Oh. My. Gosh. 5+++ STARRRRS!

Where do I start?! I am completely blown away by how fantastic and well written this book is. Wonderfully queer. Relatable, well developed characters. Twists and turns. Not at all the direction or ending I thought the story was going to take us. Surprises all ‘round.

Top notch narration by Natalie Naudus. Soooo gooooood! Definitely my favorite read of 2022 so far. How does Casey McQuiston come up with such great work? TALENT, I TELL YOU!

Overjoyed that I received the opportunity to listen to the ALC before the book comes out in May. Thank you, NetGalley! I pre-ordered two copies, two different covers. Hehe!

(ALC received from NetGalley in exchange for honest review.)

What starts out as this sweet fun little mystery quickly becomes this heartwarming coming of age story.

Chloe was determined to make the best of her 4 years of high school after relocating to Alabama from SoCal. She’s almost survived making it to graduation and only one thing stands in her way of becoming valedictorian . Shara Wheeler. However in a shocking turn of events Shara kisses Chloe and disappears leaving a series of pink card behind in order for Chloe and a few others to solve the mystery and bring Shara home before Chloe become Valedictorian only by default.

I had so much fun listening to this audiobook. I felt like I was right there along Chloe the whole time as she pieced the puzzle together and then as she came to turns what with what she thought was happening vs. what Shara believed to be happening. I couldn’t stop or put this down because I needed it to play through as fast as possible. Amidst all the fun and lightness of the story there was the heavier side and I thought McQuiston expressed the struggles of trying to find yourself not only as you go through high school but also while growing up in towns where people may not be as accepting incredibly well.


Thank you to both netgalley and the publisher for this Arc!

Advanced Reader’s Copy provided by NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Macmillan Young Listeners in exchange for an honest review.

This ended up not being the type of plot I was expecting after reading some of McQuiston's adult romance novels, and I think that made me like it more. There is a romance, but the majority of the plot revolves around a missing person and teenagers following clues in order to find them all wrapped into the battle for valedictorian and the end of high school. Mixed in with all of that is teens figuring out who they are, what they want to be, and who they want to love. I KISSED SHARA WHEELER is set at a strict Christian school in Alabama, our protagonist moves there from California with her two moms and has to reckon with being an out bisexual in a community that doesn't exactly support LGBTQIA+ rights.

Overall this was a fun read and I think hits a reading audience that many LGBTQIA+ books don't focus on. I'm also jealous that my school theatre experience did not involve an end of the year performance like Chloe and her friends get because that sounds like so much fun.

Natalie Naudus does a great job with the audiobook narration.

This book was refreshing in the way most ya non-romance books are refreshing: the focus is on something else.

This book is a queer love story in at least 4 different ways, but the focus is on friendships and other relationships rather than strictly on romance. The majority of the book focuses on the scavenger hunt Shara Wheeler set up and the rest of the book is--largely--centered on learning about and accepting yourself. Don't get me wrong, I like adult queer romances too. There's just something about YA books that has that comfort food effect on you.

This is another fantastic contemporary YA read by McQuiston. I love the diverse cast and the numerous LOL moments throughout the story. Definitely a celebration of true identity and being oneself. Highly recommended for all YA collections!

If a John Green novel became self-aware and was queer, how I would describe I Kissed Shara Wheeler. This novel is what I want from a Casey McQuiston YA novel.

I LOVED this book. Casey McQuiston you are three for three in making me melt and fall in love with every character you write. The small-town vibe, queer kids and romance I mean come on! What more could you want?!

Shara Wheeler disappears on prom night and no one knows where she goes or why she left. Until Chloe Green, Rory, the resident bad boy next door, and Smith, Shara's boyfriend have to work together to find pink envelopes left by Shara. This leads them to find out more about themselves, the girl they all love and the town that they live in.

I felt this was a celebration of queer youth finding out who they are and becoming more comfortable with themselves even if they are not sure who that is yet. Growing up in Georgia I felt really connected with the small town vibes and the strict Christian attitudes, this felt incredibly real and like I knew these characters in real life. I feel like I can't say enough good things and could not put the book down.

Final Thoughts - Casey McQuiston is a wonderful author who writes incredible diverse and connected characters who you can't help but fall in love with. If you enjoy YA romance then you will enjoy this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I didn’t know much about this book going into it. But I LOVED Red, White, and Royal Blue and I liked One Last Stop so I was excited to request and receive I Kissed Shara Wheeler from @netgalley.

Just days after Shara Wheeler kisses an unsuspecting Chloe Green, Shara goes missing. Chloe then joins forces with Shara’s boyfriend, Smith, and Shara’s next door neighbor, Rory (who Shara also kissed on prom night just hours before she disappeared). This book is more of a mystery than I expected, as Chloe, Smith, and Rory work together to track down Shara, with a series of notes she has left for them.

There was a point in the book that there was a lot of mean girl business happening that turned me off to the storyline. I did like how everything tied together in the end. There is a great diverse cast of characters in this book, however, many of the high school seniors in this story are part of the LGBTQ+ community and every single one of them, with the exception of Chloe, still has to hide who they are. They also attend a private high school that isn’t accepting of this community and there were a few times when I thought it very strange that so many of them all attending this high school together are ok with not sharing who they truly are. I mean maybe things aren’t as accepting in Alabama as they are here in Jersey, but it’s 2022, so I guess I was surprised by this storyline.

3.5... rounding up to 4 for Netgalley!

This book was a fun read. The first few chapters were hard for me, I had trouble learning everyone's names, identities and pronouns. Once they were all established I had a much better time of it.

This is basically a super gay version of Paper Towns. I love that Casey includes so many different types of folx in her stories, it adds a layer of honesty and realness to her books.

The overarching story of Shara missing fell a bit flat for me. I didn't have enough backstory on her to be as impressed with her as a whole like the entire town was. They all dropped everything to put clues together to find her and I guess I just didn't understand the reason why they'd waste time on it.

My practical brain also was worried about Shara missing so many days of school before finals 🤣🤣

The romance was sweet, being a teen book there's obviously not as much steam in this as McQuiston's other two novels.

Overall it was a cute story. I'm so grateful I got the chance to read it early. However it's not my favorite from Casey.

Natalie Nadus did a wonderful job with the narration. I love her voice so much!!!

4.5 stars.


My favorite McQuiston book so far. It's a good story that didn't play out like I thought it would so bonus points for that.

There's a nice diverse group of characters that felt natural and McQuiston never comes off like a try-hard, which is nice.

The relationships grew naturally and I liked all the main characters and I would very much like a sequel or a follow up novella just to get more of them.

This book also covers staunch southern Christians and I think it did it wonderfully. McQuiston didn't hesitate to call out the hate and hipocrisy but she's also never mean and does acknowledge that practice without all the hate.

All in all this was a well done book that kept me engaged until the very last page.

Rep: bi mc, sapphic li, dyslexic Black gay sc, Black nonbinary sc, lesbian scs, bi sc, Gay & achillean scs, gender questioning sc

Rating: 4.5

This book was so hyped up. I heard so many good comments about it, so my expectations were pretty high.

I thought I would have liked it more than I did, honestly. It wasn’t bad, but I just thought I’d have enjoyed it more. I think my expectations going in, from what I heard from everyone else, and how much I enjoyed Casey’s other two books, were too high.

I enjoyed the first half most I think. The mystery of Shara’s disappearance, the letters and trying to piece them together and teaming up with the boys, I really enjoyed all that. As they piece the letters together and learn more and more about Shara, I started to dislike her. But that was kinda what she wanted. In the end its explained why she is the way she is.

Smith and Rory were my favorites. Especially Smith. I didn’t think I’d care about him, since he’s a jock, but there’s actually a lot more to him than that. He’s not your typical cishet shitty jock and so I ended up really liking him and his journey. He’s precious.

I don’t get why Chloe didn’t tell Georgia what was going on with the whole Shara situation and the notes. You’d think she would have told her best friend. Instead she just brushed her off for a month and didn’t explain anything until everything blew up. But I do get how she was just sucked into the mystery of the letters and disappearance of Shara, so that consumed her.

Overall, I did enjoy the book. It’s not my favorite Casey book, but it’s good. I loved all the queer rep. There’s so much! Also lots of pocs!

The narrator did a good job.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book.

An excellent book with a very good reader, this audiobook made me appreciate Casey McQuiston's I KISSED SHARA WHEELER as if it were my first time encountering the story. McQuiston has been very fortunate in her past audiobooks in terms of narrators, and the tradition continues here.

This book is (a less problematic) The Breakfast Club if it was a book written by John Green. It’s absolutely delightful. Added to the towering pile of books I wish existed when I was a teenager.

𝗜 𝗞𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿 🎧 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

𝑷𝒖𝒃 𝑫𝒂𝒕𝒆: May 3rd 2022
𝘼𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧: @casey.mcquiston

⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫 (3.5/5 ⭐️)

This is my first book by this author and I am pleased to say that it did not disappoint.
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I enjoyed the audio on this one (although it would have helped to have an additional narrator to narrate — as the single narrator struggled with some of the characters). The book tackles some sensitive topics and gives each of the characters a great storyline.
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This book takes place in a christian school in Alabama - it depicts how living in the bible belt influences how you see yourself and those around you. I am not from the South but I thought that the author did a great job with showing what small town life in Alabama would be like.
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I think that this book really shined with all the characters. I really liked both Chloe and Shara and how complex their personalities were. I enjoyed learning about everyone’s journey to finding who they were/are.
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It was nice seeing how people don’t always fit their stereotypes, this was definitely a YA novel — but I enjoyed listening to it.
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Thank you @netgalley & @macmillan.audio for letting me listen to this audio in return for my honest review.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CcQPcheL-Rj/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

I always love a Casey story - I know it's going to be great and this one didn't disappoint. The narrator did an awesome job of getting all the different voices right. They felt distinctive and what I would imagine they sounded like

I always listen to Casey's books and I am never disappointed in the work and effort that is placed into making me feel like the story is happing in front of me.

I loved that Casey was able to show all sides of religious people- there are extreme sides shown but she did have those that are more accepted mixed in there and I appreciated that a lot.

Some of the twists and turns weren't super shocking but all in all, I was satisfied and eager to learn more and keep listening

I Kissed Shara Wheeler is Casey McQuinston's first foray into young adult and I was so here for it. I love this author and I love YA so I couldn't wait to get to this book. It pains me not to rate it higher, becuase it it wasn't a bad book. It was just missing... something for me. The connection to the main characters? The romance? I'm not sure. There were a lot of things about it I enjoyed, but other parts it just felt like something was lacking.

The story starts out with three high school seniors on the hunt for Shara Wheeler, this disappearing girl. She kissed all three of them, Chloe, Smith, and Rory, left notes/clues, and took off. Out of all the characters in this book I think I liked Smith best, but we mostly get things from Chloe's perspective. There were a ton of great secondary characters and important topics covered, but I didn't particularly like or connect with Shara or Chloe.

As always, Casey McQuinston's writing is fantastic and I'll continue to check out more of her books. If you're looking for a contemporary YA with a little bit of mystery, humor, and romance- check this one out. You may love it!

Audio book source: Netgalley
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrator: Natalie Naudus
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Contemporary YA
Length: 9h 25m

I have read and loved all of Casey McQuiston's books and I Kissed Shara Wheeler is one of them. This book had a John Green feel to it, but is its own important and real look into high school life. There are so many beautiful moments and conversations in this book that will speak to many. The conversation between Ash and Smith in Chapter 13 is so moving and important and will definitely help so many identify with themselves.

This is such a moving book set in a high school where students are on a scavenger hunt of sorts to find the ultra popular Shara Wheeler who kissed three of her classmates and vanished. Chloe, Smith and Rory each receive a kiss from Shara and then join together to find out where she went. These three would not normally hang out since they are in different cliques in school but they are brought together through Shara's little pink envelopes with clues inside.

A wonderful coming of age story that focuses on LGBTQ+ youth realizing how not only navigate high school but their own authentic selves in a very religious school.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this copy in exchange for an honest review. Also, Natalie Naudus does an excellent job with her narration of this novel. A Must Read!

✨Book Review✨
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
3.75/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

“Maybe pretending is it’s own high school strategy.”

First I would like to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an ARC audiobook of this read for an honest review. Also narrated by Natalie Naudus.

When Mean Girls meets Paper Towns.

This is my first Casey McQuiston read. I heard so much about RWRB that I still have yet to read but was so excited when I was given this copy to see for myself. I can now see why my reader friends gravitate towards her and her writing. 👍🏽

This book overall has a very good message. I feel like this is a story of what it means to truly find oneself. Of figuring yourself out in an already difficult atmosphere we call high school. ( we have all been there 🥴)

In a brand new town that has some very religious views. It can be hard to navigate being a teen. Let alone trying to figure out your own sexuality.

It’s about being brave. Being accepted. Finding friendships in the most unlikely of people. Having a sense of family where you are seen for you. And being proud of who you are. It’s about feeling alive.

I feel like this story is definitely YA and will be the thing a young heart someday-somewhere, in a confusing time will definitely need.

I enjoyed a lot of the side characters most. I especially love the story of Rory and Smith. My only reason for not giving it a 5 rating is because I found it really hard to like the MC’s- Shara and Chloe. They were frustrating most of the time. And I found it hard to connect with them on an emotional level as I did the other characters.

I liked all the pop culture references. I absolutely loved Chloe’s mom’s and how supportive they were all throughout. I feel like they depicted a solid foundation of what a safe space is, to be who you are.

I do look forward to reading more by this author. I recommend this read to all those that want to read it!

Be on the lookout as this is coming to shelves near you.. May 3, 2022 😊

Chloe Green and Shara Wheeler have been academic rivals since Chloe first traded SoCal for Alabama. Surviving the puritanical rules of Willowgrove Christian Academy hasn’t been easy for Chloe and her main motivation is to beat Shara. To win valedictorian. After all, the principal’s perfect prom queen of a daughter doesn’t need another win. At least Chloe doesn’t think she does.

Everything becomes much more confusing when, a month before graduation, Shara kisses Chloe and disappears.

And Chloe isn’t the only one who Shara kissed. Smith, Shara’s longtime boyfriend, and Rory, the bad boy next door, also receive cryptic notes from Shara. Together they have to work together to figure out the clues that Shara left behind and find her.

Which they have to do so that Chloe can beat her fair and square.

Casey McQuiston’s third novel and YA debut, I Kissed Shara Wheeler does not disappoint. I found this book to be an absolute celebration of queerness and being a teenager. It’s messy, not glamorous, and a time of our lives we often wish away but Casey McQuiston managed to make me nostalgic for high school. Especially for theater.

If you were a theater kid, there will absolutely be moments that take you back to the little things you’d forgotten you loved.

If you were queer and went to a religious school, you’re going to see some really familiar themes. Some of them are upsetting, but, in my opinion as someone who attended a Catholic school as a queer teen, those moments of homophobia are more than balanced out by queer joy. There was so much queer joy and finding yourself moments. In such a variety of ways. Chloe has two moms so along with seeing people figure themselves out as teens, you also get glimpses at her happily married moms.

It’s overall an incredible book that brought me so much happiness. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and it felt so classically Casey McQuiston. Their strength truly lies with creating incredibly, well thought out characters. That continues to be true even in YA. Chloe, Shara, Rory, and Smith were fantastic as well as all of the side characters.

I cannot recommend this book enough! It was fantastic!

The audiobook is top tier as well so if you like audiobooks, check it out!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.

All Chloe Green wants is winning valedictorian. Her only rival is Shara Wheeler, the "oh so prefect" principal’s daughter. But a month before graduation, Shara kisses Chloe and vanishes. While trying to get answers and finding Shara, Chloe discovers she’s actually not the only one Shara has kissed before disappearing. So she teams up with Rory and Smith, who also got kissed, in hopes to find Shara before graduation to beat her fair-and-square.

I did love the tone of this book a lot. Quite easy to listen to, and the narrator did an AWESOME job. I have to admit though that I did not expect this book to be this teenagery (is this even a word? excuse my bad English!) but I guess it is only because lots of books are categorized as YA when they are in reality more new adult... This one is definitely YA. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the story, it was quite entertaining and the mystery side of it made it really fun to read (well, listen to, in my case). At times, it did give me Mean girls vibes for some reasons, and I do like the movie a lot ha-ha. It was nice to follow the story of all these characters that got to mix together, even though they thought they had nothing in common, and get to see them discover themselves. I had a great time listening to this audiobook.

I received an audiobook arc of I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I feel like I too was played by Shara Wheeler. I went into this not knowing really anything other than it was Casey's YA debut, and that Taco Bell was important somehow.
I ended up liking it, Shara hooked me just like Chloe and I wanted to know the mystery that Shara masterminded.
As always with Casey McQuiston's books, I loved the friend group and side characters. <3 And was into the tension of Chloe and Shara being academic rivals. This also has so much LGBT+ rep, pretty much every character is a part of the LGBT+ community.
I was getting Paper Towns vibes (despite never reading it), and also a little of Love, Simon. This read like a teen movie in the best way.
3 stars.