I will say I was super confused when the POV shifted because of the gendered pronouns… Other than that though I loved this book as I have with all of Casey’s books.

4.5 stars
The fact that this book took me so so long to read has almost nothing to do with the book itself and everything to do with the fact that I just had zero time to sit down and read for a long time there. Everything about the characters, to the setting, to the food, to the writing, to the banter, to the wine in this book was ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. Casey McQuiston did. not. miss. a. beat. with these descriptions. I'm not usually a big descriptions person but for this book in particular I feel like all the descriptions of the meals and the different touristy places that they went to added so so much to the book itself. I loved the storyline and I loved the concept, my one qualm with this book is I feel like it could have been a little shorter. It was LONG for a rom-com and even though I really enjoyed every minute of reading it I still feel like there were some moments in the beginning and the middle that dragged and could have been condensed a little, or maybe we could have done one less stop along the tour, something like that. I feel like Casey McQuiston's writing is always under appreciated because I forget why I read every book they publish and then I read their next book and I remember that their rom-com writing is really funny and the banter is so great! Like the little tid-bits of comedy hit on each beat so seamlessly and I know that RWARB had the same sense of humor and I feel like with the movie adaptation we kind of lost that because of a change in media and maybe mediocre script writing but I wish we hadn't lost it because the humor is what makes her books so fun!! But the romantic yearning lines were also so amazingly good as well. I loved the whole vibe that the book had of "everything goes in Europe" it was so fluid and fun to see and just brought such a great vibe to the book. It made the book feel like Challengers if the sexual tension in Challengers could be filtered into book form. I loved Kit and Theo's constant back and forth once they got familiar with each other again. Every conversation between the two of them felt like a dance and it felt so easy to be able to picture on screen. It is the type of reading-each-other's mind that you can only have with someone that you know really really well and when you're in that space it feels so fluid and easy. I loved the getting back together with an ex trope in the book and the fact that Theo and Kit aren't just exes but also childhood friends just made it 100x better. My favorite sequence of the whole book was Barcelona. The breakdown of the heat and how it affected everyone's perception was SO GOOD. There was one point at the end when I genuinely thought that they might not end up together and I was about to be so mad because if we went through ALL THAT just for them to not end up together I was about to be pissed. Thankfully I was wrong! I felt like the climactic moment that changed Kit's mind and made him decide to chase after Theo was kind of corny and the scene was kind of overdone but honestly at that point I was just happy we got there in the end. Overall, this book was such a fun experience, it makes me want to go to Europe bad.

Hands down the best queer sex scenes I have EVER read. Best peach scene since “Call Me By Your Name” I love eating my way through Europe with the characters.

Thank you @smpromance for the eARC of The Pairing, which is out now!

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston is a perfect blend of wanderlust, nostalgia, and simmering tension. With dual POVs that split the book in two, we get inside both Theo and Kit’s heads—and trust me, the bisexual tension and rivalry are chef’s kiss. This book just embodies everything about summer: sunshine, Aperol spritzes, and a love that’s just a little haunted. 🍊✨

That line—“Sometimes I think the only way to keep something forever is to lose it and let it haunt you”—had me feeling all the feels.

Overall, if you need a read to pull you out of a slump and/or a dose of summer vibes any time of year, this one’s for you.

LIKES:
🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQIA+ romance
✨ Wanderlust vibes
🌶️ SPICY
💞 Second-chance romance
⛓️‍💥 Forced proximity
🌱 Personal growth themes
🛏️ Only one bed

3.5 stars. This was a well-written book but clearly not for me. I have loved the author's work in the past but this book had too much spice, miscommunication, and yearning for my personal taste.

Other reviewers complained about how unrealistic the places, food, and people seen throughout the tour, but I liked that aspect of it. It reminded me of when I traveled through Italy with one of my best friends. Yes, some of the people were slight stereotypes but it worked for the book because there were many side characters and it made it easy to know who was who. Also, the book shows a dreamy non very realistic version of Europe, and these side characters fit right into that vision. As long as you aren't treating it too seriously, it works.

The main characters were frustrating and were supposed to be. Their miscommunication was so frustrating. I understand it was needed to give the book a plot, but a couple of times I shouted at my audiobook for them to just tell each other the truth. Their romance felt real and you could feel their connection with each other. The tension and yearning was intense, so if you like those, you may love this book.

The book was very well written and I loved the descriptions of food, wine, and place. Sadly this book was not to my taste even if I enjoyed aspects of it.

I just think that Casey McQuinston is doing some great work in the queer romance space. Her character development is great. Her characters have flaws and insecurities, but are not completely stuck by them, and the pace and flow of the plot is always just so fun and readable. This particular book was such a fun feast. The level of delight in all things pleasurable was so high. The sexual desire is palpable through the whole thing, but so to is the desire to enjoy the beautifully described food and locals. This book made me hungry, and made me want to go to Europe real bad. Everything about it was hedonistic and fun and voracious in the best way. The lead couple is cute. The path of their romance (exes to lovers) is well drawn out. I like the changing of the POV mid way through the book. Overall another fantastic read by McQuinston.

I LOVED this queer contemporary romance!!! I am such a foodie and wine enthusiast so this was a book that I just ate up!!! Also the names Theo and Kit are just CUTE! I also love the French vibes of this story. This book made me swoon, giggle and kick my feet. I need a wine bottle paring with this book!!!

I absolutely adored this book. The image of a perfectly indulgent European vacation paired with the longing between Theo and Kit made me want to quit my job and follow in their footsteps. Casey does such a good job of getting inside of their characters heads that by the end you truly feel like you know them.

The Pairing was a beautiful ode to some of my favourite European countries (Italy, France and Spain) while also being an epic queer journey novel aka I was bound to love it with my whole heart! From traveling around Europe to learning about all the delicious local cuisines (I was hungry all the time), I was enchanted from the very first till the very last page. And add to that two messy, relatable main characters in their late twenties trying to figure it all out (their sexual identity, career path, LIFE in general) and The Pairing instantly became one of my favourite books of 2024. I already know I'll return to this one again and again.
Another absoute Casey McQuiston win! I can't wait for their future books!

Thank you to @netgalley and @Stmartinspress for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston is a captivating book that brings the story of Theo and Kit to life with vibrant narration and immersive storytelling. This summer romance, set against the backdrop of a European food and wine tour, is both heartwarming and humorous, making it a delightful listen.

What I Loved:
Character Chemistry: The chemistry between Theo and Kit is palpable, and the narrators do an excellent job of conveying their complex relationship. The playful banter and emotional moments are brought to life in a way that feels authentic and engaging.
Setting and Atmosphere: The audiobook vividly describes the European locales, making you feel as if you’re part of the tour. The sensory details of food, wine, and scenery are beautifully narrated, adding richness to the story.

What Could Be Improved:
Pacing: Similar to the book, the focus on their physical competition can sometimes overshadow the emotional development of their relationship. While it adds to the fun, it occasionally feels repetitive.
Believability: The number of romantic interests they encounter can stretch believability, though it does contribute to the escapist nature of the story.

Overall, The Pairing book is a delightful and immersive experience that will make you laugh, swoon, and crave a European adventure. It’s a perfect pick for fans of queer romance and anyone looking for a story that feels both timeless and modern.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #stmartinspress #ltbreaderteam #thepairing #caseymcquiston #smpinfluencers

One of the most lush, wondrous, and, yes, spicy reads of the summer, THE PAIRING is everything a Casey McQuiston fan could wish for (and more). Kit and Theo had me blushing, swooning, and biting my lip as I toured Europe alongside their magnetic will-they-won't-they, friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers pairing. The food-and-wine descriptions were truly scrumptious; foodies everywhere will adore the extensive depictions of Europe's best culinary escapades. Once again, McQuiston proves themselves a true master of their craft, producing yet another romance masterclass that's sure to end up upon many readers' 'best books of the year' list... I sure know it's climbed to the top spot on mine .:)

Theo and Kit were on the way to the vacation of their dreams--a weeks-long European food and wine adventure--when they break up, having to cancel the trip and each receiving a voucher to use for the tour in the future, good for three years. When the exes unknowingly decide to both book the last possible tour before the vouchers expire, they are thrown together for the first time in three years after having not spoken. Once each other's everything--childhood best friends to soulmates--it's almost impossible for them to be in the same room with each other without emotions bubbling to the surface. To keep things light and most definitely platonic between them, Theo suggests a friendly wager on who can sleep with their hot Italian tour guide, and eventually the most Europeans, given the smorgasbord of options for these hot bisexual exes. But through everything, they continue to be drawn back to each other.

This, this felt like classic McQuiston to me. It doesn't have the camp of RW&RB, but it has its wit, banter, historical references, and depth. I'm not sure what kind of research McQuiston did for this book--presumably, extensive--but their descriptions of the food and scenery are absolutely mind-blowing. Every page had me drooling over the pasta, craving the wine, and dying to visit the gorgeous sites. I was lucky enough to actually be reading this on a European cruise, so I did end up seeing some of these fabulous locations (Pisa, Florence, etc.) shortly after reading, which probably made it more impactful. But even setting aside those extras that really gave the book depth, I also just loved Kit and Theo. They felt like soulmates, two ends of one string, who were destined to come back together. Their story was hot and emotional and spicy and beautiful and this was the book I've been waiting for from them.

Thanks to St. Martin's for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 10/10

I loved Red, White and Royal Blue, so I was very excited to get an ARC for this one back in the summer. However, I just didn’t love it as much as I thought I would. There were some things that I loved like the travelling aspects and all of the beautiful food and wine descriptions. Plus there were lots of fun side characters, though I did wish they played more of a part through the book. As for Theo and Kit, while I did like them generally, there was just so much miscommunication, and they seemed to be having repetitive conversations throughout. Overall, I struggled to get through this one, but it was an okay read!

The Pairing was a great book to read right as I was leaving on a trip to Europe; it flows through France, Spain, and Italy on a food and wine tour that had me reminiscing about featured places I’ve been to and stoking excitement about places still on my travel goals list. It’s a very sweet second chance romance between two people who are very deeply in love with and obsessed with one another, and I thought the audio was performed very well with the many accents and frequent dialogue in other languages.

I received an eARC of The Pairing from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; however, I also purchased a physical copy from myself via Book of the Month and listened to some of it on audiobook from my library.

I will not be giving feedback on this title at this time. Unfortunately, I did not finish this book.

While there was more spice than I was expecting, I really enjoyed this European romance romp. I loved our two main characters and they realize how they've each grown and learned since their breakup. The supporting characters were entertaining as well.
The way the chapters were broken up by city with a drink and food for each was a nice touch. The descriptions of food tour were mouthwatering too!
Love some good bisexual rep and really enjoy Casey's writing once again.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an eARC of The Pairing in exchange for my honest review!

I've had great times with Red, White & Royal Blue and One Last Stop, so Casey McQuiston's work is definitely the sort of rom-com storytelling that clicks with me. I wouldn't really say The Pairing stands out to me as strongly, but it remains a charismatic and hedonistic ride whose incredible horniness is an element that I enthusiastically support. I have some fun times with Theo and Kit here as they embark on this second-chance romance path—a path that runs through the gorgeous settings of France, Spain, and Italy, all of which are places that I have yet to visit. However, it does feel odd for so much of the emotional growth in the central relationship to take place off-page. Seriously, what's up with that choice? It makes it a challenge for this tale to move me all that deeply. I'm also not wild about how much the plot simply meanders along. We keep hitting all these vacation spots, we keep watching Kit and Theo have a decadent and raunchy blast while working out the issues between them, but these things require a more coherent and well-paced plot structure for me to grab onto.

Overall, I'm officially rating The Pairing 3.25 out of 5 stars, which I'm rounding down to 3 stars. It may not be an outright winner in McQuiston's bibliography, but I still get some enjoyment out of it. I'll continue to await more of their work.

Parts of this book I loved. And then other parts I really did not. Hard to review in this instance. So I will just say, it had potential to be an excellent read and I don't regret reading. Just felt like I wanted something more.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press for an eARC and MacMillan Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

The Pairing was perfection.... I was laughing non-stop, felt the chemistry and longing of Theo and Kit, and absolutely loved the travel imagery! Casey McQuinston has done it again and created characters so human and relatable but also fun and outrageous! I am literally already dreaming of this getting made it to a fun rom com romp movie and I NEED it to happen!

The setting, the food and the wine in this book were fabulous. Kit and Theo unexpectedly reunite on a three week tour through Europe four years after they broke up. I really enjoyed the people on the tour with them and who they met in each city.
Not sure what it was, but although I liked Kit and Theo and the ups and downs of their relationship, there was something missing for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.