The Pairing is a raw emotional journey that encapsulates bisexual and queer hookup culture, situationships and coming to terms with romantic feelings. Casey McQuiston stunned me with beautiful descriptions of Europe and the food in the tour. But overall, I was wowed the most by the gentle but thrilling relationship between Theo and Kit.

God, this book. Casey McQuiston can do no wrong. My favourite author has given me a new favourite.

I loved everything about this. The romance, the setting, the growth, the joy, the food. Even the sex was beautifully written and I’m someone who usually skims those parts.

What I love about McQuiston’s writing is how earnest and raw it is. You really feel every bit of what their characters are feeling. It’s all-encompassing, intoxicating, and they knock it out of the park every single time.

Theo and Kit are both so vibrant and messy and emotional and god, I adored them both. So much it’s difficult to put into words. I have very little in common with them - I’m aroace, I don’t drink, I’m broke af - and yet I felt such a connection with them anyway.

I particularly loved Theo’s coming out to Kit. The conversation about gender was such a small piece of this whole book, but it felt so relatable to me and my experience with gender.

This book NEEDS to be a movie. It’s so cinematic to read and it would make such a fantastic film.

*thank you to netgalley & publishers, for providing the digital ARC*

a sexy, fun, emotional, and heartwarming summer read! if you can't go on a trip to europe like everyone else, this book is a great substitute lol. it had really beautiful descriptions of landscapes and food, and did a wonderful job painting a picture of each stop along the tour.

theo and kit were such great characters and i found the perspective switch halfway through the novel to be really interesting. i think it worked really well, but part of me would have rather had dual pov throughout the book. there also were A LOT of side characters, which were fun! but most of them were easily forgettable/mentioned once and then brought up again 100 pages later and i was like 'who is this??'

overall, i thought it was a really fun summer read and a good read if you love a second-chance romance or best friends to lovers!

rating: 3.5/5 stars

“𝘿𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙠 […] 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙖𝙢𝙖𝙯𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙞𝙩 𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙖 𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙠 𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙛𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙤 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙨𝙚𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙮, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙮, 𝙞𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚?”

As someone who has fond memories from her own European bus tour, loves food and wine/cocktails, and has some knowledge and appreciation for Renaissance art, I can say that I enjoyed this book. Did I “love” it? No. Do I see some problems and why other people might not enjoy it? Yes.

If you hate miscommunication, this probably isn’t a good book for you. If you hate when MCs hook up with other people, this is definitely not a book for you.

The premise is that Theo and Kit, best friends all their lives, and eventually a couple, had a major fight on their way to a European Food & Wine tour 4 years ago, causing them to break up. Now, 4 years later, they have both cashed in their tour vouchers before they expire, and find themselves on this tour together.

They also take part in a “hookup competition” because…well, because these are very horny people. 😝

I enjoyed the journey. I thought the way the book was laid out with their different POVs was effective. I thought Theo’s journey, in particular, was very good. And the ending was very sweet. Sometimes I felt the two MCs were frustrating, but still, overall, I found myself unable to put it down, and enjoyed myself while I was reading.

Thank you to the Publisher and NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

What this book is giving:
✅ Contemporary Queer Romance
✅ Second Chance
✅ Chaotic Bisexuals
✅ The Horniest European Food & Wine Tour
✅ Hookup Competition

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️½ / 5

I enjoyed this book quite a bit. A fantastic summer read that gets you itching to travel a bit. The beginning was a bit slow to really pull me into the story, but once I was locked in on the romance I was eager to keep reading. The perspective shift also threw me at first but I honestly think I ended up liking reading from Kit's perspective more! McQuiston has managed to do it again, another great romance.

Overall, I think this book was very good. It was the best for me but I still very much enjoyed it. I liked the plot and characters and it was a fun read

Theo and Kit used to be everything to each other- best friends and lovers. Once on the verge of starting a life together, they now live separate lives. When Kit and Theo use a voucher for a canceled tour through Europe, they are shocked and horrified to realize they’re on the same tour. Can they make it through the two-week tour and possibly regain their friendship?

The Pairing will make you feel like you’re on a delightful tour across Europe and you cannot read this book while hungry. Kit is a pastry chef and Theo is a sommelier, so the food descriptions are mouthwatering. I didn’t love the hook-up competition, though I think some readers will love it. My favorite parts were when Theo and Kit spent time together, untangling the truth of why they broke up and re-building their connection. I also enjoyed the camaraderie of the tour group and the memorable side characters.

The Pairing gave me all the feels! McQuiston does a fantastic job of imparting the sense of evanescence that comes when traveling and you realize that this place will continue to exist long after you leave. As Kit and Theo revisit the relationship that once meant the world to them, there’s a poignant sense of heartbreak and nostalgia. The conclusion was very satisfying!

Readers looking for queer romance, achingly beautiful writing, and hilarious dialogue should check out The Pairing.

Thank you to Casey McQuiston, St. Martin’s Griffin, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

Picture the "The Lizzie McGuire Movie," but make it a second-chance romance. The pairing is campy and reverent, with over-the-cop near-cartoonish portrayals of Italians that will nevertheless make you want to jump on the next flight to Rome (or Paris, or Barcelona, or Florence, etc. etc.)

I wanted to love this so much more than I did, but I think my mixed feelings mostly come down to second-chance romance not being a trope that works for me. We are told that Kit loves Theo and Theo loves Kit, but sometimes I had trouble seeing why. As readers, we didn't have the chance to witness the history that Kit and Theo had firsthand, we didn't get to see their love grow, we only saw how it fell apart. So much of their connection throughout "The Pairing" emphasizes their sexual relationship because of the way they are avoiding their feelings, and this may work for some people but it unfortunately didn't work for me.

Theo and Kit are long time best friends turned lovers, who break up on the way to their 3 week European food and wine tour. They don't speak again until they show up to the same tour again, right before their trip voucher expires almost 4 years later. Once they're forced back together on the tour, they start to realize the feelings they had for each other may not be gone like they thought. But instead of acknowledging it, they challenge each other to see who can hook up with more people as they travel around Europe. What could possibly go wrong here?

I have mixed feelings about this book. I think it definitely has an audience who will absolutely love it, but I just don't think it's me. I loved the LGBTQ+ representation (Theo and Kit are bisexual/pansexual) and the travel aspects of this book. However I think readers should know that this book is VERY VERY heavy on sex, food, and wine (obviously), and lighter on the love story. Those aspects seemed to overshadow the themes of friendship, forgiveness, and leaving your comfort zone. I personally enjoyed the second half of the book more, when it switched to Kit's perspective. Overall I think this book will be a bit polarizing, but a good read for fans of Casey McQuiston and those looking for a sex positive book with LGBTQ+ representation.

The concept of this book was a cool one. I was all for it. However, after the first couple of chapters, I knew this book was on its way to feeling like a chore. I found it so boring and overly descriptive. It was also very repetitive, and there was so much nonsense that could have been easily fixed if the main characters behaved like rational adults with semi-decent communication skills. Some people might absolutely love the food and travel descriptions, which is fine—that never hurts—but it gets to a point where it occupies too much of the narrative. I did not feel much chemistry between the main characters, and the fact that it takes almost halfway through the book to get to the 'plot' is frustrating. Theo and their inner monologue about being a nepo baby—if you are in a truly difficult position, you know you eventually don't have the luxury to be prideful about your sister offering you money to help you out or help you with rent. The fact that you refuse that help showcases even more how privileged you are. You're just displaying as poor people who have no options, but in reality, you do, especially when you have a good relationship with your family. Theo was constantly making a mountain out of a molehill when they could have just had an open conversation with Kit. Their inner monologue felt endless and repetitive. I also couldn't care less about the side characters and how awfully convenient it was that everyone was hot, young, and wanted them or Kit.

After Theo and Kit brutally break up on the way to a European food and wine tour, they cut each other out of their lives completely. But 4 years late, both of them decide to use the travel vouchers issued by the company and end up on the same tour, trapping them in close proximity for three weeks. Both of them want to prove to the other that they're over each other, but spending so much time together again brings up old feelings.

I wanted to like this more than I did! I haven't read any other Casey McQuiston books to compare this to, but it was a bit disappointing. The pacing was pretty slow, with lots of descriptions of food, etc. along with some flashbacks to their previous relationship slowing down the narration. The POV switches from Theo to Kit about halfway through, which I appreciated to get a different perspective on the relationship.

Pros: the food/wine descriptions were amazing, and felt well-researched and authentic for the areas they were traveling in. The concept of a food tour through Europe sounds amazing and I would love to do that. I also don't normally like second chance romances, but given the compressed timeline of this book (like 3 weeks over the course of the food tour), I felt like that was a good choice to make, allowing the main characters to have previous history/intimacy to build on/rediscover as opposed to an insta-love situation.

Cons (in my opinion): Maybe it's just because I'm not a hot, young bisexual, but I felt like the amount of sex in this book was unrealistic. The main characters are literally having sex with different people in every single city they stop in, everyone appears to be super hot and super into both of them all the time, and it's just a lot. The book is also super tightly focused on the two main characters and some of the secondary relationships we sort of see (Kit's dad, Theo's sister) feel really underdeveloped to the point they shouldn't have been mentioned. Some of the other people on the food tour sounded fun and I would have liked them to be rounded out a bit more. (Also, this is more nit=picky than anything, but the tour company gave them 4 years! to use their travel vouchers for this tour which felt like an unrealistically long time.)

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If I had to review this book in one word, it would be: INDULGENT.

(Or slutty, but I'll say that's a close second.)

But really, in the best way, this book is indulgent: in its length, in its descriptions of place and food, in its prose, and of course, in its level of spice. It's a LOT, but really enjoyable ways.

Casey McQuiston is just SO amazing to read, not only because their books are fun and sexy, but also because they're so incredibly well-written. Casey is an author masterclass in writing that is so smart and sharp, while also being SO immensely funny, warm, and hot. The characters, sense of place, and emotional beats are so well-developed and feel so authentic -- almost familiar. Like, truly the most perfect blend of *everything* you want in a book, and in a reading experience. I read Casey's books having the BEST time, but also in complete AWE. They are one of a kind, and as readers, we're so lucky to live in a world where we get to enjoy the McQuiston-verse.

THE PAIRING is mostly a low-plot, mostly (horny) vibes book following ex-lovers Theo and Kit, who reconnect unexpectedly on a food tour around Europe. It's so lush and visual, and again, very slutty. The two try to out-slut each other basically, and I didn't hate it. It's hilarious and outrageous, while also managing to be very tender and emotionally resonant. Just so so so well-written and enjoyable.

And I have to imagine the research trip that Casey took for this book was insanely epic, and I'm jealous. But the next best thing to actually taking a delicious tour across Europe is reading this book, so!

Hope Casey eventually does tours in Europe that mirror the book 'cause I'll be first in line! (A girl can dream.)

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review. THE PAIRING is out 8/6/24.

Indulgent in every sense. It will make you want to visit Europe. I did appreciate the POV shift halfway through.

A beautifully written book filled with nuanced descriptions of food, drinks, and sex. This book featured second chance romance and the miscommunication trope. The main characters are so in love with each other, it's obvious to everyone except for each other. I really enjoyed the inclusion of bisexual and nonbinary characters, without otherizing them.

The romance was sweet but the descriptions of food and drink was way too detailed for my taste. If you are more of a foodie, then I think you'd love it.

Also the main characters are sexual beings. Hookups are a plenty throughout the story, as what is probably normal for many European bus tours. It did not feel gratuitous to me, but maybe that's just because I'm part of the queer community.

A solid 3.5 star read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book! As a big Casey McQuiston fan, I was super excited to receive an ARC and had a great time reading it. This is the perfect beach read (definitely not work safe with incredibly well written sex scenes). I'm a sucker for queer human disaster characters, even if they can be a little unlikable-- that's honestly par for the course for anyone in their 20s, coming from personal experience. I had a great time reading this, salivating over the food/wine and art descriptions and all the tropes like "there is only one bed!". I know it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea, but I have liked it a lot more than other romances that are popular right now.

This was SO different from IKSW, though there was one thing in common. They both stunned me halfway. With this one, I had absolutely no idea that Theo was non-binary, their name actually Theodora. Knowing the author writes LGBTQ+ romances, until I reached Kit's POV, I assumed that both MCs are bisexual males, and realizing I was wrong obviously confused me to the point I had to give the book a break for a couple of days. In my defense, I don't know any non-binary people, so I pictured Theo as a male.

I think this book is pretty good with its sentiment and general outlook it shares with the reader. I loved the take on the miscommunication trope, which is generally so easy to go wrong with. Having seen the repercussions of misunderstandings in my personal life, I think the way McQuiston depicted the impact on a relationship and the people involved, even long term. The dual perspective definitely helps get across both characters' version of events and how they coped with it. The narration was on point too, super enjoyable with the fun pronunciations and unique accents.

put this book down multiple times (thanks summer, I’m so busy!) BUT! Every time I did pick it up I put it down thinking of both Kit & Theo. I absolutely loved their story, it had me giggling, and blushing, and swooning. Leave it to CMQ to have me falling back in love with Europe & wanting to go travel & eat & explore more!

Casey McQuiston's books are guaranteed to be filled with characters in emotional turmoil but so deeply in love! I loved how this story was told through the perspectives of both characters, one telling each half of the book. Both of them were so obsessed with each other and trying to play it cool. I normally don't love second-chance romances, but I really enjoyed this story! And the atmosphere of traveling through Europe on a food and drink tour was perfect for this story! I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to see what they write next!

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This is so cute!
This book follows Theo and Kit (exes) as they go on a food and wine tour in Europe.
They decide to go on this competition to see who can hookup with the most people. Of course things aren’t as easy as they seem and Theo and Kit have other things to worry about (for example how they feel for each other).

I really enjoyed how Casey Mcquiston always finds a way to deliver complex characters and she manages to discuss difficult topics in such a good manner.

I really enjoyed this book and the scenery it granted me. I felt like I was in Europe alongside Theo and Kit!

3.5 stars rounded up.

I'm disappointed I didn't love this one as much as I expected to. Out of all of Casey McQuiston's books, this is the one I struggled to connect with the most. Which... If it were any other author, maybe my review would be more glowing, but I know how good McQuiston can be, and this just didn't hit the same notes as their previous books.

First, the positives: I did genuinely like Theo and Kit and their differing PoVs. Both of them felt relatable to me; Theo with their gender identity and struggle to find their "thing" in life, and Kit's entire personality and vibe. The full cast of characters was just fun. Also, it's very clear that McQuiston LOVES the places that they wrote about; I've never felt such an intense desire to tour the Mediterranean until I read this book and how they described these places (and foods!) with such care and adoration.

Now, the negatives: while normally I wouldn't complain about literally every single character being queer, but... why was literally every single character young and hot and queer and interested in Kit and/or Theo? I adore a good summer romance fantasy, but it was also bordering on (or treading right over) unbelievable. Now, normally as someone who is bi-asexual I'm not bothered by spice in books, but I might genuinely have been too ace to comprehend the debauchery. And then the miscommunication trope was... rampant.

So, was it a bad book? Not at all! It just wasn't really my vibe. I still adore McQuistion and anything they write.