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A Novel
by Rioghnach Robinson
A sharp and deeply felt debut about art, ambition, and the connections that both inspire and undo us.
Parker Navarro's debut novel was meant to define his career - until critic Selina Chan's blistering review made it the flop of the decade. Four years later, his new book is his shot at redemption; for Selina, reviewing him again is a professional risk she can't refuse. When her second takedown ignites a viral feud, both their fortunes shift overnight. But as the literary world feeds on their public sparring, a quieter dialogue begins - one that challenges everything they thought they knew about success, sincerity, and each other.
Both incisive and tender, Bad Words lays bare the costs of creation - the pull between ambition and integrity, the vulnerability of being seen, and the unexpected closeness that can grow in the space between critique and care.
When words can make or break us, how do you stay true to what matters most?
"I devoured this book in two days with a smile dancing on my face. Have I ever been so entertained? Ríoghnach Robinson is a writer with serious chops showing us what is possible within the bounds of romance. Bad Words is an absolute delight." —Holly Brickley, bestselling author of Deep Cuts
"Attraction between enemies is one thing, attraction between enemies in the petty panopticon of online literary skirmishes is another entirely. Full of blistering barbs, incisive takedowns and searing gazes, Bad Words is smart, horny, and propulsive. A sapiosexual's wet dream." —Mary H.K. Choi, New York Times bestselling author of Pool House
This information about Bad Words was first featured
in "The BookBrowse Review" - BookBrowse's membership magazine, and in our weekly "Publishing This Week" newsletter. Publication information is for the USA, and (unless stated otherwise) represents the first print edition. The reviews are necessarily limited to those that were available to us ahead of publication. If you are the publisher or author and feel that they do not properly reflect the range of media opinion now available, send us a message with the mainstream reviews that you would like to see added.
Any "Author Information" displayed below reflects the author's biography at the time this particular book was published.
Rioghnach (pronounced ree-uh-nock) Robinson grew up in North Carolina, studied economics at Kenyon College, and now lives in New York City. Her books for young readers, including Lambda Award finalist Come Home to My Heart, are published under the pen name Riley Redgate. She has also written for WEBTOON and The Onion, America's Finest News Source. You can find her on Instagram at @rioghnachrobinson.
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