2 / 5

Andie, a book publicist in NY is stuck touring around Europe with a famous author, Jack, who she has a romantic past with.

I really loved the first 30%, it was fast paced and Andie has a strong voice. But this goes all downhill after - the novel just becomes a huge description of where the tour is taking them which becomes dull very fast. Why am I reading about Andie going to sleep on the plane three times, getting up, collecting her luggage, getting off the plane and into the airport, out of the airport, back on another flight and checking her emails etc.? There’s way too much description like this that serves zilch to the story. I would’ve liked to have more dialogue between Andie and Jack instead to build their chemistry.

Unfortunately I didn’t feel any connection or chemistry between Andie and Jack - I didn’t really care about them either. There's barely any dialogue between them and Andie has a habit of interrupting everyone she comes across. And the dialogue that is present is so dry - it's basically "thank you" and "you're welcome" about a million times.

Jack is a nice character but Andie is unbearable. She’s so annoying and whiny that I wasn’t rooting for her at all. She uses her best friend as her on-call therapist when she just needs to see an actual therapist. Andie constantly asks her friend what to do and then when given advice, she just refuses to listen to it anyway. Andie’s immaturity drove me bonkers. She supposedly keeps feeling guilty about treating her mum like rubbish but then continues to treat her so.

Very close to DNF-ing at 50% where the middle is sagging big time and becoming description-heavy (e.g. she did this and then this and then this). Not for me this time!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book expecting a standard light-hearted romance novel with potentially a bit of cheesiness thrown in for good measure. This book intricately explores themes of deep sadness and regret, capturing the raw emotional weight that these experiences bring. It skillfully delves into the concept of second chances, portraying the characters' journeys as they confront their past and strive for redemption. The narrative combines moments of intense heartache with a hopeful outlook on personal transformation.

The coworker romance is particularly noteworthy. It’s presented with a sense of realism and emotional depth, reflecting how relationships can evolve through shared challenges and growth. This aspect of the story adds a genuine, heartfelt layer to the plot.

The book's ability to weave together pain, hope, and the transformative nature of love left a significant impression on me, making it a memorable and impactful read.

Bad Publicity by Bianca Gillam was just a good read. It has forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, and a second chance romance that left me swooning. This novel is a perfect amount of angst, humour, and emotional, heartwarming moments.

The story focusses on Andie and Jack, our MCs, who are former lovers with a complicated past. They are forced together due to work commitments, which spark numerous emotions for them both, from intense hatred to undeniable attraction.

The author's portrayal of Andie's grief and loss was such a well-written addition to the romance story; it was scattered throughout the book, making it feel authentic.

The sensitive topic is well handled, allowing Andie's pain to shine through while also showcasing her resilience and strength.

This is a nice, easy to read, romance novel, with enough feeling and a bit of humour to get you through!
I enjoyed it, it would be a good beach read, and it kept me interested.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me holding by my breath in parts.
I felt like I understood Andie’s grief more than I expected to.
I have to admit I was expecting Jack’s ‘crime’ to be a lot worse than it was.
Overall I enjoyed this book.

I was after an easy read and this book ticked the box. My only complaint is that I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it as it gained huge momentum towards the end, when everything was explained!
I did think that Jacks background could have been explored more, especially his relationship with his Dad.
I would be interested in reading more from this author.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

3.5 stars rounded up. I liked the writing style here. The plot speeds along nicely and kept me engrossed, and Andie is a complex, well-drawn main character. For me she is just self-aware enough not to be completely unlikeable, and it’s understandable how the one-two punch of events five years previously have affected her actions. However, there were a couple of balance issues that gave me pause. Because this is so much Andie’s book and her journey out of grief, in comparison Jack felt a little two-dimensional. I would have liked more from him, rather than just being told how good-looking and successful he is - which brings me to the second issue. We’re supposed to believe it’s only five years since they were at university together, and in that time Jack in particular has achieved a ridiculous amount. Careerwise they should be older, but that would make less sense for Andie’s grief journey and general emotional maturity… so that aspect just didn’t quite work for me. Nonetheless this is an assured debut that I enjoyed reading.

This book follows Andie who works as a publicist she lives in New York and is asked to go on a book tour with an author who she happens to hate. Jack is an author who is forced to go on a book tour with Andie both are experiencing grieve of a parent. This book explores life after grief. The book was definitely a slow burn enemies to lovers. A very good debut book.

Where to begin! This really wasn't the book for me and it took a real nosedive just after the 70% mark, and there was no recovering. It started off well, and I was interested to see where the book was going and what happened between these characters years before they're reunion we're seeing here. I wasn't particularly drawn to the characters, but I thought Andie's grief was explored well and it felt very authentic how her emotions were changing and overwhelming her at different stages.

What I found really uncomfortable was the way Andie and Jack's relationship progresses on the tour. In the sense that it doesn't really progress at all but suddenly they're in bed together with this big unknown thing they haven't discussed still looming over them and absolutely no chemistry and minimal development in their emotional connection from where they were at the beginning of the book to this point. I had to skip the scene, as it felt so wrong for these two and out of place in their journey it made me baulk. It is also completely unclear what their relationship was in the past - had they known each other well? For a day? Were they dating? In a relationship? Not a clue! There's no basis for them in the past or present.

Now, I also don't enjoy it when a defining moment from a couples' past is teased slowly through the book and that's purely personal preference, I know it's big in second chance romances and will appeal to people. However, when we finally get to the reveal of what this dire event was from Jack and Andie's past. it's after we're over 70% of the way through the book. And OH BOY. Yikes. This was a really heavy reveal and if this book ever had a hope of being a rom-com (I'm not sure where the "com" part ever came in) then it ended here. Not only did it really damage my view of both characters in how they acted, but I refuse to believe that with what happened in the past, these two would have ended up in bed together again ever, but definitely not without clearing the air at all first. I don't think I've ever been so appalled at a plot line.

So, I clearly had a lot of feelings about this book and I guess one thing I can say is I did finish it, but maybe I was partly just in shock. I mean, I'm still reeling. Will I ever recover?

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

“How stupid I’ve been, thinking I was blocked off from the rest of the world by some unseen force, but it was a wall I built myself”

Bad Publicity by Bianca Gillam focuses on Andie, who has just landed her dream job as senior book publicist. Her first day on the job quickly descends into a nightmare as she realises who her biggest author is. Jack Carlson, the same Jack Carlosn who broke her heart, betrayed her in the worst way imaginable, and who five years ago, Andie swore to never see or speak to again. Now forced to go on tour over Europe for a month, Andie must put her history with Jack aside, because she knows she can not mess this tour up. But is there any way Andie can leave the past behind her to make sure this tour succeeds?

I went into this book expecting it to be an enemies to lovers rom com, but instead what I got was a book that focuses on grief, loss and the impact on those who are left behind. It wasn’t what I was expecting, however it offers a very raw and honest look at the way grief can alter a person's perspective of time, people and events. Andie handles her grief in a way that is very familiar if not very destructive. She is aware of this but seems unable to stop herself, which at first I could really understand and get behind. It became apparent very quickly that she treats her best friend like a therapist, until she says something she disagrees with.

I had a bit of a love hate relationship with Andie. There were multiple times when I wanted to shake some sense into her. She seemed a bit set on treating her best friend like a therapist, her mum like a child and Jack like a monster. While I understand that she is very clearly struggling with her grief, I think there were definitely times when it was like she was being mean for the sake of it.

While I liked Jack, seeing him through Andies eyes for the whole book, by the end of it, he seemed a little two dimensional. He doesn’t seem to have any kind of fire in him, and it’s a shame, because the times when he actually shines is when he is being very expressive with how he feels. I just wish there was a little more to him, but I can understand that we don’t really get to see him through his own eyes bar one chapter.

The best character in this book is Andie’s mum. I wanted to protect her so much, and I think she deserved a lot better and I was so happy for her at the end. Andie is very aware that she hasn’t been the best daughter, but she’s so wrapped up in her own grief she doesn’t stop to think about her mum too long which is heartbreaking. The scene in the restaurant where Andie snaps at her, and she’s sitting there wringing her hands apologising, conjured up such a mental image for me that I had to stop for a moment because it made me feel so incredibly sad. She deserves nothing but the best in life and by the end of the book I think she finds that.

The plot was nothing like I was expecting. I thought it was going to be almost like an all out war, with them both trying to sabotage each other, but the romance aspect seemed to mostly take a back seat. I really linked the subtle way you see the way Andie changes by how she acts and reacts to those around her. You can see it in the way she sees Jack and it's subtle, but it’s there. I wish the reveal of what happened between Andie and JAck had been revealed sooner, so they could have worked through it. I’m not a fan of the miscommunication trope and it seemed like that was the main cause of their issues. I’m not saying what Jack did was okay, but Andie was so blinded by how she was feeling that she didn’t really give him a chance to explain. (I also want nothing but the worst things in life for Robbie, that guy can suffer). It seemed very quick, this is what happened, this is the brief fallout from us realizing that we’re both in the wrong, and now it's the last chapter and six months have passed. I am also really not a fan of time jumps after important moments, and that felt very jarring and a little rushed. I think their ending could have been better if they had taken time to actually work through their issues.

There is some really beautiful writing in this book that I want to highlight, some of my favourites are: ‘The warmth of shared understanding is like a soft jumper.’
‘But the world is calling-the world without my dad. I can’t stay here forever.’
‘I miss him terribly. And he’s never coming back.’

I enjoyed this book, and I would definitely recommend it, I’m just not sure I would label it as a romance

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy to review.

I was really looking forward to this story but it was very disappointing. Bad Publicity was advertised as a romance but there was no romance in it. The book was more about grief than romance. Andie kept hinting at the terrible event that made her hate Jack but we had to wait until around 70% to find out what it was. I didn't like Andie at all. She was very self absorbed and should have talked to a counsellor about her grief instead of relying on her best friend and being cold to her mum.

If you love a fast-paced, slow-burn, second chance. low-spice romance "Bad Publicity" by Bianca Gillam is for you! Andie, a new senior book publicist in New York, discovers her first major client is Jack Carlson, her ex-university fling whom she hasn't spoken to in five years. They're forced to embark on a European book tour together, avoiding their complicated past and strong attraction while navigating personal and professional challenges.

What I Loved:
Touching second-chance romance tending to enemies-to-lovers
Sensitive exploration of loss and personal growth
Enjoyable mix of humour and emotional depth

What You Might Not Love:
Andie's initial hostility towards Jack might be frustrating, but hang in there, you get a good explanation!
The slow burn is sloooow, but it is worth it
Not a true enemies-to-lovers as only one half is truly an enemy

For me, "Bad Publicity" offers a heartfelt, layered romance that goes beyond surface-level storytelling, making it a recommended read for those seeking some emotional complexity in their romance. Perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers and/or second-chance romances.

Thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing Plc and NetGalley for providing a review copy of this book at no cost and with no obligation. I reviewed this book voluntarily, and all opinions are my own.

2.75/5 ⭐️

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the ARC of this book.
Unfortunately this one just wasn’t for me.
We don’t find out what happened in the past with our characters until we’re 80% through the story and that, on top of FMC constantly being incredibly rude and unprofessional, makes it really hard to root for our main couple. Even small hints as to what happened would’ve been helpful but we get nothing.
We also barely see Andie actually doing her job even though she keeps getting praised for how well she’s doing, she constantly describes looking at books and drinking. It really does feel like our MMC is doing most of the work.
And honestly I think it’s kind of misleading to call them exes cause they barely knew each other. To the point that I don’t think it’s believable that the betrayal was felt so deeply.
Main highlight for me was our MMC but even his problems weren’t fully fleshed out, it would’ve been lovely to see some kind of resolution to his relationship with his dad.
The book could also do with a content warning page for excessive alcohol consumption, grief and sexual harassment (?)/exploitation (?).

Forced proximity is a wonderful trope. I really enjoyed this book and am on a romance streak, it fit in perfectly!! It's not deep and meaningful and is a light, summer read. If you enjoy that kind of book you'll love it!

Loved the story of Andie who lands her dream job as a senior book publicist in New York but then finds out she has to accompany a author Jack Carlson for a month around Europe. Jack Carlson is the reason she left Edinburgh for New York after Jack Carlson humiliated Andie at university plus the death of her father.
This is a enjoyable book about how 2 people work through the anger and with some heart warming scenes.
Would highly recommend.

I raced through this emotional and touching read. What an amazing debut! The way Andie's grief was handled was so sensitive and sympathetic and the classic enemies-to lovers and will-they-won't they tropes expertly done, Coupled with Andie's sharp, scathing humour made this a fun, yet heartfelt, emotional read. Already looking forward to the next thing Bianca Gillam writes.

A novel full of heart, romance and dealing with grief.

I was surprised to find that for me this book is more about character development, facing grief and letting your loved ones in, than the romance. Though I enjoyed the romantic parts too!

We follow Andie who has just landed her dream book publicity role when she discovers that her first author is Jack Carlson, the boy who ruined her life.

Chaos! All the romance tropes you love to see: enemies to lovers, forced proximity and a heartwarming second chance romance. A wonderful blend of fun rom-com moments and more heartfelt, serious character connection.

For me the highlight of this novel is Andie's character development. She has been running for years from the grief of her father's death, pushing people away and finally begins to let the grief and the people she loves back in. Her relationships with her mother and bestfriend Sara are beautiful.

It's definitely more than a rom-com, though I did both laugh and swoon! The way this author articulates loss, the weight of the memories left behind and how the sharp pain can become mingled with light, with the love that still remains, really resonated with me. It was stunning.

I really enjoyed this book and have to say it was my biggest surprise of the year, I liked the two main characters and the problems between them and as the book tour progressed i enjoyed how they grew as characters and slowly started to understand each other.

Highly recommend!

I really enjoyed this title - it had everything you could want from a romance. I loved the tension between the characters and how they come back together.

More like a STRONG 3.75 ⭐️

A perfect reminder that a story with romance does not need to involve multiple s3x scenes and lusty thoughts as n addition to the plot. (There is one that describes what it needs and nothing more, and another that is more closed door)

This book shows you that there is more to romance than in the surface, where internal fights, anger and hurt can derail the most truest of relationships.

Our FMC Andie lands a huge job in the city, but her first client is none other than Jack Colson (and ex, sort of). With a painful past looming over them they have to go on tour and pretend nothing has happened, but in the end the moral of the story is about putting yourself first, accepting life for what it has given you, and allowing yourself time to heal. Love, comes second which makes it even more special.

This was a wonderful read. The flow was easy, Jack was charming, and respectful while sticking to his own boundaries. It shows there are two sides to every story has two sides if you’re just willing to listen.