3.5 stars

This book was cute. Being YA, at the start, I wasn’t sure if I would actually like Celine or Brad. However, they became much more likeable. The story, the competition, and even the ending were very cute. I wanted more of the family - I need to know about the sister, the missing dad and how that played out, and I wanted more about Celine and therapy. Overall, I enjoyed it and loved all the quirky friends they made throughout.

I adore how Talia always includes mental health conversations in her books - so wonderfully done and need in todays world.

A FANTASTIC YA romance featuring two underrepresented groups. Celine is a curvy, witty, conspiracy theory fan and her ex-best friend Brad fools his friends on the outside, but he is bisexual and struggles with OCD and intrusive thoughts. They are forced to reconnect when they both pursue a scholarship through the Breakspeare Explorer Program where they must thrive in the wild Scottish forest using only their wits, training, and fellow explorers. This is an extremely fun, squeal worthy romance, but it also tackles deeper issues such as emotional trauma, preparation for college, accepting vulnerability, living with OCD, and living true lives despite societal and parental pressures. Highly recommended for all public libraries. Talia Hibbert is FIRE.

From my blog post: When I saw the announcement & cover for this book, I was super excited about it. When there are two Black kids on a cover in the woods, there could only be shenanigans to be had, right? And there were plenty! Add in the fact that this book was dual perspective, I was a very happy panda. There were so many great moments between Brad & Celine that just had me completely wrapped. They went from best friends to enemies then back to friends, so we got the best of those tropes. It was a journey that was worth taking with a beautiful balance of serious and funny.

3.5 stars - Like most reviewers, I will go with the obvious pun and say that this book was indeed unfairly cute! I really enjoyed our two main characters; they were both really different from one another (in regards to personalities and passions), but you can definitely see how the two of them get along so well. I also found it nice to read about the challenges that both characters were facing, particularly Celine and her inability to express her feelings (as I relate whole-heartedly). I also found the discussions surrounding dealing with your future and college applications and what not to be really helpful for younger readers and Brad dealing with OCD was another plus for that. The only downfall to the book was the miscommunication (which, to be fair, is true to the way teenagers behave) that I found to be a teensy bit dragged out. Otherwise, super cute!

I was very nervous about this one, purely because I am so in love with Hibbert's steamy romances that I was worried I'd feel bereft without the steam. But I should not have fret, the wit and butterflies and romance were still alive and well. I've slowed down on my YA reading because I've become tired of the high school mentality (it's exhausting), but Hibbert really delivered well thought out characters that weren't overly hs annoying and dumb. The transition from enemies to friends to more really felt natural and REASONABLE and I love when something is well paced and logical. The only reason I took a star away is because the ending does not really vibe with all of Celine's concerns, in that none of them are addressed! Her reasons for not wanting to be with Brad were valid (different schools, across the country/world, and new environments) and I feel like she somehow those just all disappeared and we have zero inkling about the future. Just needed a little bit of closure with those.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review

Yes, this book was UNFAIRLY CUTE! This is a YA, former best friend turned nemesis trope and it was just so sweet and charming. I really enjoyed the dual POV and the will they/won’t they that just fits so well in a high school book. I listened to a portion of this audiobook and the British narration added a lot to the story for me. The story was cute and the detail of Celine being a content creator that discredits conspiracy theories - love it!

🥰really liked
🤟academic rivals, opposites attract, dual POV
📚 Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon

If you're looking for an adorable, witty and perfect YA book, this is it. Talia Hibbert is one of my favorite authors when it comes to banter, and these two had it. She writes such lovable and complex characters it's hard to choose which ones are my favorite, but Bradley and Celine are definitely at the top for me.

This was a cute story, but I had a hard time relating to the characters in it. I think young adults may find it more relatable than I did. No objectionable content, would definitely recommend to High School students. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher through Netgalley.

Talia Hibbert does it again: I absolutely adored every single word of HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS AND UNFAIRLY CUTE. The characters were three-dimensional and wonderful, and both POVs were unique. Talia’s writing style is like no other: it’s fun and voicey and bubbly, but it’s the perfect amount so. I loved the OCD rep here - I thought it was really well-researched and natural. The wilderness setting was a blast, Overall, this was a stunning YA debut and I cannot wait to read anything else Talia publishes.

Talia does it again! While I didn't love this as much as her adult work, this was still adorable, and proof that she can write across multiple age ranges. This book not being perfect is a me thing, not a book thing.

There was fantastic representation for plus size characters, mental health (anxiety and OCD) that I think was handled really well. It was clear and concise without feeling like it was over explaining.

Was there a bit too much miscommunication? For me yes, but that is a commonly used trope in YA romance, and I don't think that the characters ever acted in a way that didn't feel genuine to who they are. I had to continually remind myself that they are teenagers, and as such, will likely do dumb things.

Another win for Talia!

Talia does it again! While I didn't love this as much as her adult work, this was still adorable, and proof that she can write across multiple age ranges. This book not being perfect is a me thing, not a book thing.

There was fantastic representation for plus size characters, mental health (anxiety and OCD) that I think was handled really well. It was clear and concise without feeling like it was over explaining.

Was there a bit too much miscommunication? For me yes, but that is a commonly used trope in YA romance, and I don't think that the characters ever acted in a way that didn't feel genuine to who they are. I had to continually remind myself that they are teenagers, and as such, will likely do dumb things.

Another win for Talia!

My favorite book yet by Hibbert! Celine and Bradley are such great protagonists - they’re highly relatable, and totally endearing. Definitely give this one a read.

I LOVED that Brad is bisexual and struggles with OCD. While I don’t have OCD, as someone who is neurodivergent, I love the way she portrays how unexpected and intrusive OCD is and the importance of coping techniques but that there’s no magical cure. I just wanted to hug Brad.

This was SO CUTE! I figured I would like it given that I've enjoyed Talia Hibbert's Brown Sisters series, and it did not disappoint. It was funny and heartwarming in equal measure. I laughed. I squealed. I made embarrassing faces at the computer (thankfully no-one noticed).

Main characters Celine and Brad are former best friends turned bitter enemies, after a falling-out at the beginning of secondary school. I appreciated that, unlike many enemies-to-lovers or former-best-friends books, Hibbert *shows* us both of these things in equal measure. It's understandable why Brad and Celine don't get along at the beginning of the book. Their former friendship, and how well they know each other because of that, is a consistent through-line. The main plot involves Celine and Brad both joining an exclusive outdoor exploration program where they have a chance of winning a scholarship, which (of course) forces them to put a pause on their feud.

Brad has OCD and is struggling to believe in his dream of being a writer, and Celine is mostly motivated by proving her deadbeat dad wrong, so there is plenty of individual character growth to be had amongst all of the relationship development. Both characters' POVs were hilarious, and all the side characters were really fun as well. There was a fair amount of cursing, and some mention of past sexual experience, but in my opinion this would be a great read for high schoolers.

I am a such a fan of Talia Hibbert and the wonderful rom-com series of the Brown sisters so I was very excited to get my hands on this story. The things that Talia does well, she obviously rocked in this book. Her OCD representation felt real and showed it in a way that I have never seen before. Her fat main character was fantastic and I also loved her growth during this book. The friends to enemies to friends to lovers in this book was sweet and very believable. I did think that the beginning of the story was a bit slow and it took a while to get to the meat of the story. For me, there wasn't ever a really climactic part of the plot. Overall, I thought that this was a very sweet story about friends that become more when they realize how much they value and support each other. I cannot wait to see what Talia gives us next.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

🌸New Release!🌸

This was HIGHLY CUTE! I love a sweet YA romance… lots of hand holding and sneaky kisses! And honestly, the absolute best thing about this book is the publishing company. Let’s showcase those diverse voices, authors, and stories!

I see you, Joy Revolution!

I’m thankful I was able to pick this up through NetGalley!

#highlysuspiciousandunfairlycute #taliahibbert #ya #netgalley #joyrevolution #readingreyna #nicolayoon #diversebooks

Talia Hibbert does it again! Fantastic read. Complex characters with an engrossing plot. I feel this read is perfect for the young adult, however, I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. Talia Hibbert is a phenomenal writer who I can not get enough of. Highly recommend. And what a cute cover!

I love all of the Talia Hibbert's books I've read and was so excited to be approved for her YA novel Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute. I really liked the main characters and enjoyed the book. They were relatable and it was such a quick read. I would highly recommend.

4.5 stars rounded up


Thank you to the author, Random House Childrens, and NetGalley for providing a copy to review!

IS THERE ANYTHING TALIA HIBBERT CAN"T DO???? The Brown Sisters are still in my top books ever read. Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute is exactly that.. Unfairly cute. This book is beyond adorable Celine is absolutely amazing. I love her, she is so cute.

The sweetest YA romance from the always stunning Talia Hibbert. The banter between these two is phenomenal! Creatively written and laugh out loud funny. I found that she hit the mark on what it is to be a teenager, on the cusp of leaving home and finishing school, confronting all of the decisions and directions on the table.

We love an emotionally intelligent young man: Bradley feels real, handling his OCD with grace through his own tribulations. His counterpart, Celine, grows through facing her own trials, including the abandonment issues her father left her with. Hibbert also does a great job with her supporting characters and allows them to add to the conversation and humor of the story without taking the reins, veering us off course. If I had this book as an 18 year old, I would’ve been done for.

Bisexual rep
Ex-best friend enemies ➡️ friends ➡️ more
Dual POV
So snarky with epic banter