Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert is DELIGHTFUL

Talia Hibbert is one of my favorite authors of all time. The way she writes, her characters, and the emotions she gets her readers to feel. So, when I heard that she was coming out with a YA book, I knew I had to read it. And, unsurprisingly, I was not disappointed.

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Synopsis (from Goodreads):

Bradley Graeme is pretty much perfect. He’s a star football player, manages his OCD well (enough), and comes out on top in all his classes . . . except the ones he shares with his ex-best friend, Celine.

Celine Bangura is conspiracy-theory-obsessed. Social media followers eat up her takes on everything from UFOs to holiday overconsumption–yet, she’s still not cool enough for the popular kids’ table. Which is why Brad abandoned her for the in-crowd years ago. (At least, that’s how Celine sees it.)

These days, there’s nothing between them other than petty insults and academic rivalry. So when Celine signs up for a survival course in the woods, she’s surprised to find Brad right beside her.

Forced to work as a team for the chance to win a grand prize, these two teens must trudge through not just mud and dirt but their messy past. And as this adventure brings them closer together, they begin to remember the good bits of their history. But has too much time passed . . . or just enough to spark a whole new kind of relationship?

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Bradley and Celine used to be friends. But AN EVENT happened and now they barely speak. And when they do speak, it is highly snarky banter. Unfortunately, while they would normally avoid each other at all costs, that is not possible when they both are accepted into a prestigious survival course. They don’t have to team up to win, but…well, it’s easier to deal with the enemy you know.

But as they spend more time together, they remember why they were friends to begin with and maybe…why they would like to be more.

I LOVED Celine and Bradley. Their banter is off the charts. Amazing. Spectacular. Top tier! But I really expect nothing less of Talia Hibbert.

And, of course, the romance was so freaking cute and sweet. I can barely come up with words. These two may be so different but they are perfect for each other. They work well together, they get each other, and they care for one another.

I LOVE how Celine cares for Bradley and his OCD. I practically cried at the way she knows what things affect him and knows what he needs at certain times. And Bradley knows how Celine feels about her father and what she needs after she sees him for the first time in a long time.

I also really loved the friendship group that came together while they were at the survival camp. Before, Celine had one friend and didn’t think she was capable of making more. But the team bonding at the survival camp proves her wrong. She also learns to trust a little more and as someone with trust issues, I so appreciated seeing that.

I also love Bradley and Celine’s unique hobbies/interests. Celines love a conspiracy theory and is famous on TikTok and Bradley loves writing and despite what his parents want, he really wants to be a writer.

The ending had me crying because it’s so wonderful and surprising and I love seeing a whole gang of friends come together to celebrate one another.

If you love Talia Hibbert, contemporary YA romance, or cute AF books, you need to read Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute. It is a must!

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert is available now.

Thank you to NetGalley and Joy Revolution for the free eARC in exchange for the honest review.

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