I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

 

This was a good one, folks.

ft. my special edition Barnes and Nobels purple cover ahhhhhh

        I'm back! Now, it has been quite a while since my last post, and honestly, I will be the first to admit that this is a fairly inactive blog, yet alas here I am again gracing your screens with opinions no one asked me for but that I will gladly give anyway!!!!

    To be quite honest with you dear reader, whoever you may be (which I am assuming is no one because this blog literally only has one single post), I have not really been feeling YA books lately. *GASP* I know it's a sad truth, but the older I get the higher my standards for YA are. It truly is books like I Kissed Shara Wheeler that keep me engaged though because Omigod you guys this was good. 

    When I first heard about this book I was a little scared because as much as I love Casey McQuistion (seriously their books never disappoint) I was not digging the whole "haha I kissed you then ran away and now you have to find me" vibe. Quite frankly it gave me Paper Towns flashbacks and that book was just not it for me. Nonetheless, I persisted and I am happy I did because this was a quick, hilarious, and delightful read.

    I'm not going to give you a synopsis, like ever, because that's boring and a waste of my time, so I will just link my Goodreads or you can just read the book like a normal person who has just heard a glowing review. Instead, I'm just going to talk about the book because why not. 

    I mean, first things first you give me this crazy chaotic situation. I love the chaos and I will eat it up so that was an immediate win. Then you throw in some awesome music references, theater kids, a love SQUARE, and a whip-smart hilarious narrator and you have a really good mix going on. I mean, I am a theatre kid and find books about theatre kids to be like, hella awkward, and this was just not there in this book. It was theater kids but not all theater kids and I just loved that. 

    *spoilers ahead now* I was also so glad when we get to find Shara at about halfway through the book because come on, it would be so boring if she just was there for the end. Then, when we do find her its not just all like "oh look I found you let's kiss because you are in love with me" its "oh look I found you let's kiss, and then have you pretend you are not in love with me and then I will literally PUSH YOU OVERBOARD and into the water." I mean what even is that, it's so good. Also, Shara is kind of a hard-core bitch, but we love it and Chloe loves it and it's just good. Like enemies to lovers almost never misses, this book so so so included in this. 

    Speaking of Chloe, she was hilarious throughout. She was real, she was honest, and she was a delight to go on this journey with, and I was rooting for her every step of the way. Her and Rory climbing through the vents is iconic, and I just generally enjoyed the bonds she formed with everyone in this book. Of course, Ash, Benjy, Georgia, Smith, Rory, and everyone else was awesome too. 

    It just all came together. I don't even have enough words or all your time to express how good this book was.  Reading the author's note I loved everything that this book was inspired by and all that it represents. All of the pop culture references were spot on. Also, Casey McQuiston made a Spotify playlist for each character and they fit so well I can't even. Overall, this has the Emma seat of approval and I hope you check it out (Spotify playlist included).