"The Pairing" by Casey McQuiston is a vibrant and captivating novel that beautifully blends romance, humor, and heartfelt emotion. McQuiston’s signature wit and engaging writing style shine through, making this story an absolute joy to read. The characters are vividly drawn, each bringing their own quirks and charm to the narrative, and their chemistry is electric. As the story unfolds, McQuiston expertly navigates the complexities of love and relationships, all while delivering moments of genuine warmth and laugh-out-loud humor. "The Pairing" is a delightful and satisfying read, perfect for fans of romantic comedies that offer both depth and a dash of sparkle.

I had such high hopes for this book. McQuiston is one of my favourite authors and their „Red, White and Royal Blue” live rent free in my head for years now. I was hoping for great story, interesting characters and amazing writing. I’ve go mostly that, spiced with a lots of sex and really difficult to like protagonist (I mean Theo here, they are not my favourites. Kit on the other hand is precious and should be protected at all costs).
What I loved about this book:
- the inclusion of really sex-positive people,
- the proper LGBTQIA+ representation,
- the tour of some of the most interesting and beautiful Western European cities,
- the food, drinks and their descriptions,
- the art, architecture and culture of places visited by the characters,
- Kit and his part of the story and an obvious change in the writing style (I loved how immediately we could see that it’s a POV of a different character from the way he expressed himself and how his ways of thinking were),
- the character development and showing it via their choices and actions,
- the actual plot, where friends who became a couple and then split, find their way back together,
- the side characters,
- the ending.
What I could live without in this book:
- so much sex scenes (I actually like smut but The Pairing felt at some point like the sex didn’t add anything to the story),
- Theo being a stubborn little nepo baby (I like their creativity, intelligence and skills but I didn’t understand why couldn’t they just agree to their family support, as well as this whole attitude of “boo, I’m so similar to my beautiful and famous siblings” like there is something wrong with that),
- the way they got on the yacht, the whole scene just being unrealistic.
-just the whole Europe tour thing: I’m European and it’s hard to believe the author has ever seen any of the places described. They also don’t seem to be aware there is anything outside of Spain, Italy and France in Europe which is ridiculous. On top of that, the people there are treated like the accessories to Theo’s sex adventures and I don’t see it happening. Really?

Anyway, it’s a very average book imho, 2,5/5 rounded up as no way to provide half ratings here.

This was fun, I didn't love it as much as Casey's previous books but I still had a great time. It tells the story of exes Theo and Kit who had a painful breakup and find themselves on the same trip around Europe a couple of years on. They're messy - avoiding each other, not able to stay away, helping each other hook up, feeling the pull of desire between them. The good things you want from a second chance romance. It's also a great depiction of shades of bisexuality and gender expression. My main issue is that I just genuinely didn't like Theo, they came off a little spoiled and a little spiteful. Kit is such a sweet people, it was hard not to feel like he deserved better treatment. But still glad I read it and would pick up anything by Casey.

This is the first Casey McQuiston book that I have truly LOVED this book was so much fun to read! Despite having no knowledge about food or wine I didn’t struggle that much with understanding the language the main characters used (however it was incredibly pretentious) the writing style is easy to read and it doesn’t take itself too seriously overall this book was a lot of fun!!

The characters in this book are lovable and funny and I honestly wish I could go on a vacation like this! This would be perfect to read if you were on holiday in Italy!

The Pairing—the book I was hoping would sweep me off my feet but instead left me tripping over a yacht full of bisexual, wine-obsessed socialites. As a careful observer of Casey McQuiston's career, I went in with high hopes, although after not liking „I kissed Shara Wheere” and ”One last stop” that much, I was wary (I guess they would never top RWRB). Although I was not expecting a catastrophe of such proportions. It felt like someone tried to write a romance novel while half-drunk on overpriced French champagne, forgetting that readers might actually want, I don’t know, some plot and character development between all the culinary orgies.

Theo, our nepo baby protagonist, is perhaps the most insufferable character I’ve ever had the displeasure of following around Europe. Imagine having access to a fortune and multiple loving family members offering to help, but choosing instead to pretend you’re struggling—because who wouldn’t want to cosplay as a poor person? And then there’s Kit, whose only crime seems to be his blind adoration for Theo. The entire romance felt like a bad second-chance love story where all the emotional baggage is left unpacked, and the only thing that’s thoroughly explored is the inside of everyone’s pants.

The European setting, which should’ve been a lush, romantic backdrop, instead felt like a tired collection of stereotypes—Vespa rides, chic French women with cigarettes, and, of course, the ever-charming Italian who apparently forgot how to speak Italian. The Americanized version of frivolous, exotic Europe is insufferable here. The only thing more relentless than the romantic clichés was the sheer volume of food and booze. By the end, I was just as bored and bloated as the characters seemed to be.

Anyway, this might be my official goodbye to McQuiston's books. Oh how the mighty have fallen.

Casey MacQuiston has done it again. An instant favorite of mine! The romance, the tension, the food and summer vibes… it’s just everything!

I would like to thank the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Casey McQuiston's books always scare me a little. RWRB was really good, I was extremely disappointed by One Last Stop, and I Kissed Shara Wheeler was kinda in between those two. Luckily for me, The Pairing falls into the category of RWRB.

We follow the first part of the story through Theo, and the second part is told through Kit's eyes. Both characters are so interesting, and I loved both of them. Theo has been working at a sommelier in the US, and Kit has been working as a pattisier in France. The tension when they first see each other again in an unexpected place and having to spend 2 ½ weeks straight with each other?!? And they clearly still have feelings for each other but they're both ignoring it?? AAAAH

I also loved the settings of this book. It's such a fun idea to follow these people on their journey through Europe and feel like you're there with them in every city. Now I wish I could go on a trip like that.

However, the chapters were very long, which sometimes made me struggle with picking up the book. Yes, there's white lines in between, but that just doesn't feel the same. I also felt like some of the sex scenes were a bit too close to each other, I would have preferred less.

Overall, a very good book, and I'm excited to see that I loved one of Casey's books again!

I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. This in no way impacted on my view.

Finally going on the trip of a lifetime, Theo never expects to find the person who broke her heart - and who she was supposed to go on the original trip with - sat next to the only available seat on the bus. Kit had been her best friend, and partner, and broke her heart. Now trapped for three weeks on a romantic European wine and food tour, they have to make the best of a bad situation, and try and come out the other side with their hearts intact.

I've been putting off writing this review for so long. Like the rest of the world, I loved Red, White and Royal Blue, and found I Kissed Shara Wheeler enjoyable too. So I was expecting that The Paiing would be as good too, but I found I was forcing myself to finish the book, and was just pushing myself to the end so I didn't have to DNF it. I mean, the book wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either, at least in my opinion. I found this book so frustrating. It was the biggest case of miscommunication and dramatic actions that I've read in a long time, and both Theo and Kit were characters I found lacking, and I wasn't engaging with them. I found myself not bothered about their love story, or even if they got together in the end. Not something I would expect from this author, and I'm not wary on reading another of her books in the future.

Casey McQuiston's "The Pairing" is another hit! I knew I would enjoy this book just as much as I loved her earlier ones, which I truly loved. The idea of two bisexual ex-couples unintentionally selecting the same wine and food tour in Europe is brilliant, and their subsequent hookup rivalry is endearing and funny at the same time.

This romantic comedy is exceptional because it features McQuiston's trademark mix of poignant moments and clever repartee. The travel across France, Spain, and Italy gives Theo and Kit's rekindling relationship a further surreal setting. This endearing tale captured my attention, and I'm eager to see what McQuiston creates next! Should you be an admirer of her writing, "The Pairing" is a must read.

I really wanted to like this having previously enjoyed Casey McQuiston’s other novels but I just couldn’t get into this one at all!

The concept was interesting but I just felt that The Pairing lacked so much of the charm that I loved in One Last Stop and Red White and Royal Blue in particular.

Not for me unfortunately!

While not my favourite book of Casey’s it was enjoyable, the book was clearly well researched and a fun read.

The pairing feels a lot more gown up than their other books so far which was a fun surprise, I loved the amount of diversity included and I think someone would struggle not to see at least a little of themselves in the characters.

While Theo and Kit are flawed they were very well written and well rounded characters that I was rooting for until the end b

As entertaining as other books from Casey McQuinston. A rather cool summer read, especially for foodies and travel lovers,

Casey McQuiston delivers another gem with *The Pairing*, a story that’s as delicious as it is emotionally satisfying. This book mixes romance with a dash of witty banter and a generous helping of character depth. McQuiston’s signature style—sharp dialogue, engaging characters, and a plot that keeps you hooked—shines through, making *The Pairing* a must-read. It’s a dish best served with a side of laughter and a sprinkle of swoon-worthy moments.

Looking for the perfect queer summer romance? This is it!
It's perfection. The trip across Europe that makes you want to be there, the food descriptions that make your mouth water and the queer representation?
It's all so good!
I love how Casey McQuiston set up the bi-exes and that one of them even identified as non-binary and how that was introduced and handled.
The only flaws I could find in this book were a few too many sex scenes for my taste (really wouldn't have needed them, the rest of the story was more than enough) and that I am now hungry and want to go on that vacation.

It took me a bit of time to get into this book. I admittedly do not relate super well to characters like this and relationships like this, though this does not by any means make them bad, just more difficult for me to connect to them emotionally. I also did struggle to engage with a romance book where the first half is them trying to sleep with other people, but I acknowledge they were both consenting and into it. It's just not necessarily what I'm looking for in an romance. When it switched to Kit's perspective, it started working more for me because it focused more on how they loved each other. I think Kit is also just more emotional as a character than Theo, so that worked better for me. I appreciated the representation, and it was well-written.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of The Pairing by Casey McQuiston,

I was so excited to have an early copy of this book because I love Casey Mcquiston and their queer stories. However, I ended up not liking this book as much as I thought. Funnily enough, a lot of people disliked the first part of the book with Theo's POV when it ended up my "favourite". I was happy for the queer representation in this book. I really liked the depiction of food and drinks.

I started reading this book in London where the story starts and when I went back to Paris, they also went to Paris which was really nice. I wish I could have done the all tour with the food, the architectures etc...

What I mostly disliked was the other sides characters. I felt like they were only here to have s*xual relationships with. They had no depth. I am glad that we have positive s*x books but when the main characters Theo and Kit met new people, they instantly think about having s*x with those people. Knowing someone ? Making friends ? Nah, just thinking about maybe having a threesome !
Also, Sloane (Theo's sister) saying she is where she is because of her talent and not acknowledging the fact that she is a nepo baby kind of annoyed me. No shame in being a nepo baby, but don't pretend you had NO help in your situation, especially when you tell your sibling that they should use that situation to their advantages.

I feel mixed about the ending, I know it's a romance so this is obvious how it ends but I just felt like the two characters could have worked a little bit more on themselves. But I was also thrilled to have a happy ending. But at that point of the book, I just did not care enough about them to really feel anything.

Overall, I would rate this book probably a 2.75 out of 5. Not my fave but I will continue to read Casey Mcquiston's books.

This is a DNF for me unfortunately! I always try really hard to avoid DNFing an ARC but this book is just not for me.

I'm finding it really hard to get through, the characters are unlikeable and the setting of Europe seems so over the top. The constant descriptions of food and wine are boring and everything seems to be so slow. It just feels very pretentious!

It's a shame because I enjoyed One Last Stop & Red, White and Royal Blue but Casey McQuiston's other books just haven't hit the same.

I'll be honest, I unsure when I started. I assumed it would be a queer romance, because Casey McQuiston - duh. But I was confused about the identity of Kit and Theo. I didn't actually realised that Theo was AFAB until someone referred to them as "she" - not sure if this was intentional to Theo's revelation later in the book at their non-binary identity and their statement of liking to dress/appear androgynous, but it was great either way.

I really loved the food and wine tour, particularly as it is relating to both Theo and Kit's careers / expertise, I adored the idea of FairFlower and really wanted them to pursue it, so was thrilled when they came up with FieldDay and pursued that. The book was filled with tensions of all kinds, but particularly sexual tension. It was amazing - read it.

A great friends to lovers, second chance romance, slightly smutty read. Mild miscommunication trope, but the rest of the book made up for it! Basically - read the damn book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for a review.
I have loved Casey McQuiston since RWRB and was delighted to receive this ARC. 'The Pairing' is a very different vibe - sexy and romantic and full of heartbreak. This is a story of two horny bis banging their way across Europe, fucking other people and trying to ignore that their love and attraction for each other still exists years after they broke up. I loved being in witty and funny Theo's head, was so frustrated when I realised the POV was switching, and then fell in love with Kit's descriptive and romantic way of viewing the world. You really root for them, as Theo and Kit go from panicking at the sight of each other, to becoming the best friends they had been once before and finally finding their way back to each other.
'I look at her and miss her twice, once as a lover and once as the friend I had yesterday.'
What's clear is that Theo and Kit grow as individuals in their time apart, and Theo opening up to Kit about their gender identity in the later half of the book, and immediately having Kit adjust his use of pronouns, 'shes and hers' become 'they and them' is something I haven't seen often in the books I've read. It felt authentic and hopeful, no doubt due to the author's own experiences.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to CM's next book!

Okay, it looks like this book is going to be divisive.

The Pairing follows two incredibly pretentious ex-lovers who eat and fuck their way through Europe on a food tour years after their break up. If that description doesn't appeal to you, then avoid this book. But for those of you like me who love the sound of it, this might just be your dream book.

It is a deliciously decadent, hedonistic book filled with sensual descriptions of food and scenery that leaves you feeling flushed and hazy. McQuiston truly transports you through these European cities in a way that feels dreamlike, despite the very real settings. As someone who has been to most of the places, I understand the criticisms that the places are not accurately described. And yes, it isn't realistic at all for all these cities to be gay oasis where everyone wants to sleep with everyone, but that is what romance is about - the fantasy of the thing. Also, I would argue that they are written to be idealised versions of these places, as seen through the eyes of two incredibly self-absorbed people falling back in love with each other and their own lives again. They would see what they want to see.

I found this book hard to put down and have recommended it to everyone I know who 1) loves food, 2) loves a slightly obnoxious narrator or 3) is a Sagittarius.

Thanks to NetGalley, Casey McQuiston and Pan Macmillan for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.