These two were absolutely charming! I loved the way they met, even if it was due to Asher’s broken heart. I did feel pretty bad for Asher and the situation he was put in but I’m glad Theo (though, unknowingly) swooped in to save the day.

The vibes in this were just so fun and the premise was very entertaining. I’ve watched my fair share of reality tv, so I greatly enjoyed seeing all that similar drama in my favorite form, a book.

Asher and Theo were so cute together. And watching them realize how much they truly ended up meaning to each other after everything was so special.

I enjoyed Chip’s debut, You & I, Rewritten, so I’m not completely surprised that I enjoyed this one too. If you’re looking for an amusing, low-angst read, this one is for you.

Thank you to Putnam, Netgalley and Chip Pons for the ARC!

Interesting fake dating romance. I really wanted to like this book. Honestly, I found it a bit boring. Asher and Theo found themselves competing on a reality show pretending to be boyfriends.  Asher was recently dumped at the airport and luckily found Theo to be his partner on the reality show. Problem I had was the zero chemistry between them. I also found Asher to be insufferable. He didn't allow himself to enjoy himself like Theo did. Theo who as a pilot was told to take time off was trying to make the best of it. Also the story was too long. At 70% I was done, but I kept going to see if they got together. The ending was good though. Overall, it was okay. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for my ARC.

I adored this! I read through this in less than 24 hours and enjoyed it so much. Reality TV is a guilty pleasure and I’ve not read something that had that as part of the plot. I think that made me love this anymore. Asher and Theo were just so cute and sweet. So happy this was one of my first reads of 2025.

I went in with low expectations when I started reading this book, and I got to say that I love this book so much. The book summary didn’t do it justice. It made me hesitate to start this read. Thankfully, I did because this book is now my favorite romance read, and it also has great representation as well.

Forget about the book summary. Just read it blind, and you are going to love it. The book summary doesn’t do it justice. Asher and Theo don’t know each other until they see each other at the airport asking for favors. From there, it gets wilder and wilder when they both take the opportunity to fake date in a reality TV show. It’s a bit too much, but it’s just too messy and funny at the same time. Plus, the fake dating and close proximity between Asher and Theo make the heart flutter!

Asher and Theo may not know each other at first, but they will get to know each other more with the competition. They are a bit opposite of each other. Asher is more open and aloof at the same time. It may have to do with his recent breakup at the airport. While Theo is more reserved with his privacy, he is sociable at group events. It makes Asher and Theo's pairing more interesting. They each give something that they are both missing.

My only problem with this book was that I wanted more of it. I was so sad when it was over! I loved this book! Theo and Asher have my heart!

One of the best books I read in 2024!
I really enjoyed this and loved the characters.
I appreciated the thought out storytelling and character development.
Would highly recommend!

I was so excited to get an early copy of Chip's new book. I really enjoyed the adventure aspect and twist on reality television. I definitely think that Chip is a great writer. There were just somethings that I did not connect with or enjoy. I think I will still hope to read more from him.

what to expect:
✨ gay romance
✨ fake dating
✨ reality tv competition
✨ blonde mmc with glasses
✨ only one bed
✨ a mozzarella meet cute

I know if Chip writes it, I will read it. Reality TV competitions are my guilty pleasure so having one as a backdrop of this story made me love it even more. The steamy scenes balances out the sweet scenes and I feel like I could just read about Asher and Theo forever.

From an airport meet cute involving mozzarella sticks to all the adventures Theo and Asher go through, I never once felt bored and it never felt like a slog to get through.

⭐️: 4/5

I love a fake dating scenario, especially when it’s NOT in the workplace. The meet cute of Asher and Theo, and the way that both of their circumstances lined up perfectly in order for the plot to take place was perfectly romcom-y in a way that would NEVER happen in real life, but that’s why we read romcoms!

The slow burn of Asher and Theo falling for each other was so cute, and once they started to open themselves up to their feelings, the way that they were so respectful of the other and careful with the other’s feelings and emotions was just the sweetest. There were also parts of the book that were surprisingly spicy, but even during the spicy scenes, they were so careful with each other’s feelings, it was hard not to fall for them.

I did keep running into the issue that I couldn’t really tell Asher and Theo’s chapter voices apart. I’d be reading a chapter, and realize I had no idea who was the POV, because they were so similar. Even so, I still feel like we got a lot of background information and detail about the inner workings of Theo’s mind, but not as much about Asher, which I found a little lopsided and disappointing, because I wanted to understand them both. I also think the reality competition aspect was a little convoluted, and I think it may have been a more enjoyable plot point if it was a simpler concept with less extraneous characters mentioned exactly once.

I loved reading this book. With the fake dating, and the unrealistic but very daydreamy meet cute, what more could you ask for from a romcom? Also, mozzarella sticks 😋

Thank you to @netgalley and @putnambooks for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!!

Thanks to Putnam and NetGalley for this advanced copy!

When I saw this book announced, I was immediately excited!! I love the Amazing Race, and Chip Pons' spin on the fake dating trope sounded right up my alley. Theo and Asher were the perfect complements to each other, and I found myself rooting for them the entire time. The spice was perfect balanced (that first mutual self-care scene?!!!! Rent-free in my head) with their emotionally intimate moments, and I think this book will find a home with lovers of adventure romance and queer joy alike.

Winging It With You by

Releases June 10, 2025

Thank you @penguinbooks and @netgalley for the ARC!

Rating:

Review: First, I saw @juliesoto recently about how she read this book and loved it, so I immediately ran to netgalley to request the ARC. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed. At all. I read literally 90% of this book in one sitting. The only reason it wasn't the entire book is because I started it at 11pm and literally fell asleep with my kindle in my hand because I didn't want to stop reading it. I loved the character development we see both Theo and Asher go through, I loved the amazing race vibe of the book (and I loved that it didn't ever feel like it was over powering the story or romance). Definitely add this to your tbr, you won't regret it

Synopsis: Asher Bennet thought his relationship was just fine. Until he’s unceremoniously dumped at the Boston airport ahead of the world-wide travel competition reality show, The Epic Trek. Armed with only a ticket and righteous indignation, Asher finds the closest solace he can: a mimosa and mozzarella sticks combo at an airport TGI Fridays. Still, Asher is determined to find a new partner and luckily, right in front of him is a smooth-talking airline pilot ready for takeoff. 

Theo Fernandez has been grounded. He’s the only pilot that has never taken a vacation and the edict has been passed prove you're prioritizing a work-life balance or say goodbye to your wings. As he struggles to bask in his new downtime, without reconnecting with his family, he stumbles upon the perfect opportunity. The handsome guy who "stole" his mozzarella sticks at his favorite terminal eatery has a sudden opening for a partner . . . on a nationally televised reality show.

Theo and Asher buckle up to fake date for the cameras, but as they do the undercurrents of attraction make them wonder if their on-screen chemistry hints at something bigger. Do they have the courage to leave behind their baggage, and wing it together for another chance at love?

Winging It With You
Chip Pons
Five stars

Thank you Putnam for this eARC of one of my top anticipated books of 2025!

Let’s start right off the bat by saying that this book IS SO FUN!
Between the hilarious one liners, the countless adventures and games, and the insane chemistry between Theo and Asher, this book has something for everyone!

Our first male lead Asher has been planning and saving for months to be a contestant on a popular game show called Epic Trek, where duos take on the challenge of traveling around the world to different locations to compete in an array of challenges all for a grand prize of 1 Million dollars! Except, when it comes to finally take off for their show, Ashers longterm partner Clint breaks up with him at the ticket counter in the airport. Feeling frustrated and determined, Asher leaves Clint behind and seeks to figure out a way he can still compete in the show as he has big dreams of creating an Own Voices in STEM program for the LGBTQIA+ students in his community.

Insert our second male lead, Theo Fernandez. Theo, a former naval pilot now airplane pilot, has been grounded due to his lack of vacation and extensive overtime hours and as fate would have it, meets Asher at the airpot TGIFridays over a basket of mozzarella sticks. Luckily for Asher, Theo agrees to be his fake boyfriend for the filming of the show and the two take off on weeks of adventure, only one bed, and some seriously steamy chemistry.

I’ll tell you that THE Theo Fernandez Effect is SO real! He’s so smooth and charming. Constantly smirking his beautiful smile and going along with the flow so effortlessly, you’d never believe him and Asher aren’t a real couple. Asher on the other hand, our over anxious, constantly strategizing little Type A is a bundle of nerves until it comes to be comfort that Theo provides. These two fit like pieces of a puzzle. Ying and Yang. Watching them from from strangers to friends, to something more than friends and eventually lovers was just so heartwarming.

Chip does an amazing job of mixing the fun with the serious in all his books. Asher needs to come to terms with his actions with his past relationship and how he allowed Clint to erode his personality, his wants, and his relationship values so badly, leaving Asher with no real sense of identity. Theo, after experiencing a terrible discharge from his military career needs to learn to trust again and accept himself as a gay man despite never fully coming out to his supportive and loving family.

The locations and challenges were all so well thought out! I felt like I was watching a tv show rather than reading a book! Each chapter was either a new POV ( we get Asher and Theo’s) or a new location, making this a fast paced story that had you itching for more. While the story takes place over several weeks, you really feel the characters grow separately as well as together. The complexity to their personalities and background were so deep and rich that by the end of this story I felt as if Asher and Theo could be real life people. And our side characters- while their parts may be small they were definitely big, descriptive, and fully fleshed out individuals that brought so much to the story.

This story will surely be THE book of the summer in 2025 as queer joy should not only be represented, but celebrated and Chip 100% delivers with this MM Romance!

♾️⭐️ for this book 🥹🫶🏼

“Sometimes, a life detour comes along when you least expect it. And if you are brave enough to lean into it, that little detour - or the right person - can change everything. Like Theo has. Like only he could.”

I had the absolute honor of getting to beta read this book for Chip at the end of 2022 and following along on his journey with getting it traditionally published. I’ve read multiple versions of it, some with a completely different title, but one thing never changed - the wonderful love story that is Asher and Theo.

I don’t think I could love two book characters more. The “Amazing Race” themed challenge really pushes these two, basically strangers, through a whirlwind of challenges all around the world, and opens them up to the type of love they’ve both been looking for their entire lives.

Maybe one day I’ll be able to fully express how much this book means to me and the way these characters and their story will live rent free in my head forever - but for now, all I can say is to just read it. This book is likely to become one of your new favorites.

i really enjoyed Chip’s debut novel, so I was thrilled to get this! this book is perfect for those looking for a steamy, fake-dating romance where the two characters use their fake scenario to really uncover their own personal truths.

i think Asher and Theo work really well together as a romantic pair. they have enough differences to create a great bit of pining and tension, but are also able to see where they can meet each other in the middle and really bond. oh, and the banter is great!

but i really loved Theo. i think he’s a fascinating character and has lived quite the life. it was great to get to know him with every page.

it works like that for the two of them. the characters and romance at first play into the tropes you’re looking for, but the deeper it all gets, the more layers we find to these people and it makes the experience all the better. it’s really impressive!

this book has everything you’re looking for when you pick it up. as someone who always wanted to compete on The Amazing Race, the adventure show back drop really heightened my enjoyment of this story.

and, yes, it has all the fun adult stuff you’re looking for. and the best part was these moments and scenes were presented in a way that was authentic to queer people and their experiences.

i’ll say it forever: it will forever be important to read queer books by queer people.

loved this a lot, and you’re in for a treat.

This was a decent, cute, run of the mill MM romance. I found it a little slow at times but I did enjoy both of the main characters and thought they were cute together.

I absolutely adored this book! It was the perfect book to start off the new year. Love Asher & Theo's meet cute so much! Totally different and unexpected. Loved being a fly on the wall while they "fell" for each other. I was smiling and so happy the whole time i was reading this story. I'm sad that I finished the book already. I'm not ready to let these 2 go!

I’ve been waiting for this book for almost a year now, ever since it was announced, and I loved every minute! Theo and Asher have my entire heart and I want more of them! I think that’s my only critique - I wanted more. When the book ended, it felt unfinished. Pieces felt a little rushed, like there was more to each of their stories that could have been teased out a bit. I will read anything Chip writes, honestly, and I can only hope his next book is as heartwarming as this one!

If Chip writes it, I’m going to read it & chances are (like actually 100%) I’m going to love it.

Winging It With You was such an enjoyable read full of laughs, swoon, spice, and raw emotions. Chip does such a nice job of weaving raw topics into his romance novels & his writing style is full of passion!

WIWY follows Asher & Theo on their journey competing in The Epic Trek. With this comes their story of fake dating, lots of one bed moments, and frequent “is this real or fake?” inner thoughts. What more could you want in a romance book?

10/10 recommend this book!

this was SO good. when asher gets dumped right before leaving to compete in a reality tv show (similar vibes to the amazing race) he’s stuck trying to find someone to be his fake boyfriend before take off. luckily for him, he crosses paths with a grounded airline pilot (theo) who was told he has to get his work-life balance under control before he can come back. they have to figure out a way to fake-date in front of the world as they compete for the million dollar prize.

this was SUCH a unique premise, i don’t think i’ve seen another romance novel where they’re partners on a competition show?? theo was such a sweetheart & asher was a bit of an anxious grump, i love them both with my whole soul. sweet and surprisingly steamy, this was a perfect book to wrap up my 2024. i already downloaded the author’s debut novel, i want every single bit of chip pons’ writing memorized okay?

i’m already recommending this to anyone & everyone i see, so get your preorders ready for june 10, 2025!!

thank you so so much to NetGalley & Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC!!

If I could give this infinity stars, I would without a single hesitation. The way the author has the ability to describe the scene to the point of me feeling like I can even smell what the characters smell is seriously something I have never experienced with any other authors writing. The humor was top notch and the serious emotions and topics throughout brought on the tears multiple times. I wish there would have been a more in depth conclusion to the very minor story line of the producer, but even how it was wrapped up was great.

I now have added multiple things to my bucket list after reading about #Thasher’s adventures around the world.