Bad Words: the must read debut novel of 2026

‘It’s true what they’re all saying. Bad Words is truly a masterpiece of a novel, blending literature and romance to create a thought-provoking, vulnerable and incredibly entertaining love story’ Stylist ‘It’s true what they’re all saying. Bad Words is truly a masterpiece of a novel, blending literature and romance to create a thought-provoking, vulnerable and incredibly entertaining love story’ Stylist This rivalry is setting the literary world on fire – but who will survive the flames? When Selina Chan, New York’s fiercest literary critic, slams Parker Navarro’s latest novel, he is pushed to his breaking point. Once was painful enough. But this time, it’s personal. What begins as a private feud quickly erupts into a viral online spectacle, captivating a bookish audience who are eager to fan the flames. But it's what's left unsaid that could ruin them both… ‘A once-in-a-lifetime read’ Emily Henry