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charlx_otte's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Homophobia
katndrsn's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Outing, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Transphobia and Homophobia
aetherthedino's review against another edition
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
Holy. Shit.
This book is something I never knew that I needed, and something that I never knew someone could even have.
This book took so many twists and turns I can barely comprehend, but I’ll try to summarize my thoughts as best as I can.
My favorite type of book is when the writing is intertwined with personal experience, drama, and confliction that both the author and the characters are going through. This is the thesis in I kissed Shara Wheeler, what I thought was gonna be some sort of coming of age with a weird gimmick surprised me. The plot ended up being a dissection of growing up in the south being, discovery, and being so deeply tangled in the expectations of your environment that you almost lose sight of who you are, and only come to find a glimpse years later, or are never able to open your eyes again.
It can be really easy to never notice that though, beneath the messy relationships at the beginning and the characterization that is a bit hard to stick with and root for. But that could argued to be a reflection of like, and supposedly accurate to the world around us, the more you read and the more you dive in the more complicated it becomes and with that is a very touching coming of age that every teen should get.
The biggest complaint I see is that Chloe is not the most likeable, honestly shes kind of an asshole- especially in the beginning. While I definitely don’t defend all her actions I think that the way she is is imperative to shaping the plot and conflict. She provides a viewpoint that contradicts almost every other character in the book which really hammers home all the themes, while yes. It sucks there, theres also a Love and Hope through that suffering that shines through and experience that some will have to endure, but no one should have to go through.
The writing lends itself as well, I was a bit taken aback by the 3rd person, but it lends itself to the comedy and introspection, the tangents of Chloes thoughts of the people in her life as well as the sudden shocks and revelations that have the narrator break the fourth wall in a way that is-in simple terms-pretty funny.
I get why this book wont be for everyone, and it shouldn’t have to be, but I related to the authentic writing and the sense of place, (The Midwest has a lottt of crossover with the little details) and even some of the characters- Smith was my Favorite No questions asked- and that was enough for me, so maybe it'll be for you too.
(Sorry for the Long Corny ass review, I just liked this book 😭😭)
This book is something I never knew that I needed, and something that I never knew someone could even have.
This book took so many twists and turns I can barely comprehend, but I’ll try to summarize my thoughts as best as I can.
My favorite type of book is when the writing is intertwined with personal experience, drama, and confliction that both the author and the characters are going through. This is the thesis in I kissed Shara Wheeler, what I thought was gonna be some sort of coming of age with a weird gimmick surprised me. The plot ended up being a dissection of growing up in the south being, discovery, and being so deeply tangled in the expectations of your environment that you almost lose sight of who you are, and only come to find a glimpse years later, or are never able to open your eyes again.
It can be really easy to never notice that though, beneath the messy relationships at the beginning and the characterization that is a bit hard to stick with and root for. But that could argued to be a reflection of like, and supposedly accurate to the world around us, the more you read and the more you dive in the more complicated it becomes and with that is a very touching coming of age that every teen should get.
The biggest complaint I see is that Chloe is not the most likeable, honestly shes kind of an asshole- especially in the beginning. While I definitely don’t defend all her actions I think that the way she is is imperative to shaping the plot and conflict. She provides a viewpoint that contradicts almost every other character in the book which really hammers home all the themes, while yes. It sucks there, theres also a Love and Hope through that suffering that shines through and experience that some will have to endure, but no one should have to go through.
The writing lends itself as well, I was a bit taken aback by the 3rd person, but it lends itself to the comedy and introspection, the tangents of Chloes thoughts of the people in her life as well as the sudden shocks and revelations that have the narrator break the fourth wall in a way that is-in simple terms-pretty funny.
I get why this book wont be for everyone, and it shouldn’t have to be, but I related to the authentic writing and the sense of place, (The Midwest has a lottt of crossover with the little details) and even some of the characters- Smith was my Favorite No questions asked- and that was enough for me, so maybe it'll be for you too.
(Sorry for the Long Corny ass review, I just liked this book 😭😭)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Racism
hanz's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual harassment, and Racism
lindseyhall44's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
3.5
This is my third Casey McQuinston novel, and I lover every second of it! Although this is their first YA novel, all of the staples which make this author such a fan favorite (strong friend groups, humor, joy) are all there, maybe even more so than ever!
There are a few plot holes, but it was such a fun read overall, and I would highly, highly recommend!
I think that the relationship between Smith and Rory was so well done as well! They were my favorites:)
There are a few plot holes, but it was such a fun read overall, and I would highly, highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Outing, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Bullying, and Classism
zumo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Lesbophobia and Homophobia
pau_line's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Tatensächlicherweise hab ich keine ahnung, wie ich das buch bewerten soll haha
Es war total anders, als ich erwartet habe, wobei ich so gemischte gefühle dem gegenüber hatte.
Der Schreibstil war erfrischend, die Perspektive und die Zwischeneinschübe/"Notizen" waren auch ganz cool.
Es war echt interessant duech den Rahmen, in den das ganze gepackt wurde, weil
1. Shara verschwindet und hinterlässt Hinweise so à la Schnitzeljagd
2. die Kombination zwischen ultrachristlicher Kleinstadt und Charakteren, die nicht der Norm entsprechen, rausfinden, wer sie sind und wer sie sein wollen
Aber ich muss leider auch sagen, dass ich die Nebenfiguren zwar allesamt richtig gerne mochte, Chloe und Shara (die beiden Hauptfiguren) in meinen Augen schon aber teils problemaaatisch waren (z.b. egoistisch und gemein) und irgendwie hab ich deren ganze geschichte nicht so ganz verstanden und dahr auch nicht wirklich chemie oder so gefühlt
Ich muss aber trotzdem sagen: das buch mag zwar bisschen random sein haha, aber ich mochte es wie gesagt trotzdem irgendwie. Es war erfrischend und lustig, mal was anderes und man konnte trotzdem auch zum Nachdenken angeregt werden.
Es war total anders, als ich erwartet habe, wobei ich so gemischte gefühle dem gegenüber hatte.
Der Schreibstil war erfrischend, die Perspektive und die Zwischeneinschübe/"Notizen" waren auch ganz cool.
Es war echt interessant duech den Rahmen, in den das ganze gepackt wurde, weil
1. Shara verschwindet und hinterlässt Hinweise so à la Schnitzeljagd
2. die Kombination zwischen ultrachristlicher Kleinstadt und Charakteren, die nicht der Norm entsprechen, rausfinden, wer sie sind und wer sie sein wollen
Aber ich muss leider auch sagen, dass ich die Nebenfiguren zwar allesamt richtig gerne mochte, Chloe und Shara (die beiden Hauptfiguren) in meinen Augen schon aber teils problemaaatisch waren (z.b. egoistisch und gemein) und irgendwie hab ich deren ganze geschichte nicht so ganz verstanden und dahr auch nicht wirklich chemie oder so gefühlt
Ich muss aber trotzdem sagen: das buch mag zwar bisschen random sein haha, aber ich mochte es wie gesagt trotzdem irgendwie. Es war erfrischend und lustig, mal was anderes und man konnte trotzdem auch zum Nachdenken angeregt werden.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Sexism
emreads0's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Starts very 13 Reasons Why with letters but shifts to a mostly realistic depiction of how hard life can be when questioning your sexuality in a extremely religious high school. There are moments of heavy bullying and massive discussion of homophobia but also gender and sex identity discovery. Can be a bit idealistic but I think it balances the heavy tone really well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Lesbophobia, and Homophobia
charleshasalibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
readingqueerly's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.75
This book hit so many tropes I love without getting cliche or overdone. And at some points tugged at my heartstrings. I think this book contains one of the most accurate ways I've ever seen someone realise they might be queer, specifically GNC/non-binary. It was one conversation, but it made me tear up because it felt so personal and relatable. So that's already a huge plus.
It's very clear that the MC feels superior somehow because of her personal bias and prejudices. I'm not too ashamed to admit I've had many thoughts like that too (ok maybe I am a little). But in hindsight when you look around at the people you were looking down on for holding certain beliefs or ways of thinking, you realise that we are all just products of our environment and that some of that is merely a sharade with which people protect themselves or use to get by and/or survive.
It's very clear that the MC feels superior somehow because of her personal bias and prejudices. I'm not too ashamed to admit I've had many thoughts like that too (ok maybe I am a little). But in hindsight when you look around at the people you were looking down on for holding certain beliefs or ways of thinking, you realise that we are all just products of our environment and that some of that is merely a sharade with which people protect themselves or use to get by and/or survive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Homophobia and Lesbophobia