Talia Hibbert tackles complex feelings with grace and class. She is the queen of healthy vulnerability and happily ever afters, and this book is in keeping with that tradition. I love Brad's emotional intelligence and his honesty. Celine is hilarious and grows so much. I loved their story!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review!

I’m 50% in the book I really feel like it boring. I enjoy the character’s personality but I have wait something exciting to come it not there. I love the book cover very nice.

Talia Hibbert never disappoints. This book is hilarious, adorable, and snarky. I love the grumpy/sunshine trope, even more when it’s paired with rivals to lovers. I wish I had had this book as a teen but I’m so excited for the teens who will get to have it now.

Celine is a popular TikToker whose page talks about conspiracy theories but that popularity doesn't quite trickle into real life. Bradley is the super popular kid that everyone loves. He's the poster kid for confidence on the outside even though he has a secret that he's not confident enough to share. He and Celine were once close, bonded by their shared "weirdness." But when Brad suddenly becomes popular and "outgrows being weird," something happens between them that ends their friendship for good. Or does it?

This is my first Talia Hibbert book, and I am so sad to say that because this was everything I could have ever imagined and more. I devoured it in a matter of hours staying up way past my bedtime because I just couldn't put it down. It was relatable, inspiring, and so stinking funny! It was a (somewhat) lighthearted read. I could see so much of my teenage self in both Celine and Bradley and that caused me to be deeply invested in their stories. I wanted them both to succeed and be happy.

The banter in this book was literal perfection. I laughed so much and could really feel the romantic tension build. It was also a breath of fresh air for the male MC to be open and in touch with his feelings. Although the miscommunication trope was technically in there, it wasn't overdone and I really appreciated that.

One thing I also really loved was that therapy was normalized in this book. As someone who put it off for years due to the stigma that can come with it, it was refreshing to see these teens so open to it.

I highly recommend this read if you enjoy: enemies to lovers, second chance love, slow burn love, and lots of banter.

Thank you to Joy Revolution and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review! This is one that I will definitely be adding to my bookshelves once released.

Review will be posted to my Instagram @readingwithtrey on Tuesday, December 20.

I wanted to enjoy this but was overly unimpressed with the relationships, the dynamic, and the plot felt convoluted.

I loved Talia Hibbert’s previous novels highlighting each of the Brown sisters.. so when I saw she had a new YA novel I was so excited to read it! As always, Hibbert creates multifaceted characters with layered motivations and authentic flaws. And again.. as always the banter between Celine and Bradley was PERFECTION!

It's official, everyone. I have found my new favorite Talia Hibbert book. Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute was witty, touching, and so freaking adorable, aka everything that I expected it to be. It's no secret that Talia Hibbert writes the most hilarious humor into her books (I still really think that British humor just makes things 100x funnier), and in Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute, I was quite literally laughing out loud at Celine and Brad's inner thoughts, hijinks in the woods, and their interactions with their friends and family. The humorous dialogue in this book is TOP TIER, and I'm not just talking about the whip-smart banter between Celine and Brad.

Speaking of which, the chemistry between Celine and Brad was through the roof!! This is the first academic rivals to lovers book I've read where the tension between the main characters was more on the sweet side, and it was the cutest thing ever. Celine and Brad are best friends turned enemies turned friends to lovers and that arc was developed so naturally. I could feel the memories and sentiment between the two ex-best friends throughout the novel, something that many best friends to lovers novels have a hard time portraying in my opinion. I also LOVE that this book was dual-POV because most academic rivals to lovers books are single-POV. This book demonstrated how great an academic rivals to lovers book can be in dual-POV, with both main characters feeling frustrated and flustered over their growing feelings of their supposed academic rival.

Lastly, one of my main highlights for this novel was definitely the portrayal of Brad's OCD. I've never read a book where a main character had OCD, and I felt like Talia Hibbert's descriptions of OCD did a great job of challenging the stereotypes and preconceived notions that people have about having OCD. The way that Celine supported Brad and his OCD was super sweet. That's what real love looks like 🥺.

This book gets 5 big stars for me and you'll *definitely* love it if you're a Talia Hibbert or YA romance fan. Go pre-order Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute before it comes out in January!

Listen, it's no secret that I stan Talia Hibbert. Everything she produces is gold. I was a liiiitle apprehensive to read her YA (because I'm really about that smut) but I should never have doubted her! The characters were loveable, .the tension was perfect, the humor made me giggle, and difficult/sensitive topics were handled so well. It was a perfect romcom to brighten up any day, in my opinion. As always....run, don't walk, to pick up anything Talia Hibbert writes!

Oh how I've missed Talia Hibbert's writing! She always writes books that make me laugh out loud, and her characters feel so real and relatable. This is her first YA book that I've read, and I hope that she writes more in the future because I think her writing style fits perfectly for the genre.

2.5 stars. I love Talia’s other work, but this was not it. The pop culture references were PAINFUL. Tiktok is an actual plot point, and they mention it constantly, even in the first paragraph. Plus, The characters were very cliche and forgettable, except for Bradley who was a bit better

Two ex best friends, a scholarship on the line, and a truce that could lead to more. Celine Bangura is obsessed with conspiracy theories, she’s got a huge social media following too, but despite that she’s the weird kid at school and to say she is competitive and loathes her ex best friend Brad for dumping her for the cool kids is putting it lightly. Bradley Graema is popular, handsome, a star football player and even manages his OCD well, he’s also on top of all his classes... except for the issue that he can’t help but bicker and annoy his ex-best friend Celine. Bradley and Celine were best friends until the big argument and now they spend their days throwing petty insults, staring at each other, and having an academic rivalry. When both of them compete to win a scholarship they are forced to work together if they want to win the competition... so when they are stuck in nature with nothing but their old hurts they’ll have to finally confront their past if they want to make sure their futures are great... but with this new truce... something else sparks too. For two people who are a bit obsessed with one another and use to be best friends they are now two people who have to navigate a new territory... when you spend so much of your time focusing and thinking about a person it’s almost like falling in love. This was such a cute enemies to lovers read, and I adored the progression of their relationship from best friends to enemies to friends.. to crushes and something more. They were both dealing with a lot of different issues in their lives that impacted the way they dealt with their feelings but they both were so sweet and the romance was just adorable. I would definitely recommend this book~!

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Children's, Joy Revolution for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book for the purpose of this review. Three stars for the story but five for the cover and glossary of terms! How fun and cute.

This is my first Talia Hibbert book and it happens to be her first YA debut. I appreciated the banter between the main characters and it reminded me of a cute romcom on Netflix!

I believe this book will be wildly popular!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s for a copy of this book! Below is my honest review.

Summary of plot:
Brad and Celine are seniors at the same high school. They used to be best friends until a few years ago, where they exchanged some not-so-nice words to each other. Now they’re enemies and competing in the same program to win a full ride scholarship to any college. Of course, it’s a hate to love relationship, but it’s very cute and I enjoyed seeing the two protagonists butt heads.

Pros about the book:
✔️ Realistic teenagers doing teenage things
✔️ Different family structures (but supportive people all around)
✔️ Diverse of characters
✔️ THE HILARIOUS BANTER BETWEEN CELINE AND BRAD
✔️ Normalizes taking care of mental health, proper communication, etc.
✔️ Accurate (at least from my perspective) representation of someone with OCD (I can relate very hard to Brad)

Cons about the book:
❌ Not a big fan of the Explore Program

Overall, I really enjoyed this book because I related a lot to both Brad and Celine. When I was younger, I was very much like Celine: hard headed to a fault. And I’m like Brad now where I struggle with the same things that Brad does (outside germs? not in my house!) Also, I’m working on a book now, so I really empathize with his self-doubt. Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was how supportive everyone was. Aka there were no toxic relationships, and I’m here for it.

I will always pick up a Talia Hubert book because she’s just so great and her books are awesome.

Would I recommend this book? Yes!!!

*thank you joy revolution and netgalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest review*

tw: ocd, parental abandonment

Talia Hibbert has done it again! Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute was a quick cute read! I loved the subtle and accurate representation of OCD in Bradley’s character. It’s very important for books to start representing everyday people and there are a lot of people in the world that have mental illness. Having books like this one, normalizes them and shows people with mental illness doing everyday tasks (just maybe a little differently than yours). That aside the romance is this book isn’t overwhelming, it’s a slowburn and best friend turned enemies to lovers. Great read!

5/5 stars

To say I love this book would be like saying that I sometimes tolerate dessert, which anyone who knows me will call that bluff from a mile away and dutifully insist that Cecilia + anything sweet = pure elation. So, what I’m getting at is, saying I love this book is basically the understatement of the new millennia and I immediately need to Google synonyms for love that properly convey my intense feelings about this book.

Similarly, Celine + Brad = pure gold. I don’t know how she does it, but Talia Hibbert somehow manages to physically electrify the pages with their chemistry and wit. Their character development is so endearing and uniquely their own, and their navigation of feelings and self and present and future feels so authentic.

A few years after an intense falling out, our MCs are thrown together in an outdoor expedition scholarship competition and find themselves inexplicably drawn to one another. Highly suspicious flirting and unfairly cute denial ensues. *cue the giddy swoon*

Celine and Brad’s dynamic of once besties turned academic rivals/self proclaimed arch nemesis turned coerced forced proximity acquaintances turned cautious friends turned friends that make out sometimes turned tortured friends that can’t admit they love each other turned actual best friends actually in love is just. Incredible. Completely heartwarming.

Hibbert’s witty and honest writing elevates Celine and Brad’s POVs to new heights. Folks, I audibly cackled and scared my cat (more than once). The plot moves along at a nice clip and serves our characters well. And the cast of supporting characters supplements our MCs on their journey quite nicely.

I was skeptical when I first saw this book release, as YA can be a tough genre to break into. It’s a delicate balance of capturing the coming-of-age-ness without coming across as completely insufferable. I’m happy to report that I did not suffer one bit, no ma’am. YA looks good on you, Talia Hibbert, I’m positively buzzing.

My singular wish is to edit out the Kanye reference, which was literally one piece of dialogue. That’s it. That’s the only suggestion I’ve got.

5⭐️

**a big big BIG thank you to Talia Hibbert, NetGalley and the Joy Revolution imprint of Random House Children’s Books for making all my dreams come true and blessing me with this eARC, I wish you every happiness**

I have been a fan of Talia Hibbert's adult romance novels and she knocked this YA debut out of the park. Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute is a cute, fun romance story for teens. I love that the story showed OCD representation, as well as casual bisexual representation. The characters felt fleshed out and the problems (even though they were based in miscommunication) didn't feel like typical romance book miscommunication. This felt like a story with real teen issues and thoughts. I loved it.

I really liked this adorable YA rom-com from the wonderful Talia Hibbert. I thought it was very heartwarming and I enjoyed the friendship between Brad and Celine throughout the book.

For her first YA debut, Hibbert did wonderful. This book was heartwarming in all the right places and kept up with her great characterization in her adult novels.

Super cute! Enjoyed this one quite a bit, recommend to fans of her adult work looking for something with a little less spice to it.

Talia Hibbert's writing is always so funny and personable. She imbues so much life into her characters with their dialogue and thoughts. It was enjoyable to read her first foray into young adult and as always I look forward to what she does next.