Wants and Needs

Publisher: Penguin Books, Limited
Publish date: 29 January 2026
Pages: 288
Binding: Hardcover
Language: English

Subjects: Fiction, Humorous, Literary, Romance, Contemporary, Polyamory

FROM THE AUTHOR OF AS YOUNG AS THIS

A novel about coming of age when you thought you already had: a story about commitment and independence, about starting all over again, and finding different ways to love along the way

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 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?

'A thoroughly amusing coming of age (in your thirties) novel written with wit, honesty and tenderness' Claire Powell, author of At the Table

'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