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A review by auntieyorgareads
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
adventurous
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
I received an advance review copy of this audiobook for free from MacMillian Audio and NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily as a courtesy.
Chloe Green is focused on one thing, and one thing only: winning the title of valedictorian at Willowgrove Christian Academy and beating her biggest nemesis Shara Wheeler. But then, Shara kisses Chloe and throws her whole world into a tailspin! Full of twists and turns, Chloe, Shara, and their gang of diverse friends guide us on a journey we will never forget with so many fabulous surprises along the way!
Casey McQuiston takes us on a delightful romp through the trials and tribulations of being a non-conforming teenager in a southern Christian high school where conforming is expected and required. Was this the queer coming of age rom-com I've been needing all my life? Yes. Am I going to rush out to get McQuiston's other novels and read them post-haste? Also, yes! I loved the cast of annoyingly endearing characters who find themselves on the fringe of popular Christian school culture, many of whom reminded me of myself and some of my band/theater/all the other groups of friends I had in my own southern high school. Chloe's sarcastic and snarky narration had me laughing throughout the book, and crying a couple of times too. The writing is fresh, modern, queer, and gives young adult readers a chance to experience a story with diverse representation.
I had the additional delight of listening to the audiobook narrated by the phenomenally talented Natalie Naudus. Not only was Chloe's voice spot on with its slightly whiny, sarcastic, and grinding quality, the other characters came to life with Naudus' variety of voices. The cadence and pacing were perfect, and the separations between chapters were excellently conveyed with pauses and a verbal indication of the chapter number. I had not had the privilege of hearing Naudus narrate before, but will most definitely seek out more books of theirs in the future!
Recommendations?? READ THIS BOOK!!!! YOU WON'T REGRET IT!
Chloe Green is focused on one thing, and one thing only: winning the title of valedictorian at Willowgrove Christian Academy and beating her biggest nemesis Shara Wheeler. But then, Shara kisses Chloe and throws her whole world into a tailspin! Full of twists and turns, Chloe, Shara, and their gang of diverse friends guide us on a journey we will never forget with so many fabulous surprises along the way!
Casey McQuiston takes us on a delightful romp through the trials and tribulations of being a non-conforming teenager in a southern Christian high school where conforming is expected and required. Was this the queer coming of age rom-com I've been needing all my life? Yes. Am I going to rush out to get McQuiston's other novels and read them post-haste? Also, yes! I loved the cast of annoyingly endearing characters who find themselves on the fringe of popular Christian school culture, many of whom reminded me of myself and some of my band/theater/all the other groups of friends I had in my own southern high school. Chloe's sarcastic and snarky narration had me laughing throughout the book, and crying a couple of times too. The writing is fresh, modern, queer, and gives young adult readers a chance to experience a story with diverse representation.
I had the additional delight of listening to the audiobook narrated by the phenomenally talented Natalie Naudus. Not only was Chloe's voice spot on with its slightly whiny, sarcastic, and grinding quality, the other characters came to life with Naudus' variety of voices. The cadence and pacing were perfect, and the separations between chapters were excellently conveyed with pauses and a verbal indication of the chapter number. I had not had the privilege of hearing Naudus narrate before, but will most definitely seek out more books of theirs in the future!
Recommendations?? READ THIS BOOK!!!! YOU WON'T REGRET IT!