3 Fizzy New Romance Novels

When you choose a wine to match a meal, you’re not declaring all other wines invalid. Pairings are binary but also boundless: More than two possibilities exist, but selecting only two highlights something about each. This truth is hornily illustrated in Casey McQuiston’s very adult, very queer romance, THE PAIRING (St. Martin’s Griffin, 411 pp., paperback, $20).

Theo and Kit are childhood soul mates who fall in love, move in together, and break up just before a three-week European food and wine tour. Now the nonrefundable tour tickets are about to expire, and Theo (they/them) has decided to embark on the trip solo. Unfortunately, Kit has the same idea.

With their hearts still shattered, they immediately launch a hookup competition, flirting (and more) with various guides, sommeliers and attractive locals in a nonstop bisexual smorgasboard.

Theo narrates the book’s first half, so we see all their flaws magnified while admiring Kit’s charisma. Then we switch to Kit, and suddenly it’s Theo who’s bold and fascinating. Soon our duo is back to their old game batting improvised cocktail and dessert recipes back and forth, bonding over imaginary dishes as they eat and drink and et cetera in every city of the journey — until they finally end up where they truly want to be.