What a sweet story!! I went into it blind and was nervous I wouldn’t like it when I realized it was based on a reality show, but I was wrong. I loved it! The two characters are so adorable, yet still mature and accomplished adults. Also the spice was SPICING but in the best ways! Immediately ordered a shelf trophy for myself!

This was such a warm hug of a book. Sweet loving Queer Joy. Fun adventures with the reality tv show like Amazing Race. Fun and supportive side characters. Theo and Asher were so lovely to watch slowly step into a relationship and watch them both figure out their past broken feelings. Then find the joy with each. It’s so nice to see normal gay love. Highly recommend.

I will note I gave it four stars but there were times the story felt very slow. And also it felt like 4 weeks was not enough time to fall for each other AND for a reality tv show to be filmed. Was a little odd feeling. I skim read just a little in some slow parts.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️

REVIEW: Winging It With You by Chip Pons 4.5 Stars

Asher was persuaded by his boyfriend, Clint, to apply for a reality TV Show called Epic Trek (think like Amazing Race). Begrudgingly, Asher agrees, and they begin training for the show. The day they are leaving to fly out to LA for the show, Clint decides he doesn’t want to do the show or date Asher anymore. Asher wants to continue despite Clint, but needs to resolve the issue with a missing partner. Over an argument about mozzarella sticks, Asher meets Theo, a pilot, who agrees to fake date him and to be on the show.

Winging It With You is a heartfelt, funny, and spicy romance that you won’t want to put down. I was engaged in the story right from the beginning and just wanted to keep going. I loved the premise of being on an Amazing Race-type show because it brings a multitude of fun and engaging situations to the story. I also enjoyed Theo and Asher as characters. They both underwent significant character development throughout the story, and each had their trauma to work through. Asher and Theo both had fantastic chemistry. Even though they only knew each other for a short time, they had a strong connection with each other, both emotionally and physically.

The one thing that didn’t quite do it for me was how the conflict arose and the fact that a conversation could have easily resolved it. It just seemed rushed and could have had a better conflict and solution.

Overall, I loved Winging It With You. The story makes you fall in love with and care deeply for the characters, while also laughing and swooning along with them. You will enjoy this romance if you’re a fan of one-bed, slow-burn, and fake-dating tropes.

Thank you, Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam | G.P. Putnam’s Sons, for the free advanced copy for my honest review!

#bookreview #bookrecommendations #arcread #bookstagram #books #booklover #bookish #bookaddict #igreads #bookcommunity #igreads #readingbooks #bookishpost #readersofinstagram #reading #alwaysreading #booksofinstagram #bookaholic #bookcommunity #booksofinstagram #romancereadersofinstagram #romancereader #rainbowreads

“Winging It With You” was one of my most anticipated reads of this summer, and it did not disappoint! Pons writes such a witty, and heartfelt story of new beginnings and learning that the past doesn’t define your future. Theo and Asher are such a joy to read about and you just want nothing but the best for both of them.

This book has all my favorite topics :
✈️ Fake Dating
🛩️ Reality Television
✈️ One Bed
🛩️ Mozzarella Sticks

Not only does this book have such heart and joy in its story, but Pons knows how to right a scene to make you swoon! Two words : “Good Boy”! *fans self*

If you love fake dating, reality television, and mozzarella stick meet cutes, this book is for you! Please add it to your summer reading list.

Thank you @netgalley and @putnambooks for this gifted copy.

Asher is living his worst nightmare: he is getting dumped at the airport. Even worse? Him and his now ex are supposed to be on a travel reality tv show, the Epic Trek. Luckily as he’s drowning his sorrows at the airport TGIF, he meets Theo, a pilot who is in desperate need of a vacation. Nothing like bonding over mozzarella sticks! Will their relationship take off or have a lot of turbulence?

This book had me laughing out loud multiple times! Asher and Theo are the friends I wish I had. Super cute and a quick read!

Yes, the main characters are gay. If you can’t read it, grow up. It’s 2025.

Thanks to Net Galley, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, Penguin Random House, and Chip Pons for the ARC! Out now! Pub date 6/10/25

This was such a charming, feel-good read! The writing was warm and engaging, and I really enjoyed the chemistry between the main characters. Their banter was fun, the romance felt natural, and there were some genuinely sweet moments that made me smile. As someone who is a huge fan of the Amazing race, this had such a similar vibe and I loved that so much.

I especially appreciated how the story balanced humor with more emotional, heartfelt scenes—it gave the book real depth without ever feeling too heavy. The supporting characters also added a nice touch of warmth and community.

The only reason I’m not giving it 5 stars is that I wanted just a little more development in certain parts of the story or with the characters’ emotional arcs. But overall, it was a delightful, uplifting read and I’ll definitely be looking out for more from this author.

Perfect if you’re in the mood for something cozy, funny, and full of heart.

Chip Pons's "Winging It with You" had me wanting to jump on a plane and transport myself to numerous settings featured.

Asher thinks he's "flying" by in life, until his boyfriend dumps him in the airport lobby on the way to compete in The Epic Trek. Knowing he can't give up, he hangs out in the airport TGI Friday's with mozzarella sticks. Luck would have it, he ends up with the right sticks that lead him to having pilot Theo be his partner on the show. Theo prefers his routine of flying. His company prefers him putting himself first sometimes. Saying "f it", he says yes to going on the show with Asher and being his "fake" boyfriend. But why does "winging" feelings turn into real ones that make both men realize they can't live without one another?

Winging It With You was a delight to read as a) it transported me to whimsical locations and b) brought out real emotions with some of the conversations had. I found myself googling some of the fun scenes (tomato throwing) that occurred and yearning for both men to make their feelings known to one another. Filled with memorable side characters and "oh snap" moments, pick up this book TODAY.

I loved this book so much! The audio was perfection.

This is such a fun read. Theo and Asher meet at the airport and take off on an adventure together, fake dating on a reality TV show. There's so many twists and turns with the various challenges of the show that it keeps the book fun, however in between, as they're really starting to get to know each other, we also get the emotional depth that I loved seeing between these two. There were also so many funny moments that made me laugh out loud.

Read if you love:
- M/M romance
- Forced proximity
- Reality tv (think Amazing Race)
- Fake dating

I highly recommend!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Genre: ❤️Romance
Recommend:✅

If you’re in the mood for a light, fun romance, “Winging It with You” fits the bill! Will I remember this one years from now? Probably not. Was it a fun four hours reading this? Yep! Definitely well written and engaging.

The plot revolves around Theo and Asher, who are thrown together to compete in a travel based reality show when Asher’s boyfriend leaves in stranded at the last minute. Asher is able to quickly recruit a stranger, Theo, at the airport to join him and pretend to be his boyfriend. Obviously they fall for each other, blah blah blah. I really enjoyed the conceit of the show and found the travel and “challenges” fun as well as the other contestants.

Fake dating is my least favorite romance trope but the facade was over here so quickly it didn’t bother me at all!

You’ll love this book if you love:
✅Male/Male Romance
✅Travel
✅Light Reads

All the fun of the perfect feel-good rom com + a filthy-mouthed pilot ready to take a huge leap (and break your back around the world) + a sprinkle of comfort and healing = a must for your TBR.

Chip’s debut, You & I Rewritten, had me sobbing, but also flipping back through the pages for comfort when I needed all I could get. Expect similar warm hugs in Winging it With You and a fantastic good time if you crave the com in your rom.

The competition scenes were so fun to watch as Theo and Asher navigate being thrust in front of the cameras to perform for the masses and convince the audience their relationship is the real deal. But my favorite moments came when their connection developed offscreen and their chemistry became too irresistible.

You’ll Find —
Reality TV Competition
Fake Dating
Only One Bed
Queer Joy

If you loved the vibes of The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochran, The Wedding Game by Meghan Quinn, and the soft tender moments of Red, White, and Royal Blue — then grab your passport, and a copy of Winging it With You!

Thankful for the opportunity to read early!

Chip Pons delivers a delightful and spirited romance in Winging It with You—a story that feels tailor-made for Pride Month reading. Equal parts heartfelt and sizzling, this novel brings together all the right ingredients for an irresistible romantic escape.

While the premise may echo familiar themes, Pons injects fresh energy through a clever competition-driven plot and undeniable chemistry between the leads. The result is a story that balances steamy moments with genuine emotional depth, offering both fun and feeling in equal measure.

What truly sets this book apart is its vibrant tone and celebratory spirit. Winging It with You is more than just a romance—it’s a joyful, affirming read that embraces love, self-expression, and the thrill of unexpected connection. A perfect pick for readers looking to laugh, swoon, and cheer their way through a story that knows how to have fun.

Angsty meet-cute in an airport over mozzarella sticks? Say less.

The premise of this was fun - an Amazing Race-esque game show in which Asher and Theo fake-date-to-real-date their way through. Honestly, my favorite part of this was Asher and Theo back at Theo's parents' house (okay, and some of those hotel room scenes 👀). I would have loved more of a glimpse into their day-to-day life after the game show!

This was heartfelt, funny and I loved seeing Asher grow into himself and Theo battle some of those demons he was burying by overworking himself. A super sweet MM rom-com for the summer. 💕

"Sometimes, complicated is the word people use when they don't want to admit something's actually just... hard."

Minutes before embarking on the Epic Trek journey, Asher's boyfriend Clint decides he cannot do it anymore. Stranded alone at the literal check in counter, Asher makes the decision to go forward with the project - project that was all Clint's idea, really. But once the adrenaline dropped... the only thing left to do was getting smashed in the airport bar, and attempting to get some mozzarella stick to suck up some of the alcohol. Enter Theo.

Theo, airplane pilot extraordinaire, has just been grounded until he can prove he is capable of reaching a nice work life balance. Little did he know that he only needed to coin toss for the last mozzarella sticks for his day to end on a plane towards the shooting of a TV reality show... and his life to change.

The beginning kinda reminded me of The Fake Dating game, but with more travel and adventure. I absolutely LOVED the idea of a The Amazing Race type setting and i was all in right from the start. Kinda like Theo. Chill and enthusiastic in the face of the unknown.

But, real talk for a moment. I LOVED this book. Ate it up. From both MCs trying to "fake" a relationship all while feeling increasingly real feelings for each other to wanting to drop kick someone in the nuts (im gonna let you find that out for yourselves), this whole book was the best to kick off summer romance season. What i love most about Chip's writing is that he doesn't create perfect characters. No, his characters are flawed. They are real and authentic and so are their issues. I really connected with both on different things, and i really had so much fun following their challenges. Following their journey around the world and towards their HEA was delightful. Them finding their happiness and home in each other was swoon worthy. There was some hard moments, spicy moments, hilarious moments, seriously, this book has it all. The side characters are also a riot, the whole cast of characters reflected real well what you would see in that type of shows. Please can someone have Stefan send me those cinnamon rolls? Ok thanks.

I would recommend this if you love grumpy sunshine (or golden retriever black cat), fake dating, strangers to friends to lovers and reality TV.

Thank you NetGalley, the author and Putnam for the ARC!

What a fun read—binged it in a day. This reality TV romcom was done so well. I was hooked from the start. Their meet cute was so fun, it was the perfect start to their story. Theo had me laughing from the beginning. The tension between them was off the charts and had me giddy for them. I loved how they showed up for each other in ways no one else ever had. They’re the actual cutest. The story didn’t shy away from harder conversations, and those moments were handled with care and honesty (except when they avoided communicating), but even then, it still felt sincere and true to who they were. Such a funny, heartfelt, and genuinely sweet story.

You will catch all the feelings for this adorable book from Chip Pons! I was immediately swept up into the world of Epic Trek + Theo & Asher! How could i say no to a mozzarella stick meet cute?! I thought the romance was so sweet + a bit spicy & i definitely need more from Chip Pons!

Asher was so all over the place yet adorable. He felt so real & my heart broke with the way he felt once Clint left him. I loved how Theo brought out a more adventurous side to him & also got him to love himself more!

Theo had so many golden retriever vibes & was such a bubbly character, but it was nice to see the moments when he would show a different side of himself. A side that he reserved for Asher. I loved how he felt comfortable enough with Asher to show him his true self!

There were so many adorable moments in this book & i loved all the travelling! i loved the message beneath it all that it’s totally okay to love yourself, to explore & find passion, and that sometimes we need to risk it all to end up with the best reward.

You NEED to read this book for the summer! One of my fave summer reads 💓

Calling @booksovrbros down to the stage to get your flowers because this book? This book was PERFECT. You had me at American Race-esque show with forced proximity and strangers-to-lovers (like Asher had Theo with mozzarella sticks), but the depth and banter and heat in this book kept me totally engaged.

Theo and Asher were both beautiful characters with so much depth. Asher, the sweet man who’s on a journey to find himself outside of his relationship. And Theo, my love, the man who’s closed himself off from feelings for so long. Together, they were the perfect mix of yearning and tension. Both feeling the chemistry and also terrified to act on it.

This was everything I hope to read in a romance - joy and laughter and beauty, interspersed with some raw and real moments that deal with heavier topics (especially Theo’s time in the military and the trauma from his last relationship). There were so many absolutely adorable moments (Asher’s sweet but the way Theo is so damn protective even when he doesn’t intend to be?! Yes!), and also so many scenes that had me sweating (the shower scene comes to mind, I mean….)

The cast of characters was fun and added so much to the story, one that felt like I was taken on a journey alongside the whole crew. This was the perfect read, not just for pride month (which, as far as queer romances go, this one was a perfect start to this month!) but for summer, too. It’s light and love and all the good things.

Thank you @putnambooks for this early review copy! And thank you, Chip, for writing this story because I cannot stop thinking of them.

Winging It With You- Chip Pons
Narrated by Lee Osorio and Michael Crouch

Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🌶️🌶️.5
Narration 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧

I love this book so much. It was the perfect summer/travel/vacation/adventure type of book. I was just kicking my feet for these two boys who were on their own individual paths figuring out their own lives and their paths just happened to cross in an airport over a plate of mozzarella sticks. Theo and Asher are seriously couple goals! They start out fake date for a TV show, but when the fake dating starts turning into real dating does the past come back and stir things up?

Lee and Michael did so good on the narration. I love when there are authentic accents in a narration. They both showed their vulnerable size as well as injected the humor Chip had written into these words bringing Theo and Asher to life.

I love that this read like a Netflix rom-com! It was cute, it was charming, it was hilarious, and omg was it spicy! Asher and Theo were so easy to love and root for and I adored their meet-cute! This book had it all: a fun reality tv slash mad-dash-around-the-world setting, a sizzling fake dating trope, a cast of wonderful characters, and most importantly, queer joy.

I absolutely loved this love story! You can feel the tension between Asher and Theo through the pages and made it very difficult to stop reading because I had to know how their story was going to end. Definitely perfect read for Pride month!

I don't watch much reality TV but I loved The Amazing Race! So this book was right up my alley!

This was such a fun concept for a book!
Two strangers falling in love on a travel reality show while pretending they are already in love. So much drama and reality TV antics!

But this story held a lot of emotion and depth as well. Each of our main characters were dealing with past trauma. Asher’s more recent than Theo’s but Theo never really dealt with his feelings. He ran from them.

I loved seeing these men get to know each other, be there for the other and truly become the best versions of themselves while falling in love!

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest opinion.