Review: Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson

I ended up falling into Bad Words and loving it so much! This is for fans of books, book reviews, and enemies to lovers. Keep reading this book review of Bad Words for my full thoughts.

Summary

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?

Review

(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)

Bad Words is swoony, spicy, and full of sparks. I was immediately obsessed. It’s no surprise that a book reviewer would love a story about a book reviewer and an author. While I hope that I never set off that many tweets, Bad Words asks us interesting question about ethics, critique, and capitalism. In a world driven by clicks, where journalism is watered down for headlines, how can we hold on to critique, to genuine feedback about the work? When an author publishes a book, I’m sure it’s hard to divorce ourselves from the emotions, but it begins a life of its own. A life where we are free to read, love, and hate. 

Katharine Chin & Major Curda did a phenomenal job in Bad Words with the banter, the fire, and the hate. I loved actually how much I oscilated between Parker and Selina as a book reviewer and reader. I loved how it examines publishing, the voices which are loud and heard, ‘cancel culture’ and romance. For Parker he’s so used to being palatable when Selina is just so assured in her opinion. His feelings are of anger, but also we can’t deny the envy. And for Selina, she’s been keeping people at arms length. I loved the ways in which Parker and Selina open up to each other, to their misconceptions, and mistakes. Also that bonus scene in the audiobook is everything

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Find Bad Words on Goodreads, Storygraph, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.

Discussion

Who are your favorite true rivals or enemies in a contemporary book?

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