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.

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.

Casey McQuiston has done it again!

I'll admit, this one took me a bit longer to get into than McQuiston's first two novels, but hang in there reader! The novel starts off with a different feel than Red White and Royal Blue or One Last Stop. I definitely felt some cringe at the Southern-Christian-School stereotypes, but that's because BOY are some of them true, and boy do they hit close to home.

Nonetheless, while I started off wondering if I was going to like this one at all, I got sucked into Chloe's story and her pursuit of enemy Mega-Bitch Shara, and the discoveries about herself and her friends as well. Maybe by the second half of the book or so I was thoroughly invested and in it with Chloe to the end. A fabulous book with a definitively satisfying ending!

Thanks NetGalley for this eARC!
Casey McQuiston is downright masterful at creating friend groups I want to join. Whether they’re the White House trio, planning a Subway heist, or at a Christian school in Alabama- her supporting cast is always top notch.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler is part mystery- Shara disappeared after kissing three people and has left then clues regarding her whereabouts- and part coming of age/romance. My favorite parts are when Chloe (the MC) is with her friend group- because again, that’s really where McQuiston shines.

Being set at a Christian school in Alabama but featuring LGBTQA+ characters, there is definitely commentary on the harmful environment that can foster. Having grown up in a similar religious situation, but now embracing more of (as she put it) “Jesus the brown socialist” theology, I thought it was handled well. At no point is religion itself judged- just the hypocrisy of the brand of Christianity pushed by the school.

It’s not as good as RWRB, but I’d say on par with One Last Stop. Definitely worth. Read.

Casey McQuiston hits it out of the park once again! I was so thrilled to be able to review this book, as I had throughly enjoyed Red, White, and Royal Blue as well as One Last Stop. McQuiston has such a way of bringing characters to life, and this book continued in that pattern. This felt like a film/Netflix series rom-com, but even better because of the depth of Chloe's character. Each chapter made me fall a little more in love with the town and these characters. Their shenanigans were zany but believable, and the dialogue felt fresh but not overly gimmicky. I would recommend this to any fans of rom-coms, YA lit, queer love stories, and anyone who enjoys coming of age stories with a twist.

I' am torn about how I feel about this book. On one hand, the plot of trying to figure out where Shara Wheeler went did drive my curiosity. I wanted to know what led up to the situation, and whether it was going to be resolved by the time the story was completed. The situation felt a little absurd, but I'm willing to let that slide when it comes to a piece of fiction. However, the thing that made it difficult to read was the author's regular need to declare things that are not factually true. For example, towards the beginning, the author declares that it is a "Southern" thing to buy flowers at school to send to your crush or friend. However, I did this overseas and my friends in California confirmed they did this in their high school. So, there are a lot of assumptions that get made that make the main character annoying and untrustworthy as a whole. The other thing is the I am better than you energy the main character gives off because she's not from this small town originally, she's queer, and goth alternative. Honestly, it makes the character more exhausting than enduring. It's an overdone trope that doesn't offer anything new to the trope in this book. It left me a bit disappointed as a whole.

The problems for me were the characters and the marketing.
The marketing:
* I was expecting a Sapphic romance. I didn't get that.
* I was expecting a ROMANTIC COMEDY. I got no romance. I got no comedy. It got to the point where I was wondering if something was wrong with ME. WHY AM I NOT LAUGHING?

The characters: this is essentially a romance between Rachel Berry on steroids and the wife from Gone Girl. Chloe Green is obsessed with beating her high school rival Shara Wheeler who kisses her and then disappears. Finding out she isn't even the only kissee adds to her mania. Paranoid and making increasingly bad choices on how to treat her friends and responsibilities, she, Rory (the other kissee) & Smith (Shara's boyfriend) search for her via a psychopath level scavenger hunt.

"ᴡʜʏ ᴡᴏᴜʟᴅ ɪ ʟɪᴋᴇ ʜᴇʀ? sʜᴇ's ɴᴏᴛ ᴀ ɢᴏᴏᴅ ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴ!"--> me, screaming with rage as I throw my kindle across the room again. I nearly DNF'd this 8736 times.

The pluses-
* The writing. Kasee of Longhand Pencils is gonna have the easiest time creating a set and I wrote down some of my favorites
* The rep. Somehow nearly every character is gay, queer, or questioning sexuality and gender. You get a whole spectrum and that's wonderful.
* The friends. As I stated I didn't see this as a romantic comedy at all, but it is a sparkling addition to YA high school novels about the importance of friendship and how special those who come into our lives in high school can be.

For me, this was 2 stars. I'm not sorry, but that's my honest opinion. Others may love it. I hope they do, but please, don't go in expecting a Sapphic romance. This was not RW& RB or OLS. It's a high school set YA mystery.

Chloe Green’s high school nemesis has always been Shara Wheeler. Which makes it all the more confusing when Shara disappears in the weeks before graduation. Where could she have gone? Why aren’t her parents concerned?As Chloe tries to piece together the puzzle she has been left by Shara, she finds herself joining forces with Shara’s boyfriend and neighbor. Upon discovering small pink envelopes with clues, the trio embarks on an epic quest to unravel the truth about Shara and her mysterious disappearance.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler was my most anticipated book for 2022…and it exceeded my expectations in every way!! This is a book that everyone should read. It’s full of lovable characters, compelling plot, and laugh-out-loud hilarious writing. Casey McQuiston always has the most specific, detailed dialogue that somehow is incredibly universal and witty. I highlighted so many passages in this book, because there was so much that I could viscerally relate to. This is a book for the LGBTQ+ theatre kids, the kids who feel stuck in their small fishbowl towns, the kids who are certain that after high school life simply has to get better.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler is full of so much love and LGBTQ+ joy. Chloe, Smith, and Rory form a tight and heartwarming friendship in Shara’s absence. Casey McQuiston writes such vivid and captivating characters; I know they will live on for readers long after the final page. All the characters, but especially Chloe, experiences significant character growth. The characters merrily stumble through the final months of their senior year of high school, along with profound moments of personal discovery and identity exploration.

I would highly recommend this for fans of found family, enemies-to-lovers, theatre kids, The Breakfast Club, and LGBTQ+ coming-of-age stories. I Kissed Shara Wheeler is beautiful, hilarious, and joyful. Unsurprisingly, this is likely my favorite book of 2022. You won’t want to miss this book! I Kissed Shara Wheeler is available on May 3, 2022. Thank you SO much to Casey McQuiston, Wednesday Books, and Netgalley for a free ARC (making my year) in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on the publication date and I will publish it on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc