Ladies' man disheartened female author (4)
I believe the answer is:
wolf
'ladies' man' is the definition.
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for wolf that I've seen before include "philanderer" , "Beast, member of pack" , "See 2" , "Dog-like animal - womaniser" , "gorge" .)