i've been highly anticipating this release due to my love of one last stop (and i've read all of CMQ's books). the pairing follows a pair of bi exes who are stuck on a european food tour, their past feeling and competitive nature causes them to set up an international seduction competition. it fails to replicate my favorite thing about OLS, which is the rounded out cast of queer supporting characters. while The Pairing had fun side plots, those characters aren't fleshed out due to the main characters being out of their home environments. this book is a fun summer read (light and obvious plot) and spicier than previous CMQ novels

thanks netgalley and st martin's press for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.

I had a lot of fun reading this story, and while I can definitely picture the audience for this book, unfortunately, this one was not for me. And that's okay!

Across their social media platforms, Casey McQuiston has coined The Pairing as their "horniest book," and I definitely agree. This book was filled with passion and romance, and the European food and wine tour made for a fun summer backdrop, but I felt the story was lacking in plot and more focused on the hookups for Kit and Theo.

The romantic tension between Kit and Theo was excellent--the pining between them was strong, and I was rooting for them the entire time. But for their actual characterization, I didn't find myself connecting with either Kit or Theo the way I have with previous POV characters that McQuiston has written. Don't get me wrong--I enjoyed the cast of characters immensely; I just couldn't quite connect with them.

I couldn't help but notice the book was filled with summary as well; there was a lot of internal monologuing where the characters summarized events that had happened or conversations they were having, and I wanted more "show" and less "tell" throughout. I think the amount of summary contributed to my inability to connect with Kit and Theo as well.

Overall, this was a quick read and a fun story, but I'm not sure I can see myself rereading it; I'm more likely to pick up a book from McQuiston's back catalogue.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a review!

3.5

If you distill The Pairing down to one word, I think that word is “indulgence.” This book is an abundant feast for the senses, with lusciously described locales, food, wine, art, sex, history and more. The thing with indulgence, though, is it’s fairly easy to slip into overindulgence, which I do think this book ultimately suffers from. If you’ve read Casey’s other books, especially RWRB, you know their love of research and art and history is well-established, and I don’t begrudge them this opportunity to get to really dive deep into these subjects here. But with any good vacation, there comes a point where you’re just overstuffed, tired, and ready to go home, and unfortunately that’s how I felt by the halfway point of this book when it came to all the detailed descriptions.

All of the above would probably work for me just fine if the romance here did, but unfortunately I just didn’t fall for this pairing the way I wanted to. I love a second-chance romance, in large part because you often get to see the couple fall in love twice, both in the past and the present. But the reality is we get neither here. The book opens immediately with past Theo and Kit essentially declaring their love at the age of 22, but their love stretches back before even that. “Love took root in me before I even knew its name” is what Kit thinks when reflecting on their meeting at age 8. 8! Kit and Theo then break up and spend 4 years apart before they are reunited on a tour through Europe, and the thing is they’ve never really fallen out of love. And while this sentiment is lovely, and the book is filled beautiful passages about their love, my favorite part of reading a romance is watching the characters fall in love, and I felt deprived of that here.

As always with their books, The Pairing is beautifully written. The depiction of gender and sexuality is really thoughtful and clearly carefully done while also seeming effortless. I’ve seen Casey post a lot about their goal of celebrating sluts with this book, and I think that goal was successfully met in a way I’ve never seen before. To sum it up, there is a lot to love here, but maybe it’s all just too much of a good thing.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc. All opinions my own.

4 stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📖 The Details
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston

⏱️ Quick Summary
Kit and Theo were once best friends and are now exes, four years after a disaster of a breakup right before going on a European food and wine tour. They both end up back on the tour since the voucher is about to expire and try to be friends again, plus to show how OVER each other they are, they make a bet on who can have the most European hookups.

💁‍♀️ My Take
Ok, this one restored my hope in Casey McQuiston after not really enjoying their previous two books since RWRB (which I would give ALL the stars to). These characters were lovable (though sometimes not likable 🙃), the storyline was unique and kept me interested, the banter was BANTERING (!!!) and the relationships felt real. Side characters were also A+. It really made me want to take a wine tour through Europe and to also be friends with Kit and Theo. Of course you had to suspend reality a bit that they were able to find hookups literallllly everywhere (or maybe that IS reality for some people). Anyhow, would def recommend!!

Casey McQuiston does it again!! Deeply obsessed with everything they write and The Pairing is no different. I absolutely fell in love with Theo and Kit. The writing is amazing, the locations, food, drinks etc. were all so perfectly described. Lucky for me I read this while traveling in Italy and loved reading about the sights and food while there myself. I love a queer love story and this angsty bisexual friends to lovers to exes to lovers was the perfect read. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an e-ARC. Everyone needs to read this book!

I really loved Theo and Kit. Their relationship and personal struggles are so complex and I loved watching them grow over the course of the book. The miscommunication that lead to the initial breakup didn't bother me like it does in some books because it felt very true to the characters. I'm not much of a food and wine person, so all the details there sounded really well researched but I understood none of it. And the excessive amount of hooking up be every character in this book was a bit too much for my tastes. So all in all, a good book, but not one of my favorites by this author.

After breaking up at the airport 4 years ago from their life-long best friend, Theo decides to cash in on their European food and wine tour before the voucher expires. Unbeknownst to them, their ex, Kit, has also waited until the final expiration date to take the trip. Because they are definitely both over one another, they begin a competition to see who can hook up with the most people during the tour. But when memories resurface and more truth comes out from their break up, their worlds collide again at the exact right moment.

Rating: 5/5
Spice: 4/5

Tropes:
Dual POV
The One That Got Away
International Adventure
Second Chance Romance

Triggers:
D3ath of parent
Breakup from Best Friend

My thoughts:
I loved how this book intertwined a love of food, wine and art into a love story between two people who were meant to be but needed to grow before they could reunite. This is a beautifully written story about how no one knows you better than your best friend. The reader will be rooting for Theo and Kit the entire time they are reading this book and might just learn a few new things about sexy times between the two bisexual characters 😉

Queer European adventure between two ex's - what could go wrong?

Well...lots.

Kit and Theo were childhood best friends, lovers and now exes. They planned to go on a 3-week European food and wine tour but there was a breakup on the flight over from LA and they haven't spoken to each other in 4 years.

They are now smashed together on the same tour they were meant to take - honestly, I'd have said "F it" at this point, I would absolutely not be in close proximity with an ex if they dumped me in that way.

But they both stay on the tour, because vouchers, and even though both have the money they are too cheap to opt out of this misadventure.
There's a sex wager - who can sleep with more Europeans along the way?

I loved the place & food descriptions - but that's about it.

Having read all of McQuiston’s previous books I was intrigued when I first saw this, but once I read the description and some early reviews I put off picking it up because it all sounded a bit over the top. After reading it however I can say this book is just a lot of fun. Yes, it’s extremely horny. Yes it’s a bit unbelievable that there are so many hot single people who are dtf in every location they visit. Yes the protagonists have ‘rich people problems’. And yes, the central conflict of both believing the other doesn’t want them is a bit frustrating. But I still had a great time from start to finish.

The book switches between the two characters halfway through, and their voices felt really distinct. I liked them each in their own way, and their flaws felt really human and relatable. They’re both in their late twenties and this stage of life is captured in a super relatable way.

This is the perfect summer read, set on a euro summer trip where descriptions of food take center stage. This book captures the essence of sitting in the hot sun in an Italian villa eating a juicy peach (while horny).

One of my favorite parts of the book besides the immersive sensory details is the depiction of bisexuality. Although McQuiston may not be interested in beating the ‘bisexuals are hypersexual’ allegations with this one, it’s still such an incredible depiction of queerness and bisexuality. I was initially slightly hesitant with two characters who appear straight from the outside perspective, but all the sex scenes are incredibly queer coded, and super hot. The nonbinary protagonist was also explored really well and in a way that felt authentic.

One thing I will say about the book is that some of the sentences felt a bit clunky and I had to reread a few times to figure out what was being said. I think it could maybe use a bit more editing in this sense, but with reading an eARC, it’s possible this will be more polished in the final version.

This book isn’t going to be for everyone, but I personally had a lot of fun reading this, and if you want a steamy queer summer romp you can’t go wrong with this one.

I will be brutally honest- this is probably my least favorite McQuiston. But despite this, I do think it is a testament to Casey McQuiston's skill and expertise in romance writing. They were able to write something that felt brand new, different than anything they've written before. If you hadn't told me this was Casey McQuiston, I would not have guessed it. That's always impressive to me!

My least favorite tropes in romance are second chance romance and excessive talk about food, which is why this is my least favorite. I did find myself disappointed at the lack of characters that felt complex and interesting, and the lack of connections beyond brief moments with stock characters.

What this book did do well was queerness. This is an unapologetically queer book, and it does not shy away from sexuality and gender in any way. It's fun to see Casey write a queer book that may not be as easily beloved by straight audiences, and I think that's such a powerful move here. This is a book for the queer community from the queer community. I love that.

I am recommending this to the bookstore I do IndieNext reviews for, because I see many people absolutely adoring this book. I have a feeling it will be very divisive- either a 1 star or a 5 star for the people involved. And I think those are the best sorts of books. Excited to continue on as a Casey McQuiston fan!

A romance book like you've never read before, The Pairing is a tour de force through Europe, queerness, food, and persistent love. The Pairing is Casey's most unique and innovative book yet- pick it up for the perfect summer read!

What a special experience to be able to read THE PAIRING on my way to Paris! This was truly the perfect book about two messy, slutty, hot, bisexuals who find their way back to one another four years after their sudden break-up on an epic two-week European food and wine tour! 🇫🇷🫶

As expected, this book was phenomenal! I loved every second of it! I found myself relating so much to both Theo and Kit. They were both so special and unique in their own ways and I’d protect both of them with my life! 🫶 Also, the only one bed tropes were tropin’ in this book and I was HERE FOR IT! We also get dual POV here but it was unique because one half was Theo’s POV and the second half was Kit’s POV. I thought the half/half POV format made their story even sweeter.

I loved this book and can’t wait for you all to read it when it’s out on August 6th! 🫶

Casey McQuiston's The Pairing harkens back to what I most loved when I read her first novel, Red, White, and Royal Blue. Although this is a very different work in many ways, it shares a great deal of the banter between the primary characters that we saw in McQuiston's debut, and that was undoubtedly one of my favorite aspects of both books.

We follow a pair of childhood friends, Theo and Kit, who, after taking their relationship to the next level had an abrupt and catastrophic breakup several years prior to the action of the novel, and only now find themselves accidentally on the same trip through Europe for various reasons. As the tour progresses from city to city and the pair, along with an assortment of colorful and entertaining traveling companions, indulge in food, wine, and scenery, the reader learns about both their early relationship and present awkwardness from Theo's point of view until the halfway point, when Kit takes up the story. I enjoyed the structure because it gives us the opportunity to understand each character separately and more thoroughly than just a single POV or a less deep POV might have. And by giving us bits of the past along with the present, McQuiston allows us to see how much the characters have changed over time, as well as what is innate in their personalities and what lessons still need to be learned. I found it a very interesting way to get to know them and to see the layers of their personal growth, both as people in a relationship and as people still getting to know themselves. It's a story of people maturing as individuals just as much as it is the story of a relationship's ups and downs, and I very much enjoyed it. And the delightful romp through Europe was just icing on the cake.

With thanks to the publisher/NetGalley for the ARC. I was under no obligation but am happy to have read and to share my thoughts.

Casey McQuiston normally gives me the romance novel equivalent of a sugar rush and it’s irresistible. In The Pairing, McQuiston whets the appetite with a gourmet meets gourmand approach. Both refer to a particular obsession with food with the former being more high brow and the latter being more low brow. Each end of this spectrum is represented by the main characters: a French aspiring pastry chef and an American aspiring sommelier.

The delicious twist is that it’s a second chance romance spanning a once in a lifetime European food and drink tour. We learn more about how they met and why they fell apart through artisanal bread crumbs throughout the book. The book features both of their first person narratives of the situation, making the switch about halfway through the trip. I personally enjoyed the latter half because of the more poetic point of view and the emotional depth that had built by that point. The first part of the story heavily focuses on a superficial sexual conquest competition that just wasn’t as interesting to me.

Each chapter starts with a meal pairing including food, drink and vibes, which creates a nice through line. The descriptions of travel really capture the fleeting moments so many of us chase and then can only revisit in fragmented mementos. McQuiston captured it all: the itineraries, the thwarted plans, the spontaneity, the sublime and all the senses that perceive these pains and pleasures.

If you’re lucky enough to have a vacation to read this book on, I recommend it if you want a spicy romance a-go-go. And if you don’t have the ability or means to travel, this story can transport you to new places.

I received an advance reader copy from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks NetGalley for giving me access to this ARC! This romp brought back so many memories of my travels in Europe, especially my first trip in my mid-20s. Theo and Kit’s narration had me wishing I could taste and see everything for myself. About 90% of the way through the book I got very worried that it was taking a turn I didn’t like, but thankfully it turned back in the direction I wanted/expected for a satisfying conclusion. Casey McQuiston really knows how to write yearning and romance. This book is MUCH spicier than any of their other stories I’ve read so it isn’t appropriate for my students, but I’d definitely recommend it to adults who love travel, food, adventure, and love.

3.5 STARS

In The Pairing, Theo (they/them) and Kit (he/him) find themselves on the same European food and wine tour after redeeming their voucher from a canceled trip that sparked their breakup four years before. Though they’ve had zero contact since the breakup, the two try to be friends for the length of trip and find there might be more between them than they thought.

I loved the second half of this book and adored the ending. But it took a while to get into. As other reviewers have said, I liked Kit’s perspective a lot better. The dual POV was done differently than most books I’ve read, with the first half told from Theo’s perspective and the second half told from Kit’s (with an epilogue from Theo’s perspective). It was an interesting choice, and one I’m not sure I agree with. Kit’s point of view was so lovely and I wish we’d gotten it sooner. I might have found myself more invested if we heard from him earlier. In Theo’s half, we hear so much about the food and drinks they’re consuming, the people they meet, the locations, the transportation, etc. It’s a lot of telling without showing. When Kit takes over the narration, it’s all feelings and showing what he’s experiencing and the pain he’s felt since losing Theo. This was much more compelling and, again, I wish it came sooner.

This book is ruled by the miscommunication trope, which makes me want to shake the characters by their shoulders and tell them to just TALK to each other and stop being so dumb. But the payoff was sweet and the character development convincing enough. I like that Kit and Theo were able to recognize and appreciate how much the other had changed in their years apart.

Overall, this was a satisfying read. I do agree with other reviewers that some of the characters were stereotypical. And at times, the tour felt like a gimmick in the plot. But it was a very interesting and unique concept, which I appreciate. I think the right reader will enjoy The Pairing.

*Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an early advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.*

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read and review this arc.

Unfortunately, this book was not for me. It started off fine. I was enjoying the tour of Europe vibe. I loved hearing about all the different countries/cities that our main characters were visiting. I was definitely appreciating all the cultural references and all the talk of different foods and beverages. The main characters were fine. I didn't necessarily mind them, but I also didn't totally love them. My biggest problem arose when I felt the story just dove into such heavy descriptions of sexual encounters. By the umpteenth time I heard the word "lube", I just had to wave my white flag and move on with my life. That being said, I am not one who appreciates smut or over the top sex scenes in books. It just doesn't work for me. However, if you're one who likes that sort of thing, digs Europe and all of its culinary offerings, then this may just be the book for you.

Not my favorite by Casey but I did enjoy the characters and the plot. I felt like it was missing information

4.5/5

I don’t know if Casey McQuiston will ever replicate the exact feelings I had while reading Red, White and Royal Blue, but The Pairing came pretty damn close. Mutual pining but neither of them realize it? Yes. Forced proximity Euro trip, with a sliver of “only one bed?” Also yes.

I liked the dual POVs but how it flipped halfway through. It was a fresh take on that format. I did find it a bit long.

The FOOD. The way food is described in this book is my love language. I immediately want to book a trip to each of the places listed, and eat until I need to be rolled out. I want to be “up to my nips” in pastries as Theo would say.

I felt that McQuiston handled Theo’s “coming out” in such a loving and intentional way. The way that gender and sexuality were presented in this book was incredibly refreshing and although it’s a lil spicy for my high school babies I think this will be a popular book with a lot of my students (hey if they can read ACOTR, they can read the hell out of this).

Thank you to NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press

My heart is so full of this book. The characters felt unbelievably real, their relationship was beautiful and complicated, and the true tragedy is that I wasn't able to read this while I was traipsing around Europe. Casey McQuiston's writing shines throughout, whether they're describing Theo and Kit's web of emotions or the history and food that brought the setting to life. This is the kind of book that I can't wait to buy and know I'm going to be rereading it for years to come.

One of my co-librarians recently took a trip to Europe for food and fun. It was for her 70th birthday so her experience was absolutely nothing like The Pairing. I'm still jealous.

I've followed Casey McQuiston's author career since I won an arc of Red, White, & Royal Blue. Which eventually went on to become a global sensation. Since then they have published (or about to publish) 3 more books. Prime has adapted RWRB as a movie. Which also became a global sensation. And became so successful that we're getting a sequel. Which means any book they write after has big shoes to fill. Casey is definitely an incredibly talented writer. I will never stop picking their books up. I will never stop recommending them. I just don't think any of their books will ever live up to Red, White, & Royal Blue again for me personally. Though, One Last Stop, Casey's sophomore novel, is a close second.

But, back to this book. The Pairing is the story of Theo and Kit. Theo and Kit are childhood bffs turned lovers to exes. They break up right before they're set to take off on a European food and wine tour. Fast forward four years when they both believe they're over each other enough to try the trip again. But, oops, they rebooked the exact same tour. They spend most of the tour trying to outprove who is over who the most by seeing who can sleep with the most people. And that's where the story basically lost me.

I'm all for sex positivity and exploration. But we're thrown into the story when most of Theo and Kit's story has already happened. We're told they love each other. We are told they were great together. But we have no reason to actually care because we haven't actually gotten to know them. Sure, the European trip part is cool. But that's all that really interested me in the end. I'm sure plenty of people will love this book. And I'm just one reviewer. So take my opinions with a grain of salt. I'll be over waiting for the next Casey McQuiston book.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin for providing me with a review copy.