About The Book
Book: Bitter Sweet
Author: Hattie Williams
Standalone or Series: Standalone
Publisher: Orion Books
Publication Date (UK): 4th July 2025
My Review
I first heard Hattie Williams speak about this book at Iceland Noir last year and although it sits outside my usual comfort zone, her discussion intrigued me enough to pick it up.
Having worked in publishing herself for over a decade, Bitter Sweet marks Williams’ debut novel.
We’re introduced to 23-year-old Charlie, a newly hired publicity assistant at the independent London publishing house Winden & Shane. A lifelong reader, Charlie has always found solace in the novels of celebrated author Richard Aveling, especially after a difficult childhood shaped by the loss of her mother and short-lived situationships/relationships with men. So when she finds herself working on his latest book, it feels surreal.
But Aveling, now 56 and married, soon begins to take advantage of Charlie’s admiration and his position. What follows is a toxic, coercive relationship built on secrecy, power imbalance and manipulation. I really felt for Charlie throughout the book and it definitely gave me My Dark Vanessa vibes.
Thank you to Compulsive Readers and Orion Books for sending me an ebook ARC in order to take part in the tour.
Beth Reads Crime 
Leave a reply to Every Thriller I Read and Reviewed in 2025 Plus My Favourites – Beth Reads Crime Cancel reply