thank you to net galley and st. martin’s press for this eARC!

i enjoyed this book so much more than i expected to. i don’t normally love the exes to lovers trope because it usually involves a lot of miscommunication, which tends to drive me insane, but it was done so well in this book and the miscommunication didn’t even bother me that much. i love all of the characters in the novel. one of my favorite things about casey mcquiston novels are the side characters (the supporting characters in one last stop i particularly loved), and this book is certainly no exception. i think i forgot how much i love casey mcquiston’s writing, because if i had been thinking about how much i love the other three books of theirs that i’ve read, i would have had much higher expectations for this book. it also was an interesting blend for the two sides of romance that i have often read. this type of smut isn’t something i have yet delved into in the world of novels and have only read in a fanfiction setting but it was done very well and it fits so well with these characters and settings. i just love the concept of a smutty trip around europe, visting cities of love and greek/roman art which are inherently erotic, and it played so wonderfully. this book was fantastic and i can’t wait to own a copy! would one hundred percent recommend, and i’m so excited to talk to people about it.

This book was so lush and loving. Every chapter had tempting descriptions of food and European scenery. The YEARNING was out of this world. This book is everything a romance should be!!!!!!

i savored this book in a way that would’ve made kit and theo envious. i’m depressed it’s over and can’t wait to read it again. this is by far the Casey’s sluttiest novel and for that i thank them endlessly.

I don’t read enough Casey mcquiston. I just read I kissed Shara wheeler and jumped right into this one. I do think I like Casey’s adult books for than YA but I do enjoy both! The pairing is my favorite one yet. 2 bisexual lead characters who are exes?? a European food and wine tour?? Sign me up. Theo and Kit have my heart I love them I love them I love them.

I didn’t think I could love a Casey McQuiston’s book more than RWRB but I did. I do. With this one. OH MY GOD. OH MY DEAR GOD. This book. This book is everything. It seems written especially for me. Here there are all the tropes I love (except for age gap) and I feel Theo so damn much. I’m a cis woman, but I feel them so much, I love them so much, I want to be them. I think I am them, in some ways.
I love Kit too, my ethereal elf prince. And oh my God I love the pining. The slow burn. The sexual tension between the characters. And the spicy. Oh my God, the spicy! The scene where the two of them fuck with other people while Theo thinking of fucking Kit is just the best. I’m sorry but it is.
I want to write a coherent review, I swear, but I just can’t. I love this book. I love it and I can’t love without it anymore. I want more of them, I want more books written by Casey McQuiston.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin Press for the opportunity to reading this book in advance. Thank you so much!

The clever title has the multiple meanings: The Pairing of food and wine, The Pairing of two people, The Pairing of the genders, The Pairing of sexuality, and perhaps even more Pairings. Despite the deep thinking invoked by the title, McQuiston falls short in this one. The plot was rather predictable and I got bored halfway through the book. That said, there are some delectable food and drink ideas nestled within its pages. Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I was hoping to like this more mostly because I enjoyed all of Casey's other books. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case. I found the plot very good. Like yes, two bi men, in Europe, and having a little game going on. I just don’t think I like the writing. It just wasn’t my favorite. Theo and Kit were amazing, both characters were great by themselves. On the other hand, with each other, I think they didn’t have enough chemistry and connection with one another.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC. Can I give more than 5 stars? Like, can I give all the stars? Casey McQuiston has done it again with this absolutely stunning, funny, heart breaking, heart expanding, delicious, achingly beautiful book. The story of Kit and Theo is initially a lovely, fun contemporary rom-com. About a third of the way in, I knew my heart would at some point be shattered into a million pieces by this pair. Not only was I correct about that, but I sincerely loved soaking in their world as it happened.

Good god - the art and the food and the drinks and the cobbled streets and the azure sea - McQuiston's descriptions make it all come so alive you'd swear you were smelling salted air and oven fresh bread. If A Room with a View and Anthony Bourdain had a smutty, sweat soaked affair, this would be their baby. But instead we're given two amazing characters in Kit and Theo who lead us down a hidden, ancient alley and reveal the deepest parts of their hearts to us and each other. Also, holy hell is it sexy!

I truly hope there will be a special edition of this with Kit's sketches and Theo's tasting notes, and I hope it inspires hoards of readers to follow their footsteps and explore gorgeous art and unfiltered history.

This book was in most ways absolutely fantastic. The main characters, Theo and Kit, are quite likeable and their romance is deep and spicy in very goods ways. The other characters are engaging and the setting for the book is lovely. The only criticism that I have is that at times the descriptions of places, etc. got to be a bit too much.

I love love loved this book. I had recommended it to at least 3 different people before even being a quarter of the way through. I sped through it in half a day. I wish I could read it for the first time over again.

This book was good, but also not my favorite by Casey. I loved following them through Europe, reading about the locations and the food and the people. I like smut in books but honestly there was maybe too much here? Idk. The book could have been shorter too. Overall, a cute and pleasant read that I’m glad I read and I think people will enjoy.

On a purely technical level, this is easily Casey McQuiston’s best work. It’s also unequivocally their sluttiest and possibly most romantic book.

Theo and Kit broke up en route to a European food and wine tour four years ago. Now, during the last chance to use their booking, the two find that they both had the same idea and meet again for the first time after complete silence during the intervening years. How are they going to cope? Well, by a purely friendly competition to see who can hook up with the most amount of people during their weeks together traveling.

I savored this book and read about one chapter a day. I didn’t want it to end. McQuiston has described this book as indulgent and that’s honestly the best way to describe it. The plot of this book is about sex, food, wine, and love. The conflict is about sex, food, wine, and love. The vibes? You guessed it. Sex, food, wine, and love. If you’re going to read it, be prepared to be the hungriest you’ve ever been. Almost immediately, I was craving (and eating) croissants, borrowing Italian pastry cookbooks from the library, and reaching out to friends who bake to see if they could recreate some of what Theo and Kit eat across Europe.

I was captivated from start to finish and so deeply invested in Theo and Kit’s story. I finished it yesterday morning and I haven’t stopped thinking about it, about what these two go through separately and together. I can’t believe I have to wait until August to get my hands on a physical copy of this book that I can mark up with tabs and highlights and notes.

On a personal note, reading about Theo was the most that I’ve ever read my own experience and personality in a book before. There’s a lot to unpack there and again, I credit McQuiston for helping me unlock a part of myself. We’re four for four on that now.

This book is exceptional and I’m going to read it forever.

So I adore everything this author publishes, with “Red, White, and Royal Blue” as my favorite. So I had high expectations for this. While it has moments of real depth— especially in discussions of gender identity— at times it felt like it got too in the weeds with the travel narrative. I didn’t care about the flavors like I should have. I appreciate frank discussions of sex, and I think this will be eye-opening and progressive for many people, but the fact that the romance leads turn this into a competition felt a little off, too. Kit is an amazing character and so sweet, I felt like he needed to be developed more.

It is an honour to read Casey's book months in advance! That said, I had high expectations and they were all met (the only reason I didn't give this five stars is a spoiler one I might elaborate on that once the book actually comes out). I loved both POVs and how different Theo and Kit's voices were, I loved all the side characters and how you end up caring a lot for all the people travelling with them as you read. It truly felt like going on a journey with all of them throughout Europe (and it's very nice to have an accurate depiction of European countries instead of the usual stereotypical vision tourists have. You can truly tell that Casy did their research once they were here.)

Reviewer’s Note: I received a digital ARC of this book via NetGalley. The book is not set to release until August of 2024 and I am posting this review in February of 2024. This review contains spoilers.

Overall, I think the formatting was good, but does not seem finalized. I am interested to see if the formatting is adjusted for final release, specially some text conversations throughout and page/chapter breaks. I have read a few of McQuiston’s other novels, The Pairing is the first that I have been highly anticipating. Once I had the chance to read an ARC, I was over the moon. Regardless, I always provide my honest opinion when reviewing any work of literature.

Cowboys, flowers. David, Venus, Theo.

McQuiston’s The Pairing touches on themes of second chance love, gender/ identity discovery, and international travel along with a spicy twist. The pining is to die for, and we somehow get the “only one bed” trope a few times, but it’s still refreshing.

Readers should be able to tell that McQuiston, as usual, has done their research. Writing novels this way has to be an absolute labor of love. Every scene from the European tour is perfectly crafted with intentional detail. Though I’ve never traveled to Paris, Nice, or the majority of the other locations, I still found myself relating to the characters’ emotions and thoughts as they traveled to these places. This book has wines and pastries I will probably never be able to pronounce, but this does not bother me. (Instead, I look forward to the audiobook version where someone with a more eloquent tongue can educate me). The inclusion of wines, pastries, sites, etc. is an illustration of the author’s thought and the research put into writing this novel. A well-researched novel, even romance, is something that I love, but some readers may not appreciate.

I fell in love with both Theo and Kit in their own regard I think it was important for the reader to get Theo’s perspective first and get to know all of them. There is an emphasis on Theo being/feeling misunderstood, and I’m not sure readers would like or understand Theo if not provided with their perspective first. McQuistion has really thought through the characters and provides information to readers about them at the perfect times and I some of the most captivating ways.

The flashbacks in this novel, especially Theo’s early thoughts, are utterly breathtaking at times. For anyone who has lost someone special in any way, these moments can be incredibly relatable. I love how McQuiston links memories to the senses. Tastes and smells are linked to Theo and Kit in so many ways, it makes irrevocable sense that their memories would be heavily tied to these senses.

Another aspect of the novel that I liked was the dual perspective. Initially, the midstory perspective change came at an emotionally devastating time in the storyline, and left me distraught. Perfect for the plot; terrible for anyone who feels raw emotions when they read. By this point, I had grown so attached to Theo’s inner monologue and perspective on everything that I didn’t want to let it go. A few pages later, I found myself falling in love with Kit just as easily, and forgiving him for every misconception I had about his character. Getting back to Theo in the Epilogue, felt like the right resolution, getting back to where it all started.

On the topic of gender, I think Theo’s character is important representation. (This may be due to my own bias as a trans/nonbianry person) Prior to Kit’s perspective, I wasn’t exactly sure how Theo identified, but I knew I was like them in so many ways. While not exact, I have had thoughts and feelings similar to those expressed by Theo. Though I wanted to know, I didn’t really need to know what pronouns Theo preferred, initially, because the feelings were familiar. I love that McQuiston leaves this detail somewhat of a mystery for about half the book. The mid-book coming out and pronoun change made me incredibly euphoric. Kit’s easy acceptance and the seamless shift in narration brought a warmth to my heart. I think those who identify under the trans/nonbinary umbrella will find comfort and euphoria in Theo’s story. Kit’s character does this more in the realm of sexuality. For me, spice can be an added bonus to a love story, but Kit and Theo’s love and love making is educational. Readers both LGBTQ+ and non may learn a thing or two from Kit and Theo’s sexual expressiveness. (In other words, if RRWB taught people that gays can do missionary, this is going to teach them a little something else.) It is about time queer people get to read romance novels written by queer people blatantly for queer people. This kind of stuff heals and transforms our community.

The supporting characters in this novel were present enough throughout the story to be likable and not annoying. The scenes including the others were well placed and seemed intentional. Having two Calums was an intelligent writing choice and helps readers to not feel overwhelmed by the number of supporting characters. I found them all likable and appropriately incorporated into the plot.

I am not typically fond of books that include food or eating, just as a personal preference. However, none of the eating in this book was overly focused on and it did not bother me at all, which was a pleasant surprise. When these things were mentioned more in depth, such as with the peach, again, I found myself surprisingly unbothered. The focus on ingredients and experiences rather than eating was a choice I appreciated.

For what it’s worth, I am disappointed that we do not get to see Theo and Kit’s wedding, if they have one. I would pay money to know what they would wear and what would be on the menu. One can only imagine, but I bet it would be great!

Easily one of my most anticipated reviews of the year and it did not disappoint. CMQ always come through with the most soul-searing introspective queer romances that I’ve ever had the privilege of reading. I’d definitely recommend picking this up.

This book is a second chance romance, queer romp through Europe. It is queer with a capital Q. Two former lovers accidentally end up taking a food trip through Europe, the same trip they were going to take when they broke up.

I started out the book very confused by the gender configuration because I expected a queer pairing. The queerness comes hot and heavy after the first couple of pages so just wait. That queerness was one of things I liked most about this book. The couplings, the imaginative sex, and the unapologetic quest for satisfaction. The sex scenes were so fun and super hot.

There were some things about this book were not for me. I had a hard time with many of the choices made by one of the narrators. The first half of the book kept me on a roller coaster. I wanted to throw the book across the room more than once. I felt a gut punch and then was openly crying while reading. I tried to hide from the emotions stirred up by hiding my face behind my fingers. There is also miscommunications in the book which are one of my least favorite tropes.

The emotions evened out for me around the 50% mark when the tone of the book changed. Then it turned into a more even keeled modern, queer romance. And the wild sex was more fun without my roller coaster emotions about choices. I ended up happy with how the book ended and overall really liked it.

Rounded up 4.5 stars.

Thanks, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, for an arc of this!

A lovely ode to love, identity, food, wine, and travel. It felt like I lived in a postcard of each location.

I love Red, White, and Royal Blue, but I couldn't finish this one. The hook-up competition felt toxic to me and I didn't really like either of the main characters. I wish I'd enjoyed it as much as others have. Still, a McQuiston book will circulate well and it seems like I'm in the very small minority of people who didn't enjoy it, so it is a must-purchase for my library.

Casey proved herself yet again as a writer with another masterpiece. The pairing is now my second favourite book of hers I've read (nothing will beat rwrb for me sorry). The atmosphere it creates, with writing so simple yet so transporting, the hilarious scenarios the characters are put through, heck the characters themselves are so *chefs kiss*. This is the PERFECT summer romcom, it's chaotic, it's funny, it's original, it's a proof of her improvement as a writer even more for my fellow long time fans of hers.