A review by hann_cant_read
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston

emotional funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Two disaster bisexuals banging their way through Europe.

Okay so it's smutty and steamy, but also heartwarming and heartbreaking. The story is extremely character driven vs plot heavy, and about halfway through we switch POV's.

Normally I'm a big proponent of a plot driven > character driven story, but I do think it was balanced here really well with the setting. The forward momentum of the trip they were on was a really interesting and unique way to keep driving them forward as well.

I would have wished to see a little bit more personal growth from Theo. Kit seemed to take more accountability of his part in the break up, and while he was unhappy without Theo he was still making self improvements. Theo is still kind of just...floundering.
I think the nonbinary coming out was a big step, but they had already come out to people back home before the trip so it wasn't a lot of growth from our starting point with them.