The Pairing is a delicious and fun queer romantic comedy. The story begins with Theo, a proud and independent child of Hollywood royalty. For four years, Theo has been estranged from Kit, their charming and caring childhood best friend and longterm love. They meet again, unexpectedly on a food tour across Europe. After a bet about who can hookup with the most people on their tour inspires flirtation and playful competition, Theo and Kit are left wondering about their past relationship. The prose is sensual and evocative, and filled with McQuiston's usual wit and warmth. I'm excited to recommend this to romance lovers seeking a heartwarming adventure across Europe.

3.5 ⭐️ i truly think i was just not the intended audience for this. it was extremely descriptive in terms of the food and wine so if you’re into that you will probably enjoy this, but i don’t know shit about shat so i was often super lost lmao. HOWEVER casey is suuuuch a talented author, some of the lines in this literally bowled me over with how beautiful they are. overall i would recommend this especially to foodie/wine people :)

Not even surprised by how much I loved this story and the bi rep. This is a perfect summer read.Funny, horny, and sweet.

I like the idea of having half the book in one characters perspective and half in the others. Very engaging and well-written. Will be rereading!

McQuiston’s Red, White, and Royal Blue was the book that got me back into reading back in 2019 so I was quite excited to pick up this title. This is a fantastic read for those who love travel and food, and romance of course. The pacing of Theo’s chapters felt slower than that of Kit’s. I think I would’ve preferred if their perspectives would’ve alternated. The romance scenes were great, and to be honest I wish I had gotten more. I really enjoyed this. The icing on the cake was the title. Perfect title for this book.

I really liked the main story of this book but it felt at times their was just too much information about the food and area that they were in. It was distracting and made it hard to keep my attention on the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

The trip of a lifetime, parings abound, sweeping views, aromatic senses flaring, food fashioned for feasting, and your ex sitting right next to you. The heartbeat of Theo-and-Kit beat long prior to when we meet them in The Pairing. Growing up together, growing into each other, they fell hard, they fell fast, deeply in love. That pulsating beat of togetherness keeps them intertwined until a fateful flight, something amiss, and the threads unwind, the heartbeat breaks. What was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime now sitting as unused vouchers as both Theo and Kit moved on. The expiration date looming, both had the same idea, the last possible second, use it, enjoy what was supposed to be, only alone, no longer feeling the tandem heartbeat of the other. As they crash into each other, now going on the trip that was once supposed to be, the navigate existing, co-existing, as they navigate others, a lively competition of sleeping their way through cities, but not with each other. As the weeks wane, and the sweeping cascades of the city’s envelope them, with food and drinks, friends and lovers…has the palpating undercurrent of Theo-and-Kit escaped them, or has it lay dormant all along?
 
The perfect pairing is more than good, more than the right flavors fashioned together as a simple me, it is an experience. McQuiston has crafted an exquisite experience, decadent and lush, as they unveil the story of Theo and Kit to us. McQuiston has always been one of my favorite writers, and they have soared far and beyond here, using words like a paintbrush as we see scenes of European cities come alive before our very eyes. Despite only taking the story in through my eyes, I felt the rush of senses overwhelm me as Casey wrote with such specificity the aromas around them, the colors filling the view, the sounds lapping against their ears, the brush of skin on theirs. I have never felt so enveloped by the scenery of a novel. Paring the scenic nature of this work, McQuiston’s story is so much about love, finding love, and reigniting love all set against the beautiful backdrop they paint. The part that touches me the most about this story, and as I always do, I look for these pieces, what are the parts of myself I see folded into the story, in the characters, like the layers of a croissant, which pad of butter is me smeared between them. The duality of love and fear struck a chord deep in me pulling at my heartstrings. To love and not know the end, to love and lose, to break the heartbeat is devastating, and that fear sits so deep inside us sometimes preventing us from pushing forward. Both Theo and Kit feel this as they once loved and lost and now must face the ramifications of that together. In their story, I felt it too, to lose something, the fear of losing something cut deep. This made Theo and Kit’s love feel so real, so lasting, that they knew to love each other is one thing but to be together is another. Knowing someone would have to sacrifice so much is not worth it, but maybe it doesn’t have to be so black and white. The dichotomy of love and fear feels so black and white but as Theo and Kit explore their way back to each other we see that fade away, it becomes about so much more than that. Fighting for it makes it worth it. I loved that about Theo and Kit, feeling that with them, like the tide rushing back and forth. I want to feel that rush, I want to let go of the fear in me and let love overtake me in that way, as I saw these two fighting against that feeling and then falling into it, I realized that’s the piece of me planted in this story, the one that made me savor each bite and then shed tears when it was over. To love despite fear.
 
I’m still crying thinking about them, Theo-and-Kit, that undercurrent of love beating in me as I recount the story to write this review. Thinking about their sex-positive journey of discovery, of joy, and of love. Losing the other may have helped them grow, the fear of love holding them back, but after that time, some learning, and some new leaves on each of them, I can’t help but think about how love, even if not everlasting, is so worth the pain it could inflict, the pairing of love and pain may cultivate fear but isn’t that feeling, falling so hard, so worth it, falling like that into someone you love.
 
From towns in France to cities in Spain to islands in Italy, to portray them vividly that even if I had never touched foot on the Mediterranean Sea, tasted the crumbs of Parisian pastries, or felt the blistering heat of a Spain day, I felt as if I was there, walking in step with them. Casey did that: A story so beautiful, so urgent, so full of wonder, lust, and love. Thank you, Casey McQuiston, for gifting the world with your writing and your tales.
 
Scarf Rating: 🧣🧣🧣🧣🧣🧣🧣🧣🧣🧣(10/5)

Taylor Swift songs I associate with this book: False God, Afterglow, Dress, Call It What You Want, King of my Heart, invisible string, gold rush, Maroon, YOYOK, All You Had To Do Was Stay, You Are In Love

The Pairing feels like McQuiston’s most grown up work so far, but that could be because it’s leagues spicier than their previous books. The spice does not come at the cost of the plot, however, which is a well-done second chance story. Another win for sure; their fans will not be disappointed!

McQuiston takes everything that has made their previous books a success and amps it up to the next level.. Beginning four years after their unplanned breakup, readers follow Theo and Kit as they romp their way through three European countries, sensually enjoying themselves with both local cuisine and citizens, and attempt to navigate the unresolved emotions and consequences left in the wake of their split. Readers are left in suspense as to the cause of the breakup and constantly wondering how the two of them ended up so far apart, a suspense only intensified by the shift of narrator halfway through.. Both Theo and Kit's inner monologues provide insight into the beautiful flaws and strength of spirit that make them devastatingly human and real. Readers can't help but cheer for these two while also groaning in exasperation as they somehow manage to avoid communicating at every turn. Expect to have your heart broken over and over again in the very best of ways. Tackling queerness, self-worth, identity, and love in a way that is direct and honest, McQuiston manages to address these concepts in a way that is never condescending or judgmental. Showing the strength of their writing, McQuiston provides mouthwatering attention to detail as Theo and Kit feast their way through the cultural culinary delights that will have readers booking the next flight to any of the three countries. Keeping the balance between real life sensibility and lightheartedness, the book is peppered throughout with absurd quotes that will leave readers howling with laughter ("butt-fucky Pinocchio" comes to mind), and sensual descriptions of lust and attraction that will ruin readers. Definitely the spiciest of their novels to date, McQuiston redefines what makes someone desirable while also turning traditional heteronormative gender roles on their side. While not explicit, there's enough spice to make readers devour each page with bated breath, hungry with anticipation. Dear god, the peach scene alone. There's no way to end the novel without being just a little bit in love with either Theo or Kit or both. I give this book five exceptionally well-earned stars.

I received this book as a digital advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. It is available on August 6, 2024.

I simply love everything that Casey McQuiston writes and The Pairing did not disappoint! On a food tour through Europe, exes Theo and Kit are forced together after a contentious break-up. I enjoyed the format of McQuiston's writing for this book because I learned so much about food and wine pairing and the love of good food. I was worried that the romance would be predictable, but there were quite a few surprises, too.

Casey McQuiston's classic blend of hilarious quips and complex lovable characters definitely shows up in this one! I thoroughly enjoyed taking a journey through Europe and riding out the will-they-won't-they. The existential struggles these characters grope with are so relatable to anyone wondering if they'd made the right decisions in friendships, careers, family dynamics, and love. As ever, Casey introduces so many fresh and modern twists to the romance genre. There are lots of gorgeous but quite lengthy passages detailing scenery, art, food, and wine; many readers will love and appreciate that, but at times I found myself skimming past the descriptions because I was just so curious about how the plot would be moving forward! So happy to see this author continuing to redefine the genre by introducing readers to characters who represent a younger generation of humans exploring their gender and sexuality. Casey does this magically; she brings everyone in under the umbrella, rather than alienating readers who might consider queer love stories out of their "comfort zones."

Loved this! I love Casey McQuiston books and this was no different! I thought the main characters had great chemistry and I couldn’t put it down. Would for sure recommend and will be adding to our library.

This was my most anticipated read of 2024 and I already can’t wait to read it again when I get my physical copy in August. There’s something about the way Casey Mcquiston writes, I can’t explain it, but they are a genre defining writer of our generation for SURE. I truly felt I grew to understand Kit & Theo so deeply throughout the book. Reading the book made me want to get up and start baking immediately and try all of the flavor combinations described. I just adored every second of reading this book, even while screaming at the characters to communicate their feelings to each other!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this digital ARC of The Pairing in exchange for an honest review.

RWRB is one of the books that made me fall back in love with reading, and CMQ's style shines through just as poignantly in this novel. The heart, the one-liners, the history, the FOOD, the WINE, the travel, the culture, the... ~romance~. I finished this book and immediately wanted to restart it (a highest praise). The duel narration done in this way was new and so, so frustrating as a third party reader (as it is intended to be, I believe). Getting to know one character so fully and then quite literally flipping the script was heartbreaking and beautiful, and allowed to reader to fall in love with both characters as the hero, and the object of desire.

I could see the amount of research and soul-searching that went into not only the setting of this novel, but the characterization as well. I have told all of my peers about this book (as if they weren't already excited enough), and I cannot wait to discuss it. It is spicy and sweet in all the right ways. Thank you, thank you, thank you, CMQ!!!

While I appreciated the queer repress always from Casey this book just wasn’t for me. Way too much description of where they were going and what they were eating rather than truly building on the characters themselves. Just wasn’t really for me.

Two bisexual exes end up on the same European food and wine tour years after their break up and a hook up contest ensues. However, sleeping with attractive strangers is not enough to distract from the lingering feelings they still harbor for each other.

As a devoted Casey McQuiston fan, I was so excited to receive an e-arc of their latest book, but despite the many positive elements of this book, it didn’t quite click for me. My main concerns lied with Theo’s character. There were many moments where their struggles with feeling overshadowed by their famous family and dealing with self-doubt and sabotage really shined, but for the most part I found them to be a very frustrating protagonist. My main issue with this book was that it asked us to sympathize with the plight of a nepo-baby a little too much for my taste. Theo gets themselves into professional situations that could be fixed by a phone call because of their resources and connections which makes it hard to really care about the stakes of their situation. Their constant innuendo-filled banter also got old. At first, I found it fun and silly, but it eventually started to feel like overkill.

There were many elements that did really work for me that I want to highlight. First, I really enjoyed the dual perspective, especially the fact that it was split half way through the book instead of alternating chapters. I felt like it really gave us a chance to get to know both characters and understand how they think. The supporting cast really added to the story, especially Fabrizio, and gave the story a lot of entertaining subplots. I also really appreciated the emphasis on how much Theo and Kit’s friendship meant just as much as their romantic relationship because it really strengthened their bond in my eyes. Finally, I really enjoyed how Theo’s gender journey was handled in the story. Theo already had a lot figured out prior to this moment, but the moments that we were privy to were really supportive and beautiful.

Despite not totally connecting with me, I would recommend this book to fans of queer romance and lovers of witty innuendo-filled banter, and for anyone curious, my official ranking of Casey McQuiston Books is now 1) Red White and Royal Blue 2) I Kissed Shara Wheeler 3) The Pairing 4) One Last Stop.

Casey Mcquinston has done it again. This is my favourite book they have written. The romance is addicting, and the humour between the two leads draws you in for more.

Such a fun, complex, emotional rom com. Cant wait to read it over and over again, CMQ never misses!!

McQuiston at their decadent, heart-destroying peak. They probably should not have been allowed to write a second chance romance; it's simply too much for mere mortals to withstand. Read with an extra box of tissues for crying purposes.

THE PAIRING was an exploration into identity, love, friendship and gender roles more romance writers should take a huge cue from. Nothing about this should work from a traditional romance novel point of view, and pushes boundaries that McQuiston’s previous works did not explore. Above all, it is sexy. It’s sexy because these characters are intimately familiar with each other and respectful of boundaries and preferences. It’s also sexy because of the gorgeous, lush European settings, descriptions of foods and wines an average American only dreams of enjoying. The sexiest thing of all is the cast of characters we get to meet. They are generous with their love, affections and big feelings (a bit too much sometimes), and you get to feel the warm emotions of Kit and Theo and Fabrizio and their various tour mates. This is ultimately a romance novel that treats its characters as humans in a story instead of pawns in a fantasy and for that I highly recommend!