The exquisite, intoxicating and compulsive debut novel from Hattie Williams, exploring the affair between a young publicist and a much older, celebrated author. A thought-provoking exploration of power, control and grief, Bitter Sweet is perfect for book clubs and will appeal to fans of Sally Rooney and Coco Mellors.

'I inhaled this novel. Utterly believable, immersive and heartfelt. I loved it' JENNIE GODFREY

'Hattie's writing on early-20s friendships and their enmeshed intensity, was so convincing. I enjoyed it so much' MARIAN KEYES

'A timeless tragedy, a story of the intricacies and illusions of true love' CHRIS WHITAKER

'Beautifully crafted, with aftershocks of conscience' JODI PICOULT

'Sharp, compelling, and thought provoking. The perfect book club pick for 2025' LOUISE O'NEILL

*Don't miss the intoxicating and compulsive debut novel from Hattie Williams - pre-order BITTER SWEET now!*

'In my life, there are things that have happened to me, and things that I have done, that have proven to be moments that have 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.'

Charlie is twenty-three, single and the new publicity assistant at the independent London publishing house Winden & Shane. Richard Aveling is fifty-six, married and the author that has defined his generation.

Charlie has long idolised the charming, illustrious writer, who also represents a link to her late mother, who loved his work. But as they embark on an illicit and all-consuming affair, Charlie is forced to hide the relationship from everyone she cares about.

And when the success of Richard's latest book launches him to a new level of fame where all anonymity is lost, she realises she might just be in too deep...

A thought-provoking exploration of a relationship founded in power, control and silence, Bitter Sweet is perfect for book clubs and will appeal to fans of Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason and Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors.

** More praise for BITTER SWEET by Hattie Williams**

'Brutal but tender, entertaining, compelling and completely believable' LAUREN BRAVO

'An instant classic of a debut: honest, winning, breakable' AJ FINN

'Raw and beautiful and true' ABIGAIL DEAN

'Fresh, unflinching and reminds us how dangerous love can be' ARAMINTA HALL

'Thrilling, compulsive and utterly addictive' KIRSTY CAPES

'As intoxicating as the relationship she portrays, a book that keeps you obsessively within its pages' KATE WESTON

'A brilliantly assured debut which deftly charts the pain of young love' SJ WATSON

'Smart and intense, a thrilling new voice' AJ WEST

'Beautiful and tender, addicitve and heartbreaking' CJ COOKE

'An addictive, relatable story of obsessive love' JULIA RAESIDE

Details

ISBN13: 9781398722811
Format: Paperback / softback
Number of Pages: 400
Edition:
Publication Date: 08 Jul 2025
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co
Publication City, Country: London, United Kingdom
Dimensions (cm): 23(H)x15.2(L)x3.2(W)481
Weight (gm): 481

Author Biography

Hattie Williams left education in her teens to pursue a career as a musician. She has toured Europe extensively, made three studio albums, and worked as a composer with her tracks still regularly featured on TV and streaming services across the world. In her mid-twenties she found herself working in publishing quite by accident, and an admin temping job turned into a twelve-year career in which she worked with some of the biggest authors in the world. Hattie lives in east London. Bitter Sweet is her debut novel.

Reviews

This juicy London-set story is a gem. An age-old plot told in a fresh way and the characterisations are perfect * GOOD HOUSEKEEPING *
A truly evocative, powerful read * THAT'S LIFE *
Bitter Sweet is exactly that - a heart-wrenching story of a young girl growing up and learning almost everything the hard way. Every character is so well-rounded and well-written, which makes the book wonderfully frustrating to read * MY WEEKLY *
Perfect book-club fodder, with lots to discuss! * PRIMA *
This beautifully written debut, which captures life in our turbulent 20s, will resonate with readers * RED *
A truly evocative, powerful read * BELLA *
A powerful, coming of age read * CLOSER *
Powerful and thought-provoking, you'll want to recommend this to everyone! * HEAT *
Tender, empathetic and absorbing, this page-turning debut unfolds like a car crash in slow motion * WOMAN & HOME *
Addictive * SAINSBURY'S *