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Romance

Book Buzz: Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson

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Ríoghnach Robinson, photo credit Mikhail Lipyansky Photography“Bad Words didn’t have a single moment of inspiration! It sort of congealed over many years in book publishing, and I shaped it around a lot of elements I find fun to write and think about. I love a frightening critic character, and I love two characters in diametric opposition being forced to reevaluate each other. I also think it’s an underdiscussed and bonkers fact that the quiet agreement of professional criticism is that, someday, you will become the sworn enemy of somebody in your very small artistic industry, because you can’t like every book.”

  ― Ríoghnach Robinson, Interview, She Reads

Bad Words by Ríoghnach Robinson

What booksellers are saying about Bad Words

  • Smart. Well-written. Couldn’t put it down. Well-developed characters who are multi-dimensional. This is a fantastic take on a romance. For readers of romance, books about books, anyone who loves a look inside the publishing industry. Poses so many interesting questions about the book industry and what readers want from it, what writers want too.
      ― Christina The Snail on the Wall, Huntsville, Alabama | BUY

  • Beautifully written and gut-wrenchingly messy, with so much to say about the art of criticism, the publishing industry, and—of course—love. This is my favorite book I’ve read so far this year, and I can’t wait to share it with other readers!
      ― Bronte, The Bookshop, Nashville, Tennessee | BUY

  • I am so completely floored by this book. It’s the kind of book that, for me, makes me remember why I love reading so much. I would look up from a chapter and see the world in brighter colors.
    ― Writers Block Bookstore, Winter Park, FLorida | BUY

  • I can feel it in my bones, this book is going to be big. And it deserves to be. Bad Words is a startling, propulsive look at why we create, why we critique, and the deeply tenuous landscape of publishing, all told through the perspectives of a feuding author and book critic.
    ― Taylor, Baldwin & Co., New Orleans, Louisiana | BUY

About Ríoghnach Robinson

Ríoghnach (pronounced ree-uh-nock) Robinson is the author of six YA novels published under the pen name Riley Redgate, most recently Come Home to My Heart. Her books have been published on four continents, optioned for film and TV, and named to best-of-the-year lists by ALA, Kirkus Reviews, and the New York Public Library. She is also the writer of the WEBTOON Originals series Angel of Death and has written for The Onion, America’s Finest News Source. Bad Words is her adult debut. You can find her on Instagram at @rileyredgate and @rioghnachrobinson.

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Last First Kiss by Julian Winters

A swoony romance with a perfect touch of self acceptance!

Last First Kiss by Julian Winters, (List Price: $19, St. Martin’s Griffin, 9781250326263, January 2026)

Reviewed by Cameron, Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, NC

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Last First Kiss by Julian Winters

Julian Winters writes another romance that is as funny as it is tender and sweet. I really enjoyed I Think They Love You, so I was really excited to read this, and it did not disappoint. With all of the same heart as the first book, we dive right back into this family that is, while nosy and opinionated, loving in their own way. Jordan and Jaime are a couple you will have you yelling at the pages sometimes, but only because you are rooting for them so hard. A second chance romance with more heat than the first book, this is a great read to enjoy as the weather warms up too.

Last First Kiss by Julian Winters, (List Price: $19, St. Martin’s Griffin, 9781250326263, January 20267)

Reviewed by Brianna, Epilogue: Books Chocolate Brews in Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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Last First Kiss by Julian Winters

Once again, Julian Winters gets right to the heart of learning to love and be loved exactly as you are. I also love seeing such beautiful demisexual representation on page in a romance novel and appreciate the care with which Julian wrote Jordan’s journey with his sexuality. This story was an absolute delight and I can’t wait to recommend it to everyone that I can!

Last First Kiss by Julian, (List Price: $19, St. Martin’s Griffin, 9781250326263, January 2026)

Reviewed by Jonlyn Scrogham, A Novel Romance in Louisville, KY

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Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen

Seven years…it’s been SEVEN YEARS. But Dessen comes back and blows us away. This is classic Dessen, but somehow fresh and present. Honestly, I shouldn’t have expected less. Her books are YA, yes, but they’re that part of young adulthood that we all remember, that even if you’re just now discovering her books feels relevant and universal–her characters struggle with time, with the constant ebb and flow of it, with the random intervals it feels like the dam broke or got clogged. Finley is on the cusp of college and she thought she had her next four years planned. But change is inevitable, and soon everything she knew–about her mother, her boyfriend, herself–is reprogramed. Dessen traverses the unexpected so beautifully. Her characters are always–and I mean ALWAYS–so realistic. Her stories are often driven by dialogue, because she’s a master at it, but it’s the subtle but impactful sentences she seamlessly weaves into a seemingly normal paragraph that grips you, that reminds you why her books feel so timeless. Everyone can relate to the themes and situations. If you can’t tell, I’m so glad we get her back on the page.

Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen, (List Price: $21.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9798347108770, 2026-05-05)

Reviewed by Tamara, M. Judson Booksellers in Greenville, South Carolina

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Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen

Sarah Dessen is back! And just like I did in my teenage years, I tore through Change of Plans and couldn’t wait to see Finley’s journey after things fall apart post high school graduation. A wonderful coming-of-age story perfect for the OG Sarah Dessen fans and new readers as well.

Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen, (List Price: $21.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9798347108770, May 2026)

Reviewed by Claire, River & Hill Books in Rome, GA

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Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen

The Queen returns triumphant! Sarah Dessen is back to do exactly what she does best: Create a beautiful, hopeful, layered coming-of-age story with complex family dynamics, relatable friendships, blossoming romance, and overflowing heart. Reading Change of Plans felt like having a book club with my thirteen-year-old self. I felt the same type of ups and downs and yearnings and hope I experienced whenever I read anything in the Dessen oeuvre as a tween/teen. Not an “adult” version of those feelings tinged with knowing so much better now. I was truly transported to the moment at the library where I picked up my first Dessen book (Keeping the Moon) and feeling both seen and uplifted. These books promised me that life would get difficult sometimes and throw me a few curveballs, but these were the moments where I’d change and grow into the person I was meant to become. Sarah Dessen books made me almost want to face those curveballs head-on and see what I was made of, who I was going to be. Change of Plans bubbled up that exact reaction again, and although I wasn’t fully prepared for young Abigail to take the emotional wheel yet again, I’m glad she did because she is why I know I can handle anything. Sarah Dessen taught her that over and over again through her crackling dialogue and courageous protagonists and beautifully plotted epiphanies, and maybe I needed that reminder. Additional aspects I loved: every single person in Finley’s growing friend group as she struggled to get her feet beneath her in the Woods (especially Lana!!), the lovingly fleshed-out small summer town (reminiscent of Stars Hollow but summery, with its kooky cast of locals and strange traditions), the sweet (clean!) romance with Ben, the heart-wrenching and complicated sisterhood dynamics among the adults, and even the maybe-too-charismatic-for-his-own-good ex (Colin!) who really is just on his own journey, too. In re-reading this review, maybe I love absolutely everything.

Change of Plans by Sarah Dessen, (List Price: $21.99, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 9798347108770, May 2026)

Reviewed by Abigail, E. Shaver Bookseller in Savannah, GA

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Free Falling by Lyla Sage

Free Falling truly has it all: small-town romance, childhood frenemies, oh and ghosts! Clarke Cartwright has lived in Sweetwater Peak her entire life, and when her childhood crush, Leith Wilkes, catches her off guard, so does his dead father. Leith’s dad is trying to warn Clarke that there is a secret clause in his will that might disrupt Leith’s plan to inherit the family farm. These two are forced to work together to make sure Leith gets to keep his farm, and Clarke needs help repairing her family’s antique shop. Will the proximity force these two to finally admit their feelings for one another or only drive them apart…

Free Falling by Lyla Sage, (List Price: $20, Dial Press Trade Paperback, 9780593977798, September 2026)

Reviewed by Jennifer, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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Bitten by Jordan Stephanie Gray

Uhm, so that ending was crazy!! What a fun time I had while reading this. Truly, I was entertained the whole time! The full cast audiobook was amazing!! Definitely felt more engulfing and immersive. I won’t lie, I was rooting for the one romantic male lead that is pushed on the reader the whole time and was confused as to why the other romantic lead was even there, but then it hits you, and it hits you good. I genuinely cannot wait to see how Gray explores that relationship in the next book! Also, I understand why Vanessa would have so much rage throughout the book because of what happened to her, but sometimes it just felt too damn annoying. Like, we get it, girl, you have rage. The one thing I will say is this should definitely not be considered YA. Very much so adult themes throughout the whole book, but I digress.

Bitten by Jordan Stephanie Gray, (List Price: $13.99, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 9780316584555, August 2026)

Reviewed by Itzy, M. Judson Booksellers in Greenville, South Carolina

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Left on Read by Marissa Eller

Marissa Eller delivers a sophomore novel with everything I loved about her debut, but even better. Nova is a high-achieving, neurodivergent student on the edge of burnout, surrounded by classmates facing similar problems. This novel highlights a much-needed conversation around student mental health and disillusionment, but it also manages to preserve some of the starry-eyed English Major nerd magic. Left on Read is for teens who read classics for fun, for former gifted kids with adult ADHD diagnoses, and for anyone who has strong opinions on the correct Pride & Prejudice adaptation.

Left on Read by Marissa Eller, (List Price: $19.99, Holiday House, 9780823460564, August 2026)

Reviewed by Becca, Bookmarks in Winston-Salem, NC

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Old Flames by Nadine Gonzalez

Though labeled a paranormal romance, I think this story is best enjoyed as steamy gothic fiction with a slow-burn cat-and-mouse romance intertwined. Speculative fiction writers gather in Key West for a conference, staying in a haunted hotel that has everyone on edge. July, a hard-shelled, enigmatic fantasy author, is reluctantly pulled to the ghostly presence on the property as well as the attention of fellow author Leo, who’s been drawn to her for a decade. Stellar writing that gives slightly more suspense than swoon— romance skeptics will appreciate this exploration of self-discovery, love, and real and metaphorical ghosts!

Old Flames by Nadine Gonzalez, (List Price: $18.99, MIRA, 9781335001214, August 2026)

Reviewed by Julia, Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, VA

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Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti

This was good, but I was sort of expecting more. I love a good Regency romance, especially with a pirate, but the pacing felt a little bit off for me. At the beginning of the characters were very wary of each other, and then all of a sudden they were very loving towards each other, which, if this is a slow burn, then that shouldn’t be happening, but unfortunately it did. That being said, I did love the way Archer defended Ruby with all of his heart and wanted to make sure she was safe the whole time. Now that is a man! The absolute yearning this man had for her kept me on my toes. I absolutely love that man. Also, the way I could so relate to Ruby and how she doesn’t feel seen and feels a little bit odd, especially with social ton. Trust girl, I get it. But when she loves deeply and loves so fiercely, you can clearly tell that she means it. And I love the way she was able to defend Archer and herself as the story moves along.

Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti, (List Price: $19, St. Martin’s Griffin, 9781250414250, June 2026)

Reviewed by Itzy, M. Judson Booksellers in Greenville, South Carolina

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Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti

This spicy slow-burn historical romance between Ruby, a brilliant and eccentric heiress, and Archer, an accomplished privateer turned con man, is hilarious, heartwarming, hope-filled, and HOT (y’all, there are TWO special interest-based love scenes, and they are *INCREDIBLE*)!! I love this book and these characters with my whole heart, and I desperately need all of you to read it, because brilliant stories are meant to be shared, and this is one of the very best books I’ve ever read!

Scandal of the Summer by Alexandra Vasti, (List Price: $19, St. Martin’s Griffin, 9781250414250, June 2026)

Reviewed by Lucy, Blinking Owl Books in Fort Myers, FL

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To Drown a Witch by Lindsey Olsson

I LOVED this!! There were so many twists and turns that I absolutely wasn’t expecting. It was the perfect combination of These Violent Delights, Heartless Hunter, and Red Queen. I literally finished this book like five minutes ago, so I don’t have the words to describe exactly how I’m feeling, but just know there were multiple audible reactions from me while reading the last 30ish pages, and I need more people to read this immediately so I have someone to talk to about it.

To Drown a Witch by Lindsey Olsson, (List Price: $20.99, G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 9798217004799, July 2026)

Reviewed by Lola, E. Shaver, Booksellers in Savannah, Georgia

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The Final Score by Lana Ferguson

Lana Ferguson keeps her readers fed! Be it contemporary, paranormal, omegaverse, or anything else she writes, I will read it. Beyond one title that’s audio only at the moment, I’ve read all the others that I can. The Final Score for the time being is my favorite Lana contemporary. The care that is given to Jack and Abby’s romance is superb. It’s not just the romance, but the attention to detail given to the driving forces in their lives that have molded them into who they are, is done with such intention. I’m hard-pressed to think of another contemporary romance that has dealt with what Jack and Abby do and done it so well. Everything in this book worked for me, and it’ll be one of my go-to summer read recs.

The Final Score by Lana Ferguson, (List Price: $19, Berkley, 9780593953716, July 2026)

Reviewed by Preet, Eagle Eye Book Shop in Decatur, GA

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