Thank you to the people who have encouraged my writing along the way. Especially, Lisa Evans et al at the West London Writing Group. To Ali Harper, my mentor-turned-friend. It’s highly likely I wouldn’t have finished the book had it not been for her.

A big shout-out to my Twitter friends who helped with umpteen research questions and have been a surprising but wonderful source of love and support. Especially Rob Palk for answering all my annoying queries. To the CBC and Savvies Facebook groups. The former for the support and the latter for being a guiding light during this weird process.

And last and least, my gratitude to the men throughout my life who have treated me in a less than acceptable fashion. Without them I wouldn’t have been able to create such shitty male characters.

But I really must end on a more important note than that – so thank you to my cats.

If I Can’t Have You

Charlotte Levin has been shortlisted for the Andrea Badenoch Award, part of the Northern Writers’ Awards, and for the Mslexia Short Story Competition. Charlotte lives in Manchester and If I Can’t Have You is her first novel.

‘So beautifully written, such a devastatingly compelling story. I can honestly say it’s one of the best books I’ve ever read – it is, without a shadow of a doubt, easily up there with The Girl on the Train and Eleanor Oliphant ’

Ruth Jones

‘This is superb. The main character Constance is brilliantly flawed and so compassionately drawn – it’s raw and compulsive and disturbing and very well done indeed’

Harriet Tyce, author of Richard and Judy Book Club pick Blood Orange

‘An exceptionally raw and visceral and painfully funny novel. Charlotte Levin writes so well and so powerfully about loneliness, longing, love and loss that Constance will stay with me for a long time’

Emma Flint, Women’s Prize longlisted author of Little Deaths

‘Compulsively readable and darkly funny with pin-sharp characterization. Love love loved it’

Laura Marshall, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Friend Request

‘It was obvious from the bold and compelling opening chapter that I was in the hands of a clever and skilful author . . . In Constance Little, Levin has created a memorable character, convincing, at times monstrous, often sympathetic, and full of nuance. Loved, loved, loved it’

Joanna Barnard

‘Brilliant. A perfect and completely terrifying depiction of heartbreak and obsession’

Sarah Powell, presenter, founder of Celebrate Yourself and Red magazine columnist

‘A stellar debut by Charlotte Levin, If I Can’t Have You is a disturbing tale of obsession which gets right under your skin and makes it itch. I finished it in one day and thought about it long after’

Roxie Cooper

‘If I Can’t Have You by Charlotte Levin is a brilliant take on warped love, with people behaving deliciously badly. I adored the sharpness, the spikiness, the twisted yet hopeful view of the world. Loved it’