One Small Thing: Charlotte Levin

I’m afraid this is a cheat. My one small thing is two small things. Although, they did come as a package and I’d be a monster to pick one over the other, and a liar if I chose anything else.

Mac (right) and Opal (left) were my mum’s cats who I took on when she died. My own cats have all passed since so now it's just me and these two weirdos. I believe that's the perfect word to describe them. They were both strays who'd bonded on the streets of Swinton, arriving at my mum's as a mismatched duo. They're naughty and ridiculous. Real-life cartoon characters - the only thing missing from their chase scenes around the house are the Tom and Jerry sound effects.

I haven't interacted with another human without the obstacle of a window for three months. Mac and Opal have been my only real-life connection. My only source of love and affection. My only participants in conversation (albeit one-sided). I've talked to them, cuddled them, cried with them. And I can’t even contemplate how I would have coped without them.

(Photograph – Sheppard Keller 2018)

If I Can’t Have You by Charlotte Levin is out on 9th July, and is available at Amazon, Waterstones and independent book shops. You can find out more about Charlotte’s work on www.charlottelevin.com. Follow Charlotte on Twitter @tinycharlotte72 and Insta @tinycharlotte29

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 shadow of a doubt, EASILY up there with The Girl on the Train and Eleanor Oliphant -- Ruth Jones

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 

What if the problem with your love life is you?

If I Can't Have You by Charlotte Levin is an all-consuming novel about loneliness, obsession and how far we go for the ones we love.

Samuel, the day we met I knew I'd finally found what I've been waiting for.

You.

Happiness, at last.

Then you left me.

And now I am alone.

Everyone I love leaves in the end.

But not this time.

I'm not giving up on us.

I'm not giving up on you.

When you love someone, you never let them go.

That's why for me, this is just beginning.