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Member Reviews

DNF @ 16%. This might be better categorized as a not right now, but I just don’t think I’m in the right mood for this book. I can’t tell if it’s me or the book so I’m going to try to come back to it at a different time but maybe, not at all.

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Sumptuous, decadent, indulgent, horny, angsty. The yearning was outrageous and sickening and perfect. I wanna throw up. I wanna fall in love. I wanna go on a slutty food and wine tour of Europe.

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I enjoyed this. It really was a one sit read for me and I read it during one sitting. Thank you to the publishing company and netgalley

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Loved the setting. Loved the food. Disliked the characters. Disliked the plot 🤷🏼‍♀️ I’m probably done reading this authors books tbh

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I enjoyed parts of this book but ultimately chose not to finish it. It was very tedious and slow moving at parts and I just wasn’t in the right mental space to truly enjoy it. I’ve loved all of Casey’s other books and I plan on giving this another shot sometime in the future.

I will say, I loved the setting and descriptions of their trip. Loved the different personalities on the bus too.

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I enjoyed this one! I selected it for a romance book club at the library and it was a hit! I will continue to read Casey's books.

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Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this early.

The Pairing follows Kit and Theo, bisexual exes who accidentally reunited on the European food tour they planned four years previously.

I really enjoyed the format of this book and the chaos that was Kit, Theo, and the rest of their new friends on the tour. All of the characters were so fun and engaging, I had a great time while reading it. I am a huge CMQ fan and this did not disappoint. My main complaints were that I had trouble figuring out the pronouns for the characters until more than halfway through and the story didn't open up for me until Kit's point of view midway through the book. But overall, a delightful offering from CMQ.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.

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I was so excited about this book because I am such a Casey McQuiston fan but I end up not finishing it. I couldn't really connect with Theo. It's like that we're trying so hard not to be pretentious that it was pretentious, if that makes sense. I liked Kit ok but i needed more from him sooner. The fact that the two main characters were not only not together but actively getting with other people is somethings I'm not usually keen on in my romances. The whole thing felt so complicated and frustrating that I gave up around 38%.
I know lots of people love this book and I would totally still pitch it to people that I think would enjoy it.

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I knew I was going to love this, but I didn’t anticipate how much. I’m not usually big on second chance romance or miscommunication tropes but oof they really got me with this one. I know there’s a lot of mixed reviews and I can see where they’re coming from, but I had a genuinely good time even with these characters imperfect (and sometimes borderline toxic) moments.

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The pairing is a great adult comedy, about love and life and all the complications there in. The characters are funny and the relationship is realistic. The duel point of view allows for more dialogue and understanding of the characters and where they are coming from.

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I really enjoy Casey McQuiston's writing and The Pairing was no exception. It combines some of my favorite things: great food, fabulous drinks, travel, and romance. It was maybe a little long - but not so long that it dragged too much.

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Everything about THE PAIRING was so lush and in your face and immersive. Like all of Casey's novels, I loved it. It truly made me want to drop everything in my life and book a food tour around Europe.

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Absolutely not haha. This was NOT the one for me. I don’t think this author is the one for me unfortunately.

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advance copy in exchange for honest feedback.

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Adored this book (and a big fan of this author!). Really engaging and beautiful prose. Would highly recommend.

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Casey McQuiston is an auto-buy author for me and this did not disappoint! This was a fun, steamy, and food-filled journey through Europe that you won't want to miss!

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Absolutely loved the prose in this book. While I’m far from a foodie (literally ask anyone), the writing is just so beautiful and moving, and I found myself super drawn to the characters, especially Theo. Definitely my favorite from Casey McQuiston.

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The Pairing is the first book that made me sob like a baby in a long time. I was wonderfully, happily, completely devastated by the end of this emotional roller coaster. This book made me wish to pick up every book Casey McQuiston has ever written, which is exactly what I did. The second chance romance of these two characters as they set off on a romantic edible tour of Europe, both set on showing the other that they were doing well after their breakup years ago, was exquisite. I would read this book again and again. 6/5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

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I will read anything Casey McQuiston writes! While I am not a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I am a strong ally and her love stories have such depth!

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A story of misunderstandings and miscommunication, Theo and Kit - former lovers - find themselves taking the same guided tour through Europe and come to an agreement to make the most of it. Their bisexuality is front and center throughout the story, with many sexual escapades thrown in. The story is told in two voices, yes not alternatively; instead, half the book is one and half the book the other, so some elements are reintroduced from a different perspective; it all comes together at the end.

I’ve enjoyed McQuiston’s other books and looked forward to this one; however, the amount of s*x was more than I was prepared for and for me, didn’t enhance the story at all. I’ll definitely read other books by the author, and if possible, get a sense of the raciness before I start, so I am prepared. It was not offensive, just detailed and more than I want to read about, as much of the time, it didn’t necessarily help the plot move forward.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and have written an objective review.

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