Writer says economist rejected her as a girlfriend over her looks

Novelist and screenwriter Merritt Tierce has described a brief relationship with an older European economist who, she says, told her he was not attracted enough to her to make her his girlfriend. Her account appears in an extract from her forthcoming book, *A Life in Men*, and has drawn attention online for its portrayal of a relationship marked by unequal affection and hurtful comments.

Tierce says they met through OkCupid and began casually, while she hoped the relationship would become serious. She recounts that he showed her a spreadsheet tracking his sexual partners, sent a 24-word reply to her 3,400-word Valentine’s Day email, and said he would feel ashamed to be seen with her because he could have a more beautiful partner. She also describes trying rock climbing to change her body for him and injuring her back during rough sex.