Bad Publicity - by Bianca Gillam (Paperback)

About the Book

"First published in Great Britain by Bloomsbury Publishing, ... 2025"--Copyright page.

Book Synopsis

"Like all the very best romance, Bad Publicity is about two people falling in love and also so much more: grief, personal growth, and forgiveness. . . A poignant, utterly compelling story about battling demons and coming out the other side stronger and better able to love." --Ashley Winstead

A sparkling novel of second-chance romance and rebuilding after loss, in which an unexpected reunion could lead to a career-ending catastrophe or a new lease on life and love. . .

Andie has been awash in grief since the death of her father, but when she lands her dream job as a senior book publicist, she finally finds some buoyancy, a renewed sense of purpose. She's prepared to take the New York publishing scene by storm.

Until her first day, when she discovers that her biggest author is Jack Carlson--the same Jack who ruined her life at university. Whom she hasn't spoken to in five years. Who is not only still infuriatingly hot but also incredibly successful. And whose campaign she definitely cannot mess up, if she wants to keep her job.

To make matters even worse, the central part of this career-defining campaign is a book tour. For a month, Andie will have to travel across Europe with the man whom, if she were being totally honest, she'd like to hit with her car. Plus, there's the unrelenting grief and her mother's confusing new beau. Put all this together and you get. . . a lot.

But she will not lose this opportunity, especially not because of Jack. One month on tour with Jack Carlson, visiting some of the most romantic spots in Europe. Deep breath. She can do this.

Review Quotes

Praise for Bad Publicity:

"A glorious debut. A slow burn, enemies-to-lovers rom-com, with plenty of chemistry and deeper themes that elevate it above the frothy. Fans of Emily Henry books will adore Bad Publicity."
--Sophie Cousens, New York Times bestselling author of This Time Next Year

"Gillam sparkles in her well-crafted rom-com debut."
--Publishers Weekly

"Gillam's debut rom-com explores grief and second chances, set in an appealing European landscape and an industry that will appeal to bibliophiles. Readers. . . will find a protagonist grappling with years of suppressed emotions as she rediscovers her purpose."
--Kirkus

"Full of bookish humor, Bad Publicity is a delightful enemies-to-lovers romance that will have readers holding their breath and rooting for Andie and Jack from page one!"
--Ashley Herring Blake, USA Today bestselling author of Iris Kelly Doesn't Date

"A slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers debut to suggest to fans of Katherine Center and Rebecca Serle."
--Library Journal

"Bad Publicity has all the hallmarks of a feel-good rom-com. Full of twists and turns, Andie's love story with Jack sucks you in from the start. A great read to cozy up with!"
--Beth Reekles, bestselling author of The Kissing Booth

"The slow burn in this funny, sexy debut is downright decadent, and the chemistry between Jack and Andie sizzles in all the best ways. A ten out of ten!"
--Farrah Rochon, New York Times bestselling author of Pardon My Frenchie

"Achingly relatable, beautifully poignant, and laugh out loud hilarious -- Bianca Gillam is the new queen of romcoms! I devoured every moment of this slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers, second chance romance and couldn't put it down!"
--Breanne Randall, New York Times bestselling author of The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic

"Like all the very best romance, Bad Publicity is about two people falling in love and also so much more: grief, personal growth, and forgiveness. Fans of sexy and emotional enemies-to-lovers romances like How to End a Love Story will adore the way Gillam blends Andie and Jack's love story with their journey of reconciliation, as well as the insiders' peek into the publishing industry. A poignant, utterly compelling story about battling demons and coming out the other side stronger and better able to love."
--Ashley Winstead, bestselling author of The Boyfriend Candidate

"A delightful blend of humor and heart. Gillam's enemies-to-lovers workplace romance sizzles with tension and swoon-worthy moments."
--Bal Khabra, bestselling author of Collide

"Heartfelt, relatable, fresh, and oozing with intrigue, Bad Publicity ticks a lot of boxes. I flew through it; I adored it. I want to rediscover this gem all over again."
--Lizzie Damilola Blackburn, author of Yinka, Where is Your Huzband?

"When I say Bad Publicity will tug at your heartstrings, let me be specific: it will tug at the string that makes you laugh. At the one that makes you yearn for second chances. Above all, it will tug at the string that makes you sigh and fall in love."
--Jeff Zentner, award-winning author of Colton Gentry's Third Act

"A beautiful story about grief, love, and second chances, Bad Publicity is a road-trip romance that takes the reader on an emotional ride. Filled with heart, humor, and the swoon-worthy moments every romance reader craves, this book is a gorgeous debut for Bianca Gillam. I can't wait to see what she writes next!"
--Laurie Gilmore, author of The Pumpkin Spice Cafe

"Perfect for fans of Emily Henry. Bad Publicity is a bold, brilliant romance with a big emotional beating heart and a protagonist you won't be able to help falling in love with. This one's going to absolutely thrill the TikTok girlies."
--Rebecca Reid, author of The Truth Hurts

"I adored this pitch-perfect, Emily Henry-meets-Josie Silver rom-com. Andie and Jack are such rich characters and the fabulous cities they visit are the ideal backdrop to their romance, ensuring that, despite the sensitively handled theme of grief, Bad Publicity remains an escapist, uplifting read. . . Evocative."
--Nicole Kennedy, author of After Paris

"This debut has the push-pull of see-saw lovers and enemies, plus a feisty hero in Andie, and all wrapped up in the world of books. What's not to love?"
--Mandy Robotham, international bestselling author of The German Midwife

About the Author

Bianca Gillam is a London-based author and armchair expert on '80s and '90s rom-coms whose poetry has been published in a variety of publications. She formerly worked in publishing, where she had the joy of editing a wide variety of brilliant authors; she was inspired by the books she published to write her own. Bad Publicity is her debut.