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lea_fox's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The final thoughts:
- I would have hated this book if it was set in America. British slang and lifestyle is so much more likeable. The setting between England & Scotland made this book.
- I really never want to be a seventeen year old again. The teenage years are an angsty mess I want to leave behind — YA contemporary usually isn’t for me but see above.
- Talia Hibbert is lovely and hilarious. I want to devour anything she writes.
- The OCD rep and character diversity were enjoyable additions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
zombiezami's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content and Cursing
Minor: Sexual content, Classism, Blood, Alcohol, and Bullying
takarakei's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a super cute and cozy ya debut from one of my fav romance authors. Talia was able to write really interesting main characters in such a short novel.
- Ex best friends
- Enemies/academic rivals to friends to lovers
- Dual pov
- The wittiest snarkiest banter
- They annoy each other into love
- British
- Black teen joy
- Great mental health rep
I do think that because it’s a very character driven book that the two POVs were sometimes hard to distinguish, because they didn't break between chapters and both characters had similar inner dialogues. On audiobook this is obv not be a problem and I would reread this on audiobook!
1/5 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Alcohol and Cursing
Brad has OCD. Celine’s father abandoned her & her family.arthur_ant18's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Many thanks to NetGalley and Joy Revolution for providing me with an eARC of Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute in exchange for my honest review!
As a reader who adores Talia Hibbert's work, I was pumped to find some incredible charm in her first YA romance. It starts off strong, putting an intriguing twist on the enemies-to-lovers trope (a favorite of mine) by turning it into best-friends-to-enemies-to-lovers. Then it goes further on to introduce us to these two tremendously relatable teenagers who instantly get you to root for them to make up and kiss already (literally and figuratively). The wildly witty banter, the entire scholarship element, Celine's struggles over her absentee dad, Brad dealing with his OCD (Hibbert has shown herself to be highly skilled at weaving physical and mental health into her romances), all of these things are fleshed out by Hibbert in a way that really does get me vibing with the story. Not enough for me to rank it higher than her Brown Sisters series (which are truly splendid), but still, I've got plenty of love for this YA novel. We get bisexual rep through Brad, too, and that's something I always appreciate seeing in fiction—M/F romances where one or both of the leads are bi so that it validates their bisexuality and counters the belief that M/F romances don't involve queer partners.
Overall, Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute is another lovable banger in Talia Hibbert's bibliography.
As a reader who adores Talia Hibbert's work, I was pumped to find some incredible charm in her first YA romance. It starts off strong, putting an intriguing twist on the enemies-to-lovers trope (a favorite of mine) by turning it into best-friends-to-enemies-to-lovers. Then it goes further on to introduce us to these two tremendously relatable teenagers who instantly get you to root for them to make up and kiss already (literally and figuratively). The wildly witty banter, the entire scholarship element, Celine's struggles over her absentee dad, Brad dealing with his OCD (Hibbert has shown herself to be highly skilled at weaving physical and mental health into her romances), all of these things are fleshed out by Hibbert in a way that really does get me vibing with the story. Not enough for me to rank it higher than her Brown Sisters series (which are truly splendid), but still, I've got plenty of love for this YA novel. We get bisexual rep through Brad, too, and that's something I always appreciate seeing in fiction—M/F romances where one or both of the leads are bi so that it validates their bisexuality and counters the belief that M/F romances don't involve queer partners.
Overall, Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute is another lovable banger in Talia Hibbert's bibliography.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, and Mental illness
Moderate: Bullying, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol and Cursing
theespressoedition's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing and Bullying
shaipanda's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love Talia Hibbert’s writing and I loved this book!! It did have more of the miscommunication trope than I usually prefer but since they’re 17 I’m giving Brad and Celine a pass especially bc they for the most part actually communicate fairly effectively given their ages etc
Anyways I absolutely loved this, loved the characters and I’ve been in a book slump for like over a month and I think this might’ve just gotten me out of it :)
Anyways I absolutely loved this, loved the characters and I’ve been in a book slump for like over a month and I think this might’ve just gotten me out of it :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and Bullying
Minor: Alcohol, Cursing, and Sexual content
toffishay's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This was a really cute read. I knew that it was YA and so the tone is certainly a little young, but it is still applicable for young adults. The struggle of identifying what you really want and finding the courage to go for it is something that so many people can relate too, whether you are trying to figure out where to start like Bradley and Celine are in this book, or if you are considering whether to start over. The struggle against parents was interesting as well. <SPOILER> For Bradley, it was about finding your own path even though you are afraid your parents may not be proud of you going your own way. For Celine, it was about living her own life and not worrying about her deadbeat dad. As someone who also had a complicated relationship with their father and went through similar experiences, I really relate to Celine's struggle to against proving other people wrong and just living your own life. The weakest part of the plot to me was the actual expedition. It was paced strangely and it took some of the air out of the tension. And then the resolution of Celine and Bradley's rivalry happens really quickly as well, so the tension felt like it dissipated early on in the book and then the second half just kind of passed. <END SPOILER> The plot is fun and the characters are cute; you won't regret spending a few hours on this book :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, Medical content, Classism, and Blood
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Well, this was adorable and lovely. It's my first Talia Hibbert book, but you know, I mostly read YA, so. It shouldn't be that surprising. But the way they develop characters and write such a cute romance, maybe I'll have to delve into the adult romance to read Hibbert's other books! I have heard spectacular things about them, after all.
Outside of Brad and Celine, the supporting cast of characteres was just as well developed. Plus, we get to see some great mental health rep, as Brad lives with OCD. Getting to see both of their points of views really helped develop the romance between them, as they are just perfect for each other and have fantastic chemistry.
Teen readers will definitely be drawn to this romance, and I can't wait to recommend it to them!
Outside of Brad and Celine, the supporting cast of characteres was just as well developed. Plus, we get to see some great mental health rep, as Brad lives with OCD. Getting to see both of their points of views really helped develop the romance between them, as they are just perfect for each other and have fantastic chemistry.
Teen readers will definitely be drawn to this romance, and I can't wait to recommend it to them!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Abandonment
Moderate: Medical content, Bullying, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol and Cursing
jillkaarlela's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Taylor Swift songs: “Afterglow”, “Jump then fall”
This was in fact, unfairly cute!! I loved all of the representation in this books as well! It had a plus size POC female lead, bisexual POC male lead with OCD rep! It was such a cute Academic rivals/ex friends to friends to lovers. These characters were so charismatic and lovable. I felt like they were truly endgame/would stay together after the book ends. Their chemistry and banter was SO GOOD!! This just felt like a warm hug! It was extremely sweet, but also had great character development and growth! This was great for Talia Hibbert’s first YA novel!! I would definitely read more of her Ya books in the future, and I highly recommend this!!
Age rating: 13+ (language, but closed door)
This was in fact, unfairly cute!! I loved all of the representation in this books as well! It had a plus size POC female lead, bisexual POC male lead with OCD rep! It was such a cute Academic rivals/ex friends to friends to lovers. These characters were so charismatic and lovable. I felt like they were truly endgame/would stay together after the book ends. Their chemistry and banter was SO GOOD!! This just felt like a warm hug! It was extremely sweet, but also had great character development and growth! This was great for Talia Hibbert’s first YA novel!! I would definitely read more of her Ya books in the future, and I highly recommend this!!
Age rating: 13+ (language, but closed door)
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing
katelynprice's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Talia Hibbert writes realistic characters and explores mental health really well, and I love that those reliable elements of her writing carried over into this YA romance. The banter in this book made me laugh out loud at times, especially from the male audiobook narrator (Jonathan Andrew Hume). This is my favorite of the three Hibbert books I’ve read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Mental illness and Medical content
Minor: Abandonment and Bullying