Scan barcode
kbairbooks's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
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
3.75
This was cute and mysterious. As always Casey’s characters are incredibly fleshed out and they just feel so real and delightful and I loved the learning about yourself aspects but the book did feel young to me. I’m past the age where I want to read about high schoolers anymore but I want to read anything Casey puts out for the rest of forever. I enjoyed the mystery (especially since it wasn’t horror based) and the Christian aspects were interesting from my ex-Christian POV.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Religious bigotry, Alcohol, Bullying, Classism, Homophobia, and Outing
mallory10100's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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
WOW i loved this book so much
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Infidelity, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Biphobia, Cursing, and Misogyny
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Outing, Stalking, and Gaslighting
Minor: Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Mental illness, Racism, and Sexual harassment
god i love found family books and this DELIVEREDcozyreadsandcoffee's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I think this book fell short of what I know Casey Mcquiston can do.
I think Chloe was almost too whiny and superficial to enjoy her journey. [Don't get me started on her valedictorian speech] I think I would have enjoyed this more if given the perspectives of Rory and Smith because having it from just Chloe's viewpoint became almost superficial.
I think also being in a small town, the seriousness of kids getting outed to their families was not as much as it should have been. It just seemed there wasn't much on this topic as I thought there would be.
I think Chloe was almost too whiny and superficial to enjoy her journey. [Don't get me started on her valedictorian speech] I think I would have enjoyed this more if given the perspectives of Rory and Smith because having it from just Chloe's viewpoint became almost superficial.
I think also being in a small town, the seriousness of kids getting outed to their families was not as much as it should have been. It just seemed there wasn't much on this topic as I thought there would be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing, Lesbophobia, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Biphobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Transphobia, Abandonment, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Alcohol, Racism, Gaslighting, Dysphoria, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Classism
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
skudiklier's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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
So: I loved both of Casey McQuiston's other books, but I had no idea if I would feel the same way about this one, given that it's YA. When I started it, it felt a little too Paper Towns, and I'll admit I was worried.
But given the fact that I read the last three-quarters of the book today, neglecting many other responsibilities, I'd say I liked it.
It's a sweet queer rom-com mystery with a great love quadrilateral and a fair amount of religious trauma. I didn't grow up in the south, but I was in the theatre gay friend group at a small-town redneck conservative high school, so, you know. I can relate.
This book was really sweet. If you start it and you're unsure whether you like it or not, I'd recommend reading the author's note at the end. I did that a little ways in (not for any particular reason), and it helped me picture some of the characters/tone better. Also, side note, I love Smith Parker with my whole heart.
But given the fact that I read the last three-quarters of the book today, neglecting many other responsibilities, I'd say I liked it.
It's a sweet queer rom-com mystery with a great love quadrilateral and a fair amount of religious trauma. I didn't grow up in the south, but I was in the theatre gay friend group at a small-town redneck conservative high school, so, you know. I can relate.
This book was really sweet. If you start it and you're unsure whether you like it or not, I'd recommend reading the author's note at the end. I did that a little ways in (not for any particular reason), and it helped me picture some of the characters/tone better. Also, side note, I love Smith Parker with my whole heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Infidelity, Violence, Alcohol, Outing, and Cursing
Minor: Sexual content, Racism, Vomit, Pregnancy, and Transphobia
Major warning for religious trauma!heytherekaity's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Cursing, Mental illness, Religious bigotry, Gaslighting, and Homophobia
Minor: Infidelity
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
Thank you to Wednesday Books for an arc of this one!
Casey McQuiston has done it again with this sapphic academic-rivals-to-lovers romcom about an absolute disaster of a girl and her journey to prove that Shara Wheeler is not who she claims to be.
I am not going to lie and pretend I don't identify at least a little with Chloe Greene. She's an absolute disaster and so determined and really reminds me of myself when I was younger. Shara is also so interesting and complicated and I love how well this dove beneath the surface of the perfect dream girl and really got to the root of her.
The best part about this book is the side characters! Smith is truly the MVP for me. I love him so much and would pay a lot of money for McQuiston to write a book about him!
You will love this book. I don't care who you are or what you like, there will be something for you!
Casey McQuiston has done it again with this sapphic academic-rivals-to-lovers romcom about an absolute disaster of a girl and her journey to prove that Shara Wheeler is not who she claims to be.
I am not going to lie and pretend I don't identify at least a little with Chloe Greene. She's an absolute disaster and so determined and really reminds me of myself when I was younger. Shara is also so interesting and complicated and I love how well this dove beneath the surface of the perfect dream girl and really got to the root of her.
The best part about this book is the side characters! Smith is truly the MVP for me. I love him so much and would pay a lot of money for McQuiston to write a book about him!
You will love this book. I don't care who you are or what you like, there will be something for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Bullying, and Biphobia
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Racism, Infidelity, Outing, and Toxic friendship
caseythereader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
Thanks to Wednesday Books for the free advance copy of this book.
- I KISSED SHARA WHEELER is part mystery, part queer awakening, part coming of age. It takes a little bit to get going, but once it does it doesn't stop. And I loved that it didn't end where I thought it would, and took the story beyond where most YA novels would wrap things up.
- McQuiston's true talent lies not in quippy banter, but in creating tight, loving queer found families. I adored the central group in this book and would happily read full novels about any of them.
- I think this book will be wonderful for kids growing up in places where they feel like they might never be able to be their full selves. It shows that it will never be easy, but that your people are often there with you if you know where to look.
- I KISSED SHARA WHEELER is part mystery, part queer awakening, part coming of age. It takes a little bit to get going, but once it does it doesn't stop. And I loved that it didn't end where I thought it would, and took the story beyond where most YA novels would wrap things up.
- McQuiston's true talent lies not in quippy banter, but in creating tight, loving queer found families. I adored the central group in this book and would happily read full novels about any of them.
- I think this book will be wonderful for kids growing up in places where they feel like they might never be able to be their full selves. It shows that it will never be easy, but that your people are often there with you if you know where to look.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Infidelity, Lesbophobia, Religious bigotry, Biphobia, Bullying, and Cursing
Minor: Alcohol, Sexual content, and Racism
decklededgess's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? Yes
3.0
trigger warnings: homophobia, bullying, missing child, religious trauma, emotionally abusive parents, underage alcohol use, cheating mention, sexism, sexual harassment, outing
This was the book that finally made it click that I in fact do not relate to every tiny thing in YA books anymore. Like...I've officially outgrown them which is nice. I can relate to a lot of the emotional turbulence in a retrospective way but I cannot relate to any of these kids and their wild ass behaviours. Maybe that's also partly due to me being a teacher.
Oof this book was heavy on the closeted "went to caltholic school" queer kid trauma and that really hit close to home. A lot of the emotional epiphanies were a sort of balm to my younger self which was wonderful.
On the flip side I have never been more pissed of at a bunch of kids. I kept yelling at them to Not Do That but then we wouldn't have a book so that's neither here nor there. I really appreciated the unreliable narrator aspect, it led to a lot of moments that required reflection and critique but also empathy towards the 17-18 year olds making the choices in the book and towards Chloe who was running herself ragged on her own lack of objectivity.
This was a fun little mash up of Paper Towns, Booksmart, and Never Have I Ever. I loved how aspects of all three were blended into a uniquely Southern Queer Kid experience of high school.
Super fun!
This was the book that finally made it click that I in fact do not relate to every tiny thing in YA books anymore. Like...I've officially outgrown them which is nice. I can relate to a lot of the emotional turbulence in a retrospective way but I cannot relate to any of these kids and their wild ass behaviours. Maybe that's also partly due to me being a teacher.
Oof this book was heavy on the closeted "went to caltholic school" queer kid trauma and that really hit close to home. A lot of the emotional epiphanies were a sort of balm to my younger self which was wonderful.
On the flip side I have never been more pissed of at a bunch of kids. I kept yelling at them to Not Do That but then we wouldn't have a book so that's neither here nor there. I really appreciated the unreliable narrator aspect, it led to a lot of moments that required reflection and critique but also empathy towards the 17-18 year olds making the choices in the book and towards Chloe who was running herself ragged on her own lack of objectivity.
This was a fun little mash up of Paper Towns, Booksmart, and Never Have I Ever. I loved how aspects of all three were blended into a uniquely Southern Queer Kid experience of high school.
Super fun!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Outing, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
More...