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!

This was SO good. Equally parts contemplative, salacious, and addictive. Adored the prose. The best part of this book were the friendships - it was so refreshing to read a novel about 20-somethings who were truly good friends to one another and had healthy communication. I will def read another book by this author if she publishes another (I can’t believe this is her debut). Recommend to anyone who lovesss literary fiction and books about sensitive 20 year olds lol.

Thank you for the ARC!

"Bitter Sweet" left me feeling absolutely gutted in the best possible way. It’s one of those books that gets under your skin, almost as if it’s written in your own emotional language, tapping into those deep, often difficult-to-articulate feelings that only certain stories can. From the very first page, I felt immersed in Charlie’s world, where her excitement and optimism were so palpable that I couldn’t help but root for her. She’s like someone you want to protect, knowing that, even in her success, there’s a part of her that is vulnerable, searching for something deeper.

But as the novel unfolded, I couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of unease, a subtle tension building with each page as Charlie’s relationship with Richard became more complicated. This wasn’t just about a young woman falling for her literary idol—it was about the power dynamics at play, the vulnerability that comes with falling for someone who holds so much influence over you, and the slow realization that what began as an exciting, almost dreamlike affair, quickly starts to unravel everything Charlie thought she knew about herself and love.

The way that author Hattie Williams handles the relationship between Charlie and Richard is masterful in its complexity. It’s impossible to ignore the discomfort of the age gap, the imbalance of power, and the ethical boundaries they’re crossing. And yet, the author portrays it in such a nuanced way that you can almost understand Charlie’s internal struggle. She’s caught between admiration and desire, excitement and guilt. There are moments when you want to shake her and tell her to stop, to break free from the web she’s entangled in. But at the same time, you sympathize with her. She’s just so young, so consumed by the allure of this older, powerful figure who, for a brief moment, makes her feel seen and valued in a way she’s never experienced before.

The emotional depth in "Bitter Sweet" is staggering. I found myself holding my breath, anticipating the inevitable collapse of their relationship. Every moment that Richard and Charlie shared felt charged, both with passion and danger, as if they were walking on a tightrope, always one step away from falling. It was agonizing to watch, especially knowing that Charlie was diving into a relationship she wasn’t fully prepared for—one that would leave her grappling with feelings of self-worth, loss, and betrayal.

But beyond the romantic turmoil, what struck me the most about this novel was its exploration of self-identity and self-love. The way Charlie slowly begins to lose herself in her infatuation with Richard—how she places his desires, his needs, and his approval above her own—is heartbreaking but so real. She starts out confident, knowing exactly what she wants from her career, but the more she becomes involved with him, the more her sense of self erodes. This felt like an honest portrayal of the dangers of losing yourself in someone else, especially when that person represents everything you’ve ever aspired to be.

The writing itself is exquisite—rich, immersive, and so beautifully emotive that it feels like you’re right there with Charlie, feeling everything she feels. The pacing was perfect, gradually pulling me deeper into the story until I couldn’t imagine not finishing it. It was a book that demanded to be read in one sitting, but at the same time, I wanted to stretch it out, to savor each moment, knowing that the ending would be just as difficult as the journey.

Ultimately, Bitter Sweet is about the price of desire and the consequences of losing yourself in the process of loving someone else. It’s about learning to stand up for yourself, to reclaim your identity, and to understand that love, while beautiful, can also be a source of pain and self-doubt. This book will stay with me for a long time, haunting me in the best possible way.

This was a well written book. Charlie is young and felt like she did not fit in growing up so at 23 when she meets Richard they start an affair. There is an imbalance of power and he consumes her life. There was so many emotions reading this book. I was happy to see Charlie grow as a person through the book and happy with the ending.

BITTER SWEET is an honest and real look on the effects of an imbalanced relationship can have on you and how it can affect other parts of your life as well. Losing her mom at a young age, Charlie feels closer to her through the works of author Richard Aveling, which they bonded over. Meeting him at her job turns into an affair, where she finds herself losing herself and giving him all her power and unable to stop it. I was pleased with how it ended for Charlie!

3.5 stars rounded to 4.

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

Well I think the moral of the story is that men are horrible.

Poor Charlie. And her poor friends. But really poor Charlie. Living her best life working in publishing, and in swoops this predator to make her feel less. Sure, she needs to take some of the responsibility, but HE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER. I am happy that Charlie ended up happy and fulfilled, but my heart really just broke for her. I think a lot of women can see themselves in her in the way we’ve ditched friends, kept secrets, and alienated ourselves for a man who won’t step up. Maybe that’s why this was so hard to read at times.

Richard had zero redeeming qualities. He’s pretentious and arrogant, and really not all that great. His history of predatory behavior made me happy he died without reconciling with Charlie. He’s every terrible boyfriend we’ve all had mashed into one.

A difficult read, but worthwhile.

I’ll be sharing my review on instagram in January under the handle @rebekahreadsbooks.

This was a really well done novel and worked with the genre overall, it had that feel that I wanted and enjoyed from this type of book. The characters were everything that I wanted and was engaged with what was happening. Hattie Williams does a fantastic job in writing this and left me wanting to read more.

I’m not sure what about the description of this book led me to requesting a copy but I am sure glad I did. At the moment I’m finding it hard to find the correct words to describe how this book made me feel, and I might have to come back after thinking a bit more, but I’ll try my best.

Bitter Sweet is extremely emotional, both within the story and as a reader. Williams does an excellent job of placing you inside of Charlie’s head and making you truly understand her through the events of this book. There were so many times where I just had to stop and take a breather because I felt for Charlie so much.

Pretty early on I started thinking about how this would make a great movie, is that ironic?

This book was truly beautiful and I think a great look into the kinds of relationships older men in power pursue with younger women.


4.5⭐️ rounded up to 5