Bad Words ⭐⭐⭐✨

Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson

HarperCollins Australia

NetGalley About Summary

A sharp and deeply felt debut about art, ambition, and the connections that both inspire and undo us.

Parker Navarro’s debut novel was meant to define his career - until critic Selina Chan’s blistering review made it the flop of the decade. Four years later, his new book is his shot at redemption; for Selina, reviewing him again is a professional risk she can’t refuse. When her second takedown ignites a viral feud, both their fortunes shift overnight. But as the literary world feeds on their public sparring, a quieter dialogue begins - one that challenges everything they thought they knew about success, sincerity, and each other.

Both incisive and tender, Bad Words lays bare the costs of creation - the pull between ambition and integrity, the vulnerability of being seen, and the unexpected closeness that can grow in the space between critique and care.

When words can make or break us, how do you stay true to what matters most?

Genre: Women's Fiction, Romance
Goodreads added: Enemies to Lovers, Books About Books

The How/Why: Influenced by NetGalley FB Page. 

⭐⭐⭐✨ 3.75 

🎉 Overall Storytelling? 🎉🎉🎉🎉

🎣 Did it grab and keep my attention? 🎣🎣🎣

🗣️Would I recommend it to anyone? Yes ➕if you enjoy Friends to Lovers Romance and topical drama

🕮 Would I want a sequel? No ➖ 

📚 Would I want to read more books by this author? Maybe 🤷

💣💥 📢 Content Warnings? SȖicidal Ideɐti0n, Rɐci$m and Xen0ph0bia, Mɇntal Trɐumɐ, 0nline T0xicitɎ and HɐrɐŞŞment

🌶 Spice? Yes, one spicy scene towards the end.

🌪 Plot Twist? No

👟 Pace? Slowed down in the middle

💻 Tidbits ~ I felt like this book offered an interesting, behind-the-scenes look at how negative reviews and relationships affect both critics and authors. It also highlights how social media followers will quickly rally around to defend an author or a critic* and try to slay their naysayers.
“Bad Words” can really make or break someone’s career. Bad Words, not as in foul language, but rather negative, cruel, and hurtful dialog.
*And just like that, in real life, an author is sobbing on IG over a negative review of her recently published book. 😭

They bicker publicly, in person, and online. They bicker privately. They bicker in their heads. They FINALLY get together, hormones in overdrive, and while basking in the afterglow, BAM, the internet explodes and drama ensues. Can this new love connection survive the industry's scrutiny?

Cons:
➖The audiobook formatting of every email and text log, although an integral part of the story, didn’t flow very well for me as a listener. That might have been a better experience if I was reading the pages and could skip over the date, time, and header details and just focus on the conversations.

➖Selina complains that Parker’s novels are too long. Ironically, I felt like this book was a little too long as the pacing bogged down in the middle.

Pros:
➕The opposites-attract dynamic really enhanced the getting-to-know-you aspects of the story. They both were able to look past each other’s rough exterior and discover they actually enjoyed each other’s company.

➕Opposites attract extended to their family lives as well. Selina’s family is extremely critical of her career choices, whereas Parker’s family is very supportive of his.

Added Bonus:
✅Cutest little EXTRA exclusive scene at the very end of the audiobook. 💓💗

🎧 Narrator: Katharine Chin, Major Curda, (Rioghnach Robinson - intro)
The narration by Katharine Chin and Major Curda was okay, with Major giving a slightly stronger performance. 

🎧12.29 hours 🕮 400 pages

Not yet published. Expected 10-6-2026

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the free ALC in exchange for my honest review.

33 and counting

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