I liked this! I loved RWARB and found One Last Stop unsatisfying so I was a little anxious to read this, but it worked for me! I liked the high school setting and found the interpersonal dynamics interesting and enjoyed watching Chloe slowly figure out her feelings about Shara and her schoolmates.

Truly one of my the cutest books I’ve read in awhile. I was not expecting such a mystery going into this, but was very surprised at how much I loved the outcome! Also it’s basically an all LGBTQ+ high school, does it really get better than that? I feel truly lucky that I got to read this now, and will be raving about it when it comes out!

I absolutely adored this book. It was the perfect amount of angst and romance to keep it interesting. The middle got a little slow, but I know it was building up to the end. I loved how everything came together in its own time. One of my favorite books of the year so far!

Having read McQuiston's two adult novels and falling in love with both of them, I found myself excited about this new release. I Kissed Shara Wheeler is a contemporary YA that lacked an original plot line and had under developed characters. I was expecting more from this novel, but will continue to read McQuiston's books in the future.

ARC from NetGalley - This is the second Casey McQuiston novel that I've read. I enjoy her writing, and I think her voice is engaging and driven by plot and character development. Definitely worth a read!

I want to start out by saying, I wish I had these kinds of books as a queer teenager and I'm so glad this exists for today's teens.

Chloe Green and Shara Wheeler are academic rivals, gunning for valedictorian. The problem is that Shara goes missing. But she left clues for three people she kissed? This story leads to unlikely friendships and romances, all told from a teen trying to understand the world. It's especially confusing being a gay teenager in a Christian high school.

This story dealt with identity and religion in such nuanced and enjoyable ways. It speaks to the time of life when nothing is certain and anything is possible. I think this is an essential book to have for any library.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!

4.5

When I first read what the plot was of I Kissed Shara Wheeler, I was very skeptical, because it's small-town, conservative, Christian based setting, which is exactly my life.

This book exceeded my expectations, the plot was so addictive, the mystery of Shara kept me on the edge of my seat for a huge chunk of the book, and don't even get me started on the side characters! I Kissed Shara Wheeler is definitely Casey Mcquiston's best work yet, and I hope that they continue to write more YA books, this was a lot of fun!

This book was a balm to my queer southern experience. The chaos and unlike-ability of all the main characters and the gradual warming up that occurs over the course of the book is quintessential Casey McQuiston. They have a way of making characters' experiences feel personal no matter how different they are from the reader and that's what I think makes their books so addicting and loveable.
Shara's ballistic behaviour, Chloe's obsession with victory, Smith's jock turned sweetheart demeanor, and Rory's sadboy appeal were all so well crafted and compelling. I enjoyed reading about all of them so much and it made me incredibly happy to see that all the queer characters in the book were able to receive a relatively happy ending in a rather conservative town.
This book encompasses the erratic and emotional journey of coming of age in high school, the chaotic highs and lows of duking it out with friends and enemies, and the eventual resolution that life beyond a small town high school holds so much more than ever expected.
What a book!

Shara Wheeler is missing, but before she left she kissed Chloe, her academic rival; Rory, her bad-boy neighbor, and Smith, her boyfriend. Now the three are working together to figure out the clues Shara left and where she is. This book was a fantastic LGBTQ romance set in Alabama, which happens to be where I live. I think it accurately captured the environment of the South as a diverse place with some unacceptable pockets of intolerance. I think the author handled the characters that grew up in this stifling setting deftly, even if the main character takes some time to learn how to deal with the way her friends handle their individual situations with empathy. I would absolutely recommend this book.

At this point, saying "Casey McQuiston has done it again" feels redundant because I don't think there will ever be a time or a book where they don't "do it."

This book is academic rivals to lovers and honestly?? It was written just for me. It was everything I love about queer YA - it made me laugh, made me weepy and it made me (as a sheltered midwestern native) feel seen in ways I didn't expect about my high school experience. The religious trauma/the homophobia both casual and blatant felt so real. It made me sad for the high school kid I was and hopeful for the generations of kids who will have stories like this to see themselves in. I didn't get the luxury of being out in high school, but I loved how Chloe grappled with her sexuality and her decisions to be out throughout the story.

It also made me feel nostalgic for high school in a way not many stories can. This book is all the best parts of a John Green novel and I'm thoroughly obsessed. I'm going to be screaming about this book to everyone for the next few months and I truly can't wait for it to be on shelves.

absolutely adored this book! LOVE the setting and how it comes full circle with chloe at the end. every single character had something that made them unique and made the reader root for them! casey has done it once again, i’m obsessed

The following published on GoodReads: Nobody writes queer love like McQuiston. I CRIED A LOT DON’T @ ME

McQuiston's I Kissed Shara Wheeler lived up to the hype--it was beautifully crafted, had a fantastic range of characters, and stands out among queer YA. Chloe was kissed by Shara Wheeler, perfect Shara who everyone loves (except Chloe), and then she disappears. Soon, Chloe is on a wild goose chase with two people she's never hung out with before trying to find Shara. Chloe and Shara have been in constant competition during Chloe's four years at religious Alabama high school and all she wants is valedictorian--but she refuses to win by default. The entire cast of significant characters has their own arc and development, giving every reader someone to connect with. Chloe might be the main character, but this is the Shara Wheeler show and everyone impacted by Shara matters.

I really enjoyed I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston!!
I think it addressed so many different things, and it did it well. I loved the self-discovery that so many of these characters went through and it was so nice to see their happy endings.
I didn't like Chloe at the start, and it was sort of a struggle to not just get upset at her actions, but I think by the end of the story, she truly grew so much and I love that she fell in love.

Also, I was also OBSESSED with Rory and Smith (maybe more than the mc's love triangle? rectangle?). Definitely would not mind a spinoff of Rory and Smith after highschool <3

Overall, this was really real and I loved how messy and dramatic it all was

thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review :D

4.5/5 !!

A disappointing book displaying only obvious attempts to check every box and appeal to a specific group of tik tok preteens. This book will not be able to age past 2022, outdated expressions and references already sprinkled throughout. The plot was predictable which made everything else seem inconsequential since we already knew what was going to happen. No character has any depth, most of the side characters only there for the tokenism. I’m struggling to find the true conflict of this book, being only left with a string of self indulgent pandering to McQuiston’s young fans.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler is the kind of novel that perfectly captures what it’s like to be a teenager in a way that is transcendent and affective. Author Casey McQuiston shows their range in their first foray into YA, and I hope they stay a while.

It started out with a kiss… three of them actually. And the disappearance of Shara Wheeler, small town Alabama’s reigning prom queen and the picture of perfection. When Chloe Green discovers that her surprising lip lock with her nemesis is only a part of the puzzle, she’ll team up with Shara’s quarterback boyfriend, Smith, and Shara’s bad boy next-door neighbor, Rory, to find out where Shara went. And why Shara kissed them all right before running away.

This is the YA story I wish I would have had in my own adolescence. It speaks to so many universal teenage experiences while also centering a spectrum of LGBTQIA+ characters in a really important way. It’s not written to tick boxes; rather, it’s written to show honest depictions of growing up through a lens that we need more of in fiction.

The narrative arc and characters’ growth both feel honest and real. As a reader, there will be times when you want to shout at them, tell them to pay more attention. Other times, you’ll want to encircle your arms around them and tell them that it’s going to be okay. There’s wit, humor, and unpredictable shenanigans, all of which would translate impeccably to the screen.

This is hands down one of my favorite reads of the year, and I cannot wait for it to be available to the masses.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for my review. The author does a great job of creating complex characters and found families. I really liked the journey that the main character goes on because it is not the typical coming out story (not that there is anything wrong with a coming out story, but it is nice to see that there is a wide variety of experiences). I also loved all of the supporting characters--it would be great to see them get their own stories.

I did struggle a bit seeing where things were going, but waiting for the characters to get there, but it was satisfying once we got there. It was also a little difficult to like the main pair--particularly Shara because she was so manipulative, but again it is satisfying once everything comes to a head.

A great YA debut!
With graduation right around the corner, Shara, Chloe's rival at her Christian school, expectedly kisses her and then disappears. Chloe discovers notes from Shara that force her to team up with Smith, Shara's boyfriend, and Rory, Shara's neighbor, to figure out where she went.
More of a mystery than a romance, the story unfolds at a nice pace and is enjoyable even when not totally realistic. The main characters are interesting and face quite a few challenges in embracing their various identities. Chloe is fairly flawed, which can make her a bit unlikeable (and is frustrating when her lack of self-realization continues a bit too long), but it also allows for a clear growth arc. Though the negative impact of religion/religious schools on the LGBTQ+ community is definitely a major theme, not all believers are demonized.
This book provides a lot of great representation that allows teens to see themselves and the challenges they may face reflected in ways that are ultimately empowering and hopeful. As a high school librarian, I will be purchasing and recommending!

4.5 (for now, gonna sleep on it)

One of my most anticipated read of the year, and I was lucky enough to get an arc. When I tell you there were real tears.

Full review to come v soon, but for now:

First book of the year, and what a way to start off 2022. I have A LOT of thoughts, full review to come soon.

emoji thoughts: 😍🤣😡😭🥺

I am a huge fan of McQuiston's adult titles and her YA debut did not disappoint! Full of twists, turns, laughs, drama, and romance this book is a wild ride you will not want to put down. Shara Wheeler is the IT girl at Willowgrove Christian Academy - beautiful, smart, virtuous, girlfriend to the star quarterback, principal's daughter - and Chloe Green's academic rival for valedictorian. One day out of the blue Shara follows Chloe into an elevator and kisses her, then leaves just as abruptly without a word. Shara disappears from the school prom the next day. Wanting to find out where she is and what the hell was up with that kiss, Chloe sneaks into Shara's bedroom looking for clues. The boy next door, Rory, has the same idea and bumps into Chloe as he climbs through the window. After their initial shock, the two look around and discover a pink envelope with a cryptic note from Shara. The two hunt down Shara's boyfriend, Smith, and soon the three of them are a on a wild goose chase finding notes from Shara in hopes one will lead to where she disappeared to.