This was such an amazing ride from start to finish. This book captivated me and I’m so excited to start drawing these characters. CMQ brought everyone to life and I’m leaving this book happy, hungry and wanting to experience everything everything everything!

The Pairing Review 🍷🍶🥐🍾🧄🥖

4⭐️
3.75🌶️

The only CMQ book that I’ve read in the past is Red White & Royal Blue; The Pairing is completely different, made me feel different emotions, and solidified CMQ as a great author of queer romance.

If you know me, you know that I am an absolute sucker for a good second chance romance, and that is exactly what The Pairing is. Mix that with three weeks in Europe, incredible descriptions of food, and longing looks? I’m sold.

Until I was about 60% into the book I was a little confused by what was going on with Theo’s gender identity and sexuality: the story is intended to be that way for the purpose of a coming out moment. If you’re confused, keep going, it will be explained.

I felt like some elements of this story were heavily over-described and took too long to happen. This book easily could’ve been 50-75 pages less to make the story flow just a tad bit nicer.

Overall, this was a really nice read that gave the best summer abroad vibes, and I’ll be sure to recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Casey McQuiston, and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read and enjoy this advanced copy.

This was a beautiful, emotional, fun and funny European vacation of a book, you could almost taste and savor the flavors they were enjoying, and I was routing for the characters from the first few pages, the book was full of the magic of possibility, of fate bringing someone back in your life and your problems being just one conversation away from being solved, it was romantic in a way that broke your heart and put it back together again, it was a queer normative book which I loved so much, everyone they encountered being bi/pan probably wasn't realistic, but I loved it anyway

McQuiston always manages to write the perfect romances. This is my new favorite among their books. I loved the second chance romance between the dynamic main characters. The food descriptions made me want to book a flight to Europe.

CMQ made the wait worth it.

I had hyped this up so much in my mind that I was deeply concerned that it wasn't going to live up to the idea I had in my head.

But Kit and Theo were EVERYTHING. I loved every single moment of this book.

Theo was so relatable. I loved their chaotic queer energy and determination to not be a fuck up.

Kit was such a beautiful soft boy with wonderful feelings and ideas. He was like walking poetry.

The dynamic of these two together. Even when they don't want to be around each other, their chemistry literally jumped off the page.

I loved this book and I cannot wait to reread it.

Ps this book also taught me I am so NOT a foodie hahaha

"The Pairing" by Casey McQuiston is a delightful and emotionally charged journey through some of Europe's most romantic cities, masterfully blending humor, heartache, and rekindled romance. Theo and Kit, once inseparable, find themselves on a collision course with their past when they both decide to use their long-forgotten European tour vouchers separately—only to end up on the same trip.

McQuiston's writing shines with wit and charm as the estranged exes navigate stunning views, delectable cuisines, and an unexpected competition that reignites old sparks. Theo's transformation into a confident bartender and aspiring sommelier contrasts beautifully with Kit's rise as a celebrated pastry chef in Paris, creating a rich tapestry of character development and growth.

The playful wager to woo their tour guide adds a fun and sexy twist, but it's the underlying tension and unresolved feelings between Theo and Kit that truly captivate. As they travel through France, Spain, and Italy, readers are treated to lush descriptions and a poignant exploration of what it means to rediscover love.

"The Pairing" is a must-read for romance enthusiasts, offering a perfect blend of humor, sensuality, and heartfelt moments. McQuiston expertly crafts a story that reminds us sometimes a taste of everything only makes you crave what you can't have.

This novel is perfect for fans of Casey McQuistion. The main couple is adorable and well-drawn. The second chance love story is crackling with longing. Plus, fans of travel and food will love this one. It's McQuiston's best since Red, White, and Royal Blue.

How unfair is it that I wasn’t reading this book in a Parisian cafe or whilst eating pinxto in San Sebastián? A delicious book, laden with romance, gorgeous food and wine descriptions that made me want to book a food tour to follow Kit and Theo. Swoony, sexy - a perfect read.

This book is so delicious I would gladly hop on an international flight just to get another taste!

Theo, an assistant sommelier in Palm Springs, and Kit, a pastry chef in Paris, have a long, complicated, past: from childhood besties to young lovers to breaking up on the flight bound for their dream European food and wine tour. Years later, Theo decides to take a solo trip and cash in on the refund voucher right before it’s set to expire. But their “Saturn return voyage of self-realization” does not go as planned when they realize Kit has also waited until the last moment possible to reschedule his trip and now they’re stuck together for the next three weeks. But what’s the worst that could happen? Especially with a friendly hook-up competition between the two, seeing who can sleep with more people on the trip and win the title of Best Slut. There’s nothing between the two of them at this point anyway…..right?

McQuiston’s desire to write a book that is “inherently bi” and to reclaim and lean into the “slutty bisexual” stereotype (which is so often harmful to those in the community) resulted in a sex-positive, queer in nearly every way imaginable, simply delightful read.

Casey McQuiston could teach a masterclass in sexual tension—the emotions are palpable from page to page. And with the (unofficial) tagline of “May the best slut win,” you know this book is getting steamy!

My one big complaint is a personal matter. This book does have the miscommunication trope, which is one of my least favorite tropes. From beginning to end, these poor characters just can’t quite get through to each other. And while I do think it is well justified in the plot, I can’t help but mentally take them both by the collar and shake them, screaming “OMFG JUST SAY *ONE SENTENCE* ABOUT HOW YOU FEEL.” But if you don’t mind miscommunication, I think this was well done—it’s just not something I usually love.

If you have loved McQuiston’s other books, if you crave decadence, if you’re looking for a book that feels like warm sand and cool ocean, if you need to scratch the wanderlust itch—please do yourself a favor and pick this one up!

Sluts forever!

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for providing the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to love this. Red, white & royal blue was just so incredible but I had to DNF this one. The story was lacking & the 2 MCs were just so insufferable. 😩

What a perfect book.

The Pairing is the story of Kit and Theo, childhood best friends and former romantic partners who accidentally end up on the same food and wine tour four years after they broke up. I fell in love with both of them (and several of the supporting characters!) as they fell back in love with each other. I think the writing in this is Casey McQuiston's best by far - the descriptions of food and various beautiful places in Europe, the layers of each character revealed in their speech and their inner monologue. It was an absolute pleasure to read.

Pairs well with: a perfect reading nook, plenty of time to inhale this book, a tasty snack or refreshing drink to accompany your reading. Wow wow wow did I love this one. Casey McQuiston's writing has leveled up in a whole new way and I am in LOVE with the way it has culminated in The Pairing. Yearning, second chances, two people growing their own roots and finding they lead right back to each other after all, set amongst the most beautiful sights, scents and tastes of Europe?! How can one go wrong? I loved this story. I loved Kit and Theo and getting to be inside each of their heads as they guard and open their hearts to the world and to each other. I loved how evocative this story was, how I could taste everything the characters did with vibrancy, how my heart could ache and my jaw could drop at the glorious and profane way this book wove seamlessly between European vistas and absolute smut. This is the perfect summer read and I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy of it when it finally comes out. I highly recommend.

**Many thanks to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really wanted to love this book. I was sold when I saw food and wine tour wround Europe. Sign me up...no in real life too! childhood best friends, crushes, in love, and now estranged exes end up being on the same tour and have a hook up compition. The book falls flat, the characters are sadly one deminsional. Sadly it was a string of hookup and after 30% in I had to give up. I have DNFing a book I wanted to love.

**Book Review: The Pairing by Casey McQuiston**

I absolutely hate this book. Everything that made Casey McQuiston's writing enjoyable and even personable despite the characters' lifestyles was missing from "The Pairing." The elements of found family, meaningful characters, and even likable characters were glaringly absent. I was so disappointed by this book, which had so much potential but fell short on multiple fronts.

The characters, Theo and Kit, felt one-dimensional and lacked the depth that usually makes McQuiston's characters relatable and endearing. The charm and wit that typically define McQuiston's narratives seemed to be lost here. There was no sense of community or the strong bonds of found family that I had come to love in McQuiston's previous works. Instead, the interactions between Theo and Kit felt forced and superficial, making it difficult to invest in their stories or care about their outcomes.

Moreover, the plot itself was uninspired and lacked the engaging twists and turns that are hallmarks of McQuiston's storytelling. The book's pacing was uneven, and the dialogue often felt stilted and unnatural. It was frustrating to see such a promising premise squandered on a narrative that failed to deliver on its potential.

In summary, "The Pairing" was a significant letdown. It lacked the heartfelt connections, engaging characters, and captivating storytelling that have made Casey McQuiston a beloved author in the romance genre. This book felt like a missed opportunity and did not live up to the high standards set by McQuiston's previous works.

The Pairing

OH MY HEART THIS BOOK! Pairs well with literally anything, it was so delightful.

Theo and Kit were childhood best friends, then they were lovers, and now they are living two worlds (and continents) apart. Their voucher for the food and wine tour of Europe they booked before they split up is about to expire and they unknowingly redeem it on the same tour. So many wonderful adventures across different cities of Europe. Among the art, food, wine and friends, they set off on a competition to who can find more lovers on all their adventures. However, these two must accept that the ultimate pairing is really each other.

Such a wonderful story from Casey McQuiston. I absolutely adored Theo and Kit, they way they came together as they are now, acknowledging their past but moving into their future together. The rest of the characters on the tour were also a huge delight and so fun to watch throughout the book.

The narration was absolutely wonderful. I loved how the dual POV worked - switching halfway through the tour instead of alternating chapters as is common with dual POV. Hearing the different languages read to me was also a true delight. I alternated between the eARC and ALC but preferred the audio for the language and accents.

Check this one out if you're looking for:
- Second chance romace
- Non-binary rep
- European adventures
- Food and wine pairings galore

I'll just say - if Casey McQuiston writes it, I'm going to read it. I am amazed and I think this is an important story. I hope everyone reads it.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and Macmillian audio for the ARC/ALC. The Pairing is on shelves August 6th, 2024! My opinions are my own.

Thank you to Casey McQuiston, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for giving me an eARC of the pairing in exchange for my honest review.

The Pairing is a lovely second-chance romance. Kit and Theo broke up four-years-ago on an airplane ride and now live on separate continents. So imagine their surprise when they both end up on the same food and wine tour. To prove to each other that they are absolutely over the other person, they decide to start a competition to see who can hook up with the most people during the three week tour. The only issue? They both love the other person.

What I really appreciated about The Pairing was how both Kit and Theo stuck true to themselves. Kit knows he still loves Theo, but also recognizes that they can’t repeat the same patterns from the past. Theo has found what they are passionate about but is lacking the confidence to set their heart to it. However, they are not willing to sacrifice their wants to be with Kit. It’s great to read a romance novel where the characters stay true to themselves and do not change who they are at the core to be together. The only thing while reading the book is that I really struggled with is that it felt like there was to much going on all at once. It was a second chance romance while the characters were also trying to figure out what they wanted in life while on a European tour. I enjoyed the separate components but all together it just felt like the story needed to be longer or one of the subplots needed to be less prominent. For example: I could tell Theo and Kit still loved each other but it was hard to believe it without being told that they were in love because there was so much else going on. While I did truly like the book I was just left wanting more.

Kit and Theo broke up four years ago. With a wine and food tour voucher ending soon, Theo hops on a bus only to find Kit sitting next to the only open spot. This food tour, across France, Spain, and Italy will show these two all that has changed and all that has stayed the same.

McQuiston writes with such panache and such delicacy, it feels like a feast for the eyes to read each of their books and this is no exception. Kit and Theo are fully fleshed out and immediately lovable and frustrating as they go through the ups and downs of break ups, friendship, and finding each other once more. No McQuiston is without its supporting cast and this book is no different. While all of the fellow travelers are strangers at the start, by the end of the three week tour, they are all old friends and family. They complemented Kit and Theo beautifully.

Slower paced, stretched out over three weeks and 400 some odd pages, this story of love and finding oneself is as beautiful crafted as the dessert and drink pairings Theo and Kit bandy about throughout different parts of the book. A stunning beautiful book.

Perfect summer romantic comedy. Casey McQuiston can write a romance. This was fun, had some of the best characters in a romance that I've encountered and I finished in one sitting.

Casey Mcquiston has once again proven why they are a force to be reckoned with in modern queer literature with their latest novel, "The Pairing." Mcquiston's storytelling prowess shines through in this captivating and heartwarming tale that explores love, identity, and the complexities of relationships.

Having read several Casey McQuiston books this one was by far my favorite. It is a cute queer love story set alongside heartbreak, the pains of growing up and a European summer. Part love story and part love letter to Europe and food the book made me long for some of my favorite restaurants around the world and nearly scream from the amount of pining the characters were exhibiting.