Reviews with content warning for Emotional abuse - I Kissed Shara Wheeler

Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

31 reviews

sariereads's review against another edition

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hopeful mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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pandemonicbaby's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

I really did enjoy this book!! Stayed up late and ignored my duties to finish it.
I just wished it had touched more on themes of religious trauma and the inner thoughts and feelings of other characters (specifically shara), but i get why that wouldn't be possible considering chloe is the main character and also the religious trauma in itself wasn't the main focus of the book (mostly its consequences). Overall great book!!

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bibeanenergy's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

Yeah idk I wouldn't read it again. Angst teen and not in a good way, not as good as mcquistans other works. But maybe it really speaks to folks who recognise the american small town religious vibe.

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apileofcranes's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

To me, I kissed Shara Wheeler is the best of YA realistic fiction. Though it utilized many common tropes of the genre, they are all executed in ways that feel deeper and more real than almost any other YA book does. There are a couple of moments where it feels like these tropes are used just to heighten the drama, but the payoff in the end made up for it.
A common problem I’ve found for YA books set in high school is the lack of depth in a lot of side characters, and any depth added is usually told to the reader and not shown. I would say this is where Casey McQuiston’s writing shines the brightest. The supporting cast is so fleshed out and charming that I would read spin-offs about them if they existed. The sides ships rival the main pairing in the book, and Smith is just the best character ever.
The plot itself is fast-paced and creatively mysterious without any dreading suspense that someone will be dead by the end of the book, which is a refreshing twist on how this trope usually goes.
It’s an excellent read for anyone who is queer and living in a place/community where they have to hide their true selves, or is struggling with reconciling their queer identity and their religion. It gives a very grounded look into Christian schools in Deep South, a rare setting to see in YA from my experience.
Overall, it’s an amazing read with fleshed-out characters and a playful mystery to boot. An enemies-to-lovers plot so strong you’re left wondering at certain points if they can make it past enemies at all, but the resolution is all the much sweeter for it.

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midnightbelles's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

This was a little dry but once I got into it I was swept into the mystery of Shara and those around her. I also thought Chloe was a bit self centered but I really loved her friends and her moms and I thought it was all really sweet. I also like that everyone got their happy ending (for now at least)

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kjbranton's review against another edition

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adventurous funny inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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bumblemee's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This book had me hooked, I listened to it within three days. It manages to be fun and lighthearted while also dealing with quite heavy themes - especially how conservative christianity can do a lot of harm to young (queer) people.
I loved the characters and the friend group, especially Smith grew on me a lot (but Georgia, Rory etc. did as well). It was hilarious to listen to Chloe "I hate Shara Wheeler" Green being obsessed with said Shara, completely stuck in her vision of Shara while knowing that her hatred was anything but actual hatred. (Same thing the other way around.) I also think that the discussions around identity and learning to see people for who they really are were done well and in an accessible way. Reading this as an adult had me thinking "Well yeah, Chloe, surprise! Some people don't fit into that tiny little box you put them into", but I think if I read this as a teenager, her revelations would've been pretty impactful to me; learning how complex humans actually are is a big lesson to learn after all. It was nice to see Chloe grow in that regard. On that note: Chloe Green and Shara Wheeler are some of the smartest dumbasses I ever read about and I love them for it! <3

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