Sweetheart on the Countryside by Tereza Lysakova

Sweetheart on the Countryside is a charming, witty tale about Valerie’s journey pursuing her career dreams from London glamour to a quaint rural area, packed with unexpected adventures, hilarious encounters and romantic surprises.

Meet Valerie. The twenty-something single, independent, and successful businesswoman on a mission to land her dream job. A true lover of all the perks of city life, she enjoys her city life to the fullest, whether it’s happy hour cocktails with her friends, shopping spree tours on weekends, dancing in the clubs or frequent theatre and concert visits.

So, imagine the surprise when her dream is finally coming true, and her (unbearable) boss offers her the position of her dreams – which requires a temporary relocation. You're already thinking about some incredible, vibrant, exciting city like LA or New York, right? How cool would that be! …Or wouldn’t?

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Excerpt from Sweetheart on the Countryside © Copyright 2025 Tereza Lysakova

Sweetheart & The City

I can do this! I will do this! I must do this! On my way through the corridor to see Dan, I repeat this little mantra with an increased fierceness. Oh my gosh, I totally won't do this. I have a horrible pain in my stomach, and honestly, I feel a tiny bit sick. Well, who am I kidding? I feel utterly sick.

You know what? I know exactly what I'll do right now. I'll turn on a heel of my lovely new stilettos (well, they aren't precisely the Louboutins, but we all need to start somewhere, right?) and go away.

Like my idol Carrie, I have also succumbed to that magical, tempting, and luscious passion for shoes and clothes whatsoever. Glamorous glittering stills, cute ballet flats, strappy sandals, or feathery espadrilles (I know, they might not be that fashionable… but I do like how the wedge espadrilles match with my favourite stripy summer dress. And Kate wears them too, so), to mention a few.

OK, my collection is certainly not as glamorous as those of my ultimate fashion icons, but still. Just thinking about my little passion makes me feel instantly better. Just until that moment, I realised again why I was here. The truth is, I've been working for this company for some time already. I've achieved excellent results recently and get along well with my boss. The thing we briefly dated in the past has no relation whatsoever. Well, other than the fact that he makes constant fun of me. All the time. But I don't mind. I'm a clever, professional woman on a mission.

I've been thinking about this for some time already, and today is the Day. The day I get a promotion – or will get sacked. I know it's quite cheeky, but I need to own my future. I need to take the destiny into my own hands. If not, who would do it for me? The destiny certainly not.

I so hope he won't fire me, though, mainly because of my passion for (not only) fashion and shoes. The omnipresent bills, increased cost of accommodation, my occasional cravings for fancy food, and other (absolutely) necessary expenditures (the receipts from Costa, Sephora, H&M, Amazon, Intimissimi, and the like, as well as the receipt of that amazing musical performance from last week), could certainly tell.