This felt incredibly of the moment. It captures connection, identity, and communication that shape digital spaces that feel really timely in 2026. The whole story honestly gave me You’ve Got Mail vibes, and this book is for the extremely literary crowd. NYC bookstores, publishing drama, review critics, and people who live and breathe books and language.

It’s a love letter to words! Rioghnach writes with care that makes the dialogue and emotional tension feel alive, especially the banter between Parker and Selina. Their romance moves from genuine animosity into something pretty consuming. I just couldn’t wait to get there...my reason for not giving it five stars is that I wasn’t always itching to immediately pick it back up when I put it down. It felt like a slower start for me.

I loved seeing characters in their 30s navigating ambition, and identity, and I really appreciated the AAPI representation and mental health rep. All the characters felt so grounded!! The social commentary is smart and naturally fits. It’s thoughtful, well written, and an emotional novel that will especially hit the narrative for readers who love books about books, language, and love stories.

I read it so early (before the cover drop) but I can’t wait for more people to read it. The cover is literally giving LITERARY ROMANCE. So fitting to the story! It’s perfect.

everything they're saying about this book is true!! hands down!!

i didn't want to stop reading!! as someone who loves a good enemies to lovers and LIVES for the tense back and forth, i was invested in this book from the very beginning. rioghnach sets the tone so quickly and you can feel the hate, distrust and animosity between parker and selina right off the bat. like?!! it was so GOOD!! in person, through social media, through email, their banter (is it called banter if it's just attacking the other 👀) was so perfect.

and then comes the moment of oh. . . this person is actually different than i thought & wait they're really hot & oh i really like to talk to them & maybe we could be friends? god i was eating it up!!!! such a perfect set-up and i love love love how their relationship builds and builds and builds. i was on the edge of my seat, butterflies in my stomach, waiting to see how it all played out.

and yes i cried. HARD. bc rioghnach is a wordmaster. she makes you feel every single thing in the moment & you can't help but feel like it happened to you to. i was broken and then put back together.

another thing i loved about this book is how rioghnach tackled some really hard topics in such an authentic way. struggles with mental health, suicidal ideation and being a child of immigrants. i've had close friends who have struggled with all three of these things and knowing their experiences, i think rioghnach captured everything so perfectly. i really really appreciate that she didn't hide away from the messy & instead dug into it. i think you see so much growth throughout both parker & selina's stories bc of it & and it makes their romance that much more impactful.

i cannot recommend this book enough & i cannot wait for the world to read parker & selina's story & to obsess with everyone over how freaking amazing their story is.

thank you SO MUCH St. Martins Press for the arc! this is my honest review.

Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson is a remarkable novel, one that left me feeling as though I'd been through the wringer, in all good ways! Although I found the first half a little slow as the premise was set up and expanded, Parker, the author who wrote his first novel which Selina, the critic eviscerated in her review, which led to his second novel four years later which she was again panned, by the time they meet I was fully immersed. As their relationship develops you'll have to draw your own conclusions on whether you can support it, or whether they're both crazy to attempt being friends, but the author deftly strikes a beautiful balance in keeping you guessing and giving you exactly what you want. I loved this novel!

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I’m not usually one for reviews that exceed a single line of text, but for Selina Chan, I’ll make an exception. I will also, in all likelihood, go purchase a few magazine subscriptions after I post this.

Go ahead and queue up “My Ego Dies At The End” by Jensen McRae

Fave quotes:
- Parker: “No offense, Selina, but who outside publishing thinks this is interesting?”
- Selina: “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.”
- Parker: “If I’ve ever said anything that mattered, I said it to you.”
- Selina: “I would love him right into my own uncertainty.”

This novel swallowed me whole with its literati setting, succulent prose, and disastrously charming characters. I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say it will be culture shaping, or overgenerous to claim that (unlike Parker’s books, in Selina’s opinion) it executes on everything it promises.

Despite the winks at the publishing industry the author allows (a joke about too many books these days starring novelists, Parker asking Selina if she thinks anyone outside the industry cares about its niche drama), my obsession with this story had nothing to do with my proximity to the industry. Though set in publishing, the relationship portrayed here (between an artist and a critic) could be transmuted to any industry and the message would hold: that criticism makes for better art, better stories, and better music. That it’s vital to our ecosystem, and must be protected as its own form of creative expression. That there is nothing so remarkable as holding onto conviction in your opinions.

I will of course rate this book 5 stars because I loved it, but I’ll put it in people’s hands and recommend it because I want to start opinionated, varied conversations. I think that’s what would make Parker and Selina most proud.

I’ll close with a metaphor that Selina would probably say circles the point instead of making one, but I’m an author and, like Parker, sometimes I’m prone to overwritten nonsense:

In the finale of Season 1 of The Final Table on Netflix, three-starred Michelin chef Grant Achatz is arguing against his fellow judges, who want give first place to the more experimental, gastronomically fancy dish, even though it doesn’t taste as good. But Achatz — known himself for experimental, gastronomically fancy food — wants to give first place to the homier, more appetizing dish. He says [paraphrased]: “Is it not the ultimate charge of a chef to serve you something delicious?" I think about this all the time. I think about this world-renowned innovator reminding everyone in his industry that food can't be award-winning if it isn't also good.

Selina, here’s your point: It’s the ultimate charge of an author to write a great book, and BAD WORDS is precisely that.

I slowly began to hear chatter about this book coming out in October. Enemies to lovers, set in the publishing world— I had to read it! To say I loved it would be an understatement. Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson deserves the hype and everyone is going to be talking about it come release.

On a writing level I loved it! It had me feeling all the feels: giddy, smiling, angry, sad. The characters were real. I loved Parker and Selina. The side characters were so well written and intentional added so much to the story.

I love a book that includes email and text correspondence and wow(!) does this deliver. I had such a smile on my face reading this.

Bad Words is a romance, but there is a lot of build up to that point. Well worth the journey and it made the romance and emotions feel so real.

Highly recommend Bad Words! I cannot wait to read anything Robinson writes next. This will be one of my favorites of the year!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this book!

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

A literary romance. A tale of two artists and why art (and love) is so important.

An enemies to lovers romance between a fledging author and book critic, who slowly realize they have much more in common than they first believed.

A war of who is most stubborn, but also so much more. A war of if/why criticism has a space in the book industry.

This book challenged me with its commentary and made me smarter. It feels very timely and poignant.

An engaging and satisfying read about art, love, writing, and figuring out how to say what you mean.

Parker's second novel is about to be published. He is excited until his least favorite literary critic publishes another scathing review of his work. Selina and Parker have a public fight but, privately, they being to develop confusing feelings for one another. Is it love? Is it hate? Or something much more complicated?

This was lovely. Readers are treated to both Parker's and Selina's perspectives, and it was a delight to see their relationship develop over emails, texts, and in-person.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

I won't delve into the blurb of the book too much cause I would never be able to succinctly put into words what this book about made me feel, but ill try: Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson is an ode and a challenge to three things: Asian familial dynamics, the publishing industry, and criticisms.

The first thing it did was made me feel SEEN, I might be south asian but the family dynamics in all of asia are more of less the same, the loud boisterous family of Parker where he feels like he's never heard, and no matter how hard he tries there's always another fire to put out. In contrast to Selina's family where you are heard but never seen. The book does a brilliant job to explore both the dynamics.

The second thing this book does is question how does one critique art for art's sake and not to chase a viral moment. It questions the responsibility we share as readers and reviewers and the author's ability to be able to shrug off criticism and not let it affect them.

the third thing this book does is show a beautiful private relationship, full of YEARNING, stolen moments, vulnerability, and honesty in the background of an ugly, nasty public feud, where people have already decided who you are. The even more beautiful part of the story is that neither Selina or Parker change themselves to fit one another, they learn to grow next to each other and come to appreciate their shared jagged edges as something to be love.

I would have happily read another 100 pages of this sarcastic, headstrong, contradicting couple because of how well they work together.

a HUGE thanks to Rioghnach Robinson, Amelia Beckerman, and St.Martin's Press for this advance reader copy

As a reader, a writer, and a lover of all things bookish, this novel was an easy 5-star book. The writing is excellent, and the characters are well-developed. Robinson is creative and has crafted a beautiful story. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I'M OBSESSED! Everything you've heard about this book is true -- it is the best romance I've read in years (and I've read a lot of romance!!). I love books about publishing and this is a true love letter to the publishing industry and book lovers. Both Selina and Parker are real, complex characters who just love novels the way I do. It is a also a true enemies to lovers, where there are actual stakes involved and reasons why they hate each other, while still creating a compelling, believable romance. A perfect reminder of why I love to read and why fiction matters.

Perfect for fans of literary romance and Book Lovers by Emily Henry. I feel like this book was written for me specifically.

Bad words left me with only good thoughts.

In fact, for a very well named book, I can say I will ONLY have good words - and that is just so clever of this author.
If you took Pride & Prejudice, made it modern, swapped gender based personality norms and added a dash of smutty deliciousness, you would end up with something like BAD WORDS. Something, because this book cannot be replicated.

It was perfect. When Parker's novel is torn town by the city's toughest literary critic, it destroys his life and confidence. Now, armed with his sophomore attempt, Selina Chan has her hands on the book, and a lot of pressure from the new owners of her company.

What results is one of the best books I've ever read. This will be one I recommend for years to come. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced readers copy, my pre-order is confirmed for October 6th.

Picking up a novel by an author I’ve never read is always a mystery. How could I have known that this novel would be one of the loveliest I’ve ever read ? The writing is exquisite. The protagonists who co-narrated, are so well developed and described that I would know them if we passed on a street.

The novel is narrated by Parker Navarro, an author, and Selina Chan, a literary critic. It’s an Asian Hepburn/Tracy, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE love story that the author has created, combining the elements of a romance (a meet ugly not cute) with the ability to write on a level that generally eludes romance writers.

As a reviewer, I was very taken with Selina and the integrity which a critic should aspire to. Writing reviews is often difficult, even for a non-professional like me. Hard to pan a book that someone has put years of their life into writing, but being honest comes with writing reviews.

As a woman, I have a crush on Parker, brilliant, sensitive, and needy enough to make some errors in judgment which alienates him from his community and Selina.


I HIGHLY recommend this novel to all my readers. Without a doubt, this will be one of my favorites of 2026. I got pue pleasure getting to know Parker and Selina. I found myself genuinely delighted with the way Robinson managed to create a perfect and satisfying ending.

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with this ARC. I could not have hoped for a better experience as a reader and reviewer.

I had heard so many amazing, wonderful things about this book and safe to say, it lived up to all my expectations! This is an incredible story and I can’t wait to read more from RR.

5/5
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 yourself up to criticism can be, where to be known is to be seen for the totality of who we are.

SO, SO, SOOO TASTEFUL MY GOD!!! It's not too often when I come across an enemies-to-lovers that is done the way I like it, but BAD WORDS certainly has the right amount of tension, emotion and realness that it will have you reading this book in one evening. A literary critic criticizes an author's not one, but both his books that it ignites a feud, a public one too. They feel like they are going to explode/implode when in the same room, but yet at the same time a genuine connection between the two is somehow starting to also develop between them -- how is that even possible?) I was so intrigued by the premise that I was so happy the story and writing did the premise justice and more. The sparring, bickering and the chemistry between the two was top notch, not to mention the depth and tenderness to these perfect humans who deserve all the love and each other so much. When you see the vulnerable sides to Selina and Parker, you just want to wrap them up in a blanket and hold them until they feel better. I'm telling ya, I found this book to be so sharp, smart and sexy that I already can't wait to read whatever the author grants us with next. I feel so blessed to have read Selina and Parker's story and to have witnessed their love.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

to echo the incredible emily henry: BAD WORDS is a once-in-a-lifetime read, and at its altar i offer the hours i've spent attempting to put my ardent love for it into sufficient words. i could tell you what you could read anywhere else—that this is a true enemies-to-lovers romance between promising author parker navarro and literary critic selina chan—or i could tell you something truer: that ríoghnach robinson has written a revelation.

beneath its deeply genuine characters, endlessly charming humor, passionate love for reading and writing, and its unforgettable central romance, BAD WORDS asks a singular, razor sharp question: how do you trust and love and create art in a world that has made up its mind about who you are and what you're worth? we are, all of us, one precisely worded viral post away from living a different life.

the slow blossoming relationship between parker and selina happens behind the scenes of their devastatingly public and hateful feud, casting a parallel timeline of new love and crushing vulnerability alongside the cruelty they experience at the hands of people who have loud, unshakeable opinions of who they are, largely thanks to each other's actions. laced throughout their lives is the everlasting love of the stories we tell, both to ourselves and one another, and the hazy areas inbetween, where the truth is often found. i have never rooted harder for a couple than i have for parker and selina, and i can feel now that i'll be instinctively looking for them in every bookstore and bar and party i go to.

an astonishing and inimitable novel about love, art, perception, and truth, BAD WORDS is an absolute masterpiece. if i have anything to do with it, this will be the romance book everyone is talking about this autumn. it releases this october, and i can't wait for you to read it. i don't often describe books as perfect, but this is as close as you can get.

Do you know that buzzy feeling you get, when you start reading a book that you can immediately just tell is going to be phenomenal? When you recognize writing that you will come back to, again and again? I had that feeling throughout the entirety of Bad Words.

THE PLOT: Parker Navarro’s debut book was eviscerated in a viral review by book critic Selina Chan. Four years later, his second book is poised for release. When Selina takes aim at Parker’s writing once more, their feud turns public with very real consequences. As their paths cross again and again both in and out of the spotlight, they slowly begin to discover truths about the other that alter their opinions and perspectives.

I find myself not even wanting to disclose the tropes in this book beyond the obvious of enemies-to-lovers, because that’s how much fun I had discovering them for myself without any prior knowledge. And I know that every reading experience is unique, but I personally think that everyone should have the same exact experience that I had because it was THAT excellent.

When I say I want to read enemies-to-lovers, THIS is what I mean. For this beloved trope to truly work, you need high emotional stakes and very real reasons why the characters are on opposite sides. You need a storyline that is strong enough to support the slow burn, and that gives the characters time to navigate the conflict and messy feelings keeping them apart. Bad Words NAILED it.

My final thoughts: I had no clean leggings to wear to the gym today because I ignored all chores yesterday to read this book in one sitting.

A very genuine and heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC. Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson will be released on October 6th, 2026. I am seated at my local independent bookstore and they’re telling me it’s not October yet but I’m here waiting.

This was just really beautiful. I loved what it had to say about criticism and literature, and I definitely look forward to what Rioghnach Robinson writes next. Also I just love Selina Chan so much.

I loved this book and thanks to Netgalley and St Martins Press for the chance to read this early. This is a true enemies to lovers book with genuine and realistic character dynamics. Parker is on the verge of publishing his second book after his debut that earned a massive advance. His second advance is more modest partially due to a harsh review of the first. When the reviewer issues another less than flattering early review of Parkers a private in person confrontation is unleased on social media. Selina is a tough and honest reviewer, especially if she feels an author is not living up to their potential. Underneath their very public animosity is a begrudging respect for each other and some similar opinions of literature in general.
The evolution of their relationship felt natural and genuine. I liked that this was set in the literary world. When you tend to see book drama flare up on social media among fans it was fun to see it in Bad Words among the professionals. Looking forward to pushing this book on people once its published.

Simply incredible.

I consider myself a connoisseur of romance novels, so I feel secure in saying this is in a league of its own. It delivered a perfect slow burn while keeping true to the soul of the story. Selina & Parker were soooo well developed. At times I was so pulled into this feud I felt like I would get on social media and see people talking about it. I would fight to the death for Selina.

This novel shed a much needed light on the intricacies of the writing & publishing worlds through the feud between our MCs, a critic and an author. Rioghnach painted us a detailed picture of this industry while also creating depth in the MCs through their relationships with family and friends but also with each other. Their perspectives of each other evolving as the plot develops was the cherry on top of this story.

I feel like this will be one of those novels that gets non-romance readers to give it a try, which is a feat unto itself. I loved this for so many reasons & i think it’ll be a huge hit.

*thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing the advance review copy

Wow wow wow! It's been a while since I've read a book that made me feel quite like Bad Words did. I loved this book from start to finish. It was such a compelling read and was a true enemies to lovers trope. So many enemies to lovers are soft enemies, but these two truly hated each other which made it all the more fun to watch them fall in love. The characters and character development were so well written. Seriously, just read this book--you won't regret it!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

There is nothing I love more than an enemies to lovers that feels grounded in reality, and as though there was a real issue stopping two people from recognizing their chemistry, and Bad Words delivers on that score and countless others.

This slow burn romance was impossible to put down, and saved me from a reading slump that was keeping me from trying anything new. What a marvel.

This was a really interesting and memorable read. The premise pulled me in right away, and the story quickly turned into something deeper than I expected.

What stood out most was the voice. It felt sharp, a little raw at times, and very honest. The book explores language, relationships, and the complicated ways people communicate with each other. There is humor mixed in with some heavier moments, which made it feel balanced and very human.

It is the kind of book that makes you pause and think about how much power words can have, both the ones we say and the ones we hold back.

Overall I found it thoughtful, engaging, and a little different in a way that I really appreciated.

I loved this book. So emotionally resonant. It made me tear up multiple times. I was rooting for both Parker and Selina both in their relationship and their growth as individuals.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the eARC. I devoured this book. Beautifully written, covering so much interesting ground. From the fraught relationship between authors and critics, and authors and publishing houses, to the role social media can play in making and breaking novels (and people). This is Robinson's adult fiction debut and she absolutely nails it -- we get to know Selina and Parker (and their families and friends) before they get to know each other, so as their feud unfolds we know what they're missing about the other. Their process of figuring it out was funny and tender. The interview chapter was perfection. This is one I will read again.

I don't think I have the words to describe how much I loved this book. It might be the most beautifully written book I've read all year. Not the romcom I was expecting but a truly stunning piece of work that simultaneously felt both fresh and familiar. Both Parker and Selina's individual struggles and experiences with race, their begrudging interactions with each other giving way to more, the reflection on today's internet culture all made for a rich story. It was the type of book that I simultaneously couldn't put down and also never wanted to end.

I loved this book!

I thought the characterization was spectacular. Selina and Parker are fully fleshed out, which really carries the story.

The book has some truly beautiful prose that had me pause my reading to really sit with the words.

I especially loved the exploration of their Asian-Americanness and of the complicated feelings that come with being of both cultures.
It felt specific in the sense that I don't personally know the places, foods or dialects they mentioned, but it was still incredibly universal because all the emotions brought forward were familiar and spoke of a very common experience. Isn't that essential to a good book?

Special mention to New Year's Eve, my catnip in romance.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the early copy!

What. A. Book.

I found this premise immediately engaging from the first pages and the writing really sucks you into the setting; New York City and the publishing & journalism world. The two main characters felt so real and I love that we got dual POV, especially for a literary-leaning romance since I feel like that's rare but it worked so well. I loved Parker, I loved Selina, and I loved seeing their (entirely valid) hatred turn into a friendship and eventually build to more. I thought that development was incredibly well paced, and I felt so deeply for these characters.

Bad Words completely wrecked me in the absolute best way possible. 😭📚

If you are a fan of 'enemies to lovers', you have to drop everything and read this right now. It is about a writer and the harsh literary critic who absolutely tanked his debut novel, and let me tell you, the tension is unreal.

But honestly, the angst was delicious. It is such an addictive slow burn, and seeing her finally let her guard down was the emotional punch I needed. It isn't just a fluffy rom-com; it made me feel so much. Defintely a top read of the year for me.

Truly absolutely fantastic. On one level it’s a snappy enemies to lovers romance, but there’s a lot more about the power of words in the digital spaces we all spend too much time in. This is a great commentary, and beautifully written.

Rioghnach Robinson’s Bad Words walks a razor-thin line between literary fiction and romance, and somehow makes that tension its greatest strength. The prose is sharp and observant, but it’s the electric, slow-burn dynamic between the leads that truly carries the story. The will-they-won’t-they energy is absolutely addictive, building with a precision that keeps you turning pages well past bedtime. Robinson captures emotional ambiguity in a way that feels both grounded and intoxicating. It’s easy to see this novel gaining serious buzz when it’s released...

I LOVEDDDD THIS!! If I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about when I could keep reading it. This isn't a typical romance. Plus for once someone wrote a male character with an actual personality, and the conflict wasn't because no one can communicate. Selina was super funny.

Never have I ever loved such flawed characters like Parker and Selina. My goodness, the rivalry and hatred these two had for each other was so fun to read, which made the slow burn of their relationship so, so deliciously hot. I swear, every time I read a new chapter, I would ping-pong between whose team I was on.

They both had very valid reasons for why they disliked each other and for the things they would say and do. Their downfall was the prejudice, egocentrism, and arrogance they carried. They were so high on their horses that they refused to admit they were wrong, even when it was pretty clear they both were.

For a bit of context, the story centers on Selina, a book critic, who essentially (almost) destroys Parker’s career as an author. It reminded me of how brave authors are in general. Writing a book is not just about telling a cute story, it’s about being vulnerable, not only with themselves but with readers too. It means putting their most intimate thoughts and feelings out there for people to pick apart and make assumptions. This is something Selina struggles with. I feel like it was hard for her to believe that people were that brave when she herself sticks to “facts” because, deep down, she was afraid of how she would be perceived if she allowed herself to be vulnerable. So it made her narrow-minded at times.

Amazing romance aside, this is a great example of how words and actions do have consequences. Sometimes, without even noticing it, we can destroy someone’s life. So it’s a strong reminder to be mindful of what we say, especially online. The book also touches on toxic family dynamics and how the lack of support from the people who are supposed to be there for us can affect our daily lives and the way we build relationships with others.

Honestly, I could go on and on. I made over 40 highlights and more than 20 notes, which is not normal for me, so you already know this book was hella good. Bad Words is definitely going to be one of my favorite reads of 2026.

A book about books and the literary world? Uhm yes, give it to me!

One highly intelligent, harsh critic, with mile-high walls and one writer so swoony, genuine and warm-hearted, and seemingly the target of said critic — that’s Selina and Parker, our MC’s. And what happens when they let their guards down & toe the shovel in a little deeper?
 
Splendor. 🤌🏼
 
But it is one tumultuous road.
 
Bad Words was an unequivocal delight. Refreshing, unique, clever, BOOKISH with great depth and the most delectable slow burn – ughh, what followed the interview in Selina’s apartment nearly undid me, nearly melted my little black heart. This book left me smitten with cartoon hearts for eyeballs.

But don’t be fooled; this one packs a serious emotional punch. And I loved it every minute of it.

Highly recommend.
 
Thanks to NG & St. Martin’s Press for the arc in exchange for review.
 
Pub: 10.6.2026.

Bad Words has to be one of my favorite reads this year. The banter between the two main characters was so organic. Nothing about Selina and Parker felt forced. I especially appreciated how Robinson maintained their strengths and weaknesses as the two characters began to realize they had misjudged the other person. Selina was consistently honest and strong, and Parker was consistently sensitive and kind. It was an enemies-to-lovers that just made sense. A lot of times when I read enemies-to-lovers, I'm like, just kiss already!! But the deep-seated mistrust in their relationship was carefully built to create a very rewarding pay-off.

Furthermore, I absolutely loved that Parker was a writer. His vulnerability in writing was incredibly relatable. Robinson's general commentary on writing was very interesting to read.

Some books just have that... "it". This book has it in spades. It's not a romance, it's not a drama, it isn't about mental health, stereotypes or self-reflection and growth. Yet it is about all of that. It is interesting trying to define this book - there are too many parameters to try to capture without inadvertently excluding what makes it so special. In the end, a satisfying, contented read that makes you glad that you did.

Absolutely loved this. Bad Words offers a sharp, insightful look at criticism and writing in the modern digital era.

Selina and Parker are true enemies/rivals to lovers in every sense. Selina is a silver-tongued critic, while Parker is a promising writer, and Selina quickly becomes his biggest obstacle, delivering harsh critiques of each of his books. When Parker publicly confronts her, their clash spirals into a widespread online feud between critics and authors that further deepens their rivalry. While both Parker and Selina's arguments had their merits, there wasn't necessarily a wrong or right side, just different opinions and perspectives.

Their romance is a true slow burn. The intensity of their initial conflict makes any reconciliation feel almost impossible, but over time, hostility gives way to an unlikely friendship and eventually, something more. Despite disliking Parker’s works, Selina is one of the only people who truly understands what he’s trying to express. Parker, who hides behind a friendly, people-pleasing facade, finds his authentic voice through Selina, both in his writing and in his life. In turn, Selina, who has built up a tough exterior from her childhood and career, reveals a softer, more vulnerable side with Parker. In contrast to their public, high-profile feud, their relationship unfolds quietly and privately, becoming something meaningful that exists outside the noise of public opinion. Their romance is a powerful triumph over the chaos and negativity of the digital age.

A fantastic read for anyone who appreciates literature and books.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

You know it’s a good book when it makes you stop to sit and contemplate what you just read. There were so many points during my time reading Bad Words where I found myself reading a paragraph just to stop for a second, read it again and think. Robinson compels us to reevaluate our relationship with social media, the judgement we inevitably give and receive from strangers and to me it showed the importance of criticism, but also the right to give criticism.

When I finished this book, I wanted to read it again just to see if I could understand it even better, get a new perspective out of it. Selina Chan, this strong sharp critic who is genuinely unmoved by the opinion of
others and is precise, straightforward and unapologetic about her reviews. Parker Navarro, a flawed, cheerful, struggling writer who felt like his career was destroyed. I was captivated from the start on how different they were on paper, jumping back and forth their point of views. They were complete opposites until they started to understand each other.

The love story between Selina and Parker was slow and unsteady but you see every second of it. The slow changes, the realization that maybe they had misjudged one another too quickly. After how turbulent their story had first started I was genuinely wondering how these characters were going to find a way to each other let alone entertain feelings. But that’s something Rioghnach managed to do, turning such an already profound book into an even more special overpowering romance.

This book was AMAZING. Laugh out loud funny (the banter! I could have read a hundred more pages of the banter between these two!!) and intimately emotional. Every chapter I was giddy and smiling, or crying my eyes out. Selina and Parker, who start off on incredibly bad terms, gradually learn about each other through email and text, let down their walls, and come to realize how similar they actually are. It was a slow burn with an excellent payoff. I also really appreciated the realism of how social media affects the book industry.

Thank you so much to the publisher for providing me with a digital review copy via NetGalley.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

5/5 stars

This might be my favorite romance of the year, and I'm already dreading the wait until October to recommend it to everyone I know.

Ríoghnach Robinson's debut centers on Parker Navarro, a novelist whose career was gutted by critic Selina Chan's scathing review, and Selina herself, who's now been assigned to review his comeback. When her second takedown sparks a viral feud, their public war reshapes both their lives—but beneath the sparring, something else begins to take shape.

What makes this book special is how deeply it understands its own medium. Robinson writes about the vulnerability of creation, the brutal honesty of criticism, and the strange intimacy that can grow when two people are paying that much attention to each other's words. Parker and Selina's dynamic is genuinely enemies-to-lovers in a way contemporary romance rarely pulls off—not surface-level bickering, but real conflict with real stakes. They have to earn their way toward each other, and watching that unfold had me holding my breath through every exchange.

The smaller moments hit just as hard: shared references that reveal unexpected overlap, the details that make you realize how much these two actually have in common beneath the animosity. It all builds toward something tender and inevitable.

This is a romance, yes, but it's also a thoughtful interrogation of the book world—why we write, why we critique, and what it costs to be truly known. Robinson has written something that will resonate with anyone who's ever cared deeply about stories.

I cannot wait to put this in people's hands this fall.

This might be my favorite contemporary romance ever written. The setup hooked me immediately, the literary quality of the writing elevated every page, and the New York setting was so richly drawn I felt completely enveloped in it. Selina Chan is a character I’ll be thinking about for a long time. The whole cast felt deeply, genuinely real. A true enemies-to-lovers story told with gorgeous prose? This one is going straight to my reread shelf.

Books like Bad Words make me so thankful that I am a reader. And the fact that it is her adult debut? I am in awe! I can’t wait for more books from Rioghnach Robinson.

This was everything. Heartwarming, nerve wracking, and full of a will they won’t they romance. And the TENSION!!!!! This was everything i could’ve asked for in a romance! The characters were so thoughtfully developed, and their arcs were perfectly developed. I really loved this one, and will definitely be reading further books by this author!

This is easily one of the best contemporary romance novels I have ever read. Set in New York city, this story follows the relationship between novelist and critic. Written in dual first person POV, this book is a slow burn enemies to lovers, but the execution is unique and the story will suck you in right from the beginning. The banter is witty with a gloriously sarcastic edge and I loved every moment of their back and forth as the relationship develops. Both Parker and Selina show incredible introspection and character development throughout the novel. Neither is used to emotional intimacy or vulnerability and watching them each navigate these feelings is endearing. The growth shown by each is both relatable and realistic.
I found so much to love in both Selina and Parker. I could see pieces of myself in each of them. They are both thoughtful, intelligent people trying to make a place for themselves in the literary world. They each have to grapple with the idea of how powerful the written word can be, and how in this age of social media words written can never be unsaid, especially for public figures. The weight of a carelessly worded internet post or book review can have unforeseen and long lasting consequences. I found the toxic and destructive nature of social media to be very well represented, which was refreshing to see.
The multi-dimensional, well developed characters and immersive prose make it difficult to believe this is a debut novel. Future releases from this author will be instantly added to my TBR.

Everyone in this book is smarter than I could ever dream to be.

🌟🌟🌟🌟✨

I’m gonna be so real I didn’t see how they could get past their rage for each other!!!! But they did (this is not a spoiler because it is the nature of the genre) and it was wondrous.

At one point I literally just stood up. I was holding the book out in front of me and I think my face was like 😦😦😦😦😦 because there were so many horrors happening at once and I was so distressed. Standing did help actually.

Selina is SUCH an incredible character. I love a FMC who stands ten toes down for what she believes in but is also able to admit when she was actually wrong (on the rare occasion she is). She’s talented and brilliant and brave and she has put so much work into being the best that she can be and she deserves to be celebrated!!!!

And Parker is such a flip of the usual stereotypes - he is earnest and open (to a point) and desperately wants to be loved and liked. He’s vulnerable and emotional and messy! And he (eventually) recognizes that he is able to be those things without his credibility being questioned in a way that Selina is not. I love inverted tropes and this was done so well.

I also loved that their friends were truly just so kind and loving. They cared so openly and wholly about them and wanted the best for them over all else. Their lives look completely different and they don’t even question it, they’re just happy for them. I would die for Arthur to be honest.

This book is brilliant. In my humble opinion. Both main characters were relatable in a way that struck me very deeply. Read this book, have a good laugh, a good thoughtful introspection and reflection, a good heartache, and a good time.

Bad Words
4.5 ⭐️

A masterclass in how to perfectly execute a slow burn!

An author and a critic clash when Parker Navarros new novel is panned by Selina Chan.

Parker Navarro is a people pleaser, even in his books he can’t help but try to make everyone happy.

Selina Chan is the opposite. Headstrong, stubborn and completely confident in both herself and her opinion.

When Selina gives a negative review of Parker’s new novel it sets off a chain of events in both the literary world and their own personal lives.

I love this book! The slowest of slow burns, such complex and fully fleshed out characters that you can’t help but to route for, and a cast of side characters that I absolutely loved.

Rioghnach did a wonderful job developing the characters. Every choice made complete sense! both characters end up so different from where they started and I was so impressed by how well executed the growth was. Every moment felt so natural!

The romance was sweet, the tension high and the prose beautiful!

Please pick this up if you love a good slow burn, complex characters and a book set in the publishing world! I loved it so much!

Thank you so much St Martins press and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!

I want to reread this book every day for the rest of my life.

A contemporary romance that is enemies to lovers where they are actually enemies! The slow burn of all slow burns! This book hit every mark for me. I absolutely loved it. There were a lot of spots reading this where I thought to myself 'if this was any other romance book, they would've seen each other in person right now' (context: most of the interactions between Selina and Parker are through text/email) or 'if this was any other romance book, they would've kissed now' (if there was a scene where Selina and Parker WERE in the same room, and they were having a tension-filled moment). But the tension kept building, and the burn was continuing on at a slow pace (make no mistake... I was very happy to have the tension continue to build, and delightfully surprised at the slow pace of this romance)!

I've read a lot of romance books by now, so there are some things I always find myself looking for: do these characters have chemistry? Are they growing in this relationship? What I find mattering most is: are they compatible? This is different from chemistry, although I find I can definitely feel when characters don't have chemistry, and it's hard to ignore when they don't. Contextually, in their lives, does it make sense for these two people to be together? Selina and Parker both grew so much, from truly loathing each other to understanding each other to slowly, against all odds, falling in love. Through this journey into a relationship, they both grew so much as individuals, to a place where they were truly compatible, and both fit exactly what the other needed.

This book is a romance, but it is also a commentary on literary criticism and the literary world as a whole. And I LOVED it!

Upcoming Release: “Bad Words” by Rioghnach Robinson (Publishes 10-6-26)

Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the advanced ebook.

THIS BOOK 🥰. A true enemies to lovers- the best I’ve ever read!!

Robinson is an absolute tension and dialogue wizard. Selina and Parker are true enemies: Selena is a serious book critic at a reputable publication. She absolutely slams Parker’s first novel, of which he was offered a huge advance to write. Now, a few years later, he’s pulled himself together and about to publish his second book. Selina delivers a harsh review, yet again, sure to set him up for failure.

It was just a total joy to observe how masterfully Robinson develops this plot and this relationship between Selina and Parker. I was totally engaged and invested in the dilemmas and struggles of both reviewers and authors. I was smitten with the absolute YEARNING and tension as the story progressed. And the fact that much of their early relationship takes place via emails and texts just totally delighted me as my husband and I had a similar experience while dating for many years long distance (while in different states and even countries!)

This book was recommended by THE Emily Henry, so I had high expectations, and they were met.. and then some.

I saw an entire movie play in my head while reading this book. I know no one in Hollywood is asking me, but if they did, I would tell them that it would make such a wonderful screen adaption. Ah the whole week in snowy NYC between Christmas and New Years was just so dreamy!

This is such a solid romance with depth and substance. I just can’t wait to see what else Robinson writes; needless to say, I’m a fan!

I expected to like this and I still feel bowled over by the stunning and singular story Robinson has crafted. If a book is touted as “enemies to lovers”, this is what I expect to see and yet a compelling “enemies to lovers” story line might be the least impressive accomplishment of this book. Bad Words is something utterly unique and the clarity with which Robinson writes is truly captivating.

I love an unapologetic woman and the way that Selina refuses to water herself down to make herself more palatable speaks directly to my soul.