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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
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
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
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