I could not get into this story. I appreciate that it will resonate for others, but it was not for me. The narrators felt right for it though.

Given the promising premise of exes reuniting on a European food and wine tour, I had high hopes for *The Pairing: Special 1st Edition*. However, the book fell short of my expectations. I found myself struggling with the characters' dynamic. Theo and Kit's back-and-forth tension didn't quite land for me, and while I could see how their chemistry was meant to be the heart of the story, it felt more like a series of repeated conflicts rather than meaningful growth. Their snarky banter and the wager between them never really resonated as charming or playful—it felt forced.

I wasn't entirely sold on the way the story developed, either. The premise of their shared vacation should have been the perfect setting for rekindling something more profound. Still, instead, it turned into a predictable cycle of rivalry and shallow hookups that didn't offer much emotional payoff. It was hard for me to get behind their journey when the narrative focused more on their antics than on real emotional depth or healing.

On a more positive note, Emma Galvin and Max Meyers' narration was fantastic. They brought the characters to life in a way that helped me push through the slower parts of the story. Galvin's ability to convey Theo's sarcasm and Meyers' portrayal of Kit's wit gave the book a livelier feel. Still, despite the solid performance, I couldn't shake the feeling that the story missed the mark.

This book was too long for me. It was incredibly horny, like way too horny (negative) in a way that was unrealistic. It was queer and bi (positive) and celebrated gender fluidity in a way that felt safe. But it was chock full of stereotypes about Europeans and tourists and we went to far too many places with different stories and wines and food. We could have had like 3-4 fewer stops on our tour and I would have liked it better. On the positive side, it was decadent and rich and indulgent and that was very fun. I like McQuiston’s books but maybe I’ll try their next one.

✔️ Second Chance
✔️ Childhood Friends
✔️ Love on Vacation
✔️ One Bed

The longing and pining is beautifully written and the narration captured the emotion perfectly. I especially loved Theo - there was something so vulnerable in how the words were read. The slight quiver kept breaking my heart.

It's paced well - it's a book I enjoyed listening to at 1x. I didn't want to speed through any of it!

Reposting portions of my review of the ebook below:

I love a read where the couple used to be best friends and have to figure out how to be around each other again. Their breakup was painful so there is a ton of angst and pining and sorting through feelings then and now.

All the descriptions of food, drink, locations and their feelings were superb - I could practically feel the summer heat; I drooled over the descriptions of food - texture and flavor; I ached at all the emotion and all the love that was buried and now coming back to light.

I think this is my first chaotic bisexual read and I'm here for it.

If you loved People We Meet on Vacation or Slow Dance or The Ex Vows, this is another second chance friends to lovers that just tugs hard on your heartstrings, but only to propel you to the swooniest swoon.

Steam 🔥🔥🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕💕💕

Thank you to the publisher for granting me a digital ARC of both the book and the audiobook. I’ll admit, I was hesitant to pick this one up. Unpopular opinion time: I didn’t love Red, White & Royal Blue as much as the rest of the world did. However, I absolutely adored One Last Stop and was incredibly disappointed by I Kissed Shara Wheeler. But McQuiston has been very public about their inspiration for this book on social media, and sharing snippets worked—my curiosity was piqued. So, I went in both excited and hesitant.

As the publication date approached, I still hadn’t started it until one day, someone whose book opinions I value raved about it. The fact that she called it "literature" had me intrigued. So I dove in, and almost immediately encountered the phrase, “a stranger whose perineum I could describe from memory.” I cracked up, took a screenshot, and sent it to her with the words, “Literature, you say.” But honestly, even though it didn’t feel like literature at that point, I was already hooked by Theo’s story, even as I struggled to find the so-called “literature.” Then came the shocking POV switch, and Kit’s side of the story blew me away. Plus, the heavy sprinkles of Rilke quotes definitely helped elevate things.

This book revels in the hedonism of the main characters, and it was a vicarious pleasure to read—even as certain events (and characters) frustrated me. At one point, I thought, "If cock-block was a book, this would be it." Seriously, I have never been more annoyed by a horn, and I’ve had my fair share of run-ins with air horns in life.

Knowing McQuiston and knowing myself, Theo’s big reveal wasn’t shocking, considering all the clues peppered throughout the book. But even though Theo’s POV felt a bit weaker compared to Kit’s, it was still a compelling read from start to finish. Plus, the supporting characters, though some bordered on stereotypes, were a lot of fun.

Overall, I’m giving this book five stars. If you want to lose yourself in a world of gorgeous locations, good food, good drinks, and mostly good sex—this is the book for you!

Theo and Kit were childhood best friends who grew to have crushes on each other. While in college, their feelings became known and they got together. They planned a fantastic European vacation tour but broke up when they got to Europe before the tour started. Four years later, they haven't spoken to each other but end up using their deferred tour tickets for the same trip. Now they're stuck with each other on a food and wine tour for three weeks. To prove to each other (and themselves) that there is nothing left between them, Kit and Theo decide to have a competition about who can have the most hookups while on the trip.

This book was not for me. The level of miscommunication, meaning an entire relationship built on miscommunication, was too much. I didn't like the way they treated each other and could not route for them to get back together. I did like the food and wine descriptions though, that's what kept me reading to the end. I really enjoyed other books by Casey McQuiston so I may have had higher expectations but it was not a story I enjoyed. The dual audio narration was very good.

usually I really like Casey mcquiston but this one just didn’t do it for me. The characters were hard to relate to and it just didn’t find myself excited to pick this up. I dnfed this at 40%

This was such a fun book. This might be a hot take, but I actually thought the wine pairings at the start of each chapter didn’t really add anything to the story. I did enjoy Kit and Theo and watching their relationship unfold amidst a cast of quirky side characters.

This was such a cute story!

These two childhood best friends became lovers then enemies after a devastating breakup. They realize how much they miss and need each other by having an accidental meet cute in Europe because of some unused vouchers they never used when they were together.

They wind up taking their solo trips together and find they can manage being friends... until they realize they can't.

Absolutely loved. Not only is Casey McQuiston an amazing writer but she is a fantastic narrator. She really nails the characters voices. Recommending this to patrons who love queer romances.

McQuiston delivers their trademark charm yet again! These are their messiest characters yet, for sure, but I enjoyed them nonetheless. What a lovely second chance romance--and all the food descriptions made me so hungry!

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and Casey McQuiston for an advance listening copy of The Pairing in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved Casey McQuiston novels and this one did not disappoint! We find ourselves listening to the story of Theo & Kit as they travel around Europe on the same trip they were supposed to take years ago when they were a couple. This is a very steamy and atmospheric novel that really made me fill like I was eating & drinking my way through Europe with them. I do wish the story was a little bit shorter but the narrator did do a fantastic job of keeping my interest with their voice and the way they brought the scene to life in my head. This one is out now!

Parts of this book I loved. And then other parts I really did not. Hard to review in this instance. So I will just say, it had potential to be an excellent read and I don't regret reading. Just felt like I wanted something more.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press for an eARC and MacMillan Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Theo and Kit were best friends in childhood, roommates in early adulthood, and romantic partners for two years. They haven’t spoken since they were blown apart by one terrible argument en route to Paris for a trip of a lifetime. Now, almost four years later, they each decide to redeem their re-scheduled trip voucher before the expiration date, not knowing that the other person had the same idea. First, they decide to stick it out and peacefully coexist as they travel together. Later, they set up a “friendly” wager for who can accumulate the most hookups along the way. As they get caught up in the romance of the tour - the food, the wine, the beautiful scenery, and the people - Kit and Theo begin to realize that this trip will bring more than either of them had bargained for.

I had fun with this story. Vacation romance tropes, if handled poorly, can come across as shallow to the reader. The Pairing sidesteps this issue by giving the main characters a robust shared backstory. Theo and Kit’s experiences in the present are deftly interwoven with memories spanning decades of friendship. I wanted to be sitting alongside Theo and Kit, not just for the escapist aspect of a three-week European food and wine tour, but because they were interesting yet flawed characters, each with a chance to tell their side of the story. I’ve written before about how dual-perspective romance novels can struggle with “hiding the mystery”. McQuiston handles this by giving each character 50% of the novel; Theo takes the first half, Kit covers the second. I liked how McQuiston handled the transition from Theo to Kit, but selfishly, I found myself missing Theo in the later chapters; I identified with them more, and it felt like they had more space for growth over the course of the novel.

What kept this from being a 5-star book for me was that I felt it took the escapist aspect a bit too far at times. This international trip likely cost thousands of dollars, given all the high-end food and wine the characters were drinking and the 15 separate stops across four countries. I needed to “turn off my brain” in order to believe Theo and Kit were able to afford such a tour in their early twenties, at the start of their careers. Also, I felt that it was unnecessary for every non-coupled side character to have a conquest of sorts during the novel. While these ancillary characters didn’t *need* to have their own arcs, I would have liked McQuiston to include more room for non-romantic growth in these side characters, for variety’s sake.

I read this book through both ebook and audiobook formats. Since the story takes place during an international tour, there were a lot of accents the narrators had to contend with, basically from the beginning: American English, London English, Scandinavian, Irish, Italian, French, and Australian, all within the first few chapters. The narrators seem to take it in stride. Emma Galvin’s tomboyish, gruff voice makes Theo instantly endearing. I rooted for them from the start. As a result, Max Meyers had big boots to fill, and he did reasonably well. His lighter, more musical timbre lends credibility to the sensitivity of Kit’s character. I think the book would be equally enjoyable in print or in audio.

This novel was advertised as “hot bisexual summer”, and I figured I was in for some surface-level, spicy fun. I’m pleased to say this book goes beyond that. In The Pairing, the connection between the two main characters felt more genuine than many of the hetero romance novels I’ve read recently, and that’s no bad thing. I think any fan of contemporary fiction wanting to dip a toe into queer romance will find The Pairing a great entry point to the genre. This was my first foray into Casey McQuiston’s work, but it won’t be my last.

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Casey McQuiston, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for the e-ARCs in exchange for an honest review.**

This book was filled with so much longing and pining, I’m absolutely obsessed. I especially love the nonbinary representation. Casey McQuiston is incredible at queer romance.

Thank you Publisher and Netgalley for this advanced copy

I hate the story, but I love the narrator. The characters are anoyying, same goes to the plot and the weriting style

The pairing
4.5/5
Vibes: 🥐🇫🇷🍲🍷🇮🇹🚌❤️‍🩹✈️
POV: 👀 I don’t wanna say because I feel like it’s a spoiler? Just wow

Read this is you love food, wine, and travel.

Synopsis: Exes go on a wine tour through Europe

Themes & Tropes:
-Childhood friends to lovers to exes to lovers again
-Forced proximity
-Pop culture references
-Slutty contests
-LGBTQ+ rep
-Privileges and fame
-cultures and travel

Some quotes:
“You are expansive”
“I’m working on it. Ask me again tomorrow”

Audiobook notes: the chapter headings read by the author, the music, the sound mixing. Sensational!!

Roses:
-the way Kit talks about his love and attraction to Theo. “She has everything I’ve ever wanted” "I don’t know if I’m queer and I love Theo or I am queer because I love Theo."
“The beginning” CHILLS
-The interchangeable use of pronouns for Theo was so effortless and easy. I didn't get confused while reading either! Loved the normalizing of it.
-it was both spicey and not at all? But definitely very slutty in the best way.

Thorns:
-how are they affording this trip when they are constantly talking about how broke they are !!! I’m assuming Theo’s sister paid for it or they are using their trust funds but it is driving me maaaaddd. A trip like this would cost $8k-10k easy. Stop complaining and enjoy this beautiful trip omg

This is my third book by the author but might be my last because I haven't really enjoyed the characters in the last two. Sorry to say because I know so many people love the writing and inclusion of characters. Maybe my age and demographics make a difference in what I enjoy reading and spending my time absorbing. Thanks NetGalley for allowing me to review with my own opinions about the novel.

3.5/5 Stars

Theo and Kit are exes and haven't seen each other in over four years after a messy break up. They accidently book the same European food and wine tour, and challenge each other to a hook up competition.

I liked how the first half of the book was from Theo's POV and the second half was from Kit. It allowed for us to see inside both of their heads, and learn more about how they were feeling towards one another. I think both of them went through a lot of growth through out the story, and I liked watching them reconnect with one another. I do think the reasoning behind the breakup was a bit weak once it was revealed. Their issues could have been resolved in literally one conversation with each other. I also thought that the hook-up competition got very repetitive very quickly. I did really like the setting of the European countries and all the food they were getting to taste left my mouth watering, it all sounded so delicious.

Not my favourite of Casey's books, but still an enjoyable read!

This was so disappointing. I absolutely LOVED RWARB like many others, so I had a lot of hope for this one. Especially with two bi main characters, a European background, and the focus on wine and food. However, this fell so flat.

Plot: The plot was pretty much non-existent here. Second chance romances I suppose are just not for me, especially when all of the romance and building is done years and years ago off page. There was no tension building or real background together as characters to make me care about them or want them to get back together. All of their scenes together are about sex, will be about sex, are jokes about sex, or they are having sex. WE GET IT YOU'RE HORNY. I need more substance in my romances than just characters that have good sexual chemistry. If you are only going into this for meaningless smut, and that is it, then definitely pick this up. I was also hopeful that the European background and the food and wine elements would bring some wanderlust elements to this. However, these elements did not do anything for me or the plot. They were...simply there. This was the least romantic romance I've ever read.


Characters: As I mentioned, there is no real plot. But I can easily get over that and enjoy a good character study if the characters are likable. But they were most definitely not. Theo is a nepo baby refusing to acknowledge that they are a nepo baby. But in a backward way where they won't accept the help they absolutely need. The main issue they are trying to overcome throughout the novel is that they are unable to finish anything that matters to them because they are scared, BUT in the end, they walk away AGAIN from the one thing they had been working toward. Growth?? No. Kit's only personality trait is that he bakes, is French, and is dreamy. That's it. Side characters are very important to me. They make the world seem more real and direct the characters when they are lost in the plot. But none of the supplementary characters here made any impression on me. They were all forgettable...and they were in abundance. Why and how is it that literally every single person Kit and Theo meet wants to have sex with them within the first five minutes? Flat characters, no building. It also painted Europeans in a tasteless way, only caring about hookups since again, everyone they meet wants to sleep with them. The main point of this story was their hookup competition, but that was just so annoying and childish to me. For reference, these characters are 28! This bet seems like something 18-year-olds would do. Grow up and have a conversation!


Really expected more here, especially after hearing Casey talk about it herself at a book signing.


2.5/5 stars.