I’ve seen such mixed reviews for this book that I’ll admit I was nervous going into it. I’m so happy that I didn’t let them cloud my enjoyment. This was so much fun!! Everyone who wished they were on their own euro summer needs this book in their life. It was so enjoyable but also had a lot of heart to it which is what I’ve learned to expect from Casey

Casey McQuiston just has this way of writing romance novels that completely sweep me away. They’re just full of rich atmosphere, complex characters, great chemistry, and unique plots. The Pairing follows two bisexual exes who are accidentally taking the same food and wine tour through Europe. To prove that they’re totally over one another they decide to have a contest to see who can hook up with the most people during the three weeks. Old feelings definitely aren’t going to rekindle between the two of them… right?

I love it when authors can make me love a book with tropes that aren’t my favorites. Second chance romance and friends to lovers never land at the top of my romance trope list, but I thought that this overall story just worked so well. I loved getting to see the glimpses of Kit and Theo’s relationship in the past and why they initially split up. It made it so rewarding to see how they had grown in the years that they were apart and how they could make their relationship work differently this time.

Kit and Theo were both individually compelling characters. The book is told in a dual POV with the first half being in Theo’s perspective then switching to Kit’s for the second half. I loved reading about Kit and Theo’s passion for food and drinks and getting all of McQuistion’s rich descriptions. The explanations of their different family lives and how that impacted them growing up added a lot to the story. I also really loved their chemistry and the different dynamics that were shown through their sex scenes.

While I did have an excellent time reading this book, I didn’t love it quite as much as Casey McQuiston’s other two adult romance novels. The overall story and romance in this book was lower in stakes since it didn’t have the super high concept of Red, White & Royal Blue or One Last Stop. So because the plot was a little more simple I didn’t feel like the book needed to be as long as it was, there were some small moments where it felt like it was dragging a bit. But for the most part I really did love the book. I’m always going to be excited to pick up whatever Casey puts out next. Beautifully written novels full of queer people finding love and getting their happily ever afters? Hell yeah.

Love Casey McQuinston. I will always read whatever they put out. I love that they always incorporate queer love and situations that all humans deal with.

Review withheld due to ongoing boycott of all Macmillan books. Review will be updated once the boycott has ended.

YES! Thank you, Casey McQuiston! This is much more Red, White, and Royal Blue than lesbian ghost sex on a train! And I loved it so much!!

Unfortunately, this book was a big fat DNF for me. I’m so bummed because I loved this author’s other books, but this was just so slow, boring, and the characters were both so unlikeable. I read about 60% and had to give it up.

This was a delightful surprise; I have loved Casey McQuiston's novels in the past, but wasn't as sure about this one at the beginning. It, at first, read a bit more Emily in Paris than I could handle. However, the story gets much more lived-in and charming the further it goes. As with Casey's other novels, the characters outside the main relationship are some of the best parts. Altogether a very fun read for summer: best enjoyed outside, preferably on a European vacation!

This was such an amazing ride from start to finish. This book captivated me and I’m so excited to start drawing these characters. CMQ brought everyone to life and I’m leaving this book happy, hungry and wanting to experience everything everything everything!

The Pairing Review 🍷🍶🥐🍾🧄🥖

4⭐️
3.75🌶️

The only CMQ book that I’ve read in the past is Red White & Royal Blue; The Pairing is completely different, made me feel different emotions, and solidified CMQ as a great author of queer romance.

If you know me, you know that I am an absolute sucker for a good second chance romance, and that is exactly what The Pairing is. Mix that with three weeks in Europe, incredible descriptions of food, and longing looks? I’m sold.

Until I was about 60% into the book I was a little confused by what was going on with Theo’s gender identity and sexuality: the story is intended to be that way for the purpose of a coming out moment. If you’re confused, keep going, it will be explained.

I felt like some elements of this story were heavily over-described and took too long to happen. This book easily could’ve been 50-75 pages less to make the story flow just a tad bit nicer.

Overall, this was a really nice read that gave the best summer abroad vibes, and I’ll be sure to recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Casey McQuiston, and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read and enjoy this advanced copy.

This was a beautiful, emotional, fun and funny European vacation of a book, you could almost taste and savor the flavors they were enjoying, and I was routing for the characters from the first few pages, the book was full of the magic of possibility, of fate bringing someone back in your life and your problems being just one conversation away from being solved, it was romantic in a way that broke your heart and put it back together again, it was a queer normative book which I loved so much, everyone they encountered being bi/pan probably wasn't realistic, but I loved it anyway

McQuiston always manages to write the perfect romances. This is my new favorite among their books. I loved the second chance romance between the dynamic main characters. The food descriptions made me want to book a flight to Europe.

CMQ made the wait worth it.

I had hyped this up so much in my mind that I was deeply concerned that it wasn't going to live up to the idea I had in my head.

But Kit and Theo were EVERYTHING. I loved every single moment of this book.

Theo was so relatable. I loved their chaotic queer energy and determination to not be a fuck up.

Kit was such a beautiful soft boy with wonderful feelings and ideas. He was like walking poetry.

The dynamic of these two together. Even when they don't want to be around each other, their chemistry literally jumped off the page.

I loved this book and I cannot wait to reread it.

Ps this book also taught me I am so NOT a foodie hahaha

"The Pairing" by Casey McQuiston is a delightful and emotionally charged journey through some of Europe's most romantic cities, masterfully blending humor, heartache, and rekindled romance. Theo and Kit, once inseparable, find themselves on a collision course with their past when they both decide to use their long-forgotten European tour vouchers separately—only to end up on the same trip.

McQuiston's writing shines with wit and charm as the estranged exes navigate stunning views, delectable cuisines, and an unexpected competition that reignites old sparks. Theo's transformation into a confident bartender and aspiring sommelier contrasts beautifully with Kit's rise as a celebrated pastry chef in Paris, creating a rich tapestry of character development and growth.

The playful wager to woo their tour guide adds a fun and sexy twist, but it's the underlying tension and unresolved feelings between Theo and Kit that truly captivate. As they travel through France, Spain, and Italy, readers are treated to lush descriptions and a poignant exploration of what it means to rediscover love.

"The Pairing" is a must-read for romance enthusiasts, offering a perfect blend of humor, sensuality, and heartfelt moments. McQuiston expertly crafts a story that reminds us sometimes a taste of everything only makes you crave what you can't have.

This novel is perfect for fans of Casey McQuistion. The main couple is adorable and well-drawn. The second chance love story is crackling with longing. Plus, fans of travel and food will love this one. It's McQuiston's best since Red, White, and Royal Blue.

How unfair is it that I wasn’t reading this book in a Parisian cafe or whilst eating pinxto in San Sebastián? A delicious book, laden with romance, gorgeous food and wine descriptions that made me want to book a food tour to follow Kit and Theo. Swoony, sexy - a perfect read.

This book is so delicious I would gladly hop on an international flight just to get another taste!

Theo, an assistant sommelier in Palm Springs, and Kit, a pastry chef in Paris, have a long, complicated, past: from childhood besties to young lovers to breaking up on the flight bound for their dream European food and wine tour. Years later, Theo decides to take a solo trip and cash in on the refund voucher right before it’s set to expire. But their “Saturn return voyage of self-realization” does not go as planned when they realize Kit has also waited until the last moment possible to reschedule his trip and now they’re stuck together for the next three weeks. But what’s the worst that could happen? Especially with a friendly hook-up competition between the two, seeing who can sleep with more people on the trip and win the title of Best Slut. There’s nothing between the two of them at this point anyway…..right?

McQuiston’s desire to write a book that is “inherently bi” and to reclaim and lean into the “slutty bisexual” stereotype (which is so often harmful to those in the community) resulted in a sex-positive, queer in nearly every way imaginable, simply delightful read.

Casey McQuiston could teach a masterclass in sexual tension—the emotions are palpable from page to page. And with the (unofficial) tagline of “May the best slut win,” you know this book is getting steamy!

My one big complaint is a personal matter. This book does have the miscommunication trope, which is one of my least favorite tropes. From beginning to end, these poor characters just can’t quite get through to each other. And while I do think it is well justified in the plot, I can’t help but mentally take them both by the collar and shake them, screaming “OMFG JUST SAY *ONE SENTENCE* ABOUT HOW YOU FEEL.” But if you don’t mind miscommunication, I think this was well done—it’s just not something I usually love.

If you have loved McQuiston’s other books, if you crave decadence, if you’re looking for a book that feels like warm sand and cool ocean, if you need to scratch the wanderlust itch—please do yourself a favor and pick this one up!

Sluts forever!

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for providing the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really wanted to love this. Red, white & royal blue was just so incredible but I had to DNF this one. The story was lacking & the 2 MCs were just so insufferable. 😩

What a perfect book.

The Pairing is the story of Kit and Theo, childhood best friends and former romantic partners who accidentally end up on the same food and wine tour four years after they broke up. I fell in love with both of them (and several of the supporting characters!) as they fell back in love with each other. I think the writing in this is Casey McQuiston's best by far - the descriptions of food and various beautiful places in Europe, the layers of each character revealed in their speech and their inner monologue. It was an absolute pleasure to read.

Pairs well with: a perfect reading nook, plenty of time to inhale this book, a tasty snack or refreshing drink to accompany your reading. Wow wow wow did I love this one. Casey McQuiston's writing has leveled up in a whole new way and I am in LOVE with the way it has culminated in The Pairing. Yearning, second chances, two people growing their own roots and finding they lead right back to each other after all, set amongst the most beautiful sights, scents and tastes of Europe?! How can one go wrong? I loved this story. I loved Kit and Theo and getting to be inside each of their heads as they guard and open their hearts to the world and to each other. I loved how evocative this story was, how I could taste everything the characters did with vibrancy, how my heart could ache and my jaw could drop at the glorious and profane way this book wove seamlessly between European vistas and absolute smut. This is the perfect summer read and I can't wait to get my hands on a physical copy of it when it finally comes out. I highly recommend.

**Many thanks to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I really wanted to love this book. I was sold when I saw food and wine tour wround Europe. Sign me up...no in real life too! childhood best friends, crushes, in love, and now estranged exes end up being on the same tour and have a hook up compition. The book falls flat, the characters are sadly one deminsional. Sadly it was a string of hookup and after 30% in I had to give up. I have DNFing a book I wanted to love.