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Returning to Romance Through Food and Flirty Fun in Fiction

with Casey McQuiston

2025-08-20 19:00:00 2025-08-20 20:00:00 America/New_York Returning to Romance Through Food and Flirty Fun in Fiction Bring an appetite for sizzling drama as we discuss New York Times bestselling author Casey McQuiston's latest romantic comedy, The Pairing. Virtual - Virtual

Wednesday, August 20
7:00pm - 8:00pm

Add to Calendar 2025-08-20 19:00:00 2025-08-20 20:00:00 America/New_York Returning to Romance Through Food and Flirty Fun in Fiction Bring an appetite for sizzling drama as we discuss New York Times bestselling author Casey McQuiston's latest romantic comedy, The Pairing. Virtual - Virtual

Virtual

Virtual

Bring an appetite for sizzling drama as we discuss New York Times bestselling author Casey McQuiston's latest romantic comedy, The Pairing.

When two bisexual exes accidentally book the same European food and wine tour, they challenge each other to a hookup competition to prove they're over each other—except they're definitely not.

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.

Register now to join our discussion about Casey McQuiston’s spiciest book yet!

About the Author: Casey McQuiston is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of romantic comedies, including One Last Stop, Red, White & Royal Blue, I Kissed Shara Wheeler, and The Pairing. Red, White & Royal Blue was adapted into a movie in 2023 and released on Amazon Prime. Casey was recently named on the 2022 Time100 Next List. Their writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Bon Appetit. Born and raised in southern Louisiana, Casey now lives in New York City with a poodle mix named Pepper.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of Duncan Library and the Friends of Beatley Central Library.

Upcoming and previously broadcast book talks can be viewed here.


 

AGE GROUP: | Seniors | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Summer Quest | Special Event | Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion | Author Talks |

TAGS: | |

Virtual


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Mon, Nov 03 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Nov 04 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Nov 05 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Nov 06 9:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Nov 07 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Nov 08 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Nov 09 9:00AM to 5:00PM

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Wed, Nov 05, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
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In celebration of National Native American Heritage Month, join us for a virtual book talk with historian Dr. Kathleen DuVal on her prize-winning book, “Native Nations: A Millennium in North America.”Register

Wed, Nov 05, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, join us as journalist and author Joseph Lee chats with us about his stirring memoir, Nothing More of This Land. Register

Thu, Nov 06, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
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Issued in 1775 by Virginia’s last royal governor, the infamous proclamation spurred debate about his declaration of freedom for the enslaved & indentured servants willing to fight for the British.Register

Thu, Nov 06, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
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Please join us to help celebrate Native American Heritage Month by discussing these two stories: "Blue Winds Dancing" by Thomas S. Whitecloud, "Night at the Chrysalis" by Tiffany Morris.Register

Fri, Nov 07, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
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A special meeting of the Alexandria Library Board.

Mon, Nov 10, 7:00pm - 7:55pm
Please join Let's Talk Books to read and discuss "Amphibious Soul: Finding the Wild in a Tame World" by Craig FosterRegister

Mon, Nov 10, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
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Please join us for an online discussion of Tracy Kidder's powerful story of Dr. Jim O'Connell.

Wed, Nov 12, 3:30pm - 5:00pm
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Join us to discuss online Elizabeth Ironside's 1995 historical mystery. Register

Wed, Nov 12, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
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Join Library of Virginia for a virtual volunteer session to learn how you can help make historical documents more searchable and usable for researchers now and in the future.Register

Wed, Nov 12, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
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Read and discuss the best of today's Virginia literature—including books by Library of Virginia Literary Award winners and finalists in fiction and nonfiction. Register

Wed, Nov 12, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
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Certified Federal Career Coach and Job Search Trainer, Latoyah Saunders will discuss the latest tools available to assist in your job search.Register

Thu, Nov 13, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
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In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, we chat with acclaimed writer Amanda Peters about her books The Berry Pickers and Waiting for the Long Night Moon: Stories. Register

Tue, Nov 18, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
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Charles Duhigg presents the ultimate guide on how to communicate and connect with anyone at work, home, and in life in his book Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection. Register

Wed, Nov 19, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Virtual talk on the digital resource “Mapping Inequality: Redlining in New Deal America” presented by Robert K. Nelson, the project’s director. Register

Wed, Nov 19, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
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Do you love to read romance novels? Want to talk about them with other romance enthusiasts? Join us on the last Wednesday of the month! Click on the event title for more details. Register

Wed, Nov 19, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
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Certified Federal Career Coach and Job Search Trainer, Latoyah Saunders will provide tips and advice on how to bring your best self to the interview.Register

Thu, Nov 20, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Join participants from Alexandria & our Sister City, Dundee, Scotland for a virtual discussion of two short stories, "The Telegram" & "Mother and Son," by Scottish author and poet Iain Crichton Smith.Register

Thu, Nov 20, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
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Join us on Zoom the third Thursday of each month! We are currently discussing selections from "Even Deadlier: A Sequel to The 7 Deadly Sins Sampler". Click on the event title for more info! Register