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Bad Words
Not yet published
Expected 27 Oct 26This rivalry is setting the literary world on fire – but who will survive the flames?
When Selina Chan, New York’s fiercest literary critic, slams Parker Navarro’s latest novel, he is pushed to his breaking point.
Once was painful enough. But this time, it’s personal.
What begins as a private feud quickly erupts into a viral online spectacle, captivating a bookish audience who are eager to fan the flames.
But it's what's left unsaid that could ruin them both…
‘A once-in-a-lifetime read’ Emily Henry
'One of the best love stories I have ever read' Beth O'Leary
'Smart, deep, and heartfelt. I adored it!' GILLIAN MCALLISTER
When Selina Chan, New York’s fiercest literary critic, slams Parker Navarro’s latest novel, he is pushed to his breaking point.
Once was painful enough. But this time, it’s personal.
What begins as a private feud quickly erupts into a viral online spectacle, captivating a bookish audience who are eager to fan the flames.
But it's what's left unsaid that could ruin them both…
‘A once-in-a-lifetime read’ Emily Henry
'One of the best love stories I have ever read' Beth O'Leary
'Smart, deep, and heartfelt. I adored it!' GILLIAN MCALLISTER
384 pages, Paperback
Expected publication October 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 805 reviews
April 11, 2026
WHEW WEEEE I AM HOLLERING
Selina Chan I would wage battles on your behalf (and win)
Bad Words is the romance novel of all time. A startling look at why we create, critique, and the tenuous publishing landscape, all through the perspectives of a feuding author and book critic. It’s a book that knows the power on the page, the page itself a series of deliberate choices and writing a tremendously public act. All of that is a testament to author Ríoghnach Robinson who unfolds her public feud between novelist Parker and critic Selina, one that prompts a path towards change and unforeseen connection. With their impassioned back and forth—each convinced they are right—a romance first appears out of the question, if not for a kernel of familiarity uncovered after every heated argument. Like the love they share for an obscure novel from their teen years or a favorite, slightly pretentious drink they both order. Bad Words had me waiting on bated breath for Selina and Parker’s next exchange, to fight or to give in to the intense connection at the heart of all of their interactions. But like any true enemies to lovers, these two have to wade through the issues that led up to their quarrel. Bad Words finds its place in the literary landscape, challenging our views on criticism in the book space and interrogating the essential question: why do we create and how do we connect? Bad Words is as bracing as opening ourselves up to criticism can be, where to be known is to be seen for the totality of who we are.
This is the only true enemies to lovers I’ve ever read in a contemporary setting and I lost myself in every single line.
Read my review
thank you to edelweiss and the publisher for providing the advance review copy.
Bookstagram | Blog
Selina Chan I would wage battles on your behalf (and win)
Bad Words is the romance novel of all time. A startling look at why we create, critique, and the tenuous publishing landscape, all through the perspectives of a feuding author and book critic. It’s a book that knows the power on the page, the page itself a series of deliberate choices and writing a tremendously public act. All of that is a testament to author Ríoghnach Robinson who unfolds her public feud between novelist Parker and critic Selina, one that prompts a path towards change and unforeseen connection. With their impassioned back and forth—each convinced they are right—a romance first appears out of the question, if not for a kernel of familiarity uncovered after every heated argument. Like the love they share for an obscure novel from their teen years or a favorite, slightly pretentious drink they both order. Bad Words had me waiting on bated breath for Selina and Parker’s next exchange, to fight or to give in to the intense connection at the heart of all of their interactions. But like any true enemies to lovers, these two have to wade through the issues that led up to their quarrel. Bad Words finds its place in the literary landscape, challenging our views on criticism in the book space and interrogating the essential question: why do we create and how do we connect? Bad Words is as bracing as opening ourselves up to criticism can be, where to be known is to be seen for the totality of who we are.
This is the only true enemies to lovers I’ve ever read in a contemporary setting and I lost myself in every single line.
Read my review
thank you to edelweiss and the publisher for providing the advance review copy.
Bookstagram | Blog
April 15, 2026
The word I would use to describe this book is lackluster. The only thing, in my opinion, that this book has going for it is the Emily Henry endorsement which I feel like is the only reason it's getting attention. I really wanted to like this book but man, it was a BORE. It was repetitive, nothing exciting or entertaining happened, and it was way toooo long! There wasn't even much romance in this book labeled romance. The characters were whiny and desperate. I was going to DNF it in the beginning but told myself to push through based on the great reviews. I keep wondering if I was reading a different book than everyone else read. I don't understand the glowing reviews; I'm being generous and giving this one 2 stars.
Thank you, Net Galley, and St Martin's Press, for a copy in return for my honest review.
Thank you, Net Galley, and St Martin's Press, for a copy in return for my honest review.
Want to Read
July 27, 2026if emily henry says read it, i read it
Want to Read
October 12, 2025if emily henry calls a book special, you best believe i'll be reading it
Thank you to St. Martins Press for the copy via Goodreads giveaway!
Thank you to St. Martins Press for the copy via Goodreads giveaway!
March 30, 2026
Might upgrade this to a 5⭐️ read, still need to absorb the complexity of it. I was not expecting to enjoy Bad Words as much as everyone else. Surely to be one of the best romance books of the year.
As someone who is super particular about romances, Rioghnach Robinson knows how to write a book that isn't just a an "enemies to lover" romance, but about the publishing industry as a whole, and the critics who can make or break a book. It's also about growing up in an Asian household, and the pressure of being someone else's success story.
After Selina Chan’s brutal review tanked Parker Navarro’s debut and nearly derailed his career, a high-stakes rematch four years later ignites a viral literary feud. As the public revels in their professional warfare, the two are forced into a private dialogue that shifts from performative hate to a complicated, sincere connection, challenging their views on success and each other.
"And I saw her there, at a desk that I imagined was spotless smoked glass, and I imagined her hair bound in a knot at the base of her skull, and I saw her in that silken navy dress she’d worn when she’d come to my apartment last weekend, and its neck was open, and there was a seed pearl necklace sinking into the dip between her collarbones, and she had that secretive half smile on her lips as she looked down at her phone. My imagination was so full of her it felt halfway to inspiration." I swoon.
Bad Words is a rare find: a novel that executes every single thing it promises. It begins with a fierce, atmospheric "enemies" dynamic that feels lived-in and urgent. Whether they are trading barbs in person or over email, Parker and Selina’s chemistry is undeniable. Robinson doesn't shy away from the messy parts of life, tackling suicidal ideation and the complexities of immigrant families with a grace that feels deeply authentic. Robinson also makes Selina's estranged relationship with her parents an integral part of the story. If you know anything about never being good enough for your Asian parents, you will relate to this. Love the AAPI characters, we need more of this!!!
"Apparently I didn’t just enjoy his company. Apparently, I wanted the version of my life that had him woven into it."
Everything that everyone is saying about this book is true. Don't miss it when it's released on 10.6.26!
As someone who is super particular about romances, Rioghnach Robinson knows how to write a book that isn't just a an "enemies to lover" romance, but about the publishing industry as a whole, and the critics who can make or break a book. It's also about growing up in an Asian household, and the pressure of being someone else's success story.
After Selina Chan’s brutal review tanked Parker Navarro’s debut and nearly derailed his career, a high-stakes rematch four years later ignites a viral literary feud. As the public revels in their professional warfare, the two are forced into a private dialogue that shifts from performative hate to a complicated, sincere connection, challenging their views on success and each other.
"And I saw her there, at a desk that I imagined was spotless smoked glass, and I imagined her hair bound in a knot at the base of her skull, and I saw her in that silken navy dress she’d worn when she’d come to my apartment last weekend, and its neck was open, and there was a seed pearl necklace sinking into the dip between her collarbones, and she had that secretive half smile on her lips as she looked down at her phone. My imagination was so full of her it felt halfway to inspiration." I swoon.
Bad Words is a rare find: a novel that executes every single thing it promises. It begins with a fierce, atmospheric "enemies" dynamic that feels lived-in and urgent. Whether they are trading barbs in person or over email, Parker and Selina’s chemistry is undeniable. Robinson doesn't shy away from the messy parts of life, tackling suicidal ideation and the complexities of immigrant families with a grace that feels deeply authentic. Robinson also makes Selina's estranged relationship with her parents an integral part of the story. If you know anything about never being good enough for your Asian parents, you will relate to this. Love the AAPI characters, we need more of this!!!
"Apparently I didn’t just enjoy his company. Apparently, I wanted the version of my life that had him woven into it."
Everything that everyone is saying about this book is true. Don't miss it when it's released on 10.6.26!
May 1, 2026
An indescribably perfect novel. There have been so few times in my life that, after finishing a book, I’ve had to sit in silence for a beat, taking it all in.
Everything within these pages was deeply real to me. The people, places, scenarios. The whole messy world. Nothing felt rushed and it was all beautifully tangible. I can’t wait to pick this up, over and over and over again.
Everything within these pages was deeply real to me. The people, places, scenarios. The whole messy world. Nothing felt rushed and it was all beautifully tangible. I can’t wait to pick this up, over and over and over again.
October 18, 2025
Do you ever read a book and think, "this was needed right now?" Bad Words is a propulsive read, with the type of tension and commentary that urge you to read past your bedtime. Rioghnach's prose is sharp, witty, and honest, with imagery and characters that draw you in from page one. Parker and Selina's feud made me think a lot about how authors engage with reviewers, and how reviews often need to be written in good faith to be honest. The thing I appreciated the most about Selina is how she never wavered from her principles and didn't allow anyone to bully her into retracting her criticism. The familial and friend relationships brought depth to both Parker and Selina's characters and allowed Rioghnach to explore the ramifications of their public personas in relation to how they coped with being so exposed. Allowing public opinion and hundreds, if not thousands, of perspectives and eyes on you is unnatural, and this novel did not shy away from combatting the idea that sometimes putting the internet away can be healthy (and needed). As a certified romance reader (trademark), I really enjoyed the will-they-won't-they romance. But what I really loved was the ways in which Parker and Selina changed their original perspectives of each other (and their writing) as they grew closer and allowed more pieces of themselves to be revealed, including their families. This is the kind of novel that's important, timely, and going to be big. I can feel it.
March 21, 2026
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Unfortunately this was a hard miss for me. As someone who almost NEVER DNFs books, I had to call this one at the 45% mark. Now listen I tried, I really did. High praise from Emily Henry and almost every review I’ve seen left me excited and rushing into this story. However now I am pretty sure I’m living in some alternate universe where I’m reading a completely different book than everyone else because gosh this book was a struggle. These seemingly beloved characters were nothing but egotistical, arrogant and hypercritical. The so called “banter” I was promised was simply 100 pages of unnecessary attacks on each other and the main male character being an absolute crybaby over one (1) bad review. It was too repetitive, too harsh, and too boring. Obviously this is rated so highly so this may just be a me problem and this might even be a story I return to in the future but in this moment I want nothing more than to read literally anything else.
I also still will be logging this as “read” simply because I think I deserve some sort of compensation for this.
Unfortunately this was a hard miss for me. As someone who almost NEVER DNFs books, I had to call this one at the 45% mark. Now listen I tried, I really did. High praise from Emily Henry and almost every review I’ve seen left me excited and rushing into this story. However now I am pretty sure I’m living in some alternate universe where I’m reading a completely different book than everyone else because gosh this book was a struggle. These seemingly beloved characters were nothing but egotistical, arrogant and hypercritical. The so called “banter” I was promised was simply 100 pages of unnecessary attacks on each other and the main male character being an absolute crybaby over one (1) bad review. It was too repetitive, too harsh, and too boring. Obviously this is rated so highly so this may just be a me problem and this might even be a story I return to in the future but in this moment I want nothing more than to read literally anything else.
I also still will be logging this as “read” simply because I think I deserve some sort of compensation for this.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
No Emily Henry release this year? NO PROBLEM. This book’s got the banter, the yearning, and the stakes for the most dedicated romance readers. A super strong first outing in the genre from Rioghnach Robinson.
future-releases
January 17, 2026Raise your hand if you’re here because of Emily Henry 🖐️
Want to Read
August 5, 2026𓏵‧₊˚ ┊𝘱𝘳𝘦-𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𖹭.ᐟ 📑📚
OH MY GOSHHH i'm literally so excited i got approved for the arcccc!! this kinda looks like if the hating game and like beach read/book lovers had a baby?? and i'm SO here for it. smth abt the cover and title is calling to me and the synopsis sounds so freaking good!?
𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘰𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺, 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘙𝘪𝘰𝘨𝘩𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘙𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦-𝘢𝘳𝘤!! xx
OH MY GOSHHH i'm literally so excited i got approved for the arcccc!! this kinda looks like if the hating game and like beach read/book lovers had a baby?? and i'm SO here for it. smth abt the cover and title is calling to me and the synopsis sounds so freaking good!?
𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘰𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺, 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘙𝘪𝘰𝘨𝘩𝘯𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘙𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦-𝘢𝘳𝘤!! xx
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
as someone who loves books about books, i was a little nervous going into bad words. stories set in the literary world can sometimes feel self-indulgent, but this one won me over.
at its core, it's an enemies-to-lovers romance between parker, an author whose career was deeply affected by a scathing review, and selina, the literary critic who wrote it. what starts as resentment and public sparring slowly evolves into something much more vulnerable, and i honestly couldn't get enough of it.
what i loved most was how HUMAN both characters felt.
selina was probably my fav of the two - i found her incredibly relatable in the way she grappled with criticism, self-doubt, and the pressure of having her opinions constantly scrutinised. parker could be frustrating at times, but he was also sympathetic, and i appreciated how the book allowed both characters to be flawed without ever reducing them to those flaws.
the romance itself is a slow burn in the best possible way. the tension, the banter, the gradual shift from irritation to understanding to genuine affection—it all felt earned.
there was something so intimate about watching two people slowly dismantle the assumptions they'd built about each other over the years. their conversations were some of my favourite parts of the book, moving effortlessly from sharp and witty to surprisingly tender.
i also really enjoyed the commentary on publishing, criticism, and online culture. the book asks interesting questions about the relationship between authors and critics, the role of public opinion, and how social media can blur the line between a person's public and private self. none of it felt heavy-handed; it was woven naturally into the story and added a lot of depth.
if i’ve one small criticism, it's that some aspects of the ending felt a little rushed compared to how carefully the rest of the relationship was developed. i found myself wanting just a bit more time with these characters before the story ended.
overall, bad words is a smart, heartfelt, and deeply charming romance about stories, criticism, and the complicated ways people misunderstand each other. if you enjoy slow burns, literary romances, and characters who slowly learn to see beyond their first impressions, i'd definitely recommend picking this one up.
a wonderful read that had me smiling, yearning, and completely invested from start to finish :)
a lot of thanks to harpercollins uk - harperfiction and netgalley for sending me the earc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
at its core, it's an enemies-to-lovers romance between parker, an author whose career was deeply affected by a scathing review, and selina, the literary critic who wrote it. what starts as resentment and public sparring slowly evolves into something much more vulnerable, and i honestly couldn't get enough of it.
what i loved most was how HUMAN both characters felt.
selina was probably my fav of the two - i found her incredibly relatable in the way she grappled with criticism, self-doubt, and the pressure of having her opinions constantly scrutinised. parker could be frustrating at times, but he was also sympathetic, and i appreciated how the book allowed both characters to be flawed without ever reducing them to those flaws.
the romance itself is a slow burn in the best possible way. the tension, the banter, the gradual shift from irritation to understanding to genuine affection—it all felt earned.
there was something so intimate about watching two people slowly dismantle the assumptions they'd built about each other over the years. their conversations were some of my favourite parts of the book, moving effortlessly from sharp and witty to surprisingly tender.
i also really enjoyed the commentary on publishing, criticism, and online culture. the book asks interesting questions about the relationship between authors and critics, the role of public opinion, and how social media can blur the line between a person's public and private self. none of it felt heavy-handed; it was woven naturally into the story and added a lot of depth.
if i’ve one small criticism, it's that some aspects of the ending felt a little rushed compared to how carefully the rest of the relationship was developed. i found myself wanting just a bit more time with these characters before the story ended.
overall, bad words is a smart, heartfelt, and deeply charming romance about stories, criticism, and the complicated ways people misunderstand each other. if you enjoy slow burns, literary romances, and characters who slowly learn to see beyond their first impressions, i'd definitely recommend picking this one up.
a wonderful read that had me smiling, yearning, and completely invested from start to finish :)
a lot of thanks to harpercollins uk - harperfiction and netgalley for sending me the earc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
Want to Read
March 18, 2026Thank you, St. Martin's Press, for sending me this ARC. I've heard great things about it. Can't wait to start it!!
Pub Date: 06 Oct 2026
As always, all thoughts are my own. 🖤✨
Pub Date: 06 Oct 2026
As always, all thoughts are my own. 🖤✨
March 18, 2026
I am convinced that I just read something that has been etched on the soul of this author for, possibly, their whole life. Bad Words isn’t just a romance novel, it’s a gentle soap box that was stood on to speak about art, writing & the human experience in these present days. What a treasure. A part of me wants to say there’s some magic in these pages, but I know that is just not true—it’s humanity, Prometheus’ ever-glowing flame, that’s what’s here. It grabbed me by my shoulders & made me so glad to exist in a world of people who are vulnerable enough to share their thoughts with the world. With me. GOSH. I just loved this so much.
Bad Words is the PERFECT marriage of, say, a more contemporary fiction vibe with a romance. This story was so meta & eye opening to the world of modern authorship, but also so perfectly romantic & filled with delicious tension. Selina Chan, you will always be famous to me. Ugh. I love her so much, I just wanted to crawl into the book & tell her how amazing she was. & Parker, that sweet, sweet fool—of course I see my own reflection in you, the person who sees themself as a pawn for keeping peace. This book will not be everyone’s cup of tea, ESPECIALLY in the romance sphere. But, man, if you want to watch a tenuous relationship naturally unfurl to love & understanding & maybe think about what you say a bit more, Bad Words is your girl. It’s so easy for us nowadays to see people & drama & to throw our opinions around, & I think Bad Words is a timely story to remember the human being behind the smoke & mirrors.
5 ⭐️. There is not one bad word I could say about this book <3 thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press & their Early Reader Program for this eARC & also to NetGalley. LOVE YOU GUYS!!
Genuinely hyperventilating & sobbing. RTC <3
Bad Words is the PERFECT marriage of, say, a more contemporary fiction vibe with a romance. This story was so meta & eye opening to the world of modern authorship, but also so perfectly romantic & filled with delicious tension. Selina Chan, you will always be famous to me. Ugh. I love her so much, I just wanted to crawl into the book & tell her how amazing she was. & Parker, that sweet, sweet fool—of course I see my own reflection in you, the person who sees themself as a pawn for keeping peace. This book will not be everyone’s cup of tea, ESPECIALLY in the romance sphere. But, man, if you want to watch a tenuous relationship naturally unfurl to love & understanding & maybe think about what you say a bit more, Bad Words is your girl. It’s so easy for us nowadays to see people & drama & to throw our opinions around, & I think Bad Words is a timely story to remember the human being behind the smoke & mirrors.
5 ⭐️. There is not one bad word I could say about this book <3 thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press & their Early Reader Program for this eARC & also to NetGalley. LOVE YOU GUYS!!
Genuinely hyperventilating & sobbing. RTC <3
April 4, 2026
This is officially one of my top favorite reads of all time!
It’s the ultimate "clear-the-schedule" book and the perfect cure for a reading slump. The viral, messy tension between author Parker Navarro and critic Selina Chan is smart, addictive, and completely irresistible.
It’s a total masterclass in enemies-to-lovers. They genuinely clash for reasons that make sense, which makes every moment of connection hit so much harder. Plus, the look at publishing drama and internet culture feels incredibly sharp and real.
I also have to shout out the superb editing. The polish on this story is next-level—the pacing is tight, the dialogue snaps, and it flows so smoothly that I never wanted to put it down. It’s the perfect balance of smart, emotional, and flat-out fun.
Rioghnach Robinson is officially a new favorite author for me. If you want a romance with high-voltage chemistry and a payoff that’s actually earned, do not skip this!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!
★★★★★
It’s the ultimate "clear-the-schedule" book and the perfect cure for a reading slump. The viral, messy tension between author Parker Navarro and critic Selina Chan is smart, addictive, and completely irresistible.
It’s a total masterclass in enemies-to-lovers. They genuinely clash for reasons that make sense, which makes every moment of connection hit so much harder. Plus, the look at publishing drama and internet culture feels incredibly sharp and real.
I also have to shout out the superb editing. The polish on this story is next-level—the pacing is tight, the dialogue snaps, and it flows so smoothly that I never wanted to put it down. It’s the perfect balance of smart, emotional, and flat-out fun.
Rioghnach Robinson is officially a new favorite author for me. If you want a romance with high-voltage chemistry and a payoff that’s actually earned, do not skip this!
Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!
★★★★★
July 14, 2026
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for my free ARC & ALC! All opinions are my own.
Do you ever feel like a book is perfectly matched to your taste and what you like in a book? It happened to me with this one, and what a delight it was!
To be clear, I don’t think I’m unique or special in feeling this way. I think a ton of readers will enjoy this book when it comes out this fall and beyond. It’s an incredible blend of romance and contemporary fiction - two of my top genres. The book tells the story of author Parker Navarro and the literary critic who seems to have it out for him, Selina Chan. After she tore his debut apart a couple years before the book starts, Parker is horrified to discover that Selina is back for more with her review of his second novel. As you might guess, they can’t seem to avoid crossing paths and things proceed from there.
There’s too much that I loved in the book to adequately explain it all, so you’re going to get a list. I’m honestly amazed at how well Rioghnach Robinson wove together all of these themes, tropes, and elements. It really feels like they’re all meant to be here and all truly belong in this story. Here goes:
- Top tier banter. (I love good banter so much!)
- My favorite romance trope: enemies to lovers!
- I love a badass, independent, strong, highly competent FMC with hard edges who wants someone to love her as she is, but she won’t show it. That fits Selina to a T.
- Dual POV
- Two types of AAPI representation: Chinese-American (Selina) and Filipino-American (Parker). Author Rioghnach Robinson is Irish-Chinese-American, if I have my facts correct.
- Commentary on being an AAPI/non-white professional in the publishing industry.
- Commentary on the value of criticism and the modern state of literary journalism.
- I don’t always love a slow burn, but here it really worked for me. I loved how the reader gets to follow the growth of Selina and Parker’s emotional and intellectual connection through various forms of writing.
- Mental health rep (check content warnings)
- The MCs’ relationships with their friends.
- The MCs’ relationships and arcs with their families, including Parker’s parents and four siblings.
- NYC setting
Audio thoughts: Narrators Katharine Chin and Major Curda both gave excellent performances. I read mostly in audiobook format because as usual, I was often on the go while reading this. That said, you should know there are a lot of texts and emails in this book, so maybe read with your eyes if emojis, abbreviations, email addresses, and timestamps might be distracting in a negative way. It worked fine for me but YMMV.
Do you ever feel like a book is perfectly matched to your taste and what you like in a book? It happened to me with this one, and what a delight it was!
To be clear, I don’t think I’m unique or special in feeling this way. I think a ton of readers will enjoy this book when it comes out this fall and beyond. It’s an incredible blend of romance and contemporary fiction - two of my top genres. The book tells the story of author Parker Navarro and the literary critic who seems to have it out for him, Selina Chan. After she tore his debut apart a couple years before the book starts, Parker is horrified to discover that Selina is back for more with her review of his second novel. As you might guess, they can’t seem to avoid crossing paths and things proceed from there.
There’s too much that I loved in the book to adequately explain it all, so you’re going to get a list. I’m honestly amazed at how well Rioghnach Robinson wove together all of these themes, tropes, and elements. It really feels like they’re all meant to be here and all truly belong in this story. Here goes:
- Top tier banter. (I love good banter so much!)
- My favorite romance trope: enemies to lovers!
- I love a badass, independent, strong, highly competent FMC with hard edges who wants someone to love her as she is, but she won’t show it. That fits Selina to a T.
- Dual POV
- Two types of AAPI representation: Chinese-American (Selina) and Filipino-American (Parker). Author Rioghnach Robinson is Irish-Chinese-American, if I have my facts correct.
- Commentary on being an AAPI/non-white professional in the publishing industry.
- Commentary on the value of criticism and the modern state of literary journalism.
- I don’t always love a slow burn, but here it really worked for me. I loved how the reader gets to follow the growth of Selina and Parker’s emotional and intellectual connection through various forms of writing.
- Mental health rep (check content warnings)
- The MCs’ relationships with their friends.
- The MCs’ relationships and arcs with their families, including Parker’s parents and four siblings.
- NYC setting
Audio thoughts: Narrators Katharine Chin and Major Curda both gave excellent performances. I read mostly in audiobook format because as usual, I was often on the go while reading this. That said, you should know there are a lot of texts and emails in this book, so maybe read with your eyes if emojis, abbreviations, email addresses, and timestamps might be distracting in a negative way. It worked fine for me but YMMV.
March 12, 2026
3.5
Thank you smp for the arc
I had been seeing so many authors hype this book up so I was super excited to receive an arc for it. It follows an author, Parker Navarro, who is just doing what he loves. He is writing novels based on his experiences and the story he wants to tell. But putting a book out also comes with the negative of critics. In comes Selina Chan, a critic whose job is to write reviews to her audience. 4 years ago she made a review on Parker’s debut novel which lead to his book failing. Now he is back with his next novel and once again Selina has come out with an article that has destroyed this book as well. After seeing her at a party he confronts her to see why she hates him so much. Both of them were unaware that they were being recorded and now their feud has gone public.
If I’m being honest the first 80% of the book was very slow for me. The last 20% really carried the whole story and made it worth it for me. I can see why authors are raving about this because it relates to them. Unfortunately I couldn’t connect to them as much as I would have liked. There are so many people who will love this story tho.
Thank you smp for the arc
I had been seeing so many authors hype this book up so I was super excited to receive an arc for it. It follows an author, Parker Navarro, who is just doing what he loves. He is writing novels based on his experiences and the story he wants to tell. But putting a book out also comes with the negative of critics. In comes Selina Chan, a critic whose job is to write reviews to her audience. 4 years ago she made a review on Parker’s debut novel which lead to his book failing. Now he is back with his next novel and once again Selina has come out with an article that has destroyed this book as well. After seeing her at a party he confronts her to see why she hates him so much. Both of them were unaware that they were being recorded and now their feud has gone public.
If I’m being honest the first 80% of the book was very slow for me. The last 20% really carried the whole story and made it worth it for me. I can see why authors are raving about this because it relates to them. Unfortunately I couldn’t connect to them as much as I would have liked. There are so many people who will love this story tho.
January 23, 2026
first, thank you to st martin's press and goodreads for sponsoring the giveaway that put this masterpiece into my hands.
Bad Words is not what I was expecting at all. In the beginning, I thought it would lean more towards literary fiction with intense commentary about the publishing industry. What I actually got from this novel was so much better. The slow burn was amazing and Robinson's take on the romance genre was refreshing. I was talking to a friend recently about how I haven't read a really good romance book in a while and I guess I jinxed myself.
The pacing of the novel was just out of this world. I normally don't like the enemies to lovers trope in realistic fiction, but it made so much sense for Selina and Parker. Robinson perfectly captures the feeling of slowly falling in love with someone the world wants you to hate. The discussion on the publishing industry as well were also very good, it wasn't too in the reader's face but still got the gears turning.
Excited for this book to come out and for any of Robinson's future works!
edit (spoilers):
Bad Words is not what I was expecting at all. In the beginning, I thought it would lean more towards literary fiction with intense commentary about the publishing industry. What I actually got from this novel was so much better. The slow burn was amazing and Robinson's take on the romance genre was refreshing. I was talking to a friend recently about how I haven't read a really good romance book in a while and I guess I jinxed myself.
The pacing of the novel was just out of this world. I normally don't like the enemies to lovers trope in realistic fiction, but it made so much sense for Selina and Parker. Robinson perfectly captures the feeling of slowly falling in love with someone the world wants you to hate. The discussion on the publishing industry as well were also very good, it wasn't too in the reader's face but still got the gears turning.
Excited for this book to come out and for any of Robinson's future works!
edit (spoilers):
February 17, 2026
what’s worse than having a hater? A hater that’s hot. What’s worse than having a hot hater? A hater that’s hot and right!!
both a love story and a thoughtful examination of the sharp edges of the publishing ecosystem, bad words is a carefully crafted letter to book lovers and book haters alike
(very how to end a love story x you again)
both a love story and a thoughtful examination of the sharp edges of the publishing ecosystem, bad words is a carefully crafted letter to book lovers and book haters alike
(very how to end a love story x you again)
March 24, 2026
It’s me. I’m the one holding the “Selina Chan’s #1 Fan” sign.
One of my favorite books of 2026, I already know it.
I absolutely adored this whip-smart romance that revolves around the publishing world. These two characters are so REAL, so flawed, and yet together, they are completely magnetic. Words are failing me. I was gripped by the first page. Let me just give some of my favorite quotes:
"Niceness.. The world was drowning in it."
"How was this fair? Why was the worst person in the world allowed to look like this?"
"If I've ever said anything that mattered, I said it to you."
READ THIS BOOK.
One of my favorite books of 2026, I already know it.
I absolutely adored this whip-smart romance that revolves around the publishing world. These two characters are so REAL, so flawed, and yet together, they are completely magnetic. Words are failing me. I was gripped by the first page. Let me just give some of my favorite quotes:
"Niceness.. The world was drowning in it."
"How was this fair? Why was the worst person in the world allowed to look like this?"
"If I've ever said anything that mattered, I said it to you."
READ THIS BOOK.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.25!!!
SELINA CHAN AND PARKER NAVARRO I WOULD DIE FOR YOU BOTH.
Where do I even start oh my gosh. Dare I saw THE debut novel of the year?!?!?! When I tell you I was so excited to receive this ARC, literally screaming when I got the email!! EmHen sold it to me in 1 minute so obviously I had to read it!! Robinson’s writing is actually insane, how do I even describe it other than just INCREDIBLE. The language used was so beautiful and articulate, matched so well with our two lit fanatics!!Emily Henry is never wrong 🥹🥹
The plot was so unique and I loved how the concept was not just an old, reused storyline!! The emails were just on point with their characters, genuinely everything in this book was SO well thought out.
LOVE LOVE LOVE THE REP OMG. Asian rep like my appreciation for this book went up tenfold. AND TIANJIN MENTION TOO???? SELINA CHAN HOW I WISH TO ACHIEVE YOUR LEVEL OF COOLNESS. Her witty remarks, so smart and so funny had me laughing every time!!!! I don’t think he can —— if you know you know 😌The mental health rep I don’t even know what to say just so damn accurate and also appropriately sensitive and just amazing. Literally this book was everything I need to get me out of a slump, every time I think there’s no way I can be any more connected to these characters (like ALL of them including the side characters), the next sentence always baffles me more!!! Genuinely felt so connected to every single character, just in love 🥹
It started off so good and the pace was perfect!!! I’m not really into super slow and cozy reads, or just like books that are slow paced, so my only complaint is that the pacing dropped a bit towards the middle. I loved loved loved the writing, character, setting like everything throughout the whole book, but I really wish that their romance came a bit earlier. The real feelings and realisation only came in around 70%, and while I did love the enemies banter, I do wish we got to see more of their love and if they were really compatible, but love nonetheless!
Random thought time now but reading this just made me play “imgonnagetyouback” and “Rein me in” on repeat haha!! The ambience in this book was immaculate!!
Everyone go read this when it comes out October 8 2026!!!!
Thank you so much to Netgalley, HarperCollins Publishers Australia and Rioghnach Robinson for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!! All thoughts are my own 💓
SELINA CHAN AND PARKER NAVARRO I WOULD DIE FOR YOU BOTH.
Where do I even start oh my gosh. Dare I saw THE debut novel of the year?!?!?! When I tell you I was so excited to receive this ARC, literally screaming when I got the email!! EmHen sold it to me in 1 minute so obviously I had to read it!! Robinson’s writing is actually insane, how do I even describe it other than just INCREDIBLE. The language used was so beautiful and articulate, matched so well with our two lit fanatics!!Emily Henry is never wrong 🥹🥹
The plot was so unique and I loved how the concept was not just an old, reused storyline!! The emails were just on point with their characters, genuinely everything in this book was SO well thought out.
LOVE LOVE LOVE THE REP OMG. Asian rep like my appreciation for this book went up tenfold. AND TIANJIN MENTION TOO???? SELINA CHAN HOW I WISH TO ACHIEVE YOUR LEVEL OF COOLNESS. Her witty remarks, so smart and so funny had me laughing every time!!!! I don’t think he can —— if you know you know 😌The mental health rep I don’t even know what to say just so damn accurate and also appropriately sensitive and just amazing. Literally this book was everything I need to get me out of a slump, every time I think there’s no way I can be any more connected to these characters (like ALL of them including the side characters), the next sentence always baffles me more!!! Genuinely felt so connected to every single character, just in love 🥹
It started off so good and the pace was perfect!!! I’m not really into super slow and cozy reads, or just like books that are slow paced, so my only complaint is that the pacing dropped a bit towards the middle. I loved loved loved the writing, character, setting like everything throughout the whole book, but I really wish that their romance came a bit earlier. The real feelings and realisation only came in around 70%, and while I did love the enemies banter, I do wish we got to see more of their love and if they were really compatible, but love nonetheless!
Random thought time now but reading this just made me play “imgonnagetyouback” and “Rein me in” on repeat haha!! The ambience in this book was immaculate!!
Everyone go read this when it comes out October 8 2026!!!!
Thank you so much to Netgalley, HarperCollins Publishers Australia and Rioghnach Robinson for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!! All thoughts are my own 💓
April 14, 2026
Emily Henry!! You say this book was amazing but your books are so much better!!
The amount of hype this book is getting. Oh my. I should have prepared myself to be disappointed, considering this was shelved in the 'literary fiction' category on netgalley, in addition to contemporary romance. Maybe it's just me, but those feel like pretty hard genres to mix. And that was my main complaint with this story. The writing style felt VERY contemporary romance. Except that the author also overwrote most paragraphs. Like it was simple writing, but then there would be a few paragraphs with unnecessarily big words and ten thousand metaphors. I wouldn't have minded it if the whole book felt like it was written in that style, but it wasn't, really. It felt like a weird frankenstein of a hybrid between the genres.
Complaint number two is more general. I HATE getting the guy's POV in romance books. It takes away so much of the romantic tension. And that 100% happened here. Also I got that this was a book about, you know, books, but why did the MMC have to be an author of such pretentious books?
Complaint number three: this book was boring. I thought the messaging was interesting, about how authors engage with critics of their books, but this story was just way too long. I mean the first 50% barely has any interactions between the characters! And there are just so many unnecessary details added about literally every character in this story. It really needed a trim.
This book wasn't TERRBILE. But it wasn't Emily Henry. And I get angry when books are sold to me as the next Emily Henry and they fail to measure up - it's just a thing! Don't set my expectations so high people!
The amount of hype this book is getting. Oh my. I should have prepared myself to be disappointed, considering this was shelved in the 'literary fiction' category on netgalley, in addition to contemporary romance. Maybe it's just me, but those feel like pretty hard genres to mix. And that was my main complaint with this story. The writing style felt VERY contemporary romance. Except that the author also overwrote most paragraphs. Like it was simple writing, but then there would be a few paragraphs with unnecessarily big words and ten thousand metaphors. I wouldn't have minded it if the whole book felt like it was written in that style, but it wasn't, really. It felt like a weird frankenstein of a hybrid between the genres.
Complaint number two is more general. I HATE getting the guy's POV in romance books. It takes away so much of the romantic tension. And that 100% happened here. Also I got that this was a book about, you know, books, but why did the MMC have to be an author of such pretentious books?
Complaint number three: this book was boring. I thought the messaging was interesting, about how authors engage with critics of their books, but this story was just way too long. I mean the first 50% barely has any interactions between the characters! And there are just so many unnecessary details added about literally every character in this story. It really needed a trim.
This book wasn't TERRBILE. But it wasn't Emily Henry. And I get angry when books are sold to me as the next Emily Henry and they fail to measure up - it's just a thing! Don't set my expectations so high people!
July 25, 2026
Isn’t it every reader’s dream to fall in love words first? To be truly seen and understood beyond those words? To peel back the layers of ourselves to the raw realness of our premium personalities?
(Or maybe it's just mine.)
Bad Words is my favorite Romance of the year. There's not only commentary about the "drama" in the book community but also about how we as readers interact with the books we love and the critics we follow. It's easy to imagine this fictional scenario happening in real life and how the tides of bookish opinions can be quite fickle. Quotes are often taken out of context and thrust into the court of public opinion for better or for worse. It cleverly challenges our perceptions about male vs female writers, perceived status and success in book-related professions, and the unequal treatment of BIPOC authors in particular. It feels like Ríoghnach Robinson also wanted to push back against the assumptions the general public makes about the Romance genre with complex and multi-layered storytelling that still ends in a HEA.
Told in dual POVs, Ríoghnach Robinson carefully chose which character's chapter we're reading. Selina Chan is a fearless, unapologetically honest literary critic with few friends and estranged from her parents; Parker Navarro is a people-pleasing, approachable author who makes friends wherever he goes and plays peacemaker for his four siblings and divorced parents. Interestingly, both characters had certain assumptions they made about each other as well as public personas that were ascribed to them. These characters felt so real they leapt off the page. I had a visceral reaction to how Selina and her parents communicate and how Parker felt guilty about keeping the peace among his siblings and financially taking care of his family. While these weren't the main plot, the subplots and side characters were fully fleshed out; I could feel the love in how Arthur cared for Parker in his depression and how Jacob and Cassie were busy parents who made time to show up for Selina.
While this book is incredible and I highly recommend, please proceed with caution. There's mention of depression, suicidal thoughts, estranged family, dysfunctional dynamics, racism, and sexism.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the eARC and BookCon for the physical ARC. Bad Words is so good it makes me wanna cuss. 🤬
(Or maybe it's just mine.)
"I became somebody else. Somebody better. The best books always convinced me of this: that I was in the presence not of greatness but of goodness, something so warm and expansive that it counterbalanced everything else that people were capable of. Nobody wrote that way like Juliette Liao. Nobody made me feel so close to other people, like I could understand everybody, like anyone could understand me."
Bad Words is my favorite Romance of the year. There's not only commentary about the "drama" in the book community but also about how we as readers interact with the books we love and the critics we follow. It's easy to imagine this fictional scenario happening in real life and how the tides of bookish opinions can be quite fickle. Quotes are often taken out of context and thrust into the court of public opinion for better or for worse. It cleverly challenges our perceptions about male vs female writers, perceived status and success in book-related professions, and the unequal treatment of BIPOC authors in particular. It feels like Ríoghnach Robinson also wanted to push back against the assumptions the general public makes about the Romance genre with complex and multi-layered storytelling that still ends in a HEA.
"That’s why I write. Because what I say in real life is a shadow of what I can articulate in writing. I hardly ever know what I think until I write it down."
Told in dual POVs, Ríoghnach Robinson carefully chose which character's chapter we're reading. Selina Chan is a fearless, unapologetically honest literary critic with few friends and estranged from her parents; Parker Navarro is a people-pleasing, approachable author who makes friends wherever he goes and plays peacemaker for his four siblings and divorced parents. Interestingly, both characters had certain assumptions they made about each other as well as public personas that were ascribed to them. These characters felt so real they leapt off the page. I had a visceral reaction to how Selina and her parents communicate and how Parker felt guilty about keeping the peace among his siblings and financially taking care of his family. While these weren't the main plot, the subplots and side characters were fully fleshed out; I could feel the love in how Arthur cared for Parker in his depression and how Jacob and Cassie were busy parents who made time to show up for Selina.
While this book is incredible and I highly recommend, please proceed with caution. There's mention of depression, suicidal thoughts, estranged family, dysfunctional dynamics, racism, and sexism.
Thank you, thank you, thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the eARC and BookCon for the physical ARC. Bad Words is so good it makes me wanna cuss. 🤬
July 9, 2026
Bad Words tells the story of Selina, a book critic, and Parker, an author about to release his second novel. After a scathing review of Parker’s first novel by Selina, the book doesn’t perform to expectations, leaving Parker anxious about his follow-up release. After a second unflattering review from Selina, a public feud between the critic and author unfolds for the world to see. In the aftermath of the online battle between the two, Selina and Parker keep finding themselves in the same spaces, leading each of them to reconsider their original thoughts of one another.
More than your typical enemies to lovers romance, Bad Words is a deep dive into many topics including online criticism and the Asian American experience among them. The book shows how amazing it can be to find a person who you can truly be yourself with and not have to hide the parts of you that you don’t want others to see.
Selina Chan is one of the most nuanced, enjoyable characters I’ve read in a while. Her character development throughout Bad Words is spectacular. The pettiness displayed by her in her online war with Parker was so fun to listen to on audio. I love a sarcastic FMC.
As someone who reads and leaves reviews as a hobby in her spare time, there were so many parts of this book I found extra interesting and enjoyable to read.
I listened to the audio of Bad Words and the narrators chosen for Selina and Parker were really amazing. There is a bonus chapter at the end of the audiobook.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgallery for a copy of the ALC.
More than your typical enemies to lovers romance, Bad Words is a deep dive into many topics including online criticism and the Asian American experience among them. The book shows how amazing it can be to find a person who you can truly be yourself with and not have to hide the parts of you that you don’t want others to see.
Selina Chan is one of the most nuanced, enjoyable characters I’ve read in a while. Her character development throughout Bad Words is spectacular. The pettiness displayed by her in her online war with Parker was so fun to listen to on audio. I love a sarcastic FMC.
As someone who reads and leaves reviews as a hobby in her spare time, there were so many parts of this book I found extra interesting and enjoyable to read.
I listened to the audio of Bad Words and the narrators chosen for Selina and Parker were really amazing. There is a bonus chapter at the end of the audiobook.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgallery for a copy of the ALC.
March 31, 2026
I’m sitting here, struggling to find the right words for this review, because nothing quite feels like it does this book justice. The writing is so eloquent and deeply moving that I almost hesitate to describe it, afraid my own words might diminish its impact.
I truly loved every minute of Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson. It completely pulled me in, and by the final quarter, I found myself in tears. It’s the kind of story that lingers long after you finish, and one I would wholeheartedly recommend to a friend. I already know I’ll be purchasing a physical copy to experience it again after reading this ARC on my Kindle.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for the opportunity to read Bad Words in exchange for my honest review.
I truly loved every minute of Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson. It completely pulled me in, and by the final quarter, I found myself in tears. It’s the kind of story that lingers long after you finish, and one I would wholeheartedly recommend to a friend. I already know I’ll be purchasing a physical copy to experience it again after reading this ARC on my Kindle.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing team for the opportunity to read Bad Words in exchange for my honest review.
June 3, 2026
the trials and tribulations of falling for your hater <333
books set in the literary world can be a bit hit or miss for me, because I think they can easily tend towards the self-indulgent. Bad Words really worked for me however, and I think in part due to the fact that it actually had something meaningful to say about the publishing landscape. but mostly because its two flawed, messy, human leads were so easy to root for.
it’s a pretty simple set-up: Parker is an author, and Selina is a popular literary critic who panned his two books. a chance encounter at a publishing event leads to a very public online feud between them. a deceptively simple enemies-to-lovers set up that opens and expands into a thoughtful, sensitive exploration of the modern publishing world, the dangers of online pile-ons, the tension of public vs private… but more than anything, the surprising and intimate connection that opens up between two people who thought they had nothing in common.
Parker and Selina are both realistic and fully-realised characters, and watching their journey together as they slowly strip back their preconceived notions of each other was a delight. there is something so intimate about a private connection that develops in the midst of a public feud. it really captured so much of the details of modern romance - the electric rush you get when your phone buzzes with a text, hoping it’ll be from that one person. Ríoghnach Robinson also really has an ear for dialogue, and watching Parker and Selina’s spiked barbs slowly melt into banter as they get to know each other better was a delight.
I also thought the depictions of the online world were deftly handled. this book has a lot to say about both the pleasures and pitfalls of having an online public persona, and also how the digital landscape is in dialogue with the world of publishing.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC!
books set in the literary world can be a bit hit or miss for me, because I think they can easily tend towards the self-indulgent. Bad Words really worked for me however, and I think in part due to the fact that it actually had something meaningful to say about the publishing landscape. but mostly because its two flawed, messy, human leads were so easy to root for.
it’s a pretty simple set-up: Parker is an author, and Selina is a popular literary critic who panned his two books. a chance encounter at a publishing event leads to a very public online feud between them. a deceptively simple enemies-to-lovers set up that opens and expands into a thoughtful, sensitive exploration of the modern publishing world, the dangers of online pile-ons, the tension of public vs private… but more than anything, the surprising and intimate connection that opens up between two people who thought they had nothing in common.
Parker and Selina are both realistic and fully-realised characters, and watching their journey together as they slowly strip back their preconceived notions of each other was a delight. there is something so intimate about a private connection that develops in the midst of a public feud. it really captured so much of the details of modern romance - the electric rush you get when your phone buzzes with a text, hoping it’ll be from that one person. Ríoghnach Robinson also really has an ear for dialogue, and watching Parker and Selina’s spiked barbs slowly melt into banter as they get to know each other better was a delight.
I also thought the depictions of the online world were deftly handled. this book has a lot to say about both the pleasures and pitfalls of having an online public persona, and also how the digital landscape is in dialogue with the world of publishing.
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC!
tbr
May 19, 2026Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
February 18, 2026
phenomenal
August 6, 2026
4.5 stars
Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson is one of my most anticipated reads. And I really enjoyed it.
The discussion of literary criticism, review culture, public vs private personas, all feels particularly relevant for today’s online world. This one straddles the line of general fiction and romance in my opinion, and I think it will appeal to a lot of different kinds of readers. (The quick banter between our two MCs is pitch perfect by the way.). It’s sitting high up on my list of top reads of the year.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson is one of my most anticipated reads. And I really enjoyed it.
The discussion of literary criticism, review culture, public vs private personas, all feels particularly relevant for today’s online world. This one straddles the line of general fiction and romance in my opinion, and I think it will appeal to a lot of different kinds of readers. (The quick banter between our two MCs is pitch perfect by the way.). It’s sitting high up on my list of top reads of the year.
I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
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