Thank you to Netgalley for this arc!
I absolutely loved this book. when i wasn't reading it, i was thinking about it. As a mid-twenties girl who suffers from anxiety & depression, maintaining friendships and attachment issues to men I date, I felt so deeply for our main character. The stream of consciousness in this book where Charlie knows all the cons of this relationship while also simultaneously dropping everything for this man was written so well. The friendships in this book were amazing, exploring grief also was done very well.

This felt like a character study. This also (weirdly, i admit) felt like a thriller to me in the sense that I knew the relationship wasnt going to end well so it made me anxious waiting for the shoe to drop! I can’t believe this was a debut as it was writtEn so well. I would give it 4-4.5 stars, i loved it but I just didnt get that 5 star feeling. I could 100% see my self re-reading this and picking up even more on all of the toxic signs of this relationship i mightve missed the first time. I would definitely read more of Hattie’s releases!

First and foremost thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine, and Hattie Williams herself for this ARC. Publishing on July 3rd, 2025

Bittersweet follows Charlie who, after the loss of her mother as a teen and an ongoing battle with mental health, becomes engulfed in an affair with her literary idol after meeting him at her publishing job.
Charlie has all the qualities of a classic spiraling female main character but was written with such depth and had a self-awareness that I didn’t find myself frustrated with her (I wanted to hug her, not shake her, if that makes sense).
This debut novel explored heavy topics like grief, mental health, and abortion with such amazing supporting characters for Charlie that showed compassion, and friendship is such a beautiful way…
Everyone needs an Ophelia and a big fuck you to RA.

Review can be found on Goodreads, StoryGraph, and Fable

I quite enjoyed this, it had depth and wasn't cheesy like I thought it might be. The characters were realistic and it read well.

This book! As soon as I read the synopsis, I knew that i was something that I needed to read immediately.

Even though I figured early on how it was going to end (we all know how this relationships tend to play out), I was still so endeared to Charlie and I just kept wishing I could give her a hug.

I loved everything about this book, even though it was such a tough subject matter, but the author took such care constructing this story that it was hard to believe that this her debut novel.

The friendships that were formed were so beautiful and it was so heartwarming to see those bonds strengthen throughout the book.

Loved, loved this!

So normally I’m not into books about affairs, as they tend to make me angry. On one hand, I’m sick of literary fiction about young women being taken advantage of by older, successful men. On the other hand, this story felt like a perfectly executed portrait of what it’s like to be in your early twenties with depression and a need for male validation. These stories are important because when you’re in these spirals, it’s helpful to know that you aren’t alone in your suffering, not a freak. As much as I wanted to shake some sense into Charlie, the MC, I felt like I had a good understanding of her perspective, a testament to the author’s skill. Overall, a very compelling narrative.

What an emotional, electric debut! The characters are dynamic and extremely flawed. I didn't relate or like any of the main characters but they were interesting and a great representation of what it means to be human. The pacing is a little slow at times but the writing is very lyrical and striking.

Looking for your next romance novel? Pick up Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams. It was a good read. Don’t miss it.

Wow. This is a perfect book. It reminded me precisely of why I love reading.

Charlie is such a captivating and complex main character and I could not have loved her story more. The writing is beautiful. The story is moving. I didn’t want it to end and I will definitely struggle to find my next book after this.

“In my life, there are things that have happened to me, and things that I have done, that have proven to be moments with a clear before and an after. One of those moments, perhaps in some ways the biggest, was the day that I met Richard Aveling for the first time.”

I really enjoyed this novel! It did start to drag somewhat at the 60% mark, and could have, in my opinion, been a bit shorter. We follow Charlie, who is in her early 20's, who has always been drawn to an older male author, who's books she read when she was young. I enjoyed the deep character written story as we follow Charlie's life, both past and present, which is not free of mental health issues, grief, pain or loss. What it is lacking is a great love. I commiserated with Charlie and felt like she was my friend before the book was over. This was so well written. It does show the dangers of an age gap relationship. 3.75 stars, and I only didn't give it 4 stars due to the fact that it got a bit drawn out. I'm looking forward to more from this author!

Oh, Charlie. We were rooting for you!

Bitter Sweet is a compelling memoir-like account of a life-altering affair a young publicist has with a famous author.

The writing is lovely and it is so easy to empathize with Charlie and understand why she makes the decisions she makes, even though I wished she made different decisions. I adored Charlie's friends, Ophelia and Eddy. An excellent read when you’re in the mood for a reflective, melancholic story (with a sprinkling of hope).

Thank you very much to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

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.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: I need to say upfront that I DNF'd this book. However, I felt that I got a good enough sense of it want to write this review. I do think there are folks out there who will enjoy Bitter Sweet. Namely, if you are a fan of Sally Rooney (which I like most of her books too). I had to DNF this just because there were points where the pretentiousness of the characters, writing and story were just too much for me. That is not to say that these stories are not real or valid because I do believe these things occur (plot lines, thought processes, actions of characters). It just rubbed me the wrong way and made me feel annoyed with the story. The writing (for the most part) is very good, it's cleaned up, detailed but not too flowery, easy to read. I was really hoping to read about the harsh realities of the publishing industry and bad power dynamics. I did get that, we were getting there, I just realized I had so much distaste for the characters that it wasn't going to be beneficial for me to finish the story.

I believe and hope that people have a different experience. This is going to be a book that is either loved or hated and is very personal for some. I hope that motivates you to give it a try.

This book carries a profound sense of melancholy, with a pervasive sadness that seeps into every page. The author did an exceptional job portraying the affair between an older author and a 23 year old assistant at the publishing house, as well as the toxic ripple effects it had on every aspect of her life. Her vulnerabilities, shaped by her past, made her particularly susceptible to this dynamic, and I found myself deeply empathizing with her. At the same time, I felt frustrated watching her self-destructive tendencies.

The story serves as a poignant reminder of how consent becomes dubious in the presence of power dynamics and highlights the restorative power of community and friendships. For me, the strongest moments in the book were those that centered on her friendships and the rare occasions where she could simply exist as a young woman in her 20s.

This book was frustrating, heartbreaking, maddening, and ultimately powerful.

WOW! I can’t believe this is the author’s debut book! I loved the writing— all the characters felt incredibly realistic, flaws and all. Once I started reading this, I knew I wouldn’t be able to put it down until it was finished.

I will be thinking about this book for awhile.

What can I say??

This was wonderful and so real.
Very well written and paced out. I feel so much for Charlie, which made this book even more amazing. I know that I will look to the friendships featured in this novel for a long time. This book features feelings that jump off the page and make your heart ache.

My favorite part was the discussion of grief but mostly how the author recognizes that some events that happen to young people change them forever. That grappling with something like that often brings a lot of shame and pain. It can be terribly difficult to come to terms with. Ultimately, it can lead to a lot of questionable actions and warped ways of thinking. Healing from it often means fighting tooth and nail and doesn't look pretty. It was beautiful seeing Charlie grow and be supported by people around her. I really appreciate what an honest journey it was.

I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

I found Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams to be an emotional and thought-provoking read. It dives deep into the complexities of a relationship built on power, control, and silence, making me reflect on how much people can endure in the name of love. The writing reminded me of Sorrow and Bliss and Cleopatra and Frankenstein, with its raw and deeply human exploration of flawed connections. While some parts were intense, I was completely drawn in by the honesty of the characters and their struggles. This is a story that lingers in your mind, making it a solid four-star read for me.

Wow what a gorgeous debut and another hit for the lit fic girls! Bitter Sweet, set in 2010 London, is nostalgic, melancholic, and most importantly hopeful. The author covered many heavy, beautifully written, topics and I really enjoyed the realistic portrayal of grief, in its many forms, and how it transforms us.

I was happily surprised by the loyalty and steadfastness of the friendships which felt fresh given the overall theme. I think everyone will find a bit of their messy 20-something-selves in this book. I can confidently say that Hattie Williams has been added to my list of auto-read authors.

3.5 rounded up to 4 stars

This book is beautifully written, and the characters are all very human. The first half of the book was incredibly strong. A very touching and real portrayal of this young woman's life in publishing and her affair with a famous author. The only real fault is that the pacing slows down and the second half of the book is a bit of a drag--I found myself frustrated with Charlie, and the ending to be not as satisfying as I had hoped for her. A very strong debut novel nonetheless.

Hattie Williams' Bitter Sweet is an intimate, raw portrait of a young woman’s ill-fated affair with an older, married literary figure. While the premise isn’t groundbreaking, Williams elevates it with a brutally honest character study of Charlie—a self-aware yet delusional protagonist navigating the emotional chaos of her early twenties.

The novel avoids romanticizing the affair, offering instead a nuanced exploration of power, desire, and self-destruction. Charlie’s friendship with Ophelia is another standout, portraying a deeply supportive and complex dynamic that adds richness to the story.

Williams captures the messy, complicated nature of human relationships with empathy and precision, making this a compelling read for anyone who’s ever been drawn to what they know they shouldn’t want.

Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams was such a delightful surprise! I loved the pacing of the book, the characters, and especially the writing. The storyline was so easy to follow, and I'm so glad I picked this one up. Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC. I'm looking forward to more of the author's projects!