A second-chance rom-com with heart, grief, and a European book tour? Sign me up.

If you’ve ever wished you could fall into a classic early 2000s rom-com—with a suitcase full of emotional baggage, a swoon-worthy bookish setting, and just a bit of forced proximity—Bad Publicity might be exactly what you're looking for. But fair warning: what starts out as enemies-to-lovers on the surface quietly becomes a deeper, more reflective story about grief, forgiveness, and healing.

Summary (spoiler free)

Andie finally lands her dream job as a senior book publicist at a top NYC publishing house. She’s ready to take on the literary world—until she finds out her first big assignment is promoting none other than Jack Carlson. Yes, that Jack Carlson. The same guy who shattered her world back in college and who she hasn’t spoken to in five years.

Worse? They’re going on tour together. Across Europe. For a whole month. Visiting dreamy, romantic cities. (Truly, what could go wrong?)

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Review

⭐ 3 stars —warm, bittersweet, and quietly thoughtful but not really a Romance

From the blurb, bright yellow cover, and marketing I expected a bubbly, trope-filled romance. And while we do get enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, second chances, and yes, even the iconic one-bed trope, what took center stage for me was Andie’s unresolved grief over the loss of her father.

This story is more about Andie learning to process her heartbreak and let go of misplaced anger than it is about rekindling a flame with Jack. Grief isn’t pretty or linear, and Gillam does a solid job of showing how it can haunt even our happiest moments—and cloud our judgment.

I do wish the big “what actually happened with Jack” moment came earlier. It would have left more time for emotional resolution and felt more satisfying in the romance department. As it is, the romantic payoff feels a bit rushed after such a long build-up of tension and hurt.

Tropes You’ll Find

  • Second chance romance
  • Enemies to lovers
  • Workplace romance (author + publicist!)
  • Forced proximity (month-long book tour, anyone?)
  • He falls first energy
  • Grief and emotional healing
  • A delightfully blunt best friend who says what we’re all thinking

What I Loved

  • The travel scenes! Europe came alive through Andie’s eyes.
  • Jack is patient and grounded, and you really get the sense he’s been waiting for her all this time.
  • Andie’s friendship with her bestie was a highlight—so honest and heartfelt.
  • The premise is a rom-com lover’s dream: publishing world meets European tour meets unresolved romantic tension.

Final Thoughts

Bad Publicity might not be the lighthearted escape you’re expecting, but if you go in with an open heart, you’ll find a touching story about moving forward when the past still has you in its grip.

It’s a solid choice for readers who enjoy contemporary fiction with a splash of romance, especially if you appreciate stories that show how messy, complicated, and very human grief can be.