Bold, empathetic, and unflinching.

This debut hurt in the best possible way. Hattie Williams pulls you into Charlie’s world, her grief, longing, desire - and never lets you off the hook.

It’s not a page-turner in the flashy sense. Instead, it’s a deeply human character study. Yes, Charlie makes choices that frustrate you, but they’re choices that feel real, messy, and raw. She opens a window into grief shaped by trauma, and the strange solace found in destructive, consuming obsession.

Charlie’s relationship with Richard, a much older author she’s idolized since childhood, is written without excuse or sugar-coating. Williams handles power imbalance and desire with empathy and clarity, tugging at the raw edges of shame, friendship, and resilience.

If you like fiction that’s emotionally honest, searingly reflective, and sensitive without being precious - this one quietly stings, oh, and it stays.

And honestly? I still can’t believe this is a debut!! Frustrating, heartbreaking, unforgettable…. Charlie’s journey will stay with me. I’m already eager to see what Hattie Williams writes next!!!

I adored this book. It was messy and raw, and the writing transported me right into the streets of London. There were so many instances where I was screaming into my kindle, trying to convince Charlie to do something and make a different choice (especially when they were on holiday), but those moments are what make a good book for me. The ending was incredibly satisfying. I cannot wait to read more by this author!

Bitter Sweet follows Charlie, a woman in her 20s who has an affair with a much older, famous author she’s always idolized. I really felt for Charlie while reading this book, I was rooting for her to get away from Richard, and I just wanted to give her a hug. He was manipulative and selfish, constantly misleading her and playing with her heart, and I was so disgusted by the way he took advantage of her.

The writing was beautiful, and Hattie Williams captured the emotional messiness of their relationship so well. I loved this book and I’m really looking forward to reading more from her in the future.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group for the ARC!

Charlie, a young woman working in publishing, becomes involved with Richard, a much older, successful author. Much angst ensues. Charlie is a is very innocent, Richard is very entitled. Charlie does have some depth, and it was her insights into her own behavior that kept me reading. It's not really frothy, but if you like coming of age, May-December romance novels, this could be your thing.

While I liked this book as it was a page turner and I wanted to know what happens, I just couldn't believe the terrible decisions that Charlie makes throughout the book. It is apparent early on that she has unresolved trauma and grief and these experiences impact her life's choices tremendously. Well written on a hard topic.

I absolutely loved this book, and honestly, I still can’t believe it’s a debut. Hattie Williams writes with so much confidence and emotional insight that I was drawn into the story right away. It’s rare for me to connect this quickly with a narrator, especially one as flawed and unreliable as Charlie, but I found myself caring deeply about her from the very beginning.

Charlie is working in a junior role at a respected publishing house when she falls into a relationship with Richard, a much older, married, and very successful author. From the outside, it’s a disaster waiting to happen—professionally and personally. But what Williams captures so brilliantly is how Charlie only sees what she wants to see, how her history of childhood trauma and ongoing depression shape the way she interprets Richard’s attention. It’s painful to watch, sometimes even frustrating, but it feels heartbreakingly true to life.

The novel spans several years, and what makes it especially powerful is that it isn’t just about the destructive relationship. It’s also about survival, resilience, and the ways people build families out of friendships when their own family isn’t able to provide stability. I loved that despite everything Charlie goes through, she has a circle of friends—and even an employer—who stand by her, offering a kind of unconditional support that becomes her saving grace. That contrast between her disjointed family and her chosen one really struck me.

Another thing I appreciated is how authentic the characters feel. They each speak in their own vernacular, which makes the dialogue sharp and believable. The whole cast feels three-dimensional, adding so much depth to Charlie’s story and grounding her perspective, even when she can’t see clearly herself.

For me, Bitter Sweet is less about plot twists and more about character study—about watching a young woman stumble, hurt, and slowly grow into herself. It’s raw, it’s tender, and it lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished.
I also LOVE the cover art!

If this is what Hattie Williams can do with her first novel, I can’t wait to see what she writes next

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.

I couldn’t put this book down!! I can’t believe this is a debut novel - where you been hiding Hattie?!

Bitter Sweet is a debut novel by Hattie Williams. The novel explores, grief, desire and the imbalance of power in relationships.

Charlie's fascination with Richard begins as admiration but evolves into a destructive relationship. Charlie is vulnerable; this makes the affair all the more devastating.

This novel is for readers drawn to emotion filled, character driven literary fiction. It is though provoking and complex. Not an easy read but a worthy read.

This book was a slow burn for me. It’s very character-driven and really dives into mental health, showing how relationships can deeply affect it. I appreciated the honest, raw portrayal of depression, especially through Charlie, who felt like a real, messy twenty-something struggling with a lot. I even picked up hints of BPD, though it wasn’t fully explored. That part was done well and felt respectful.

But honestly, the relationship with Richard drove me nuts. He was supposed to be this big, magnetic older guy, but he came off as totally bland—like, duller than wet cardboard. I couldn’t understand why Charlie would risk so much for him. The plot mostly revolved around their toxic dynamic, which got really frustrating. Richard’s actions were awful—he basically abused her, stole her work, and then ran away when things got messy. Charlie’s blind loyalty to him felt unrealistic at times, and the whole pregnancy subplot felt cheap and predictable.

On the bright side, the side characters were great and added warmth and kindness to the story. The dark, moody academia vibe in London’s publishing world really worked for me. If you’re into sad girl lit with complicated relationships and messy lives, this might be your jam.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the E-arc in exchange for my honest review.

So; what is it about flat out loving books that are full of questionable decisions and a lack of morals & values that makes one feel seen? I'll admit that I'm laughing far too hard at typing that because goodness! This book was addictive! I'm angry and frustrated, yet incredibly empathetic towards Charlie.... it kinda drives me crazy. She's incredibly stupid... yet she's so authentic as well.

Richard... an all out manipulative prick... gaaaah. He caused her to hide so much from her family, and then she had so many fights with herself. "He'll change" while the rest of your body is screaming "RUN!". It's just so freaking relatable. And I'll admit - I hated this book BECAUSE I could relate. Because I've been there. Because, I've been the one saying stay while my head screams run...

Ah, this book for sure makes me reflect on my own choices, and I just truly wish I could hug Charlie.

It's been a long time since I've come close to throwing my kindle, but alas - this is the book, and although that sounds like a negative? It actually makes me love this book even more.

A thoughtful if predictable novel about a young woman’s affair with a much older man. Williams is a strong writer, effectively evoking the golden glory and easy intimacy of youthful friendships, the fretful tunnel vision that comes with an obsessive infatuation, the claustrophobia of consistently choosing a relationship that shrinks your soul. But it is a frustrating read. I spent much of the book irked by Charlie’s painful naiveté and waiting for the other shoe to drop. The middle drags rather badly, weighed down by the repetition (in almost every chapter) of Charlie’s anxious ruminations and belabored self-analysis. The final chapter, by contrast, felt rushed, verging on pat. A solid but not revelatory debut.

Bitter Sweer follows Charlie, a woman in her 20s working in the publishing field, who meets her literary idol. Richard is much older than her, and he finds herself enraptured by him and caught up in an affair.

Williams really dives into intimate and vulnerable prose as she explores the relationship and Charlie’s struggles.

At first I wondered if we needed another novel about such an affair, but I think with its insight into Charlie this one has earned its place. I struggle a bit personally with these types of characters, but I can see how many people will relate to Charlie.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books.

Such a powerful read!! This book was a deep exploration of the human experience through the lens of a young woman named Charlie (early 20s) who fell prey to a much older author’s (50s) selfish desires.

This book was a really healing experience because it writes the “why” of how this can happen and the brutally honest fall out journey of the younger POV. It shows how commodified youth can be to a male (or female) who is older, and quite frankly, bored and looking for adventure. Highly recommend if you’re interested in learning a very valid and raw story of how isolating/damaging these dynamics are and how much work it takes to claw one’s way out of it. The characters are flawed and written beautifully and @hattiewilliamswrites wrote the side characters to perfection! The book gives the same essence of A Teacher series on Hulu so if you liked that this would be a great read for you!

[important side note: this is women’s fiction with a lot of sociological context, not a romance book. Age-gap romances written by a female FOR females are an entirely different type of read with very different intentions.]

Thank you to @randomhouse @ballentine for this ARC and to @netgalley and @hattiewilliamswrites for giving me the chance to read in exchange for an honest review.

One of my favorite debut novels of the year—absolutely captivating, with gorgeous writing throughout. This is a character study of Charlie, a young publishing assistant in her twenties, who lands the opportunity of a lifetime: working for the charming Richard Aveling, a literary icon idolized by both her and her late mother. What follows is a torrid and toxic affair between Charlie and the much older Richard—a relationship that ends up being intoxicating and destructive. Understanding Charlie through her friendships and relationship with her parents gave her another layer and insight into her inner world that made me empathize with her. Charlie felt heartbreakingly real—flawed, raw, and deeply human. Her naivety, clouded by obsession and the power imbalance in her relationship with Richard, made her inevitable unraveling even more devastating. It’s the kind of book that lingers with you, and Charlie is a character I won’t forget!

Thank you to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for a copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Bitter Sweet, debut novel by Hattie Williams, follows Charlie, a young book publicist who falls for a much older, married author she’s long admired. She knows the risks—her career, friendships, and mental stability—but obsession pulls her deeper, swinging from euphoric closeness to desperate instability.

The first half felt slow and familiar—older, married man/younger woman isn’t exactly fresh—but the second half completely won me over with unexpected turns and sharper emotional stakes. I’m glad I stuck with it. Also, special mention to Ophelia, easily the best roommate ever.

Overview: Charlie has her foot in the publishing world with the cool, indie feeling player of the Big 5 publishers. Even though she's just an assistant, she's rising fast through the ranks, lives in a great townhouse with two of her co-workers and best friends, and her life is truly coming together. Then she meets Richard while on a smoke break from work. He's an author she's idolized, one of her mother's favorites. And he takes an interest in her. The book chronicles their affair and the fallout that follows. Overall: 3.5

Characters: 3 Charlie is well meaning but insecure. She tries hard, but she's also plagued by a sense that she's out of place, not coming from the typical posh background of those in publishing. She's proud of where she's gotten but always looking for external validation. Charlie's always felt like an outsider and long struggled with depression which became worse after the sudden death of her mom. Charlie has a lot on her plate and is sympathetic in many ways, but she's also a difficult character to fully get behind because she does often treat her friends poorly and rarely gives back the heaps of effort and care that she is given. Eddy and Ophelia, her main best friends, are always there for her, even when she pushes them away repeatedly over her relationship with Richard. They have an endless amount of love and care for her and take her back at every disappointment.

Richard is tough. He falls into the same character problem that I find with nearly every old man who engages in an affair with a younger woman in books. We're told they're magnetic and interesting and so undeniable, but they just seem awful and old and undesirable and manipulative on the page. We're reading the novel in a first person account by Charlie, and yet, beyond this being an author her deceased mother loved, I can't see why Charlie would've entertained this man for five seconds when the job that she loved was on the line. The biggest issue is that we're told that Charlie loves him, that he's amazing, that she's infatuated over and over. The only ways its shown is in moments of her dropping her friends for him. I understand Richard is a bad guy and the novel is telling a story of abuse. We should recognize that he is a monster. But to effectively tell the story in the way Williams has decided too, she needed to give us a bit more insight into what made Richard human and interesting and compelling. He was so one dimensional and obviously awful that it made the book feel almost pointless to read. I just kept wondering why she would ever ruin her life for this man, and a first person story like this should really make me understand her point of view before it all came crashing down.

This is especially obvious when William writes in a contrasting love interest option. But she made this character so wonderful and perfect and gorgeous and endlessly understanding that it only makes the Richard situation worse. Yes, I get trying to use this character to make the point that her affection for Richard is compulsive, but I struggled to get into the narrative because of her pervasive flatness of this central set of characters.

I did really appreciate how Williams evolved her relationship with her family and her boss over the course of the novel, and those threads were really lovely and refreshing in a somewhat flat collection of characters.

Plot: 3 This book is fairly bloated. I usually don't love this category of books of women reflecting on their affairs with much older men when they were very young and vulnerable. I find they often feel flat and not compelling in the characterization like I described above. But there were enough other facets that I love that I decided to give the book a go—London, publishing, a cool friend group. And the first few chapters, I couldn't put the book down. I felt compelled to keep reading late into the night as I learned more about the world Charlie inhabited. While it felt like there was a lot of telling and summary from the start, the world was rich enough that I was thoroughly intrigued. But it couldn't keep up the pace or the interest as Charlie's world narrowed down to just being a series of fairly repetitive meetings with Richard over the course of the book where the reader isn't let into her head enough to understand why she keeps going back over and over again. It gets fairly monotonous and frustrating. And then it feels like every so often, Williams remembers that things need to happen in a book, stakes need to be raised. But this is delivered in the form of a series of all too convenient plot points. Nothing feels natural, and it doesn't help make the story more compelling. The convenience just got to me in a deeply frustrating way.

I feel like this book would've benefitted heavily from a closer edit. There was a lot of repetition that didn't need to exist, a deepening of character that could've happened in the real-estate instead, and an effort to make the plot feel less contrived. Such a strong start really just did not pan out.

Writing: 3 There's certainly something interesting and compelling here. I chose to read every day after work and late into the night. I had a curiosity about where the book was going even when it frustrated me. Sadly, what I thought made the book great weren't the focuses of the book. This was made worse by the fact that there just seemed to be a lack of development. Despite how long the book is, there was so much basically summarized to the reader for full chapters where scenes were skipped and the information wasn't brought to life.

Thank you NetGalley for an early copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review. This one was really freaking good. Extremely raw and emotionally charged. Charlie was painfully relatable and I loved being in her head. I wanted to give her a hug and tell her everything will be ok. I like reading about flawed characters that grow and learn throughout the story. The ending was just what I needed as well. I will keep this one close to my chest for a while.

Thank you to Net Galley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was really hoping to like this one more than I actually did. The premise was giving Sally Rooney vibes, which is always a good time to me. And yet, something about it didn't fully land.

The story follows twenty-three year-old Charlie, who works in publishing. When she encounters Richard, a much older, distinguished (and married) author, the two embark on a secret affair that - you guessed it - is incredibly toxic. Not sure how anyone ends up in this kind of scenario without anticipating its downfall, but the author seems to attribute it to the author's youth and reverence for Richard.

While with him, Charlie isolates herself from her friends and family. Her entire world seems to revolve around the time she gets to spend with Richard, despite him treating her pretty poorly throughout. The author does a decent job of demonstrating the clear power imbalance between them. Richard is frustratingly manipulative throughout the entire story, making it pretty painful to see the protagonist make such poor choices to remain on his good side.

But there's something to that, obviously. As frustrating as it is, that's not what I disliked about the book. Rather, the middle felt very drawn out. My interest waned at several points. I attribute this mostly to the overly prose-y writing style. By comparison, the end kind of came to a head very quickly (almost jarringly).

Overall, I'm glad I read it, but definitely don't see myself reaching for it again.

OMG this book hurt to read (complimentary)!! Who among us hasn't been romantically stupid at 23? It's literally part of life? So yeah part of me wants to shake Charlie and part of me gets it!! But Charlie's journey gets very dark as her relationship goes south (huge mental health TWs!!) and that's where I went from wanting to shake her to wanting to hug her. She was brutally honest and raw and my heart broke for her.

Richard is demonic but I do think it's an important story to be told because we all know this does happen in real life. I really don't want to give him any more space this review though!!

Usually I like books that have a light, airy feel to them and this one was quite dark and gloomy? Idk if this makes sense but it was giving winter?? So it did take me a second to shift into that vibe, but once I was there, I was blown away by the writing and the rawness of the story. Lmk if you have questions about potential triggers, because I'm not sure they're really being mentioned in reviews, but I definitely recommend this one!!

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC <3 <3 <3