RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston is about Theo and Kitt, who were childhood best friends turned lovers that had a huge falling out and broke up now living on two separate continents. However, when they both get surprised seeing the other on a tour they originally planned to take together, four years prior, it seems they’ll have to decide if they want to be friends, more than friends, or are unable to get passed the past.

I really loved the writing in this one. It wasn’t a simple, quick, and easy read, but definitely a great one. CMQ clearly popped off with their research, and it shows on every single page. The detail that the characters, the food, the settings were all described in made me feel like I was truly there. This detail made the characters feel so much more dimensional than fictional, it was remarkable.

My downsides to this book were that it took me a WHILE to read because I didn’t think it was a quick and easy read, and that may be partly due to the length of the chapters. I prefer much shorter ones. However, each chapter was dedicated to a city they were in, so I see why they were so long.

CMQ has done it again - loved this one!

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Publishers for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

OUT ON 08/06/24

I could not believe my luck when I was able to get an advanced copy of The Pairing from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press. This is a classic CMQ novel and their writing is lush, effortlessly blending humor and emotion. Our two protagonists were such dummies and I mean that in the most loving way. I loved how it was a slightly different twist on the traditional romance structure. Each of the supporting characters adds an extra layer of joy (The Paring take two from the point of Dakota, Montana, and the Calums anyone? or maybe the story of Fabrizio's life?)

Each night I read I wanted to hop on a bus and visit each stop of the tour. Like another reviewer said the romance was indulgent with plenty of spice. (Mom if you're reading this review maybe skip this one for my own sanity.)

A sensuous and sensual book as only Casey McQuiston could write it, taking so many risks and breaking a lot of rules of the romance genre.

Some readers will likely find this slow, as it requires patience with lengthy descriptions of food and art. It lost some momentum in the second half for me, but overall this is a lush and luscious book. It invites the reader to luxuriate in its prose.

Wowowowow I mean where to start with this one?? Casey McQuiston has done it again! <i>The Pairing</i> is my second favorite of all four of their books, but that's absolutely not a knock against it because number one is <i>Red, White, and Royal Blue</i> - my all-time favorite (and probably my most re-read) book.

I guess I'll start with Kit and Theo - our sexy, insecure protagonists. I just love them so much?? I felt like they were both such fully developed characters and I was rooting for both of them to figure their shit out (both personally and professionally).

Next, there's the setting. The European food and wine tour creates such a lush and delicious world for these two characters to fall back in love.

And the writing, as always, was excellent!! There are a couple moments in particular that got me:
- <i>"We kiss as if we're inventing it..."</i>
- <i>"Maybe I'll want to read it, one day when I love you less."</i>

Not to be dramatic, but I might not survive if this isn't immediately adapted into a limited series for Netflix starring Brigette Lundy-Paine and Austin Abrams! Hollywood, if you're listening, get on this!!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

This book was a joy to read. I love Casey's previous works, and this one is no exception. I loved the discussions of happiness and gender identity and sexuality. Casey is also incredible at creating the most lovely banter and inner dialogues. Their characters always seem to feel so much, which always feels so nice to read. Highly recommend.

I was really excited to read The Pairing (loved RW&RB) and I was drawn in right away. The premise of this book is about a pairing of two people, formerly engaged, who had a falling out and reconnect by chance on their already-paid-for trip around Europe. 'The pairing' also develops a double meaning of pairing wine with food which was a neat choice.

What I liked about this book: The banter between the characters was funny and well-done, and in a way it was sort of like taking a trip around Western Europe while reading a story. Readers of CMQ who have come to expect good dialogue in a story will not be disappointed in that. The set-up of the story for the first ~40% was really great and I found myself reading along happily consuming what seemed to be a unique story about two people with a long history getting a second shot at being in each other's lives.

Where this book fell short for me: Around the halfway mark-ish it started to drag for me... it was a bunch of things at once that I think started changing the tide for me. It felt like the narration of their trip got stuck in the weeds a little at some point in southern Europe. France was fine, but I got a little tired of trying to follow the descriptions of the places in Italy (though I commend the author for really doing the homework and researching it) and quite frankly got a little bored of it. I wanted more character development at that point, I wanted to know more of how they had fallen in love originally as teens, maybe, more intimate almost-moments, and less sightsee-y stuff. And the last thing is that I kind of became disinvested in what was going to happen. They could reconcile, they could not reconcile, they could become friends, they could become lovers, I just didn't feel like the build-up and tension was there to make me really hope for the best in terms of what was going to happen, like is so common in a second-chance story. I wanted to find out; but the really rooting for them was missing.

That's all not to say this book is bad. I'm giving it a solid 3.5/5 stars. It's definitely going to appeal to a lot of people and I may very well be an outlier on my feedback. Some readers will definitely love this story, I am sure of that.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book and provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Casey McQuiston is easily one of my auto-buy authors ever since Red, White & Royal Blue, and well, this book completely continues that trend. McQuiston's name and The Pairing's plot got me hooked before I even began, and then once I started reading I was completely captivated and enthralled. It's a travel romance meets the-one-that-got-away and second chance tropes with several of spicy spice scenes (like that yacht one, ahem). Told in dual points of views, McQuiston writes with their signature compelling language that is fun, indulgent, and romantic but also authentic, honest, and vulnerable. I found myself absolutely drawn into the story and so, so, so curious to keep reading.

This book is so fun and so cute with the travel romance and the hookup competition around the world, yes, but The Pairing also has emotional depths and vulnerability. It is such a meaningful, relatable and authentic story of identity as well -- outside of a sweeping love story. It just has lots of heart.

All in all, I would highly recommend this read, for sure. McQuiston once again delivers a compelling story, an indulgent romance, some steamy spice and plenty of heart. I loved this one. It is so cute as characters Kit and Theo traipse around Europe falling back in love but also seriously discover themselves and what they want.

Wow! Even though I knew within the first ten pages how this book would end, it did not take away a single thing from this charming story. It's a bisexual European adventure full of food, wine, art, and love. I read it in one day.

I also just absolutely loved the author’s writing style. Every sentence is lush and beautiful without feeling overdone, and I loved how vividly they bring the setting to life.

Refreshingly horny in kind of an adorable and sweet way. Kit and Theo are just the cutest, most idiotic pair of pretentious, traveling, ex-lover, bi-buddies and they will make you wish you were with them, eating/praying/loving their way through Europe and finding themselves back with each other. Standard miscommunication trope is a little frustrating, but that just really contributes to the overall self-edging vibe of this book. Love what Casey McQuiston is doing for the world with her works.

Honestly, how dare this be my new favorite Casey McQuiston book. There is so much emotion in this book - it made me feel. The use of dual POV was inspiring and exactly everything it needed to be to make the story that much more compelling. I got lost in the pages and the places and the food and the banter and the humor and the characters and the pining and every other aspect of this book. McQuiston’s voice and prose throughout are absolutely lovely and it was such a treat to read.

All that said, the miscommunication between the two MCs which led to their break-up nearly took me out (in a not-good way) - it was a huge hurdle to get past. I was internally screaming at the childishness of their actions (lack thereof) that easily could have been resolved by a simple clarifying text. However, I do relate to going scorched earth in the heat of the moment so maybe I shouldn’t be one to judge. I did appreciate the growth, realistic realizations, conversations identifying their past behaviors, and mutual acknowledgment of what went wrong and why.

Big thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this arc.

This was a fun summer read. It had the European travel aspect, with lots of gorgeous cities and food. I really enjoyed Theo and Kit’s journey together, and the discovery of their original miscommunication early was a nice plus. They got to blossom together and learn to love each other in their updated selves.

I do wish some of the descriptions of the food and drinks were cut down. They’re an important element to the story, but sometimes it felt like it droned on for a bit for no reason. That kind of added to the book being a little longer than necessary.

This is my first Casey McQuiston book. I thought it was more tonally fit for a slightly younger audience, maybe more teenage and early college years.

Overall, this was a good book, with characters you can enjoy and emphathize with.

massive thanks to the publisher and to netgalley for the advanced copy!!

the only word i have for the pairing is "decadent." it was richly evocative in every new chapter, with every new place. (it also made me very hungry.)

i really loved getting to know kit and theo!! i've loved cmq's other books, but this one feels more mature. they've always been so talented at creating characters and worlds for us to fall in love with, but i really do think this one feels the most grown up. the way they talked about theo's relationship to gender.... maybe the most seen i've ever felt!!

all around it was a wonderful romp through europe. i can see how it might not be for everyone, but it definitely was for me.

There's no plot. It drags and drags, through two people longing for a former relationship, putting each other on pedestals, and then having what I can best describe as obnoxiously horny sex 24/7. There is so much sex and it becomes so incredibly boring and monotonous. They're toxic to one another, which I think is their kink, so go off queens, but it's too intimately terrible for me to be comfortable with reading. GenZ is gonna hate this book because of the gratuitous and excessive the sex. McQuiston has incorporated wonderful queer sex into their books in the past but this reads like Call Me By Your Name erotica, with both a self-insert by the author and T. Chalomet fanfiction. The characters are almost 30 but act 21 in both their lack of maturity and their horniness. There are going to be readers who absolutely look for this in their books, and no shame to them, but this is not what I expected from the description of McQuiston's previous work, I expect a lot more plot and structure than this. Their toxic behavior towards each other both during and outside of sex is uncomfortable, feeling like both self harm and intentional harm of the other person.

They're very obnoxious people, both are entitled, perfect, nepo babies and this book is trying to say "nepo babies are people too!" And, yeah, they are, but they're also incredibly privileged and rich and that removes any literary tension from the story. Like, Theo has incredibly wealthy family offering to bail them out, so where is the crisis and tension? The worst thing that has happened to these two is a miscommunication that led to a breakup. Their history doesn't feel as tragic as the author intends because there's a lot of telling and not showing of how tragic their breakup was, of how they loved each other and put one another on these incredibly high pedestals. I'm not finishing this because I'm tired of hearing Theo describe the perfection that is Kit again and again as they voyeuristically watch him.

I'm so bored. I'm so bored with all of the sex and the alcohol and the perfect privileged people whose love I can't buy into.

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!

WHAT A DELIGHT. The descriptions in this book are breathtaking, beautiful and heartfelt. Every page I felt like I was stepping into the scenery. I love these characters, I love this writing, and I love this book. Mcquinston's best by far.

To sum it up, this book will leave you hungry AND horny.

I am a sucker for well written, descriptive prose, and this book certainly delivered. The descriptions of the food and the areas being explored were so vivid I felt like I was experiencing them alongside the characters. Speaking of the characters - they were well developed and had one of those epic loves that spans across time and space that makes me melt into a pile of goo every time. I go back and forth on which main character I related to more.

Second chance romances are tough for me, because if it didn't work before why would it work now? However, Casey made the character's initial breakup make sense, and brought them back together in a way that makes them stronger than they were before, which is a tough feat to accomplish. As someone who can be quite analytical when it comes to character dynamics, the entire progression of their relationship just MAKES SENSE!

This book is also a beautiful exploration of queer love and gender expression in a way that I personally hadn't read before, which was new and refreshing. You could feel Theo grow into who they were meant to be, which is a great experience as a reader.

Overall, I give this 4.5 stars. I love Kit. I love Theo. I love a slutty Euro summer. No complaints.

3.5 rounded up for the beautiful writing.

This book reads like a travel fantasy come true: a completely immersive sensory experience as C.M. lets you feel, smell, hear and taste your way though France, Spain and Italy. The entire time I was reading it I just desperately wanted to go to all these places. Do they actually have tours like this at a reasonable price?

I enjoyed getting to know Theo and Kit and they had such a great connection and truly come alive in this story. I was rooting for them to work out their issues especially once I pieced together the clues for their HEA. This has some of my favorite tropes: childhood friends to lovers, second chance, only one bed. There is also some heavy mutual pining. The hardest thing about second chance romances is doing it well. Pulling off a believable romance and break up and then selling that it was a big enough issue to cause the split but not so big that it ruins the future. This one didn't get there for me, unfortunately. Personally my least favorite way for a couple to reconcile is by a chance encounter. It's so unromantic. This also deals heavily in a miscommunication, another least favorite thing, and lack of communication which occurs the entire book. This undersold the belief I had in their great connection and once the issue was revealed, I lost patience in the drawn out angst. (I did some skimming.) For sure, insecurities getting in our way is a universal human condition, but for Kit and Theo...I just couldn't believe it. That being said, I still will be thinking about Theo and Kit for a while to come. C.M. crafted some wonderfully memorable characters. And this story is so much more than just a romance or maybe it's that new weird category we find some many romances in these days? Finding ourselves while we find love - not "chick lit" but can this be bi-lit or nonbinary lit?

This book is so horny and sensual, the writing is immersive. If you love food and wine this book is for you! If you get offended by casual sex, this book is not for you!

It is slow paced rekindling of trust and romance mixed with growth and discovery. The wonderful imagery catapults the reader into a sort of travel fugue state. I went into this for the romance and came away inspired to travel!

This book was fantastic at showing a lot of complex emotions that occur when life gets in the way of two people meant to be together. It has brilliant depictions of struggling to fit with prescribed gender identities at birth, and handles those conversations phenomenally and nonchalantly. I love when a book can be open about things like queer relationships/gender identities and doesn’t focus on the negative side that can come with them (homophobia, transphobia, etc). I loved the book and I know anyone who reads it will become intoxicated with the incredible characters Casey has created. I think this book will inspire anyone who reads to take that leap they’ve been so afraid of. So slutty, so European, so incredibly fun to read. This book will now take over my whole brain until August when I can get my hands on a physical copy. Casey did it again and made my favorite book of theirs so far.

This book broke my heart and then put it back together. Another absolutely fantastic book by Mcquiston!