lena_kellogg 's review for:

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
3.0

3.5 rounded down.

Here's the thing: this book was so fun and quirky and perfectly YA! I can get behind the main character being a not-so-great friend and too overzealous about academics and hating her rival at times - that's high school. Where I struggled most was the tone and pacing. Early on we learn that Shara Wheeler has vanished, about about 60% of the book is Chloe trying to figure out where she went. When that is resolved earlier than expected, I felt the last 40% of the book didn't fit thematically into the first part. But I'm also torn because that last 40% felt straight out of all the best cheesy high school chick flicks - and I loved it!

It was a cute, fun read that reminded me of why I fell in love with reading in middle and high school: to explore different worlds and lives, to learn, and to escape.