first of all. the last time I cried this hard for this long while reading was probably when I read a little life. and to be clear, this book is NOT that vibe. It just wrecked me in an entirely different way. the number of times the breath was absolutely knocked out of me by casey’s writing?? INNUMERABLE. god I love them. Thanking my LUCKY STARS I got the ARC of this because there is no way I would have made it to August without this in my life. so good so good so good even though I nearly died from all the angst and feelings and REQUITED-NESS. this took years off of my life and then gave them back. thank you. goodnight. If I had to nitpick ONE thing about the book I just wish the background characters would have been slightly more developed because that’s something that I really really love about Casey’s other books. But this was PERF. I love this book.

“sometimes I think the only way to keep something forever is to lose it and let it haunt you.” OKAY!!!! SUPER COOL!!

This book hooked me in from the first chapter. I loved the character development and how the story progressed.

Another amazing book by Casey McQuiston! maybe their best one yet!? though to be honest I cant decide. the characters were so unique and felt like real people who I would love to be friends with. the places the story took us and the food and drinks described made me feel like I was on vacation my self! if this isnt already on your TBR add it now because it is a must read for sure.

This book really did not do anything for me. The writing style is the main reason I read Casey McQuiston's books (that and the friendships) and I did not personally vibe with it this time. This was of course impacted by the fact that it was first person rather than third, and I understand that, but it did personally impact my enjoyment because it didn't feel as unique or as strong as their usual writing style. The rest of my critiques may also have to do more with personal preference than anything "wrong" with the book, but they are my honest opinions.

I did like the relationship and shared history between Theo and Kit, and I liked them well enough as individuals (and their relationship!). I struggled with just about everything else outside of it. Every single person is apparently insanely hot and can get any stranger (who also all seem to be super hot) they want to have sex with them anywhere, and the entire time I was like ?? does this actually happen? Beyond that, the pattern of "new place described pretty similarly to the previous places, extensive descriptions of food and wine, somehow everyone is beautiful, sex" did get a bit repetitive, despite the shift in POV halfway through. I also did not connect with the side characters, and usually McQuiston is pretty good at writing standout side characters I can get invested in.

I don’t think I’ve ever been as jealous of a book as I am of The Pairing! Eating and drinking your way through Europe with a lovable cast of characters! What a treat. I so enjoyed this book. It’s funny, full of heart, and had me taking notes of what pastries and drinks I need to try. The love story was strong, but didn’t feel cloying so worked even for a person who doesn’t read a ton of romance. Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARC copy through NetGallery. I‘ll be recommending this one this summer.

A mixed review from me this time. I've previously enjoyed many of the author's books. Mostly, I struggled through this one. Premise was good. Characters as individuals without some of their obsessions had merit to a degree. Yet the thing I focus on is how non-stop sexual they were... both Kit and Theo were obsessed with one-upping each other, and every person they met was hot, horny, and bisexual. This was really less about proving how they'd grown up in the years since their relationship ended and more about how many times you can nail a stranger in Europe. I skimmed so many scenes because it was the same thing over and over again. Had it been 30% shorter, a few of the supporting cast would have stood out, and I would be cool with each having 2-3 hookups over the course of 3 weeks on tour in Europe. Unfortunately, I felt the repeat button happening too often, and in the end, I didn't really care if they got back together. All that said, the progression of feelings, the description of food/wine, some of the sex scenes, were appealing. I'll still read more from the author but hoping the characters and plot have more substance.

Thank you NetGalley & St. Martin’s Press for the ARC! Casey McQuiston literally NEVER lets me down. This book is so gorgeous. It has every bit of humor and charm that you would expect from Casey but I really think they took their writing to the next level with this book. The LONGING in this book is almost heart wrenching. Kit’s POV was everything I wanted and more. The Pairing is definitely the spiciest book they’ve ever written but more than that, it’s extremely sensual. Honestly, sometimes books that have spice scenes for the sake of it give me the ick but this book was sexy in all the right places. As you go through the book you learn more about Theo and their gender identity and it’s so emotional but the way the pronouns switch so effortlessly in Kit’s POV made want to SOB. This book is for the people who were obsessed with the Lizzie Mcguire movie growing up. The romance, the emotion, the humor, the food. The Pairing is a 6 star read for me and I can’t wait to reread over and over again.

The Pairing is a summer story, a second chance romance, an ode to food and wine and travel and love.

Theo and Kit have been friends since childhood--a friendship that grew into love, romance, a relationship. A relationship that abruptly ended on a plane on the way to their dream vacation, a food and wine tour in France, Italy and Spain. Four years later they're somehow on the same trip, having used their vouchers before they expire, and find themselves thrown into each other's orbit, seat-mates on the bus from the very first day.

How do they navigate the feelings that simmer below the surface-- the anger, the longing, the yearning, the confusion, the attraction? Avoidance is a challenge, ignoring each other nearly impossible. So they declare a truce of sorts, diverting their brewing tension into a competition that brings them even closer to each other as the trip progresses.

The first person narrative is engaging, intense, and very personal. Whose version is the accurate one of this story? Of these memories?

Theo and Kit are layered characters, characters who slowly unwind the tightly controlled layers of themselves as they spend more and more time together. They're challenging, flawed, messy, entrancing, vivid. We learn— and they learn— so much about each other as they traverse the big cities, the small towns, the stunning vistas, glorious art, heady wine and spirits, and mouth-watering culinary treasures.

I couldn't help googling art, locations, food, while I was reading this book. There is such a lush richness that imbues the book. It's a meal itself, in courses, with a story that lingers long after you close the book.

The romance sizzles. It's such a deep exploration of self, of love, of happiness, of contentment, of vulnerability. All with a backdrop of such richness, a vivid background that dazzles and envelops the characters, allowing them to expand and grow as the story progresses.

Such a rich and satisfying book. Lush, layered, vivid. Definitely a happy ever after and a visual, sensual, emotional journey.

I so want to travel after reading this!

My thanks for the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

Sweet and steamy! This was such a lovely pre-summer read. Even though it's a departure from McQuiston's usual voice, their familiar wit shines through. I love that they're trying new things--this one definitely landed.

Unfortunately, I had to dnf this at 67%. I loved the book immediately and all the way until the halfway mark, but then it felt as if the characters weren't really learning anything or progressing. It made me not really care how the story ended which was upsetting because at first I was really rooting for Theo and Kit. However, I did love the lovely descriptions of food and places and everything was so vivid!

It is physically causing me pain that I did not like this.
Let’s start with the good things:

McQuiston does queer relationships and identities SO well. Also, the sex is always top notch. The ending was sweet.

Now for the not good things:
THIS WAS PRETENTIOUS AF. Look. I’ve been to Europe. I get it, it’s great. But I did not need 400 pages of words describing foods and wines that I’ll never eat and places I’ll never experience. Because that’s all this was. An ode to Europe, which is fine. But that’s not what I want from a McQuiston book. There was so little dialogue actually happening to develop the characters and just pure “everything is so European and beautiful!” It suck’s because their characters ARE SO FREAKING GOOD.
Also everyone in Europe is bisexual and ready to have sex at a moments notice?
I got so tired of all the hooking up and neither of the MC’s actually talking about their feelings. You already know I don’t do miscommunication so this was truly hard on me. It took me 4 days to read this, which in normal peoples terms is about 2 weeks. I kept wanting to quit, but I pushed through because I love this author. The ending did redeem it a bit, but I just couldn’t care enough. I skimmed a lot of this and still felt like it was too much.

I know people will love this. It’s written beautifully. It just wasn’t for me.

Also, the jokes about fucking Anthony Bourdain after his death just didn’t sit right.

THE PAIRING ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5. Theo and Kit have been friends forever, and eventually lovers. When they break up, and go their separate ways they both have a European Vacation credit to use in 4 years time. When they both end up on the same tour years later, they start a hookup competition through Europe, are they truly over each other? So I absolutely felt the genuine, complicated love with these characters. The description of food through different European cities was mouth watering. My main gripe is I felt the book just went on and on and on. Also the hookup part of it all just wasn’t it for me, the love that tethered these 2 was so undeniable that I felt it could have just focused on that. Overall, a good “pool” book IMO, something to read in the summer lounging by the pool. Would I reread, like Red White and Royal Blue? Nope. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I was so stoked to have a Casey McQuiston arc in my hands, thank you NetGalley! Red, White, and Royal Blue is a huge comfort read for me and I’ve enjoyed McQuiston’s other books, so I was highly anticipating this release. I was really pleasantly surprised, I’m not always the biggest fan of second-chance romances, but this book may have changed my mind about the trope. I absolutely adore Kit and Theo, and found their conflict to be believable, and loved that they each had ample time to grow into themselves. It also made me want to go back to Europe ASAP.

I never thought I would say that McQuiston could write something that would replace Red, White & Royal Blue in my heart...but they've done it! Not only is the setting so visceral and lovely, but the romance is believable and touching. I truly believed that two different people were telling the story, because their points of view are so different in terms of the writing style, both really well-rounded and full feeling. This was a book that I didn't want to put down and then didn't want to leave.

I'm someone who didn't like Red, White, and Royal Blue at all, but since I enjoyed Shara Wheeler, I decided to give the author a third chance. However, I unfortunately did not enjoy this book.

I've noticed a trend of MCs who are nepobabies (or the children of celebrities) in stories like this. I enjoyed it the first time I read it with another author, but now it's getting old as it's completely unrelatable. It's fine in stories ABOUT it like RW&RB or as a wish fulfillment story, but just in the background I find it annoying and hard to sympathize with. Especially as someone who would LOVE the opportunities Theo has but doesn't take.

Second, I'm someone who has lived most of my life in very tourist-heavy places. I grew up in Hawaii, where most media about Hawaii was from the tourist perspective. Now I live in Tokyo, where American tourists often control the narrative. So I'm aware I'm biased when I say, I'm very tired of tourist perspectives on places. I'm very interested in Europe, but I'm not interested in a story that seems like a European tourist handbook by an American. And while I cannot speak for Europeans, I've seen many speak up and say that the research in this novel is very limited and that the characters and representations were very stereotypical.

In terms of characters: I didn't really connect. Side characters were hard for me to distinguish, which wasn't helped by the common trend I also dislike of giving pairs similar names. I like the bi rep and NB rep, but I'm not a fan of Theo's gender being some plot twist spoiler. But I say this as someone tired of coming out stories. I also side-eye "everyone in Europe is bi" from Americans. I'm fine with bi-normative stories and stories that ignore homophobia, but coming out is a Thing in this story, so it's a little jarring.

Two stars instead of one because the writing and voice are fine. It's just ultimately an extremely derivative book with many tropes I cannot stand.

Thanks, Netgalley for the Arc

Where to even start with my love for this book? I’ve always loved Casey McQuiston's writing. So when they announced The Pairing and explained what it was about I was already hooked. Two exes that go on a food tour together enjoying more than food through Europe. What is not to love? But the book was so much more than that. I adore both Theo and Kit. Casey always does such an amazing job developing characters you can’t help but love. There is something so special about Theo though. I just barely finished the book but I know this character will live rent-free in my head. If you’re wanting a fun queer rom-com book make sure you add this title to your TBR. One of my favorite reads this year!

An incredibly addictive story of the times.
When old meets new. This story is captivating, adventurous, romantic and hot hot hot!
A truly remarkable story of young love lost. When things come full circle for Kit and Theo.
Kit and Theo are the best of friends from such a young age. Growing closer as years pass until the unthinkable happens and they both loose the love of their lives, each other trough a crazy mishap.
Years pass and a once planned trip by the pair happens reuniting them both. Even though neither is ultimately happy with the circumstances around it.
Meeting many fun characters, learning from their many adventures. This story truly makes you feel like you there with them on a trip of a lifetime.
5 stars. One of the best books I've read this year.

The story follows two exes as they travel through Europe when they end up booking the same tour dates, using their vouchers from before they broke up.
Theo and Kit had been best friends since childhood until an argument and subsequent break up while traveling. Years later they end up on the same tour with all the old hurts and emotions still alive and well. As the story unfolds we learn the reasons behind the break up, the misunderstandings and pain as they agree to call a truce for the trip and begin a contest of who can have sex with the most people. That sounds like a great plan, right? LOL
The descriptions of the scenery, art and food help you feel like you are there. And the side characters are likeable and add to the story. Bisexuality and gender expression flow naturally throughout the story as the author gives us a two person perspective.
I stayed engaged throughout the story and was able to empathize with each of them.
Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Griffin for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this early!

I really wanted to like this! But I feel like the synopsis was a little deceiving...there was sooo much good tension at the beginning, but I very quickly lost interest once I realized just how much of a "competition" Theo and Kit were having instead of just figuring out their feelings for each other. I'm all for healthy sex lives but this a bit much for me. So so sad, I've loved this author's other works but this just wasn't for me!

Another excellent book from Casey McQuiston! The language was so lush and beautiful and detailed, I couldn't put it down. I loved how Theo and Kit evolved over the course of the book and their trip -- I want more from them!