In her sparkling debut novel, Bad Publicity, Bianca Gillam delivers a rom-com that transcends the typical enemies-to-lovers trope with remarkable emotional depth. Set against the backdrop of the publishing world and a European book tour, this story masterfully weaves together professional ambition, unresolved grief, and the complicated mess of reconnecting with someone who once broke your heart.
The premise is deliciously uncomfortable: Andie, a newly promoted senior publicist, discovers her biggest author is Jack Carlson—the man who betrayed her trust at university and whom she hasn’t spoken to in five years. Now, she must accompany him on a month-long book tour across Europe, maintaining her professionalism while navigating the turbulent emotions of their shared past.
Characters Who Feel Refreshingly Real
What makes Bad Publicity stand out in the crowded rom-com landscape is Bianca Gillam’s commitment to creating characters with genuine emotional complexity.
Andie is not your typical rom-com protagonist who merely needs to get out of her own way to find love. Her wounds run deep, stemming not only from Jack’s betrayal but from unprocessed grief over her father’s death. Her tendency to build walls, run from difficult emotions, and hold grudges feels painfully authentic rather than contrived for plot purposes.
Jack, too, defies the easy classification of “wrongdoer seeking redemption.” As his side of their shared history gradually unfolds, we see a character who made a terrible choice under difficult circumstances—a complex human rather than a villain. His patient attempts to make amends without pushing Andie beyond her comfort zone show remarkable emotional intelligence.
Supporting characters enrich the narrative rather than merely serving as comic relief or plot devices:
- Sara, Andie’s best friend, offers unwavering support while dealing with her own relationship struggles
- Andie’s mother Deborah provides a poignant parallel storyline about moving forward after loss
- Even minor characters like Declan, the Irish publisher, leap off the page with distinctive personalities
European Settings That Enhance the Emotional Journey
The book tour takes readers through London, Berlin, Paris, Dublin, and finally, Edinburgh—the place where everything between Andie and Jack originally fell apart. Each city serves as more than mere backdrop; they become emotional landscapes that mirror Andie’s internal journey:
- London represents the uncomfortable first steps of reconnection and confronting her mother’s new relationship
- Berlin shows the first cracks in her emotional armor
- Paris becomes the setting for genuine vulnerability and connection
- Dublin witnesses her walls crumbling completely
- Edinburgh forces her to finally face the past she’s been running from
Gillam’s descriptions are evocative without being overly elaborate, focusing on specific details that capture each city’s essence while keeping the narrative moving forward.
A Refreshing Take on Mental Health in Romance
What impressed me most about Bad Publicity by Bianca Gillam is its thoughtful handling of grief and emotional avoidance. Gillam portrays Andie’s grief over her father’s death with remarkable nuance—showing how loss can become entangled with other traumas and how avoiding pain can become a life pattern.
The novel doesn’t present romance as the solution to mental health struggles. Instead, it suggests that genuine connection requires the courage to face one’s pain rather than run from it. Andie’s journey involves learning to:
- Acknowledge her grief instead of compartmentalizing it
- Stop projecting past betrayals onto present relationships
- Understand that vulnerability requires more strength than emotional walls
- Reconnect with her mother rather than distancing herself from potential pain
This approach feels refreshingly mature in a genre that sometimes uses romance as a cure-all for deeper issues.
Pacing and Structure: A Few Bumps Along the Way
While Gillam generally maintains excellent pacing, there are moments where the story’s momentum falters slightly. The flashback to Edinburgh—while essential for understanding Andie and Jack’s history—comes somewhat late in the narrative and temporarily disrupts the flow.
Additionally, some readers might find Andie’s stubbornness frustrating at times. Her resistance to hearing Jack’s side of the story stretches believability in a few instances, though this is ultimately justified by her character development.
These minor issues don’t significantly detract from the novel’s overall impact, but they prevent it from achieving absolute perfection.
Dialogue That Sparkles with Authenticity
Gillam demonstrates a remarkable ear for dialogue. Conversations between characters feel natural while still advancing the plot and revealing character. Whether it’s Andie and Jack’s tense exchanges, heartfelt conversations with her mother, or supportive banter with Sara, each interaction rings true.
Particularly effective is how Gillam depicts the gradual thawing between Andie and Jack through subtle shifts in their dialogue—from clipped, professional exchanges to cautious openness to genuine emotional connection.
Emotional Resonance That Lingers
Bad Publicity by Bianca Gillam excels at creating moments of emotional impact that resonate long after reading. Several scenes stand out for their emotional power:
- Andie playing chess in Paris, reconnecting with memories of her father
- The revelation of what truly happened between Jack and Andie at university
- Andie’s phone call with her mother where she finally opens up about her grief
- The bittersweet final scenes that prioritize healing over an easy resolution
These moments work because Gillam has done the character development groundwork, making each emotional breakthrough feel earned rather than manipulative.
Themes That Elevate the Romance
Beyond the central romance, Bad Publicity by Bianca Gillam explores several compelling themes:
- The courage it takes to be vulnerable when past experiences have taught you to protect yourself
- The complicated nature of grief and how it can become entangled with other life experiences
- The danger of defining yourself through professional success rather than meaningful connections
- The importance of forgiveness—not just of others, but of yourself
These thematic elements give the story substance that elevates it beyond a simple will-they-won’t-they romance.
Final Verdict: A Standout Debut Worth Reading
Bad Publicity marks Bianca Gillam as an exciting new voice in contemporary romance. By balancing the lighthearted elements expected in a rom-com with the emotional depth of more literary fiction, she’s created a novel that satisfies on multiple levels.
The book isn’t perfect—few debuts are—but its flaws are minor compared to its considerable strengths. Gillam’s insightful character development, evocative settings, and emotionally resonant storytelling make this a truly memorable reading experience.
For fans of Emily Henry (Beach Read, People We Meet on Vacation), Beth O’Leary, and Taylor Jenkins Reid (Malibu Rising, Daisy Jones & the Six), Bad Publicity should absolutely be your next read. It’s a romance that recognizes love isn’t just about finding someone else—it’s about having the courage to face yourself.
Perfect for readers who enjoy:
- Enemies-to-lovers with genuine emotional stakes
- Travel settings that enhance the story
- Characters working through past trauma
- Publishing industry settings
- Romance with mental health themes
A Peek at What’s Next
The sample chapter of Bianca Gillam’s next novel, included at the end of Bad Publicity, promises another emotionally rich romance featuring actors with a complicated history. If it’s anything like her debut, readers are in for another treat that blends romance with authentic emotional journeys.
I received an advance review copy of Bad Publicity by Bianca Gillam in exchange for an honest review, which was fortunate as I spent the entire day buried under my comforter, ignoring responsibilities and completely absorbed in Andie and Jack’s journey across Europe. My neighbors might have heard me alternately laughing and sobbing through the walls, but some books are worth disturbing the peace for—this debut is definitely one of them.