His grin is as wide and carefree as only a truly terrible person’s can be.

Introduction

Hello everyone, I’m back! I took a holiday break but had the chance to read some really exciting books while I was on vacation. I’ll try to stick to my prior weekly publishing schedule, so keep an eye on this space. Thanks for sticking with me!

Another NetGalley ARC and another ABSOLUTE WINNER. I’m so glad that the cover pulled me in immediately – I haven’t actually read Talia Hibbert’s work before and I’m so glad that this book was my introduction. Gosh! A little more about the book:

Celine and Brad are two mortal enemies who find themselves not only trudging through the muddy woods but also their messy past. Friends in their childhood, they now avoid each other as much as humanly possible – Celine, a conspiracy theory TikToker, could not be any more different from Brad, a footballer who effortlessly fits in anywhere he goes. Will the camping trip/internship opportunity they’re on be enough to heal old wounds and be friends again (or maybe something more)?

The Good Stuff

Y’all. This book is truly SO unfairly cute. In trying to stay up on what’s getting published and how we can add good stuff to our shelves, I’m genuinely so pleased I came across this story. Hibbert has a way of making you fall in love with each character and making it look effortless. The thing is that Hibbert has also taken a ton of care in fleshing out both characters and the worlds they inhabit so that you understand them perfectly. Her depiction in particular of OCD’s impact on Brad’s life – his management of it and how it informs how Celine interacts with him (even during their spats) – is very tender. There is a content warning at the beginning of the book discussing it as well, so no one goes in without context.

I’ve seen other reviewers say that this book had them giggling into their pillows and kicking their feet – I’m here to tell you that this is SO TRUE. There’s so much sweetness in this story! It’s such a refreshing read and will have you feeling like a teenager again.

In Summary

This book is SO CUTE and I’m going to recommend it to literally everyone. Hibbert’s dual perspective is precious and a hilarious look into both characters’ teenaged brains. At the same time endearing and realistic, Hibbert does a wonderful job of showing Celine and Brad’s journeys to understanding themselves and each other better. I can’t wait until this is on our shelves and I can recommend it to my patrons. This book is highly recommended.

You can find this book via Talia Hibbert’s website. As always, gichi miigwetch for reading!