Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute is Talia Hibbert’s YA debut and it is positively delightful. I’m a huge fan of Hibbert’s adult romances - I mean, Eve Brown is one of my favorite books of all time, so when I heard that she was writing a YA contemporary, I was fully sold - sign me up. This has all of TH’s quintessential charm that you love in her adult books - it’s clearly YA but doesn’t sacrifice the emotional complexity that she’s known for! Her writing is always a highlight, but it really shines in this book - it’s playful and over-the-top in the best possible way.

As a person with obsessive and intrusive tendencies, Bradley Graeme is an absolute joy to read. He is the type of character that I *needed* as a academically-focused hypochondriac teenager (and even now as an adult). I found so many of his lines and intrusive thoughts deeply relatable - especially in his acknowledgement that his the scenarios playing out in his head are implausible. Having this type of character, especially with such realistic and authentic OCD representation, is revolutionary for the YA genre and definitely needed - I know that it would have been life changing for me to know that I wasn’t alone in those thought spirals.

I adored Brad and Celine’s relationship throughout - I, obviously, felt more personally attached to Brad, but I deeply understood Celine’s walls and hesitancies,, so watching them slowly crumble throughout the story was extremely gratifying. Brad and Celine’s relationship was so swooney the entire time - even when they still “hate” each other. They have top-notch, laugh-out-loud banter and chemistry throughout. But on top of that, it felt like the characters truly understood each other - and Talia Hibbert does a remarkable job of infusing empathy and vulnerability between them.

I also really loved the side characters. Gisele and Celine’s mom were fantastic - and they provided a lovely contrast to Celine’s abandonment issues from her dad. Aurora, Raj, and Sophie were also incredibly fun and likable characters. For the little time that we had with them, they made a lasting impact.

Also, this has one of my absolute favorite Author’s Notes of all time: “This story also involves highly fictionalized portrayals of existing forests. I am very sorry for all the geographical inaccuracies. In my defense, I did it for the feels.” This is the PERFECT way to set the tone for this book and it had me cackling before I even opened the first chapter.

I only really have 2 complaints with this book - and the ONLY reasons why it’s not a full 5 stars for me. First off, I thought that Celine’s attitude was a bit much - it took WAY too long for her to open up and I found that she was just a little too judgmental to be likable for a majority of it. While I understood why she was written this way and think it works, overall, for the character, she’s not a character that I personally relate to because of that. I wanted her to break open her shell a little bit. The 2nd is that I thought the ending wrapped up a little too quickly. Perhaps I just didn’t want it to end, but I found myself wanting more about the BEP program, them going off to college, and experiencing life together. That’s more of a personal complaint though.

This is an excellent YA debut and I’m so excited to see my favorite romance author transition into this new space. I cannot wait to own my own copy and to encourage everyone I know o read this!

Thank you SO much to the publisher and to NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Brad and Celine forever! This book was funny and witty and so so sweet. It was so adorable and had me feeling warm and fuzzy. This is a must read.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC. I haven't read Hibbert's other (adult) romances but know they're super popular. This was cute and I really liked Celine & Brad's friendship (friends-enemies-friends - lovers is the arc) that was alway rooted in their respect for and appreciation of each other. I also liked the normalized bi and OCD rep in Brad, just part of who he was. The supporting characters had no purpose or growth other than to support, but maybe that's just the way of romances. Will definitely find a teen (and likely adult too) audience. Recomended for all HS/public library collections.

This was absolutely adorable!! I liked it so much! It was a super sweet and funny story. Perfect for fans of friends to enemies to lovers. Brad and Celine have known each other for forever. They are BFF's until something happens and they become enemies. Years later when Celine signs up for a survival course, Brad ends up joining as well. And that's the start of their new friendship. And I loved all the side characters because they made the story even more fun!

This book is so stinking cute! You cannot help but fall head over heels in love with Cel and Brad. They are the sweetest characters and they need to be protected at all costs. I loved the mental health rep, the bi rep from Brad, the celiac rep from Aurora. I loved how absolutely strong Cel was, she was such a strong female character but also so vulnerable. This book was hilarious, I was laughing so much throughout the entire story. At times, the story did feel a bit choppy and as though it didn’t flow as well as it could. Overall, this is an adorable YA and a book I would recommend to any YA audience.

Now, I’m not going to lie… I’m a mood reader to my core. I was not in the mood for a YA book. However, I am glad that I pushed myself to read this because overall it was such a cute, warm, & fuzzy read.

Highly Suspicious & Unfairly Cute was a cute story of Celine and Bradley— ex besties. They had a falling out when they were 14, and found their way back to each other in their senior year. It was honestly precious to see how much they cared, helped, and supported each other.

Thank you to Netgalley, Talia Hibbert, Random House Children, & Joy Revolution for allowing me to read this ARC for an honest review.

This book came out 1/3/2023… go snatch it up if you’re in the mood for an adorable read.

I LOVED the OCD + bisexual rep! I think it was extremely well done and executed.

Super cute academic rivals to lovers YA contemporary rom-com.
A very sweet and fast read with amazing banter as always from Hibbert!

Thank you to Joy Revolution and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for a review. As a long-time fan of Talia Hibbert’s adult romance series The Brown Sisters, I was beyond excited for her young adult debut, Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute. The book follows Brad and Celine, two ex-best friends who rekindle their old friendship during a survival course in the woods. Just like with every other book Hibbert has published, the novel is filled to the brim with smart and sardonic banter, complex female protagonists, electrifying chemistry, and swoony sweethearts that you’ll root for well after the very last page. Books that are dual perspective run the risk of the characters’ voices sounding too similar, but Hibbert’s precise characterization skills completely absolved the book of this issue; Brad and Celine’s voices are appropriately distinct throughout the book, the one commonality being their adorable love for each other. Hibbert’s writing about mental health in her adult romance novels are always so beautifully executed and I’m glad she brought healthy representations of mental health into her young adult debut as well. The young adult genre has just earned itself an absolute gem of an author!

Talia Hibbert can do no wrong. I absolutely loved this book. I had such a good time reading it. I loved the characters so much and how they developed. I just love how thoughtfully Hibbert writes. The story sweeps me away, but she still includes relevant serious topics.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, and Talia Hibbert for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

As a woman in her 30s, I will admit, I still love and read Young Adult books, and this one was right up my alley. I loved it! Also, as someone with OCD, I really appreciate Talia's depiction of Bradley's OCD.

I really enjoyed all the characters and not just the main characters, but the side characters as well. This really was an enjoyable read.

Loved this book, the story of Bradley and Celine. Once best friends, now enemies, but stuck together as they try to win a scholarship.

If Talia Hibbert writes it, I will be reading it. I have read almost her entire adult romance backlist and was willing to follow her into YA. Celine and Bradley both are such cutie pies and I loved their story. Celine reminds me a lot of Talia's other FMCs in the best way.

Reviewed for blog tour ❣️
Review: OMG this turned out to be so much more fun than I thought it would be???!!!! I haven't read a lot of academic rivals-to-lovers novels from both YA/Adult romance genre, but the ones that I've been picking up recently have been so good! I have only read Get a Life, Chloe Brown from Talia Hibbert, and I really enjoyed reading it (2/3 years back) I loved Talia's YA debut ~ it was spectacular, addictive and OH SO ENTERTAINING. 5/5 ✨ I started reading HSUC in 2022, but finished it in 2023. It's the first book I finished this year, and I am soooo glad. We're starting the year with a BAM! 🤧🎉


Celine and Brad were absolute cuties! I loved their banter so, so much. The back-and-forth in their conversations ~ I screamed!! The humor in this book shined through in the brightest way possible. I never felt bored while reading it, and I wouldn't not have kept the book down for 2/3 days if not for my exams 😭 I was literally thinking about the characters constantly while I was away from the book. :') Best friends-to-enemies-to-lovers is always a tricky trope to navigate, but Talia did so effortlessly. The transition between their relationship was so seamless! I liked how their dynamics and the changes in it weren't rushed. The development was spot on. :')

I also adored reading about Brad and Talia's relationship with their families. It filled my heart with so much warmth ❣️ The OCD representation through Brad's character was really well-written as well!

I cannot recommend this book enough! Go read it ASAP, fam!

So much swoon. Talia Hibbert always melts me with her adult romances, and this new YA one doesn't disappoint. I love how Celine is smart, and wholly herself. She and Brad had a falling out when she felt like he chose popularity over here, but the two of them clearly have not been able to forget their friendship. I love Brad's earnestness, and that he is the one who more easily shares his emotions.

The best thing about Hibbert's writing is how sensitively and truthfully she writes about all of her characters. Brad has OCD that doesn't stop him from being the beloved kid in school and on the soccer field, but does have him anxiously checking on things and counting. He sees a therapist, and works on his positive self-talk. Celine is still dealing with abandonment issues from being left by her father when she is younger. The way Cel and Brad deal with being regular teenagers, with their families, with mental health, with each other--is heartfelt and beautiful.

Plus, there are fun hijinks as the two of them try to earn a scholarship by joining an outdoor leadership competition. Who doesn't love outdoor hijinks?

I highly recommend this delightful book.

Thank you NetGalley for the digital ARC of this book.

What a great YA story from the great Talia Hibbert! Her Brown Sisters trilogy is *chef's kiss* so it's no wonder I wanted to pick up this novel.

Bradley is pretty much perfect (as billed) and Celine is such a fun character! I'd love to see more of them down the line.

Thank you to the Author, Publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Talia Hibbert is kind of a genius, and if you didn't believe that after the Brown Sisters books, you will after this. Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute follows Celine and Brad, past friends-now enemies, as they compete for the same scholarship. The scholarship is awarded after a totally unique wilderness retreat, where Brad and Celine reconnect over tent building, scavenger hunts and illicit birthday parties. Their romance is super sweet, and one you can not help but root for. Talia writes complex and relatable characters who deserve happy ending despite their mistakes. To me, this is what makes her books shine.

Both Brad and Celine are amazing, but Brad really shines. He has to be one of my favorite YA romance leads ever, mixing a totally soft side with charm and wit. Brad is also bisexual, and suffers from OCD. The bi rep is delightful, and I thought the mental health representation was good, but I would listen to reviewers that have OCD on this. Brad is such a simp for Celine, and his inner monologue really made laugh out loud. He's extremely dramatic and I really connected to his "woe is me" vibes. Celine is great too. She runs a Tik Tok account about conspiracy theories, but mainly cool, anti-capitalist ones. She reminds me of Dani and Eve Brown combined into one loud, thoughtful and determined girl.

Hibbert also writes a cast of likable supporting characters. I wanted more of Rory and Raj throughout, and I wouldn't mind Brad's brother or Celine's sister getting their own book. The parents in this are kind and caring, which is very refreshing. I think most teens who love romance will love this one. I'm giving a 4.5 out of 5 stars because I wanted more from the friend group, because this was pretty much perfect.

I could not have loved Talia Hibbert’s first YA book more if I'd tried.

Celine Bangura is in high school, is TikTok famous for her conspiracy-theory videos, and wants is to be a kick-ass lawyer when she grows up. She finds out that her idol is running a leadership program with a scholarship attached, and she’s determined to win it all—even if it does mean being outside (blech) and competing with her nemesis Bradley Graeme.

Bradley is a clean-cut, football star, top student, and Celine’s ex-best friend. These days he’s managing his OCD well and he’s also determined to win that scholarship for himself so he can study what he wants at university without putting any financial burden on his family. Or better yet, he can get his own apartment and not have to share with revolting roommates.

The program means Celine and Bradley have to interact more than they have since they stopped being friends, and confront a lot of misunderstandings they’ve been holding onto. It also forces them to think about what they really want, and if they’re forging this path for themselves or doing it for other people.

I don’t know how she does it but Talia always manages to write characters that are real, diverse, and you can always find commonality with. By the end of the book I felt like I knew Bradley and Celine in real life and I didn’t want to let them go.

Talia’s dialogue is always on-point too, I think I’d go so far as to proclaim her the Queen of Witty Banter. I could listen to her characters ‘speak’ all day.

The story was heartfelt, funny, perfectly-paced, and I can’t recommend it enough.

I adored this first YA novel from Talia Hibbert! Prior to this I had only read Chloe Brown which I confess, I enjoyed but it wasn't my favorite. Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute however, SHINES. I didn't have the usual problems I have with YA stories here and I felt the characters were all properly developed and felt REAL. I really could not get enough of Bradley and Celine. PLUS, I think Hibbert did a fantastic job representing mental health. I will definitely be recommending this to all romance fans!

Ah Brad and Celine... I love them. Talia Hibbert has written the sweetest romance with Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute. I began rooting for Brad and Celine at the very beginning and this book just made my heart happy. Their relationship is one of the most genuine I've read in a book in a very long time. Not only that but I enjoyed both Brad's and Celine's flaws. They felt realistic and I connected with them a lot - especially Brad's obsessive-compulsive disorder. Hibbert wrote realistic, sympathetic characters and I cannot say how much I loved this story.

The plot was quick-paced and the time skips added to the story. Everything made sense, which is always an issue I have with time skips. Brad and Celine's relationship had enough time to marinate so by the end, I truly felt that their relationship meant something to both of them. I felt the depth. It felt real. Honestly, Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute is YA but at time reads more maturely than some of the adult romances I read. Our characters may be younger, but they grow so much over the course of the story.

I've already gushed enough about our characters but I loved the BEP storyline. I expected a bit more around this since three scholars would win a scholarship at the end, but the focus between high school and this felt just right. I fell in love with the other scholars and this helped our characters grow a lot. I was so happy to see Celine making friends with Aurora. My heart was happy to see a band of characters supporting and rooting for each other. One of my favorite scenes in this book was the birthday party for Aurora. I almost cried at how sweet it was, and I loved that Brad planned it all. He's a really great guy.

This romance is great for ex-best friends to lovers fans. I loved seeing the dynamic at the beginning of the book between Brad and Celine only for the swoon worthy romance at the end. I was literally cheering while reading the end of the book.

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute is a five star read for me. The representation was fantastic. Hibbert did great with the mental illness factor in this story, and the family aspect was *chef's kiss*. I was fully immersed in our two young lover's story. I highly recommend Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute - you will not regret it, and I think I just found a new favorite author.

Bradley Graeme is the star football player, an exceptional student, and pretty much perfect! He’s able to keep his OCD in check and can come out on top of almost any situation, except for when it involves Celine Bangura. His ex-best friend. Celine is obsessed with conspiracy theories and is fine with being unpopular. However, she’s not fine with how Brad abandoned her for his new friends. Now, they’re enemies. When they both sign up for a survival course in the woods, could this be the start to a new relationship?

I’ve heard such good things about Talia Hibbert’s books, I couldn’t help but want to try out this one! The cover is cute and I appreciate the representation of black characters portrayed by black authors. I appreciated the author included a list of British colloquialisms in the book's front. It was nice to flip back if needed. This book had a lot of opportunity, but it fell a little flat. The characters may be in High School, but the conversations seemed way too immature. Also, the character development was lacking, especially for Celine. There was a lot to unpack for both characters, and it just did not happen until about 60% of the way through the book. The pacing of the story almost made it a struggle to get through, too. While I appreciate there was some representation of a character with OCD, I wish the author would have explored that more. Overall, this book unfortunately didn’t work for me.