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The Pairing

From the Bestselling Author of Red, White & Royal Blue

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The Pairing

By: Casey McQuiston
Narrated by: Emma Galvin, Max Meyers
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About this listen

 Two bisexual exes, one unforgettably hot summer . . .

In #1 New York Times-bestselling author Casey McQuiston's latest romantic comedy, two bisexual exes accidentally book the same European food and wine tour and challenge each other to a hookup competition to prove they're over each other - except they're definitely not.

Theo and Kit have been childhood best friends, crushes, lovers and, after a brutal breakup four years ago, estranged exes.

It’s not until Theo and Kit are trapped on board a tour bus that they discover that they’ve each had the same idea: to take their dream European food and wine tour – alone. And now they’re stuck with each other for three weeks of the most romantic sights and sensuous flavours of France, Spain, and Italy. But it’ll be fine. They’re absolutely over each other.

So, when Theo suggests a friendly wager to see who can sleep with their hot Italian tour guide first, Kit is game. In fact, why stop there? Why not a full-on European hookup competition?

But sometimes a taste of everything only makes you crave what you can’t have.

'The summer's best romance novel.' Rolling Stone

'Spicy, sexy and absolutely delicious.' People

'Move over "hot girl summer" – "hot bisexual summer" is ready for its moment and Casey McQuiston’s new novel The Pairing is here to usher it in.' USA Today

 Coming of Age Editors Select Genre Fiction LGBTQIA+ Creators Literature & Fiction Romance Romantic Comedy

Editorial Review

I hope you're hungry
Casey McQuiston has been an immediate add-to-Library for me since Red, White & Royal Blue came out in 2019, and I’ve been obsessively following the updates for The Pairing from the moment it was announced. Set on a three-week food and wine tour across France, Spain, and Italy—with an enemies-to-lovers storyline between two estranged exes—this is McQuiston’s steamiest (and most hunger-inducing) rom-com yet. Plus, the fact that McQuiston is a huge audiobook nerd themselves means that we’re guaranteed another incredible experience in audio. From standout performances by narrators Emma Galvin and Max Meyers to some special appearances from the author, this one is an audio lover’s dream. — Michael C., Audible Editor

Critic Reviews

Fresh, funny, exhilarating and outrageously sexy, Casey McQuiston is unparalleled in writing queer rom coms with heart, warmth and wit. (Laura Kay, bestselling author of The Split)
Decadent, rich and oh-so-vivid, McQuiston’s artistry is one to behold on your own sunny travels.
A big, beautiful, extremely bisexual European romp
McQuiston is back with another irresistible, inclusive romance
There was a time when you couldn’t get on the tube without seeing a copy of Red, White & Royal Blue, and we reckon the same thing is going to happen with Casey McQuiston’s newest romantic queer comedy The Pairing.
McQuiston’s horniest romcom yet! Greedy bisexuals rejoice – even the most hedonistic readers will be full from The Pairing's abundance of fine wine, food, and sexual promiscuity. (Lily Lindon, bestselling author of Double Booked)
As charming as Red, White & Royal Blue, but far hornier, and peppered with such sharp, intricate details of Europe’s very best facets – salt air, crisp wine, velvety gelato – that readers will have to engage maximum restraint not to book a late summer trip.
All stars
Most relevant
Casey's love of life and food is yet again resplendent, where One Last Stop made me long to visit NYC The Pairing does the same across The Riviera/Europe... this is sumptuous and decadent, heartbreaking and soul restoring. I really enjoyed the telling in two halves from different perspectives, the queer representation is refreshing and authentic, and the drip fed history is masterfully injected as and when required. A delightful read/travel guide.

completely immersive

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It’s no secret that my favourite book in the entire world is Casey McQuiston's One Last Stop. I know that book inside out, upside down, and back to front, and I reread it at every chance I get. It's a perfect book. It’s also no secret that I wasn’t a fan of I Kissed Shara Wheeler, so naturally I was worried about this book. I'm ecstatic that I can say that what McQuiston missed with I Kissed Shara Wheeler they nailed with The Pairing. It’s funny, heartfelt, poignant, and more than anything: exceptionally and unapologetically horny.

While McQuiston's previous books have been in the third person, The Pairing is written in the first, and the style change was the perfect choice for this book. After spending the last three days journeying across Italy, Paris, and Spain with Kit and Theo I feel like I really know them.
I do think that I might perhaps have enjoyed the book even more had I conjured Theo's and Kit's voices for myself rather than have them selected for me via audiobook, but we're here now.

It's worth noting that I didn't cry even once during this book, and CMQ is one of those authors who can always make me cry. I think I even cried while reading I Kissed Shara Wheeler, and to reiterate I didn't vibe with that book at all. The Pairing had moments of sadness and grief, but they weren't tear-jerkers for me. Still, I did feel all the feels.

Fantastic book! I'll definitely be returning to this again and again. It hasn't replaced One Last Stop by any means, but it's up there.

Fantastic

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This makes me want to immediately book a trip to Europe and carefully curate all the food and wine and experiences to see it through Casey’s eyes! A feast for the senses! The magic of their writing lets you see the world with new eyes - I strongly identified with Theo in the first half of the book but as soon as the POV switched, I was Kit.

The narration was excellent for both parts and really brought the story to life.

Sumptuous and satisfying

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Casey McQuiston just keeps getting better and better! RWRB is still my favourite book ever, but the quality of their writing is just amazing and I laughed and cried and I am so in love with Theo and Kit!!

Amazing!!

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Casey McQuiston knows how to write great characters! I was intrigued from the start and the more we got to know Kit and Theo the more invested I was. I think RWRB will always hold the no. 1 spot in my heart for CQ books, but this was up there.
I'd say I liked Theo's narrator more then Kit's - who sounded a bit too lovesick and desperate (when in a way I guess Kit is) but other then that I thoroughly enjoyed how both narrators did the voices/accents of all the characters.

I am also a sucker for a Found Family trope, and the host of characters in this story definitely gave me that vibe.

Great characters!

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