Casey McQuiston has made a name for themself crafting unforgettable queer love stories: the prince-meets-president’s-kid romance of their 2019 novel was followed by a time-traveling lesbian subway affair in 2021’s , and then a foray into young-adult literature with 2022’s Now, the author is back with a big, beautiful, extremely bisexual European romp in the form of , out this week from St. Martin’s Griffin. In , constitutionally anxious nepo baby and somm-in-training Theo is reunited with their heartbreaker pastry-chef ex Kit on a transatlantic flight to a food and wine tour of Europe.
Before long, the two are locked in a contest to see who can rack up more international hookups, pausing at every turn to eat and drink to their heart’s content (and then some). This week, spoke to McQuiston about their fourth book, their faith in rom-coms, and their love of Anthony Bourdain. You would think that by book four, the feelings would be less intense, but I still woke up with a bubble gut this morning.
[ .] It’s just like, oh, shit, all of the last few years have been leading up to this day. I’m just trying to enjoy it and savor it and not be nervous about it.
I’m really proud of this book, and I feel like I accomplished what I set out to accomplish when I was writing it. I think that’s kind of the dream when you’re putting out a book: to know that you did what you came to do. I feel really good about that.
I mean, selfishly, I love food and drink! It’s always be.