I Kissed Shara Wheeler

This book wanted to be Paper Towns by John Green so badly. Vastly disappointing, unoriginal and redundant. Felt as though the author hasn’t actually talked to a teenager living in 2021, used way too many references relating TikTok culture. Definitely rushed the publication, the entire book felt like the first draft of something or a fanfiction. Very disappointing considering how good Red, White and Royal Blue was.

I devoured this book in two days. Interesting plot, cool characters, affirming message.

I will carry this book with me for a long time. Longer than I ever thought I could carry a couple thousand words. I never really write reviews, beyond a snarky one-line sentence that says “please read this book,” but this time, i guess you can say the power of Christ compelled me. Chloe green. I see myself in her in ways I never have before. Im a bi, chronic academic overachiever, theatre lover, (admittedly) anger -ridden high school junior who is prone to feeling especially mad at the fact that I have to shoulder so much and feel as if no one can see me crumbling under it. Valedictorian or die trying. Kind but not nice. I used to wonder a lot sometimes how I could’ve possibly ended up with the group of friends I have (which by the way-SCARILY resemble Chloe’s). Every time I get caught up in whatever whirlwind that feels most important at the time, I tend to say and do things that are not nice and as a result, feel like a bad person afterwards (very black and white). And while I am definitely not proud of it, everyday I try to do better and learn from it all, and seeing Chloe portrayed in the way that understood how we’re allowed to make mistakes, it’s messy and complicated no doubt, but still be a good friend, still have her best friends stay with her the way mine have, is well, very special. I can make mistakes, I have made mistakes, but the friend I am and the kind of friends I have, learn in our own ways how to grow from it and what truly prevails. And of course, the legend herself, Shara wheeler. Came into this knowing and expecting some religious trauma, didn’t anticipate how close it would hit. Seeing Shara figure out her life at the end, and part of that figuring out including not figuring it out at all, meant so much to me. Finally, seeing All the queer kids gravitating towards each other in friend groups, I can’t help but feel warm. That’s me. That’s my friends. That’s how we try to navigate the world everyday. We all think In different ways, have different goals, and in this book, we actually have dramatic and sweet love stories !! Existing for us to feel connected to and be able to hopefully long for one day. This book was written with so much love and care for queer kids, closeted or not, and I will forever be grateful for it. I’m not sure if anyone would take the time to read all of this, and I’m aware my punctuation is criminal, but Incase you’re still here, I’ll say it simply: please read this book. (P.S This amazing book, And the acknowledgments from Casey at the end, as someone who has been a fan of their work since the beginning, truly made me shed many tears)