The Pairing

McQuiston (I Kissed Shara Wheeler) delivers with this delightful queer second-chance travel romance between two unexpectedly reunited exes who have accidentally booked the same European food and wine tour. Once best friends, pastry chef Kit and aspiring sommelier Theo became each other’s first loves but broke up after a tragic misunderstanding. Now, to prove that they are truly over each other, they challenge themselves to see who can hook up with the most people throughout the trip. Via the dual perspectives of each main character, with flashbacks to their past, listeners learn what went wrong before and see how Kit and Theo try to mend hurt feelings in the present. Emma Galvin and Max Meyers narrate this touching romance, which sparkles with the romance of European cities, delicious food descriptions, open-door bedroom scenes, excellent depictions of mental illness, and a great deal of emotional depth. Galvin and Meyers make Kit and Theo stand out as individuals while also delivering believable European accents for a variety of side characters.