Thank you, Netgalley, for the arc - thoughts and feelings are all mine. I swooned and giggled over "R,W&RB," but my heart belongs and loves "One Last Stop." The Pairing is wildly different from both of these books, and the changes did not work for me. I loved some of the ideas behind the book, the food tour, and the second chance at love, but I'm certain that 250 pages of this book were simply food/drink and location descriptions. It didn't set the tone or immerse me.. It felt very pretentious and got boring. The conflict was also based on an incredibly terrible miscommunication for the ages. On top of all of this, every person in all of Europe was hot and ready to have any kind of sex with any kind of person which cheapened the look at bisexuality and any form of open relationships the author was trying to show. I also was very annoyed by the amount of name dropping? I get that one of our MCs was a nepo baby, but it didn't work and neither did the name dropping. Unfortunately, this was a big miss for me even though the backbones of it could have been such a hit. 2 stars for the facts I learned about wine which were interesting and a good last 10 pages.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

Casey is a queer god genius and this book is a love affair to food and wine and travel and first loves and forever loves and friends
Two ex-lovers find themselves on the same food and wine europe tour and try to challenge each other to see who has the most sex in each stop. jokes on them in the end!

The Pairing is Casey McQuiston, so it's a queer horny romp, this time with a side of food writing. It's Travel Channel fanfic. It's #angst #slowburn #justonebed but everyone (in Europe, seemingly) is fucking, and also bi. I read it in one delighted binge, and now I'm hungry.

Theo and Kit grew up together, came out as bi together, fell in love, then broke up in one dramatic airport misunderstanding on their way to eat their way across Europe. Four years later, they've both decided to cash in their food tour vouchers and find themselves together again, accidentally sitting next to each other on the same bus surrounded by honeymooners and two Australians named Callum. In an attempt to repair their friendship without falling back in love, they decide to engage in a friendly competition to see how many locals they can sleep with; it will surprise no one that this does not work out the way they think it will. I have relatively low tolerance for romantic conflict caused by two people refusing to talk honestly with each other, so I was less into these side quests, no matter how hot Florian-from-the-vineyard is. Theo and Kit are both excellent, sympathetic characters, though, and their clear chemistry and love for one another propels this book forward.

Folks who do not care about the difference between schiacciata and focaccia may find McQuiston's dedication to food descriptions a little mind-numbing. Theo and Kit love food, and they spend a lot of time eating food and thinking about food and talking about what they're eating. As someone who reads menus for fun, this worked for me, but be warned. Overall, I loved The Pairing, which feels like McQuiston's attempt to write in a bi sensibility and honor the diversity that love and sex can take. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

This was absolutely delightful & at this point, McQuiston is an auto-buy author for me. The tension between these two right from the beginning was *chef's kiss* and I felt like I was traveling right along with them. I loved this so much!

I don’t know what to make of this. I was bored with all the food content. I wasn’t super into the “romance” or the miscommunication that led to a four year separation. Admittedly I am not the biggest fan of second chance when it isn’t handled well, and this didn’t do it for me. A lot of the relationship was off the page. The competition felt like it was playing a little too closely into a stereotype I see far too often in stories about bi/pan people. I probably would have enjoyed this more if it hadn’t wrapped up the way it did or if it’d been handled differently all along, because not every story has a happy ending, but I am absolutely here for mainstream queer romance in general.

Having read all of Casey McQuiston’s books I can confidently say that this was my favorite yet. The setting, a European food and wine tour, was described so appealingly it made me want to hop on a plane. While reading this book I couldn’t help but mention it to several people in my life. A slow burn in the best way 🔥🔥🔥

Theo and Kit's relationship comes to a dramatic halt when they break up on the plane to their dream romantic European food and wine tour. Childhood friends turned lovers, they cut ties and are left with the option to rebook their vacation at a later date. Four years later, Theo finally decides it's time to take that tour, only to arrive and realize Kit has had the same idea...

For the first few chapters of this book, I was worried. I loved McQuiston's, Red, White & Royal Blue, however some of their other books have fallen a little flat for me. I don't typically love a romance involving exes, and it took a minute for me to get invested. The perspectives felt slightly disjointed to me, with one half of the book in Theo's perspective and the other half in Kit's. First, we see the beginning of their relationship from Theo's POV, then the end, then the first half of the tour. Then halfway through, in the middle of the tour, we switch to hear Kit's POV of the beginning of the relationship, the end, then pick back up in the middle of the tour. I see what McQuiston was going for, but I think alternating chapters would have been a little more effective as it took me out of the story a bit to be halfway through the tour, only to go back to the beginning of their relationship.

I also just enjoyed just Kit's perspective infinitely more than Theo's. The first half was 3 stars to me, but Kit's perspective took my rating up to 4 stars. This is a book that really sneaks up on you! I ended up enjoying it so much more than I originally expected and was honestly touched by the end. Somewhere along the way, I became so invested in the love story. The Pairing is a book full of yearning, decadent descriptions of food, an unmistakable summer feeling, and so much humanity. It is one I will definitely continue to think about as time goes on.

And as always, I adore a book with representation and love to see something new from McQuiston with two bisexual main characters and nonbinary representation!

The Pairing comes out August 6th, 2024. Thank you to NetGalley for an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.

I was absolutely hooked from the very beginning.

Casey has this unbelievable talent for character and world building and I was absolutely sucked in to the characters of Theo and Kit immediately. I've never related to a character more than I do to Theo.

Yes, bits are cliche. I wont lie. The whole re-falling in love on a European food tour but sometimes cliche is good and comforting. It was easy to fall in love with the characters and get invested into their will they fall back in love or won't they path through their story.

I knew Casey McQuiston could do no wrong! I really enjoyed this one. It’s a very simple plot: two exes reunite four years later on a food tour across Europe and try to pretend like they’re not still in love with each other. Plotwise, not a lot happens, it’s a relatively quiet story, but I was never bored.
I loved Theo and Kit together, I loved the setting, I loved the absolute mouth watering descriptions of food, I loved the unapologetic queerness present, and I loved the explorations of gender and mental health. The pacing was excellent, the tone was both erotic and tender, and I really felt like I was on the tour with the rest of the characters.
The only real complaints I have about this book are that the ending felt a bit rushed (I would have loved to see more of what happened next), and that the side characters were all far too perfect. Theo and Kit were the only fully developed characters, which is weird for a Casey McQuiston book. Usually I find myself caring more about the background cast, but this time they were all relatively flat and only seemed to want to have sex with the leads and with each other. Other than that, I loved this story and am so grateful I got to read it. I definitely recommend it.

McQuiston does it again. What an AMAZING read.

If there’s anything I love in a book, it’s a good romance. If there’s a second thing I love in a book, it’s an obvious appreciation for food. The Pairing has both in such an astounding amount that it might be my perfect book. If anyone walks away from reading it without immediately wanting to throw a reckless amount of money on a food and wine tour through Europe, I don’t know if we can be friends.

None of this amazing food writing would have worked with out Kit and Theo. They’re both just so relatable and perfect for each other. Even the tension that often comes towards the end of the book felt real in a way that fits them perfectly. So many readers loathe a third act break up. The Pairing managed to keep the stakes high while not betraying Kit and Theo’s true chemistry. I want to be friends with these people. Why aren’t they real?!

Do yourself a favor and read The Pairing when it comes out. Do me a favor and let me know when you do so I can talk with someone about it. ❤️

I had a hard time connecting with the characters enough to invest in the story but overall another fun rom com from a wildly popular author.

I was thrilled to receive this ARC as a huge fan of Casey McQuiston's other work, and this one might be one of my favorites! It was super cute and fast-paced, and I felt that the characters were very likable and well-developed. If you love romance, this one is definitely for you.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I loved the travel aspect of this book - the writing of the food, drinks, sights, smells, etc. were so vivid and easily my favorite part of the book. The love story got a bit confusing when I couldn't track one of the lead's genders and then when I did I had to go back and reread. There were a lot of explicit scenes in this book where I would have preferred fewer or less lengthy, but that's a personal preference. I have read and enjoyed all of McQuiston's books and this one made me want to go on a European vacation!

This one was low-key disappointing. I was so excited to read this story and it ended up being so underwhelming. I wasn't a fan of the romance, but I did like Kit, and I kept reading because of him.

Pub Date Aug 06 2024

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin and the author for giving me the chance to read an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was so good! There so many queer characters who are unapologetically themselves and who support the others around them. There is bisexual, lesbian, gay, nonbinary/trans, and poly representation. It was everywhere and I was obsessed with it. I also love the development of the main characters. Theo and Kit both grow before the book starts and during the book. I relate to Theo so much. I loved reading about their journey and their struggles and how they overcame them. It was a beautifully read, as long as you can get over the French being there all the time.

Casey McQuiston's 'The Pairing' is a deliciously enticing romance that intertwines the complexities of love, identity, and friendship with a sexy European twist. Set against the backdrop of Spain, France, and Italy, McQuiston weaves a captivating narrative that follows two compelling protagonists, Theo and Kit, as they navigate the ups and downs of their relationship. This books reads like champagne in France and Chianti in Paris. Delectably delicious, what sets 'The Pairing' apart is McQuiston's ability to infuse humor, culture, and depth into every page, creating characters that feel authentic and relatable. There were numerous times I wanted to reach Into the book and hug Theo.
The chemistry between Theo and Kit is 🔥🥵 like only McQuiston can do.

With its witty dialogue, beautiful European backdrop, and heartfelt moments, this novel is a delightful addition to McQuiston’s backlog of incredible books. McQuiston has once again proven themselves as a master storyteller, delivering a captivating and unforgettable read that will leave readers swooning for more (and booking their next trip to Europe)!

First of all, I was so incredibly excited to see a new Casey McQustion book coming out. Even more excited to get my hands on it early. This book is in one word: horny. It's also romantic, deep, heartbreaking, and all about finding yourself and making your way back to someone. I loved this book. Kit and Theo are incredible characters and I loved their journey (and their HEA)
This book might be my new favorite Casey book.

SOBBB this was so wonderful - sexy, erotic, sex-positive, emotional and queer. So wonderfully queer.

What can I say about this book? I absolutely loved every second of it. I am a fan of Casey McQuiston’s writing, and have read everything of theirs I can get my hands on. When
I had the opportunity to read this book early, I was thrilled. Reading the story of Kit and Theo was an emotional journey, but worth every ounce of suspense, heartache, and frustration waiting for them to finally get their shit together.

Reading a queer love story written by an actual queer person is such an incredible experience. Casey captures the way real queer people navigate the world, how we see media, the silly and sometimes complex conversations we can have only with other queer people. Or at least how my friends and I interact. They just get it. The way that Casey handles Theo’s relationship with gender, how they come out to Kit, and how they choose when and who to come out to captures so much of my own personal journey it was really special to read. I loved their choice to have Theo come out to Kit during Kit’s POV, because it felt right that Theo didn’t have to worry over when to tell him. And that we got to see Kit noticing those little changes in Theo so that when they finally
did come out, Kit thinks oh, obviously. I never thought I’d read something I resonated with so deeply in novel.

Being a fan of Casey’s books since their first published novel, I wasn’t sure what to expect when they kept teasing the slutty horniness and sexual content of the book. It starts out in pretty tame “fade to black” territory but oh my god, Casey can write beautiful sex scenes. They’re just the right amount of detail, no cringey euphemism, and sensual. I finished the book a few days ago and had to sit and digest for a few days before I could write this review.

After reading this book, I am dying to take a food and wine tour of europe. The months Casey spent researching this novel were well spent. The descriptions of food and drink, not only in terms of describing the setting but also in relation to Kit and Theo’s game were so fun to read. I was left
craving food I had never previously known existed.

All in all, it was an incredible read, and I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy that I will reread many times over.

THE PAIRING: REVIEW
Author: Casey McQuiston

Publication Year: 2024

What it’s about, per Barnes and Noble:

“Theo and Kit have been a lot of things: childhood best friends, crushes, in love, and now estranged exes. After a brutal breakup on the transatlantic flight to their dream European food and wine tour, they exited each other’s lives once and for all.

Time apart has done them good. Theo has found confidence as a hustling bartender by night and aspiring sommelier by day, with a long roster of casual lovers. Kit, who never returned to America, graduated as the reigning sex god of his pastry school class and now bakes at one of the finest restaurants in Paris. Sure, nothing really compares to what they had, and life stretches out long and lonely ahead of them, but—yeah. It’s in the past.

All that remains is the unused voucher for the European tour that never happened, good for 48 months after its original date and about to expire. Four years later, it seems like a great idea to finally take the trip. Solo. Separately.

It’s not until they board the tour bus that they discover they’ve both accidentally had the exact same idea, and now they’re trapped with each other for three weeks of stunning views, luscious flavors, and the most romantic cities of France, Spain, and Italy. It’s fine. There’s nothing left between them. So much nothing that, when Theo suggests a friendly wager to see who can sleep with their hot Italian tour guide first, Kit is totally game. And why stop there? Why not a full-on European hookup competition?

But sometimes a taste of everything only makes you crave what you can’t have.”

A spoiler-free review:

If you grew up drinking fine European wines and eating pastries, or surrounded by cooks and sommeliers, this is the book for you. If you’re a slutty bisexual, this is also the book for you.

A spoiler-filled review:

I’ve read a few reviews that discuss the book’s repetitive nature of Visit New European City-Drink-Hookup and, while, yes, that can be a valid criticism, I believe they’re forgetting that Kit and Theo are on a tour of Europe that is basically Visit New European City and Drink. The real character development occurs in how they view each other from estranged exes to hookup competitors to once again romantic partners.

I will, for a moment, rag on Theo a tad. Their backstory and point-of-view is a bit tiring. I felt as if we never really get into the emotional mind of Theo; with Kit, we’re able to see how much he adores and misses Theo. He’s clearly in love with them still, but Theo reads as if they see Kit as someone familiar to have sex with, rather than someone to pursue a romantic relationship with.

Meanwhile, Kit:

“It’s been so long since anyone has held me like this. It’s been so long without them. I could cry with the relief of it. We stay there, not speaking and not letting go, until the cat in the window yells at us and Theo breaks off laughing. They make a joke in a shaky, too-loud voice and stagger away. But I feel their breath catch against me, and I see the strange brightness in their eyes when they pass through the glow of a convenience store window. When I return their ring, they slip it into their pocket without looking at it. They smile like it’s nothing. I don’t know if I believe it.“

“I’m going to say it as soon as I find the right words: I’m in love with you. I love every part of loving you, even the parts you don’t think you deserve. You are the love of my life.“

Also, the secondary characters sometimes felt just that: secondary. They were there but also didn’t add anything. I was sort of hoping I’d grow to care about other people on the tour, but I just didn’t find it in me. Their tour guide, Fabrizio, is somewhat a stereotype of an enthusiastic Italian – throwing in random Italian phrases alongside English. His characterization felt kind of one-dimensional and just wasn’t for me.

HOWEVER:

My favorite parts of the story were when they were in Italy. I’m Italian and grew up drinking many of the same wines and visiting the same places Theo and Kit do. To me, the sex scenes and romance are secondary to the wine tasting and pastry eating scenes.

“Orla drives us through the hills toward Siena, past the tower houses of San Gimignano and the walled palazzos of Montepulciano, along cow pastures and olive groves and patchy wheat fields. In the distance, copper and green hills fold over one another like mussed-up linens in a bed as wide as the sky.” What a stunning description of Tuscany. And then, of course, Theo’s line, “All Chianti Classico is made in Chianti, but not all Chianti is Chianti Classico.” That’s something I know I’ve said before.

Kit and Theo’s discussion of bisexuality and the fluidity of attraction resonated strongly with me. The stereotype of bisexuals being slutty is reclaimed by both of them. I feel as if too often we see bisexuals in media as either being purely in a gay relationship or straight relationship and then coming to terms with their bisexuality and that’s that. Here, we actually get to see Theo and Kit have fun being bisexual and confidently be with people of different genders, rather than solely experimenting or having a moment of realization. I, a proudly bisexual woman, felt represented.

Overall Review:

5 stars or 8.75/10.