Great novel about Andie, a publicist who ends up going on a European book tour with none other than her ex who broke her heart. I enjoyed Andie's feisty nature which at times made me laugh and Jack who could be misunderstood for not being tactful does have some funny moments. All in all, a heartwarming read, thanks to Net Galley for the advanced copy.

I love enemy to lovers and the tension between Andie and Jack. I found it a great fun read. The main story line was brilliant and I couldn’t put it down.

This book had so much tension between the Main Characters from the off, which I enjoyed, as it then kept me entranced throughout the story. Bianca's writing of these characters was such a delight to read, and it was such a good Enemies to Lovers Story, which is one of my favourite tropes.

Initially set in New York and follows Andie who is a Senior Publicist for a Publishing House, who has been given the task of going on an European Book Tour with one of their Authors. Slight problem is that it is Jack Carlston, who destroyed her in so many ways at University in Edinburgh 5 years ago and doesn't want anything to do with him.

Despite her hatred for Jack she decides to go on the book tour, and it is while they are visiting these locations, things start to change between them, with Andie beginning to see Jack in a different light.
And when secrets and feelings begin to be revealed it is from this that maybe Andie has been wrong about Jack all this time, and although Andie tries to push Jack away due to the guilt she feels, Jack is undeterred and will do whatever it takes to change her mind.

This was such an enjoyable read, with various plot twists that come upon you and also the way that Jack is trying to show Andie that he isn't the man that she thinks he is, is delightful. Also the grief she is still feeling for the death of a loved one really hit home and I must admit at these points it brought a tear to my eye, as it made me think of a close loved one that I have lost in recent years.

❤️Second Chance
❤️Enemies to Lovers
❤️Close Proximity
❤️Work Colleagues
❤️Minimal Spice
❤️Set from FMC POV

Trigger Warning: There is a part of the story where the main characters encounter forms of physical and verbal abuse, so be aware of this.

I love an enemies to lovers romance and novels set in the publishing world so this one caught my attention straight away. Andie is a book publicist and Jack a young hot author and they are thrown together during a European book tour. It turns out, of course, that they have history. I loved the descriptions of the book tour and was rooting for them to overcome their differences and fall in love. It's quite tropey but sometimes that's exactly what you need - this one does what it says on the tin and is very enjoyable.

Who loves and enemies to lovers romance? Well this is ideal for you. I loved it and it was a real difference to other books I’ve been reading at the time (my choice) and this was such a fun read.

I really enjoyed this book despite it kinda featuring miscommunication (which I normally don’t enjoy at all). I think for me some of the travelling descriptions could’ve been cut and I would’ve liked more talking between andie and Jack as some of their convos felt rushed. I felt like Andies journey with the grief of her loss of her dad was so close to home and felt real and raw. The romance side, I liked the forced proximity and second chance romance tropes but I feel like I could’ve seen a bit more? I don’t think we saw enough of jacks personality, there was a plot about his dad that doesn’t get resolved and I felt like Andie did forgive him too quickly! Overall, enjoyable and would recommend!

This had soooo much promise and I’m really sad it didn’t quite hit the mark 😔 like others said the rudeness of the main female lead wasn’t explained until I’d already decided I was bored of her and her attitude. The actions and descriptions felt very, I hate to say it but very year 10 descriptive writing homework. There just lacked depth and it seemed super basic. I hate giving negative reviews it makes me feel so guilty but it just didn’t do it for me. Sorry 💜

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.