Four years ago, Theo and Kit's lifelong friendship and years-long romantic relationship imploded on a plane somewhere over the Atlantic. Due to go on a food and wine tour of Europe once they landed, they instead went their separate ways at Heathrow.

Four years later, with Kit having completed their culinary studies in Paris and Theo a small business owner prepping for the sommelier exams back in California, and they have reached the deadline by which to take their cancelled trip. What neither expects is for the other to have chosen the exact same week to do so.

The Pairing is a lush and sensual journey across Europe's food and cultural capitals and for anyone who likes their romance as steamy as their food, it will be a hit. For those (like me) who aren't particularly foodies, it might hold less appeal but is still an entertaining read.

3.5 stars

The best part of this book was the last 20% because it finally picked up the pace. The rest of the book felt like such a slog to get through and there were a few times when I was so tempted to DNF it because everything dragged so much.

I appreciate that the characters were on a food and drink tour, but I could have done with all the descriptions cut in half. This would have really sped the pace up and allowed the focus to be on the characters rather than telling me every single thing they ate. There are only so many wine descriptions one book needs.

While I thought the dual POVs were good, I feel like cutting the book in half meant it didn't give the full experience of what the characters were thinking and feeling. I really wanted alternating POVs and the sudden shift to Kit from Theo was quite jarring.

I also thought we were going to get a good twist with this and I was actually ok with it but then it went back to being predictable. There's nothing wrong with that but it could have gotten there much quicker.

For a book that includes a sex competition, there is remarkably few detailed sex scenes. Sorry to say that if you're expecting spice, you need to get through 80% of the book first. I also didn't think the sex competition added too much, it was just another complication that slowed things down.

I just wanted more from this book and I wanted to enjoy far more than the final 20%.

Ultimately not for me. CMQ is an author who obviously enjoys experimenting a bit in different genres (magical realism, YA, new adult) but I don't think this foray into kind of literary, smutty romance has worked for them here and seems like more of a stopover book than one that fully realises its concept. It’s also far too long.

I think one of CMQ's main strengths is writing group dynamics, and in this book that facet of their writing is parked in exchange for being more of a character study of the two protagonists. This insularity of both the setting (a tour through many countries, sure, but ultimately little more depth than elaborate descriptions of beautiful settings, art, lovely food and hot locals) and their relationship made this book lack a lot of the whimsy I've enjoyed about their previous work, and the side characters felt one dimensional. I also thought it was quite a slog to get through - again because we're really only exploring these characters thoughts about themselves and each other for 400+ pages. The main romance journey seems to be about expressing the love they have for each other as changed people in a more mature and communicative way but they still felt quite emotionally immature for 28 and their love felt present but stagnant enough that I just didn't really feel invested in it. The change up to create a dramatic, tropey ending felt at odds with the rest of the book.

The queer representation is great - it’s rare to get such good bi rep and non-binary rep - and I respect the author wanting to go in a more literary direction with their romance but this book feels torn between wanting to be a serious, literary novel, and a fun, smutty romance and ultimately failed to entertain me either way.

Sun-drenched, gorgeous, glorious, bisexual chaos. I loved this book - I inhaled it over the course of a weekend and absolutely loved it. McQuiston is supremely talented and the character that they. have created in this novel are some of their best so far. Kit and Theo are glorious and I just didn't want the book to end, if only so that I could spend more time in their company. I am going to be manically hand-selling this title and will definitely be re-reading this one several times. Thank you so much to MacMillan for the proof copy.

Thank you to Pan Macmillan and Netgalley for this advance copy of The Pairing.

It's no secret that I love Casey McQuiston's work, Red, White, and Royal Blue was a favourite book of mine from a couple of years ago. When I saw The Pairing, I picked it up immediately and fell in love. Kit and Theo are a magnetic pair, and I found myself pulled into their orbit and unable to let go. This book does a fantastic job of dealing with sexuality, gender, longing, and rekindling an old relationship. It's sunny, succulent, and oh so sexy. I loved it SO much, my favourite McQuiston yet.

I have to be honest, I thought this would be a much fluffier romance than it was, but it turned out the angst of the first part, specifically, was heartbreaking. Theo and I are completely different so it was strange that I would identify to them so much, but their pain in the first part literally broke my heart. Their inability to sometimes function day to day on basic tasks and the way they have to cope with digital communication made me relate so bad to them that I was much more involved than I had planned. There was also the fact that that trope of seeing the love of your life moving on and trying to be happy for them has never been something that has inspired inner peace in me.
Theo and Kit are so endearing and agonizing over each other that you can’t help but root for them. I was so relieved to finally get to Kit’s point of view mid-book, if only because I wanted to finally have the other version of some events, but also because I needed a relief from Theo’s angst. Kit was deeply poetic and caring, he surprised me often and I felt the two halves gave us such a moving picture of their relationship.
I had also not expected the spicy scenes to be this hot, but they absolutely were. Theo and Kit’s connection and tension was incredible.
The author handled the topics of gender identities, life changes and personal growth in a considerate and just way, which made this into a book that I cannot help but recommend.

This was a deligthfully atmospheric novel that made me feel like I was travelling with Kit and Theo through these idyllic locations. It also made me very hungry.

But of course, the element of this book that stands out the most is of course the relationship between our main characters. They have such a strong history and unique connection that you can't help but root for them and yell at them when they make bad choices. (Which, they do. Communication is not their strong suit.)

In short, Casey McQuiston never disappoints.

Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy!

POSSIBLE SPOILERS:

And so I kiss her.
I kiss Theo because I’m in love with her. I always have been. I always will be.

Bisexual exes who are slutty, love food, drink, sex and more sex, who still love each other even after four years apart, what’s not to love?

I absolutely adore Theo and Kit.

Theo’s big personality and big thoughts were so endearing. From the beginning they stole my heart. You truly come to understand them as a person by the end of the book and I’m happy they found their one thing.

Kit’s poetic thoughts and feelings grab your attention so fast in his chapters, especially when he grabs passages from Rilke. My favourites were:
Rilke wrote, “Even your not being there is warm with you.”
Rilke wrote, “How will I keep my soul from touching yours?”
Because they best described how he was feeling at different points in them four years without Theo.

The different places you travel on this trip with them is written so well you feel like you could also be a passenger on the trip (I wish). The descriptions of the food, drinks and monuments paint a truly beautiful picture in your mind. Also, the side characters, you can’t forget the side characters, I loved them all but I also fell victim to Fabrizio. He’s such a delightful character.

There is so much feeling in Casey’s writing and their work has only gotten better. The love that was poured into Theo and Kit’s story is so present and I enjoyed it all the more. Also, just their writing overall, it really takes you on a journey of discovery and I loved every minute of this book.

I really really wanted to love this! Casey is such an incredible author and I’ve adored all their other books. But this just did not do it for me, and l am so sad to say that!
It wasn’t bad, I have to say. I generally enjoyed it. There just wasn’t anything special.
I read another review (soz for definitely stealing but these two words stuck out to me and can’t not use them!) that described the characters and situations as vapid and pointless and that is exactly what they were.
Every single person was rich and hot and eager to sleep with both Kit and Theo. Okay fair yeah some people would be fine. But every single person they meet??? No.
I just could not connect to either Theo or Kit, and bisexual people having a life crisis is usually my jam. I think it felt a bit like ooh rich kids with all these pointless problems, and honestly that’s normally fine as it’s fiction, but omg it was almost mind numbing once the thought occurred to me. I did like both of them to some degree, but not enough.
I loved the food and travel descriptions! It occasionally started to lean into the side of pretentious but it’s probably going to when it’s a weeks long food and wine tour of Europe (ie basically just France Italy and Spain okay).
I can see a lot of people loving this. It does have Casey’s spark of charm that finds its way into all their writing. I am just sad and disappointed.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing the earc

THIS WAS SUCH AN AMAZING READ!! I wasn't aware at first but my city is one of the tour stops and the descriptions are so freaking accurate, especially when talking about a 100 year old amusement park. All the food talk made my mouth water, it added a new layer to the trip and I'm definitely having a Gilda soon
I adored both Theo and Kit since the first page, their struggles felt familiar and I felt for both of them, i loved their banter. As someone who has loved all other Casey Mcquiston novels & humor, I knew i would like it but this one, this one is definitely the one that has made laugh the most.
Definitely recommend picking it up, Kit and Theo's trip if one to keep an eye on.

I LOVED THIS BOOK 🥹 it’s my first Casey McQuiston book and my god, what a showstopper to start with! I obviously got good vibes when I spotted this on Netgalley, which is why I requested it, but I definitely did not realise how much I would adore it.

The writing was impeccable: with just one book, Casey has catapulted into my list of authors whose writing style works just perfectly for me. The words ebbed and flowed like a silky smooth river winding through my brain and it was just an absolute delight to get lost in the pages.

Theo and Kit, our extremely likeable protagonists are honestly the most interesting characters I’ve been introduced to for a long time. I was fascinated by not just their relationship, but each of them as individuals and their separate journeys in life that ultimately led them together and back together years later. I was truly swept off my feet and buckled into the rollercoaster ride with these two - I had to remind myself multiple times that these were (sadly) not real people, they just felt incredibly authentic to me.

Honestly, a big draw of this story for me was the mouth-watering food sommelier Theo and pastry chef Kit continuously ate 🤤 this book made me frequently ravenous! I know it’s fictional but I need to attend this 3 week trip around Italy and France eating all of the stunning food please.

There is so much to enjoy from this story: the tender romance, the spine-tingling chemistry, the rivalry and jealousy, the extraordinary side characters, the beautiful imagery, the emotional history and of course the delicious treats. The Pairing was a pleasure to sink my teeth into and I will be purchasing every other book this author has ever written.

Thank you Pan Macmillan & Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Casey has done it again! A beautiful second chance romance about two childhood friends & ex partners that were (and still are) deeply in love with each other who reconnect on a European tour they were supposed to take together. The trip starts off with a competition to see who can hook up with the most people, but they inevitably find themselves drawn back to each other, even if they are not quite sure if the other feels the same.

I absolutely adored both Kit and Theo, they only ever had each others best interests at heart. The way the dual POV is written is a breath of fresh air. Usually we see alternating chapter POVs. However here the first half of the book focuses on Theo and then effortlessly switches to Kit. Not having both sides at the same time meant that you got to learn more about each character and really see themselves and their feelings towards the other develop throughout the trip.

I loved the chapters being the different places they were visiting accompanied with the food and drink pairing which had the most significance to the events to come.

I expected nothing less than a romance that really tugs at your heartstrings and I’m so glad it held up 💕

Thank you @netgalley and @panmacmillan for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I know it's only July, but this has to be the biggest disappointment of the year. I love Casey McQuiston and I was so looking forward to this book, so when I got an ARCI was over the moon. But the feeling stopped when I started to read.

The main characters are a disaster. But not a disaster haha. Just a disaster. They are both 28, behaving like 18, and just... No.

Most of the book goes like this - they travel, they eat, they hook up with someone while pinning for each other. It's a second chance romance, so I wanted to see more chemistry between them. And all I got was really that they were horny for each other and basically for everyone else who was willing to give them a good time.

I have to admit I skipped most of the spicy stuff, even between Theo and Kit.

And then they finally, finally got together I felt... Absolutely nothing. No joy, no excitement. I mean, good for them that they sorted our their shit.

I think the worst thing that can happen to a book is characters that are meh. Two Nepo babies who have to different views how to use their family's money. I really wished I had problems like that.

I didn't connect to Theo or Kit. We are nearly thr same age, and nothing. I love to bake, but that's that.

I have to say that I did like how Theo was written about their gender and possibly ADHD? In general, the writing was good, there were some quotes that I LOVED. But I feel it was wasted in this book.

I am giving it three stars, because of my sympathy to the author. Otherwise it would have been two.

Huge thank you to NetGalley, Casey McQuiston, and Pan Macmillan for a galley of this in exchange for an honest review. I am a huge Casey McQuistion fan, Red, White & Royal Blue is one of my all time favourites, it is just so feel good, and yet so emotionally impactful. The Pairing is absolutely in the same vein. If you loved the letters in R,W&RB you will adore this book!

The Pairing follows childhood-best-friends-turned-lovers-turned-exes Theo and Kit, as they find themselves, quite by accident, on the same European food and wine tour after 4 years apart. Theo has turned their life around, and is desperate for Kit to see all the positive, totally-on-top-of-things virtues of the new and improved Theo, and not see the same bad habits! Kit, on the other hand, seems to have actually landed on his feet, living a new, amorous, wildly successful life in Paris... or is he? Across the book both learn how much, and how little, the other has changed. Set across France, Spain, and Italy, and filled with food, wine, art, architecture, and a whole bunch of European hotties, The Pairing asks 'can you grow apart, and together?' A delicious queer romp through Europe, that will make you laugh, and might also make you cry, The Pairing is the perfect summer read.

McQuiston is perhaps one of the most lushly descriptive authors I have ever encountered. It is rare in a contemporary romance novel to feel like the world being built is so extraordinarily beyond our own, and yet the detail and feeling McQuiston imbues these locations with is almost fantastical. I suspect this will be especially true for a North American audience, who have less access to the art, architecture, and culture of Europe, but even as someone who has travelled throughout Europe many times, McQuiston blew me away. All of the settings are exceptionally drawn, and populated with fully fleshed characters. The artwork mentioned throughout is handled with tremendous respect, as is the food and wine. I cannot fathom the amount of research needed to build two POV characters, both with such personal love and genuine expertise, and have them both feel so real and so knowledgeable. If you have never been to France, Spain, or Italy, this book is enough to make you want to book a flight, it is a love letter to European culture, and a beautifully penned one at that.

The Pairing was a delight to read, filled with humour and emotion, a few antics, and a lot of feelings! I will say this is far and away one of the most sex-focused books I've ever read, (and I've read two published by Mills & Boon this year,) but perhaps not in the way you're thinking! I'd say this is a very sex positive book, and we touch on both character's personal kinks / pleasure, their relationship together, and their relationship with other people. If you are someone who much prefers closed door romance, with little-to-no discussion of sex, this might not be for you. I think I would described it not as 'smutty' but as deeply and purposefully 'sexy.'

The only thing that holds it back from the full 5 stars, for me, is that I think it went on a little too long. I loved the description, I loved the self-imposed slow-burn of Kit and Theo's second-chance-romance, but the 'emotional convo / sex / explore a beautiful country drink loads and look at art / emotional convo / sex' etc. cycle did feel like it lost some momentum about 3/4 of the way through. The last 1/4 was great, but that 3rd one really lagged for me.

Overall, one of the best romances I have read in a long time. Entirely absorbing, heart-breaking, heart-mending, and filled with wanderlust. 4.5 stars.

I have mixed feelings about this book, but I think it ultimately boils down to this: it was too long, there were too many repetitions (bound to happen when each chapter is a stop on the food and wine tour), and although the food and wine (and scenery and art) descriptions were lovely, I also sometimes skimmed them, because they were so long and detailed.

For a wine drinker/lover, it's probably great, for someone who doesn't drink, those parts of the story just didn't interest me.

As this is a book which is being released under St Martin's Press in the US I will be witholding my review until the boycott has ended.

As with Casey McQuiston’s other books, I knew going into this one that I was in for a treat, and I was NOT disappointed. I loved the overall food and wine theme and found the culinary hints throughout to be really interesting, alongside exes forced to tour together and the different people on the tour from around the world. I loved the drama of the challenge our main protagonists had with each other, and although it did take over quite a lot of the book, I feel like the drama worked really well and provided a great foundation alongside the food. I would recommend this to any fans of rom-coms but definitely don’t go into this on an empty stomach! ;)

i've read and enjoyed casey's other books. it took me a while to get into this one, wasn't hooked on the characters at first, but i looooved the descriptions of the places

Casey McQuiston does it again with another heart warming and romantic story, perfect as an upcoming summer read.

3.75/5 Stars

I was very looking forward to reading Casey McQuiston's new book and I'm so glad I got the chance to do so in advance. Theo and Kit's story is told through the different stops of their European food and wine tour, which was honestly such a joy to read about. Every city and town is described with its own specific vibe and I so appreciated the food/wine elements included since they added a lot to the book, were perfectly interwoven into the storyline and were just great to read if you're a foodie.

The growth these main characters went through was palpable from the pages and it truly transpired in the events described in the book. I especially appreciated how both Theo and Kit made an effort to actually communicate and talked through things that abruptly happened in the past and were never resolved before.

I would describe this as a great Sume read that features a second-chance romance with actual build-up (and teasing), accurate food elements and beautiful sightseeing moments and if you're into those you should definitely pick this up!