⭐ Voted Most Likely To by Kayla Tirrell - Quick Overview
- Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
- Themes: Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, rivalry, senior year, academic pressure, scholarship, graduation, family drama
- Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Recommended for fans of: Today Tonight Tomorrow, Tweet Cute, Check & Mate
“Someone is going to get hurt.”
Voted Most Likely To – Book Summary
Two high-achieving students battle for the same full-ride scholarship during their senior year at Citrus Prep. Ella has always been determined to come out on top, but as competition with her longtime rival Connor heats up, so do unexpected feelings. Filled with academic tension, witty banter, and heartfelt moments, this wholesome contemporary romance explores ambition, vulnerability, and falling for the person you least expected.
💭 My Thoughts
I must confess that I had a great time with this book. So much so, that I finished it in two days! Also, I am a sucker for a good enemies-to-lovers read, and this one was no exception. Connor and Ella hit the mark with their constant banter as senior year begins, tensions raise, and only one of them will achieve the full scholarship to their dream school. But their story goes back to before they were even born. Oh, how much I adored that fact!
⚔️ The Rivalry
Ella and Connor’s rivalry has always defined their relationship. And when I say always, I mean ALWAYS. You see, Connor beat Ella to being born by only three days, and since then, they’ve been competing nonstop against each other. At everything.
As two of the top students at Citrus Prep, they’ve spent years trying to outscore, outshine, and outwork each other, especially with a prestigious full-ride scholarship on the line. When senior year begins, their constant competition creates plenty of tension, witty banter, and frustration. However, beneath the rivalry is a deep understanding that no one else really gets.
And the more time they spend together, the harder it becomes to ignore the connection growing underneath all the academic pressure.
Thus, what begins as stubborn competition slowly turns into something softer and far more complicated. When Ella starts to see the thoughtful, supportive side of Connor behind his confident exterior, their rivalry shifts into trust, vulnerability, and undeniable chemistry. Maybe even love?
All in all, the book captures the emotional transition from rivals to romance in a sweet and wholesome way, showing how two people pushing each other to succeed can also become the person the other relies on most.
❤️ What I Loved the Most
• The school principal raising awareness on mental health when students are under too much academic pressure
• Witty banter (OMG!)
• The character growth and development
• Connors chapters (and I confess I’m not a big fan of dual POV books)
• The pace of the story
• Ella’s ambition making her fearless (I mean, joining a sports club in senior year is something)
• The sense of humor of the main characters (especially when they interact with each other and they get to be a bit childish just to win an argument)
💔 What Didn’t Work for Me
In general, I really liked this book. It was light, filled with humor, easy to read, and even easier to care and root for the characters.
Having said that, I would have loved to read more about the parents of the main characters. Throughout the story, Ella and Connor are either under a lot of pressure or looking forwards to escape their (somewhat) nightmare parents. Nonetheless, this particular theme in the book felt more like tell than show to me, as there were very few instances in which the parents were actually present in the scenes or engaging with their kids.
✨ Favorite Quotes
“There is a certain expectation that comes from a rivalry that started before you were even born.”
“Someone is going to get hurt.”
“There is a certain pleasure that comes from seeing you dumbfounded.”
🌍 Vibes / Tropes of Voted Most Likely To
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Academic competition
- Ambitious overachievers
- Wholesome slow-burn
- Witty banter
- Senior year & College applications
📚 Similar Books to Voted Most Likely To
🎯 Final Verdict of Voted Most Likely To
This is a sweet, comforting YA rivals-to-lovers romance that delivers exactly what the trope promises: banter, academic tension, slow-burn chemistry, and plenty of heartfelt moments.
Needless to say, Ella and Connor’s lifelong competition gives the story a fun emotional backbone, but what really makes the book work is how their rivalry gradually turns into trust, vulnerability, and genuine affection.
💬 Reader Question
Have you read Voted Most Likely To or any other books by Kayla Tirrell? What did you think? Would you recommend it?
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About Me
📍Dumbo - New York
I'm Zøe!
I write heartfelt, character-driven fiction featuring resilient teenage heroines navigating personal challenges and striving to become their best selves. Beyond my novels, I love storytelling in all its forms. On this blog, I share narrative-rich travel pieces, offering glimpses into my favorite places, hidden corners, and unforgettable encounters around the globe.
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