I Kissed Shara Wheeler

A Novel

By: Casey McQuiston

Narrated by: Natalie Naudus

2022 Chapters Indigo Best of the Year, Long-listed
2022 NPR Best Book of the Year, Long-listed
2022 Audible.com Best of the Year, Long-listed
2022 Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year, Long-listed
2022 Amazon.com Best Books of the Year, Long-listed
2022 BookPage Best Books of the Year, Long-listed

*INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER*
*INSTANT #1 INDIE BESTSELLER*
*INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER*

"Narrator Natalie Naudus admirably voices more than a half-dozen significant characters, imparting individuality and personality to teens embracing a variety of identities."- BookPage (Starred review)

From the New York Times bestselling author of One Last Stop and Red, White & Royal Blue comes a romantic comedy about chasing down what you want, only to find what you need...

Chloe Green is so close to winning. After her moms moved her from SoCal to Alabama for high school, she’s spent the past four years dodging gossipy classmates and the puritanical administration of Willowgrove Christian Academy. The thing that’s kept her going: winning valedictorian. Her only rival: prom queen Shara Wheeler, the principal’s perfect progeny.

But a month before graduation, Shara kisses Chloe and vanishes.

On a furious hunt for answers, Chloe discovers she’s not the only one Shara kissed. There’s also Smith, Shara’s longtime quarterback sweetheart, and Rory, Shara’s bad boy neighbor with a crush. The three have nothing in common except Shara and the annoyingly cryptic notes she left behind, but together they must untangle Shara’s trail of clues and find her. It’ll be worth it, if Chloe can drag Shara back before graduation to beat her fair and square.

Thrown into an unlikely alliance, chasing a ghost through parties, break-ins, puzzles, and secrets revealed on monogrammed stationery, Chloe starts to suspect there might be more to this small town than she thought. And maybe—probably not, but maybe—more to Shara, too.

Fierce, funny, and frank, Casey McQuiston's I Kissed Shara Wheeler is about breaking the rules, getting messy, and finding love in unexpected places.

"An unfettered joy to read." - The New York Times
"McQuiston has done it again." - USA Today
"You won't want to miss." - Good Housekeeping

A Macmillan Audio production from Wednesday Books.

©2022 Casey McQuiston (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

The #1 Spring 2022 Kids’ Indie Next Pick

One of Publishers Weekly's Best Books of the Summer

A Good Housekeeping Book of the Month

"This one has it all: rivals who share a shocking kiss, a mysterious disappearance, an unexpected alliance and the kind of page-turning drama that makes McQuiston one of the best in the game. You won't want to miss this one." - Good Housekeeping

"Funny and compassionate." - Time

"I Kissed Shara Wheeler is a love letter to all of us queer kids who were high schoolers in the ’90s. Especially those of us who lived in small towns and whose social scenes revolved around Friday night football games and church on Sunday. [An] unexpected mystery and love story all in one." - Bust

Great YA story, fantastic narration

I loved One Last Stop so I was really looking forward to Casey McQuiston’s latest book. I kissed Shara Wheeler did not disappoint!

The storyline had a few twists which turns out to be delightful! Natalie Naudus has a very wide range of vocals - it brought out the story very viscerally especially when she projected the character’s teenage angst very well! This pairing of McQuiston and Naudus is very compatible and I hope for more of their collaborations in the future!

interesting plot but no consequences

I liked the scavenger hunt of the clues, even though they were pretty extra - but there weren't really any consequences to Shara's actions. From her parents, sure - but not from anyone but Chloe. She stalks Chloe, she manipulates her friend group into giving her what she wants - could even be said she exposes her father because he doesn't give her what she wants - and she's PRAISED for it. All the characters basically go "well she didn't MEAN it" and that's really weird. They say "she's so much more than just a good person" when I want to scream that she's a walking Red Flag. I just feel that it would've sat better if she had some sort of fallout from her actions - a fight, an argument, SOMETHING!

*chefs kiss*

My only problem with Casey McQuiston books: there aren’t more of them. And I read them so quickly because I have to gobble them up. I don’t get to savor them as much as I know they deserve. And that’s why we have rereads.

Another masterpiece. I’m so grateful.

A delightful world you hope happens

Love the refreshing, kind and normal way people can just be the people they are meant to be.

Recommend for a high schooler

This was a great read and had a plot that wasn’t solely just romance (which I like). It had a nice wlw relationship (enemies to lovers trope) at the center with other LGBTQIA+ representation throughout. Definitely young adult level (no explicit scenes, and was about high schoolers). Very good book overall!

I recommend reading the book

I usually switch between reading and listening, and with this book, reading is better. The main character is way more likable without the narrator’s interpretation. Otherwise the main character just comes across as a Dee Reynolds voiced spoiled brat.

I actually was thinking about it

Not necessarily saying that I thought this was a typical religious anti-gay book but that definitely was the route they could have gone. I think I enjoyed the ending a lot more because it wasn’t just an abrupt thing but rather following the trend of how the entire book went and expected reactions based on each character. Definitely worth the read!

Great Book!

Overall it was a great read, it was relatable while also staying in the fiction genre; However, I did feel that it was a little slow to get into, although the reveals and ending where engaging and kept me on my toes.

Solid easy listen

The side characters gave me life and I loved them so much. I want a book just about them to be honest.

Great Story

I loved the story.. it was a great book .. I might have to go get it so I can read it for my self