Scan barcode
audreads100's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
itsbexx's review against another edition
3.75
This was a very fun read but the plot is a bit wild (and holey)
missbrekel's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
bookspinesandroses'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
4.75
tawnath0r's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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? No
4.5
Casey McQuinston did it again! I love her books and how they feel like a queer hug. The acknowledgements made me cry. She does such a good job being effortlessly inclusive and I love it.
Her humor, wit, and writing ability never fails. She nailed the teenage angst for this book and left room for each character to grow at the end, and I love that. THANK YOU CASEY!!!
Her humor, wit, and writing ability never fails. She nailed the teenage angst for this book and left room for each character to grow at the end, and I love that. THANK YOU CASEY!!!
lucyreadsss's review against another edition
5.0
✰✰✰✰✰/5
●“You were the only one it could be.”
●“There's a girl with brown eyes who reminds me of the first book I ever loved. When I look at her, I feel like there might be another universe in her. I imagine her on a shelf too high for me to reach, or peeking out of someone else's backpack, or at the end of a long wait at the library. I know there are other books that are easier to get my hands on, but none are half as good as her. Every part of her seems to have a purpose, a specific meaning, an exact reason for being how and what and where it is.”
This was the first book by Casey McQuiston I read which is quite different as I think most people read Red White And Royal Blue or One Last Stop first, their older and more popular books. However, this was the first one I read and I think that was right for me. The other novels are adult whereas this one is YA, I liked that. I have a perhaps unexpected love for YA novels, they hold a special place in my heart. I just love how they are more relatable and cute and cosy novels.
Firstly, I loved the friendship dynamics / almost found family feel to the novel. The friendships felt so genuine and authentic, they really felt like a gen z friend group that you'd encounter nowadays. In fact I would like to become a part of this friendship group myself haha.
Chloe is such a complex character. She's lovable but also annoying at times. She says and does some things that are not the best, like letting down and forgetting about her best friend and she could also be slightly obsessive at times. But I think that she perfectly embodies a modern day confused and conflicted teen. She appears confident and sure of herself but she goes on an unexpected journey of self discovery of what she truly wants and what she truly deserves. I think she's very cool though and honestly I'd love to be friends with her.
The other characters in this novel also go on their own journey of identity and self-discovery. They are all highly lovable but also intricate and flawed, they just felt so real. They really bounced off of each other with natural dialogue and humour.
The academic rivals to lovers of the main characters was such an enjoyable dynamic that really made the book and there is a side relationship that was also so adorable, I really loved their interactions. However, some of my fave relationships were not the romantic ones but the friendships. Specifically the unlikely bond that is formed between Chloe, Smith and Rory as they follow Shara's clues together. Characters that perhaps would have never interacted are thrust together, causing a beautiful friendship to form. Chloe's best friend Georgia I also loved, a bookish romantic with an emotional support water bottle she takes everywhere with her.
Casey effectively describes the wonderful parts of being a teenager but also the difficult and very real parts of being one through their distinct humour. They also paint a very intricate and supposedly realistic (I don't live in this area so I cannot say from experience) picture of navigating teen life in a small, highly religious town that is a both entertaining and informative coming of age story. The humour helped to keep the book lighthearted even as some slightly heavy topics were discussed and the writing was engaging, meaning I just wanted to keep reading and reading. This book just oozed endless joy and humour but also discussed some difficult topics from different perspectives through different characters.
I Kissed Share Wheeler powerfully captures growing up a messy and confused teenager in a small town. It's an uplifting story about growing to be unapologetically yourself and standing up for what you believe in. I think many teens nowadays would really relate to this story and it would really help so many teens not just in America but around the world. But also so many adults could also learn from this novel I think. I will definitely be reading more of Casey's books soon!!
●“You were the only one it could be.”
●“There's a girl with brown eyes who reminds me of the first book I ever loved. When I look at her, I feel like there might be another universe in her. I imagine her on a shelf too high for me to reach, or peeking out of someone else's backpack, or at the end of a long wait at the library. I know there are other books that are easier to get my hands on, but none are half as good as her. Every part of her seems to have a purpose, a specific meaning, an exact reason for being how and what and where it is.”
This was the first book by Casey McQuiston I read which is quite different as I think most people read Red White And Royal Blue or One Last Stop first, their older and more popular books. However, this was the first one I read and I think that was right for me. The other novels are adult whereas this one is YA, I liked that. I have a perhaps unexpected love for YA novels, they hold a special place in my heart. I just love how they are more relatable and cute and cosy novels.
Firstly, I loved the friendship dynamics / almost found family feel to the novel. The friendships felt so genuine and authentic, they really felt like a gen z friend group that you'd encounter nowadays. In fact I would like to become a part of this friendship group myself haha.
Chloe is such a complex character. She's lovable but also annoying at times. She says and does some things that are not the best, like letting down and forgetting about her best friend and she could also be slightly obsessive at times. But I think that she perfectly embodies a modern day confused and conflicted teen. She appears confident and sure of herself but she goes on an unexpected journey of self discovery of what she truly wants and what she truly deserves. I think she's very cool though and honestly I'd love to be friends with her.
The other characters in this novel also go on their own journey of identity and self-discovery. They are all highly lovable but also intricate and flawed, they just felt so real. They really bounced off of each other with natural dialogue and humour.
The academic rivals to lovers of the main characters was such an enjoyable dynamic that really made the book and there is a side relationship that was also so adorable, I really loved their interactions. However, some of my fave relationships were not the romantic ones but the friendships. Specifically the unlikely bond that is formed between Chloe, Smith and Rory as they follow Shara's clues together. Characters that perhaps would have never interacted are thrust together, causing a beautiful friendship to form. Chloe's best friend Georgia I also loved, a bookish romantic with an emotional support water bottle she takes everywhere with her.
Casey effectively describes the wonderful parts of being a teenager but also the difficult and very real parts of being one through their distinct humour. They also paint a very intricate and supposedly realistic (I don't live in this area so I cannot say from experience) picture of navigating teen life in a small, highly religious town that is a both entertaining and informative coming of age story. The humour helped to keep the book lighthearted even as some slightly heavy topics were discussed and the writing was engaging, meaning I just wanted to keep reading and reading. This book just oozed endless joy and humour but also discussed some difficult topics from different perspectives through different characters.
I Kissed Share Wheeler powerfully captures growing up a messy and confused teenager in a small town. It's an uplifting story about growing to be unapologetically yourself and standing up for what you believe in. I think many teens nowadays would really relate to this story and it would really help so many teens not just in America but around the world. But also so many adults could also learn from this novel I think. I will definitely be reading more of Casey's books soon!!
plumfool's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A coming of age story with mostly lovable characters and some true growing up, and a hefty dose of this author’s knack for witty wordage. Enjoyed! And I’m glad I’ll never have to be a teenager again.
busybri96's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.25
biromanticbard's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
jesshyoung's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0