Reviews with content warning for Homophobia - I Kissed Shara Wheeler

This was wholesome, funny, teen angsty and very gay. Although I really enjoyed it, the plot was a bit ridiculous at times and main characters were often unlikeable (Shara and Chloe) so I docked a star for that. Loved all the other characters thought and loved the mystery/adventure.
⭐ ⭐⭐⭐

Content Warnings

seventhswan's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

3.0

This was a fun, lighthearted read that I know I would have eaten up as a teen! It had the Casey McQuiston hallmarks of being very chaotic, full of side characters that were as well-developed as the MCs, and of course extremely gay. As McQuiston points out in the acknowledgements, it's important that LGBTQ teens have access to these kinds of stories, so I'm not bothered in the slightest that the plot was pretty predictable - and the writing was solid, anyway.

I didn't, though, enjoy this book as much as One Last Stop or Red, White and Royal Blue. Part of this is definitely that I'm not the target demographic for this story and found the high-school friendship dramas grating rather than relatable at this point in my life. Part of it was my frustration with Chloe, the main character - I liked just about every other character better, and found that she didn't get less annoying over the course of the book. And, sadly, part of it was that I feel parts of the plot were so unrealistic as to be dangerously hopeful. I wish it was possible to be nonbinary, date men, wear glitter eyeliner, and still get a full D1 scholarship for college football. I wish it was true that a group of LGBT students could effectively protest a homophobic Christian high school and have the support of the local press, and for the worst result of this to be some mean words and funny looks. Red, White and Royal Blue was just as unrealistic in this regard, but there are far fewer potential First Children in the world than ordinary queer teens in violently homophobic environments, and while the relentless optimism of this book was sweet, I don't feel able to fully endorse it.

Content Warnings

luxxltyd's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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