Challenge Corner discussion

Theo and Kit have been a lot of things: childhood best friends, crushes, in love, and now estranged exes. After a brutal breakup on the transatlantic flight to their dream European food and wine tour, they exited each other's lives once and for all.

Time apart has done them good. Theo has found confidence as a hustling bartender by night and aspiring sommelier by day, with a long roster of casual lovers. Kit, who never returned to America, graduated as the reigning sex god of his pastry school class and now bakes at one of the finest restaurants in Paris. Sure, nothing really compares to what they had, and life stretches out long and lonely ahead of them, but—yeah. It's in the past.

All that remains is the unused voucher for the European tour that never happened, good for 48 months after its original date and about to expire. Four years later, it seems like a great idea to finally take the trip. Solo. Separately.

It's not until they board the tour bus that they discover they've both accidentally had the exact same idea, and now they're trapped with each other for three weeks of stunning views, luscious flavors, and the most romantic cities of France, Spain, and Italy. It's fine. There's nothing left between them. So much nothing that, when Theo suggests a friendly wager to see who can sleep with their hot Italian tour guide first, Kit is totally game. And why stop there? Why not a full-on European hookup competition?

But sometimes a taste of everything only makes you crave what you can't have.

Starting soon!

To Pg 23, or 6%: I love that we've already discovered that Kit and Theo are on the same tour. I don't consider this a spoiler since it's the point of the book. But anyway, I like that McQuiston didn't waste a bunch of time getting us to where we were planning to go! I can't wait to get to know these characters more!

To Pg 43, or 12%: Caution ⚠️ Don't read whilst hungry!!!

To Pg 116, or 32%: Kit and Theo are def (view spoiler)[playing a very dangerous game. It's clear they still live each other, but is it the kind of romantic love they are looking for? IDK, or if they would be better off as best friends. (hide spoiler)]

To Pg 152, or 42%: wow, that scene was wild when Theo was (view spoiler)[with Caterina, but listening to and fantasizing about Kit! I thought that was really well written actually, as I could see all of that going through someone's head who was in Theo's position. Also, I love that she just texted her sister that she thinks she is falling back in love with him! I mean we now know their whole break-up was a miscommunication! They need to try again!! (hide spoiler)]

To Pg 165, or 45%: Oh shit 🤔 😳 (view spoiler)[that took a turn for the worst real quick. Things are gonna get messy now! (hide spoiler)]

To 76% ((to lazy to get up and check the page number at the moment)): I'm so ready for this to be over, NGL.
There's only so many ways you can read about these people having sex before it starts to get really repetitive.
I feel like they've already had the conversation they desperately needed to have, so now it's just dragging.
Additionally, Theo is starting to piss me off in her treatment of Kit.
I think I would be happier if they end up as just friends...

Yeah I started last week and I wasn't that into it which is a bummer because I love Casey McQuiston. I've been avoiding going back to it but will this weekend.

Jessica wrote: "Yeah I started last week and I wasn't that into it which is a bummer because I love Casey McQuiston. I've been avoiding going back to it but will this weekend."

I am close to be done now, just under 90%, I think and I can't wait for it to be over. LOL

Finished! This definitely came back around for me in the end. So many thoughts, need to get them all straight so I can write a review tonight! Overall, very pleased with the ending!

megs_bookrack wrote: "Jessica wrote: "Yeah I started last week and I wasn't that into it which is a bummer because I love Casey McQuiston. I've been avoiding going back to it but will this weekend."

I am close to be do..."

I'm jumping back in at 17% and feel the same lol. Hoping it turns around.

The beginning (Kit's Version)
(view spoiler)[ Well this is an interesting midway POV shift I wasn't expecting. Hopefully this is the turn around because I'm getting annoyed with all the hooking up. Where are they finding these people? This feels like TV show reality and not actual reality. (hide spoiler)]

Jessica wrote: "The beginning (Kit's Version)
[spoilers removed]"
I was surprised by the way that was done as well. I have thoughts on this once you are closer to the end...

I'm struggling, but I'm going to try to buckle down and finish tonight.

Jessica wrote: "I'm struggling, but I'm going to try to buckle down and finish tonight."

Ughhh, good luck. I felt that so much. I did like the last like 10%. I still haven't even written my review yet. I saw this one reviewer say if you didn't like this you were a prude basically and should give up your puritanical values. It's like I have no problem with the sex competition plot line, it's the repetitive, slow moving nothing happening that I take issue with. Hahahaha

72%/ Chianti
(view spoiler)[ Well I'm glad Theo's issues are out in the open. This is dragging but I am having a bit of a better time now. I'm determined to finish but omg if this wasn't Casey McQuiston/ if I hadn't been so excited for this and hooeufl it would turn around I would have DNFed. This has so many elements I think I should like but it is just not working for me at all. (hide spoiler)]

megs_bookrack wrote: "Jessica wrote: "I'm struggling, but I'm going to try to buckle down and finish tonight."

Ughhh, good luck. I felt that so much. I did like the last like 10%. I still haven't even written my review..."
Lmao yeah that's not it at all. Definitely not puritanical and I would probably enjoy this storyline in a different context but it isn't working for me at all.

Jessica wrote: "megs_bookrack wrote: "Jessica wrote: "I'm struggling, but I'm going to try to buckle down and finish tonight."

Ughhh, good luck. I felt that so much. I did like the last like 10%. I still haven't ..."

Right!? I actually laughed out loud when I read it. They were so confident in their assumption that if you didn't like this it had to have been too much sex for you. TBH, (view spoiler)[I found the sex, especially between Theo and Kit, to be one of the most boring aspects. It was so repetitive. The same thoughts, etc., every time. I either need more steam, or less of a focus on it. LOL (hide spoiler)] I just put my review up, BTW.

Naples / 86 %

(view spoiler)[ LOL okay this moment with Fabrizio was hilarious. I'm glad to see that someone finally didn't want to have sex with them both 😂. But holy hell Kit just tell them you feel, I beg of you. (hide spoiler)]

Finished
Well I did like the back half more but I really don't know what say about this one. I'm glad to be done. Not sure how I'm going to review it but that's laters problem lol.

Jessica wrote: "Naples / 86 %

[spoilers removed]"

Hahaha, right!? They're like, oh here we go again, and then his (view spoiler)[beautiful wife answers, like y'all are silly, he flirts with everyone for the tips! LOL (hide spoiler)]

Jessica wrote: "Finished
Well I did like the back half more but I really don't know what say about this one. I'm glad to be done. Not sure how I'm going to review it but that's laters problem lol."

I took like almost a week before I wrote my review, maybe more actually. I didn't want to come off as too salty, but yeah, definitely my least favorite of McQuiston's work. I feel like I was fairly generous with my 3.5-star rating.