I can't believe Bitter Sweet is a debut novel—Hattie Williams' writing is absolutely stunning! The story pulled me in with its raw emotions and beautifully crafted prose. While I often found myself frustrated with Charlie and her obsession with Richard, I also deeply sympathized with her. Williams does an incredible job of making Charlie’s emotions feel so real and relatable, even when I wanted to shake her. Her journey was messy, heartbreaking, and honest. And her friends? I absolutely loved them! They added so much heart and warmth to the story. This book left me thinking about it long after I turned the last page. I will definitely be ordering a physical copy of Bitter Sweet to reread and annotate. I can’t wait to see what Hattie Williams writes next! Thank you to Ballentine Books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I read a lot of books about women navigating life in their 20s—as a woman navigating my life in my 20s—and this one felt fresh and special.

It follows a woman struggling with her mental health and grief, resulting in her falling into self-destruction to cope. This book felt like a new take on the trope of a young woman with parental issues falling for an older man. Overall, the tone was hopeful, perfect for those that lean towards character-driven stories. I’m already excited to see what Hattie Williams writes next

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for the ARC.

Bitter Sweet is a smart and engaging ready from start to finish. I was quickly pulled in to the characters and their relationships. The protagonist is likable and relatable as she navigates real-life coming of age situations. The pacing and story development holds your attention. Highly recommend reading this book.

Oh, I wanted nothing but the absolute best for Charlie and I’m so glad in the end she got that. I loved every page of this book, even when I was screaming internally at Charlie to just open her eyes and see Richard for what he really was. I was so angry and sad for her, and I think Hattie did an incredible job of describing what it’s like to be in your early twenties and think you know everything about the world and the people you choose to have relationships with. This is up there with a top contender for favorite book already this year and I want so badly to just listen to Foals for the rest of the year like Charlie

This book is an extremely nuanced character study of a young woman who struggles with her mental health and grief, resulting in self destructive tendencies. While on the surface the book follows the trope of a woman with parental issues falling for an older man, it’s done in such a fresh way. I loved how Charlie’s grief for her mother and disconnect with her stepfather led her to seek love with a man who was old enough to be her parent. I also found the ending extremely cathartic while still reflecting on the abuse Charlie experienced, leaving the overall story with a hopeful tone.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year, and it definitely did not disappoint! BITTER SWEET is certainly aptly named. The story has a heaviness to it, as main character Charlie grapples with the grief of losing her mom as a teenager, past traumas, the weight of all-consuming depression and anxiety, and a toxic relationship with her literary idol Richard that soon takes over her life. Yet, there’s also a hopefulness throughout, in the moments where Charlie finds support and love from her family, her friends, her boss, where she realizes that she can find happiness despite everything she’s been through, where she finds that other people’s views of her might not line up with the negative beliefs that still linger in her mind. Even at points in the story where I was so frustrated with Charlie, I felt so invested in her and wanted so badly for her to make better choices for herself, even when it was difficult. Hattie Williams does a fantastic job of developing her character and really helping readers understand why she would be so captivated by Richard and not be able to look beyond their relationship in the moment/see how it was so toxic. Every aspect of the story was so thoughtfully explored, from the central relationship to Charlie’s mental health struggles and everything in between.

On a lighter note, I also loved the setting of the London publishing world, and found it to be so vivid and immersive! Williams doesn’t shy away from portraying the ups and downs of working in the industry, particularly during the early 2010s, when the book took place. Another highlight of the book for me was the trip Charlie takes to France, how it drew such a strong contrast between the fun she was having with her friends/how she was potentially starting to open up to a new romance, and the unhealthy dynamic between her and Richard/how it stopped her from fully having freedom and agency. In general, the different settings and the beautiful writing style had me fully engrossed in Charlie’s world!

Needless to say, I would highly recommend BITTER SWEET. I have read so many novels about women in their 20s navigating life, and I always enjoy those types of stories, but there was truly something special about this one that just had me hooked throughout. If you love books like those, too, and/or you enjoy character-driven reads, you need to add this one to your TBR! I’m already excited to see what Hattie Williams writes next. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine Books for the ARC.

Bitter Sweet is a stunning, immersive, and deeply emotional novel that instantly cemented itself as my favorite book of the year. From the very first page, I knew it would be something special, and I’m so glad I trusted my intuition—I was completely right. Hattie Williams masterfully captures the raw, tangled emotions of being young, lost, and desperate for something that feels like love. Charlie is a character I connected with immediately. I didn’t just understand her—I became her. The writing is so intimate and engaging that I felt as though I was inside her head, rationalizing every choice right alongside her. Even when I knew she was making mistakes, I understood exactly why she was making them. The portrayal of Charlie and Richard’s relationship was painfully real. Williams didn’t just tell their story—she showed it in all its complexity, making it feel utterly authentic. It was frustrating, heartbreaking, and, at times, almost unbearable to read, but that’s what made it so powerful.

Beyond the relationship itself, I adored the friendships in this book. The people in Charlie’s life were beautifully written, providing her with the support she didn’t always realize she needed. The balance between unhealthy obsession and genuine, grounding love was one of the novel’s greatest strengths. This is the kind of book that lingers long after you turn the final page. It’s not just a story—it’s an experience. I’m in awe that this is a debut novel, and I cannot wait to read whatever Hattie Williams writes next.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoy books that explore imbalanced relationships and all the juicy inner turmoil that comes with it. Unfortunately, I didn't really connect with Bitter Sweet on various fronts. First off, the writing. It definitely wasn't "bad," it just wasn't for me. There was a lot of interiority and it was very slow in the beginning, so much so that I considered DNFing it several times in the first 25% or so. I don't mind interiority/character-focused stories, but that's if I am invested in the character. With Charlie, I just never bought into her as a fully fleshed out, realized character. Nor did I buy into Richard and their relationship. Overall, I felt oddly disconnected from the story. I felt like I was watching/learning about what happened several people removed from the source, rather than a first person narrator.

It wasn't a bad book, again, just not exactly for me.

This was one of those rare books where the characters were more real than possible. I loved the main character, Charlie, even though her decisions were questionable at most points. I loved her so much this will always be a book I think about. Her friends were also such good characters, I loved seeing how they showed up for Charlie over and over again. Charlie's emotions throughout this book were very raw I wanted to hug her every other page. Even though I hated Richard, I appreciated his role as well because of how great he was written. He managed to elicit anger from me and at the same time hope he would be better which is exactly what made his character so awful and real.

Anyway, I cannot believe this is a debut novel, and this author is now an auto-buy author for me. An amazing book that will stick with me indefinitely.

i can definitely say that this book impacted me in some way. 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 the stream 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 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 understand 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 as the story progressed very slowly, and I would've liked that sort of third act conflict to have a 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. It almost felt like a horror novel because of just how far Richard went in his poor treatment of her and how she continued 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.

This book was challenging to read at times as I wanted to throw the book across the room for how badly the male main character treated our Charlie. She is battling a lot with the loss of her mother and finding herself when their relationship begins but evolves into a more grounded character throughout the book. The writing in this debut is well done and I enjoyed it overall. I'm looking forward to more work from this author.

Charlie is living in London, working as a publishing assistant, and dealing with the loss of her mother years earlier. When she happens upon a favorite author, Charlie is susceptible to his charms and finds herself in a relationship where she is vulnerable and loses herself. This was a wonderful debut novel that has you feeling for Charlie as she falls deeply for an older man who isn't all hers.

Reading Bitter Sweet felt like watching a movie—one of those films where you find yourself talking to the screen, wanting to yell ‘no!’ at the main character as they make one frustrating decision after another. The story flowed effortlessly, making it a quick and engaging read, with just enough detail to bring everything to life without feeling overwhelming.

The book’s biggest strength is its focus on flawed, deeply human characters. The FMC, in particular, was tough to love for much of the story, and I struggled to relate to her at times. Still, the way the book explored imperfections—rather than shying away from them—felt intentional and compelling.

That being said, the MMC was awful. He was manipulative, self-serving, and emotionally exhausting to watch unfold on the page. The way he navigated his relationship with the FMC felt calculated, as if he always knew exactly how to keep her tethered to him while giving the bare minimum in return. It made their dynamic frustrating, and I constantly wished for more pushback from the FMC. Given how infatuated she had been with him growing up, their relationship fell together too easy, almost like the book was trying to justify his behavior rather than truly reckoning with it.

As someone fascinated by the inner workings of the publishing industry, I really enjoyed that aspect of the book. It added an extra layer of interest that kept me invested.

Overall, Bitter Sweet is an interesting character-driven read with a smooth, engaging style. If you enjoy stories about personal growth, flaws, and the messy realities of relationships—especially the ones that leave you frustrated and questioning motivations—this one is worth picking up

I really enjoyed this book. I think the characters were so complex and I enjoyed reading them. The book was filled with drama, tension, and so many layers that it was constantly developing for me. I think Williams tackles so many topics, including how you feel when someone who breaks your heart is successful and the emotions we feel during it. I really liked this book and can't recommend it enough

Interestingly, I feel like I can't say I *liked* this, I spent most of the book feeling like the FMC was Borderline (she probably was, I'm glad she went to therapy) and the MMC was a selfish, abusive ***hole. It's one of those books where I finished it thinking "what's the point?" I liked the end and the FMC reflecting, learning, and healing, but it also felt TOO wrapped up in a bow.
I did enjoy the writing style and thought the author had a good voice and consistent pacing.

I loved this book. As infuriating as Charlie was, she was also incredibly endearing. I wanted to shake her one minute and wrap her in a hug the next. A lot of what Hattie has written in this will stay with me for a long time. A great debut and I look forward to reading whatever she has next.

I cannot deny that I was completely pulled in by this book, but I am left feeling somewhat indifferent to it. When reading an author's debut I am almost hoping for a fresh new voice, a new perspective, and something that zings. Though I would argue that this is a good book, it does not have any of those qualities. It feels like a book I've read before, with well-trodden territory that I do enjoy in fiction (obsessive love, inappropriate relationships, early 2010s setting), but I don't quite understand the hype.

I have to admit I was reminded of THE RACHEL INCIDENT while reading BITTER SWEET. There are many similarities, and while stories can be told multiple ways, I don't think it's ever GREAT when you're reminded of another book, a blockbuster in fact, when reading a new book. Unfortunately I think BITTER SWEET suffers because it lacks the humor, wit, and overall thesis that Caroline O'Donoghue perfectly nails in her book. BITTER SWEET is sad, with a character who is clinically depressed, grieving the loss of her mother, and caught up in a ill-advised love affair with an older, famous author who writes for the publishing company she works at. Though I read it fast, I found it to be a bit of a sad slog at the same time, knowing where this was heading and just watching the slow-motion car crash without being able to do anything.

I think it's worth a read, but it's not a crackling debut that must be picked up with urgency.

5 stars-“It must be a small club to be a 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.”

There is an excitement in having someone you admire so much from afar. A dream that you will someday meet and live a life of happily ever after. Charlie, at just 23, while working in the publishing industry met the author she had so many fantasies about, and so begins a year long affair. However, it is not just about Charlie and Richard. There is his new novel ready to be published, and her career helping with it. There are her friends who don’t approve, and there is Richard’s wife. And of course, there is the end of the affair.

I felt so utterly immersed in this story as I was ready it, finding myself talking to Charlie in my head, wanting to give her advice, to tell her it will not be what she thinks it will be. To me, that is the mark of the greatest writing and characterization. An incredible read that I highly recommend! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc.

I really enjoyed this novel. Williams perfectly encapsulated how fraught and difficult the early twenties can be - just when we’re starting to feel like adults. Really evoked how intense (and important) friendships can be during that time too. A good read. Made me so happy I’m no longer in my twenties.

Honestly I was not expecting a lot from this book or to even really like it in general. I’m not a big contemporary genre person, especially contemporary romance, but this really surprised me.

First of all, this isn’t romance. I don’t know why I thought it was, because rereading the summary it’s pretty obvious that this isn’t romantic at all. Yes it’s about a “romantic” relationship, but it’s about a horribly toxic and dangerous relationship that completely changes the trajectory of this girl’s life. It’s an exploration of how someone gets into one of these relationships and why they stay, whether or not they realize how unhealthy this relationship is. I’ve always been interested (not the right word but I don’t know how else to say it) in these kinds of abusive relationships and how people stay in them for so long. I completely understand why Charlie first started seeing Richard. He was this person she had idolized her whole like and was a sort of connection to her dead mother. She also had some father issues and Richard filled that void she felt like she needed to remedy. But why did she stay? Once she saw how often Richard was just pushing her to the side and didn’t truly care about her, even when her friends were begging her to leave him for her own well-being, why did Charlie stay? Even as someone who’s never been in a relationship like this, I was really able to connect with Charlie and her motivations. Honestly, if I was in her shoes, I’m not entirely confident I would be able to leave either. Richard knew exactly how much care and affection he needed to give to Charlie to get her to stay, but not enough to actually inconveniencing himself in any way. By the end, I absolutely loved seeing how disgusting Richard became. Of course he was always this gross person, but once Charlie started getting better we started to really how pathetic Richard truly was this whole time, the sham completely fell and we saw the truth for ourselves.

There were definitely some highs and lows to this book. I think it got a little rambling in the middle, but overall it was pretty strong. The scenes that strongly dealt with mental health were vivid and intense. As someone who has dealt with depression, those scenes were a little hard to read at times, but they were really important for her personal journey. On the other hand, I absolutely loved the platonic friendships and the familial relationships so so so much. I can only hope that if I ever find myself in a tough situation like this, I have the unwavering support from my friends and family, even at my lowest, just like Charlie got.

Overall, this was a very realistic but also hopeful portrayal of a person finding her lowest point in life and then somehow coming out on the other side.