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Bad Words
- Author
- Rioghnach Robinson
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Publish Date
- 8 October 2026
- Run Time
- 12 hours 30 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
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What to expect
'Bad Words is truly a masterpiece of a novel … [a] thought-provoking, vulnerable and incredibly entertaining love story’ Stylist
This rivalry is setting the literary world on fire – but who will survive the flames?
When Selina Chan, New York’s fiercest literary critic, slams Parker Navarro’s latest novel, he is pushed to breaking point.
Once was painful enough. But this time, it’s personal.
What begins as a private feud quickly erupts into a viral online spectacle, captivating an audience of book lovers who are eager to fan the flames.
But away from the spotlight, each unexpected encounter has them second-guessing everything they thought they knew about each other.
And, in the end, it’s the words left unsaid that could change everything…
*** Everyone is talking about Bad Words ***
‘A once-in-a-lifetime read’ Emily Henry
'One of the best love stories I have ever read' Beth O'Leary
'Full of wit, warmth, and deliciously sharp observations' Stacey Yu
'Easily one of my favourites of the year. If not the decade' Carley Fortune
'Smart, deep, and heartfelt' Gillian McAllister
'Full of blistering barbs, incisive takedowns and searing gazes' Mary H.K. Choi
‘Robinson has written one of the best romance novels I’ve read in a very long time’ RED (Book of the Month)
‘It reminded me why I love books, and reading and reviewing’ PRIMA (Book of the month)
‘The kind of book that reminds you why you fell in love with reading’ WOMAN & HOME (Book of the Month)
‘This witty romance is a delight’ GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
Critics Review
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'A dazzling, razor-edged love story' LOUISE O'NEILL
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‘A beautifully written, emotionally poignant romance’ IMAN HARIRI-KIA
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‘Ríoghnach Robinson is a writer with serious chops showing us what is possible within the bounds of romance’ HOLLY BRICKLEY
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‘A triumph for anyone who cares about art and all that goes into the creation and consumption of it’ TARAH DEWITT
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‘A page-turning, heart-pounding modern love story […] If you only read one book this year, may it be this’ ROSIE WALSH
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‘Emotional, poignant, and deeply romantic’ JORDAN STEPHANIE GRAY
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Rioghnach Robinson
- Narrator
- Katharine Chin, Major Curda, Ríoghnach Robinson
- Duration
- 12 hours 30 minutes
- Release Date
- 8 October 2026
- ISBN
- 9780008801786
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Genre
- Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general, Modern and Contemporary romance, Romance: workplace, Romance: enemies to lovers, Narrative theme: social issues / social problems
Synopsis
A Red, Prima and Woman & Home book of the month 'Bad Words is truly a masterpiece of a novel … [a] thought-provoking, vulnerable and incredibly entertaining love story’ Stylist This rivalry is setting the literary world on fire – but who will survive the flames? When Selina Chan, New York’s fiercest literary critic, slams Parker Navarro’s latest novel, he is pushed to breaking point. Once was painful enough. But this time, it’s personal. What begins as a private feud quickly erupts into a viral online spectacle, captivating an audience of book lovers who are eager to fan the flames. But away from the spotlight, each unexpected encounter has them second-guessing everything they thought they knew about each other. And, in the end, it’s the words left unsaid that could change everything… *** Everyone is talking about Bad Words *** ‘A once-in-a-lifetime read’ Emily Henry 'One of the best love stories I have ever read' Beth O'Leary 'Full of wit, warmth, and deliciously sharp observations' Stacey Yu 'Easily one of my favourites of the year. If not the decade' Carley Fortune 'Smart, deep, and heartfelt' Gillian McAllister 'Full of blistering barbs, incisive takedowns and searing gazes' Mary H.K. Choi ‘Robinson has written one of the best romance novels I’ve read in a very long time’ RED (Book of the Month) ‘It reminded me why I love books, and reading and reviewing’ PRIMA (Book of the month) ‘The kind of book that reminds you why you fell in love with reading’ WOMAN & HOME (Book of the Month) ‘This witty romance is a delight’ GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
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