Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: October 6, 2026
Format: Hardcover - 400 pages
Audiobook - 12 Hours 29 Minutes
Kindle - 389 pages
Nook - 400 pages
ISBN (Hardcover): 978-1250431295
ASIN (Audiobook): B0G72TJCSH
ASIN (Kindle): B0G2MYPYPM
BNID (Nook): 978-1250431318
Genre: Romance
Buy The Book:
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I also purchased a hardcover copy from my Book Of The Month (BOTM) monthly subscription.
Book Description:
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?
My Book Review:
In Bad Words, author Rioghnach Robinson's debut adult novel, she weaves a fun enemies-to-lovers romance story that will keep the reader turning the pages as they follow Selina and Parker's story.
Set in New York City, the reader is easily drawn in as they follow the enemies-to-lovers story of Selina Chan and Parker Navarro. Parker is an author whose two books have been trashed by book critic Selina Chan, who posts her book reviews in City Magazine. After the second bad review, Parker sees Selina at an event and confronts her about her brutal book reviews that have had negative impacts on his career due to her criticisms and by social media comments. Their confrontation was caught on video and put on social media which leads to a very public feud between them and intensified by the reading public. Their public feud of trading bards takes on tit-for-tat postings where she says that he is a mediocre writer, and he responds that she is brutal and a career killer. On the plus side, their feud helps Parker with publicity for his new book that is scheduled to be published in a few months, while it also gains new subscribers for Selina's employer, City Magazine. But somewhere along the way, Selina and Parker get to know each other through trading texts during the Christmas and New Years holidays and they realize that maybe their perception of each other wasn't what they originally thought, especially when they discover that they have a shared connection over reading and discussing books. When the public feud starts to fade, they realize that they are so distracted by each other, what do they do with the relationship that they have kept a secret?
Set in New York City, the reader is easily drawn in as they follow the enemies-to-lovers story of Selina Chan and Parker Navarro. Parker is an author whose two books have been trashed by book critic Selina Chan, who posts her book reviews in City Magazine. After the second bad review, Parker sees Selina at an event and confronts her about her brutal book reviews that have had negative impacts on his career due to her criticisms and by social media comments. Their confrontation was caught on video and put on social media which leads to a very public feud between them and intensified by the reading public. Their public feud of trading bards takes on tit-for-tat postings where she says that he is a mediocre writer, and he responds that she is brutal and a career killer. On the plus side, their feud helps Parker with publicity for his new book that is scheduled to be published in a few months, while it also gains new subscribers for Selina's employer, City Magazine. But somewhere along the way, Selina and Parker get to know each other through trading texts during the Christmas and New Years holidays and they realize that maybe their perception of each other wasn't what they originally thought, especially when they discover that they have a shared connection over reading and discussing books. When the public feud starts to fade, they realize that they are so distracted by each other, what do they do with the relationship that they have kept a secret?
Bad Words is such a fun romance tale that easily keeps the reader engaged as they follow Selina and Parker's story. I love reading books about books, and in this case an enemies-to-lovers story featuring an author and a book critic. Selina and Parker's banter and snarky barbs was hilarious; you can't help but snicker and smile as their story plays out, especially when they discover their connection for reading and discussing books. Every once in a while, I read a book that leaves me completely satisfied, and Bad Words has been added to the list of my favorite books read this year!
Bad Words is a wonderful story has a lot of humor, drama, and romance that will definitely leave the reader with a sigh and satisfied smile.
Rating: 5 STARS
About The Author
Rioghnach (REE-uh-nock) Robinson is the author of BAD WORDS, recently published on Oct. 6, 2026 from St. Martin's Press (US) and HarperFiction (UK). She grew up in North Carolina, studied economics at Kenyon College, and recently moved to Brooklyn after many years in Chicago. She has also written for WEBTOON and The Onion, America's Finest News Source. Her novels for young readers are published under the pen name Riley Redgate.
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