3.5 ⭐️ rounded up. I have a lot of confidence in Bianca's writing and as this is her debut, I look forward to seeing where her writing goes from here!

This book to me was a tale of loss, love and how those 2 things together can completely throw your world on its head to the point of a person not thinking rationally. Between the past conflict with the MCs from 5 years ago to the present and being back in each other's orbits, Andie had a lot to come to terms with and move beyond. There were definitely times I wanted to be get in her head and shake some sense into her but at the same time, I know unprocessed grief and anger can lead you to a difficult place.

I would have loved to see a bit more of Jack's perspective throughout the book instead of just the reveal of what happened in the past and see what kind of development he had. The romance/spice was on the light side for sure but it was still nicely done.

All in all, I think this is a very good debut for this author and would like to see where she goes in the future!

I was initially drawn to Bianca Gillam's debut novel, Bad Publicity, by its eye-catching cover and enticing description, which promised a delightful rom-com set in the intriguing world of publishing. The writing itself is quite good, showcasing Bianca Gilliam's talent for crafting engaging prose and character development. The story arc is interesting and keeps readers invested throughout.

However, I must admit that as a romance comedy, the book feels somewhat lukewarm. The romantic elements take a backseat to the main character's grief journey, which, while poignant and well-explored, overshadowed the expected rom-com flair I was hoping for. This shift in focus may be a plus for readers looking for a heartfelt exploration of loss, as it provides a solid narrative about moving on and finding oneself again.

Ultimately, Bad Publicity offers a compelling story for those interested in themes of grief and healing, but if you’re seeking a lighthearted romp filled with romantic escapades, you might find it lacking in that area. Overall, it’s a worthwhile read, just not the rom-com experience I anticipated.

A slow burn, forced proximity, second chance romance that sees a publicist and a bestselling author forced to work together on a book tour as they rehash their complicated past and grapple with present day feelings. I really enjoyed this one and would recommend it to fans of authors like Emily Henry. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC copy in exchange for my honest review!

this didn’t hit like i wanted it to, i was really excited for this and it felt like i was missing something major the whole time, im not quite sure what that was but it felt like it was missing a soul

thank you to netgalley for an arc of this in exchange for my honest feedback

Bad Publicity is a story told in the first-person present POV and is marketed as a cute romance (I mean, look at that adorable cover), but this is misleading. It explores heavier themes but without the tension and chemistry expected in a rom com.

The set-up was promising: Andie, a book publicist, gets assigned to an author, Jack, with whom she went to school in Edinburgh. It’s implied they may have dated but he did something horrible and they parted on awful terms - but we don’t know exactly what went down.

By 15%, I was already tempted to DNF. By that point, Andie had endured several events and an international flight with Jack, all while refusing to speak to him. We know she hates him but there’s no tension because they don’t speak. It got old fast. By 25%, I was desperate for more dialogue and action!

At that point, I was curious and decided to peek at other reviews. When I learned that the reveal of what happened with Jack doesn’t occur until the 80% mark, that was the finally straw. A story should hook you from the get go and the pace should build from there, but this one just didn’t deliver. It’s the author’s debut, so I look forward to seeing how her writing improves with future projects.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a tough one for me. I so badly wanted to root for our girl Andie, but I spent the first third of the book overwhelmed by a mix of confusion and raw female rage. We <i>know</i> Jack did something terrible—something potentially worth sabotaging her career over—but we’re left in the dark for so long that it’s hard to fully align with Andie’s anger. Without that context, I found myself feeling unexpectedly sympathetic toward Jack. And then, when the reveal finally came? Emotional whiplash. It was far worse than I anticipated, and suddenly I didn’t know how to feel. I was just sad. EVERYONE came out of The Event emotionally wrecked (except maybe Robbie. THAT ASS.).

Romance-wise, this is definitely a slowwwwww burn—embers before flame—with the familiar tension of a second-chance romance layered over a pseudo enemies-to-lovers dynamic. The chemistry is there, but it simmers under years of hurt and misunderstanding. It’s subtle, restrained, and emotionally complex.

Ultimately, I think my expectations going in affected my experience. I was anticipating something more lighthearted, and I wasn’t prepared for the emotional weight or the depth of the themes. I also just spent a large portion of the book irrationally angry (see: aforementioned female rage). In a different mindset, this could easily be a 4-star read for me. As it stands, I’d give the beginning 1.5 stars and the ending 4, averaging out to a solid 2.5/3-star experience. This feels like one of those books that would hit differently—and more powerfully—on a reread, now that I know what’s coming.

Thank you to NetGalley, Penguin Group, and Bianca Gillam for the privilege of receiving this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

From the blurb, bright yellow cover, and marketing I expected a bubbly, trope-filled romance. And while we do get enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, second chances, and yes, even the iconic one-bed trope, what took center stage for me was Andie’s unresolved grief over the loss of her father.

This story is more about Andie learning to process her heartbreak and let go of misplaced anger than it is about rekindling a flame with Jack. Grief isn’t pretty or linear, and Gillam does a solid job of showing how it can haunt even our happiest moments—and cloud our judgment.

I do wish the big “what actually happened with Jack” moment came earlier. It would have left more time for emotional resolution and felt more satisfying in the romance department. As it is, the romantic payoff feels a bit rushed after such a long build-up of tension and hurt.

“Bad Publicity" by Bianca Gillam is the kind of book that grabs you by the collar, throws you into the bustling chaos of city life, and refuses to let go until you've laughed, swooned, and maybe snorted coffee through your nose once or twice.

Gillam’s sharp, witty prose is the perfect pairing for this fast-paced metropolitan rom-com. The characters? Think quick comebacks, awkward run-ins at the worst possible moments, and that delicious tension only a second-chance romance can deliver. The chemistry between the characters is electric, fueled by sarcastic banter and heartfelt moments that sneak up on you like a cab in midtown traffic.

What sets "Bad Publicity" apart is its ability to balance humor with genuine emotion, all against the backdrop of a city that feels like its own character. It’s clever, it’s charming, and it’s got just the right amount of chaos. If you love your romances sprinkled with snark, heart, and hiccup-laughter moments, this one’s a must-read.

Cute read! The topic of grief was handled well in this and it made me connect with Andie. I do wish there was more to the ending. The big secret of why the FMC is mad at the MMC was revealed a little too late for me. Sadly, this just wasn’t for me!

A story about deep pain, sorrow, and guilt. Andie and Jack were getting closer in college when it all blew up. At the same time, her beloved father died. She buried her grief deeply and ran from facing it. This played havoc on her until, as his publisher, she had to travel with Jack on his book tour. Things begin to surface, causing her to continue to deflect the emotions. A moving story.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

2.5

I was excited to dive into this book since it sounded really interesting and I love a second chance romance but this was ok.

I thought Andie and Jack’s travels around Europe was fun but I wish there was more romance. I feel like there were only bits.

Overall this one fell flat and was not for me.

Thank you Penguin Books and Netgalley for the arc

This workplace second chance romance follows Andie, a deeply flawed and often unlikeable protagonist at the start. Her anger issues, immaturity, and unprofessional behavior made her difficult to root for. She struggled in all areas: at work, with friends, and especially with her mother, making her a hard character to connect with early on.
The novel leans heavily on the miscommunication trope, which is personally one of my least favorite. The college flashbacks didn’t resonate with me either, and at times the emotional immaturity felt frustrating. However, what the story does well is showing Andie’s growth. Despite her rocky start, she eventually earns her redemption by working on her relationships, particularly with Jack and her mom.
Themes of grief and emotional baggage are woven throughout the book, adding depth and a sense of realism to Andie’s journey. While it wasn’t a perfect read for me, the character development and hopeful ending gave the story a satisfying conclusion.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Books for the ARC!

This was a debut with a fresh take on celebrity and PR drama. I really enjoyed the premise and the behind-the-scenes look at damage control in the spotlight. While the setup was strong and the banter entertaining, some of the characters and emotional beats felt a bit underdeveloped. I liked the chemistry between the leads, but I wanted a little more depth in their connection. Overall, it was an enjoyable read with promise,

Bad Publicity was such a fun, romantic story. Great banter, fun chemistry and a truly enjoyable read.
From the first page to the last, this book held me spellbound. The characters are so richly developed, and the storyline is beautifully crafted.
Bianca Gillam really makes the reader experience the emotional highs and lows throughout the novel.
The chemistry between these characters feels genuine, and their witty banter is entertaining.

I’ll start with what I liked about this book. I love a book about people who work in books! I have to say I did enjoy all of book related parts of the plot. Also, I felt that the main characters grief and how that played into her relationship with her mom was done very well by the author. As well as the MMC’s backstory. But, what did confuse me at the beginning of the book was the main characters visceral hatred for the mmc, it was almost too much at some points. Especially when there is a premise like this the crime is never as bad as the punishment. But, I feel like this is the first book I read where i feel like she forgave him too easily. Like I understood when he explained himself to her but before that I don’t think she should’ve given him any grace or worked with him at all. Which brings me to my next issue which is this big conflict between the two characters was so unexpected. We got no inclination about what caused them to stop being friends, I really think this book could have benefitted from a prologue where we can see a preview of the characters’ conflict and then we get into the story.

This was such a cute book. It felt like a romcom but it also dealt with serious topics, such as cancer, bullying, death of a parent, and sexual harassment, very well. I loved Jack and Andie so much!!! Their relationship was so well written and developed well throughout the book!!

I enjoyed this book, but it did fall short for me. The MC was just not all there for me. Overall not the worst.

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!! The tension, the enemies to lovers, the second chance just LOVE IT ALL! Bianca is an amazing author and is going to have a very successful time in front of her! I am excited to have her on my list of autobuy authors!

I needed a good romance to read, and Bad Publicity delivered. Andie has started a new position as a book publicist, but she finds herself going on tour with the one author she would like to avoid...Jack Carlson, whom she has a past with that she's been trying to forget for the past five years. Back at university in Edinburgh, they had a brief relationship that ended in emotional turmoil and heartbreak for Andie followed soon after by her father's death. Now, the two are thrown together and while she tries to hate Jack, there's just something there they cannot ignore.

This novel explores emotional trauma stemmed from bullying and sexual harassment, so if those are trigger points, be warned. There's not too much detail but sometimes the telling of these types of events can be difficult to some. Bianca Gillam does a great job of building characters, especially Andie in her portrayal of the deep emotional scarring she has held over time and grief that for some is hard to overcome.

This was a quick enjoyable read as well as a sweet romance.

Thank you to Penguin Books and NetGalley for the ARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you NetGalley Bianca Gillam and Penguin for this ARC. Officially the book is 2.75 stars. If you are looking for a quick read to bring you some immediate satisfaction - this is it! I wasn’t expecting so much grief. The writing shows promise for a debut novel! I thought the author did a good job describing the locations and I enjoyed the book publishing storyline. Forced proximity and second chance are my favorite! I enjoyed the chase through the book to find out what their history was. The pacing of the story wasn’t as consistent as I thought it would be for a book of this length. I would read another book by this author.