Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

I will give my thoughts once SMP addresses their readers with an explanation. Until then, all my reviews will be withheld.

Casey McQuiston did it again, and did it so beautifully. This story is all about timing, how the right person can be wrong for right now, and how much growth happens when we focus on ourselves and our identities outside of relationships. It also thoughtfully handles Theo's gender identity and their discovery of themselves with such care. I'll be thinking about Kit and Theo's marvelous European adventure for the rest of my life.

The Pairing is a second-chance love story told through the lens of a European Food & Wine trip where Kit and Theo accidentally meet up four years after their initial breakup. To prove they’re over each other, Kit and Theo start a competition to see who can sleep with the most people during each of their tour stops, but things become complicated when feelings for each other become rekindled.

I’ve been a big fan of Casey McQuiston for YEARS, so I was absolutely delighted to receive an ARC of The Pairing. One thing I love about CMQ is their writing style. The Pairing captures every sense—I was so engrossed in their experiences because the prose was just the right amount of elaboration. I could taste and experience everything the characters were. Additionally, I was so sucked into everything the characters were feeling that I actually had to set the book down a handful of times because I was experiencing such intense emotions. I was getting flustered in the same way the characters were. Several of the sex scenes throughout the book were so damn emotional that it made my chest hurt (in a good way!!) It wasn’t even about the sex anymore—it was about the characters; what makes this book so strong is how masterfully it is written.

One way this book differed from CMQ’s other stories is the plot. The Pairing relied very much on the European vacation vibes and didn’t quite have the same strong plot that previous books have had, but that didn’t stop me from going along for the ride and enjoying this book.

I would recommend The Pairing to anyone looking for masterful prose and deep characterization. This book is such an experience and was absolutely delightful.

If anyone could take a story where the two main characters have already dated and broken up and make me scream with glee when they finally kiss again, it would be Casey McQuiston. I have been a long time reader of their work, and loved every subsequent novel, but The Pairing elevates everything I have loved in the past. The quick witty dialogue, the complex fleshed out characters, the yearning (oh my god the yearning) Finishing this book, I felt as though I had just gorged myself on the best of queer romance, filling myself up to the edges with it. A truly lush and evocative romance that I can't wait to recommend to everyone who will listen.

3.5/5 ⭐️

The Pairing follows Kit and Theo on their tour around Europe. For anyone looking for a queer love story, this is a great read! The dynamics and storylines in which the author unravels was amazing! Theo’s character development and how they express themself over time, was written beautifully and quite accurately as well! I find the author carefully considers different aspects of being queer and queer relationships when creating characters for her books. Can we also address the amount of smut that this book held in it?! I did not think that the sex scenes would be as graphic (in the best ways) and drawn out/reoccurring as they were. I have to say, it is 100% what kept me fully immersed in this book. Great read!

The world needs more light-hearted queer love stories like this one. From the European adventure filled with mouth-watering food and wine to the quirky side characters (Fabrizio! The Calums! Montana and Dakota! I love them all) this didn't feel like it missed a beat. I think the way that it switches POVs also really aided the storytelling and kept me from starting to get bogged down in one person's mind spiral and helped to keep me invested in the love story. Plus! There wasn't a time that I was truly annoyed with either of the main characters for how they handled their feelings - it actually made sense for their circumstances (which I can't say for all romcoms).

Went in to this expecting to like the book (because it's Casey) but it went so far beyond my expectations.

I not only fell in love with the mains, but also every side character, location, food or wine that was introduced. The world building was so complete I felt as if I was on the international food and wine tour with the group. I was jealous of every location and indulgence they got to try.

We come in knowing Kit and Theo are friends that then evolved to dating and had a horrible parting, but we don't readily know why. Being able to live as these characters lead to the payoff of finding out what happened that sparked the books events. Even while Theo and Kit are being so obtuse and continuously miscommunicating I was rooting for them.

5/5 - please read this when it comes out!

Theo and Kit have known each other since they were kids. They were best friends than lovers, and now, they haven't spoken since their breakup 4 years ago. When they were together, they booked a European food and wine touch, but they broke up on the plane there. They received vouchers for the trip that were good for 4 years. Now, as the vouchers are expiring, they both coincidentally wind up on the same tour.

Kit and Theo are bisexual exes, and they come up with a plan to have a competition to see who can hook up with the most people on their trip. They do this to prove that they are over each other, except the really aren't over each other at all.

I'm not someone who as traveled a lot, and I don't really drink. The descriptions of the locations and of the drinks felt too long and detailed for me. I think that others will enjoy them, but I found myself wanting to skim these sections.

I didn't like the structure of the dual POV. The first half of the book is told from Theo's perspective while the second half is from Kit's. I would have liked if the perspectives changed more frequently, or it would have worked better if the whole book was told from Theo's point of view. Theo is the more interesting character, and their point of view was the one that I was most interested in.

Overall, my main concern with the book was that I wasn't rooting for Kit and Theo. I didn't feel their romance. They didn't really work out what broke them up in the first place. I think that the way the story wrapped up was very predictable, and I wasn't necessarily rooting for them to be together. I think that they seemed very young, and I think that Kit and Theo needed more time to grow and determine what they wanted for themselves and of a partner.

I have enjoyed Casey McQuiston's other books, and unfortunately, this one didn't hit the same for me. Red, White, and Royal Blue is one of my favorite books, and it really helped me figure out a lot of things about myself. The Pairing didn't feel like enough of a romance, and it lacked the side characters and fun of CMQ's other works.

A masterpiece! Casey does it again - gifting us with a beautiful, delicious romance!

The Pairing is another perfect book by Casey. The exploration of identity from the first person perspective of Theo - and later in the book through the eyes of Kit who is in love with Theo was so wonderfully and thoughtfully handled. Through out the book there are glimpses into the past and history of Theo and Kit. How they met, how they fell in love, and how it all ended rather abruptly before jumping back into the present where the two exes are on the same European Tour.

Casey describes The Pairing as their horniest book yet - and it does not disappoint. The tension between Kit and Theo and their unresolved attraction to each other is cleverly paired (pun intended) with them deciding to see who can seduce the most people on their vacation. This creates many humorous situations through out the book and dials up the tension between Kit and Theo constantly seeing the other with someone else.

In true Casey fashion - the ensemble of characters in their book could each have their own books with how well they are developed as characters and the unique personalities each has.

This will easily be one of my favorite books all year and a book I am already recommending to everyone I know. Thank you SMP for the advanced copy in exchange for this review

The Pairing is a delicious and fun queer romantic comedy. The story begins with Theo, a proud and independent child of Hollywood royalty. For four years, Theo has been estranged from Kit, their charming and caring childhood best friend and longterm love. They meet again, unexpectedly on a food tour across Europe. After a bet about who can hookup with the most people on their tour inspires flirtation and playful competition, Theo and Kit are left wondering about their past relationship. The prose is sensual and evocative, and filled with McQuiston's usual wit and warmth. I'm excited to recommend this to romance lovers seeking a heartwarming adventure across Europe.

3.5 ⭐️ i truly think i was just not the intended audience for this. it was extremely descriptive in terms of the food and wine so if you’re into that you will probably enjoy this, but i don’t know shit about shat so i was often super lost lmao. HOWEVER casey is suuuuch a talented author, some of the lines in this literally bowled me over with how beautiful they are. overall i would recommend this especially to foodie/wine people :)

Not even surprised by how much I loved this story and the bi rep. This is a perfect summer read.Funny, horny, and sweet.

I like the idea of having half the book in one characters perspective and half in the others. Very engaging and well-written. Will be rereading!

McQuiston’s Red, White, and Royal Blue was the book that got me back into reading back in 2019 so I was quite excited to pick up this title. This is a fantastic read for those who love travel and food, and romance of course. The pacing of Theo’s chapters felt slower than that of Kit’s. I think I would’ve preferred if their perspectives would’ve alternated. The romance scenes were great, and to be honest I wish I had gotten more. I really enjoyed this. The icing on the cake was the title. Perfect title for this book.

I really liked the main story of this book but it felt at times their was just too much information about the food and area that they were in. It was distracting and made it hard to keep my attention on the book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

The trip of a lifetime, parings abound, sweeping views, aromatic senses flaring, food fashioned for feasting, and your ex sitting right next to you. The heartbeat of Theo-and-Kit beat long prior to when we meet them in The Pairing. Growing up together, growing into each other, they fell hard, they fell fast, deeply in love. That pulsating beat of togetherness keeps them intertwined until a fateful flight, something amiss, and the threads unwind, the heartbeat breaks. What was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime now sitting as unused vouchers as both Theo and Kit moved on. The expiration date looming, both had the same idea, the last possible second, use it, enjoy what was supposed to be, only alone, no longer feeling the tandem heartbeat of the other. As they crash into each other, now going on the trip that was once supposed to be, the navigate existing, co-existing, as they navigate others, a lively competition of sleeping their way through cities, but not with each other. As the weeks wane, and the sweeping cascades of the city’s envelope them, with food and drinks, friends and lovers…has the palpating undercurrent of Theo-and-Kit escaped them, or has it lay dormant all along?
 
The perfect pairing is more than good, more than the right flavors fashioned together as a simple me, it is an experience. McQuiston has crafted an exquisite experience, decadent and lush, as they unveil the story of Theo and Kit to us. McQuiston has always been one of my favorite writers, and they have soared far and beyond here, using words like a paintbrush as we see scenes of European cities come alive before our very eyes. Despite only taking the story in through my eyes, I felt the rush of senses overwhelm me as Casey wrote with such specificity the aromas around them, the colors filling the view, the sounds lapping against their ears, the brush of skin on theirs. I have never felt so enveloped by the scenery of a novel. Paring the scenic nature of this work, McQuiston’s story is so much about love, finding love, and reigniting love all set against the beautiful backdrop they paint. The part that touches me the most about this story, and as I always do, I look for these pieces, what are the parts of myself I see folded into the story, in the characters, like the layers of a croissant, which pad of butter is me smeared between them. The duality of love and fear struck a chord deep in me pulling at my heartstrings. To love and not know the end, to love and lose, to break the heartbeat is devastating, and that fear sits so deep inside us sometimes preventing us from pushing forward. Both Theo and Kit feel this as they once loved and lost and now must face the ramifications of that together. In their story, I felt it too, to lose something, the fear of losing something cut deep. This made Theo and Kit’s love feel so real, so lasting, that they knew to love each other is one thing but to be together is another. Knowing someone would have to sacrifice so much is not worth it, but maybe it doesn’t have to be so black and white. The dichotomy of love and fear feels so black and white but as Theo and Kit explore their way back to each other we see that fade away, it becomes about so much more than that. Fighting for it makes it worth it. I loved that about Theo and Kit, feeling that with them, like the tide rushing back and forth. I want to feel that rush, I want to let go of the fear in me and let love overtake me in that way, as I saw these two fighting against that feeling and then falling into it, I realized that’s the piece of me planted in this story, the one that made me savor each bite and then shed tears when it was over. To love despite fear.
 
I’m still crying thinking about them, Theo-and-Kit, that undercurrent of love beating in me as I recount the story to write this review. Thinking about their sex-positive journey of discovery, of joy, and of love. Losing the other may have helped them grow, the fear of love holding them back, but after that time, some learning, and some new leaves on each of them, I can’t help but think about how love, even if not everlasting, is so worth the pain it could inflict, the pairing of love and pain may cultivate fear but isn’t that feeling, falling so hard, so worth it, falling like that into someone you love.
 
From towns in France to cities in Spain to islands in Italy, to portray them vividly that even if I had never touched foot on the Mediterranean Sea, tasted the crumbs of Parisian pastries, or felt the blistering heat of a Spain day, I felt as if I was there, walking in step with them. Casey did that: A story so beautiful, so urgent, so full of wonder, lust, and love. Thank you, Casey McQuiston, for gifting the world with your writing and your tales.
 
Scarf Rating: 🧣🧣🧣🧣🧣🧣🧣🧣🧣🧣(10/5)

Taylor Swift songs I associate with this book: False God, Afterglow, Dress, Call It What You Want, King of my Heart, invisible string, gold rush, Maroon, YOYOK, All You Had To Do Was Stay, You Are In Love

The Pairing feels like McQuiston’s most grown up work so far, but that could be because it’s leagues spicier than their previous books. The spice does not come at the cost of the plot, however, which is a well-done second chance story. Another win for sure; their fans will not be disappointed!

McQuiston takes everything that has made their previous books a success and amps it up to the next level.. Beginning four years after their unplanned breakup, readers follow Theo and Kit as they romp their way through three European countries, sensually enjoying themselves with both local cuisine and citizens, and attempt to navigate the unresolved emotions and consequences left in the wake of their split. Readers are left in suspense as to the cause of the breakup and constantly wondering how the two of them ended up so far apart, a suspense only intensified by the shift of narrator halfway through.. Both Theo and Kit's inner monologues provide insight into the beautiful flaws and strength of spirit that make them devastatingly human and real. Readers can't help but cheer for these two while also groaning in exasperation as they somehow manage to avoid communicating at every turn. Expect to have your heart broken over and over again in the very best of ways. Tackling queerness, self-worth, identity, and love in a way that is direct and honest, McQuiston manages to address these concepts in a way that is never condescending or judgmental. Showing the strength of their writing, McQuiston provides mouthwatering attention to detail as Theo and Kit feast their way through the cultural culinary delights that will have readers booking the next flight to any of the three countries. Keeping the balance between real life sensibility and lightheartedness, the book is peppered throughout with absurd quotes that will leave readers howling with laughter ("butt-fucky Pinocchio" comes to mind), and sensual descriptions of lust and attraction that will ruin readers. Definitely the spiciest of their novels to date, McQuiston redefines what makes someone desirable while also turning traditional heteronormative gender roles on their side. While not explicit, there's enough spice to make readers devour each page with bated breath, hungry with anticipation. Dear god, the peach scene alone. There's no way to end the novel without being just a little bit in love with either Theo or Kit or both. I give this book five exceptionally well-earned stars.

I received this book as a digital advanced reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. It is available on August 6, 2024.

I simply love everything that Casey McQuiston writes and The Pairing did not disappoint! On a food tour through Europe, exes Theo and Kit are forced together after a contentious break-up. I enjoyed the format of McQuiston's writing for this book because I learned so much about food and wine pairing and the love of good food. I was worried that the romance would be predictable, but there were quite a few surprises, too.

Casey McQuiston's classic blend of hilarious quips and complex lovable characters definitely shows up in this one! I thoroughly enjoyed taking a journey through Europe and riding out the will-they-won't-they. The existential struggles these characters grope with are so relatable to anyone wondering if they'd made the right decisions in friendships, careers, family dynamics, and love. As ever, Casey introduces so many fresh and modern twists to the romance genre. There are lots of gorgeous but quite lengthy passages detailing scenery, art, food, and wine; many readers will love and appreciate that, but at times I found myself skimming past the descriptions because I was just so curious about how the plot would be moving forward! So happy to see this author continuing to redefine the genre by introducing readers to characters who represent a younger generation of humans exploring their gender and sexuality. Casey does this magically; she brings everyone in under the umbrella, rather than alienating readers who might consider queer love stories out of their "comfort zones."