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.

This was quite lovely. The descriptions of food and the tour of Europe they went on were really beautiful, albeit sometimes over the top. Theo and Kit were two great main characters and queer! The first part of it was a little rough for me, but when it switched to Kit’s POV, I was a goner. Thanks to @netgalley for the ARC!

Very European, bisexual, pining, horny. Will make you hungry; will make you sappy; would read again.

At this point, I am absolutely convinced that I am in love with Casey McQuinston.

I have so many things to say about this book that I forget half of them.

This is a story about growing up and growing apart, left to wander where we'll end up. I saw some reviews saying they found Theo to be self-loathing and that it annoyed them, but to me, it felt real and raw. I saw myself in their insecurities, their fear of failure and how they ended up pouring themselves into so many glasses because they were afraid to fill up the wrong one. Kit spoke to me through their love of art and how they managed to see the beauty in every detail and I found myself wishing to have someone to admire the way they do Theo.

This book tore my heart open in the best way possible and I do have to say, this is my favourite Casey McQuinston book to date.

P-S : I'm a lesbian, but I, too, want to get into bed with Fabrizio. Or maybe I want to be him. I don't know, he's hot. (Maxxine too.)

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC !

Theo and Kit were inseparable when they were children. Their relationship evolved into something more and they thought they may be together forever, until the two broke up in spectacular fashion just as they were about to embark on a food and wine tour across Europe. Since then, they have not seen each other or even spoken.

Four years after their break-up, the voucher for their missed food tour is about to expire, so Theo decides to finally take the trip. Theo is beyond surprised when, after boarding the tour bus for the first time, they see Kit, who it turns out had the same idea. Trapped together for three weeks, they cautiously begin to re-engage. Can the two rediscover a spark that they thought lost forever? Or has too much time, and hurt, happened for Theo and Kit to have any future even as friends?

This was an engaging and warm-hearted story about first loves, first heartbreaks, and finding yourself. The author creates compelling characters, and offers descriptions of the food and wine that jump off the page. This is a perfect read for summer.

Highly recommended!

4 pages into this book and I knew it was going to destroy me.

Damn was I right. But also, if I could give it about 1000 more stars, I would.

The Pairing is a sexy, sensual ode to food, f**king, heartbreak, and above all love. Not just romantic love, but love for oneself, love of family, and love of a best friend.

Run, don't walk to read this book.

All the thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC of The Pairing: Special First Edition.

Casey McQuiston is in fine form with her latest book. Friends to lovers, Kit and Theo breakup on their way to a food and wine tour through Europe. A few years pass and they both find themselves on the same tour again! This book has big feelings and will make readers feel like they're sightseeing, eating, drinking and falling back in love with old friends. Reading it took over all of my senses. It's the perfect read for anyone wanting their own European getaway. I cannot recommend it enough!

I was really anticipating this book as I'm a big fan of Casey McQuiston's previous works, but this one sadly didn't hit the mark for me. DNF'ing around the 20% mark.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for review.

After reading this, I need to book a European food and wine tour stat! The Pairing is, to me, Casey’s best work since Red White and Royal Blue. Kit and Theo are messy, slutty (non-derogatory), emotional, and gone for each other. The banter is excellent, the food and drink descriptions are chef’s kiss, and I was rooting for this couple the whole way despite how dumb they were sometimes. I also loved the unique way dual POV was handled here - Theo narrates the first half and Kit the second. This is one I’ll be recommending for sure!

*Big, huge thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

Oh, CMQ, how I love you!! I had this ARC for months before I decided to read it because I knew that then I would be so sad it was over. The saving it for a rainy day ended today and I loved this book so wholly and completely that I read all 400+ pages in a day! RWRB is my all time favorite romance and everything that McQuiston has written since has not disappointed. I think The Pairing has now become a close second to RWRB. I needed warmth and comfort and sweetness today and this book absolutely delivered. This is for sure the spiciest of their books and I wasn’t expecting that, but everything just went together so perfectly that I wouldn’t change a thing. I loved Kit and Theo, loved getting the dual pov, loved the multiple cute romance tropes, and loved the non-binary/trans representation. 5 super enthusiastic stars!

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston

I am stunned. I am shocked that a book this terrible and offensive can be passed through so many hands and not a single person saw a problem here.

I don’t have nearly enough space to get into all the reasons I hated this book so I’m going to go to bullets and comment if you want more info on something specific:
- this book is supposed to be about “reclaiming the bisexual sl*t stereotype but it’s the worst bi rep ive ever seen.
- Kit instigates a sex competition to see who can get laid the most but Theo is only having sex for moral superiority and Kit is only in the competition because it gives him a reason to talk to Theo. I’m not sure either of them really like sex.
- according to this book, Europe is just chock full of people just waiting to have sex with American tourists.
- if you have sex with a random someone while listening to your ex having sex with a random someone else at the same time, and you orgasm because of the noises your ex is making, that’s like, normal and healthy. /sarcasm
- they broke up because of a miscommunication so tangled, it takes them three different conversations about their feelings for each other to be like, “oh shit. We’re still in love with each other.”
- Kit is so in love with Theo (why, I can’t fathom), he’s a spineless glob. Theo is the worst combination of toxic traits masquerading as a person I’ve seen … in a long time.
- Theo thinks being happy and not mad or jealous of someone else’s success is growth.
- you know that story about the frog and the scorpion? Theo is the scorpion.
- I hated this book.

There’s so much more, y’all, but I gotta move on with my life. Save yourselves. Don’t read this. Don’t even open to the first page.

Thanks to idk someone for making me suffer with this.

Foodie and travel lovers will devour this! the descriptions are very well-done for food/drink and the various European settings.
super horny/steamy - don't listen around children!
Love the diversity and acceptance!

2.5 stars. I REALLY wanted to like this book as I liked their previous books but I had a hard time with the characters. It seemed to flippant to go from the love they had to competing with each other on sleeping with others. Just didn't seem realistic at all.

Firstly, thanks to SMP for the ARC in exchange for a review!

I’m a total foodie and will read anything Casey McQuiston writes, so a queer romance set in Europe on a food and wine tour? Say less, I’m in.

I love the obvious care and time that went into writing this book, the research that was put into each country visited and the delicacies from those regions was delightful. I just wish the same care was given to the secondary characters. It felt like we never got to see them exist as more than other potential sexual exploits for Kit or Theo. The thing I’ve always loved about CMQ’s writing is the way their characters are fleshed out and feel like real people, people I know and would want to spend time with.

Overall I enjoyed the book but I was missing the connection with these characters.