Casey McQuiston always slaps. I think there's just something about their writing that really hits so close and makes reading such a special experience. I will forever and always love their books!

I loved this gorgeous journey through Europe with Theo and Kit. I'm a huge fan of Casey McQuiston and couldn't wait to get my hands on this book. The Pairing is just like taking a refreshing vacation full of great food, fun characters, healing a friendship and finding yourself. I cannot recommend enough for contemporary romance readers or for the fiction reader looking for a joyful, Queer Story.

Thank you so much for the eArc. All opinions are my own.

The spice was good, but I'm not sure I believed this "foodie" world the author was trying to build. I think the spice was the focus that the "problems" the characters were having seemed not serious.

DNF

This one just wasn't for me. I tried to get into this book a couple of times but just couldn't do it. And reading reviews, it seems like the direction of this book wouldn't be my thing.

I usually love Casey McQuistons books but this one was just not for me. I tried to get into it so many times. I think the whole idea of the contest between the two main characters was just not good. I love a good smutty book and having multiple partners doesn’t bother me. I just didn’t like this premise. I didn’t feel like the characters had any chemistry between each other.
Thank you NetGalley for an arc

the flashbacks were so vivid which made the current timeline all the particularly urgent for kit and theo to work out their miscommunications and hurts from the past.

Yeah Casey Mcquiston never misses this was so much fun. I loved the relationship between Theo and Kit even though I’m not typically a second chance romance lover? This, like all of Mcquiston’s other books felt like a queer hug!

Kit and Theo were once a thing-well more than just a thing but they broke up while on their way to European tour. Years later, Theo finally decided to use the voucher they received when they backed out. Little did they know that Kit had the same plan and they both ended up on the same tour! I adored the blend of a travel novel and steamy romance story. It was also fun to meet all the characters teh two of them met along the way. I am a sucker for a "road trip" book and this hit the mark.

I have tried multiple times thinking it was a mood thing, but just can't get myself into this story unfortunately. Thank you for the ARC.

I loved this book so much, if you want to FEEL like you're on a food and wine tour in Europe this was such a great book to get that vibe with immaculate main characters who are just trying to figure it out. This book had so much slutty bisexual energy and I am here for it!!

My only complaint was that I felt like I was reading it forever, it's a little long in my opinion but not enough to deduct a star!

3.5⭐️

This was a cute rom com and it had its moments. I liked the traveling aspects of this story, but I unfortunately did not like the romance as much as I thought I would. I tried not to compare this book to Red, White, & Royal Blue, but it’s hard not to. This didn’t make me swoon nearly as much, and this didn’t leave me thinking about the story constantly after putting it down. This book was cute and a good read for the summer, but not a favorite.

I felt like the first half worked better than the second, but Casey at their worst is still a more fun and memorable writer than most of their contemporaries so that's a minor complaint! This is a great escapist romance about travel, food, sex, and the one that got away, with a bonus for incredible descriptions of food and beautiful locations, along with queer and bisexual representation and sex scenes that read that way. (And you can see where some of the Amazon money for RWRB went, but I for one could not be more thrilled that the author got to write off the no doubt exorbitantly expensive research for this book about the trip of a lifetime as a tax deduction!)

I held off feedback due to the boycott of St Martin's Press.

The Pairing feels like a melting summer popsicle- sweet, refreshing, and melting slightly in the heat. Casey sharpened their descriptions here, but I felt it was exchanged for character development and focus, one thing I would have like to see more of.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Pairing by Casey McQuiston!

EVERYONE in this book needs to go to horny jail. That being said, I thought this was so cute. The levels of miscommunication got to be a little too much for me at some points, but I still really enjoyed reading this!

Pretty sure this was a 4.5 for me. Not my fav of Casey McQuiston's but still an A+ read. What a delight. Traipsing through Europe, eating food and a second chance romance? YES PLEASE. The characters sparkle and the food descriptions are heavenly. Where it fell apart for me was the replay of the initial break up which just felt so frustrating to me. Miscommunication trope is my least fav.

The Pairing is fun, messy, and full of heart. Casey McQuiston knows how to write chemistry, and this book is no exception. The romance builds through quick banter, longing looks, and moments that feel both ridiculous and deeply sincere.

The setting is indulgent—good food, good wine, and a lot of feelings. It leans into chaos, but that’s part of the charm. The characters are flawed in a way that makes them real, and their journey feels like a mix of adventure and emotional growth.

If you want a book that’s romantic, playful, and a little unhinged, this one’s for you.

This one started off slow for me, but it grew on me the further that I got.

Representation in books matter and I really enjoyed how McQuiston portrayed Theo and facilitated the conversation of their identity. This all brought the book together and made so much make more sense.

This has a lot of the miscommunication trope which honestly frustrates me a lot, but I'll never stop reading it in romance novels. I enjoyed watching Kit and Theo fall back in love with each other.

This is one of those books that once you start reading, you're not stopping until the end. My sleep sacrifice was completely worth it.
The chemistry and yearning between Kit and Theo was palpable, and the decadent setting was fantastic. Would highly recommend this book for fans of slutty bisexuals (affectionate) who are longing for their own HEA.

I have read all of Casey McQuiston's books, and this is definitely a close favorite! (Red, White and Royal Blue will always be my favorite book!) I loved the characters and their journey. I felt like I was right there traveling with them, and now I need a European vacation, stat! :D

Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book.