding home and love in non-blood family and finding care and friendship in colleagues.
This is a debut and at times I felt that, the pouring of everything into the story, but more times I was aghast at the exactitude in the writing. This author is going on my watch list.
Thanks to #Netgalley and #OrionPublishing for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
August 24, 2025
the middle was painfully slow 🐌 the entire book focuses on an affair which made me sad and uncomfortable and intrigued. A Sally Rooney type.
July 21, 2025
Charlie is a 23 publicist has a toxic manipulative relationship with an old author that she has admired since childhood. This unhealthy attachment is shaped by the loss of her mother. This unresolved grief and trauma leave her vulnerable to manipulation and fear of abandonment, leading to an unhealthy, imbalanced relationship. and make her become emotionally dependent on him.
It also discussed mental health and friendship themes.. I found that she didn't deserve the good and kind friends she had, she never seemed to be a good friend to them and yet they kept helping and looking after her during her depression as a consequences to her toxic relationship.
The ending felt rushed and boring.
⭐⭐⭐
21/7/2025
It also discussed mental health and friendship themes.. I found that she didn't deserve the good and kind friends she had, she never seemed to be a good friend to them and yet they kept helping and looking after her during her depression as a consequences to her toxic relationship.
The ending felt rushed and boring.
⭐⭐⭐
21/7/2025
April 9, 2025
I’m going to be at a loss for words for how much I loved this one. The entire time I was reading this, I couldn’t believe that this was a debut novel, Williams has already mastered the art of creating a character that feels incredibly raw and real.
Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams follows Charlie, a twenty three year old living in London, who recently got her dream job working in PR at a publishing house. With time, she begins to work with Richard Aveling, a much older man, who is her favorite author whom she absolutely worships. They begin an illicit affair that quickly becomes unhealthy as Charlie’s life and well-being begins to spiral.
I love a character driven novel when done well, and the writing in this was exceptional. There were one or two parts in this that began to lag, but it quickly picked back up, leading me to finish this in 24 hours because I was unable to put this down. Maybe it’s because Charlie reminded me so much of my younger self, kind of lost and seeking male-validation. Throughout it I found myself simultaneously wanting to hold her and shake her until she saw reason. The suffocating sensation of seeing Charlie slowly get trapped in this toxic relationship was so well done that I also felt smothered. But at the same time, there are moments when you’re reminded just how young she is, how much more life she has to go live, and you just want to help her see that.
Thank you to Random House Publishing, Ballantine Books and Netgalley for letting me have early to this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams follows Charlie, a twenty three year old living in London, who recently got her dream job working in PR at a publishing house. With time, she begins to work with Richard Aveling, a much older man, who is her favorite author whom she absolutely worships. They begin an illicit affair that quickly becomes unhealthy as Charlie’s life and well-being begins to spiral.
I love a character driven novel when done well, and the writing in this was exceptional. There were one or two parts in this that began to lag, but it quickly picked back up, leading me to finish this in 24 hours because I was unable to put this down. Maybe it’s because Charlie reminded me so much of my younger self, kind of lost and seeking male-validation. Throughout it I found myself simultaneously wanting to hold her and shake her until she saw reason. The suffocating sensation of seeing Charlie slowly get trapped in this toxic relationship was so well done that I also felt smothered. But at the same time, there are moments when you’re reminded just how young she is, how much more life she has to go live, and you just want to help her see that.
Thank you to Random House Publishing, Ballantine Books and Netgalley for letting me have early to this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
July 1, 2025
4.25 stars. This is a tough one to review but here goes.. Bitter Sweet is a romance, somewhat, but is told along the lines of a darker sided love story. The rationalizations our MC Charlie told herself for staying put in a relationship with Richard were difficult to read and I just wanted to scream at her. The story shows how past trauma can affect your future self and is perhaps why Charlie found herself in her current situation. It’s a sad but eye-opening tale where you’ll find yourself rooting for Charlie to wake up and get the h*** out. And what an incredible choice for the title, “Bitter Sweet,” as it so perfectly fits the story. It’s a fantastic debut and I can’t wait to see what she writes next. Do recommend. Pub. 7/8/25
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 10, 2025
This was an ARC I got from NetGalley. I’ve never heard of this author before or anything about this book but i absolutely loved it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ all around. I am 100% going to buy the physical copy once it comes out & probably annotate it. It was pretty short not even 300 pages but I felt so much while reading it. It talks about such real life things people go through everyday (migraines, abortions, grief, depression & anxiety) that made me connect & feel for the main character so much. Really loved this HIGHLY recommend 🫶🏻
July 1, 2025
thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review! <3
’It must be a small club to be part of, to have loved and then lost someone whom the whole world has a piece of. Maybe that’s why no one ever warns you’
Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams is a brutally raw and realistic look at the world of publishing, depression, loss, grief, and the consequences of power dynamics in relationships. The book follows Charlie Turner, a 23-year-old publicity assistant for a fictionalised 'big' publishing house, as she recounts the loss of her mother, the tumultuous existence working in publishing, and the intensely toxic relationship between her and famous 57-year-old author Richard Aveling.
The discussions on the competitive, occasionally cruel and always hectic life working in publishing was especially fascinating for me, as someone who will in the next year be stepping foot into that world. I will admit that this story helped me remove my rose tinted glasses, and realise that publishing, like any industry, has a vicious edge to it. Even so, I loved the way in which Williams described such an exciting work climate. I will certainly be going into the sector with more trepidation now, but needless to say, I feel that some pull into the literary world that Charlie and her friends discuss.
Charlie is the sort of character I both love and despise. Throughout the story I was screaming at her, wishing she would see through her own desperation and obsession, and realise that the relationship between her and Richard was utterly wrong. I became irritated, angry, thinking 'how can she be so stupid?', only to realise there was nothing stupid about her, that she was a vulnerable woman taken advantage of by a powerful older man who knew she idolised him.
Richard is truly one of the most despicable characters I've read about this year, and in many I ways he reminded me of the terrible Jacob Strane, from Kate Elizabeth Russells, My Dark Vanessa. In fact, I found myself comparing the stories a lot, and while I am in no way saying that this fictional story is at all comparable to the very real experiences by Russell, the representation of the manipulation and isolation Charlie was put through meant My Dark Vanessa was in the back of my mind.
For me, the most significant part of this story was its themes of loss and grief. Early on it is established that Charlie's mother passed away when she was a teenager. The way in which this sudden death devastated Charlie not only in the moment but continuously through her adolescence and adulthood, was so incredibly powerful that I cried alongside her at points.Williams is fantastic at portraying such intense anguish and loss, that I was at points swept away in the emotion of it, mourning alongside Charlie and her father.
Overall, Bitter Sweet is a brilliantly written, compelling story that I believe everyone could get something out of. I truly cannot believe that it was a debut, and I will absolutely be keeping an eye out for anything else Williams releases. 4/5 stars.
’It must be a small club to be part of, to have loved and then lost someone whom the whole world has a piece of. Maybe that’s why no one ever warns you’
Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams is a brutally raw and realistic look at the world of publishing, depression, loss, grief, and the consequences of power dynamics in relationships. The book follows Charlie Turner, a 23-year-old publicity assistant for a fictionalised 'big' publishing house, as she recounts the loss of her mother, the tumultuous existence working in publishing, and the intensely toxic relationship between her and famous 57-year-old author Richard Aveling.
The discussions on the competitive, occasionally cruel and always hectic life working in publishing was especially fascinating for me, as someone who will in the next year be stepping foot into that world. I will admit that this story helped me remove my rose tinted glasses, and realise that publishing, like any industry, has a vicious edge to it. Even so, I loved the way in which Williams described such an exciting work climate. I will certainly be going into the sector with more trepidation now, but needless to say, I feel that some pull into the literary world that Charlie and her friends discuss.
Charlie is the sort of character I both love and despise. Throughout the story I was screaming at her, wishing she would see through her own desperation and obsession, and realise that the relationship between her and Richard was utterly wrong. I became irritated, angry, thinking 'how can she be so stupid?', only to realise there was nothing stupid about her, that she was a vulnerable woman taken advantage of by a powerful older man who knew she idolised him.
Richard is truly one of the most despicable characters I've read about this year, and in many I ways he reminded me of the terrible Jacob Strane, from Kate Elizabeth Russells, My Dark Vanessa. In fact, I found myself comparing the stories a lot, and while I am in no way saying that this fictional story is at all comparable to the very real experiences by Russell, the representation of the manipulation and isolation Charlie was put through meant My Dark Vanessa was in the back of my mind.
For me, the most significant part of this story was its themes of loss and grief. Early on it is established that Charlie's mother passed away when she was a teenager. The way in which this sudden death devastated Charlie not only in the moment but continuously through her adolescence and adulthood, was so incredibly powerful that I cried alongside her at points.Williams is fantastic at portraying such intense anguish and loss, that I was at points swept away in the emotion of it, mourning alongside Charlie and her father.
Overall, Bitter Sweet is a brilliantly written, compelling story that I believe everyone could get something out of. I truly cannot believe that it was a debut, and I will absolutely be keeping an eye out for anything else Williams releases. 4/5 stars.
August 6, 2025
"Bittersüß" ist einer der Novitäten, auf die ich mich in den neuen Verlagsprogrammen am meisten gefreut habe. Ein Roman über Machtverhältnisse in romantischen Beziehungen von Frauen ist immer sehr vielversprechend. Und genau dieses Versprechen hat dieser Roman auch gehalten.
Charlie arbeitet seit kurzem als Assistentin in einem renommierten Verlag in London. Dort hat sie zum ersten Mal zwei wirkliche Freunde gefunden, die schnell zu ihrer neuen Familie werden. Seit dem Tod ihrer Mutter im Jugendalter verlief ihr Leben in unregelmäßigen Zügen, die fand keinen Halt mehr und schafft es gerade noch so nicht gänzlich zusammenzubrechen. Doch als sie beim Rauchen mit dem dreißig Jahre älteren und erfolgreichen Schriftsteller Richard Aveling zusammenstößt, fühlt sie sich seit dem Tod ihrer Mutter zum ersten Mal wieder von einer Person wirklich gesehen und wahrgenommen. So stürzt sie sich in eine Affäre, die auf Lügen, Macht und Schweigen aufgebaut ist und ihr letztendlich alles abverlangt. Bis sie zusammenbricht.
Der Roman überzeugt durch seine höchst realistisch ausgearbeiteten Charaktere, vor allem der Protagonistin, die der Handlung die nötige emotionale Tiefe ermöglichen, um Charlie erfolgreich zu einem Porträt so vieler ungesehener Frauen in unserer Gesellschaft zu machen.
Primär geht es darum, wie Charlie, die emotional instabil ist und nach Halt im Leben sucht, von Richard benutzt wird und wie er sie Stück für Stück abhängig von ihm und seiner Aufmerksamkeit macht. Er erkennt schnell, wie er sie an sich binden kann und nutzt sie über Monate hinweg aus, während sie sich immer mehr in die Vorstellung einer liebevollen Beziehung mit ihm stürzt. Etwas, das ihr eben seit der Jugend gefehlt hat.
So zeigt der Roman, ohne große Vorkommnisse und ohne Gewalt, eine Beziehungsstruktur auf, die von vielen Frauen gelebt wird. Ein stilles Ausnutzen der Ängste und Zweifel der Frau ohne direkt zu erkennende Gewalt von Seiten des Mannes.
Und durch genau dieses Aufzeigen dieser wichtigen Thematik und der dreidimensionalen Charaktere ist "Bittersüß" ein Roman, der sich definitiv zu lesen lohnt. Durch die unkomplizierte Struktur, kann ich ihn sowohl Wenigleser*innen als auch Vielleser*innen empfehlen, die einen ruhig zu lesenden und dennoch einnehmenden Roman suchen!
Charlie arbeitet seit kurzem als Assistentin in einem renommierten Verlag in London. Dort hat sie zum ersten Mal zwei wirkliche Freunde gefunden, die schnell zu ihrer neuen Familie werden. Seit dem Tod ihrer Mutter im Jugendalter verlief ihr Leben in unregelmäßigen Zügen, die fand keinen Halt mehr und schafft es gerade noch so nicht gänzlich zusammenzubrechen. Doch als sie beim Rauchen mit dem dreißig Jahre älteren und erfolgreichen Schriftsteller Richard Aveling zusammenstößt, fühlt sie sich seit dem Tod ihrer Mutter zum ersten Mal wieder von einer Person wirklich gesehen und wahrgenommen. So stürzt sie sich in eine Affäre, die auf Lügen, Macht und Schweigen aufgebaut ist und ihr letztendlich alles abverlangt. Bis sie zusammenbricht.
Der Roman überzeugt durch seine höchst realistisch ausgearbeiteten Charaktere, vor allem der Protagonistin, die der Handlung die nötige emotionale Tiefe ermöglichen, um Charlie erfolgreich zu einem Porträt so vieler ungesehener Frauen in unserer Gesellschaft zu machen.
Primär geht es darum, wie Charlie, die emotional instabil ist und nach Halt im Leben sucht, von Richard benutzt wird und wie er sie Stück für Stück abhängig von ihm und seiner Aufmerksamkeit macht. Er erkennt schnell, wie er sie an sich binden kann und nutzt sie über Monate hinweg aus, während sie sich immer mehr in die Vorstellung einer liebevollen Beziehung mit ihm stürzt. Etwas, das ihr eben seit der Jugend gefehlt hat.
So zeigt der Roman, ohne große Vorkommnisse und ohne Gewalt, eine Beziehungsstruktur auf, die von vielen Frauen gelebt wird. Ein stilles Ausnutzen der Ängste und Zweifel der Frau ohne direkt zu erkennende Gewalt von Seiten des Mannes.
Und durch genau dieses Aufzeigen dieser wichtigen Thematik und der dreidimensionalen Charaktere ist "Bittersüß" ein Roman, der sich definitiv zu lesen lohnt. Durch die unkomplizierte Struktur, kann ich ihn sowohl Wenigleser*innen als auch Vielleser*innen empfehlen, die einen ruhig zu lesenden und dennoch einnehmenden Roman suchen!
August 14, 2025
In diesem Buch habe ich mich unangenehmerweise total wiedergefunden. Nicht, dass ich eine ansatzweise vergleichbare Geschichte erlebt hätte, aber ich glaube, dass ich genauso sehenden Auges in mein Unglück rennen würde wie die Protagonistin Charlie.
Als Presseassistentin bei einem renommierten Verlag bekommt Charlie die Möglichkeit, ihren Lieblingsautor Richard Aveling kennenzulernen – und aus der Begegnung entspinnt eine Affäre, die Charlie mit zerstörerischer Intensität aus der Bahn wirft.
Ich konnte das Buch, einmal angefangen, nicht mehr aus der Hand legen. Schon im Prolog ist klar, dass diese Beziehung kein gutes Ende nehmen wird und doch kann man nicht anders, als Charlie auf dem Weg in den Abgrund gebannt zu verfolgen.
Die Protagonistin Charlie ist eine authentische Anfang 20-Jährige. Sie sucht nach ihrem Platz auf der Welt, wohnt in einer WG mit Gleichgesinnten und hat seit dem frühen Tod ihrer Mutter mit Depressionen zu kämpfen. Dass sie sich mit einem 30 Jahre älteren Mann einlässt, mag unvernünftig klingen, ist aber ihrem Wunsch nach Bestätigung und Zugehörigkeit geschuldet. Sie weiß, dass diese Beziehung kaum Zukunft haben kann und nimmt die Bedenken ihrer Freunde wahr, doch ist eingelullt von unausgesprochenen Versprechen und ihrer eigenen Hoffnung.
Ich fand Bittersüß fantastisch – auch wenn ich es vielleicht kein zweites Mal lesen würde.
Ich freue mich auf weitere Bücher von Hattie Williams!
Als Presseassistentin bei einem renommierten Verlag bekommt Charlie die Möglichkeit, ihren Lieblingsautor Richard Aveling kennenzulernen – und aus der Begegnung entspinnt eine Affäre, die Charlie mit zerstörerischer Intensität aus der Bahn wirft.
Ich konnte das Buch, einmal angefangen, nicht mehr aus der Hand legen. Schon im Prolog ist klar, dass diese Beziehung kein gutes Ende nehmen wird und doch kann man nicht anders, als Charlie auf dem Weg in den Abgrund gebannt zu verfolgen.
Die Protagonistin Charlie ist eine authentische Anfang 20-Jährige. Sie sucht nach ihrem Platz auf der Welt, wohnt in einer WG mit Gleichgesinnten und hat seit dem frühen Tod ihrer Mutter mit Depressionen zu kämpfen. Dass sie sich mit einem 30 Jahre älteren Mann einlässt, mag unvernünftig klingen, ist aber ihrem Wunsch nach Bestätigung und Zugehörigkeit geschuldet. Sie weiß, dass diese Beziehung kaum Zukunft haben kann und nimmt die Bedenken ihrer Freunde wahr, doch ist eingelullt von unausgesprochenen Versprechen und ihrer eigenen Hoffnung.
Ich fand Bittersüß fantastisch – auch wenn ich es vielleicht kein zweites Mal lesen würde.
Ich freue mich auf weitere Bücher von Hattie Williams!
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