The first MM book I’ve read that didn’t feel problematic in ANY way. It’s almost like… men are the right authors to be writing it 🤔 (dw, there are other mm, mmf, and etc written by women that I have appreciated, it’s just sometimes when it’s not a lived experience by the author it’s not as well written as it could be).

The meet cute. The tension. The vulnerability. The SPICE. Damn perfection 👌🏻

This book also addresses so many important topics. I always love when an author doesn’t hide the hard parts of relationships and life in a romance. They talked about systemic homophobia in the military (it’s not a military book, one of the mcs is a veteran) and how fucked our governmental programs can be with minorities. I will definitely be giving a more in depth review later. But for now, I am screaming from the rooftops for you to read this!!

💙 Opposites Attract
✈️ Strangers to Lovers
💙 Fake Dating
✈️ Forced Proximity
💙 One Bed
✈️ Biomedical Engineer x Pilot
💙 Own Voices
✈️ "Good Boy"

As an Amazing Race enthusiast who always wanted to compete this was a dream come true Reality Competition RomCom. And a mozzarella stick meet cute!? My heart.

I am simply obsessed with Asher & Theo's story!

Their spontaneous meet cute was actual perfection. And their fake dating situation was so fun, especially since they had about zero time to prepare before the cameras were being shoved in their faces. Asher was so tightly wound from losing himself in his relationship that ended at their airport check-in counter. But Theo had the perfect golden retriever energy to balance him out while also learning how to let the real version of himself be perceived. Their immediate chemistry had me entranced from the very beginning of the book. And don't even get me started on their spicy scenes, especially the shower scene during the first part of their trip. This book had perfect pacing and kept me intrigued throughout every scene, no matter how low the stakes were. The side characters were so much fun to see throughout the book, especially in their interactions with Asher and Theo.

Perfect if you love:
- own voices queer books
- traveling romances
- fake dating
- only one bed
- forced proximity

Thank you to GP Putnam's Sons for sending me an early copy!

Asher and Theo’s fake-dating, reality show competing, world traveling story is the perfect summer read. They both have some issues to work through, and facing their fears on live TV provides the perfect opportunity for growth. And they’re both so relatable? Charming Theo who has a hard time letting anyone close enough to see the real him, and tightly wound Asher, who doesn’t even know who the real him is after a bad relationship. They both bring out the best in each other, and I loved watching their journey.

I will say, my only major gripe was the dialogue during the first major sex scene. The scene itself was both sweet and steamy, but the cliche dialogue did Asher and Theo a disservice. It took me out of the scene completely, but luckily, it wasn’t enough to make me dislike them or the book.

Winging It With You is the kind of MM romcom that hits all the sweet spots laugh-out-loud funny, heartwarming, and filled with sizzling chemistry. From the unique premise to the emotional payoff, Chip Pons delivers a charming story that feels both fresh and deeply satisfying.

The setup is irresistible: dumped by his ex right before a couples-style Amazing Race-type competition, Theo finds himself downing his sorrows at a Friday’s bar in the airport only to meet Asher, a total stranger who agrees to partner up for the challenge. What follows is an adventure filled with zany tasks, unexpected intimacy, and a beautifully developing bond between two men who were both long overdue for the kind of love that heals.

Theo and Asher’s chemistry sparks instantly, but it’s the slow build of trust and understanding that makes their relationship shine. As they tackle physical and emotional challenges, their walls come down piece by piece, revealing the kind of deep connection that grows organically through shared experience.

One of the most endearing parts of this book is how both characters begin to see themselves through each other’s eyes, slowly believing they are worthy of the love and respect they’ve always craved.

If you’re looking for something that will make you swoon, laugh, and root for love from page one, Winging It With You absolutely delivers. A delightful, heart-tugging MM romance that proves sometimes the best journeys begin at a Friday’s bar.

Winging It With You by Chip Pons is a solid fake dating MM romance that takes place during a reality tv competition.

Both Ashley and Theo are both well developed characters. Underneath Ashley's prickly demeanor and Theo's sunshine attitude they find a deep connection between them as they travel the road in a crazy yet exhilarating competition. I loved that not only did both find a new relationship together they each learned a lot about themselves.

Overall, Winging It With You by Chip Pons is an MM romance a fun adventure between two strangers with the oddest meet cute. Filled with just one bed scenarios, a grumpy / sunshine pairing , character growth, quality steamy scenes, and finding your person.

Chip Pons (and his book) is such a delight! I thoroughly enjoyed reading Winging It with You. The premise of the plot, a pairs' worldwide adventure race, was fresh and interesting and a great device in that it let the setting keep changing in an exciting way. But the star of this story is the romance between Theo and Asher. They were relatable and also goals. The third act conflict was believable and also shocking, and the way it resolved was beautiful. #ThasherForever Looking forward to more in the future from Chip!

Theo and Asher were SO dang lovable oh my goodness!
Their story was full of fun and just cuteness galore! I adored Theo- absolute golden retriever energy! Asher was adorable as well! I loved all of his blushing moments and I was just giddy with every flirty interaction these two had! Such a great summer read that’s full of adventure, growth, and plenty of spice! 💖

This book was so much fun! As a longtime Amazing Race fan, I loved the concept of the fake dating on the reality TV quest show. I thought the challenges were really cool and I liked how they lent themselves to the development of Asher and Theo and their relationship. A great summer read, especially for those who love to travel!

OHHHH how charming was this!!! I always adore Chip's writing, and this book felt so atmospheric and special!! I absolutely adored Asher and Theo and their antics. I thought the reality competition show was well done and felt thorough without being overwhelming. The emotional growth and revelations we see from both Asher and Theo felt relatable to so many different audiences and I think everyone can find something to connect with.

This book is so magical, and it felt like watching a movie in my head! Chip's trad debut was truly one for the books and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

“Winging It with You” by Chip Pons is such a sweet and fun gay rom-com! The story begins when Asher gets dumped by his boyfriend at the airport right before joining a worldwide travel reality show as a couple. He ends up meeting Theo, a charming pilot who’s being forced to take a break from work because he’s a workaholic, and they decide on the spot to fake date and join the competition together. I didn’t really care much for the reality TV part of the plot, but I loved seeing Asher and Theo grow closer as they faced each challenge. Their connection felt real, their banter was cute, and their relationship was so wholesome and full of heart.

Asher and Theo are both very likable, and I appreciated how realistic their personal struggles were. Asher is dealing with heartbreak, and Theo is trying to figure out how to slow down and enjoy life again. Watching them open up to each other and support one another was really touching. The spice in the book was nice, though a bit rushed, and I wish there had been more of it. That seems to be common in a lot of traditionally published MM romance. Still, this book was full of charm, warmth, and a lovely slow-burn romance that left me feeling happy and hopeful.

Fake dating? On reality TV? With airport mozzarella sticks as a meet-cute? Yes, yes, and absolutely yes.

Winging It with You is a feel-good, jet-set romcom with just the right mix of sass, sweetness, and slow-burn steam. Asher is drama with a carry-on, and Theo is the emotionally repressed pilot we’d all like to be grounded with. Together, they’re chaos, charm, and undeniable chemistry in motion.

It’s giving The Amazing Race meets Red, White & Royal Blue, but with more mimosas and awkward flirting in foreign countries. Come for the fake love, stay for the very real feelings, and the adorable, airport-found family vibes.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Final boarding call for gals and gays with emotional baggage—don’t miss this flight! 🛫💘

Arc received from the publisher; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Winging It with You was a fun, joyful read! Theo and Asher were easy to root for. The Amazing Race-like reality show component was different and worked well with the fake dating aspect of the story. I love a good "there's only one bed" scenario. It was a slow burn, but when the spice came, it was excellent.

Lawd have mercy on my soul lol and to think I was obsessed with Graham and Will from You & I Rewritten (if you haven’t read it, you MUST), Asher and Theo are also at the top of my list right there with them.

This one was honestly scary relatable lol. Military background, commercial pilot lol a specific scene that was one of the best days of my life 🤩🐘. Aside from all that lol this book really does have everything you could want and need. It has fake dating, it has adventure, it has the witty banter we all know and love, it has the spice, oh lawd the spice 👀. I never knew I would be so affected by someone being called a “good boy” but I am not mad at all lol. It also has the sensitive parts where you’re like, wow, they get me 🥹. Those moments that pull on your heartstrings, and being able to listen to Chip Pons speak about his writing journey and how he came about writing this one, really just made everything so much better.

Run and pick this one up! You can thank me later 😚.

Thank you Netgalley and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the free e-arc and finished physical copy. My opinions are being left voluntarily. I loved Chip Pons Indie published book and 2as exciting for his first trad pubbed book. He does emotions, tenderness, spice, vulnerability, compassion and growth so dang well. I am in awe of an author who can make me a fan when 3rd act breakup / miscommunication takes place.

Definitely recommend giving it a try if you read open door mm romances.

4.5/5☆

4 stars, ARC review

This is a feel-good love story rooted in joy, taking risks, falling hard, and saying yes to something new.

The premise is traditional rom-com coded. Asher gets dumped at the airport right before filming a couples-only reality competition (this book’s version of The Amazing Race). So he recruits a total stranger, Theo, a broody pilot who desperately needs a break from his life. From there, it’s a trip around the world with fake dating, forced proximity, one bed, slow burn… everything we love in a classic rom-com

Asher and Theo are really easy to root for. They’re sweet, a little messy, and have great chemistry (it gets spicy). And their emotional growth, especially around self-worth and trust, gave the romance real depth.

If I had any complaints, it’s that the reality show aspect could’ve done more. The third act was just a touch more dramatic than I’d have liked it to be. But none of that took away from how much I liked this. It’s charming, heartfelt, and left me smiling. This was a fun read for me and I’d definitely recommend it.

Winging It WIth You by Chip Pons -I was really excited for this premise, fake dating/partners on a nationally televised Amazing Race type reality show. When Asher is dumped by his long term boyfriend, he recruits pilot Theo to be his partner. They immediately take off to stop one for the show, which is supposed to last weeks as long as they don't get eliminated - good thing Theo was just told he needed to talk mandatory time off for working too many hours.Unfortunately, this fell really flat for me. The dual POV had such similar voices that I couldn't remember who was narrating most of the time. The chapters hop around from location to location because of the tv show, but we get the bare minimum about most of the actual happenings from The Epic Trek, yet we are reminded again and again how exhausting it is and how tired they are, but from what? We're being told instead of showing how their trust and connection and partnership is growing, we're being told that they've grown close with Jo, and then the passing of time is not clear - I couldn't really tell if it had been four days or four weeks. The third act break up was also hard to get through because even though I didn't feel the biggest connections between Theo and Asher, the way it was handled still felt really extreme. There were a few plot points left completely open that also had me scratching my head. I really wanted to love this one, but it just didn't work for me. Thanks, Putnam, for the arc in exchange for a review.

ARC Review
Winging It with You by Chip Pons

Theo and Asher were absolutely wonderful in this book. It was so freaking cute.
We have Asher who is slated to be on a reality show similar to The Amazing Race with his significant other, however, he gets dumped at the airport. This leads to a meet-cute with Theo, the grounded, work-a-holic pilot over some mozzarella sticks at an airport bar. They decide to fake date for the cameras and compete for the show.
While on the surface this was a cute and fluffy story, it also discusses some bigger personal issues.

Pick this one up if you enjoy:
* Fake dating
* Reality show shenanigans
* Only one bed
* Black cat x golden retriever
* Spicy scenes

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

So in love with this one. Theo and Asher were perfect! This was such a wonderful story of fake dating until it turns real, opposites attract and finding your person in crazy circumstances.

✨ Fake Dating
✨ Reality Show
✨ Black Cat x Golden Retriever
✨Queer Joy
✨ One Bed
✨ “ Good Boy “

It was such a cute plot too with a chance meeting and these seeet me. Competing on a reality show. I loved the antics, the side characters and Theo and Asher were both so damn easy to swoon over.

And Theo had some unexpected Daddy energy that I was absolutely here for. The spice the swoon, just everything was perfect.

This was a heartfelt, adventurous strangers to lovers, dual POV, forced proximity, reality tv show romcom from a fav bookstagrammer turned author that has Asher, a contestant on an Amazing Race type contest getting dumped by his boyfriend and partner right before the show is set to start.

When he runs into Theo, an airline pilot forced to take time off for putting in too many hours, Theo agrees to step in as Asher's partner and 'fake' boyfriend. Cue lots of hijinks, amazing chemistry, excellent emotional depth and vulnerability and great insights into life in the military as a queer person and a depressive episode that follows when Theo is outed against his will.

You can see a lot of the author in these characters and the writing shines with how much of himself he poured into the pages. It was also great on audio and perfect for fans of books like The charm offensive by Alison Cochrun. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and finished physical copy and @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review!