Unfortunately, this one was not for me. The extremely long chapters and it felt like nothing was happening. I wasn’t able to finish this one. Thank you for the opportunity!

Theo and Kit broke up on a transatlantic flight to their dream European food and wine tour, but the time apart has done them both good. Theo has found confidence as a bartender and an aspiring sommelier, while Kit has graduated as a pastry chef and works in one of the finest restaurants in Paris. They each have an unused voucher for the European food and wine tour that is valid for 48 months from the original date and it's about to expire. They each decide that now's a good time to take this trip - separately. But when Theo boards the tour bus and finds Kit on it, realizing they both had the exact same idea and are now trapped together for the next three weeks, it gets a lot more complicated.

THE PAIRING is a pleasantly surprising story that takes course over three weeks in various European cities along a food and wine tour. Each chapter of this book features a new location with new foods and wines to lust over. The settings and imagery of each location is expertly described, leaving a vivid and immersive experience for the reader. The food and wine pairings are well-researched, exquisite, and honestly sound divine. I liked how each pairing evoked memories in some manner for the two MCs and served for some lusty banter between the two as they regressed into old habits of one-upping the other with food or drink creations.

The first half of the book is told in Theo's POV, which while I enjoyed, was overly sexualized and filled with their self-sabotage. The latter half of the novel is told in Kit's POV which I found to be refreshing. Each of the main characters is flawed, yet realistic and relatable, with excellent chemistry. I liked the varied sexual representations the characters display which feels to be written authentically and with care. The competition that crops up between the two is a lot of fun and quite spicy. The romance is ripe with pining and lust, but also a deep emotional attachment developed over years of friendship. I do think that I liked Kit's POV more-so than Theo's because Kit's POV offered more context to their shared past and the steps towards their possible future. The character growth and self-discovery of both characters is well-written and genuine. I liked seeing the conclusions they came to over the course of the story and absolutely adored the epilogue.

<i>I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, St Martin's Griffin, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions shared are my own.</i>

This is the first Casey McQuiston book that I didn't like. It was one of my most anticipated books of the year and it breaks my heart that I didn't have a good time with it. Some people will enjoy it because it has Casey's usual wit and compelling writing that draws you in from the very first page. The plot just wasn't my cup of tea.

In theory, this book should have worked for me because friends to lovers and second-chance romance are two of my favorite tropes. The idea of going on a food and wine tour through Europe sounds amazing. What I didn't like was that the book revolves around the main characters engaging in a hookup competition. I can't stand it when the main characters spend most of the book sleeping with other people if they're supposed to be in love with each other. It felt icky. They were using other people, not being honest with each other, and making the same mistakes over, and over again.

I'm so torn on how to rate this one. I think it's possible some readers will love it. I really didn't. There were times I enjoyed it and times I hated it, but mostly it was just not my jam. I think it works best as sort of a light vacation read, and there were so many aspects that almost worked for me or could have worked for me if they were just done differently. A low budget tour with more laughs would have been way more my cup of tea than all these rich people and this pretentious prattle.

Unfortunately, I did not like either MC much, and Theo especially wore on my nerves. I never felt these MCs could communicate. I never felt they grew. They kept making the same immature mistakes and jumping to conclusions and having misunderstandings and refusing to be honest with one another. I'm all for sex positivity and was fine with the hook ups, until one particular sex scene that was such a NOPE for me. The participants aren't being honest with one another and are inviting someone else to take part who they also aren't being honest with and it felt awful and so uncomfortable to read. Even the sex scenes between the MCs which had elements I find super hot were meh because I didn't like the MCs and felt they had no emotional connection.

This was a particularly frustrating read because so much about it was almost something I'd love. But at it was The Pairing was definitely not a match for me.

“Take care of good love when you find it.” ☀️

Coming out on August 6, The Pairing by Casey McQuiston follows two exes (Theo & Kit) as they accidentally end up on the same European food and wine tour—stuck together for three weeks after a catastrophic breakup in the middle of a transatlantic flight four years prior. And to prove that they’re over each other, they challenge each other to a hookup competition while on said tour. Surely nothing can go wrong, right?

If you’ve read anything by Casey, then you’ll already know that their books are filled with heart, and The Pairing is no exception. While this book will make you hungry—everything Theo and Kit eat on their tour sounds unreal—it will also make you laugh, cry, and swoon. All of the things.

Kit and Theo are perfectly imperfect, and they’re perfectly themselves. I loved being in both of their heads with the dual POV, and their voices were unique which made them feel even more real. They’re funny and natural, and it’s not hard to believe that they have a long and sordid history. And in between those moments of humor and lust and tension, there is honesty and vulnerability. There are open conversations about gender identity and sexuality; this story is a beautiful portrayal of being “outside the norm,” and these characters are going to burrow themselves in countless readers’ hearts. I, for one, want to hug both of them.

The way that Casey writes The Pairing is very descriptive. The places they visit, the foods they eat, and the drinks they taste are painted so well that it felt like I was right there on the tour with them. In fact, I often felt like I was intruding on Theo & Kit’s lives.

In any case, if you are in need of a messy, tension-filled second-chance romance, make sure you head to your local bookstore on August 6th to pick up The Pairing!

And a big thank you to St Martin’s Press and Casey McQuiston for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
Rating: 3 stars
Pub date: 8/6

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press for my advanced copy and Macmillan Audio for my complimentary audiobook. #macaudio2024

I need to start by saying that I love Casey McQuiston and that Red, White, and Royal Blue is one of my favorite romances of all time. The Pairing is one of my most anticipated reads of 2024, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me.

In The Pairing, Casey McQuiston takes readers on a bumpy ride through a European food and wine tour, where exes Theo and Kit unexpectedly reunite. Despite a messy breakup, they find themselves trying to mend their friendship by competing in a hookup contest to prove they're over each other. But as they travel through stunning cities and savor delicious cuisines, it's clear their feelings are anything but resolved.

The book sets up an enticing premise that I could not wait to dive into: a hookup competition between exes who are still pining for one another…in Europe?! That sounds great, right? Unfortunately, the story ends up being a whirlwind of superficial experiences, with the characters hopping from one meaningless hookup to the next while claiming to still be in love with each other. My poor romantic heart just couldn’t take it.

And while I laughed out loud a few times at Theo's antics, the portrayal of Europe as a utopia for young, beautiful people ready to party feels a bit over the top and unrealistic. Everywhere Theo and Kit go, there’s someone there who’s willing to sleep with them. Also, while the food sounds delicious, the whole first half of the book is about eating, drinking, and hooking up with strangers. That’s it, in that order. There’s very little substance to Theo’s character, and I found them to be a bit insufferable most of the time.

The second half switches to Kit’s POV, and I enjoyed his character a lot more. Unfortunately, the romance lacks the emotional depth that I expected. For a second chance romance to work, there has to be some on-page conversations about the past relationship and why it didn’t work, etc. Most of the relationship’s history and feelings happen off-page, making it hard to root for these two and connect with their love story.
While the idea of a second-chance romance is appealing, the lack of meaningful moments makes it fall flat. This book is getting great reviews, so you should still check it out and form your own opinion!

Read if you like:
*snappy one-liners
*bisexual representation
*books about food and travel

When you read The Pairing by Casey McQuinston you are not only get a love story between the main characters, but you also get to go on a beautiful trip throughout Europe exploring the country through the landscape, food, and native people who live there. It's a true sensory experience and you truly get the feel of what the characters are experiencing through the deep descriptions of everything going on around them.

Read this one for:
-Childhood crush
- Second chance
- Only one bed
- Lots of Queer rep
- Forced proximity
- Road trip
- Just a hookup

Kit and Theo had an intense breakup years ago and now find that they both decide to take the trip they booked years ago for a European food and wine tour. Now stuck on a tour bus and in close quarters at exclusive tastings and hotels, they are forced to be together again and confront their past and who they are now.

As they go on their journey eating and drinking their way through Europe, Kit and Theo begin to rebuild their friendship and start to trust one another again. Their intense chemistry and love for one another can't be denied even when they think they can play games with one another of just hooking up as not a couple.

There's a lot of messy mess before the two can be together. Both Kit and Theo had so much internalized about what they thought about the other and how they felt, that it took them awhile to let those walls down and be able to communicate their true feelings.

It was really unique to have the first part of the book in only Theo's POV and then the second in Kit's POV. I thought the narrators both did a fantastic job.

Thank you SMP and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

THE PAIRING was a book that, unfortunately, I don’t think was for me. There are a variety of reasons, which I’ll highlight, as to why that is. However, I think that this book had its moments and that just because it wasn’t a book that I fully enjoyed, that others will not. Therefore, my review is going to be as objective as possible, highlighting what I perceive to be positives and negatives of the book.

I think my biggest issue with the book is the book up narrative. As a romance novel, when two characters are clearly in love with each other like Theo and Kit are, you want them to be exclusively with each other or at least express that love through their actions. The hookup scenes were tough to read because of that. Additionally, Theo’s POV was pretty boring. It’s only when we switch to Kit’s POV that I became invested, which is about halfway through the book. I found the excessive drink and food descriptions to be draining and mostly skipped those after a while. And the narrative structure was repetitive with food and drink description, banter between Theo and Kit, hook ups with others. Repeat.

Now, with those negatives come positives. Some people might want to step away from the traditional romance novel ideology. Some may say that characters of Theo and Kit are bisexual and nonbinary messes in the best way. Through them, the author showcases the depth of human emotions and how MESSY love can truly be. That felt authentic. The SPICE was top tier. The food and drink specific descriptions are lush and vivid. You can tell that the author did a lot of research and that it creates this atmosphere that you can get lost in while you read. And the narrative structure created angst for those that enjoy.

Overall, this book wasn’t for me. But that doesn’t mean it’s not for others. If you like LQBTQIA+ centered romances with those themes, messy characters, spice, angst, and very detailed descriptions of food, drinks, and scenery, this is your book.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting one for me because the premise seemed perfect, I love food, wine, and Europe so I should love this book right? Ehhh.

There were a few things that worked for me. As a character, I completely adored Kit, he was a dynamic and fun character. There are also bits and pieces throughout the book where the premise of a food tour works, mainly revolving around Kit and his pastry chef career.

What didn't I like...? Everything else. My biggest objection to this book is that the "hookup" competition aspect seemed like it would be a fun subplot based on the synopsis of the book, but instead, it's front and center in a tacky and overdone way. On every other page, the characters are obsessing over each other hookups, obsessing over their own (off-page) sexual exploits, or making weird comments to each other about sex. It was repetitive, boring, and honestly a bit gross. While I am always excited to see LGBT representation, and I respect the multitudes in this book, I don't always love to see bisexual people represented as aggressively promiscuous, and the competition aspect of the book felt like it played into that stereotype.
Lastly, I hated Theo's character. They were one-dimensional, whiny, and didn't seem to show much emotional growth over the entire book.

Who's it for? For contemporary romance fans who like a miscommunication trope, this is a skip for anyone who wants a mature adult character or hopes to see European travel experiences represented.

⭐️: 4/5

On their way to a European food and wine tour, childhood friends turned lovers Theo and Kit had a dramatic breakup and never saw or spoke to one another again. Four years later, right before the vouchers for their cancelled trips were about to expire, both coincidentally ended up on the same tour. In order to make the most of the situation, and to try their hands at a tentative friendship, they agree on a friendly wager involving hooking up with hot, European strangers, but can that stop them from craving what they no longer have: each other?

I am a big fan of Casey McQuiston’s books, and I love her writing. I’m also all here for sexual freedom and expression, but it was just a teeny bit distractingly absurd to me how like, quite literally everyone in this book was so sexually fluid. If this book was all I had to go by, I’d think that all Europeans are constantly horny bisexuals. Also I don’t know if this makes me a prude or like, a hypochondriac, but I also couldn’t stop thinking about just the potential for STDs that was just like, glossed over, not to mention the safety of the main characters, just going off with relative strangers in the night. Anyway, all that aside, I do love a second chance romance book when it feels like the issues that caused the split have been sufficiently resolved, and add in that it’s childhood friends to lovers too, and I was in love with the tropes. The descriptions of the food and wine in the different countries that the book traveled to was also exceptional, and made me want to plan a European vacation ASAP to drink wine and eat pastries at some outdoor cafe. The ending was so sweet and everything I’d want from a book about ex-lovers traipsing across Europe together. Just whatever you do, don’t read this book on am empty stomach 😂

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this free eARC in exchange for my honest review!!

Casey McQuiston absolutely knocked it out of the park with The Pairing. It’s heartfelt, spicy, messy, and intellectual all at the same time. Theo and Kit are realistic and dynamic characters you want to root for, and the secondary characters are so colorful.

My favorite thing about McQuiston is that they can go from writing a YA book, to a deliciously horny queer story of second chances. The Pairing was unexpected, but such a refreshing and entertaining read for the summer.

Theo and Kit were friends first, but after opening up to each other about their crushes on one another, they date and are a full on couple. They head to Europe for a trip of a lifetime that includes a food and wine tour, but during their transatlantic flight, everything turns upside down and they are left broken up. Fast forward nearly 4 years later and both Theo and Kit have left the past behind and have tried to grow and learn from their experience. Theo is a nepo child living in the shadows of their sisters that like what their parents' fame has brought them, but Theo likes the hustle of everyday life and is trying to make it on their own. Meanwhile, Kit never left Europe and found himself in Paris baking up pastries. But when they both unknowingly decide to use their voucher from their food and wine tour from 4 years prior, they both end up on the same trip. duh duh duh!!

Alright, ending up on the same tour nearly 4 years after breaking up without having talked to one another during that time seems like a pretty big stretch, but hey. This is fiction and it added to the element of the story. I was fine with that. What I did like was seeing how their animosity to one another changed over the course of the tour. Going from best friends to lovers to not speaking had to be difficult for these two characters that were always in each other's lives. So, even though what seemed to start out as hate had to slowly melt away and give way to some sort of friendship for these two. But it ended up so much more than I would've thought. It turned into a game of a sexual conquest competition to hide the fact that they both still harbored feelings for one another all in the middle of traveling to beautiful European cities and pairing those places with great food and drinks.

Ok, honestly, I probably didn't even really need the games these two played with one another to enjoy the story. I really liked the character growth of both Kit and Theo, even if they had very little communication at the beginning of what they were feeling. They had 2 distinct voices and being that they were in their mid 20's I could understand what they were going through. Life is about figuring yourself out and becoming independent. And you could see that playing out, even on their tour. They wanted to prove to one another that they changed and were over each other, but they also wanted to prove that they were successful and had their shit together. But really. Who in their mid 20's does??

I really just had a good time reading and listening to the audio. Their were two narrators for both characters and it brought Theo and Kit to life. The conquests were a little over the top and sometimes almost hurtful to each other, but also amusing and got them out of their shells. Heck, they got aboard a yacht with their little game! lol. What played well into the whole plot was the beautiful scenery and all the delicious food and drinks. They are what drew Theo and Kit together over and over again.

Overall, this was purely an indulgent read. The first half was from Theo's POV and the second from Kit's. I liked that we got to hear from both of them in their own time and how their feelings for each other never really left, but they had grown over their time apart. The audio was great with the added addition of a little music making it that much more interactive. I now want to pack a bag and head to Europe on my own food and wine excursion.

If you like horny, queer stories of friends to lovers to enemies to lovers and second chances while traipsing around Europe, The Pairing is the perfect summer read (or listen).

I read 40% in two weeks. I cannot make myself read any more. This book is about two people who broke up 4 years ago. They are seeing each other again during a tour of Europe. While they are on the tour they are hooking up with other people. When I am reading a romance book I do not want to read about the two main characters hooking up with other people. Then they made a competition out of it and that was just icky.

'The Pairing' is a sensual delight, dripping with color, flavor, scenery, romance, yearning, and hot hot sex. After a lifetime of loving each other, Theo and Kit finally got together when they were 22. After two years together, they broke up en route to a decadent European food tour and parted ways. Four years later, they coincidentally book the same tour to use up their cancellation vouchers, and resume a prickly acquaintance, and then a friendship, and then a sex competition (whatever, it works), and then... do yourself a favor and find out.

With prose perfectly balanced between sweet and savory and spicy, attuned to character voice and full of the just the right amount of too much, Casey McQuiston has us laughing and loving and rooting and googling fares to Paris. The conflicts and character growth Kit and Theo face are rich enough to make an extremely satisfying meal out of this second-chance romance, even for those (like myself) who don't usually love that trope. Not to mention, this might be the only travel guide you need for your next vacation.

Like ending a day in the Riviera sunshine overstuffed on too much exquisite indulgence, I loved it.

Many thanks to St. Martin's and NetGalley for the eARC.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book ahead of publication! The review will be live on my blog on 8/01/24. I will also feature the review on Instagram that same day and post my review to Goodreads, The Storygraph, Fable, and retail sites.

Review:

If you've not read or heard about Casey McQuiston's "Red, White & Royal Blue," then you're either new to reading, from another planet, or have been living under a rock. I was super late to the game with that one, and once I finally read it, I understood why everyone loved it so much. I was excited to get an ARC of this one, and while I enjoyed it, I didn't love it as much as I loved the former. Still, if you're looking for a steamy, hilarious, and heartwarming read to add to your summer TBR pile, look no further. This best friends-to-enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy will have you laughing, swooning, and rooting for Theo and Kit to find their way back to each other.

In this book, Theo and Kit are former best friends turned romantic partners turned exes who find themselves on a European food and wine tour together a few years after their messy breakup. Forced to spend several weeks in close quarters with each other, they decide to turn their trip into a hookup competition after they each notice that they're both lusting after their sexy tour guide. What starts as a friendly wager soon turns into a chance to rekindle their lost friendship, but when old feelings begin to resurface, they need to decide if they will keep the competition friendly or if they'll allow themselves to cross the friends-with-benefits line - and if that happens, will they be able to avoid falling for each other all over again?

From the picturesque landscapes of France, Spain, and Italy to the mouthwatering descriptions of wine and pastries, McQuiston effortlessly transports us to a world full of beauty and indulgence in a story full of humor, romance, and so much food. It's almost like "Eat, Pray, Love" but with more sex and a lot of longing. As expected, McQuiston's writing is witty and engaging, with a tone that feels like chatting with your best friend. The dialogue crackles with energy, and each chapter is a delicious blend of humor, romance, and food that will leave you hungry for more. (See what I did there?)

What makes the book work is the dynamic between Theo and Kit. Their banter is razor-sharp, and their chemistry is sizzling. They felt real, and I firmly believed that these two had a special bond and history. As they navigate the highs and lows of their relationship, you'll find yourself rooting for them to overcome their past and find a way back to each other.

I was also lucky enough to receive an advance listener's copy of the book, so I could listen and read at the same time, and both of the narrators were great. Emma Galvin voices Theo, while Max Meyers voices Kit. I've experienced Galvin's narration in Kresley Cole's "Arcana Chronicles" and Veronic Roth's "Divergent" series, and I always enjoy their performance. Meyers was new to me, but I enjoyed his performance as well.

Overall, this is a delightful romp through Europe that will leave you laughing, swooning, and maybe even craving a glass of wine and a pastry. If you loved McQuiston's "Red, White & Royal Blue," you'll likely enjoy "The Pairing." While I personally preferred the latter, I still enjoyed this book and have no doubt that McQuiston's fans will eat it up.

Casey McQuiston is, unequivocally, a literary virtuoso. With The Pairing, they have once again transcended expectations, crafting a novel that is not only a testament to their unparalleled research but also an immersive feast for the senses. Every page is a masterclass in historical and cultural authenticity, effortlessly blending the nuances of European heritage with the intricacies of human connection. McQuiston’s storytelling is a symphony of meticulously developed plots and characters, each contributing to a tapestry that is both profound and exhilarating.
Theo and Kit’s love story is a revelation, resonating with an intensity that rivals any romance McQuiston has penned before. Their affection is woven into the fabric of their being, illuminating every page with a brilliance that left me in tears. The depth of their bond and their willingness to go to great lengths for each other is nothing short of extraordinary.
The distinct and vibrant voices of Theo and Kit offer an intimate glimpse into their souls, enhancing the emotional resonance of the narrative. Kit's zest for life, his way of capturing moments and savoring experiences, adds a unique layer of charm to the story. The Pairing is a literary treasure, rich with detail, from the culinary delights to the historical insights, and imbued with a refreshing celebration of queerness. McQuiston has elevated their craft to an otherworldly level, creating a novel that will linger in my thoughts and heart for a long time to come.

a very hot, second chance romance, forced proximity, lgbtq+ rep based book!

loved the setting of the story and the travel aspect of it, i feel it was the perfect backdrop for this second chance story! lots of angst and some hair-pulling moments, but thats to be expected from a second chance romance!

really the whole plot is two people stumbling their way back to each other through drinking and sex, which I'm totally okay with! knowing ahead of time that is what to expect, I think people will have a better time reading this one.

casey's writing is some of my all time favorite, and this book is no different. i love their style, voice and humor, and the way they create lovable, flawed and realistic characters.

this was a fun, horny time!!

I was able to read this book by obtaining an ARC copy from NetGalley. I am a huge fan of Casey McQuiston but this book was hard for me to read. I feel like it was a niche type of book. I loved the idea of traveling and experiencing certain cuisines, but if you’re not someone who is passionate about food it gets very boring to have every chapter describing the smell, taste, and look of food. I was not a fan of the POV change halfway through the book. Even though the POV change did add context to the story it didn’t happen until halfway through the book leaving you wanting more from the original POV character.

This book made me flip flop back and forth harder than a freshly caught branzino on the deck of an Italian fishing boat. (I was trying to match the food tour through Europe vibe…)

The good: I do love complex characters. I’m not here for a romance novel that gives me two totally perfect people who end up in a totally perfect little couple by the end. These characters were messy. I felt for Theo and their struggle to be an actual grown up by themselves with no handout from rich sisters. I felt for Kit and his struggle to find what he really wants and go after it.
I also liked a lot of McQuiston’s world building - descriptions of flavours and scents and scenes; you could tell the author put a hell of a lot of research into their setting.

The not as good: While I do love a complex character… I don’t love them as much when they’re surrounded by almost 2D caricatures of side characters. Is the whole of Europe populated with sexy single or poly bisexuals? Or was this European tour formulated specifically so the guests only came across sexy single or poly bisexuals?
The messiness of the characters did have me saying, I think out loud, “do adults really behave this way?” While I love the mess and the complexity, I didn’t see any of the supposed growth that Theo or Kit were saying they’d done. At one point Theo bemoans that Kit always had to take care of them - but then when they start to fall back together, Kit is right there still having to take care of them. I will grant that Kit, at least, recognised that he was repeating the same patterns and broke that off.

Overall: I really didn’t know if the ‘not as good’ outweighed the ‘good’ or vice versa throughout this story until I got to the very end. Having Kit and Theo have a HEA makes sense for the genre, but didn’t make sense (to me) for them as characters - they needed so much more growth for that pay off. It would have made more sense (again, to me) to have a time jump epilogue where they reconnect again after doing more work on themselves. 3 out of 5 stars - I might do a re-read and see how I feel after another go.

Theo and Kit were childhood best friends turned lovers. Then it all went very wrong during their worst fight ever on a flight to Paris. Years later, the two ended up on the same European food and wine tour they were supposed to do as a couple. The exes want to prove there are no lingering feelings with a hookup competition. There’s just one problem. They’re definitely not over each other.

There are so many great things to highlight from The Pairing. I loved Theo and Kit's backstory, the epic food and wine tour through Europe (don't read this book hungry!), the identity discussion, Kit's introspection after speaking with tour guide Fabrizio, and when they finally confess their love for each other.

But there was one thing that confused me. The hookup competition seemed odd for two people pining for each other who were serendipitously brought back together. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the competition! However, it didn't quite fit the idea of a couple who had finally grown enough to be in a relationship that celebrates the love they've felt all this time. Perhaps it's me. These flawed and complex characters have a complicated history and don't always make the best decisions, so maybe this competition suits them.

Grab The Pairing for an angsty, sexy, emotional second chance story!