A funny, moving and poignant exploration of modern romance and the allure of domesticity from the Polari-prize-winning author of Bellies

Chosen as a ‘Best Book of 2025’ by Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Stylist, Elle, Dazed, Vogue, AnOther, and GQ

'One of the UK’s most perceptive young novelists with her finger firmly on the pulse of contemporary behaviour' Guardian
'Riveting, funny and devastating' Shon Faye, bestselling author of The Transgender Issue

Max didn’t mean to fall for Vincent – a corporate lawyer and hobby baker whose trad friendship group are a world away from her life as a trans woman. But after years of bad dates and dysphoria he’s a breath of fresh air. Their connection seems genuine, his care feels real.

But Vincent is carrying his own baggage. On his gap year in Thailand a decade prior, he vies for the attention of a gorgeous traveller, Alex, with secrets of her own. Is Vincent really the new face of the Enlightened Man, or will the ghosts of his past sabotage his and Max’s happiness?

Disappoint Me is an incisive reckoning with forgiveness and the complexity of modern relationships, told with Nicola Dinan’s trademark wit and heart.

Praise for Disappoint Me:

‘An absolute gift…I loved it’ Oisín McKenna, author of Evenings and Weekends

‘Nicola Dinan writes like some kind of demigod’ Torrey Peters, author of Detransition, Baby

‘A riveting, hilarious and totally devastating love story… will have you gripped and sets Dinan as a literary voice to watch’ Elle, ‘Best Books of 2025’

‘Pacy, perfectly pitched and emotionally honest: I loved every page’ Stylist, ‘Best Books of 2025’

‘Sharply insightful, warm and heartbreaking’ Cosmopolitan, ‘Best Books of 2025’

‘Nicola Dinan will be studied in years to come as one of the modern greats. . . The kind of writing you’ll be talking about for weeks after you’ve finished reading.’ nb Magazine