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angelanoelle's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
casey mcquiston really put everything i’ve ever loved or wanted—LOTR references! devastating rilke quotes! a european food and wine tour with chaotic bisexual exes!—into a blender, added a bottle of champagne, and wrote THE book of the summer. beautiful, devastating, hilarious, un-put-downable; i loved it and i’ll be dreaming of kit and theo until i can get my hands on a physical copy in august.
*advance e-book copy provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
*advance e-book copy provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Blood
bdingz's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston is a delightful tour through Europe with Theo and Kit, two exes who never really got over one another. I am not a huge romance reader, but I am drawn to McQuiston’s work because of how they write bisexual characters with such care and attention. On that front, this novel certainly didn’t disappoint! Worth noting that it is more explicit than their previous romances, so be aware of that if that’s not something you’re into. Personally, I really enjoyed it.
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston is a delightful tour through Europe with Theo and Kit, two exes who never really got over one another. I am not a huge romance reader, but I am drawn to McQuiston’s work because of how they write bisexual characters with such care and attention. On that front, this novel certainly didn’t disappoint! Worth noting that it is more explicit than their previous romances, so be aware of that if that’s not something you’re into. Personally, I really enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcohol
Minor: Dysphoria, Death of parent, and Blood
booksbeyondthebinary's review against another edition
medium-paced
I’m withholding my review until the demands made by Readers for Accountability are met.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
ninabubblygum's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4 stars? I don't know. I'm not good at rating books 😭 I really liked it and it's well written, but I have mixed feelings (a lot of feelings in general). very beautifully written all around but I was skimming a lot of the highly descriptive paragraphs about food and art because I didn't understand most things and it's a lot to keep googling. and that's okay! it still does well to paint the scene and makes it very easy to picture yourself being there.
the miscommunication and self sabotage is sadly realistic but so frustrating to read because so much feels like it could have been different if they'd just communicated - but then if that were the case, the entire book would have gone differently, so i suppose some of it was necessary for things to happen the way they did. it all seems to get repetitive after a while as far as the plot and what's going on, but it's still enjoyable and i was fairly hooked. overall, it was a decent pace and a balance of art and feelings and cuteness and hotness and angst.
the miscommunication and self sabotage is sadly realistic but so frustrating to read because so much feels like it could have been different if they'd just communicated - but then if that were the case, the entire book would have gone differently, so i suppose some of it was necessary for things to happen the way they did. it all seems to get repetitive after a while as far as the plot and what's going on, but it's still enjoyable and i was fairly hooked. overall, it was a decent pace and a balance of art and feelings and cuteness and hotness and angst.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Blood, and Grief
stewartla1392's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
downtown_kb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“They wanted to be loved, and eat good food, and make art, and f*ck.”
“The human condition,” I agree.
This book reads like a travel fantasy come true: a completely immersive sensory experience as C.M. lets you feel, smell, hear and taste your way through France, Spain and Italy. The entire time I was reading it I just desperately wanted to go to all these places. Do they actually have tours like this at a reasonable price?
I enjoyed getting to know Theo and Kit and they had such a great connection and truly come alive in this story. I was rooting for them to work out their issues especially once I pieced together the clues for their HEA. This has some of my favorite tropes: childhood friends to lovers, second chance, only one bed. There is also some heavy mutual pining. The hardest thing about second chance romances is doing it well. Pulling off a believable romance and break up and then selling that it was a big enough issue to cause the split but not so big that it ruins the future. This one didn't get there for me, unfortunately. Personally my least favorite way for a couple to reconcile is by a chance encounter. It's so unromantic. This also deals heavily in a miscommunication, another least favorite thing, and lack of communication which occurs the entire book. This undersold the belief I had in their great connection and once the issue was revealed, I lost patience in the drawn out angst. (I did some skimming.) For sure, insecurities getting in our way is a universal human condition, but for Kit and Theo...I just couldn't believe it. That being said, I still will be thinking about Theo and Kit for a while to come. C.M. crafted some wonderfully memorable characters. And this story is so much more than just a romance or maybe it's that new weird category we find some many romances in these days? Finding ourselves while we find love - not "chick lit" but can this be bi-lit or nonbinary lit?
This book is so horny and sensual, the writing is immersive. If you love food and wine this book is for you! If you get offended by casual sex, this book is not for you!
It is slow paced rekindling of trust and romance mixed with growth and discovery. The wonderful imagery catapults the reader into a sort of travel fugue state. I went into this for the romance and came away inspired to travel!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.
“The human condition,” I agree.
This book reads like a travel fantasy come true: a completely immersive sensory experience as C.M. lets you feel, smell, hear and taste your way through France, Spain and Italy. The entire time I was reading it I just desperately wanted to go to all these places. Do they actually have tours like this at a reasonable price?
I enjoyed getting to know Theo and Kit and they had such a great connection and truly come alive in this story. I was rooting for them to work out their issues especially once I pieced together the clues for their HEA. This has some of my favorite tropes: childhood friends to lovers, second chance, only one bed. There is also some heavy mutual pining. The hardest thing about second chance romances is doing it well. Pulling off a believable romance and break up and then selling that it was a big enough issue to cause the split but not so big that it ruins the future. This one didn't get there for me, unfortunately. Personally my least favorite way for a couple to reconcile is by a chance encounter. It's so unromantic. This also deals heavily in a miscommunication, another least favorite thing, and lack of communication which occurs the entire book. This undersold the belief I had in their great connection and once the issue was revealed, I lost patience in the drawn out angst. (I did some skimming.) For sure, insecurities getting in our way is a universal human condition, but for Kit and Theo...I just couldn't believe it. That being said, I still will be thinking about Theo and Kit for a while to come. C.M. crafted some wonderfully memorable characters. And this story is so much more than just a romance or maybe it's that new weird category we find some many romances in these days? Finding ourselves while we find love - not "chick lit" but can this be bi-lit or nonbinary lit?
This book is so horny and sensual, the writing is immersive. If you love food and wine this book is for you! If you get offended by casual sex, this book is not for you!
It is slow paced rekindling of trust and romance mixed with growth and discovery. The wonderful imagery catapults the reader into a sort of travel fugue state. I went into this for the romance and came away inspired to travel!
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Grief and Death of parent
inekefftpp's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
I read this book through an advanced copy I got through Netgalley.
This might, after Red, White, and Royal Blue, definitely be my favorite Casey McQuiston book I've read from them. The characters are so likable, so diverse, and the duel POV (for it switches), really, really works and makes the book come alive that wouldn't have happened if Casey had stuck with just the one POV.
The detailed descriptions, the details provided through each of the character gives it a depth and truly makes you see things through a different lens, and yet it's so them, because it makes so much sense for Kit and Theo to describe the things they experience in the way they do, because it permeates every single aspect of their lives.
Add to that the wonderful cast of supportive characters, who each are all standouts in their own way, but also provide twists and turns and dynamics that you might not see coming, but yet makes it feel so much like it's truly a found family that it just makes your heart feel warm all over.
It is truly a great book, and I wish I could go read it again all over for the first time, not knowing what would hit me, and how hard it hit me on multiple occassions.
This might, after Red, White, and Royal Blue, definitely be my favorite Casey McQuiston book I've read from them. The characters are so likable, so diverse, and the duel POV (for it switches), really, really works and makes the book come alive that wouldn't have happened if Casey had stuck with just the one POV.
The detailed descriptions, the details provided through each of the character gives it a depth and truly makes you see things through a different lens, and yet it's so them, because it makes so much sense for Kit and Theo to describe the things they experience in the way they do, because it permeates every single aspect of their lives.
Add to that the wonderful cast of supportive characters, who each are all standouts in their own way, but also provide twists and turns and dynamics that you might not see coming, but yet makes it feel so much like it's truly a found family that it just makes your heart feel warm all over.
It is truly a great book, and I wish I could go read it again all over for the first time, not knowing what would hit me, and how hard it hit me on multiple occassions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Theo and Kit were best friends turned lovers who had originally planned to spend their lives together. But something happened on their way to a European vacation that put them on opposite ends of the world. Theo is a sommelier in California and Kit is a chef pâtissier in Paris.
After not having spoken for four years, Kit and Theo now find themselves on the same food tour across Europe. In order to prove that they’ve moved on, they’ve challenged each other to see who can sleep with the most people on their tour. Because being in some of the most romantic places in Europe won’t stir up any old feelings, right?
Thanks to St. Martin’s Griffin and Edelweiss for an advanced copy of The Pairing by Casey McQuiston to review! This is probably one of my most-anticipated releases of the year, and getting to read it early? Bring on all the good things for 2024.
Let me just start by saying: this book is probably going to make you want to travel, to take a food tour across Europe, and will make the perfect end of summer read. It’s got so much going for it: food pairings, romantic tension, a colorful cast of characters. Two main characters who are madly in love with each other but don’t want to admit it to the other. If there’s one thing I love about McQuiston’s writing it’s their ability to write fantastic, well-rounded characters you’re probably going to want to be friends with.
The overall set up of this book is also different from a lot of other rom-coms I’ve read. But! It feels so purposeful, specifically for the way that it explores gender and bisexuality. McQuiston takes your expectations about those things and really plays with them throughout the entire book. The way dramatic irony was used added so much to the overall tension of the story. Because as readers, we know Kit and Theo are still in love, but they absolutely refuse to let the other realize it.
I think this book is also McQuiston’s spiciest book, to date. Like, those people who watched the Red, White, & Royal Blue movie and thought the book was going to be spicy will probably be shocked when they pick up this book. McQuiston definitely took the slutty, bisexual stereotype and said: why is being “slutty” such a bad thing? Let me show you why it’s not.
Basically, if best friends to lovers to exes to lovers again sounds like a great time to you, definitely pick this up as your end of summer read. And then maybe book a trip to Europe.
---
If this book doesn't make you want to take a food tour around Europe, I'm not convinced you even read the book. Stay tuned for a full review to come!
After not having spoken for four years, Kit and Theo now find themselves on the same food tour across Europe. In order to prove that they’ve moved on, they’ve challenged each other to see who can sleep with the most people on their tour. Because being in some of the most romantic places in Europe won’t stir up any old feelings, right?
Thanks to St. Martin’s Griffin and Edelweiss for an advanced copy of The Pairing by Casey McQuiston to review! This is probably one of my most-anticipated releases of the year, and getting to read it early? Bring on all the good things for 2024.
Let me just start by saying: this book is probably going to make you want to travel, to take a food tour across Europe, and will make the perfect end of summer read. It’s got so much going for it: food pairings, romantic tension, a colorful cast of characters. Two main characters who are madly in love with each other but don’t want to admit it to the other. If there’s one thing I love about McQuiston’s writing it’s their ability to write fantastic, well-rounded characters you’re probably going to want to be friends with.
The overall set up of this book is also different from a lot of other rom-coms I’ve read. But! It feels so purposeful, specifically for the way that it explores gender and bisexuality. McQuiston takes your expectations about those things and really plays with them throughout the entire book. The way dramatic irony was used added so much to the overall tension of the story. Because as readers, we know Kit and Theo are still in love, but they absolutely refuse to let the other realize it.
I think this book is also McQuiston’s spiciest book, to date. Like, those people who watched the Red, White, & Royal Blue movie and thought the book was going to be spicy will probably be shocked when they pick up this book. McQuiston definitely took the slutty, bisexual stereotype and said: why is being “slutty” such a bad thing? Let me show you why it’s not.
Basically, if best friends to lovers to exes to lovers again sounds like a great time to you, definitely pick this up as your end of summer read. And then maybe book a trip to Europe.
---
If this book doesn't make you want to take a food tour around Europe, I'm not convinced you even read the book. Stay tuned for a full review to come!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
adotzam's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Delicious and decadent. Each sentence a tastier morsel than the last. Thank god for Fabrizio
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
kayles514's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Reading this book isn't enough I need to eat it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
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