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A review by decklededgess
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
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