Wants and Needs

FROM THE AUTHOR OF AS YOUNG AS THIS

A novel about coming of age in your thirties: a story about love, commitment and dependency, and finding yourself back at square one when you thought you knew what the adult world had in store

Independence seems to be drifting away from Misty. Just months ago, she was living with her fiancé and planning their life together. Now she’s single, back in her childhood bedroom, on crutches from knee surgery, and relying on her mother to help her with the smallest of tasks. This isn’t how 32 was meant to look.

When Misty turns to dating apps, she''s immediately intrigued by charismatic, handsome Christopher – so intrigued that she doesn''t even notice the acronym ''ENM'' on his profile. By the time she discovers that it stands for ''Ethical Non-Monogamy'' – and that the man with whom she feels such undeniable, dizzying chemistry, is in a long-term open relationship – she decides to give things a go.

And so Misty makes a pact with herself to date Christopher for the next six weeks while his partner is away. It’s all part of her plan: she wants to learn to become less attached, and to prepare herself for her next ‘real’ relationship. But is what she wants really what she needs?

FROM THE AUTHOR OF AS YOUNG AS THIS'So wryly funny ... Roxy Dunn writes so smoothly about the limitations - and liberations - of adult love with such delicacy and honesty' CLAIRE DAVERLEY, author of Talking at Night'A thoroughly amusing coming of age (in your thirties) novel written with wit, honesty and tenderness' CLAIRE POWELL, author of At the TableIndependence seems to be drifting away from Misty. Just months ago, she was living with her fiancé and planning their life together. Now she’s single, back in her childhood bedroom, on crutches from knee surgery, and relying on her mother to help her with the smallest of tasks. This isn’t how thirty-two was meant to look. When Misty turns to dating apps, she's she’s immediately intrigued by charismatic, handsome Christopher – so intrigued that she doesn't doesn’t even notice the acronym ‘ENM’ on his profile. By the time she discovers that it stands for ‘ethical non-monogamy' – and that he’s in a long-term open relationship – she already feels such undeniable, dizzying chemistry that she decides to give things a go. And so Misty makes a pact with herself to date Christopher for the next six weeks while his partner is away. It’s all part of her plan: she wants to learn to become less attached, and to prepare herself for her next ‘real’ relationship. But is what she wants really what she needs?'So enjoyable ... The writing is just so good and moreish. I loved it' Catherine Airey, author of Confessions'Roxy Dunn is oh so good on love ... Wants and Needs is witty, warm and seriously sexy' Chloë Ashby, author of Wet Paint

• | Author: Roxy Dunn
• | Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
• | Publication Date: Jan 29, 2026
• | Number of Pages:
• | Language:
• | Binding: Hardback
• | ISBN-13: 9780241632758
• | ISBN-10: 0241632757