You come regular like seasons shadowing my dreams: THE PAIRING.

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars

So much food and wine talk

I love Casey McQuiston, but I have to admit that THE PAIRING was not for me. Others will enjoy it more, so take my review as such. Theo and Kit are childhood best friends and former lovers. After a terrible fight and subsequent breakup on the way to vacation in Europe, they have each forged their own lives: Theo in the U.S.; Kit in Paris. But they encounter one another four years later... using the non-refundable trip voucher for the European tour they were about to take when they split.

There's a lot of great things about THE PAIRING, particularly it's bisexual characters and the book's frank look at sexuality, queer love, gender norms, and gender fluidity. There's also just so much damn description. If you want endless talk about food and wine and the European countryside, you'll love THE PAIRING. If you are looking for some actual plot or forward momentum, you're less in luck.

I found myself skimming over more talk of wine pairings, as I just could.not.take.it.anymore. I get that there was a whole "vibe" for this story, but it was not one I enjoyed. I wanted to hear more about Theo and Kit, their past, and see them interacting in the present.

The two make a pact to see who can sleep with the most people on the trip, while ignoring their own chemistry. It takes a while to even get to this point, with so much lead up (have I mentioned the wine?). All the description makes it difficult to care for Kit and Theo as a couple, especially since most of their romance occurs before this story starts. Many of the side characters have little depth, serving just to act as a foil in the one night stand competition, and everyone seems young and ready to eat and party. There's no differentiation or room for anything else. A side plot with Theo's family being wealthy and famous seems unnecessary and irritating.

Theo and Kit's sexual tension and escapades are fun, albeit somewhat repetitive, much like the endless food and wine. I preferred the focus on gender positivity and Theo feeling comfortable in their body. In the end, though, I never found myself wanting to read this book, and often flipped rapidly through scenes. Hopefully others more into the European bacchanal style will enjoy it. 2.5 stars.

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin's Griffin in return for an unbiased review. Look for THE PAIRING on August 6th, 2024!

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Found the part of my heart that won't take no for an answer: I KISSED SHARA WHEELER.

I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston


Chloe Green's sights are set on valedictorian. Her one obstacle: Shara Wheeler, daughter of her uber-religious high school's principal and the girl everyone in school idolizes. Then, a month before graduation, Shara unexpectedly kisses Chloe in an elevator and vanishes. Chloe goes on a search for answers, learning that she's not the only one Chloe kissed. Obviously there's her boyfriend, Smith, the high school quarterback, and then her neighbor, Rory, who has been crushing on Shara for years. The three learn Shara's left behind a bunch of clues via letters, forcing the unlikely trio to work together to track down Shara and perhaps learn more about themselves and each other in the process.

I wasn't quite sure how I felt about this one while reading it. Every McQuiston book is a special occasion and rare treat, but SHARA started off very slowly for me. It was hard to get lost in the story--mostly because I really didn't care much for Shara or Chloe at the beginning. Shara was missing, but honestly, she seemed like a jerk and I felt like telling Chloe, "good riddance." But even Chloe didn't always seem to show her best side, coming off a bit self-centered as she ditched her loyal friends in the quest to hunt down Shara... why?

But, this YA romance picks up as you read on, with a big thanks to its wonderfully diverse supporting cast. Smith and Rory truly made this book for me, which took me by surprise. They were unique and funny, but often tender and sweet characters, and I fell for them more quickly than the ladies! The theme of friendship runs stronger in SHARA than romance, which I really liked. It also tackles being queer in a religious atmosphere (Chloe attends a Christian high school) head on and with total passion, and you'll find yourself cheering in places. This is a wonderful book for queer kids looking for their place in the world and attempting to work out their identity.

Overall, this isn't my favorite McQuiston, but I enjoyed seeing her take on the YA world. It's powerful in places and sweet in others. 4 stars.

I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Press / Wednesday Books and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review.

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City streets and subway cars pumping life through my veins: ONE LAST STOP.

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A dazzling, heartfelt queer romance

August Landry moves to New York City, just another stop among many in her quest to prove that she's fine being alone. Everything she owns fits in five boxes, and she sleeps on an inflatable mattress. She belongs nowhere and needs no one. But NYC feels different to August: her diverse group of roommates, who adopt her immediately; her job at an all-night pancake diner; and the subway. Because the subway brings Jane: beautiful, enigmatic, leather jacket-clad Jane. Then August realizes something; Jane is always on the subway because she has to be. She's trapped and displaced in time from the 1970s. It seems as if August--and her new band of friends--may be the only one to save her. Can August believe in something, someone, enough to free Jane?

"Truth is, when you spend your whole life alone, it's incredibly appealing to move somewhere big enough to get lost in, where being alone looks like a choice."

I've put off writing this review because it's hard to see how I can do McQuiston's beautiful romance any justice. This book is such a romantic, sexy, and heartwarming read. August is an excellent character. She's spent most of her life in her uncle's shadow, working with her mother to try to solve his missing person's case. August eventually declared herself done--done searching, done with mysteries. But then this beautiful woman appears on the subway, and she offers the biggest mystery of all to August. Why is Jane stuck on the subway and how can August help?

"And she can't believe Jane had the nerve, the audacity, to become the one thing August can't resist: a mystery."

McQuiston gives us the most amazing, diverse queer novel one could ever wish for. August is bi and Jane basically every lesbian's dream. It's impossible not to fall in love with this gorgeous Asian subway vision. Even better, through Jane and other events, it's a tribute to those who came before our generation. Jane was a (incredibly sexy) activist / riot girl in the 1970s, yet is shocked that you can typically be openly gay on the subway now. She comes to everyone's defense there. She's amazing. As for August's roommates, they are beautiful and diverse, including trans and gay characters, with the lovely Myla taking care of the group. There are several drag queens given legitimate, true storylines. To say how meaningful this is to the queer community--it's hard to even explain. All of these characters--roommates Myla, her boyfriend, Niko, and Wes; neighbor Isaiah; coworkers Lucie and Winfield--are real and treated with care. They are funny, flawed, and create the most amazing found family ever.

"Jane doesn't age. She's magnetic and charming and gorgeous. She... kind of lives underground."

As for August and Jane, this is a romance for the ages. This book is swoony and sexy. It will make you laugh; it will make you cry. McQuiston has written a lesbian character for us lesbians to ogle for years to come, and a romance to stack all other romances against. It's funny and heartwarming. There's magic and mystery. There's pancakes. It's a beautiful ode to New York City, the subway, and falling in love. There's seriously nothing not to love.

So yes, I loved this book. I love McQuiston's way with words--the humor, the romance, the way she allows the queer community to have meaningful love stories in our world. This book is flowing with passion, with beauty, and magic. 4.5+ stars.

I received a copy of this book from St. Martin's Griffin and Netgalley in return for an unbiased review. It is available as of 06/01/2021!

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This is where I belong: RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE.

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A book where the President’s son falls for the Prince of Wales? Sign me up!

This book is raunchy and the language is rather explicit, and my goodness, I loved it. This one was one of my rare audiobook listens, and I was driving down the road laughing and crying. Wiping away actual tears at points.

McQuiston combines a sort of coming of age love story against the backdrop of politics. Both storylines are compelling beyond belief. Alex, the President’s son and our main character, is incredibly well-written. Funny, sweet, and so real. And Henry, our Prince, is lovely too. It’s impossible not to root for them.

This book is witty, sweet, a surprising nail biter at times, and offers such a great message—now more than ever. (And the narrator in this one was easily my favorite in my limited audiobook career.) Cannot recommend it enough!

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