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studiouspoppy'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? It's complicated
3.75
It’s a really good YA book and I think it would have made my sixteen-year old-self really happy and hopeful, and it would have been really meaningful. Unfortunately, I read this at 24 and although it was funny and interesting, it was not that meaningful & it got way too dramatic for me.
I appreciated Chloe’s attitude and how she stood up for herself and for others, I think she’s very loyal and funny, and I love her relationship with her moms (it kinda reminded me of my relationship with my mom). She did get way to dramatic over nothing sometimes and that was annoying in my opinion.
I didn’t like Shara at all, I thought she was a psycho. I didn’t dislike her at the end, she got great development, but I didn’t love her either. Some of her changes felt sudden and rushed to me.
It got a little predictable at times, and the first 60% was a 3.25 for me. the last 0.5 goes for the ending because it felt really great, and for the character development of the secondary characters, because they felt like real people with their independent lives instead of just extras. Great representation!
I appreciated Chloe’s attitude and how she stood up for herself and for others, I think she’s very loyal and funny, and I love her relationship with her moms (it kinda reminded me of my relationship with my mom). She did get way to dramatic over nothing sometimes and that was annoying in my opinion.
I didn’t like Shara at all, I thought she was a psycho. I didn’t dislike her at the end, she got great development, but I didn’t love her either. Some of her changes felt sudden and rushed to me.
It got a little predictable at times, and the first 60% was a 3.25 for me. the last 0.5 goes for the ending because it felt really great, and for the character development of the secondary characters, because they felt like real people with their independent lives instead of just extras. Great representation!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Emotional abuse, Deadnaming, and Dysphoria
emmaciarciello's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
inspiring
mysterious
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Homophobia
Moderate: Biphobia, Deadnaming, Racism, Cursing, Lesbophobia, and Outing
mayareadsxo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Most of the time, when i read, I see pieces of myself in words or character descriptions. Maybe I even see myself in a character or two. I’ve never read a book where I can look at over 4 characters and say “wow! that’s me.”…until now.
I honestly don’t have any words of my own. Read the book. It says all I could want to.
This is one for the books. I highly recommend it. Because of its nature, please be cautious and check the trigger warnings. They are there for a reason. 💕
I honestly don’t have any words of my own. Read the book. It says all I could want to.
This is one for the books. I highly recommend it. Because of its nature, please be cautious and check the trigger warnings. They are there for a reason. 💕
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Cursing
Minor: Alcohol, Bullying, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Racism, Religious bigotry, and Transphobia
arthur_ant18's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Bullying, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Outing, Alcohol, and Cursing
Minor: Racism, Infidelity, and Cancer
lifeonasofa's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
4.25
AD PR I Kissed Shara Wheeler 💋 Review
Yes I did try to recreate this STUNNING cover. And no, I’ll never be as badass as Shara Wheeler 😩
“Chloe is, as she often is, and as she has in fact been every single time she’s thought about Shara since she first saw her of that cursed billboard, fuming” - Casey McQuiston 😂
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.25 stars
I was SO excited for this readalong with @tandem , I think all of us in the group chat were unanimous on that. I’ve really enjoyed Casey McQuistons light and welcoming writing style in the past. Their representation in previous books has been STAND OUT. And let me tell you, this book was even better than I expected! 🤯
The novel starts out very mysterious, still some classic high school moments but I had no a idea where it was heading. Whilst I found the first half a lot slower, it was still intriguing and it sped up rapidly. The friendships in this book were top tier. Rory and Smith were my personal favs, but the whole group gave serious Breakfast Club vibes. 🥰
Chloe was frustrating at times, but I got her and honestly see a lot of myself in her. So my heart was BEAMING for her by the end. Shara was that IT girl we all need in a romance book. That graduation scene had me melting and the bonfire was honestly the nicest ending. I hear full hearts everywhere. 🥹
If you’re looking for something a bit different, a merge of chick lit and mystery plus LGBTQ+ characters - this is your baby. This book is set around a religious school/area and therefore do be aware of some triggers: homophobia & racism. ⚠️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Homophobia
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Deadnaming
alexafuson's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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
5.0
Think “Mean Girls” meets “Paper Towns.”
“I Kissed Shara Wheeler” is the type of book that teenagers need in the world. As someone who grew up in a small, Christian, conservative town, I strongly relate to the queer characters in this novel that feel like their voices are demonized. However, these characters take a horrible situation into their own hands, and they create change. Even as a adult, I learned from this novel that standing up for what you believe in is never a small feat. It takes bravery and cooperation, and this shows that teenagers have the power to create change, even when it feels like their voices are ignored. Although the beginning of this book relied heavily on high school stereotypes that demonized jocks, cheerleaders, and anyone else the main character felt inferior to, eventually these stereotypes are overturned. The characters learn to work together, and through that, multidimensional and complex characterization comes through to show that people are more than just what we can see on the surface. This is a powerful message for teenagers and adults alike.
McQuiston delicately handles complex topics that high schoolers are dealing with, like identity and religious trauma. As a Southern girl at heart, I appreciated that this book didn’t totally demonize Christianity. Instead, it highlights how a person can be queer and still practice Christianity, but it doesn’t undermine how the institution of Christianity has harmed so many LGBTQ+ people.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with this e-ARC. Another 5-star read from Casey McQuiston. May 3rd can’t come soon enough!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
Minor: Deadnaming, Outing, and Biphobia
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