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kayladaila's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent, Blood, and Grief
shrikebait's review against another edition
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I went into this book ready to roll with quirky romcom antics. The Pairing definitely delivered on that front, but I just couldn't get into these characters.
I'll start with my favorite part - Theo and Kit's flexible dynamic, including in the bedroom. Their interactions are refreshingly free of gendered stereotypes and roles. The spicy scenes are fun, inclusive, and creative.
My main hangup is Theo. They came off very abrasive...often pretentious and braggadocious. I couldn't shake this impression even after backstory I think was meant to make them more sympathetic. I did not like how they treat Kit at all...Theo lashes out when their decisions are questioned and Kit has to acquiesce or lose them. By the end of the book, I was convinced their relationship is too unhealthy to suspend disbelief.
I listened to the audiobook version. I really did not vibe with the accents in Theo's portion, but I liked the narrator for Kit's portion.
I think this book has its audience...it just was not for me. I'm happy to see so many people loved it! I hate to give low reviews but I strive for honesty and hope my thoughts help the Pairing find the right readers.
I'm grateful for the chance to check this audio ARC out for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
I'll start with my favorite part - Theo and Kit's flexible dynamic, including in the bedroom. Their interactions are refreshingly free of gendered stereotypes and roles. The spicy scenes are fun, inclusive, and creative.
My main hangup is Theo. They came off very abrasive...often pretentious and braggadocious. I couldn't shake this impression even after backstory I think was meant to make them more sympathetic. I did not like how they treat Kit at all...Theo lashes out when their decisions are questioned and Kit has to acquiesce or lose them. By the end of the book, I was convinced their relationship is too unhealthy to suspend disbelief.
I listened to the audiobook version. I really did not vibe with the accents in Theo's portion, but I liked the narrator for Kit's portion.
I think this book has its audience...it just was not for me. I'm happy to see so many people loved it! I hate to give low reviews but I strive for honesty and hope my thoughts help the Pairing find the right readers.
I'm grateful for the chance to check this audio ARC out for free. I'm leaving this review of my own accord.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
sdupont's review against another edition
I am a huge fan of Casey McQuiston’s previous but unfortunately this book was not it for me. I found the pacing to be extremely slow. The book has far too many detailed descriptions of the locations, drinks, and food to the point it becomes boring. I just could not find myself invested in Kit and Theo as a couple, and I love a second chance romance. Perhaps I would’ve enjoyed this more if it was a movie or limited series where you can see the visuals rather than read the lengthy descriptors.
*I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
*I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent
jadehusdanhicks's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
This book was a creative whirlwind and i loved every second! From complex family dynamics to past mistakes and emotional development, its pages contain a love story for the ages that is tasteful and descriptive and leaves you feeling like your travelling Europe and experiencing the fragrant flavours of its pairings right alongside Kit and Theo. As with all of Casey's books, it had amazing queer rep with bisexual representation as well as nonbinary/trans representation too within our two main characters.
Filled with culture, it has some beautiful references to Rilke's poetry, which were beautiful and earnestly yearning for love. Additionally the comparing love to art truly left me breathless and my heart thrumming with feelings . The love in this is so true, although it takes a journey the way Kit loves Theo for all that they are is truly heartwarming and I adored following their journey and their love towards one another redeveloping.
Flavourful and enchanting this is the perfect read for anyone want an adventurous and tasteful romance that brings a perfect pairing back together. Perfectly researched, it was not only enchanting but made you feel like you were there seeing the sights too and combined with so much culture it kept me perfectly engaged. The way this ends left it perfectly open for potential short stories in future and honestly made me happy cry but thats all I can say without spoiling it.
A bit more adult than Caseys previous writings it has some pretty descriptive spicy scenes but honestly theyre artfully written and enjoyable so if this sounds up your alley I would aggressively recommend you pick it up sooner rather than later.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent
hannahmichele5's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
What a special experience to be able to read this on my way to Paris! This was truly the perfect book about 2 messy, slutty, hot, bisexuals who find their way back to one another 4 years after their sudden break-up on an epic 2 week European food and wine tour!
As expected, this book was phenomenal! It is just so slutty and so gay. I loved every second of it! I found myself relating so much to both Theo and Kit. They were both so special and unique in their own ways and I’d protect both of them with my life! 🫶 also, the only one bed tropes were tropin’ in this one!
As expected, this book was phenomenal! It is just so slutty and so gay. I loved every second of it! I found myself relating so much to both Theo and Kit. They were both so special and unique in their own ways and I’d protect both of them with my life! 🫶 also, the only one bed tropes were tropin’ in this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
Minor: Blood and Death of parent
prioryofprose'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
4.0
Casey McQuiston did it again. They are such an amazing author and create the most amazing characters, the depth and complexity - chef's kiss.
Theo and Kit were so imperfectly perfect. I loved how their relationship was friendship that blossomed and then a happen-stance coming back together on a wine tour. It would be awful for sure. I cannot imagine thinking you are going to have some time away and then have you ex sitting on the bus in a foreign country.
While I hated the sex game, the rest of the book was perfection. I want to hate the miscommunication or lack of communication troupes, but isn't that just real life. How many times do we do that in our daily lives with the relationships around us.
The vibes of the book were perfect though. I madly want to go on a wine and food tour now. The cast of characters were goofy, caring, ridiculous, loving and just amazing.
I could see this turned into the most amazing movie - and it would be awesome! A perfect summer read that shows that love isn't always easy and growing up, changing and compromising are tough, but can be worth it with the right person!
Theo and Kit were so imperfectly perfect. I loved how their relationship was friendship that blossomed and then a happen-stance coming back together on a wine tour. It would be awful for sure. I cannot imagine thinking you are going to have some time away and then have you ex sitting on the bus in a foreign country.
While I hated the sex game, the rest of the book was perfection. I want to hate the miscommunication or lack of communication troupes, but isn't that just real life. How many times do we do that in our daily lives with the relationships around us.
The vibes of the book were perfect though. I madly want to go on a wine and food tour now. The cast of characters were goofy, caring, ridiculous, loving and just amazing.
I could see this turned into the most amazing movie - and it would be awesome! A perfect summer read that shows that love isn't always easy and growing up, changing and compromising are tough, but can be worth it with the right person!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Body shaming
watershine's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Death of parent
owls_rainbow'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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
nukie19's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
A solid four star summer rom com/beach read for me. This is a super fun and sexy trip though Europe with loads of scenery, food and drink descriptions, art, and a pretty broad spectrum of queer intimacy. This mixes up a fair number of standard rom com tropes and doesn’t have a big surprise at the end, but it’s different enough that it doesn’t feel like a mix of other books just scrambled up and republished.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to the publisher for providing me with an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Alcohol, and Sexual content
ambrosiablue's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Have you ever borrowed a book or read an ebook/audiobook that you immediately knew you had to own? So you can reread it whenever you want, loan it to a friend, write in the margins, or really, just to know something that beautiful is in your home in easy reach. This was that book for me. I read The Pairing as an advanced reader's copy, and preordered the hardcover before I even finished because I had to physically own a book this perfect.
Theo and Kit are two bisexual disasters on a romantic European food and wine tour-- only four years and a nasty breakup too late. Stuck together on what was once the vacation of their dreams, they try to keep it from dissolving into nightmare by having a "friendly-but-horny" competition to see who can seduce more locals. The book ends up being part romantic comedy, part traveloge, with so much loving detail painting each city, dish, and drink that you're completely transported. August 6th cannot come soon enough!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Ableism