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.

After reading a recommendation that described Bitter Sweet as “perfect for fans of Dolly Alderton, Coco Mellors, Caroline O’Donoghue, and Sally Rooney”, I knew I had to get my hands on a copy of this book. It did not disappoint! The story was beautifully written and I felt an immediate connection to Charlie’s life and struggles. I couldn’t put this book down and wasn’t ready for it to end either. This was a moving and impactful debut novel, and I can’t wait to read more from Hattie Williams.

Since finishing Bitter Sweet just about 24 hours ago, the story has stayed insistently in my mind. At first this thoroughly surprised me, considering the fact that I've read many books following extramarital affairs before, and was familiar with the experience of reading a story shadowed by impending doom. But the reason Bitter Sweet stands out so impressively from the rest is its attitude towards personal growth, and the begrudging lovability of the main character, Charlie. I found myself swept up in the world of publishing alongside Charlie; the writing did an exceptional job at romanticizing the industry. Despite disagreeing with her actions, (and finding myself on the side of her well-meaning best friend, Ophelia, very often), I was still rooting for her. I even found myself not immediately disliking Richard, the famous author 30 years her elder that Charlie works closely beside. I found myself, like Charlie, thinking that wait, maybe this is the one where he leaves his wife for the younger woman, for good! The inevitable letdown from this build up was tense, and horrible to read. I wanted to protect Charlie, and I was amazed at the support she had in her life- both her best friends/roommates, as well as her boss, endlessly understanding. Another thing that makes Charlie so understandable is her admittance along the way of the situation she finds herself in, how she knows how bad things look, can fully understand why her friends feel the way about her relationship that they do. It's hard to root for her, at times. But Richard's efforts at isolating her drive her into such a parasitic reliance on him, and I just pitied her, more than anything. The final 50 pages or so were beautiful, and I was so thrilled that this story has such a cathartic ending.

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 🫶🏻

What an amazing debut novel. I loved the writing and character development. You felt as if you really knew each person. At first I thought this was going to be a train wreck but I got sucked into the story and couldn’t put it down. It’s not just about a young girl falling in love with an older man, but it could resonate with anyone in a relationship with a strong personality who uses and abuses that power and the pain it inflicts. Charlie’s experience is often very painful but the author weaves the other characters in so well to demonstrate the love and support you need to extricate yourself and to heal and move on. Her friends, family and boss came to her rescue. Although Charlie is fragile and sensitive and struggles mightily to survive, it’s a lesson in working hard to persevere and to seek the help of others rather than fight alone.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

Ohhh this was exactly the type of book I've been craving for. Protagonist in her 20s trying to figure life out, with the extra bonus of publishing industry setting (!!!). Main character and PR publishing assistant Charlie has fallen in love with Richard, a famous author 30 years her senior... OHHH this was good. I saw myself so much in Charlie and simultaneously felt so, so bad for her.

Addictive, well-written. Refreshing, also, to have a book with such beautiful friendships.

Already looking forward to Hattie Wililams's next book!

This is a BEAUTIFUL debut novel! I’m ready for more! Charlie is more relatable than you would think. Being young and never properly dealing with your traumas. The found family with Ophelia and Eddy was everything ❤️ I can relate so much to Charlie and her thought process. Being in an unhealthy relationship and then bottling everything up and feeling so alone because everyone around you just wants what’s best for you and it isn’t Richard. Bravo Hattie! This was beautiful! I couldn’t put it down! I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy!

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!

The writing in this novel was stunning and makes me excited to see what Hattie Williams writes next! As a reader in her 30s, I found so much of Charlie's story to be heart wrenching. I thought the emotional depth of the story really pulled me along, even though the plot itself was a bit slow. Charlie's friends were brilliantly done but at times maybe too understanding of what choices Charlie was making. The ending was a relief and I was so happy Richard's email didn't make its way to Charlie before his death. Overall, the character development was unapparelled, the story was tragic and a true depiction of what it is like to experience depression. I think one thing that made this book about an affair stand out from other similar books, like The Rachel Incident, was that I never once felt the author excuse Richard's behavior or justify it in any way. Maybe because of his age or his obvious power over Charlie, it was always a bit like watching a trainwreck or a car crash, knowing it would end horribly but also empathizing with Charlie's young, naive beliefs.