To summarize, this book feel's like a John Green novel had a baby with the stick to the status quo dance Montage from High School Musical....and make it super queer. I'm kind of weepy when reading this book. Not because it's really sad at all, but I honestly can't even imagine having a book like this around when I was a teenager. I am so glad this exists. The queer joy despite imperfect (actually, pretty bad) circumstances really matters. Good representation saves lives and this book does it WELL!

For like 80% of the book, I felt like this book was too long and I didn't really care what happened. I struggled connecting to the main characters, because Chloe and Shara are honestly sort of unlikeable in the way that people you used to be friends with are unlikeable....but if the best friend Georgia or Smith Parker got a spin off, i would TOTALLY read that. I really liked the world and setting of this story. Quite frankly, I would DIE for Smith Parker. Seriously. Obsessed. I also really like some of the other cast of queer background characters.

I think the sweet spot with I kissed Shara Wheeler is really investigating the small town/Christian/queer crossover in a way that felt real to me. I really don't like when books let some new/loose/unimportant relationship destroy their most important friendships, which absolutley is a theme here. It's real. It feels like life. And it SUCKS. There is also some good discourse around the intersection of 'southernness' and queernees and Christianity. Chloe is an interesting narrator, because we get to see the strong prejudice people have against southerners firsthand and pretty much always have to question the reality of what she says.

One other major thing this book has going for it is the use of the phrase "Some kind of nightmare poultry matroyshka'. I'll let you figure that one out.

These stories being out there and done well MATTER. This was queer joy without being totally out or in the perfect space or totally sure who you are and I loved that. Overall, I'm glad I read this and I'm glad it exists and there are definitely people in my life I would reccomend this to.

As Chloe's mom said, "There are things out there for you that you haven't even thought of yet." *Cue weeping, again*.

**The audiobook narration was great, but it was kind of quiet at the whispering moments which was mildly annoying, but excellent other than that!!**

So, if I am honest, I’ve had trouble sorting my feelings about I Kissed Shara Wheeler. I like the queer Paper Town spin, but I find most of the characters unlikeable. Not liking the protagonist caused some difficulty. I pushed through the book at certain points. I felt like I was waiting on a ledge for the good part for a quarter of the book.

Now, that accent, that “Alabama” accent. It took a little getting used to. I’m southern-born, so that is also why I had personal issues with this small, stuffy Alabama town.I grew up in a small town, and I didn’t need to read the author’s bio to know that she too grew up in a small town. The portrayal was just that spot on.

Some of the characters initially seemed one dimensional: the jock, the outcast, the preacher’s daughter etc, and the character development was slow. It sort of changes quite swiftly. Almost, like the characters were intended to go in another direction. Everyone goes through some development. The true anchors in the story are Cassie’s moms. They don’t change throughout, and that’s part of their charm.

I highly recommend this book to YA readers! I look forward to read more about Cassie and Shara.

I’m incredibly grateful to Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners, Casey McQuiston and Netgalley for a copy of this book.

You know when you have read a book and it's so good you are simply at a loss for words? Like the book has sucked up all your thoughts and thrown them down on paper. This book right here is that type of book. It is that good. I found myself wanting to listen to more and more until I realized I had consumed the whole book in one day! The lines were witty funny and perfectly timed.

This story ebbed and flowed perfectly and is by far my favorite book of 2022 so far. This is the perfect debut ya novel for this author. I am entirely greatful to have been provided with the opportunity to listen to and review the audio book. Special note to the CW/ TW at the beginning of the audio book. Even though I do not need it I appreciate the sentiment immensely.

I will now also be listening to all audio books narrorated by Natalie Naudus. There could not have been a better choice to narrorate this emotional and comedic ya novel.

John Green’s Paper Towns meets Jane Austen’s Emma with academic rivals to lovers, featuring a very queer and endearing group of side characters. (Smith and Rory own my whole heart now!)

Shara Wheeler kisses 3 people before disappearing in the middle of senior year: boyfriend Smith, boy next door Rory and academic rival Chloe. Next day, the 3 find themselves teaming up and following a trail of clues Shara left behind for all of them. A lot of shenanigans ensue and it’s the beginning of many a beautiful friendship.

Casey McQuiston knows their shit: “if I loved you less, I might be able to talk about it more” is one of the most romantic (and queerest) lines in all of literature! Also, the book explores the tensions of growing up and going to school in a very intolerant environment with a great balance of realism, positivity and optimism. A really great read!

Natalie Naudus did an excellent job with the narration. It was a very smooth listen. Every character felt like they had their own distinct voice.

Also, loved the little countdowns at the beginning of every chapter and the random assortment of stuff from the burn pile at the end of every chapter.

I loved Red, White and Royal Blue and could not get into One Last Stop's mystery. I really enjoyed the storyline and mystery in this book, however, which felt sort of like Gone Girl. Once it reached the last quarter of the book though, it just fell short for me.

3.5 stars

I'm glad this book mentioned, [book:Looking for Alaska|99561] because it gave me strong vibes of that book.

Chloe Green's mothers moved from California to Alabama four years ago. She has been attending Willowgrove Christian Academy where she hopes to be the valedictorian. The only person standing in her way is Shara Wheeler, who happens to be the principal's daughter.

One night close to graduations, Shara kisses Chloe and vanishes.

While hunting for answers, Chloe learns she was not the only one that Shara kissed that day. She also kissed her boyfriend, Smither and her next-door neighbor, Rory. Let's hope they all don't get mono!

Chloe, Smith, and Rory form an alliance that finds that Shara has left cryptic notes behind. It's like a strange scavenger hunt trying to learn why Shara disappeared and where she might be. The trio go are off and hunting, uncovering notes, while asking questions and getting some answers.

I listened to the audio book and thought the narrator did a good job. I enjoyed the book and the hunt for clues. What I enjoyed more was the growing friendships between Smith, Rory, and Chloe. The characters are quirky, snarky, fun, and interesting. We learn more about each as the book progresses.

So why did Shara go missing? Read/listen to find out. I will say that this was the weakest part of the book for me. With the friendships and growth of the trio being the strong parts. Chloe was a little annoying at times for me, but I got passed that as her character grew.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

"I'm in love with a turducken!"

This is a story of coming into oneself, discovering what's truly wanted, who one is, and what truly matters. Casey McQuiston does a beautiful job of making the characters relatable and fun, making you want to know more about them. The relationships you witness blossom will have you cheering, and the self discovery will warm your heart.

I'm sure a lot of people can relate to what these teens have to deal with growing up in a very judgmental, religious environment where they feel they can't make their own choices. It makes bonding with the characters easy, and I think you can find a bit of yourself in each one of them.

Natalie Naudus does a wonderful job of taking this book and making it jovial and fun with her voice. I will admit some of her character voices made me laugh, but I found that it endeared me to the characters even more! It made it easy to tell which character was taking which is always helpful in an audiobook. I really enjoyed listening to her tell this story and would recommend it if this story piques your interest!

To start with the great - Casey writes characters so well. I would die for Rory and Smith. I think for some young queer kids, the discussions some of these characters have around sexuality and gender will be really meaningful, and for that reason, I'm incredibly happy this book exists.
However, I didn't think the narrative really worked. Almost none of the machinations that went into the "missing" Shara made sense, and the main character's ~realizations~ at the end of the book were so clear from the start that every time she denies what she's feeling, especially past the first half of the book or so, I was unconvinced and felt like the author was trying to pull one over on me. I appreciated that the author attempted to tackle the difficult issue of religion, southernness, and bigotry combining in the South, and I have a feeling this will be helpful for some kids too, but to me when religion comes up it feels like it's just to say that they haven't forgotten it's part of the story.
The audio narrator clearly committed hard to this performance, but at times, that went a little overboard - there are probably 20 characters with different voices, so it makes sense that they turn a little ridiculous. A few of them, the high school girls especially, sound like mean caricatures of girl voices.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler gave me the same feelings that the movie Booksmart did. I longed for a high school experience I never had yet I was enveloped in the nostalgia of it.
I loved the characters and they felt so real to me, and I now have a crush on Shara freaking Wheeler (sorry Chloe).
A fun time that I would recommend to everyone. 4/5 stars.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler is a special story with a gentle nod to every queer person's inner child. Reading this book sent me flying back to being a teenager and feeling entirely out of place in my own skin. It's full of the kind of connections that make me emotional to read about - supportive and diverse families, friends from every background, and “enemies” facing their own insecurities along the way.

This book provided me with the soft love for beautiful friendships that I always seek in a story. All I ever want is to see queer kids making mistakes, learning from them, growing through them, and building lasting connections along the way that will make futures full of self-love and unconditional support possible. Chloe and Shara are complicated girls - they're faced with the worst aspects of themselves while trying to come to terms with the fact that people still love them and root for them regardless.

If you're looking for characters that will nurture every doubt and insecurity that being a queer kid instills in you, this book is the answer. It's one that I will hold dear for years to come!

I'm a huge fan of Natalie Naudus, and her reading of this audiobook was absolutely fantastic!! it made for the perfect reading experience, and reminded me of how much I enjoyed the audio experience of One Last Stop.

The narrator us AMAZING!!!

The book is incredible cute, and gives me 80's/90's vibes as I listen and I'm loving it. This author can do no wrong.

Chloe Green turns amateur sleuth when her academic rival, Shara Wheeler, kisses her (and a few others) and then suddenly vanishes leaving mysterious notes in her wake. What starts off as an exercise in attention seeking, quickly becomes a journey of self discovery as multiple characters are forced to examine who and what they want in life as they face the next step in their lives.

This book is a quippy, fun, rom com on it’s surface, with characters you cannot help but like and root for (Smith, Rory, and Georgia to name a few). But at it’s core, it is about being true to yourself and figuring out where you belong. It’s about embracing your queerness even in the face of adversity, and finding a community who makes you feel perfect and whole just as you are.

At a time when books with LGBTQ+ focus are being banned from schools, and bills preventing discussions around gender and sexuality are being written and passed, McQuiston’s latest novel becomes that much more important to young adults as they grapple with these issues.

What I also really liked about this book is how it showcases the horrible pressures put upon high school students as they face the stress of moving towards the next phase of their life. Getting into their first choice college, becoming valedictorian, prom king or queen…the pressures placed on kids who are also struggling with peer pressure, coming into/forming their identities, can and does cause significant harm and McQuiston does a great job of illustrating the damage that can be done.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

#IKissedSharaWheeler:

“When I look at her, I feel like there might be another universe in her. I imagine her on a shelf too high for me to reach, or peeking out of someone else’s backpack, or waiting for me at the end of a long wait at the library. I know there are other books that are easier to get my hands on, but none are half as good as her”.

This is my favorite Casey McQuiston book. That’s the review. That’s it. I am giddy, I am happy, and I’m nostalgic. This is a book I want to hug.

First off, we start the book right off the bat with a disclaimer for Southern Baptist, and we’ll, The Killers. Let me go back to 16 year old Mellie hanging out at a Dunkin and live my high school days through. The portrayal of the Deep South was so accurate. It’s one of those #IYKYK because this was right on the money.

It kind of starts off with a bit of a mystery trying to figure out where TF is Shara! Then we get all the living your last days of high school feels and realizing we are bigger than our small town feels and it’s amazing. I feel like we had a Part 1: Find Shara, Part 2: Make it to graduation, but regardless, it flowed.

Audio, amazing. Natalie Naudus is the sole reader. Not a full cast, but they did a full cast job, okay?! So talented and had me living for the audio. Only reason I’d want the physical copy is for that naked book. 👀

This is a book that if I had a physical copy, I would have highlighted or tabbed so many quotes. I’ve heard so many people say it’s Papertowns x Glee, and yeah. I get it. And I love it. This is a true YA and it reads that way. If you’re looking for a NA or adult book, this ain’t the one. If you’re looking for a YA or a real freaking good coming of age story about some amazing humans, this is the one. The audio is amazing and it’s going to stay with me for a while. Thank you @libro and @macm for the gifted ALC. I Kissed Shara Wheeler is out 5/3/2022, and it’s a favorite of the year.

“The loudest Christians I’ve ever met were the worst ones. I don’t believe doing something in front of everybody makes it more meaningful, anyway. If anything, it makes it stop belonging to you”.

3.5 Stars!

As a massive Casey McQuiston fan her first YA book did not disappoint. I won't lie I think the second half of the book is stronger than the first part in my opinion but overall this book was so sweet and VERY IMPORTANT. Casey truly writes the most loveable characters and they are a master at writing a friend group filled with diversity and wit Chloe was clearly inspired by Rachel Barry from Glee and I loved all the theater references as a theater kid myself. Watching these kids find themselves and stick together in a town that is mostly against them was so beautiful to read. Casey's books are filled with so much heart and I am a forever fan.

THIS THIS THIS is what I expected out of One Last Stop (which was good but...not the same)
RW&RB + OLS = SHARA WHEELER

PROS
-Sapphic
-Found Family
-witty/ banter
-mystery romance (if that's not a thing it should be)
-self development
-discussion of religious trauma in relation to expectations as well as sexuality
-coming of age
-diverse characters


CONS
-idk I was to busy screaming about how much I loved the book to notice a flaw

Okay, first, let me say that I do enjoy McQuiston's characters; I always feel like their personalities jump off the page and you can feel their internal struggles.

However, I feel like this story was a bit all over the place and just seemed a bit wild for high school. Like...if someone were missing like this...wouldn't more people be concerned? I feel like the author tried to explain this away with "oh, my parents know where I am" but still. It just seemed a bit unrealistic for a book that was meant to be realistic, YA fiction.

However, I did enjoy the narrator and don't think that negatively impacted my reading experience.

CW // religious bigotry, homophobia, bullying, racism

Shara Wheeler kissed Chloe Green and then disappeared. Now Chloe is teaming up with Sharas next door neighbour Rory and quarterback boyfriend Smith, to find out where she is. Using clues left behind by Shara herself this unlikely threesome will come together to solve this mystery.

This book had a lot of potential. And while it was an enjoyable read, near the end I found myself increasingly ready for it to be finished.
Unfortunately I felt like it tried to do too much. Touch on too many subject, have too many subplots. Because of this it kind of felt a little sloppy at times. It was almost like multiple short stories strung together.
Having said that- this is a great book when it comes to LGBTQIA+ representation.
And this is definitely something I stand behind and want to see more of.

McQuiston's ability to write authentic and engaging characters shines through in this YA contemporary. Adult fans of McQuiston's work will be drawn to the story, while new (younger) fans will identify with the voice.
The audiobook is brillantly narrated by Natalie Naudus.

I loved Red, White, and Royal Blue, but I don’t usually love YA so I wasn’t sure what to expect from this. It definitely surprised me with how much I enjoyed it! As someone part of the LGBTQ+ community, I completely related to a lot of the storyline. I cried at the end when Chloe was giving her valedictorian speech, seeing how all of these people had come together. It was inspiring. 5 Stars!!

As a fan of McQuiston's other books, I was excited to pick up their YA debut, I Kissed Shara Wheeler. And this book definitely made me feel all warm and fuzzy like One Last Stop and Red White and Royal Blue did; it's a heartwarming queer story about overcoming adversity and learning more about yourself, especially in a super religious, southern high school.

But one thing I couldn't help but notice about this book is that I feel like it tried to do too much at once, to the point that it felt like it should have been about three separate books. The plot felt a little bit disjointed at times; there was the part when Chloe, Rory, and Smith were all trying to figure out what happened to Shara, there was the time after Chloe finds Shara, and there was the whole graduation plot. It just didn't feel very much like a cohesive plot; instead of all of these subplots being woven together, it was like one was written to completion and then the next one would start. Because of this, I found the pacing to be really strange, and I feel like this book was trying to do all too much at once.

Overall, though, I think this book has an important message. I'm probably a little bit older than the target audience for this book, but the world definitely needs more YA books like this, so I recommend this book to anyone who needs to be reminded that they're not alone in high school..

(Also this is such a dumb criticism I had, but as someone who was involved in high school theatre, the fact that a high school had enough operatic singers to put on Phantom of the Opera felt incredibly unrealistic to me, and it continually took me out of the plot.)