I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston | Review

Hardcover: 356

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Published: 2022

Language: English

Rating: 5 / 5 stars

I have a lot of thoughts and opinions after finishing this book and the bit I find most amusing is that quite a few of those contradict each other.

But books are complex, just like our brains, so it's very understandable I think, to have opinions that sometimes clash.

Now I don't want to write a prologue to this review, so without further ado, let's get into it 😌

I believe Casey is a hit or miss kind of author. Or at least that's how it is for me. So far I enjoyed every single one of their books that I have read, so fingers crossed the streak keeps up because I am very excited for One Last Stop. 

Now, to be completely honest, I bought this book mainly for the cover. But let's be real, this cover is so gorgeous and aesthetic and the pink and green combination? 

Heaven. Pretty covers are a general weakness 🤤

And on the same topic, I have a question. How is it that the most beautiful covers often hide the best stories and yet we always think the opposite?
I had no expectations going into this and yet I couldn't help but fall in love with it, a little bit more with each and every page.

The very artistic way in which mystery takes the spotlight in the beginning, the curtain of lies, the stage made out of pure spite and the sweet melody sang by love and friendship - this is how I can best describe this beautiful story. It is a performance, one where actors are not needed.

So this story follows Chloe Green - she's confident, she's very smart, she's an overachiever and she is fiercely protective of the people she loves. All great qualities, but that didn't stop me from disliking her completely.
She may be the main character, but she's a very shitty one.

The book opens with a memorable scene: Chloe sneaking into the Wheeler's home after her rival takes off into the night, leaving her with nothing but the memory of a hurried kiss.

And this is the moment we are introduced to Shara Wheeler, the rival I just mentioned.

Shara is the most popular girl in school and the literal poster girl for everything good and holy. 

And I mean that quite literally.

The small town of False Beach is a tight-knit community of very religious people.
I find it rather beautiful, the way they find church and God to be somewhere they truly belong. Everyone deserves to find a place or a person to call home.

This book's focus, I dare say, is not on the rewarding part of a religious upbringing, however. Throughout most of it, I felt like some characters were written in a way that highlighted a lot of religious trauma.
And not to mention that Principal Wheeler's behaviour in itself is enough to cause said trauma. But I got the chance to have my 'I knew it' moment when his hypocrisy was revealed. God, that was rewarding.

But I digress.

Another reason why I mentioned the religious aspect - it also serves as a very formative experience in this book - good but also bad. 95% of Casey's characters are queer and can't be true to themselves when surrounded by people who would cast them out and call them sinners just because of who they are or who they love. 
So they grow up afraid - like Georgia, confused - like Smith, or they grow up to be skilled liars and hide behind pretty masks - like Shara. 

A little game of masquerade, if you will.

Out of the many tropes that we can identify in the book, my favourite representation wise has to be academic rivals. It is true that at times rivalry has a tendency to lean towards obsession - especially in Chloe's case - but the author somehow made it all work out flawlessly with the plot and the end result and if I could, I would request a round of applause for them.

In a way, this book reminded me of Pretty Little Liars. Shara was just like Alison - pulled off a disappearing act, had a master plan unfolding and everyone running around looking for them like headless chicken.

And just like the show, the mystery that stands at the core of the story made this book a 10/10 read. I couldn't get enough and I couldn't put it down, be it at home or in class. It will always be on my top 10 list and in the first 5 I will forever be recommending. 

If anything I said so far has caught your eye, then I suggest you give this book a try. And if you're a fan of the previously mentioned show, then definitely check this book out, because it is so worth it!

And one last thing before I go - if you do decide to give this book a chance, don't judge Shara too harshly in the beginning - villains are made, not born.