A review by women_using_words
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

I got swept into the narrative of this young adult contemporary romance a few short minutes after pressing play. Listening to Natalie Naudus is a dream; she is a fantastic narrator and her performances are always a pleasure. She has mastered the art of character transition, and that is so crucial in good story narration. Her voices are unique and distinctive for each character, making it easy for listeners to not only follow the story, but fall into it.

As far as the writing, it’s top notch. Fans of McQuiston have admired her talents since her 2019 debut best seller Red, White & Royal Blue. Now with I Kissed Shara Wheeler, readers can easily see why McQuiston is met with considerable critical acclaim. 

Listeners will find this young adult novel to be a real gem. It’s very southern small town, private high school and anyone who’s been there will definitely relate. The storytelling is unique and original; everything about it just works, especially the dialogue. McQuiston makes it jump off the page with her quick wit and sharp tongue. More than anything though, she uses it to effectively transfer an understanding of teenagers in a capable and compassionate way. Furthermore, her signature style and tone accentuate the mood of high school that is often found in this genre, enabling the narrative to glide along easily and naturally. Essentially, listeners are greeted with something that’s fun, inviting and hard to resist.

Final remarks… 

There is no disputing the fact that Natalie Naudus breathes the right kind of life into Casey McQuiston’s well-written contemporary tale. These two creatives are perfectly paired, making this audio well worth the listen. I Kissed Shara Wheeler is a funny and compassionately told coming of age story, and if you like those, then this one is for you.

Strengths…

  • Well-written 
  • Well-narrated 
  • Entertaining 
  • Fresh
  • Original 
  • Engrossing characters