Welcome to Litsy!

I was here for the travel and food part of the story, and the characters were sweet. I did not care for the casual sex contest storyline, but given that all of the characters were respectful and open about feelings and intentions, it was handled in the best way it could have been I guess.

Low pick for me- I would recommend reading the blurb before you pick it up.

I liked it overall but there was basically nobody in it who wasn‘t a raging, horny bisexual. It really leaned into that stereotype for nearly every character except Orla who was thankfully faithful to her wife.
The travel and food portion was interesting but the characters were kind of one-dimensional.
If all you want is a light, spicy romp around Europe, this is for you, otherwise look elsewhere.

Also, I splurged and bought this hardcover special edition because LOOK at the gorgeous endpaper art!! 😍🌊😍

I finished this book ages ago but haven't been able to find words to review it. I was so looking forward to it and it did not disappoint! I devoured the audiobook and have been rereading the print book here and there when I miss the characters. Just such a decadent story with lust & pining, wanderlust & cuisine, and a great exploration of sexuality & gender. I adore these two bisexual disasters 💖
#LGBTQ2024 @Kenyazero

Got out to support a brand new Black Woman owned bookstore in town! Grand Gestures in downtown PDX is a romance books store and their grand opening today has been a roaring success! There was a line out the door from before opening! Wishing Katherine the very best luck!

Monthly wrap-up!

It‘s delicious, horny fun, with intense feelings and surprising insight – everything you‘d expect and desire from a McQuiston novel. I loved how Theo and Kit explored sex and gender, mirroring their culinary explorations in the most gorgeous settings. I‘m afraid The Pairing has only whetted my appetite for more. Full review: https://keepingupwiththepenguins.com/the-pairing-casey-mcquiston/

This was one of my most highly anticipated releases of the year, and I ABSOLUTELY hated it! Holy guacamole, where do I start? Firstly, FOOD-P*RN-O*GY! That PERFECTLY sums up this book! There was no depth whatsoever, apart from a pretentious, pseudo-attempt at "emotional intelligence." Why, ooh, why was everyone bisexual, attractive, and under 30? Why did everyone want to sleep together in under 3 seconds and find the protags so irresistible? (1/3)

Queer joy infuses this novel. The Pairing delivers a luscious wonder of a romance novel, perfect for reading over a weekend of lazy lounging with fabulous food and the occasional delectable cocktail. ♥️♥️♥️

I didn't like this book [1], so at least it was useful for something. #WickedWords #Wicked #Asyouwish

[1] Unlikeable characters making bad decisions including an insufferable nepo baby, unbelievable secondary characters and NPCs, and just bleah.

Exquisite! This is the queer travel adventure you didn‘t know you needed. A wine expert and pastry chef who grew up together, fell in love and then ended things painfully find themselves on the same European foodie trip. The food and drink descriptions will make your mouth water, and the character‘s gender journeys are thoughtful and illuminating. Steamy for sure and not a quick read-one to really savor. Highly recommend!

With #CaseyMcQuiston, it‘s a hit or miss for me. Her debut was fine and I liked her second & third novel much better. Unfortunately, #ThePairing is horrid. It‘s an Americanized vision of Europa, filled with a very annoying mc (Theo) & a boring mc (Kit), wrapped around conversations on food & wine and SOMEHOW everyone is hot & wants to *** all the time.

Rating: ⭐️,5/5

Weekend getaway with a book, is there anything better?

I'd been slightly afraid I'd over-hyped this one for myself, but not to worry- it was every bit as decadent and lush as I'd hoped, with the kinds of larger-than-life heroes I love: full of gorgeous, stupid yearning and passion. I can't get enough of our two messy, slutty, big-hearted protagonists, and the pure vibes of each dreamy location are enough to make me swoon. Read with lots of sunshine and an indulgent drink and you won't be sorry.

For those who do not consider themselves food connoisseurs, pastry artisans, or sommeliers in training, this book may at times feel somewhat tedious, as these elements are the vehicle that moves the story forward. If this describes you, or if you can at least appreciate a book that caters to a European foodie's sheer bliss, you are in luck.

Full review: https://romcombc.com/book/the-pairing/

Dang, I almost give this a pick in support of the characters and storylines this author creates. This was too long with an over abundance of back-and-forths of essentially the same issue between Theo and Kit - one step forward in communication then two steps back making me Team Kit when I should have rooted for a relationship between both of them.

Had an amazing night hearing Casey McQuiston speak about their new book with Ashley Poston! I totally fangirled and babbled at them when they signed my books 🤩😂 They were very sweet about it

Tagged by @Read4life

1. Podcast all day!

2. The Pairing just came out - can't miss on a new McQuiston! It's not summer though. Djilba (first spring) just started I think , by the feel of the air yesterday - though I haven't seen the wattles flowering just yet

Book mail! I received my August #botm and my pre-order of the new Casey McQuiston.

Happy pub day to these two which just arrived! 🥳🎉🎉🎉 I didn't actually realize the Casey Mcquiston book had such beautiful page edges! 💕📚

HAPPY PAIRING RELEASE DAY!! 🎉
This is my most anticipated book of the year and to say I'm excited is an understatement. I may have two print copies on their way to me. And I may have preordered the audiobook as well because Casey was hyping up the voice actors so much. And I MAY be dropping everything to start listening today even though I have so many other books I should be reading. Past Sara should have foreseen this and planned accordingly 😅

So excited about my #BOTM pick! I was really intrigued by a couple of others too but was trying to behave myself!

Here is my #juneofarc wrap up! Link for reviews. Cole and Laila and the honeymoon were audiobooks and the pairing was a Kindle!

The pairing was the standout, but Cole and Laila was also lovely. The honeymoon was meh in the extreme

https://mylifewithinthepages.wordpress.com/2024/07/03/june-netgalley-wrap-up/

@BookmarkTavern

Meet the forced proximity BFFs-to-lovers-to-exes-to-lovers road trip novel of my heart. THE PAIRING worked for me on every level: as an open and enthusiastic European tour, as a celebration of food, and as an emotionally-charged examination of what can go wrong between two people, how their lives can change during their time apart, and what they can do to repair things. I giggled and sighed and SOBBED MY HEART OUT. 5 stars.

4/5

Theo and Kit broke up right before going on a European bus tour, but now with their vouchers for a free bus tour about to expire, they both unexpectedly end up on the same bus tour. It's told first from Theo's perspective then Kit's as they travel through France, Spain, and Italy discovering both food and all the ways they've changed over the past four years.

My most anticipated book of the year!! I am SO EXCITED this tour is coming near me! I adore Casey's books and can't wait to meet them! 🤩
If any NC littens near Winston-Salem decide to go, let me know! I'm going solo but would love to meet up with any littens ☺️
https://www.instagram.com/p/C74TY53AjWJ/?igsh=MWRkc3M1Ynl6Z3B0aQ==

Doing the Friday afternoon book & beer thing. Theo and Kit drink a lot of fancy wine on their culinary tour. I don‘t have any of that on hand, but I DO have a lovely bottle of my favourite French beer to enjoy while I revel in their story. I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH, Y‘ALL. 😭

Lunch was a big ol‘ bowl of mapo tofu and another glorious chunk of THE PAIRING, Casey McQuiston‘s forthcoming novel. I‘ve loved all their previous books and I also love this one a lot as of 1/3 in. It‘s PACKED with culinary goodness, and McQuiston has avoided all versions of the hackneyed phrase “the flavours burst on my tongue.” (Some did BLOOM in Theo‘s mouth once, but I‘m gonna allow it.) I can‘t wait to read on.

Alright @BookmarkTavern here is my #juneofarc list 😬😬😬😬😬

It has been an insanely busy week, but this #BookMail is the perfect start to a weekend off!

Now my most highly anticipated release of the year!

*squeal*

SO EXCITED! 🛩🍹

#SundayFunday on a Monday 🙃
@BookmarkTavern

There are so many good books coming out this year but I'm most excited for Casey McQuiston's newest one. It looks like it'll be a fun sexy romp through Europe that's gonna give me all the wanderlust 🌍

Going in!