the flashbacks were so vivid which made the current timeline all the particularly urgent for kit and theo to work out their miscommunications and hurts from the past.

Yeah Casey Mcquiston never misses this was so much fun. I loved the relationship between Theo and Kit even though I’m not typically a second chance romance lover? This, like all of Mcquiston’s other books felt like a queer hug!

Kit and Theo were once a thing-well more than just a thing but they broke up while on their way to European tour. Years later, Theo finally decided to use the voucher they received when they backed out. Little did they know that Kit had the same plan and they both ended up on the same tour! I adored the blend of a travel novel and steamy romance story. It was also fun to meet all the characters teh two of them met along the way. I am a sucker for a "road trip" book and this hit the mark.

I have tried multiple times thinking it was a mood thing, but just can't get myself into this story unfortunately. Thank you for the ARC.

I loved this book so much, if you want to FEEL like you're on a food and wine tour in Europe this was such a great book to get that vibe with immaculate main characters who are just trying to figure it out. This book had so much slutty bisexual energy and I am here for it!!

My only complaint was that I felt like I was reading it forever, it's a little long in my opinion but not enough to deduct a star!

3.5⭐️

This was a cute rom com and it had its moments. I liked the traveling aspects of this story, but I unfortunately did not like the romance as much as I thought I would. I tried not to compare this book to Red, White, & Royal Blue, but it’s hard not to. This didn’t make me swoon nearly as much, and this didn’t leave me thinking about the story constantly after putting it down. This book was cute and a good read for the summer, but not a favorite.

I felt like the first half worked better than the second, but Casey at their worst is still a more fun and memorable writer than most of their contemporaries so that's a minor complaint! This is a great escapist romance about travel, food, sex, and the one that got away, with a bonus for incredible descriptions of food and beautiful locations, along with queer and bisexual representation and sex scenes that read that way. (And you can see where some of the Amazon money for RWRB went, but I for one could not be more thrilled that the author got to write off the no doubt exorbitantly expensive research for this book about the trip of a lifetime as a tax deduction!)

I held off feedback due to the boycott of St Martin's Press.

The Pairing feels like a melting summer popsicle- sweet, refreshing, and melting slightly in the heat. Casey sharpened their descriptions here, but I felt it was exchanged for character development and focus, one thing I would have like to see more of.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of The Pairing by Casey McQuiston!

EVERYONE in this book needs to go to horny jail. That being said, I thought this was so cute. The levels of miscommunication got to be a little too much for me at some points, but I still really enjoyed reading this!

Pretty sure this was a 4.5 for me. Not my fav of Casey McQuiston's but still an A+ read. What a delight. Traipsing through Europe, eating food and a second chance romance? YES PLEASE. The characters sparkle and the food descriptions are heavenly. Where it fell apart for me was the replay of the initial break up which just felt so frustrating to me. Miscommunication trope is my least fav.

The Pairing is fun, messy, and full of heart. Casey McQuiston knows how to write chemistry, and this book is no exception. The romance builds through quick banter, longing looks, and moments that feel both ridiculous and deeply sincere.

The setting is indulgent—good food, good wine, and a lot of feelings. It leans into chaos, but that’s part of the charm. The characters are flawed in a way that makes them real, and their journey feels like a mix of adventure and emotional growth.

If you want a book that’s romantic, playful, and a little unhinged, this one’s for you.

This one started off slow for me, but it grew on me the further that I got.

Representation in books matter and I really enjoyed how McQuiston portrayed Theo and facilitated the conversation of their identity. This all brought the book together and made so much make more sense.

This has a lot of the miscommunication trope which honestly frustrates me a lot, but I'll never stop reading it in romance novels. I enjoyed watching Kit and Theo fall back in love with each other.

This is one of those books that once you start reading, you're not stopping until the end. My sleep sacrifice was completely worth it.
The chemistry and yearning between Kit and Theo was palpable, and the decadent setting was fantastic. Would highly recommend this book for fans of slutty bisexuals (affectionate) who are longing for their own HEA.

I have read all of Casey McQuiston's books, and this is definitely a close favorite! (Red, White and Royal Blue will always be my favorite book!) I loved the characters and their journey. I felt like I was right there traveling with them, and now I need a European vacation, stat! :D

Thank you to the author and publisher for the opportunity to review this book.

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston is a delightful and heartfelt tale of love, self-discovery, and second chances. The story follows Theo and Kit, former lovers who unexpectedly reunite on a European culinary tour, where old sparks reignite amidst mouthwatering cuisine and breathtaking scenery. McQuiston masterfully brings the settings to life while seamlessly exploring themes of gender identity and bisexuality in a thoughtful and authentic way. Though some plot points are predictable, the book’s irresistible charm, witty dialogue, and emotional depth more than make up for it. Overall, The Pairing is a captivating and feel-good read that beautifully balances romance with meaningful themes.

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston is a fun and heartfelt story about love, self-discovery, and second chances. The novel follows Theo and Kit, former lovers who find themselves on a European culinary tour, where old feelings resurface amidst delicious food and beautiful scenery. McQuiston does a great job bringing the settings to life and weaving in themes of gender identity and bisexuality in a natural and meaningful way. While some parts of the plot are predictable, the book’s charm and witty dialogue make up for it. Overall, The Pairing is an engaging and entertaining read that balances romance with deeper themes.

I love Casey and this book was no exception! It was such a fun concept and I felt like I was on the tour right along with the characters.

The Pairing is an absolutely delightful book. Theo and Kit are two of my favorite messy queers I've read about in a long time. This book is just very very funny. as well with lots of lovable side characters. You root for Kit and Theo from the beginning, and even though it's a romance, I still had a moment of "they do end up together, right?" I really loved reading Theo's journey both with and without Kit. These characters are fully formed individuals who now nestle deeply inside my heart, alongside Alex and Henry from Red White and Royal Blue. Another masterpiece from Casey McQuiston. Hands down.

4.5 stars rounded down!
Oooh I really enjoyed this one. I devoured it in 24 hours and it would've been faster if I wasn't trying to be a responsible adult going to bed at a reasonable time. I LOVED Kit and his half of the novel was incredible. If everything had been from his POV, this would've been 5 stars. But while I liked Theo, I just didn't like them quite as much as Kit. Especially at the beginning, they were VERY bitter. Not saying they didn't have a right to be, but it started to get annoying and I'm glad their attitude took a turn when it did. Beyond that, I just resonated with Kit's poetic voice more. I'm glad that Theo's half was first because I still liked their voice and didn't know what I was missing yet. The story itself was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed fantasizing about these destinations while I ignored the grey sludge outside my window. McQuiston does such a good job with the sensory details, and this includes descriptions of the food. Oh my goodness, the FOOD! My mouth was watering. And I just adored the meaningful connections our MCs made on their journey through Europe.
Any other critiques I have are very minor-- I think McQuiston tends to use a lot of Millennial slang that can be a little cringe, and even though I think it's sometimes done ironically, the cringe remains. (Slay!) And similarly, the idea of a bodycount competition across Europe was just not my vibe. This is where I reveal what a wet blanket I am-- it's so dangerous to just go home with random people in Europe. I just kept thinking, this is how you get yourself in a bad situation.
But all of these complaints are pretty nitpicky, and they're overshadowed by a seriously fun romance and story. I absolutely recommend this one and I will be purchasing my own shelf trophy to transfer my annotations.