Absolutely loved this spicy romance centered around food and travel. McQuiston pushes the boundaries of your everyday romance by adding in quite a variety of non-monogamous experiences/thoughts. And there is quite a bit of spice in the novel as well. I loved the gender queer exploration of identity and romance set firmly in adulthood - not everybody comes to their identity as a teen and this book felt very affirming. Plus reading about all the food experiences gave another sensational pleasure as well.

In solidarity with the SMP Boycott I will be withholding my review for this title until SMP acts on the following:

1. Address and denounce the Islamophobic and racist remarks from their employee.
2. Offer tangible steps for how they are going to mitigate the harm this employee caused.
3. Address how, moving forward, they will support and protect their Muslim, Arab, and Palestinian influencers, authors and readers, in addition to supporting their BIPOC influencers, authors, and readers.

This is not a reflection of the author personally, nor is it a call to boycott buying this particular book.

Very exciting to see another release by Casey McQuiston, as I have been a fan of theirs for awhile now. I definitely saw the bits about their writing that I love (it's hard to put into words, but there's just something about their style that just hits for me), but otherwise I really didn't care for the plot that much. It just wasn't for me.

All the stars for just the food.
All the stars for just the sex.
All the stars for the agony i went through, the angst between the two lovers.
I also love when someone is working on who they are, their identify and what they really want in life.
These two people are pining for each other for years and while they knew how to be without each other, it didn't feel right until they were back together and I love that. I feel this left no room for questioning whether they were soul mates. They for sure 100% are.
The descriptions, the writing, everything about this book is A++++

Some things taste better together. Those things are not Kit and Theo.

Kit and Theo are bratty, insufferable, and immature exhibitionists. If I were to meet them, even in passing, I would hate them so viscerally. Their lack of communication and common sense is astounding and ridiculously annoying. They’re in their late 20s acting like 17 year olds. Why are you betting who can have a higher body count by the end of the trip instead of, oh, I don’t know, having a conversation? These are two characters who do not belong anywhere within 500 feet of each other. There is no chance they would stay together (happily) long term.

What I enjoyed:
The transitions between chapters where they told me some pairings. I also appreciate the amount of research the author clearly did about food and wine.

What I didn’t enjoy:
Everything else.

Theo’s struggle with being a nepo-baby is so whiny and unrelatable. Oh no! My super rich and famous parents and sisters are willing to fund whatever passion project / interest I would like to pursue. That sucks so bad! Like stfu no one can relate to that. People are dying, Kim.

Kit was annoyingly pretentious and had the worst superiority complex. Oh, you carry around a notepad and FOUNTAIN PEN? You’re so cool and everyone wants to be your friend.

Also — why is the entirety of Europe so horny, sexually fluid, and DTF? Is no one just here for food, wine, and relaxation?? Aren’t you tired, sweaty, and stinky after all these excursions??

I was SO EXCITED when I heard the premise of this book, but have been deeply let down.

If this book has no haters, I am dead. I knew from the prologue I was going to hate this book, but I did not trust my instincts. By the time I realized I should have DNFed, it was too late. I am done reading McQuiston’s work, unless they do something more in the Shara Wheeler wheelhouse, as I am realizing that is the only book of theirs I enjoyed.

I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review from Netgalley.

First thing's first. I think this novel showcases McQuiston's writing on a whole new level. I highlighted countless passages, and I know they will go down as some of my favourite book quotes of the year. The descriptions of food and drink and the European settings were phenomenal, and it truly made me feel like I was a part of the experience.

Now for the part I had trouble with. The first half of the book is written from Theo's perspective and I just did not feel a connection to their character at all. When the POV switched to Kit, that's when I really began to feel invested in the relationship. I wish the Theo POV had been more flesched out.

The Pairing is a delightful and steamy read that I absolutely loved. The book brims with sexual tension and engaging romance- it's another charming Casey McQuiston romance. Theo and Kit are relatable characters whose dynamic and chemistry keep you hooked, and the angst woven through their story adds depth and intensity to their relationship.

The premise might not appeal to everyone, with a competition where exes sleep with others to realise their true feelings, but I found it entertaining, funny, and sexy. The backstory of their breakup made me root for their reunion even more, and their interactions were on point, building up to a satisfying reunion between them.

The side plots, including family dynamics and life changes since their breakup, add further layers to the narrative, making both characters more sympathetic. The descriptions of food and wine were so vivid they made me hungry. Additionally, the nonbinary representation and related discussions were refreshing and important, offering visibility in a traditionally published romance novel. This book is a must-read for fans of heartfelt and steamy romantic comedies.

After the onslaught of lukewarm reviews, I'm so happy I read it. It's a unique story and I loved how engaging it was.

Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for a copy of this novel. ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this one early! I loved how atmospheric this book was- the descriptions of the places and the food and wine were so incredible. The love story- I liked it but I also felt like it dragged on a little in the middle. The chemistry was there but I found both characters to be very frustrating.

The Pairing is the newest queer romance from Casey McQuiston and it might be their spiciest romance yet. Even as the central romance hinges partly on the lack of maturity from the main characters, this book feels like a more mature story than McQuiston's previous work - a reflecting back on the growth that can happen when you step away from someone who has always been a part of your story, and what it might mean to return to old dreams and old flames. The Pairing is a delightful romp through European art and food that will make you hungry and desperate for a food tour (and maybe a reconnection with an old flame). I highly recommend it for queer romance fans.

I tried to start this book so many times and I’ll admit, part of my hesitance was due to some of the reviews I pepped. I made it 60% into this until I finally gave up in agreement with them. A better title for this book would be “horny in Europe” - for two characters who are not 21, I was dumbfounded how everything had to be about sex. I felt nothing for their actual friendship since everything was about sex (with each other or others - every character is seemingly DTF). There is no emotional depth to either character, Theo in particular is insufferable and I’m not rooting for them whatsoever. The fact this relationship broke up so easily over a misunderstanding was pretty astounding - and both leads just move on with it once they realize. I’ve really liked other McQuiston books so this is a disappointing review to write but this book was a slog.

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

I love a road-trip book. Add in food and untried I’ve never visited and a complicated relationship and I’m all in.
I really enjoyed the food/ drink discussions and the trip itself.
I had some trouble connected to our MCS. A lot of their introduction felt like I was being told and not being shown.
Overall, I enjoyed the story but not as much as other books by this author.

I received this book complimentary from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

It’s honestly disgusting how good this book is. Kit and Theo are a delight to read. Every unraveling of them is so juicy and wonderful. It took me a few chapters to settle into this book but once I did? I fell in love with both Kit and Theo. I love how androgynous Theo is. I love how their love story unwinds. I love the setting in various European cities (is there actually a tour like this? Because I WANT TO GO). All of this was so beautifully told. I imagined myself in the story the entire time. I haven’t enjoyed a book this much in a while. I highly recommend this one.

I loved it. I loved the ending, I loved everything they learned, and it made me want to go on that tour with those people. Like, badly.

The good things: this book made me feel like I was on the bus with the characters touring Europe! The imagery in this book was amazing and all of the descriptions of the food they ate was very memorable.

not so good things: this book felt like it was dragging and I found it harder to read since I wasn’t as interested. It was basically a new country, they eat food, then hook up with other people and brag about it to each other then repeat.

Emotional and raw story by the outstanding Casey McQuiston. I thought nothing would past Red, White and royal blue but The Pairing takes the cake. Theo and Kit are my new favorite couple. The subscription she paints of Europe kept me in invested in the story along with guys romance. Another winner by Casey. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

Bi-sexual exes fuck their way through France, Monaco and Italy. Definitely Casey McQuinston’s hottest book. … BUT ALSO THE FOOD AND THE WINE. The Pairing is luxurious, passionate, almost gluttonous.

Theo and Kit are soulmates, but their four years apart were so crucial to their growth and development. They were not ready to be together forever at 22 and now their frontal lobe’s are fully developed.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC! THE PAIRING tells the story of exes Kit and Theo who accidentally wind up on the same European food and wine tour. I quite liked the descriptions of all the food, and loved both POVs but especially Theo's.

🩵🍷💙 The Pairing ARC Review 💙🍷🩵

Thank you so much to Casey McQuiston and St Martin’s Griffin for the opportunity to read and review this book!

The Pairing is a standalone queer contemporary romance. After losing their partner and best friend 4 years ago, Theo is going on vacation to prove once and for all that they’re over the breakup. But their dream European vacation is interrupted when they realize that Kit - their ex - has booked the same trip. Can they make it through the next few weeks surrounded by the one that broke their heart??

This book was a fantastic read! Theo was such a wonderful character and I loved their confidence in this book. Kit was amazing and I loved how their relationship evolved in this story. The food & wine references within the European setting was so vibrant and well done

This was a fantastic five star read for me! I loved the characters and their chemistry throughout this book. This book does have some potential triggers, so please check if you’re sensitive. This book had some fantastic spice throughout so overall three flames for spice

If you’re a fan of second chance romance with fantastic banter and European adventures, then absolutely pick this one up!

*Thank you to St Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I had a freaking field day with this one. It's emotional, it's provocative, and it's queer as fuck. YES PLEASE.

We get a lovely tour of Europe as Theo and Kit rediscover (and then promptly fight) their feelings for one another. Between the bars, the food, and the art, European culture really felt like a character in the book. Reading it made me feel like I was in a movie, honestly. The setting was just that lush! It was complemented well by how Casey McQuiston utilized descriptions. This book was all about sensory experience: the sights, the smells, and the taste. Also it is hot as fuck (literally featuring a body-count competition) so there's that too.

I also really enjoyed how they split the book in half. For the first part, we get only Theo's PoV. Then we switch to Kit! It worked perfectly and I haven't seen a PoV switch like that in recent romance novels. It got a liiiil confusing in the epilogue, but you can figure it out based on context clues. My copy is full of highlights of quotes, banter, and the like. (Is this book secretly Gimle x Legolas fanfiction? Maybe!)

Unsure what the perfect wine pairing for this book would be, but I need it yesterday. (Sweet, spicy, robust, and European for sure. Maybe a nice Chianti Classico?)

ty to netgalley and st martin's press for this digital ARC!

i truly do not know how to feel about this book. i really liked the premise of it-- two exes end up on the same food tour and having a hook-up competition. the descriptions of the food were mouth-watering. the events in the book were interesting to read. despite this, it felt flat.

i wasn't really rooting for the characters and i think it's partly because theo's POV, which starts off the book, was a DRAG. i started and restarted this book multiple times and it took a 12 hour flight with no internet and no other books to get me to get past the first few chapters and finish. i think theo is a good character but they were hard to empathize with and i disliked being in their thoughts. kit's POV starting halfway through was the saving grace and was when the story really picked up for me.

i knew this was a second-chance romance and i LOVE second-chance romances, esp when done correctly. theo and kit's tension and unresolved feelings from their break-up is definitely there, especially once we get to kit's POV. however, i feel like their relationship had little to no emotional development. instead, we are told that the characters love each other but tbh, i never saw how they'd work out when considering their new places in life. this is kind of touched on towards the end but even then, i feel more could have been done.

honestly, now that i think about it, this book was more about being horny than actually feeling things. i still liked it but eh, not my fave of mcquiston's work.