3.75⭐️

As a longtime fan of The Amazing Race, I was completely swept away by this epic, adventurous story of self love, family, and second chances.

Asher and Theo’s growth as individuals was so raw, authentic, and relatable. As someone who doesn’t always love a strangers to lovers story because love happens so quickly, I really appreciated the more realistic ending filled that was centered around hope - the hope of healing, new beginnings, and finding that person your heart can call home.

The thing that made me groan was the breakup. Not the breakup itself because I DO think there was value in Asher and Theo taking a step back - there was immense healing and awareness that took place in that time apart - but in the way the breakup came about… ughhh!!! I wanted to rage at those individuals.

Ultimately, I had a delightful time with this story and am looking forward to reading more from Chip!

“Don’t apologize for something you love, Asher. For something that makes you you.”

Sure, they say don’t judge a book by its cover, but no one ever said not to judge a book by its author right? Because that’s exactly what happened when I requested @booksovrbros newest novel #WingingItWithYou. Don’t believe me, click on his handle. That’s an attractive man, and I have some weaknesses! As a horror and fantasy lover, spicy romance books aren’t normally my jam, but new year, new things, yeah? What I expected to be another fluffy bookstagram romcom turned out to be heartfelt look about how sometimes in relationships we become a version of ourselves we don’t like or recognize, and the power of what happens when someone sees through that.

Asher finds himself dumped at the airport just as him and his partner are headed off on a world-trekking reality competition. Theo, a pilot with a work-life balance issue, has just been grounded for a month due to overworking. A chance meeting at a terminal TGIFridays leads to Asher and Theo going on a first date of a lifetime. As they work to make their relationship appear real on camera, off-camera both men just might be finding something in the other one they’re willing to let their guards down for.

While definitely a feel good read, there are real moments of reflection in the characters that definitely resonate with any reader who has ever found themselves fighting for or against feelings for someone. Theo’s family relationship and Asher’s sense of personal stagnation are sure to hit a bit too close to home for some gay readers. A supporting cast of quirky characters makes for some cute moments, even if the pacing of the story is sometimes too fast for the reader to keep up with.

And did I mention spicy? This book is spicy in the best way. Kudos, Chip, kudos.

#WingingItWithYou is definitely going to be a book of the summer, so be sure to pick up your copy when it comes out! Special thanks to @netgalley and @putnambooks for the eARC!

Chip Pons is yet to miss. I absolutely adored this book. I loved the characters as individuals as well as the dynamic they formed as a couple. As someone who doesn't often get the urge to read a romance book, this absolutely scratched the itch for me. This was an elevated version of Pons' first book, and he is officially an auto buy author for me.

"If traveling the world together has taught me anything, it's that the feeling of home doesn't always have to be a place. Melting into Theo, I know without any reservation or nagging uncertainty that if you're lucky, home can be a person."

I absolutely loved this book! I was hooked from the moment Theo and Asher met in the airport. Following their adventure on the Epic Trek was so fun. From fake dating, sharing a bed, and competing in challenges, it was great to see how their relationship evolved over time; especially since they started as complete strangers. Their chemistry throughout the book was palpable. I liked that we got both characters point of view about each other and the adventure that they were on. The side characters in the book are also wonderful. I liked getting to know some of the other teams competing on the show along with Asher and Theo. I will forever be a Chip Pons fan and can't wait to read what's next.

Thanks to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for a copy of this ARC.

OMG!!! This book had me SOBBING!! There were a few obvious inconsistencies at the beginning of the book, which I am attributing to this being an eARC. But the plot, and the writing style are SO GOOD!! I was a bit hesitant when I got to the Third Act Breakup, just because I know that Chip's previous book didn't have one. But this Third Act Breakup was done super well! I liked that we were able to see inside the minds of each of the characters, so that we feel for them as people, not as just flat creatures on a page. Thanks you for writing happy, queer romance!! The entire queer community thanks you for this glorious act.

What an easy read, great pallet cleanser.
Love how dramatic and cute is the MMC and the crazy decisions he makes .

Asher Bennett is gearing up to star in The Epic Trek (a reality travel show) with his boyfriend, Clint, when his world is flipped upside down. Clint not only drops out of the show—an idea he came up with—but also breaks up with Asher. Devastated but determined, Asher drowns his sorrows in mimosas and mozzarella sticks while figuring out his next move.

Enter Theo Fernandez, a pilot grounded due to maxed-out flight hours and a mandate to prove he has a work-life balance. When Asher snags the last plate of mozzarella sticks at the bar, sparks fly, and a deal is struck: Theo agrees to join Asher on The Epic Trek as his new partner, pretending to be his boyfriend.

As they navigate the challenges of the competition, Asher and Theo must juggle fake dating, undeniable chemistry, and their emotional baggage from past relationships. The result? A heartfelt, sizzling journey filled with humor, vulnerability, and a little chaos.

I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of Chip Pons’ latest novel! Having adored his debut, You & I, Rewritten, I had high hopes—and this book absolutely delivered. I couldn’t put it down! Asher and Theo are pure relationship goals, and the steamy moments were perfection—truly “chef’s kiss.” The side characters added a delightful dose of humor, perfectly balancing the emotional tension.

Chip Pons has cemented his place as an auto-buy author for me. I can’t wait to see what he writes next!

Thank you to Putnam and NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review.

this was SUCH a fun book!!

it had me hooked from start to finish, i was a little hesitant on how things would go as they started as complete strangers and had to shack up together but found very quickly that the worries were for nothing. i had a great time reading this, there wasnt a point where i was bored and i just loved these two together🤭

this is one of those reads where i really hope it gets picked up in the future as i think it would make a great show!! i very much look forward to reading more of Chips books :)

When Asher gets dumped by his boyfriend at the airport, he thinks that his chances to be on a reality traveling competition show are over... until he meets Theo. Theo is a pilot who works too much, and his employer is forcing him to take a vacation. They meet at the airport T.G.I. Friday's, and they strike up a deal: Asher will share his mozzarella sticks with Theo, if Theo agrees to be his partner and fake boyfriend on the show.

As Asher and Theo embark on this journey, they have to quickly learn about each other to make their fake dating seem real. Asher is a biomedical engineer, and he thinks that talking about his job is boring, but Theo loves to see Asher's enthusiasm for his work. Soon, they are sharing one bed and discovering that their fake dating is turning real. Their banter is so much fun!

I loved all of the quirky side characters on the competition show, and it was fun to read about all of the challenges (except for the snake one! That was creepy!). The story was dual POV, and it gets spicy!

Thanks to NetGalley and Putnam Books for an ARC of this book.

📚Winging It with You by Chip Pons 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Chip Pons has a fabulous voice with great, witty remarks, which made me laugh out loud several times while reading his debut novel. ✈️ Winging It with You is almost an adventure rom-com🙂 and I love anything remotely close to Adventure. ❤️‍🔥Two beautiful men, Theo and Asher, race around the world while competing on a TV show similar to The Amazing Race, and fall in love. What's not to love here? 💗 It’s fun and spicy, has tender and heartbreaking moments, and some fantastic settings. 🍅 Some challenges Theo and Asher faced made me a bit scared🐍🫣, but others made me swoon when they helped or comforted each other. 💘I bet this novel will be one of summer's most noticed vacation reads.

I can't wait to read the next Chip Pons novel.

You can pre-order it now. Release date: June 10, 2025.


Tropes:
🥰 Fake Dating
🎞️ Reality-TV Romance
❣️Forced proximity
👨‍❤️‍💋‍👨 Strangers to Lovers
🧑‍✈️ Pilot
🛏️ Only One Bed
🏕️ Adventure

Thank you, @netgalley and @penguinbooks, for the ARC.

Fair warning, I am a sucker for that (seemingly) super niche subgenre that pairs reality TV and romance. And boy did this book deliver! Theo and Asher have to be one of my all-time favorite couples in romance literature, and their chemistry is sizzling from almost the first encounter. While the "fake boyfriend" trope won't be everyone's cup of tea, it more than worked here for me. I also appreciated how serious topics (like homophobia in the armed services) were treated respectfully. The book balances the serious, with the silly very well. Anyone who loves love will love this book!

Please note that this ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by Chip Pons and I was super impressed. I’ve never read a gay romance before but it was full of all the sparks and warm fuzzies that I would hope for. I loved Theo and Asher! I loved how their personalities were so different, but they worked together so perfectly. I think Chip did an amazing job integrating their past pains and fears and how they helped each other overcome them to be a better couple together. I also really enjoyed the premise of the story- the reality TV show, the other competitors, Theo’s family… it was all so heartwarming and sweet.

4.5 stars rounded up!

What a fun read! As someone who grew up religiously watching The Amazing Race, I never knew this is exactly what I needed!

Theo and Asher are thrown into this crazy world of a reality show while pretending to be crazy for each other, only having just met in an airport Fridays. From then on, they grow together as the figure out what got them to where they are, and what they want from their future.

Overall, this characters were well rounded. They both had their flaws and fears, but over time they both were apologetically themselves, which I absolutely love. At times, the connection between the two made some jumps, because some of the elements of the show, which was the plot device that bought them together was absent.

Overall, such a fun read! Thanks to Putnam Books and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions!

My favorite read of the year so far. Chip has grown as a writer from his previous book and I loved every minute. I got about 60% in and went ahead and pre-ordered the audiobook because I know I’ll want an audio re-read. Chip has written a story with complex characters each carrying their own baggage from their past. I loved the reality show aspect and watching their story unfold throughout. I generally will rate a book highly if I cannot put it down, and I couldn’t wait to finish this one. There’s also a feeling only a well written romance novel can inspire, and this book has it. The butterflies were floating about. I will be recommending this book to anyone who will listen!

This was a really fun read. It admittedly started off a bit like I was suspending belief in realistic situations with a dramatic airport breakup, but I was very quickly engaged in the developing relationship between the characters, and the dynamics of the Epic Trek. While Asher's heartbreak is clear from the get-go, learning Theo's background and seeing him open up brought the emotional depth to the story. It was engrossing to alternate between POV and see the characters grown in their relationship.

I even appreciated that the third-act breakup gave us a chance to meet Theo's family. While I wasn't very invested in the other contestants and crew during the Epic Trek portion, I found myself drawn to all of Theo's relatives and really loved the setting of his childhood home. Seeing their acceptance and love was a nice wrap-up to that portion of the story. Overall, enjoyable read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for access to the eARC.

If you're a fan of The Amazing Race this is the romance book for you! After an airport meet-cute two strangers, Asher Bennett & Theo Fernandez, find themselves pretending to be dating on a travel TV show. Asher is hoping to win prize money to start a LGBTQ STEM program and show his ex up, and Theo is needing to show the airline he works for that he can have a work life balance.

This book has so many fun romance tropes: fake dating, forced proximity, grumpy sunshine, and only one bed so I felt like there's something in the book for most readers to enjoy. I'd classify this as a rom-com, but I do like that the story touched on heavier themes like homophobia and queer experiences in the military.

The chapters start with including the location they're currently in, but I also wish they included either how many days they've been traveling or what the episode number was since it was hard for me to keep track of how much time had passed. Not being sure of how much time had passed made the story start to trend slow for me in the second half until you get to the over dramatic, unnecessary, miscommunication filled third act break-up. I'm glad that following that we got to see more of Theo and his backstory and his family dynamics, since I feel like the first half of the book goes through Asher's character arc, but I feel like Theo's story could have come full circle in a way that didn't leave me going "really?!?!"

Thank you Putnam and NetGalley for an ARC of Winging It With You!

Oh my gosh. This book was somehow incredibly fun and light-hearted while also being super romantic and heavy. I am obsessed with how Asher and Theo met. It's an epically cheesy (hahaha) meet-cute. Get it? Cheesy. 🫣 This story tackled alot of part family trauma, and other things the characters have had weighing them down. But it handled it with the utmost card and concern while also delivering a beautiful and fun story.

The TV show tasks were my absolute favorite parts. 🤣 I loved giggling with the characters (or sometimes at). The side characters were a dream cast. Well 👀 most of them. IYKYK.

IM SO HONORED THAT I HAD THE CHANCE TO READ THIS EARLY. THANK YOU DADDY PUTNAM! 🤭

Asher y su novio iban a competir en el programa de viajes The Epic Trek y con el dinero del premio, Asher planeaba iniciar un programa de ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería y matemáticas para estudiantes LGBTIQ+. Sin embargo, el novio rompió con él el día del viaje, dejándolo lamentándose en el aeropuerto.
Theo es un piloto que no tiene vida social y trabaja en exceso, superando durante varios meses las horas permitidas. Por ello, su jefe le da unas vacaciones obligatorias, en las que debe enviar evidencia de que realmente está descansando y realizando actividades de relajación.

Ambos se conocen por unos palitos de mozzarella. Theo los quería tanto que le dijo a Asher que haría lo que fuera si él le daba unos. Asher vio la oportunidad de encontrar otro compañero para poder competir y Theo vio la oportunidad de seguir las ordenes de su jefe.
Durante varias semanas, ambos tendrán que fingir ser novios, confiar el uno en el otro y conocerse íntimamente. ¿Los sentimientos que desarrollarán serán verdaderos o producto de su actuación?



La historia estuvo entretenida. Me dio mucha risa que todo comenzara por un bocadillo. Theo quería tanto esos palitos que aceptó irse de viaje con un desconocido y aparecer en la televisión.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

**Thank you to Penguin and NetGalley for the ARC**

I’m a sucker for a fake boyfriend troupe if the situation can be made to feel plausible. Who also doesn’t like a meet cute over mozzarella sticks?
The characters were sweet, the reality show premise was fun, and there’s a big shocking moment at the end.

I do wish we got a leader board update for the game show at the beginning of each chapter, so we knew earlier what everyone’s score was in the game. I also think there was a problem keeping track of phones throughout the book. At one point we are told the contestants have their phone taken by production and the boys using Jo’s phone is a major plot point, then all of a sudden they have their phones back in tourist locations. In the

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

Winging it With You • Chip Pons ( @booksovrbros )

Been a minute since I posted and you can blame my reading slump for that. This book might have cured me though.

I got approved for the ARC this morning (thank you @putnambooks !!!!!), started it right after work at 5 and just finished it before the clock hits 8:30. Because I could not put it down.

What an absolutely fun and sexy rom com. I’m blown away. And it’s got all my favorite tropes (fake dating, only one bed) and it’s set during a reality tv competition show. 👩‍🍳💋

Pub date - June 10, 2025

Seriously this one is going to blow up this summer.

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