see audio edition for full review

my most anticipated release of the year and i am so so thrilled i took the chance and requested an arc for this book bc i absolutely devoured this in a day and a half. cmq does it again. i laughed, i cried, i indulged, i yearned, i fell in love. theo’s strength and kit’s tenderness kept me coming back for more. the way they capture the human condition in words is so unique and has brought so much joy and flavor to my life. i truly hope they never stop writing. ( )

By author of Red, White & Royal Blur

I so sadly had to DNF this. I'm here for the queer and was really expecting this to be great. It's got great reviews, but I'm bored as well. I'm about 30% into the book and I just don't even care what happens to these characters. From reading reviews, I guess it gets a little better when you hear Kit's point of view, but I'm still on Theo and I just don't really see it. I feel like they were together awhile ago and they should just leave it that way. I'm not feeling the love between them. And I'm bored as hell with their trip and all their descriptions of food and wine. It's a little over done. Sadly, as much as I was excited about a queer love story, I'll find another one that hopefully gets me excited about their relationship and rooting for them! ( )

A genuinely flawless romance with exquisite writing to boot. ( )

Bi for Bi romance that makes me love love (and really want to go on a food and drinks tour) ( )

Childhood best friends turned lovers Theo and Kit had an epic breakup at Heathrow before their epic culinary/art/wine tour of France and Italy even began; Theo went home and blocked Kit's number, and Kit stayed. They both received vouchers for the trip, and at the eleventh hour, before the vouchers expire four years later, Theo, now a sommelier in training, crosses the ocean again to join the tour, only to end up in a seat on the bus next to Kit--he didn't take the tour at the original date, either, and wasn't expecting Theo. They agree to a truce of sorts, and then, since the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else, they challenge one another to a hook-up competition for the duration of the tour. Because they're totally over each other, right?

The first half of the novel is from Theo's point of view: we learn about Theo's struggles with ADHD and feelings of failure around launching a viable career. Having failed the sommelier exam three times, Theo is currently flying under the radar as a mixologist in a microbus and distancing themselves and their perceived weirdness around their famous family of movie producers and actors. Once on the tour bus, Theo dissects their relationship with Kit even as they find themselves spiraling closer to their former friend and lover.

The second part of the novel is Kit's life update and take on the relationship. Kit has been killing it as a pastry chef in France. It is in Kit's half that Theo, bisexual and androgynous, reveals to Kit they are now using they/them pronouns. Kit, also bisexual, not only takes it in stride, but immediately respects and validates it.

Their reunion plays out against a stunning backdrop of France, Spain and Italy; the lush sensory details reminds me of the classic Californian coming of age novel Weetzie Bat at a slower pace. The writing is juicy, by which I mean luscious, steamy, emotional, horny, rich and decadent, and ripe with so many allusions to art, architecture and literature it's nearly gluttonous. One of Kit and Theo's pasttimes is playing a game called On The Fly, where they verbally compose dishes and drinks, taking one element from a menu presentation to create something new and fresh until one is declared unable to be topped; it speaks to their dynamic in so many ways, from their artful creativity to their ability to work in harmony, to their culinary instincts and expertise, to their competitive nature, to their playful give and take, to their conscious turn-taking of topping in bed. Another game that showcases Theo's nose is a wine guessing game, and their mastery is awesome.

I love how simply, honestly, and authoritatively the novel portrayed a one true pairing that didn't limit itself to being straight or being monogamous. Most of all, I loved this sense that they could not have stayed together when they were younger, and needed the break to grow up a little, gain confidence and maturity, and come back together as their best selves. The Pairing is a novel I devoured twice, purchased the day it came out in special edition, and will lament the day the digital galley with all my bookmarks disappears from my e-reader.

I received a free advance reader's review copy of #ThePairing via #NetGalley courtesy of St. Martin's Press. ( )

Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC!

WHAT A DELIGHT. The descriptions in this book are breathtaking, beautiful and heartfelt. Every page I felt like I was stepping into the scenery. I love these characters, I love this writing, and I love this book. Mcquinston's best by far. ( )

Four years ago, Kit and Theo broke up on their flight to a food and wine tour of France, Spain, and Italy; now, both have decided to cash in their vouchers for the trip before they expire, and they've booked the same one. Over the course of three weeks, they each attempt to deny their love for the other, build a friendship, have a sexual contest, and discover some misunderstandings. Pastry chef kit and almost-sommelier Theo have learned and grown over the past four years apart, and they find their way back to each other better than before.

The first part of the book is from Theo's POV, the second part from Kit's. In the years since they broke up, Theo has come out as nonbinary; Kit is bi.

Quotes

The problem is, we've only ever been everything or nothing to each other. I don't know how to start being something to him. (66)

As far as I know, there are two ways to get over someone: Surrender to the anger that's already there, or invent something to get angry about. (75)

"Take care of good love when you find it." (123)

The truth is, I never stopped loving that person. I only stopped believing he existed. (131)

"What were you thinking?" Theo asks. "How could you design a whole life for me without even asking if I wanted it?" (300)

My favorite parts of me are the ones that Theo brings out, the ones that grew to match theirs. (355)

There's...so much beauty in learning how much my heart can endure. Sometimes I think the only way to keep something forever is to lose it and let it haunt you. (388) ( )

Delicious and fun, especially if you love wine, have travelled to Europe, or both.

As a huge lover of Red, White, & Royal Blue I decided to pre-order this one in hopes it would be just as good. [The Pairing] first edition came with lovely sprayed edges and was quite colorful. However, I think I read this one with too high of expectations because I did not enjoy it too much.
I like how the book chapters go by location, I thought this was unique. For the most part Kit & Theo were likeable but I didn’t feel their chemistry at all.
The book itself was very wordy, whether it was about art or food and that completely took away from the relationship. The relationship of the characters were very strained and I can’t see the storyline being realistic.
I also think the curveball she threw in about Theo and their gender was a bit overdone and over focused which made it feel unnatural. This book would’ve been better if it was either a hetero couple or a gay one. I get that she tried to represent but it didn’t flow well with the vibe of the storyline.
This is the only other book I’ve read by her besides RWRB. I honestly don’t think I’ll read another.
★★★ ( )

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Casey McQuiston - The Pairing: Decidedly not my fave of her 4, the excellent food porn notwithstanding. #cursorybookreviews #cursoryreviews ( )

This is not my favorite of McQuiston's books. It was enjoyable, but I kept banging my head against the wall every time Kit and Theo didn't just use their words and say what they were feeling. The descriptions of food and drinks were mouth-watering when I knew what they were. I enjoyed all of the various side characters. I don't think this will be the first one of McQuiston's books that I'll reach for when doing rereads. ( )

For those who do not consider themselves food connoisseurs, pastry artisans, or sommeliers in training, this book may at times feel somewhat tedious, as these elements are the vehicle that moves the story forward. If this describes you, or if you can at least appreciate a book that caters to a European foodie's sheer bliss, you are in luck. Like many of its predecessors, "The Pairing" shares a beautifully woven love story of two people who, through miscommunication, were driven apart - only to come back together in the most unusual of ways. The essence and magic of Casey McQuiston, who uses they/them pronouns, shine brightly. It’s always a joy to know that when they bring two protagonists together, they won’t make it easy, but they will always make it fun!

It’s been four years since Theo stood in Heathrow’s airport and watched Kit walk away from the life they were building together. Words were said, lines were crossed, and a reality that Theo didn’t expect to ever endure became the fuel to finally put things into perspective, to grow up and take charge. Now having succeeded in creating a mobile bar business and working as an Assistant Sommelier, Theo can finally revisit the trip that was never taken before the voucher expires. Failing to expect the unexpected, Theo could never have imagined Kit having the same idea! For three weeks, they are stuck together on the trip they had planned four years ago. To make matters worse, Theo has to be reminded of the life Kit now has, from his, according to Maxine, well-deserved title at the Dejardin, to his current success as a pastry manager. Determined not to let Kit’s presence dampen the trip and being the bigger person, Theo decides to bury the past and focus on the present, even upping the ante by making a friendly wager with Kit - who can seduce the most people and win over their tour guide before the trip ends. Theo is determined to prove to Kit that their history can stay in the past, but the present may have another idea.

This book offers so much that it teeters on the edge of being an overload for the imagination. The foods, the art, the history, the travel - I lost count of how many times I stopped reading just to look up a building referenced or a piece of art described in sheer admiration. As mentioned earlier, if you do not have at least some appreciation for wine, food, art, travel, or architecture, this book may not be for you; however, if you do, you will definitely get your fill and then some!

I enjoyed that the story was told from a dual POV but not in real time. In the first leg of the trip, we are in Theo’s mind and are given their perspective on what happened, how they feel, what they want, and what they believe is happening (or not happening) when it comes to Kit. Then, suddenly, the story flips and we are in Kit’s mind.

For those who love a lot of detail, this book is perfect for you. Casey takes the time and energy to describe every aspect of each destination, tantalizing each sense—describing the city (sight), the meals eaten (taste), the buzzing in the atmosphere (hear), the aroma wafting through the streets (smell), and either the effects of the weather or the context of the clothing (feel). The reader is fully engulfed in the experience, as if they are another traveler on this excursion. For those who do not enjoy a lot of detail, again this may not be the book for you. You may find the long descriptive passages off-putting and the amount of time it takes to get to the meat of the story discouraging. This is definitely not for those who are used to the formula of a typical contemporary romance where the trip and the aspects experienced are primary and the characters are secondary.

The intimate moments shared between lovers in this book were not only increasingly steamy but heavily used as moments of insight with the character.

Perfectly titled, "The Pairing" is an experience in itself. As a reader, you're not just observing the story of Theo and Kit; you're living it! If you can finish this book without feeling an urge to try something new, drink something different, travel, or trust yourself enough to take a risk - a chance you hadn't wanted to take before - I implore you to read it again! ( )

A feast of the senses! Glorious food and drink descriptions, a lot of hot people having a lot of sex, believable relationship (if slightly unbelievable problems of the "people in romance novels cannot communicate if it would increase the drama" variety). You root for these two to figure it out. Relatively minor things kept bugging me that maybe wouldn't bother other people (This is a really limited idea of Europe! There is just no way anyone could eat this amount of food every day! Drinking as much as these characters drink every day would make every following day unbearable! Nobody is ever drinking water!!). I feel very nitpicky, but for me these were really constant, distracting thoughts. ( )