Bitter Sweet

A Novel

De: Hattie Williams

Narrado por: Rosie Sheehy

A young book publicist finds herself in an all-consuming workplace affair with her literary idol in this “very impressive debut” (Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of All the Colors of the Dark).

“Beautifully crafted, with aftershocks of conscience that will leave you processing for hours with others who’ve read it.”—Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author of By Any Other Name

Sometimes the things you love most are the very things that can tear you apart.

Charlie is twenty-three, single and the new publicity assistant at London’s preeminent independent book publishing house. Richard Aveling is fifty-six, married and the author who has defined his generation.

Charlie has long idolized 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.

Too soon, she can’t imagine her life without Richard, and too late, she understands that losing him will unravel more than just their relationship—it might also unravel her.

Tender and poignant, Bitter Sweet is an intimate exploration of power, of vulnerability, of what it means to love another person and what it means to love yourself.

©2025 Hattie Williams (P)2025 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“The power dynamic between artist and consumer of art blurs in this unsettling account of a young publicist who meets her idol—a much older author. The lines of consent, control, and even reality shift. Like our main character we know this can’t end well—but we also can’t pull away from the impending implosion. This is beautifully crafted, with aftershocks of conscience that will leave you processing for hours with others who’ve read it.”—Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author of By Any Other Name

“Bitter Sweet is a quietly devastating debut about desire, grief, and power imbalance.”—Bustle

“Beautifully written with compassion, hope, and heart . . . Bitter Sweet is a timeless tragedy, a story of the intricacies and illusions of true love, equality, and the heartbreaking disparity between what is shown to us and what we choose to see. It’s a very impressive debut.”—Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of All the Colors of the Dark

Excellent!

I loved this read. The characters, the plot, the narrator were all great. Unusual storyline and I couldn’t guess the ending.

Perfect picture of the real joy and sadness of relationships

My favorite book of the year. Not overdone, authentic, likable characters, will look for more from her in the future

Crazy relatable

I finished Bitter Sweet last night and… I couldn’t sleep for hours. This book absolutely wrecked me—in the best, most cathartic, heart-squeezing kind of way.

I’ll be honest, it was hard to get into at first. Not because it’s slow or badly written—quite the opposite. It’s just so emotionally raw and triggering. It touches everything: grief, depression, panic attacks, anxious attachment, toxic relationship cycles, manipulation, power imbalances, sexual assault, that deep ache for male validation… all of it. It’s suffocating at times. But also so painfully real.

I haven’t been through anything exactly like what Charlie experienced, but I saw myself in her. The obsession. The emotional highs and lows. The way you keep trying to be “enough” for someone who makes you feel small. It hit hard.

But what I loved most about the book was where it went. The found family. The solid, life-saving friendships. The tiny steps toward healing. Therapy, resilience, softness after the storm. It doesn’t promise a perfect ending—but it shows you that healing is possible. Slowly. Messily. But truly.

I really believe that most things are solvable—with time, a strong support system, and good professional help. But the truth is, you have to want to do the work. You have to choose to show up for yourself. And this book captures that so beautifully.

I also think—honestly—you need people. Friends, family, the ones who love you enough to stand at the edge of your dark place and say, “I’m not leaving without you.” I’m really grateful I have that kind of support system. I was in that dark place for months, and I know I wouldn’t have made it out without the patience and love of my family. They pulled me through. And I’ll never stop being thankful for that.

Bitter Sweet doesn’t give easy answers—but it makes you feel everything. And somehow, in the middle of all that pain, it gives you just enough hope to believe in finding your way back.

Totally immersive, uncomfortable and addictive

I loved this story and the journey I went on with Charlie! I took a star off for performance because sometimes the narrator was so raspy I kept having to rewind.

Absolutely devoured this story

Writing and narration was superb … I will think of Charley and RÃ for a long time. So aptly named… truly so Bittersweet ❤️

Relatable

Personally relatable for me as a reader and a great story line. Followed through very nicely and I would absolutely read/listen again. First audiobook I actually made it through!

My heart

I am not even sure where to start with this book. This book was beautiful, heartbreaking, raw, and complicated. I am still processing this book, this is one that will stay with you for a while. The title says it all, a “Bitter Sweet story”. Richard and Charlies relationship was messy and toxic. I feel like this book is relatable in so many ways and will be relatable to so many people. The way Richard slowly manipulated and separated Charlie from her friends and loved one. Made her keep secrets and live a life of isolation. I just wanted to hug Charlie so many times. She was dealing with so much and trying to navigate it on her own as the best she could. Did she have friend and family that would have supported her? Absolutely! Did Richard tell her otherwise? Yes, yes he did. I loved this book. No matter what I say will never do this book Justice. You just need to read it.

A top read of 2025

This story had me all consumed, just like the love story of our FMC. Narration was so wonderful. I could not put this down!

Heartaches and heroism

The true heroes of this book is the friends. Specifically Ophelia, is the true love of Charley’s life. This book was truly relatable if you’ve ever felt with grief, depression, anxiety, heartbreak and just the general coming of age as a woman. I wanted to fall into pieces once the book was over, I hope this becomes a movie as I could imagine every word in the book in my mind.

Story good, narration bad

I wanted to love this but wish I would’ve read the physical book. I couldn’t connect to characters because the narration was so difficult for me. Felt like the narrator was whispering or trying to be quiet the whole time.