“There are things out there for you that you haven’t even thought of yet, that you don’t even know how to think of yet. Who you are here doesn’t have to be the same as who you are out there. And if the person you feel like you have to be in this town doesn’t feel right to you, you’re allowed to leave. You’re allowed to exist. Even if it means existing somewhere else.“

Pair with: vanilla-mint lip gloss, a bag of peach rings, and “Matilda” by Harry Styles on repeat

When Shara Wheeler kisses Chloe Green and then immediately vanishes, Chloe is determined to find the only girl who could unseat her as valedictorian. Chloe joins forces with Shara’s quarterback boyfriend, Smith, and her next door neighbor, Rory, to unravel a set of cryptic clues Shara has left behind.

McQuiston writes in an author’s note that their motivation in writing this story had a lot to do with creating the kind of rom-com teen movie experience that exists in spades for straight kids, and I’m going to be very surprised if this book doesn’t end up adapted to film. It’s cinematic. From the high school tropes to the settings and vivid descriptions of characters’ bedrooms, I could see it all.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler is going to mean so much to queer kids growing up in bible belt America (and to the inner children of adults who grew up in conservative, religious, and/or otherwise heteronormative spaces), and I don’t think that I’m being hyperbolic when I say that the rep here very well could save lives.

There’s a wide range of queer rep here, great side-character development, amazing found family elements, discussion of the impact of oppression, and some swoony bits. Chloe, though not always particularly likable, is a badass, and of all of the characters, Rory has my heart. McQuiston writes smart, capable, autonomous adolescent characters while still capturing the angst of figuring out who you are.

Though I really enjoy Natalie Naudus as a narrator, there were enough little details here that I’m glad I stopped listening to the audiobook and waited for my print copy to arrive, because I was missing too much on audio. It was also difficult to fully assess the audiobook version because of the file quality issues via netgalley shelf.

Thanks to @wednesdaybooks, Macmillan audio, and netgalley for an ALC for review.

Unsurprisingly, the third installation in the Casey McQuiston Literary Universe was magnificent! As someone who grew up going to a small, conservative Christian school for 13 years and is now Queer, I knew this would hit close to home but I wasn’t quite prepared just HOW much!! Watching Chloe get to know her peers and see how the effects of being surrounded by toxic Christianity their entire lives and develop empathy for their experiences was so remarkably healing to read. Obviously the mystery of Where is Shara and the romance between her and Chloe was delightful, but the highlight of this book for me was the ensemble of diverse characters in Chloe’s circle.
Also worth noting, the audiobook performance from Natalie Naudus was excellent!

"I'm in love with a monster turducken." omg I just love one liners. 

I don't know what I was expecting when I started this audiobook but it wasn't this. Clearly I didn't read the synopsis. I had an idea there might be a kiss but that was it. I loved RWRB so I just jumped in.

Completely different from that book was the setting but what was similar was the self-discovery and enemies to lovers which I love. The competition and constant one upmanship which was a mask for the tension of the burgeoning feelings (ok I just wanted to fit burgeoning into a sentence).

The bible belt might not be the most friendly and open place to find your self-identity and your sexuality but this Christian Academy in a small town in Alabama was very restrictive. From the outside this seems the perception but I could be mistaken.

Shara kissed Chloe, her neighbor and her boyfriend then disappeared a month before graduation. But she left behind clues to notes and Chloe needed to find out where they led. I just loved how this progressed and where it went, how this graduating class found themselves and became more than their school was telling them they could be.

There was so much happening and so many relationships that just happened that I didn't see coming. But Shara did. 

The narrator did amazing as she moved through each of the characters who were very different personalities.

Read if you like:
✨ Enemies to lovers
✨ Love notes
✨ Self discovery


Thank you macmillanaudio and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

Interesting and well written I just personally couldn’t get into the story. Definitely creepy. Just a little slow and unbelievable at some points. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I KISSED SHARA WHEELER is premised upon the romance between a girl chasing a fair fight to valedictorian and a girl who left clues after disappearing: two academic rivals dead set on destroying each other. and along the way, secrets are unlocked, unexpected relationships form, and rules are broken. this book felt like finding a place to exist even when it felt like you couldn’t. it’s long nights with the windows rolled down and bleachers playing in the background all the while being surrounded by people you love and would fight for.

A great book for YA readers enjoy a touch of romance and a little mystery. Casey McQuiston investigates the struggles of teen who are trying to figure out their sexuality and how they fit in the world.

Wonderful! Casey McQuiston is such a talented writer. 'I Kissed Shara Wheeler' is a fun mystery, a coming-of-age story, an exploration of small-town lives and values, and an affirmation for kids everywhere who are trying to figure out where they belong.

I feel like one of McQuiston's special talents is making three-dimensional characters who come to life and leap off the page. These characters are so relatable, so genuine and real. There are funny and tender moments, and there is a satisfying resolution at the end of the book.

The audiobook narration was excellent. I would definitely listen to another book by this narrator, and I would read anything written by McQuiston.

Absolutely recommended!

3.25*

okay i'm having mixed feelings about this. i think that this book is super cute and fun and will please a wide demographic of people but i wasn't the biggest fan.
for me personally, the first half wasn't nearly as interesting as the second half. i wasn't super into the whole Papertowns thing this book had going on and found myself only caring about what was happening after it was done. plot wise, rwrb will always be my favourite because it was so up my alley.
as far as characters go, i definitely think i liked the cast in this book more than i did in One Last Stop. Both Chloe and Shara felt like complex and interesting characters which had been a huge problem with me with OLS because i found Jane to be incredibly bland. in this book, everyone had their own problems, their own stories, and finding out more about the students was definitely was made this book for me.
all in all, i think this was an enjoyable read that would have flown by way quicker had i not been in finals season and a reading slump lmao and i would definitely recommend if you're looking for a fluffy, cute little read.

Chloe Green has spent the past four years working hr butt off and dealing with horrible remarks about her moms in order to chase Valedictorian at Willowgrove Christian Academy; the only one who has ever stood in her was the Principal's perfect daughter, Shara Wheeler.

A month before graduation Shara kisses her (which is forbidden at the school) and then disappears. Now Chloe teams up with Smith (Shara's Longtime boyfriend) and Rory (Shara's Neighbor) to find clues as to where Shara is and why she kissed all of them.

Casey McQuinston does it again!
I love Casey's books because the characters are so realistic, they are flawed in all the right ways and feel like an average person you would meet, The characters just feel authentic in every way. She writes books for people who have and are going through the struggles of being themselves and what that means to them and how their lives play out while they discover that.

I really enjoyed this, it was a fun read. I really enjoyed how queer this book was despite being set in a very religious, conservative, heteronormative town.

All Chloe has focused on is being valedictorian, which means beating the seemingly perfect Shara Wheeler. She teams up Rory and Smith, Shara's neighbour and boyfriend, to track down the misisng Shara. The clues were fun, I enjoyed that aspect. It was interesting to see the dynamics change between Chloe, Rory, and Smith as a bond is formed. They all had a journey of self discovery to go on. Chloe's obsession and hyper focus on Shara bothered me when it caused her to neglect her work and friends.

I was a little disappointed by Shara Wheeler when we met her. After hearing about her through Chloe's eyes I was expecting more fire.

I enjoyed the narration, Natalie Naudus did a good job bringing the story to life.

I'd give it a 3.5 rounded up to 4

I really do hope that a story like this more closely mirrors the journey of coming out today for a young adult. This story felt all wrapped up like a gift.

This book is fun and witty, and I want to give this to every high schooler I know! With that said, I need to admit this wasn't my favorite book. YA’s are usually a hit or miss for me, and I was a little bored listening to this one.

Even though this was not a 5-star for me, I can’t help but appreciate the characters and their storyline. Casey McQuiston always writes about LGBTQ+ characters, and we all know how important representation is, especially for young adult readers.

Chloe Green cannot be bothered by her conservative community & gossipy classmates. All she cares about is winning valedictorian. Her only real competition is the popular Shara Wheeler; but when she goes missing a month before graduation, after kissing Chloe, Chloe makes it her top priority to find out where she went missing too. Through an unlikely alliance, Chole uses clues Shara has left for them to try and figure out where and why Shara disappeared.

If this book wasn’t as long as it was, I think I could have enjoyed it more. I also found Chloe to be extremely annoying, so it was hard for me to read about her antics. In fact, none of the characters stood out to me, if I am being honest. Compared to the characters from RW&RB and One Last Stop, the IKSW cast was unremarkable. I will say it can be fun at 27 years old reading about present-day high schools and how much has changed with how they interact.

Highschool senior Chloe Green wants nothing more than to beat her arch nemesis Shara Wheeler at Valedictorian. Then Shara mysteriously disappears after kissing Chloe the weekend of their prom and leaves a series of letters containing clues on where she is hiding. It's up to Chloe and two unlikely companions to find Shara and bring her back before graduation so that Chloe can beat Shara the right way. But along the way, Chloe discovers that their may be more to Shara then she had once thought.

I loved Casey's two other books, and this was no different. I really loved the mystery aspect though, and watching Chloe, Smith and Rory find the letters and piece together the clues Shara left them. I also thought the inclusion of different notes and things at the beginning of each chapter was a really fun touch on the mystery as well. The thing that always shines for me in their books are the friendships they create between their characters. While reading there were moments when I was sitting their grinning ear to ear because of these quirky characters. I loved how close Chloe, Rory and Smith grew to one another and how their dynamics changed as the story progressed. I think that each character was so multi-layered and well developed as they take their self-discovery journey. Every one had their own personal struggles they were dealing with, and each were explored with care. I love how they each got to explore and come to terms with their identities with the help of their friends and families. The one complaint I have is that at times, Chloe really bothered me with her obsession with Shara and her inability to focus on anything else, even when her friend's needed her most.

Overall, I think this was a great dive into the YA genre for Casey McQuistion, and at this point I'll pick up anything that they write!

I enjoyed the first half of this book while the characters followed the clues to solve the mystery of where Shara is hiding. However, once the mystery was resolved I began to lose interest. Plus, the final resolution between Shara and Chloe, was a little too long drawn out, and I began to get bored.

I love Casey McQuiston's work, so I was thrilled to receive an advance copy of this audiobook. I think first and foremost that the narrator did a wonderful job navigating all of the various characters and making their personality shine through the different voices/accents/inflections. There are many characters in this novel and each felt very individual even though there was the same narrator voice. The story line was really cute and kept my attention the whole time. I found myself wanting to keep listen to this book once my drive to work was over since the story line was so engaging. The diversity in this book is wonderful, and I feel certain it stands apart from the other books in the YA category. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Young Listeners for a copy of this audiobook for an honest review.

Chloe Green's mothers relocated to Alabama from California four years ago. She is a student at Willowgrove Christian Academy, where she aspires to be valedictorian. Shara Wheeler, the principal's daughter, is the only thing standing in her way. Shara kisses Chloe and then disappears one night near graduation. While searching for answers, Chloe discovers she was not the only one Shara kissed that day. She also kissed Smither, her lover, and Rory, her next-door neighbor. Let's hope they don't all catch mono! Chloe, Smith, and Rory establish an alliance after discovering Shara's mysterious messages. It's like a crazy scavenger quest to figure out why Shara vanished and where she could be. The trio has taken off. Hunting for notes, while asking questions and receiving responses. I finished the audiobook and felt the narrator did an excellent job. The novel and the quest for clues were both enjoyable. What I liked best were Smith, Rory, and Chloe's budding connections. The characters are odd, caustic, entertaining, and intriguing. As the novel proceeds, we learn more about each character. So, what happened to Shara? Find out by reading or listening. This was, in my opinion, the book's weakest link. The trio's friendships and progress are the most important aspects. Chloe was a little aggravating at times, but I got over it as her character developed.
Macmillan Audio is grateful.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler is a Karen McManus-esque high school mystery involving an ensemble cast.

THE prom queen of the school, Shara Wheeler, goes missing after prom and leaves behind three letters: one for her boyfriend Smith, one for her neighbo,Rory, and one for her rival, Chloe. The three work together to try to find Shara, with Rory and Smith losing interest eventually and Chloe continuing the quest on her own. This is all complicated by the fact that Shara's dad is the principal of their religiously focused conservative high school in a rural Bible belt town and Chloe is the out kid and child of lesbian moms transplanted from California. The story is fast paced and the first three-forths focuses on following Shara's clues to find her. The forth is about the students coming together to protest the school's treatment of LGBTQ+ kids and stage their own graduation as well as the coming out of a statistical norms busting percentage of the kids at the school. The story was fast paced and fun. Having going to a similar school decades ago, it was a thought provoking look at what a high school like that would've been like in a different era. The characters were all well-developed, and I enjoyed the story, but it almost felt like two different books when the focus and storyline shifted so much for the last stretch.

The audio narration was amazing and Natalie Naudus continues to be one of my favorites.

I KISSED SHARA WHEELER by casey mcquiston

⭐️⭐️💫

🥴 awwww not sure what to think of this one. Started off as a mystery that was totally unbelievable. Shara Wheeler goes missing (for quite some time) and only a few of students are looking for her?! Ahhhhh ok not believable at all.

It then turns away from a mystery to a lgbtq+ / coming of age/ religion trauma storyline. I do not mind that at all BUT feel like it was a complete 180 from the first half of the book. 😵‍💫

Thank you @netgalley for the copy of this book!

#ikissedsharawheeler #netgally #booktok #bookish #bookrec #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookreader #bookblogger #bookstagram #book

I really liked the narrator for this book - vocally, she sounded a little too old for Chloe, but her sense of timing and pacing sounded just like a genius, slightly irate teen.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler is THE book of 2022. Is there anything Casey McQuiston writes that I won't love? Probably not. I am in love with how their mind works.
This book was giving me serious John Green vibes, it felt so nostalgic listening to this. I laughed out loud when one of the characters made a mention of a John Green novel.
These characters are wonderfully dimensional and relatable and I loved the mystery aspect with Shara's clue. The audiobook is fantastic but I think the physical copy would be even better. I did not hesitate to order a copy.