3 stars

I've read and enjoyed all of McQuiston's books, and while I wouldn't say I DISliked this book, it does not match the enjoyment I've experienced with most of the earlier efforts.

Kit and Theo have known each other for a very long time. They played important roles in each other's childhoods, entered into an intense romantic relationship, and broke up, and now it's time for some second chance romance action. While their backstory is compelling, they are somewhat challenging to encounter in the present: especially Theo, who is - at times - intolerable. Theo grapples with the very difficult situation of having famous and wealthy family members, and they just want to strike out on their own. Ugh. Okay. While some of this sentiment is relatable, it's mostly irritating to hear about and NOT exactly relatable to the masses. Theo is also a p-r-o-c-e-s-s-o-r. They both are, but it's more noticeable with Theo. This is a lengthy book - too long IMO - and in addition to cutting out some of that excessive processing and hand wringing, I'd have loved to see about 600 fewer ingredients on the menu (IYKYK). Both central characters have particular affinities for food and drink and are on a tour that centers on this subject, but at times, I felt like I was just reading someone's weekend gathering grocery list. I can recall more about what the characters were eating versus thinking or doing in multiple instances, which is not as cool as it sounds.

I really appreciated this author coming into this novel, and while this book was not my favorite by any means, I will still be clamoring to read whatever McQuiston offers up next.

*I do strongly recommend the audio version when and where accessible.

I feel drunk off this book. Casey's writing has always been special, but I'm blown away by how much more sumptuous, dynamic, and honest it has become. Kit and Theo are such incredibly fleshed out characters, and it was a joy to get to know each of them through the eyes of the other (plus it was refreshing to see a dual perspective that wasn't alternating chapters). I love their banter and their chemistry and their history and their mess and their perservering love for each other. The various settings in this book were characters themselves and I felt totally transported to each of the cities they visited. I want to print out the descriptions of food and wine from this book and hang them on my walls. This is probably my favorite thing I've read this year - I cannot wait to get my hands on a physical copy when it is released.

Big fan of this author, and while this one is great, "Red, White and Royal Blue" and "One Last Stop" are still my top two by this author. This book has messy relatable characters who had really good character development throughout the book. While I loved reading about both characters, I ultimately enjoyed Kit a bit more, mostly because of his baking skills!

The pacing was really good, and I really enjoyed that we got dual POVs for the entire book instead of just at the end as a bonus chapter. I really really felt for Kit throughout this book and definitely did not like Theo at points during this book. This time the side characters were just okay, and usually I love the side characters just as much as the main characters.

Since a lot of it takes place it Europe, this would be so much fun to read in Europe or on your way to Europe!

Thank you netgalley, the publisher and author for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This novel is framed as a romantic comedy, though that label didn’t exactly fit for me. The story centers on two bisexual exes who wind up on a food and wine tour through Western Europe. This read is a palate cleanser from McQuiston’s past work.

The premise is that these two’s relationship ended terribly. Years have passed since then, and they both have undergone growth. Now, when they meet again, they challenge each other to a hookup/f*ckboy competition to prove they're over each other. However, the sparks of their past relationship rekindle, leading to an exploration of feelings.

The story takes us on a journey through the exotic landscapes of Europe, as the two characters indulge in the pleasures of food, wine, and each other. The narrative is split between the perspectives of Theo and Kit, giving us a comprehensive view of their escapades.

McQuiston is trying to show that, like food and wine, our taste is refined by experience. They are in a place in which they can really notice and appreciate each other. Unfortunately for me, it didn’t really carry through on that thought as effectively as I would have wanted. The characters didn’t feel quite well-rounded or super likable. Despite the more explicit scenes, there was a lack of romance. They mostly hint at their romantic past. At times, the protagonists felt unrelatable—from affluent circumstances, indulgent, not overly caring for other’s feelings. It felt hedonistic yes, but also nihilistic. They felt superficial and unconnected, unempathetic. It was hard to feel a connection to these two, and therefore, it became a little hard to read about their romps repeatedly without them feeling hollow or meaningless. It was akin to listening to a self absorbed acquaintance name drop and brag about their vacation on Instagram.

This story could be a fun summer read if you feel connected to it. It didn’t quite hit that mark for this reader, but I am sure it will quench other’s appetites.

Thank you to Net Galley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC.

I enjoyed Emma and max’s narrations and the authors pairings were *chefs kiss*. However this was not my favorite of Casey’s books. I was so excited for the 3 week tasting trip but idk. I could not connect with Theo or Kit all. Overall I thought it was a cute LGBTQ read….just not the best one I read this month.

The narration of the book was really good, and I loved how the author narrated a wine, food pairing between each chapter. I enjoyed this book, it was very enjoyable going along visiting European 3 week vacation. The book is read-narrated in two different perspective. The first half was in the point of view of Theo, the second half was in the perspective of Kit. The 2nd half Kit realized that Kit wanted to use pronouns They-them. It was confusing for it to switch through the middle of the book,

This author always has the best tight, fun writing with great one liners and pop culture references. However I do think this is one of their weaker works. Nepo babies with no chemistry or thoughts except 24/7 horniness was quickly tiring.

Gahh this book is scorchingly sexy and painfully emotional and I loved it!!
Best of all - the sexiness comes not from wild sex acts, but from the intensity of being known and sharing an intimate moment with the person who knows you best in the world. Gosh I love sex scenes where characters are stripped bare physically and emotionally and revealed to each other on a journey to a relationship and these scenes made me feel so many things. Surprising no-one, Casey McQuiston knocked it out of the park with this one!

The one downside to the book was that something didn't quite gel with the emotional payoff towards the end. The pining is top-tier but because it was so great I wanted a little more of a push when they got together but it felt like they kind of slid together? Which makes sense given their history but it wasn't a swoony as I would have liked. Besides the ending feeling a bit rushed, I loved everything else about this book. If you love second chance romances and books that are gloriously queer this is the book for you!

-Bedsharing/only one room
-Pining for days!!
-Second chance romance
-Best friends to lovers to exes to lovers
-Sex-positive! - bisexuals having lots of casual sex with no slut-shaming
-the sexual tension is palpable
-the emotional angst of old intimacy is so painful I loved it 😍
-Is it Over Now? and Now That We Don't Talk by Taylor Swift in book form (if you're a 1989 TV fan you know what I mean)
-dual pov (1st half in Theo's pov and 2nd half in Kit's)

Narrator note: I loved the narrator that read Theo's parts. Emma Galvin added a wryness to their chapters that really brought out Theo's personality. However, Max Meyers' choices in Kit's chapters didn't really work for me. He decided to infuse his voice with a lot of intensity and read his lines with a constant uptilt which I think was meant to be part of an accent choice but it really threw me off and took me out of the story (which is a shame cause Kit's chapters make up a decent chunk of the story). If you have the choice I'd stick to the physical edition for the second half of this book.

Thank you Netgalley MacMillan audio and st Martin's Press for the read now earc & alc my opinions are my own. Not sure how much every book Casey writes is absolutely the greatest book then they write another. This felt like the same world as rwrb and could envision this on screen and expect to see rwrb characters on the mega yacht. They write the most incredible thoughtful and delightful characters and stories and I am sure people feel seen by their books. I will absolutely be adding a copy to my forever shelf. It was so hott!!!