Casey McQuiston first captured my heart with their debut novel, Red, White, and Royal Blue. I was completely enamored by the story of the American President's son falling in love with the British Prince. The cleverly plotted forbidden romance, along with a diverse and brilliantly crafted supporting cast, made the world feel incredibly real. Naturally, I eagerly anticipated more from McQuiston, but their next book, One Last Stop, didn’t quite meet my high expectations. McQuiston returns now with another new novel, The Pairing, a globe-trotting second-chance romance.
Kit and Theo have known each other since childhood. As best friends, their bond eventually blossomed into a romantic relationship. However, their romance fell apart during a trip to Europe, culminating in a nasty breakup on a plane that ended any chance of a future together. Part of the fallout included canceling a planned European food and wine tour. They went their separate ways, left with nothing but a voucher to reschedule the nonrefundable tour.
Four years later, Kit and Theo are living completely separate lives. Theo returned to the US, working as a craft cocktail mixologist while studying to become a sommelier. Kit stayed in Europe, attended pastry school, and became a pastry chef in a world-class Paris restaurant. The wounds of their past relationship have started to heal as they focus on their individual careers and casual relationships. But when they both decide to redeem their food and wine tour voucher at the last possible moment, Kit and Theo are suddenly thrust back into each other’s lives.
There’s a lot happening in The Pairing that should have made me enjoy it. Casey McQuiston forces her protagonists into a second chance at love by placing them on a weeks-long tour, where they have no choice but to interact. Theo knows wine, and Kit knows food. It's a perfect match, leading to the pair coming together naturally during this food and wine expedition. McQuiston's novels have always been inclusive, and this one is no exception. Both characters are pansexual, and one is revealed to be nonbinary. I loved how McQuiston effortlessly switched to using neutral pronouns for this character after the revelation. It truly is that simple, and it baffles me why or how anyone could have an issue with using someone’s preferred pronouns.
Unfortunately, that’s where the positives ended for me. Kit and Theo decide to challenge each other to see who can sleep with the most people during their tour. This premise felt contrived and out of character for them. The competition aspect seemed off and made the plot feel repetitive. Each new section was another city, filled with more descriptions of meals and the sexual conquests of the main characters with the ever-willing locals. This pattern persisted for most of the book, and by three-quarters of the way through, I was just ready for the story to end.
Most disappointing, though, were the main characters themselves. All their troubles stemmed from a simple problem: they didn’t talk to each other. Miscommunication caused their breakup and continued to hamper their supposedly rekindled feelings for each other. Ultimately, The Pairing features a clever setup that never fully comes together into an emotionally satisfying whole. While I appreciate McQuiston's knack for writing diverse characters into romances, I’m starting to think their debut was a lightning-in-a-bottle moment that may not be captured again.
For more information, visit the author's website, Amazon, and Goodreads.
(2024, 61)
That miscommunication trope in romances is one of my biggest pet peeves. I hate when two characters could clear so many things up with one conversation. And I would not like that whole competition thing they had going to see who could sleep with the most people on the trip. I'm sorry this one ended up being so disappointing. The set up was so perfect for a fun second chance romance.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I think I've decided she's just not for me.
DeleteI've really enjoyed Casey McQuiston in the past, so I'll probably pick this one up! But I can definitely see this one being a miss for me. I don't like miscommunication (or just general lack of communication), and I'm not sure the tropes in this one will do it for me.
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested to see what you think!
DeleteI was so on board with this premise until the sexual conquest contest part. Definitely not for me. Sorry McQuiston's work has not risen to RW&RB status for you.
ReplyDeleteThat's where it lost me too!
Delete"I’m starting to think their debut was a lightning-in-a-bottle moment that may not be captured again."
ReplyDeleteI loved how you worded it!
Of course, since I don't read romance, this wouldn't be my thing nevertheless, but the miscommunication trope sounds off-putting, and don't get me started on the sexual escapade contest...A pity, since we need more diverse books...and writers.
The whole contest situation was just a bit cringy.
DeleteMiscommunication is the downfall of so many relationships in both real life and in print.
ReplyDeleteVery true, but it makes things so frustrating.
DeleteI'm not a fan of the romantic couple sleeping with a bunch of other people, and I hate the miscommunication trope big time. Sounds like there were some positives at least.
ReplyDeleteSome positives for sure, but this just didn't work for me.
DeleteI hate when this happens, that you love an author's work so much and then the follow-up is a letdown. I have this kind of relationship with Mindy McGuinness. Love some of her work and feel very blah or hate other books. It's weird.
ReplyDeleteThis one was definitely in the blah category. Also, I'm not sure why your comments are getting sent to my spam. You are very much real hahaha!
DeleteI kept wondering why the name was familiar. I mean I read that one. Oops
ReplyDeleteAs for miscommunications, there is no trope I hate more
I do that all the time. I've read so many that I often forget haha
DeleteHad the whole "competition" thing been in keeping with their personalities I suppose it could have worked. But the fact that it didn't fit with what you already knew of the characters makes it seem like a very odd choice. Like you said, when it doesn't fit it feels forced. Between that and the lack of communication (something that irks me in a major way), I'll be giving this one a wide berth. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Ethan!
ReplyDeleteGlad to be of service. As much as I enjoyed McQuiston's debut, I think their work just isn't for me.
Delete