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jachnax's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-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
3.25
I didnt get this book until i was like 70% in. The writing was also not really doing it for me. I liked it overall but it had flaws for me and its not a fav.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Dysphoria
Minor: Racism, Sexism, and Outing
icarusandthesun's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
reading this book felt like an eternity; the longest 355 pages i've ever read, but i didn't hate it at all.
i'm usually not a big fan of young adult and ya romances, but this was one of those pleasant exceptions.
the characters were likable and funny; especially chloe who essentially just roasted the hell out of most of these characters. her unflinchingly unfiltered opinions were quite entertaining. never before have i read someone refer to someone else as an "indie soft boy" in a book before, but turns out that's exactly what i needed in my life.
besides chloe, the other characters were fine as well. i thought rory was good vibes, and also really relatable because who doesn't want a couple of expensive stratoscasters on their wall??
i'm gonna be honest here and say that half of the time, i had no idea where the plot was going. the plot was a mellow rollercoaster and i was just in there enjoying the ride, wherever it might take me.
as the plot and conflict neared their climax though, i became more and more unconvinved.
i didn't really like how the conflict was resolved.it didn't strike me as very realistic that every single important character would end up realizing they're queer. the jock, the stoner guy, the popular girl—all of their conflicts were rooted in the fact they're denying their being queer in one way or another. which is a little silly, not gonna lie, because it felt anticlimactic. shara started this whole mystery scavenger hunt just because she's an attention-seeking coward who can't deal with the fact she likes girls? what??
i wasn't a big fan of rory's and smith's relationship arc, either. it was esentially just fanservice for all the yaoi obsessed girlies (and i mean that in the most gender-neutral way) who believe two dudes can't have an intimate relationship with each other that's not romantic. simply didn't feel realistic.
i still enjoyed the book though, more because of the language and dialogue than the plot to be honest, but that's alright.
it was also really interesting to explore these themes in a christian small-town school typa setting.
a queer, lighthearted read.
i'm usually not a big fan of young adult and ya romances, but this was one of those pleasant exceptions.
the characters were likable and funny; especially chloe who essentially just roasted the hell out of most of these characters. her unflinchingly unfiltered opinions were quite entertaining. never before have i read someone refer to someone else as an "indie soft boy" in a book before, but turns out that's exactly what i needed in my life.
besides chloe, the other characters were fine as well. i thought rory was good vibes, and also really relatable because who doesn't want a couple of expensive stratoscasters on their wall??
i'm gonna be honest here and say that half of the time, i had no idea where the plot was going. the plot was a mellow rollercoaster and i was just in there enjoying the ride, wherever it might take me.
as the plot and conflict neared their climax though, i became more and more unconvinved.
i didn't really like how the conflict was resolved.
i wasn't a big fan of rory's and smith's relationship arc, either. it was esentially just fanservice for all the yaoi obsessed girlies (and i mean that in the most gender-neutral way) who believe two dudes can't have an intimate relationship with each other that's not romantic. simply didn't feel realistic.
i still enjoyed the book though, more because of the language and dialogue than the plot to be honest, but that's alright.
it was also really interesting to explore these themes in a christian small-town school typa setting.
a queer, lighthearted read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Minor: Transphobia
itsheyfay's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
3.75
I found it hard to root for the main couple just because they were both kinda awful people, and I really didn’t like Chloe as the lead character (but that may be due to the audiobook).
But I really liked how McQuiston wrote the friendships and developed the characters.
Not too bad for a YA romance, and not too bad for my first Casey McQuiston novel.
But I really liked how McQuiston wrote the friendships and developed the characters.
Not too bad for a YA romance, and not too bad for my first Casey McQuiston novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Ableism, Cursing, Infidelity, Transphobia, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Classism
Minor: Cancer, Death, Racism, and Alcohol
katndrsn's review against another edition
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, Lesbophobia, and Outing
Minor: Homophobia and Transphobia
jillianselene's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Religious bigotry
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: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Bullying, Racism, and Sexual harassment
themiscyra_anna's review against another edition
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia, and Religious bigotry
bibeanenergy's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Religious bigotry
Minor: Homophobia and Transphobia
apileofcranes's review against another edition
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
4.75
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Minor: Emotional abuse, Racism, and Outing
josxphinchen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Lesbophobia