This pairs well with: 1989 (Taylor’s Version) and… pretty much all of FLETCHER’s music.

I received a digital advance reader’s copy (ARC) of The Pairing by Casey McQuiston. Since this version is just a proof and not the final version, I won’t quote directly and will keep my comments general.

In The Pairing, Theo and Kit were first childhood best friends, then secretly pining for each other, then finally dating. But two years into their relationship, they broke up—while on a transatlantic flight heading for a vacation, no less. Now, four years later, Theo finally decides to cash in that old credit for that vacation (a food and wine tour of Europe), only to discover that Kit has chosen to do the same thing. So now these two estranged best friends and ex-lovers have to spend three weeks together, traveling from France to Spain to Italy, all while the shadow of what happened hangs over them. And so, to prove that they’re totally, completely over each other, they propose a challenge: whoever can have the most hookups while on the trip wins. Nothing will go wrong with this, of course. They don’t still care about each other, of course. This trip won’t change everything, of course. Unless—of course—it does.

I read this instead of the small mountain of ARCs next to my bed, all of which will be published much sooner than this book. No regrets, because this is McQuiston’s best novel since Red, White & Royal Blue. Yes, I said it. Tell me I’m wrong, I dare you.

This is just so much fun. I love banter, and Theo and Kit excel at that, so I loved them both immediately. They’re both so snarky and sassy, but also with so many layers of personality and insecurities. I loved seeing how their perceptions of each other differed from the truth: how Kit is struggling with feeling no passion for the job he abandoned everything for, while Theo doesn’t feel successful at all, but rather like treading water with no goal in sight. The slow reveal of these things, as well as what happened to their relationship, was perfectly paced. You really feel for these two people, trying to make their way in the world.

Additionally, the side characters are fantastic! This is nothing new for McQuiston, who is something of a genius when it comes to writing memorable, wonderful characters. The clear standout among this cast, though, is without a doubt Fabrizio, the tour guide. He’s a complete delight, flirty and fun, with such a kind heart. Basically, I adore him and wish he was real so that I could befriend him immediately.

Speaking of tour guides, though—the food and wine tour! If you love food (or even just like food), you’ll be in heaven reading this. Or dying of jealousy, one of the two. The descriptions of the dishes, the wines, are so sumptuous and decadent, I wanted to sink into the pages and never leave. I had to (literally, there was no other choice) cook and bake things the weekend I read this to satisfy the cravings this book induced in me. I cannot express adequately how mouth-wateringly wonderful the food sounds in this book. UGH, can’t I be there?!

On another note, this book is definitely McQuiston’s most graphic, in terms of sex. I’m sure it’s clear from the premise, but Theo and Kit have a lot of sex in this book. It’s consensual with every partner, with the understanding that these have to be one-time things (they’re on vacation, after all), but still… descriptive. If that’s not your cup of tea, this isn’t the book for you. As it is, though, these are well-written scenes, with a good balance of steamy and emotional. And luckily, I’m pretty sure there are more scenes that feature food than feature sex. As all things should be, to be real.

Okay, I could go on and on and on about all the great things in this book, but I should probably wrap up. In the end, The Pairing is a gem. It’s indulgent in the best way, a sunlit escape to a wonderful world of flavor, trying new things, and finding someone you thought you’d lost. There’s absolutely delightful banter, but also a delicious blend of joy and pining. It strikes a fantastic balance of spicy and sweet, escapist and realistic. The struggles about making life work in your twenties is relatable and nuanced, making the characters so sympathetic and easy to root for. You’ll want to slow down and take notice of the little things in life, which are in truth big things: the taste of good food, the warmth of sunshine on your skin, the sounds of a new place. I can’t wait for this to be published so I can read it again, and savor every word.

The Pairing will be published on August 6th, 2024!