If there’s one audiobook to queue up for your next flight, long road trip, or leisurely evening stroll, it’s The Pairing by Casey McQuiston (they/them). Known for their charming, queer-positive rom-coms, McQuiston takes their storytelling to another level with The Pairing, a delicious ode to bisexual love, self-discovery, and, our favorite, travel. After the wildly successful book, turned movie, Red, White & Royal Blue hit screens and became an Amazon Prime sensation, McQuiston is back—this time with a more personal, adventurous, and steamy book that may leave you yearning for indulgence, of all sorts.
Exes, Hookups, And A Whole Lot Of Travel
At the heart of The Pairing is the reunion of Kit and Theo, two estranged exes who accidentally find themselves booked on the same European food and wine tour. Kit, now a thriving pastry chef in Paris, and Theo, a bartender and budding sommelier, haven’t seen each other since their explosive breakup four years ago. But with tour vouchers that are about to expire, both exes take a leap and book the trip—never expecting to bump into one another in the process.
Cue awkward small talk, brief reminiscing, and a competitive streak that leads to a hookup contest to see who can sleep with the most people on the tour. It’s fun, flirty, and fast-paced, with some spicy moments. But as Kit and Theo explore the romantic cities of Europe—Paris, Florence, Barcelona—their unresolved past starts to creep towards the surface, and they are faced with some tough decisions.
An Audiobook That Transports You
Let’s face it—traveling through the eyes of Casey McQuiston’s characters is an absolute treat. Whether you’re stuck at home or already planning your next getaway, The Pairing transports you straight to a couple of Europe’s finest destinations. From the charming cafés of Paris to the bustling streets of Barcelona and the scenic vineyards of Italy, the rich descriptions of food, wine, and cityscapes make this audiobook feel like a mini-vacation. You’ll practically smell the fresh pastries, I’m not sure I’ve ever wished to taste a book more than this one.
McQuiston has traveled extensively through Europe, and shares many of those adventures on their personal Instagram. It is easy to see where they got both the inspiration and the details for some of the meals, experiences, and cityscapes. The detail feels rich and had me fluctuating between feeling like I was there and wishing I had a ticket booked.
For anyone who loves to travel—the way I love to travel—The Pairing taps into the joy and the full heart-opened emotions that come when falling in love with new places, food, and people.
Bisexual Representation
The Pairing is unapologetically bisexual. McQuiston’s handling of bisexuality is refreshing, taking the indulgent “slutty bisexual” trope and owning it in a way that feels empowering. It embraces the attitude of, “I am slutty and bisexual, so what?” Kit and Theo’s fluidity is part of the storyline but not the central part of their character, allowing space for the characters to be full, complex people. For years, straight romance novels have had their chance to celebrate casual hookups and flings, and now McQuiston lets queer characters have fun sexy adventures without focusing on the negative or traumatic parts of queerness. What’s more, The Pairing allows bisexual characters to be promiscuous without negativity. Kit and Theo are more than their sexualities, their queerness is celebrated in every aspect of the story. As they travel from city to city, navigating romantic and sexual encounters, they’re allowed to just be—horny, in love, heartbroken, twentysomethings still figuring things out. It’s a wonderful reminder that queer love stories don’t have to follow a specific set of rules and not all queer stories have to focus on the hardships of queer identity.
Travel and Transformation
While The Pairing is certainly full of laughs and spicy escapades, it’s also a story about growth and transformation. Both Kit and Theo have grown in the four years since their breakup. As they tour Europe together, they’re not just revisiting old feelings; they’re also getting to know new versions of each other, versions that have in part been transformed in ways that only immense heartbreak can change a person.
Fair warning, subtle spoilers ahead …
Theo’s journey is especially transformative as they come into their own identity as nonbinary. McQuiston weaves their gender journey seamlessly into the plot, using the dual first-person narrative to offer insight into both Kit’s and Theo’s perspectives. It’s intimate and personal, showing how each character views themselves and how they view each other.
As someone who dances between genders myself, it’s nice to see a character who isn’t fixated on or confused about their identity. It’s lovely to see nonbinary people just existing in the world, going on vacation,and enjoying a nice glass of wine.
The characters are both immensely privileged and live in a world where they are protected from their own self-destructive actions which results in two grown adults who struggle to express themselves clearly to each other.
The dynamic between Kit and Theo feels real and raw. At times, their communication struggles, and avoidance of hard topics makes them feel younger than their twenty-something years, but McQuiston’s exploration of their relationship is heartfelt and thoughtful.
Dual Perspective
The choice to narrate The Pairing from both Kit’s and Theo’s perspectives is an important piece of the story. The first half is told from Theo’s point of view, and just as you get comfortable seeing the world through their eyes, the perspective switches to Kit. It’s a fun and engaging way to add layers of development to the characters and their relationship.
Theo’s quiet grappling with body dysphoria and self-acceptance is beautifully handled, as McQuiston subtly highlights how they experience their body in intimate moments. Meanwhile, Kit’s loving and affirming view of Theo’s body adds layers of compassion and understanding to their relationship. These moments of vulnerability make it clear that this book was written by a person with a deep first-hand understanding of what it feels like to be deeply loved in a body you at times feel dysphoric about.
A Tale of Travel and Romance
The Pairing is the perfect mix of travel, romance, and self-(re)discovery. As Kit and Theo wander through Europe’s most romantic cities, tasting local delicacies and sleeping with attractive strangers, you can’t help but get swept up in their journey. With witty banter, steamy encounters, and a touch of emotional depth, this audiobook has everything you want in a flirty romance. Whether you’re a long-time McQuiston fan or new to their work, The Pairing is a must-listen. Grab your headphones, pour yourself a glass of wine, and let yourself be transported into a world of lush landscapes, mouthwatering food, and a love story that feels as indulgent as a five-course meal.
