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lkristin2018's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
3.5
Two teens in the UK that were once best friends are enemies at the beginning of the book. Both extremely smart, they join a scholarship competition that consists of wilderness challenges. It is not a forte for either of them, but both rise to the occasion in their own way. One of the main characters has OCD, but has received extensive, helpful therapy for it, and demonstrates great coping mechanisms, though still struggling from time to time. I think the author did a good job of writing OCD in an authentic manner, when it has often been very stereotyped in many fictional plots. The two main characters are forced to work together, and slowly begin to understand each other and move past their differences and incorrect assumptions of each other. Since the story was told from both points of view, sometimes it was almost painful how much they misunderstood each other. The main female character really did a great deal of changing, learning to look inward and growing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Sexual content
alreadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
this book was so dang cute, while also handling heavier topics really well. the OCD rep was great, the way that Celine’s parental abandonment and how she dealt with it was so so important, plus queer rep! we love a book with a bi MMC! this is my first talia hibbert and certainly won’t be my last!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Abandonment
leannanecdote's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Mental illness, Grief, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying
courtofsmutandstuff's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I really loved this - and I'm mad I didn't read it sooner. I love the way Hibbert writes her POVs, and I loved both POVs, but I especially loved how she wrote his OCD and mindset (and I LOVE when characters praise therapy and use their strategies so clearly and so well!). It's a really good and tight story, and I really loved reading it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
reminiscences's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Abandonment
malisac16's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying
2busyreading's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Abandonment
Moderate: Bullying and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Medical content
deborahbelleman's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
blewballoon'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
A cute and fun teen romance. I had a little bit of a hard time getting into it at the start, but then once I was into it I was able to enjoy the humor and be charmed by the characters. I would recommend this to readers who like the friendships and lighthearted aspects of Alice Oseman's books. I was a little annoyed with the third act breakup , but it was a much less frustrating instance of the trope than I've read in other books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and Alcohol
mari1532's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
I listened to this audiobook through my library with Libby.
Brief Summary: Celine and Bradley used to be friends. However, after a misunderstanding led to a fight several years ago they have become rivals. Now in their final year of high school Celine, a conspiracy-obsessed internet sensation, and Bradley, a popular footballer managing his OCD, are thrown back together by one fateful accident. As they are trying to navigate the boundaries of their new relationship they both begin to realize that maybe they are not better off without each other. Perhaps they are meant to be so much more together.
Thoughts: I absolutely one hundred percent loved this book!! Hibbert is an excellent and engaging writer and I am so mad at myself that I have not read any of her books sooner! Everyone should read this book. It is the perfect combination of teenage angst and falling in love for the first time.
Celine and Bradley were such interestingly written characters and I enjoyed their character arcs throughout the book. The way that Celine comes out of her shell and starts to let her guard down with Bradley and her new group of friends is heartwarming. I also love how Hibbert tackles the emotional trauma that Celine is navigating throughout the book.
Bradley's growth throughout the book is also so beautiful. The way that he finally was able to stand up for his dreams could be a whole motivational talk.
The secondary characters were also great throughout the book. I loved the best friends, and the new friends, Celine's sister was the perfect combination of a wise older sister giving you advice and giving you a hard time. I would honestly read a whole series of books that focus on each of the side characters.
If you love reading heartwarming romance novels this is the book for you, but honestly, if you just love love and joy read this book!
Brief Summary: Celine and Bradley used to be friends. However, after a misunderstanding led to a fight several years ago they have become rivals. Now in their final year of high school Celine, a conspiracy-obsessed internet sensation, and Bradley, a popular footballer managing his OCD, are thrown back together by one fateful accident. As they are trying to navigate the boundaries of their new relationship they both begin to realize that maybe they are not better off without each other. Perhaps they are meant to be so much more together.
Thoughts: I absolutely one hundred percent loved this book!! Hibbert is an excellent and engaging writer and I am so mad at myself that I have not read any of her books sooner! Everyone should read this book. It is the perfect combination of teenage angst and falling in love for the first time.
Celine and Bradley were such interestingly written characters and I enjoyed their character arcs throughout the book. The way that Celine comes out of her shell and starts to let her guard down with Bradley and her new group of friends is heartwarming. I also love how Hibbert tackles the emotional trauma that Celine is navigating throughout the book.
Bradley's growth throughout the book is also so beautiful. The way that he finally was able to stand up for his dreams could be a whole motivational talk.
The secondary characters were also great throughout the book. I loved the best friends, and the new friends, Celine's sister was the perfect combination of a wise older sister giving you advice and giving you a hard time. I would honestly read a whole series of books that focus on each of the side characters.
If you love reading heartwarming romance novels this is the book for you, but honestly, if you just love love and joy read this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Alcohol