Chip Pons is just amazing at writing a love story and this one is no different.

This story takes place during a game...I love games...and the contestants are playing for quite the sum of money. And you know what else I love besides a game? FAKE DATING! Truly a superior trope. And the tension between Theo and Asher was just *chef's kiss*

This swoon-worthy romance will have you in your feels the whole time. Each character is thoroughly thought out and well written. Basically, this book had me feeling all the feelings, kicking my feet, and squealing.

Thank you, Penguin Group Putnam, and NetGalley for the ARC.

“Falling in love with the wrong person and then getting your heart broken? That’s just another part of life, right? It’s just one of those things we all gotta deal with at one point or another.”

Winging It With You is Chip Pons’ newest release that captures many personal elements of my favorite things in life; reality television, appetizers, traveling, and most important of all, queer joy. Chip Pons is elegantly crafting his Mount Rushmore of couples that bring us substance, depth, and relation. Theo and Asher’s story is sure to be a one-way ticket to many romance lovers’ bookshelves.

Speaking of Theo and Asher, this story follows both of these men in a dual POV format, showcasing the lovable traits of both of our main characters as their stories collide over an order of mozzarella sticks. Yes you read that right, mozzarella sticks (Chip literally that’s so me coded). Asher and his (now) ex-boyfriend were about to embark on a journey by being casted on worldwide travel reality competition show called The Epic Trek. With his ex-boyfriend dumping him just before their plane was to depart for filming, Asher gravitates towards TGI Fridays for a mimosa and mozzarella sticks.

Theo joins the story as he is about to take some time off to prioritize a healthy work-life balance, however, is struggling in this endeavor at first. After his last pilot job ends before the time off, Theo walks into the eatery and comes across a cute guy who happens to be eating the last of the mozzarella sticks the kitchen has to offer. An opportunity lands right into Theo’s lap (or should we say first class seat in this instance?) and Theo and Asher commit to fake dating for the cameras. Taylor Swift once sang, “It all seems so simple,” and both guys quickly find out that there is more than meets the eye, as the chemistry and attraction between them is nothing but fake.

This is the second title I have read by Chip, and will not be the last. This book succeeds in producing relatable narratives and a well-paced romance story that delivers from start to finish. As a reality tv lover, parts of the competition show plot points felt nostalgic to series I have enjoyed. There were many quotes in here that struck me. With a break-up so early in the story, Asher’s feelings and experience were portrayed professionally. I really felt his pain and loved the way that Chip weaved this arc throughout the story, as we got to see how this further influenced Asher’s interpersonal dynamics and how that affected him and Theo’s relationship.

I’m not really one that reads a whole ton of acknowledgements, but Chip’s acknowledgments actually had me crying tears of joy for him. Overall, I recommend this book if you love reality competition shows, a full-grown romance that’ll have you rooting for the characters, or if you need a first-class ticket to a great story.

Winging It With You by Chip Pons ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Winging It With You was one of my most anticipated books of the year so I’m so thankful to Chip for giving me the opportunity to read this early.

Asher is on his way to participate on a reality tv show with his boyfriend when his boyfriend decides—at the airport— that he can’t do this anymore and breaks up with him. Through a chance encounter over mozzarella sticks, Asher meets Theo and a pretend boyfriend for the show. As the weeks go on, the two men find that their pretend relationship is feeling a lot less fake.

I really enjoyed this book! I love the traveling part of this book and how we actively follow the couple throughout the world on their television journey. I loved the Tomatina scene especially, it was so fun and of course the elephants! The last 25% of the book had me completely hooked and I couldn’t go to bed until I finished their story. Looking forward to release day and can’t wait to see my preordered copy on my shelf!

Theo and Asher are here to steal your heart and make you blush. Chip will make you laugh, swoon, and book your next vacay right away.

This was my first book from chip and omgggg it was so fun!!! I loveeeed the reality show side to this (as a self proclaimed reality show enthusiast!!) their emotions (good and bad) were captured so well I love themmmm

Asher's boyfriend breaks up with him at the airport, just hours before boarding a flight to join a great race-esque game show. In his place, Asher recruits a pilot who's being forced to take some time off because of FAA regulations and flying too many hours in the month. They galavant across the world doing challenges with each other and slowly fall in love.

I was so excited to read this, but it fell so flat for me. I didn't really feel like they were falling for each other the whole time. They were just traveling around and resisting their sexual chemistry and I didn't feel like they did any romancing of each other. I wish that we got to see them communicate more and learn more about each other.

CHIP PONS DOES IT AGAIN! I am in love with Asher and Theo. Their story is so special and one I will read over and over again. The fake dating trope is one of my favorites and this didn't disappoint. The reality TV show aspect was well done and a fun twist to the story. Also, a mozzarella meet-cute? Say less.

I think my favorite aspect of the story was the character development in both Asher and Theo as the book went on. Both took huge steps in self-discovery and growth and it was so well written. I felt like their friend and was so so proud of both of them at the end of the book.

If you are a fan of fake dating, only one bed 😏, reality TV, spice, MM romance and romcoms, definitely add this book to your TBR. You will not be disappointed!

Forced proximity, fake dating, an Amazing Race style competition and mozzarella sticks? Say less because I'm 1000% in!!

I loved this so much. Asher and Theo have my whole heart, and I adored both the literal and figurative journeys they both went on. The lush places they traveled to for the reality show swept me away, but not as much as their tension and romance did. The emotional beats felt real, raw, and earned.

Thank you to NetGalley, Chip Pons and the publisher for the opportunity to read this one!!

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Asher finds himself stranded and in need of a partner for a reality TV competition show, and Theo steps in asking for Asher's airport bar mozzarella sticks in a moment of desperation. They make a friendly coin toss wager and suddenly Theo finds out he's about to jet across the globe performing challenges with the handsome stranger.

Over the course of several weeks, they grow close, sharing their most vulnerable hopes and fears, their painful pasts. Then, an unwelcome reunion that could only be scripted by a reality TV villain takes them by surprise, and puts their future together in jeopardy.


I loved this book. Loved it. And I say this as a person who didn't particularly care for Pons's debut novel. The pacing was great, the characters were relatable and Pons did a great job of showing their growth over through the book. Did I occasionally get distracted by an incorrect bit of geography or Taylor Swift reference? Sure, but it wasn't enough to pull me away from Theo and Asher's story and the swoony way it made me feel.

4.5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an eARC

Stars: 4 Spice: 2 I enjoyed the speed at which we got to know Asher and Theo. Though at first, we feel the bittersweet heartbreak and some uncomfortable choices the boys both have to make. Hurdling between family, work, and long lost dreams these two quickly warmed up to one another, but soon after that, found themselves on the trip of their lives. The natural, almost organic form of forced proximity is not only refreshing to the reader, but it also seems like the two need it just as well. Pons does a great job at convincing us they don't want to like each other, but they do. Or do they? Is it the camera? Or the handsome man?

This just wasn't for me, unfortunately! I do think it'll find an audience - specifically, I think people who loved The Charm Offensive will eat this up. It has a similar vibe, so if you loved the plot and characters in one, you'll probably find something to love in the other. Unfortunately, I'm not in that camp.

I really did want to love it - the premise is really fun! Gay fake dating on a reality competition show is just the kind of romcom hook I'm interested in. But I didn't vibe with the writing. A lot of the dialogue and narration felt stilted and unrealistic. I didn't buy the romance. It's dual POV, but the narration is so similar between the two that I wouldn't be able to tell which man was telling the story if you redacted their names. It's not <i>bad</i>, but it feels a bit undercooked. There's a level of polish that I just felt was missing here.

Like I said, I think this will find an audience that loves it, and that's great! I want people to support queer romance by queer authors! But it didn't work for me, unfortunately.

If you are a fan of forced proximity, fake dating, or the Amazing Race, this is the book for you. I had so much fun reading about Asher and Theo, and their adventures traveling the world on The Epic Trek. While there is definitely some past drama/trauma for both of the main characters, I would still categorize this as a feel-good read. I didn't feel like their past experiences brought the vibe down. I also really enjoyed the other contestants and the production team, and found that part believable, despite having no concept of what being on a game show like the Amazing Race would be like. I also appreciated that while this book does have the "will they not end up together?!" section close to the end, it wasn't as obvious as some of the other MM romance books I've read. Overall I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a light MM read.

I love a good fake dating trope, which is part of the reason I was excited to read this title. It starts with Asher being unceremoniously dumped at the airport by his longtime boyfriend as they are about to embark on a reality tv show adventure. Thanks to a mozzarella-stick meet-cute, he finds a new travel partner for the show. Theo is a pilot who is being forced to take a break from flying after exceeding his allotted hours, which conveniently lines up with the show’s filming schedule.

I enjoyed the book overall and was rooting for Asher and Theo throughout, but the writing style and some of the character development was a little bit of a miss for me. I would recommend this book to fans of rom-coms and reality tv and it would be a good read-alike for The Charm Offensive by Alice Cochran or The (Fake) Dating Game by Timothy Janovsky.

This was my first book by the author and it was an enjoyable road trip/adventure romance. The meet cute — or meet disaster — between Theo and Asher did a great job setting up their fake dating relationship for an Amazing Race type reality show. I thought the book lingered too long on the competition which left many threads of the character development kind of hastily tied up in a short epilogue.

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

A meet cute over mozzarella sticks? Say less.
One thing I loved so much about their story was it never felt like they were really fake dating. Sure, they were playing it up for the cameras but they truly took the opportunity to get to know each other. They didn’t fight it when they started to have feelings, they just went with what felt right. Both Asher and Theo were exactly what the other needed, in a relationship but also just in life. Their story is full of laughs and some really heartbreaking moments. I had the best time watching them fall in love.

Very cute!! I was lukewarm about the plot when I requested it but i’m so glad I did. It’s such a cute story, Asher and Theo pull off a great strangers to lovers arc. They GET each other which was satisfying in and of itself and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters. The adventure part of it was a nice little added plot device which was super fun to read.

I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was absolutely delightful and provided an enjoyable experience from start to finish. To begin my review, I must mention that the synopsis and the cover initially captured my attention. While I wouldn't claim the cover is the best I've seen, it is certainly appealing, and the character illustrations are impressive. The color scheme is also well done, though there is room for improvement. However, the story line is where this book truly shines. I found it to be engaging and a perfect example of why one should not judge a book by its cover; the narrative was truly captivating. Additionally, I appreciated the fast-paced nature of the story, the well-developed characters that were detailed yet not excessive, and the intriguing concept that, while somewhat simple, was presented in a unique and enjoyable manner. In summary, I highly recommend this book and look forward to exploring more works by this author.

Fake dating, adventure, and gay love? I AM IN.

If you are a fan of The Amazing Race, going to love this book. If you are a fan of MCs ending up with their *person*, you are going to love this book. Witty banter? LOVE.

As a person that has never experienced participating in a televised race around the world, I was still so easily able to connect and relate with the characters. I love a story that can build a relationship with such ease, especially in this case when the MCs start as complete strangers.

His smile widens, and I think the sight of it rushes all my blood to my head.
Or maybe this is just the Theo Fernandez Effect.

Winging It With You is the perfect slow burn romance woven in with an epic adventure. Flirty, sweet, entertaining, and full of joy, I absolutely loved Asher and Theo, aka #Thasher 🩵

”I don’t know… just a version of myself who I barely recognize anymore. Someone who strategically molded themselves into what they thought was the perfect partner. Someone who said and did all the right things to make sure they didn’t inadvertently cross some imaginary line. Someone who made sure to let everyone else shine. And yet somehow, all that could never be enough. But I see the relationship for what it was. And more importantly, what it wasn’t.”

Chip wrote Asher and Theo’s pasts with such tenderness and strength. So much heart and depth. And as they grew closer and opened themselves to one another, Chip handled Theo and Asher and their hearts with so much care.

If traveling the world together has taught me anything, it’s that the feeling of home doesn’t always have to be a place.

If you love feel-good romance with a hefty dose of adventure, the perfect amount of steam, and a dash of fake dating, Winging It With You should be your next read.

What a delight it was to experience Asher and Theo find each other and not run from their feelings. A new favorite.