Thank you to Netgalley, Casey McQuiston and Macmillan Audio for the ALC copy of I Kissed Shara Wheeler.

To be honest, I didn't LOVE Casey McQuiston's first two novels. I liked them, but didn't love them like everyone else seems to. However, the synopsis of this book sounded interesting so I decided to take a chance, and I am glad I did! This was most definitely my favourite of Casey McQuiston's three novels.

The plot line was super fun, I liked the characters a lot and the small town, religious Alabama setting was an interesting take as well. This was definitely a typical YA book in that Chloe Green (the main character) has a arch in which she learns about herself, and changes her attitude about her small town, but it was done in a unique way- the "mystery scavenger hunt" plot was super intriguing. The characters were also great! My favourites were definitely Smith, Ace and Chloe's moms.

All in all, this was a good book! If you have been hesitant about McQuiston like I have in the past, I would highly recommend trying this one out!

I Kissed Shara Wheeler comes out May 3, 2022 so make sure you grab a copy!

Wow, where do I start with this one? I did not know what to expect, and I was surprised in the best way. 4.5 Stars

Are there rom-com aspects? Yes, but it is so much more than that.

It’s about identity. How much do you know about yourself, and how much do you really know about the people around you? It’s about those big questions that you start to ask in high school.

Who really is Shara Wheeler, and why did she disappear? Why is she sending Chloe, Rory, and Smith on a wild goose chase to find her? They seem so different. Do they have anything in common other than having been kissed by Shara Wheeler?

The crafting of the quest curated by clues on pink stationery tucked around town was quite clever. I enjoyed watching the bonds grow between characters that, for all intents and purposes, belonged to different cliques. I thought the capturing of the ethos of a private evangelical Christian school located in a small Southern town was handled with both honesty and humor. While we decidedly see this setting through Chloe’s more liberal relocated Californian viewpoint, McQuiston does provide a more balanced and rounded version through conversations with secondary characters.

As for the audio, hats off to Natalie Naudus for capturing so many different voices and carrying them so well throughout the entire story. Naudus brought this book to life for me. I found myself wanting to sit and listen to it, not drive and listen to it or cook and listen to it–although I did do those things some while listening to this one–but, at night, instead of curling up with a book or watching a show to relax, I popped in my headphones, sat down, and turned on this story. Naudus’s choice of vocal tone for Chloe’s dialogue can be grating at times, but I also found it very fitting for the character.

Funny, endearing, snarky, surprising, touching, sweet, swoony, heartbreaking, happy–I Kissed Shara Wheeler will take you for a wild ride.

Trigger / Content Warnings*: shame, homophobia, racism, misogyny, repression, prejudice, cheating, teenage drug / tobacco use, underage drinking, dysfunctional families

*Please check Casey McQuiston’s website for content warnings as she goes even more in depth on these, but be aware that there are mild spoilers.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

After really enjoying ONE LAST STOP and RED, WHITE, AND ROYAL BLUE I had extremely high hopes for I KISSED SHARA WHEELER. I am SO sad that this one ended up falling short for me.

I will preface this by saying this book definitely will be loved by a subset of young high schoolers that are currently going through what the characters are dealing with. As an adult there just wasn't that added appeal to me. I typically don't have any issues reading YA. This book however is extremely YA and is fully based on high school drama, first kisses, and what felt like a big game of telephone.

The book navigates a lot of important challenges high schoolers deal with such as gender and sexuality along with societal pressures while trying to figure yourself out. I think this is great and reading this book will be comforting to a lot of young readers, however, the high school almost felt like a utopia where every single student was LGBTQ+ and just realizing with no hiccups anywhere. Given the religious aspect of the town I guess it is implied there are unspoken issues but it just seemed unrealistic skipping over that and I think it would be beneficial to see how it would have been navigated.

I listened to this on audio and I thought the format was great since there is a lot of fun banter. If I was physically reading I think I may have not finished.

I'm curious to see more reviews once this one releases because I think this is a book that will be perceived very differently depending on age and the readers own high school experiences.

Casey McQuiston has done it again!!

Perfect Prom Queen Shara Wheeler goes missing a month before graduation, her competition for valedictorian Chloe Green however is NOT letting her get away that easy. With the help of an unlikely team of rebel burn-out, Shara's next door neighbor Rory and Shara's quarterback boyfriend, the three will decode all of Shara's cryptic notes on the hunt to find her before graduation.
A perfect blend of Paper Towns and High School Musical. A beautiful representation of being queer, questioning and basically existing in high school. Such a celebration of identity and finding yourself even when the world around you is telling you who you're supposed to be. I LOVED this from start to finish. I don't think it's at all what I expected and I was beyond pleasantly surprised by the entire novel.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler is a coming of age story featuring a cast of lovable and relatable characters about LGBTQIA+ kids in a tiny Alabama Christian town. I really appreciate how McQuiston does such a good job with side characters and really bringing in so much emotion and connection to a whole cast of folks. The representation in this book was fantastic and McQuiston expertly addresses tough YA topics like gender identity, parental expectations, acceptance, and religions beliefs.

The story follows Chloe, Smith and Rory, who were each kissed by Shara Wheeler, within 24 hours of her disappearance. Chloe has been Shara's academic rival since she moved to Alabama from California, Smith is Shara's quarterback-jock-star-boyfriend, and Rory is Shara's next door neighbor. The major plotline is this scavenger-hunt style mystery that the three are trying to solve using the clues and riddles Shara leaves for them scattered around their hometown.. I will say I was a little disappointed in the reveal at the end of this hunt... it felt like it sort of just ended which left me wanting a little more.

As for the romance element of the plotline, I also felt like there was something missing there. I really loved both Chloe's and Shara's development, but it felt like they went from hating each other to love too quickly (even though I'm typically a fan of this trope). I sometimes felt like I didn't fully understand how they felt about each other. And maybe that's the point... overall I still very much enjoyed this book and all the characters and friendships and would highly recommend!

This book has it all: Young Adult, mystery, romance (several, in fact), LGBTQIA, and it’s super cozy. The audiobook was 💯

I KISSED SHARA WHEELER
● Chloe
● senior year
● timeline: prom to graduation
● Shara is the prom queen
● Shara Wheeler runs away on prom night
● Shara kissed Chloe, Smith, and Rory prior to running away
● Shara left each of them a note with clues to where she is
● Chloe, Smith, and Rory work together to find Shara
● Smith is Shara’s boyfriend
● Rory is Shara’s neighbor
● Rory & Smith used to be best friends as kids
● small-town in the bible-belt
● Paper Towns by John Green vibes
● contemporary young adult

**Complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.**
Audiobook source: NetGalley
Narrator: Natalie Naudus
Length: 9H 25M

YA, a queer rom-com with a mystery. A few swear words, nothing more than kissing. I'd say 12 and up, but mature 5th/6th graders could handle it- especially those who are questioning their own identity or sexuality. (Former 5th grade teacher here.)

This book had a Breakfast Club vibe for me in ways. A group of people (first Chloe, Smith, and Rory which later expanded to their individual friend groups, too) forced into proximity and realize they have more in common that they could have imagined.

Shara Wheeler has disappeared. She left notes for three people (Chloe, Smith, and Rory) with clues as to why she disappeared and where she is. Chloe, Smith, and Rory just happen to be the three people she kissed. As Chloe, Smith, and Rory spend time in each other's worlds, they make a lot of self discoveries. They also become genuine friends.

I liked this, but I wanted to like it more. Straight person here, so maybe I am off, but I feel like Casey McQuiston did an amazing job with the queer elements in the book. The self discovery, acceptance, etc... And setting it in an uber conservative high school will resonate a lot of kids.

What I didn't like- Chloe- she was a bit too self absorbed, making her annoying. The other thing that nagged at me the whole time- I realize this is fiction, and call me crazy, but I prefer realistic fiction to be somewhat realistic- is the fact that like half of the senior class of a conservative, private, Christian school were some type of queer. Maybe half is an exaggeration, but at least a dozen or so kids. I don't know why things like that bother me in books, but they do.

I listened to the audio version of this book. Normally, I love when Natalie Naudus narrates. I loved this one less than usual. There are a LOT of characters and some of the voices she used when reading dialogue were super annoying.

I received an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this!! This addressed so many things teens face growing up in a small town. Three characters you wouldn't expect team up to find out where Shara Wheeler went after unexpectedly kissing them.

Enjoyed how much Shara knew about them that they barely knew about themselves. Her clues lead to a lot of discoveries.

Casey McQuiston's YA debut is everything fans expect - excellent. A recommended purchase for YA and HS collections,

Casey McQuiston is an absolute legend in writing and storytelling. I will happily read anything they write!!

I Kissed Shara Wheeler made me laugh, bawl, and smile all at the same time constantly. It had so much depth. The inclusiveness and diversity within this book was phenomenal. I fell in love with all of the friendships, crushes turned relationships, and found family. I have too many favorite characters to name. (Main and side). The unexpected friendship trio of Chloe, Smith, and Rory really warmed my heart. I related to so many aspects of this book and I felt seen, heard, and understood. The way Casey’s writing just pulls you in and you can’t stop reading/listening is impressive. I loved the character development, the dynamics between characters, the plot, and the twists and turns. I couldn’t stop listening to this book. IKSW captured my heart and I don’t want it back. I couldn’t recommend this book ENOUGH. Please run, don’t walk to pick this gem of a book up on May 3rd! You won’t regret it!

4.75 stars

This was such a good read. It was fun, dramatic, and heartwarming; it was a comfort read that still managed to surprise me; it was exactly what I needed right now. I loved the writer’s first two books and was thrilled to see them come out with a YA novel; this one just solidifies that their work is always going to have a special place in my heart. I loved the protagonist, her family, and her friends, and the plot, while not what I expected, was delightful. So much good diverse queer representation, as always, and well-written besides that. I’ve already started talking about this book to different people, and I can’t wait to have a copy for my classroom library- I preordered as soon as I finished. I’m thrilled I was able to read an advance copy of this book and am very excited to own a physical copy. I can’t wait for what the writer comes out with next!

Shara Wheeler is the “it” girl. She’s beautiful, smart, kind, dating the quarterback, prom queen & the principal’s daughter. When she goes missing one month before graduation after kissing the known bad boy and Chloe Green, she leaves notes behind for those who she thinks can find her. Chloe is her arch nemesis as they are constantly competing for valedictorian and highest GPA. Chloe realises Shara isn’t who she’s been pretending to be as she sets out on the scavenger hunt Shara has left for her.

When I was listening to this book, all I could think about was how important the representation in this book would be for YA readers! There is lesbian, bisexual, non-binary and more groups of people that are represented. Chloe was hilarious -her narration made this an easy read as the tone is kept light most of the time and she is very likeable! The search for Shara was super interesting, although I did find the grand reveal to be a bit disappointing. The cast of supporting characters was also phenomenal, I loved Smith! Thanks to @macmillan.audio, @librofm and @netgalley for my review copies.

This is the queer love square we have all been waiting for💗👏. It’s also an enemies to lovers rom-com, mystery, and YA coming-of-age story. It’s McQuiston’s signature sharp witty dialogue and laugh-out-loud moments.

I’ve read all of McQuiston’s books, and this one lived up to the hype. Right before “it girl” Shara Wheeler goes missing, she kisses MC Chloe, quarterback Smith, and bad boy Rory. The unlikely trio must team up to decipher the clues left behind inside a trail of hidden pink envelopes to find her.

This book challenges stereotypes. It dissolves the lunchroom social hierarchy, and mixes people from different cliques together into the most beautiful and unexpected relationships.

One of my favorite parts was a conversation between Ash and Smith, where they gives one of the most succinct straightforward explanations of pronouns I have ever heard.

McQuiston adeptly handles issues surrounding religious trauma and homophobia. A lot of Chloe’s story felt very familiar. I also grew up in the South, went to a Christian High School, made good grades, challenged authority, and earned myself a ton of dress code demerits.

McQuiston writes fully formed three-dimensional characters. I enjoyed following Chloe on her journey to find Shara and herself in the process. I loved Smith and Rory’s stories, and Chloe’s moms were 🤌*chef’s kiss.*

Natalie Naudus did a phenomenal job with the audiobook narration and different voices for all of the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I kissed Shara Wheeler is an emotional and mysterious journey of a novel with an amazing narrator for the story. With John Green Esque writing and adventurous storylines with multiple perspectives in play Shara Wheeler is a work of fiction that will live in the hearts of many queer readers.

Incredible. Chloe Green only has one thing standing in her way of becoming valedictorian at her Christian high school: perfect, popular Shara Wheeler. Then Shara disappears after kissing Chloe, leaving behind a series of mysterious notes for Chloe, the stoner she apparently also kissed, and her jock boyfriend. It's part mystery, part high school outcast story, part rom-com, and all great reading.

I didn't want this book to end!

Truly, I kept checking the audiobook progress to make sure I wasn't close to the ending, and I considered listening at a slower speed to prolong the experience.

The story reminded me of a classic teen comedy, but with updated themes of self-discovery and inclusiveness. It was fun, but it also played with my emotions. I loved it.

Special thanks to Macmillan Audio for the advanced listener’s copy!

I Kissed Shara Wheeler is a sapphic YA, academic rivals to lovers story with loose tie-ins to Jane Austen’s Emma. Shara Wheeler is your typical manic pixie dream girl. She’s blonde, kind, smart, and dedicated to Jesus—the embodiment of perfection for the posh Willowgrove Christian Academy. But after prom, she kisses two people who are not her boyfriend and disappears. She leaves behind a string of clues, sending an unlikely group on a scavenger hunt to find Shara and figure out what’s going on.

This book is incredibly adorable and oh-so heartfelt. I loved the references to Emma and the Mr. Knightly/Emma dynamic between Chloe and Shara was perfect. There were a couple of moments that felt slightly overwritten, including the phrase “emotional support water bottle” which felt like an author trying to be hip, but even these moments were endearing enough to be overlooked.

True to Casey McQuiston's style, their side characters almost steal the show, and the book features a found family that will absolutely melt you. And while this is not a story about the difficulties of being LGBTQIA+, McQuiston doesn’t shy away from depicting that reality, but they do so in a way that embodies the experience as a decidedly teenage one, rather than an LGBTQIA+ one. About halfway through the book, Chloe has a minor breakdown about the difficulties of her reality as a bisexual woman that could easily be copied and pasted into any teenage meltdown, showing how this experience is truly universal regardless of your orientation. (It is hands down my favorite part of the book and definitely made me tear up).

I Kissed Shara Wheeler is out May 3rd, and it should absolutely be on your radar!

I can only say that Casey McQuiston is a great author and that even though YA is not for me anymore, I can't deny how much I love her writing.
I am happy I read the audiobook instead of the physical copy because I'd have probably ended putting the book on my DNF pile.
I did love all the amazing queerness! I loved Chloe and her parents and all her friends. As well as the ones she makes along the way, but I just can't stand Shara Wheeler and the "love story" between them.
The whole cat and mouse game just annoyed me and Shara came across as a brat to me. It is really the main reason I gave this book 3 stars instead of 5 like I did with Red, White & Royal Blue and One Last Stop.
The book did make me remember my high school days and how you perceive certain people. How they used to look so cool and popular back in the days, but now as an adult you realize, we were all struggling with something. Some were just better at hiding it than others.
Also the book made me in the mood for Taco Bell....
The narrator is just the best and one of my favorites. I always love listening to the books she narrates.

High school can be a challenge and even more so when you have a secret to hide. This story dives deep into a Christian school and issues of homophobia. I really enjoyed the overall concept of the book and each teen's perspective on growing up in the small, religious hometown. I felt that some of the book seemed a bit unrealistic. I would say this was my favorite book by McQuiston. I enjoyed the narrator.