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A review by the_readingraven
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
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? It's complicated
4.25
This book had me in my feels!! I loved this story between Celine and Bradley. 💕 They are 2 childhood best friends who grew apart, became rivals, and due to being stuck in a situation together, became friends again, possibly leading to something more.
There was so much I loved about this book. I felt like every character, even side characters, really stood out and had their own personality. With most YA’s I read, a few side characters often get muddled together but I had no issues here! I was able to visualize them perfectly so this is wonderful descriptive writing on Talia’s part! I also loved our main characters families, they were all caring and loving in their own tough love kinda way (looking at you siblings!). The settings were easy to follow, and I greatly appreciated the glossary in the beginning of the book!
Another thing I loved about this story were our 2 MC’s, Celine and Bradly. Bradley, true to his character, I enjoyed right away! He’s a cute golden retriever type of guy! He’s into sports and popular but he has one secret that no one know about, except for Celine, he has OCD. I appreciated how this story was about a person with OCD but managing it to the best of their abilities. Bradley is in therapy, he has strategies to manage his OCD, as 17 year old kid-he is able to recognize when his OCD is “taking over” and needs to re-evaluate his situation, most of the time. As a full blown adult, I still have trouble with this! 😅 Brad is vulnerable, open, and learns to be honest throughout this story. I’m so happy he didn’t get the classic “jockey douche turn good guy”, Brad was always a good guy. 💗 Celine on the other hand!!! 😩 I almost wrote her ass off completely! 😅 I did think she was funny and the banter between her and Brad was funny, but I couldn’t get why she was so cold and wrote off everyone as being horrible people. As the story goes on we learn more about a huge life changing incident for Celine, and it really made me understand why she keeps everyone at arms length. Even though she has a supportive big sister and loving mom, she has issues she really needs to evaluate and grow from. Thankfully both of our MC’s are there for one another & help each realize things about themselves. I loved their interactions together & I wish the best for both of these 2 fake kids as they grow into adulthood!
My only cons are, I wish we got to see their friends reactions to their status at the end and I wish we got to see how school was after the ball. Besides that, I really enjoyed this book! 💕
My fave quotes: “‘Does that mean I’m allowed on the bed again?’ ‘You’re allowed anywhere you want,’ I tell her, ‘as long as you’re right next to me.’”
“Me and Celine, we’ve been best friends. We’ve been enemies. We’ve even been a secret. But right now? We’re everything. Anything. Whatever we want.”
There was so much I loved about this book. I felt like every character, even side characters, really stood out and had their own personality. With most YA’s I read, a few side characters often get muddled together but I had no issues here! I was able to visualize them perfectly so this is wonderful descriptive writing on Talia’s part! I also loved our main characters families, they were all caring and loving in their own tough love kinda way (looking at you siblings!). The settings were easy to follow, and I greatly appreciated the glossary in the beginning of the book!
Another thing I loved about this story were our 2 MC’s, Celine and Bradly. Bradley, true to his character, I enjoyed right away! He’s a cute golden retriever type of guy! He’s into sports and popular but he has one secret that no one know about, except for Celine, he has OCD. I appreciated how this story was about a person with OCD but managing it to the best of their abilities. Bradley is in therapy, he has strategies to manage his OCD, as 17 year old kid-he is able to recognize when his OCD is “taking over” and needs to re-evaluate his situation, most of the time. As a full blown adult, I still have trouble with this! 😅 Brad is vulnerable, open, and learns to be honest throughout this story. I’m so happy he didn’t get the classic “jockey douche turn good guy”, Brad was always a good guy. 💗 Celine on the other hand!!! 😩 I almost wrote her ass off completely! 😅 I did think she was funny and the banter between her and Brad was funny, but I couldn’t get why she was so cold and wrote off everyone as being horrible people. As the story goes on we learn more about a huge life changing incident for Celine, and it really made me understand why she keeps everyone at arms length. Even though she has a supportive big sister and loving mom, she has issues she really needs to evaluate and grow from. Thankfully both of our MC’s are there for one another & help each realize things about themselves. I loved their interactions together & I wish the best for both of these 2 fake kids as they grow into adulthood!
My only cons are, I wish we got to see their friends reactions to their status at the end and I wish we got to see how school was after the ball. Besides that, I really enjoyed this book! 💕
My fave quotes: “‘Does that mean I’m allowed on the bed again?’ ‘You’re allowed anywhere you want,’ I tell her, ‘as long as you’re right next to me.’”
“Me and Celine, we’ve been best friends. We’ve been enemies. We’ve even been a secret. But right now? We’re everything. Anything. Whatever we want.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness