I am obsessed with this book. I could not get this story and these characters out of my head for days. I was not expecting for these themes to hit me so deeply. From the first few chapters of the book, I was hooked into the mystery element of the book and I kept telling myself that the reveal better be good. I won't comment on that, but just know that this book is about so much more. This story really has a little something for everyone. I laughed, I cried, I reflected, I reread, I plan on rereading once I get a physical copy. I think this book will stay with me for a while longer. Also, Casey McQuiston if you're reading this, please make a "Which character are you?" Buzzfeed quiz. I just know I'd be Mr. Truman.

Casey McQuiston's new YA novel is a sharp, funny story of a missing person, high school rivalries, friendship, and maybe love. Narrator Chloe is a fish out of water in Alabama, where her moms moved the family from southern California. Her private high school is religious and conservative, but also the only school in the district rich enough to have a good drama program. Chloe's friends are the other misfit toys at school, and her rival is the gorgeous and untouchable principal's daughter, Shara Wheeler. When Shara disappears prom night, leaving behind a set of mysterious notes, Chloe goes on a quest to find her and get some answers, including why she kissed Chloe just before she vanished. Along the way, Chloe encounters another classmate Shara kissed, as well as Shara's boyfriend. The three work together to find out what happened.

At first I was worried that this was a John Green knockoff, but the book is self-aware about its teen tropes. McQuiston has written a twisty and surprising story with redemption and HEAs for its main characters. Some things wrapped up a little too neatly, I thought, but it was a satisfying conclusion.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Netgalley and Wednesday Books for giving me an advanced copy for my honest review.

This was one of my most anticipated reads for 2022 so I'm really happy to have gotten a chance to read this before it released. I enjoyed this as much as I expected and MORE. Because I had no idea what I was getting myself into when picking this up. I havent been the biggest fan of YA recently, and if I pick one up it needs to have strong LGBTQ representation for me to be interested. This gave me all the happy feelings of love and friendship that I saw in One Last Stop. I loved the fun mystery element that was in this and it kept me turning the pages.

I used to love John Green books in high school, and this reminded me so much of Paper Towns, but I will say this was done so much better. Better characters, better development, and a much more satisfying resolve. And of course it's gayer.

This comes out May 3, 2022.

Thank you to the publisher for an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
First off; I still love RW&RB more than anything McQuiston’s written since. Saying that, as their first foray into YA, this book read way more to the adult end. There isn’t anything in here resembling adult content, but it has the feel of an adult book written about teenagers and there is nothing wrong with that.

In fact, I love McQuiston’s writing. It’s fabulous. They truly have a gift for writing, and reading each page was a general pleasure. Even during some of the parts that I struggled with. And that’s just because I don’t enjoy YA contemporary that much anymore, but McQuiston’s name was on it, therefore I had to read it.

Overall, I think the book was good. It had themes that are going to resonate with each other, and as with all their books there was a bunch of diversity and pretty much the entire cast of characters were queer. I think this is really going to appeal to teens who seek to see themselves represented in places where it seems the most unlikely.

This shows how it feels to grow up in a very religious area who do not like anything different and still have racism embedded in the everyday life. But it also shows that there are people who are different from that; and that not everybody who lives there is terrible, and I think that is so important for teens who feel isolated or that they’re the only ones who feel like that.

I think this was a powerful book and is going to be very popular and become well loved. It was well written and touches on important topics in a way that meshes well with the story.

I think my only major complaints are that sometimes I felt the characters were a little flat, and that the pacing/plot of the story was a little awkward. But it was an enjoyable read.

This was an interesting mix of genres! It’s got LGBTQIAP+ rep, mystery, and revenge all set up into one. I thought it was a little bit all over the place at times, honestly. The beginning of the book is very, as the author says in the book, John Green-like. I enjoy mysteries so this was pleasant! Then, the rest of it fell off for me. I wished that it felt more genuine.

This book is a freaking delight. I may even be so bold as to say it might even be McQuisten's best yet?? Everything about this is charming as hell. The dialogue and humor are on-point and smart and the pop culture references sprinkled in come across as cute and not annoying at all. The unlikely friendship that develops between Chloe, Rory, and Smith is so heart-warming and seeing it slowly develop from annoyance to love was delightful. Their dynamic is one of my favorite things about this book. McQuisten has a talent for writing perfect side characters and Chole's group of friends rivals the gang in 6F (iykyk).

The heart of this book reflects so much of my own small town Christian school despite-not-being-religious experience (albeit I was in the Midwest and not the south), which may be why I connected with it so much. The exploration of the constraints of a conservative environment and being inundated with things you don't always agree with and the inability to publically be your authentic self was handled delicately and is something I think a lot of young people, queer or not!, will appreciate.

So much of this book gives me 2000's Disney Channel Original Movie vibes and I mean that in the best way possible. The pivotal scene at 80% the bookstore was so cheesy and so heartwarming and just so stinkin cute.

My only complaint is that Chloe's characterization didn't feel consistent throughout the book. Some things happen in the second half that I think could have been foreshadowed at a little bit better with a few subtle hints to make it more believable.

Thank you so much to Netgalley & Wednesday books/St. Martins Press for approving me for this ARC & allowing me to read this book early!

After falling in love with Red, White, and Royal Blue & One Last Stop, I knew I had to pick up another Casey McQuinston book. I was absolutely hooked from the first chapter. I, along with the characters, wanted to know what happens with Shara! While Casey's other books are more on the romance side, this book is more mystery in my opinion with a little side of romance, and I absolutely loved it. I really hope she writes more books like this! I love how running around trying to find Shara made Chloe, Smith, and Rory realize their feelings in all of this. I love the found love aspect between some of the characters. There is a lot of homophobia in this book due to the religious aspect of it, but it handled very well. The book is all about finding yourself, and realizing that there are many people by your side even when you don't feel like yourself. The book is so important to young, queer teens, and anyone who is finding it hard to come out. It covers all aspects of coming out, and not coming out. I wanted to hug every single character in this book. I almost didn't give this book five stars. I rolled my eyes so hard around the other graduation aspect of the story. (You'll figure it out once you read it.) It felt like it was just thrown in and kind of executed poorly, but I love that the characters didn't take any crap from their school. There are just so many life lessons in this book. I can't wait for you all to read it when it comes out. I'm definitely going to pick up a hard copy myself!

This was the best book I’ve read so far this year!! ..ok this is the first book I have finished so far this year and its only Jan. 12th but still…THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD!

You know how there are kid versions of board games like Clue Jr and Monopoly Jr? This started out feeling like Gone Girl Jr. It was a mystery of trying to find a girl based on clues she left behind and I was so enthralled with that! Then it turned into a really complex study of gender and societal norms and religious trauma and sexuality which was brilliantly done! I am 33 year old lesbian who came out three years ago. I was in the closet so long because I was worried about how it would be perceived so a lot of the points in this book really hit home for me and was super relatable. Also, this book gives me hope that this next generation of LGBTQ youth won’t have to have to same fears I did growing up and that the world is changing because of them!

This was so heartwarming and the writing is so well done. The characters, the relationships, the issues and topics at hand were all expertly crafted. This book touches on so many important topics and is definitely a conversation starter! I recommend it to everyone (even my straight friends!) but definetly is a must read for ANYONE who has ever struggled with sexuality or gender constructs or identity, etc. etc.

Loved this read (and I am not normally a contemporary genre lover!) and highly recommend you pick this up when it comes out. Thank you so much to Netgalley for the early access to this terrific book!

I loved this so much. It was a joy to read and I just really enjoyed reading from Chloe’s perspective,

Chloe was a great protagonist to follow as she navigates her way through school with her great friends. Can I just say I loved this friendship group a lot too. Chloe was a great protagonist to follow as she navigates her way through school with her great friends. Can I just say I loved this friendship group a lot too. My favourite character was probably Smith Parker as I thought he was such a sweet hearted jock.

I also loved the various forms of relationships depicted in this book. As it is so important in 2022 and going forward to see yourself represented on the page.

Huge thanks to the publisher for my ARC. It was a treat to read and review this new offering by the author of One Last Stop.

This should definitely be on library shelves and in schools, it has an an important message to share and a gorgeous cover. The message of belonging and finding your tribe of people who will love you for who you are.

I received a copy via the publisher on NetGalley. In exchange for an honest review on this upcoming Wednesday Books title

Once again, Casey McQuiston is a damn delight. I've loved all of their books, but this one felt like it was very specifically made for me and my terrible, insecure, over-achieving, hopeful, combatant high school self.

I KISSED SHARA WHEELER is the author's YA debut, and it is just as charming and spunky as their previous adult titles. The dialogue is snappy, the humor is top-notch, and the protagonists are messy and fun. Chloe and Shara are just the worst in the best possible way--I saw so much of my younger self in them. The book has a cute love quadrangle at the center of its plot, but *spoilers*, it's super queer and fun. It's a joy to read, whether you're an adult or a teen.

On a more serious note, this book reckons with what it means to grow up queer in a stifling and religious Southern community. McQuiston really nailed the conflict and pain that comes with that background, without losing the fun spirit of the novel. To be clear, this book isn't anti-Southern or anti-religious. It actually takes a very nuanced look at what it means to love and hate the place you grew up, to be shaped by and simultaneously rebelling against your hometown. I often wonder how different my life might've been if I had books like this when I was growing up, how much sooner I could have come to accept myself if I knew I wasn't alone. I'm so happy that teens have this gem of a novel.

Thank you to St. Martin's/Wednesday Books for advanced access to this title!

A delightful and emotional mystery-driven rom-com about a runaway prom queen, the three people she kissed before her disappearance, and the ways in which Southern, Christian, small-town culture and expectations effect those of us who feel we don't belong. It's no surprise that I adored this, but what I didn't expect was for it to easily become my favorite Casey McQuiston novel. This novel and its diverse ensemble cast shines with McQuiston's signature rom=com characteristics and it's going to be incredibly important to so many queer readers from the South. I can't wait for it to hit shelves and get into the hands of those who need it in their lives.

Although this is not the type of book I generally gravitate toward, I enjoyed it very much. It's a fun read with interesting characters and an engaging story. I look forward to reading more from Casey McQuiston! Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars

I Kissed Shara Wheeler is a queer contemporary mystery/ sort-0f-romance set at a super Conservative (with a capital C) Christian high school in Alabama. The mystery was not the most compelling and the main character's romance wasn't the most satisfying. However, the writing was engaging and moved you along quickly - I finished this book in a couple of days. Also, the supporting characters are what really made the book for me. Smith in particular was a complex and extremely interesting character and I wish we could have understood his character and story more deeply. In fact, that was kind of the problem I had overall with the book. I wanted to understand more about the characters, but was often left unsatisfied, as it was a pretty plot-driven book. It was still a quick and enjoyable read that McQuiston fans will enjoy. It may also appeal to fans of Albertalli's Creekwood books.

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advanced copy of this to review! Casey McQuiston is absolutely one of my all-time favorite authors, and she’s written a YA! What isn’t to love? This is absolutely one of my most anticipated books of 2022. I am so happy to say that it lived up to the hype.

Best known for Red, White, & Royal Blue, McQuiston’s writing definitely lends itself well to a YA audience. McQuiston has a knack for writing great casts of characters that you fall in love with almost from the beginning. This is the cast for Shara Wheeler as well. What’s great about this book in particular is that none of the characters are who they were at the beginning of the book, in the best way possible. Growing up in this highly conservative, christian setting, this book is very much about finding yourself and finding a way to be yourself, even if everyone around you doesn't want you to be.

I said this when I originally posted my review on Goodreads, but this book is like a mashup of Footloose, Mean Girls, and Paper Towns. In like the best way possible. Maybe throw a little Breakfast Club in there. You get wrapped up in Chloe’s obsession to find Shara, but you also see how her journey to find Shara changes her. And how it changes Smith and Rory (arguably the best plotline, but that’s all I’ll say here). Once events really start to pick up, it’s difficult to put this book down.

I’ve seen some critiques for this book saying that Chloe is a bit selfish, which she is. She’s very much wrapped up in her own world for most of the book. But also, that’s the point? This is such a teenager thing, and it fit so well for Chloe’s character and her character arc. I am here to say we should no longer rate YA books down for portraying teenagers as accurate teenagers.

Anyway, it’s hard for me to rank McQuiston’s books, but I know that this one will absolutely make it on my re-read list. Which reminds me, I should re-read Red, White, & Royal Blue. It’s been too long.

Shara Wheeler is perfect, in the running for valedictorian, prom queen and the principal's daughter. Until she disappears. Chloe wants to beat her fair and square to the valedictorian spot so she goes on a mission to find out why Shara disappeared and why she kissed Chloe the day before she vanished. Chloe finds out Shara kissed two other people that same day, her jock boyfriend Smith and the brooding boy next door, Rory. They were all left clues by Chloe so they team up to figure out what happened.

This book has great John Green vibes, LGBTQ representation, clues to unfold the mystery and a message that will resonate with teens, there is more to people than meets the eye, there is a world outside the struggles of your small town, of high school and you have a lot more in common with people than you think if you just give them a chance.

Casey McQuinston's first book for a Young Adult audience was fun and nostalgic with a message that will resonate with them. I will definitely be recommending it to my library patrons!

The way Casey McQuiston writes queer character is unparalleled. I enjoyed reading this book and adored the characters. It was very similar to paper towns.

Casey Mcquiston captured my attention early with Red, White, and Royal Blue and her newest, I Kissed Shara Wheeler, does not disappoint! She creates a captivating story with characters you can’t help but love! She brings LGBTQ stories to light in a way no one else has. I will always be a follower of mcquistons work!

Thank you so much to Wednesday Books for an eARC of this!

I am a huge Casey McQuiston fan. I will be honest, I was a bit skeptical at first. I'm not a mystery fan, and I struggled ot get into the book at first. There were so many things up in the air, and I honestly didn't know where the story was going.

But once we finally meet Shara and Chloe comes face to face with her after everything Shara has put her through, everything just CLICKED. I do think too much of the book was spent trying to solve this childish mystery (it's kind of explained that way in the book). A lot of the mystery itself felt pointless (except for 2 things that come out of it that I won't spoil for you!).

But with Shara in the story, the book picked up for me. I finished the last third of the book in like an hour and it honestly made the book for me. It was really difficult to see what Casey was trying to do, so pleasej ust stick this one out if you're struggling! And don't walk in expecting just romance, because this certainly is not it.

So while I'm gving this 5 stars, I will say there were some things I didn't like about the book. Overall, a great YA debut for Casey McQuiston.

First of all, I'd like to say a gigantic thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc of this book in exchange for a truthful review.

Casey McQuiston has done it again, honestly. I fell in love with romance novels with her debut (Red, White, and Royal Blue), and with every book they write I fall more and more in love. I Kissed Shara Wheeler is a beautiful queer young adult novel. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and sometimes, it made me yell at the characters.

The writing and the language used was absolutely beautiful. I don't normally highlight quotes as I'm reading, but with I Kissed Shara Wheeler? I found myself highlighting multiple times, just because the language was so poignant and stunning. I really appreciated that there would be absolutely ridiculous lines that were then followed by lines that punched me in the gut in the absolute best way possible.

Additionally, the language that McQuiston used felt very true to life. I teach high school students - specifically seniors - and the way that the characters in I Kissed Shara Wheeler spoke reminded me so much of things that my students have said in real life. I thought McQuiston's portrayal of high school seniors was beautiful, particularly in how they portrayed the way that high school students struggle with their emotions and figuring themselves out.

As I was reading, I did occasionally want to yell and shake the characters - begging them in my head to just open their eyes and see what was in front of them - but again, the portrayal of the characters was so accurate to how teens act in real life that it wasn't frustrating to me, like it occasionally can be. I just couldn't stop appreciating how masterfully McQuiston wove everything together - the experience of being a senior in high school, the experience of being a queer teen, and the experience of being a queer teen in an area where it isn't really acceptable to be openly queer, and then finding spaces and people in that area that are supportive. I feel like a broken record, but the book really was just so beautiful.

Overall, I am obsessed with I Kissed Shara Wheeler, just as I have been obsessed with McQuiston's other novels, and I am so excited to be able to purchase a physical copy of this book to put in my classroom library and shove into my student's hands.

I cannot wait to recommend this book to fans of "Under the Rainbow" or "Red, White, and Royal Blue". A great LGBTQIA YA option in an emotional and catchy story.