Sweet Pain

A novel about books, friendship, true love, and the idea that not all dreams should come true.

Charlie is twenty-three, single, lives with her friends, and has just started working as an assistant at an independent London publishing house. Richard is fifty-six, married, and splits his time between a luxury flat in London and a country estate. His novels have influenced an entire generation. Richard means a lot to Charlie, too—he's not only her literary idol but also a reminder of her late mother, who loved his books.

When the two first meet, sparks fly. Charlie watches in awe as the spark ignites into a flame—burning hot, powerful, and all-consuming. From the very beginning, she understands that this relationship won't be easy and that she will have to sacrifice a lot for it. The constant secrets, the hiding, the careful weighing of every word, and the silence, even with her closest friends. But between her and Richard, there is an exceptional bond that makes it all worthwhile. After all, they are more than just a young girl star-struck by a famous man, and a writer infatuated with an adoring fan. Or are they?