You know a book is for you, when you’re hooked from the first page and it did not disappoint.

When Andi starts a new job as a publisher she is horrified to learn that one of her authors is someone from her past who she was quite happily with never seeing every again.

With everything to prove to her new boss but can’t even look at Jack sure leads to a challenge when they have to embark a tour of Europe for Jack’s new book.

Can Jack have done something so bad to deserve this treatment.

Laughs throughout this book are a plenty but I also like the way it deals with grief and how none of us really know how to handle it.


I really enjoyed this book, it’s definitely one to watch out for.

An enemy to lovers story.
Andie is a publicist and is sent on a book tour round Europe only it`s Jake who she had a really bad experience with whilst in uni and it effected her greatly and she really hates him.
Two months together and their feelings slowly started to change.
Loved the characters and how Andie copes with the loss of her dad and trying to build a life after his death.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review.

A major upset at university that can’t be mentioned or talked about it the extra character in Andie and jacks relationship. They go from hating each other to fighting each other and it could be hate or romance. The book doesn’t pull its punches and university was dire but worse things happen and Andie and Jack have family stuff to work through and the author dances through it all delicately and with care. There are funny bits and sad - with tears - bits and just a good sensitive and kind read,

I really enjoyed this book, the premise was entertaining but the explanation for Andie's hatred for Jack, while making complete sense, I felt came a little too late into the story. Andie was awkward and sad in a nice way, one that made you want to comfort her instead of just rolling your eyes. The side characters and their arcs were nicely developed. Jack Carlson was sweet and kind even when he was standoffish. It was a nice and easy read with a cast of lovable characters.

I kindly received this book as an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ahhh, it took me so long to finish this book.
Ok so, here’s the thing. I feel like the idea of the book was fine and I really tried so hard to immerse myself with it all, but my problem was that the female lead took so long to explain her behavior towards the male lead (even tho, when that was explained I understood) but I think they lack of chemistry, I didn’t feel excited while reading,
This was just my experience, but I do recommend this book if you like slow paced books, and the ex lovers to strangers to lovers again trope.

Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc. Please forgive my English, as this is not my first language.

I really wanted to love this book - I was drawn in by the enticing blurb and the very Emily Henry style, eye-catching cover.

I unfortunately did not finish reading, and got to about 50%, really trying to push through.

I usually love an enemies to lovers arc, and was so excited to start reading - however from the get go, I found the characterisation and the rudeness of Andie to be quite unendearing, and the overlapping stories to be a bit disjointed. I also found the missing context of exactly why Andie hated Jack, to be more distracting, than enticing to read on. I wish it had been revealed earlier to give the context that I felt was missing for too long (at least for the first half of the book).

The prose was quite stilted, and felt a bit like a running narration of events 'we went here, then x happened, then this, then that...' and it did not leave much to the imagination. I also found that a lot of expressions in the book felt a bit worn and contrived - eg. 'cool as a cucumber', 'dull and dreary' - etc. Maybe that is just personal preference, but I would have really loved some more inventive descriptors.

A thank you to Bloomsbury Publishing, Bianca Gillam and Netgalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for my review.

I really enjoyed this 'close-proximity/enemies to lovers' novel, and will now look forward to reading more of Bianca's work.
The main characters were well written, I liked their relationship throughout and the setting was well explored,

Loved this! I flew through it. Immediately got invested in their dynamic and loved the inside view to publishing. Also loved reading it being based Ireland!

I absolutely loved this book! I liked the concept as soon as I read the blurb and the book itself did not disappoint!! I haven’t really got into a book in a while, but this one had me crying and laughing out loud. I found Andie to be flawed but totally relatable, such a well written character. Definitely a read I will be recommending to others when it is published.

I really enjoyed this 'close-proximity/enemies to lovers' novel. It's the first one I've read by Bianca Gillam but I'd definitely look to pick up her other titles.
Andie is a British ex-pat living in New York, having just landed her dream job at an important publishing house. She's in transition, slightly mourning the loss of her flatmate and their fun friendship as she has left to move in with her boyfriend. However, she's determined that this new job is a harbinger of things moving forward.
Until - her new boss gives her first publicity assignment as accompanying her ex boyfriend, a hot history writer, on his European book tour. Andie shaken up but vows that she will be the consummate professional as she recrosses the Atlantic to assist Jack.

As the two find themselves in close proximity, the past keeps resurfacing, with Gillam teasing us about what might have happened between the pair.

I thought she handled the subjects of grief and trauma really sensitively as well as grown up friendships and how important they are.

4/5 from me. Many thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Bad Publicity by Bianca Gillam was just a brilliant read. It had everything and more I want from a romance novel: 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 does such an amazing job at that slow-burn romance, keeping us on the edge of our seats by building the tension awaiting that reunion. While the miscommunication trope is such a frustrating element in romance novels for me, the author actually handles it with finesse. The tension and underlying hatred between Andie and Jack make their journey towards reconciliation all the more satisfying.

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 handled, allowing Andie's pain to shine through while also showcasing her resilience and strength. I fully shed tears while reading it.

Overall, Bad Publicity is a must-read for romance fans like me. The writing is engaging, and the characters are unforgettable. With its perfect blend of angst, humour, and heartwarming moments, this story is sure to leave a lasting impression.


Huge thanks to NetGallery and Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) for sending me this ARC—all opinions are my own, of course!

Loved this clever and charming romcom. I was so drawn to it thanks to the cover & premise. Gillam's writing style is really easy to follow. I particularly enjoyed the settings as we travelled around the book events with the characters. Grief and the aftermath of losing a loved one was handled thoughtfully and gently.

Would recommend this one to anyone going on holiday. Perfect beachy binge read. Can't wait to read what Bianca writes next ✨️

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! I had the perfect blend of comedy and heart and how the two characters overcame their personal obstacles was graceful.

True to its title I feel this book has been badly publicised i.e. massively overhyped - I have seen this everywhere and it is still MONTHs until its release date.
This book is a slow burn that could have been concluded in a lot less pages. It is what I would class as an easy read that you would maybe take on holiday and read on the beach while sunbathing.

I am stuck between 2-3 stars because I do feel this has an audience, I am just not it.

I LOVED THIS BOOK.

📚 Forced Proximity
🐉 Enemies to Lovers
📚 Slow Burn
🐉 Second Chance

Bad Publicity is a beautiful story thay follows Andie, who just landed her dream job as a senior publicist, and Jack, her client who also happens to be her ex...
Andie is tasked with promoting Jack's latest fiction book on a month long tour around some of the most romantic places in Europe. Can she handle this trip with the man who broke her heart?

This is written so beautifully. I fell for these characters so quickly and adored their story. The elements of grief and loss are navigated in such a realistic way and truly show the struggles a family can have when they lose someone suddenly. Andie and Sara also have such a sweet friendship that suffers the true-to-life bumps of new relationships.

Highly highly highly recommend. I had to force myself to put it down to go to work!

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

I LOVED this book SO much.

I didn’t know what I was getting myself into but I loved every single second. Forced proximity of two people who have a LOT of history, the sexual tension was off the charts.

It is a wild journey of discovery for Andie, and Jack is a brilliant male love interest. He does beg, and it was brilliant.

It’s hilarious - laugh out loud funny - it is also heartwarming and witty.

Perfect for fans of Emily Henry and Tessa Bailey.

A great debut! A cute and enjoyable read but also delves into deeper emotions and subjects such as grief. The characters are great, the plot is exciting and I really enjoyed reading it.

Bad Publicity by Bianca Gillam is an average rom-com read. Throughout the book we are "dangled the carrot" of the two main characters having an eventful history together in Edinburgh however no details are given for too long. This makes it difficult to root for the heroine and she simply comes across as mean and unprofessional. Had the back story been given a earlier in the story with the miscommunication being dealt with later I feel this would have made for a much better story.
It's an easy read and if it was included in my prime or unlimited reads I'd recommend it but I wouldn't suggest it as a novel for my readers.

Jack and Andie have a very complicated and upsetting past and I wish it was explained a little earlier in the novel as it was hard to root for Andie when she is being horrible and rude to Jack. It all becomes clear in the end though.
I enjoyed this novel but I felt the pacing and storytelling was slightly jumbled and unusual. Definitely an enjoyable and it tackles grief beautifully.