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literyture's review against another edition
5.0
A “gasp slightly when you realize the next page is the acknowledgments, gently set your Kindle down and stare at the wall for a few minutes processing those last few chapters” kind of love story, in the most Casey McQuiston way (it is a crime that I can’t post my Kindle highlights all over the internet ‘til August)
booksteastories's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
prioryofprose's review
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
jamiemamie's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
I was really excited about this book, as I've enjoyed other books by this author. Unfortunately, I knew pretty quickly that it wasn't for me. I almost DNFed at 25%, 30%, 50%, etc., but I decided to finish the book so I could give a more thorough review.
Characters:
I found the two main characters, Theo and Kit, to be wildly pretentious and generally unlikable. This whole story felt very much "poor little rich kids." If you've ever worked in the service industry, especially in a larger city, you have probably worked with these people and rolled your eyes at them. Kit was a bit more likable than Theo, but only because he seemed more genuine in his actions toward Theo. Theo is a nepo-baby who just can't stand the privilege afforded to them by having rich, famous parents. Kit is a French-born, half-American pastry chef who seems to assume he knows what others are thinking instead of asking. Neither of them knows how to communicate.The entire plot of this book is based on the miscommunication in a single event that snowballed into a breakup and subsequent falling out between the two MCs.
Plot:
This story was a second-chance romance / friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-friends-to-lovers. 🥴 Years, ago, they broke up on their way to a European vacation, and they end up in the same tour group when cashing in their vouchers for that missed trip. Kit and Theo are both really hot, and throughout their travels, they constantly encounter other really hot people who are always dying to sleep with one or both of them. Even though Theo comes off as really unpleasant to the reader (IMO), they are apparently able to charm everyone around them and charm their way onto a billionaire's yacht??? IDGI.
Overall, I was really disappointed by this one. Kit's POV was the only saving grace, and even then, I was struggling. It probably would have been better to start with Kit's POV, as he's more likable, but I understand why Theo's POV was first.
If you loved this book, that's great! It just wasn't for me.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC copy for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Characters:
I found the two main characters, Theo and Kit, to be wildly pretentious and generally unlikable. This whole story felt very much "poor little rich kids." If you've ever worked in the service industry, especially in a larger city, you have probably worked with these people and rolled your eyes at them. Kit was a bit more likable than Theo, but only because he seemed more genuine in his actions toward Theo. Theo is a nepo-baby who just can't stand the privilege afforded to them by having rich, famous parents. Kit is a French-born, half-American pastry chef who seems to assume he knows what others are thinking instead of asking. Neither of them knows how to communicate.
Plot:
This story was a second-chance romance / friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-friends-to-lovers. 🥴 Years, ago, they broke up on their way to a European vacation, and they end up in the same tour group when cashing in their vouchers for that missed trip. Kit and Theo are both really hot, and throughout their travels, they constantly encounter other really hot people who are always dying to sleep with one or both of them. Even though Theo comes off as really unpleasant to the reader (IMO), they are apparently able to charm everyone around them and charm their way onto a billionaire's yacht??? IDGI.
Overall, I was really disappointed by this one. Kit's POV was the only saving grace, and even then, I was struggling. It probably would have been better to start with Kit's POV, as he's more likable, but I understand why Theo's POV was first.
If you loved this book, that's great! It just wasn't for me.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC copy for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent
shelby1994's review
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
I was raised on Anthony Bourdain - No Reservations was one of the few shows with profanity and 'adult themes' that my parents chose to ignore in favor of making sure that their kids understood that food and travel and drinking and making friends with the people you meet at 1am while gorging yourself at a street stall are the things that make life worth living.
This book is for those Bourdain lovers, who get lost in the food and wine sections of bookstores, whose cookbooks are taking up all the walkable space in their apartments, and who are wondering why there doesn't seem to be a room within the binary sexual system we have that fits them.
This would have made the ultimate Kristen Stewart/Heath Ledger romance (who is today's Heath Ledger? Surely not Austin Butler (too serious), or Nicholas Galitzine (I say this with love, but too easily softened into the most easily digestible parts of himself.) Is it...Glenn Powell? Idk why, but that upsets me.
This book is for those Bourdain lovers, who get lost in the food and wine sections of bookstores, whose cookbooks are taking up all the walkable space in their apartments, and who are wondering why there doesn't seem to be a room within the binary sexual system we have that fits them.
This would have made the ultimate Kristen Stewart/Heath Ledger romance (who is today's Heath Ledger? Surely not Austin Butler (too serious), or Nicholas Galitzine (I say this with love, but too easily softened into the most easily digestible parts of himself.) Is it...Glenn Powell? Idk why, but that upsets me.
writewithapendragon's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-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
4.5
beansandfungi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
5.0
I really loved The Pairing. It's a lovely story of love and intimacy, with fantasticly developed characters and some beautiful settings. Fair warning, it's very horny, but it works and doesn't feel unnecessary or over the top!
roygbiv_books's review
4.0
Be sure to have good wine and a fruit and cheeseboard close by!
This story follows ex-partners Kit and Theo as they unexpectedly find they have separately booked the same food and wine tour. We follow the pair around to several stops throughout France, Spain, and Italy as they eat fine food paired with wines from each region. As they both struggle with coming to terms with how they feel about themselves and well as the other, they place a little bet on who can make the most ‘connections’ throughout the trip. The two find their way back to being friends but eventually are faced with the realization that they will have to address their sudden break up and the ways they have changed during their time apart. Will they be able to maintain their friendship outside of the dream European tour? Is it possible they still have more than friendship between them?
Casey McQuiston pours an incredible amount of knowledge and description into the food and wines throughout the book. I was transported to each stop along the tour through the exceptionally vivid words they use. It was truly an experience within the pages of this book. Along with the beautifully crafted settings and tastings, McQuiston tackles the subject of gender and sexuality in a wonderfully creative way. They use the dual POV aspect of this book to really help the reader understand each of the characters’ own understanding of their gender and sexuality. This book will leave you hungry, horny, and hurriedly booking a European food and wine tour.
This story follows ex-partners Kit and Theo as they unexpectedly find they have separately booked the same food and wine tour. We follow the pair around to several stops throughout France, Spain, and Italy as they eat fine food paired with wines from each region. As they both struggle with coming to terms with how they feel about themselves and well as the other, they place a little bet on who can make the most ‘connections’ throughout the trip. The two find their way back to being friends but eventually are faced with the realization that they will have to address their sudden break up and the ways they have changed during their time apart. Will they be able to maintain their friendship outside of the dream European tour? Is it possible they still have more than friendship between them?
Casey McQuiston pours an incredible amount of knowledge and description into the food and wines throughout the book. I was transported to each stop along the tour through the exceptionally vivid words they use. It was truly an experience within the pages of this book. Along with the beautifully crafted settings and tastings, McQuiston tackles the subject of gender and sexuality in a wonderfully creative way. They use the dual POV aspect of this book to really help the reader understand each of the characters’ own understanding of their gender and sexuality. This book will leave you hungry, horny, and hurriedly booking a European food and wine tour.