The Pairing by Casey McQuiston is a delightful tour through Europe with Theo and Kit, two exes who never really got over one another. I am not a huge romance reader, but I am drawn to McQuiston’s work because of how they write bisexual characters with such care and attention. On that front, this novel certainly didn’t disappoint! Worth noting that it is more explicit than their previous romances, so be aware of that if that’s not something you’re into. Personally, I really enjoyed it.

I finished this book about a month ago and haven't stopped thinking about it since. As always, CMQ's writing feels like being draped in a soft blanket whilst holding a cup of tea next to a burning fire. That is to say, it's cozy and endearing and hot. There were several moments in this book where I had to put it down and take a lap around my house to cool off. I don't know if I've read hotter scenes in a book before.

When I finished reading I was a tad disappointed with how ideas of gender identity were handled, mostly because CMQ promised big things and I couldn't tell if they delivered or not. With some separation from the book and talking to a friend, I think they absolutely did. Reading about how a nonbinary character is perceived by other important people in their life was truly life changing to me. I think about myself differently now all because of CMQ's writing. There are specific parts of this book, dealing with gender, that I know I'll come back to time and time again. Kit and Theo might be my new favorite CMQ characters.

You can tell that CMQ spent time researching this book, specifically in the detailed descriptions of the food/wine and monuments/landmarks visited. It really did feel like I was there on the tour with everyone and it made me want to try all the food they were trying. I wish the arc had a map included in it because I found it hard to visualize where everything was taking place and found myself on google maps a bunch (But that could be because I need to get better about geography). As vivid and enticing as the descriptions are, I think sometimes the book got bogged down in them. Sometimes they're wonderful and transportive and do add to the story, but other times it felt like we were meandering off course only to recorrect a few pages later. But overall, that wasn't a huge issue and I'm always a fan of CMQ's prose.

All that being said, The Pairing might be one of my favorite books I've read recently. CMQ hit several classic romcom tropes without making them feel contrived or overdone. They've taken the friends to lovers trope and made it something special and exquisite that I think will touch many people's hearts (including mine). I cannot recommend this book enough!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I adore Casey McQuiston and this just might be my favourite book yet! Theo and Kit are messy but absolutely loveable and you root for them to realize their feelings while also understanding why they are acting the way that they do. I loved the way that each got to tell the story from their own POV without switching back and forth. I also loved all of the food and drink descriptions, and the steam is REAL! This is a book to take on vacation, to read outside, or to dive into when you need to be immersed in a new location.

Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC! All opinions are my own.

it's been a while since i picked up a new casey mcquiston book, but as always, i could not put this down. casey has a way of writing such atmospheric queer books, and they transport you to such a cozy world full of heart-warming and endearing characters, and i loved getting to know theo and kit. admittedly i had my critiques, and i don't think this quite measures up to some of their previous works, but i have to say that i am really impressed with the attention to detail here. so much of this book revolves around food and geography and descriptions, and even though i cannot for the life of me know how accurate anything is, i applaud the skill and knowledge it took to write all these foods and ingredients and smells! my favorite part was definitely kit's chapters - even though theo is such a fantastic character and person, something about kit is so sweet and poetic, and i just loved the way he saw the world.

i loved seeing casey navigate the friends to lovers to exes to friends to lovers dynamic and i think it was really beautiful to see a relationship that was not about falling in love but rather falling back in love and watching someone you love grow. i was drawn to this book partially because i'm 28 at the moment, and i saw so much of the late-twenties struggle in the pages of this book. the idea that you are fighting against your childhood and adolescence, that you want to be more than the thing you've always been, but also realizing that sometimes the thing you've always been is what's most important and that doesn't make you less.

in some ways this felt like a gayer, hornier version of people we meet on vacation - if only because the vibes are somewhat similar. definitely makes you want to eat european food on a fancy vacation, definitely makes you want to fall in love. i had fun!

(side bar: it's so funny that i just finished reading the lord of the rings before starting this book because there is actually a decent amount of middle earth in here!)

I don’t know if I have the words to describe the wonder and joy I felt reading this book. Casey McQuiston is a fucking artist. I have EMOTIONS.

Both of these characters tried to protect their hearts so hard. My heart hurt wanting them to figure it out. McQuiston wrote such vulnerable, wonderful people who love so much and I felt so invested always.

For a book about traveling, I felt like I was there in each place they went to. You could smell the sea air and taste the food and wine. It’s a book about sensation and pleasure. Yes and sex. The SEX. Kit and Theo are unapologetically sexually liberated and it’s as Casey McQuiston put it “their horniest book yet.” All I’ll say on that front is, BLUSHING.

Honestly though, as visceral as this book felt, the story is really about Kit and Theo leaving each other and growing to be the people they need to be when they meet again. It’s about vulnerability and bravery. It’s lovely and silly and passionate and about how the stakes always are high when the cost is love. I just loved every minute of it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy of this book.

There is definitely an audience for The Pairing, but it's not me.

First, let me say I did enjoy the premise of the book - exes who end up on a European vacation together in a group. They are childhood friends, which I love too. As the weeks pass, they clear up their misunderstandings and no one will be shocked there is a happily ever after.

However.

I honestly don't know what the line between erotica and romance is, but this was past my line for how much I want to hear about sex in a book. The MCs are both constantly making dirty jokes, thinking about sex, and having one-night stands to the point of making it into a competition.

There are no charming side characters, and honestly I only really enjoyed the half of the book from Theo's POV (the second half is Kit's).

While the MCs are 28, I feel like this could definitely still fall under new adult.

McQuiston is an excellent writer, but I missed the sweetness of their past books. But like I said, I think this book will definitely appeal to many - it just wasn't for me this time. And that's okay.

So rich and gorgeous, a full meal of a book!! Theo and Kit are ex-partners who accidentally book the same European wine and food tour on the 4th anniversary of their breakup. Ignoring old and deep feelings for each other, along with an admiration for how much the other person has grown, the two embark on a hookup contest as they sample all the indulgences that summertime Europe has to offer.

Casey's depictions of the towns in France, Italy, and Spain make them into more than just backdrops: each place is a main character in its own right. Transportive and filled with excellent banter and LOTS of spice! I'm not a big romance reader but Kit and Theo's relationship was so compelling and layered that I was all in. Thanks to the publisher for the e-arc!

5 Stars!!! Casey McQuiston did it again! They always have me giggling and kicking my feet. Loved the Nonbinary rep!! It's so important to have books like these on our shelves. I cannot wait till it comes out so I make everyone I know read it!

This book was a beautiful love story that takes place in the most beautifully described locations. I NEED a Fabrizio tour asap. I really enjoyed how the first half of the book is told from one perspective, and then it picks right up in the second half from the other side. I was invested in the story from the beginning and the author made it really difficult to pick sidesin the drama. You just want them to be together ❤️

I Kissed Shara Wheeler is still my favorite book Casey McQuiston's written but this one is a close second! A heady, dazzling work featuring the messy bisexual protagonists of my dreams.

I found this book completely insufferable. For me this was overly sentimental and extremely repetitive—one can only read so many food and wine descriptions before they all blur together. Kit is unbelievably boring as a narrator and character, And while I found Theo irritating (the human embodiment of a Millennial™) they were at least an interesting narrator with some personality. Intriguing and promising premise but ultimately this was a huge miss.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

I will give my thoughts once SMP addresses their readers with an explanation. Until then, all my reviews will be withheld.

Casey McQuiston did it again, and did it so beautifully. This story is all about timing, how the right person can be wrong for right now, and how much growth happens when we focus on ourselves and our identities outside of relationships. It also thoughtfully handles Theo's gender identity and their discovery of themselves with such care. I'll be thinking about Kit and Theo's marvelous European adventure for the rest of my life.

The Pairing is a second-chance love story told through the lens of a European Food & Wine trip where Kit and Theo accidentally meet up four years after their initial breakup. To prove they’re over each other, Kit and Theo start a competition to see who can sleep with the most people during each of their tour stops, but things become complicated when feelings for each other become rekindled.

I’ve been a big fan of Casey McQuiston for YEARS, so I was absolutely delighted to receive an ARC of The Pairing. One thing I love about CMQ is their writing style. The Pairing captures every sense—I was so engrossed in their experiences because the prose was just the right amount of elaboration. I could taste and experience everything the characters were. Additionally, I was so sucked into everything the characters were feeling that I actually had to set the book down a handful of times because I was experiencing such intense emotions. I was getting flustered in the same way the characters were. Several of the sex scenes throughout the book were so damn emotional that it made my chest hurt (in a good way!!) It wasn’t even about the sex anymore—it was about the characters; what makes this book so strong is how masterfully it is written.

One way this book differed from CMQ’s other stories is the plot. The Pairing relied very much on the European vacation vibes and didn’t quite have the same strong plot that previous books have had, but that didn’t stop me from going along for the ride and enjoying this book.

I would recommend The Pairing to anyone looking for masterful prose and deep characterization. This book is such an experience and was absolutely delightful.

If anyone could take a story where the two main characters have already dated and broken up and make me scream with glee when they finally kiss again, it would be Casey McQuiston. I have been a long time reader of their work, and loved every subsequent novel, but The Pairing elevates everything I have loved in the past. The quick witty dialogue, the complex fleshed out characters, the yearning (oh my god the yearning) Finishing this book, I felt as though I had just gorged myself on the best of queer romance, filling myself up to the edges with it. A truly lush and evocative romance that I can't wait to recommend to everyone who will listen.

3.5/5 ⭐️

The Pairing follows Kit and Theo on their tour around Europe. For anyone looking for a queer love story, this is a great read! The dynamics and storylines in which the author unravels was amazing! Theo’s character development and how they express themself over time, was written beautifully and quite accurately as well! I find the author carefully considers different aspects of being queer and queer relationships when creating characters for her books. Can we also address the amount of smut that this book held in it?! I did not think that the sex scenes would be as graphic (in the best ways) and drawn out/reoccurring as they were. I have to say, it is 100% what kept me fully immersed in this book. Great read!

The world needs more light-hearted queer love stories like this one. From the European adventure filled with mouth-watering food and wine to the quirky side characters (Fabrizio! The Calums! Montana and Dakota! I love them all) this didn't feel like it missed a beat. I think the way that it switches POVs also really aided the storytelling and kept me from starting to get bogged down in one person's mind spiral and helped to keep me invested in the love story. Plus! There wasn't a time that I was truly annoyed with either of the main characters for how they handled their feelings - it actually made sense for their circumstances (which I can't say for all romcoms).

Went in to this expecting to like the book (because it's Casey) but it went so far beyond my expectations.

I not only fell in love with the mains, but also every side character, location, food or wine that was introduced. The world building was so complete I felt as if I was on the international food and wine tour with the group. I was jealous of every location and indulgence they got to try.

We come in knowing Kit and Theo are friends that then evolved to dating and had a horrible parting, but we don't readily know why. Being able to live as these characters lead to the payoff of finding out what happened that sparked the books events. Even while Theo and Kit are being so obtuse and continuously miscommunicating I was rooting for them.

5/5 - please read this when it comes out!

Theo and Kit have known each other since they were kids. They were best friends than lovers, and now, they haven't spoken since their breakup 4 years ago. When they were together, they booked a European food and wine touch, but they broke up on the plane there. They received vouchers for the trip that were good for 4 years. Now, as the vouchers are expiring, they both coincidentally wind up on the same tour.

Kit and Theo are bisexual exes, and they come up with a plan to have a competition to see who can hook up with the most people on their trip. They do this to prove that they are over each other, except the really aren't over each other at all.

I'm not someone who as traveled a lot, and I don't really drink. The descriptions of the locations and of the drinks felt too long and detailed for me. I think that others will enjoy them, but I found myself wanting to skim these sections.

I didn't like the structure of the dual POV. The first half of the book is told from Theo's perspective while the second half is from Kit's. I would have liked if the perspectives changed more frequently, or it would have worked better if the whole book was told from Theo's point of view. Theo is the more interesting character, and their point of view was the one that I was most interested in.

Overall, my main concern with the book was that I wasn't rooting for Kit and Theo. I didn't feel their romance. They didn't really work out what broke them up in the first place. I think that the way the story wrapped up was very predictable, and I wasn't necessarily rooting for them to be together. I think that they seemed very young, and I think that Kit and Theo needed more time to grow and determine what they wanted for themselves and of a partner.

I have enjoyed Casey McQuiston's other books, and unfortunately, this one didn't hit the same for me. Red, White, and Royal Blue is one of my favorite books, and it really helped me figure out a lot of things about myself. The Pairing didn't feel like enough of a romance, and it lacked the side characters and fun of CMQ's other works.

A masterpiece! Casey does it again - gifting us with a beautiful, delicious romance!

The Pairing is another perfect book by Casey. The exploration of identity from the first person perspective of Theo - and later in the book through the eyes of Kit who is in love with Theo was so wonderfully and thoughtfully handled. Through out the book there are glimpses into the past and history of Theo and Kit. How they met, how they fell in love, and how it all ended rather abruptly before jumping back into the present where the two exes are on the same European Tour.

Casey describes The Pairing as their horniest book yet - and it does not disappoint. The tension between Kit and Theo and their unresolved attraction to each other is cleverly paired (pun intended) with them deciding to see who can seduce the most people on their vacation. This creates many humorous situations through out the book and dials up the tension between Kit and Theo constantly seeing the other with someone else.

In true Casey fashion - the ensemble of characters in their book could each have their own books with how well they are developed as characters and the unique personalities each has.

This will easily be one of my favorite books all year and a book I am already recommending to everyone I know. Thank you SMP for the advanced copy in exchange for this review