Honestly I just didn’t vibe with this at all.
Beginning with the absolute weirdest break up out of nowhere, the strangely disjointed chapters and the non existing communication between the MC and the love interest…maybe this just wasn’t for me. Or it simply wasn’t this good.
I read 40% of this and still don’t have a single clue about the trip and the show these two are on because it doesn’t make any sense to me and there is no explanation at all. The challenges have no common thread and I have not a single clue why they were traveling for them?!

I needed more explanations, more actual communication and getting to know each other and more fleshed out side characters that didn’t only exist by name.

This could have been a really good slow burn (I mean you were just broken up with and traveling with a stranger you’re making no effort of getting to know…that weird jerking off scene came out of nowhere and didn’t make sense to me) and the plot and scenery were also an amazing idea in theory, but this just didn’t work for me.

I received this ARC from net galley it was a really interesting concept and the challenges where fun however I didn’t find myself that gripped so
It took me quite a while to read this.

▫️ Pilot x biomedical engineer
▫️ Forced proximity
▫️ Reality tv show
▫️ Mozzarella sticks meet cute
▫️ Grumpy/sunshine
▫️ Fake dating
▫️ M/M romance

Umm.. excuse me?? Was this queer romance PERFECTION or was this queer romance perfection!? Everything about this book was 10/10. OBSESSED. Spicy, heartfelt & funny, this beautiful book was centred around & FILLED with queer joy.

I ADORED Asher & Theo from the very first chapter & their super unique meet cute. They were both such loveable, passionate characters & it’s evident Chip poured his heart into their personalities & back stories. Asher, despite his grumpier disposition, at the heart of it all, just wanted to be loved for who he was & Theo, learning to slow down and enjoy life, will draw you in instantly with his playful nature. They were opposites in the best way & their chemistry was super authentic. Their emotional connection was BEAUTIFULLY curated & I truly loved them both with my whole soul. (Also, a moment for Theo’s wonderfully big-hearted family 🥹)

The plot was, in the literal sense, truly an adventure. The way Ash & Theo go from total strangers, to fake dating on a reality show, to real lovers in just a few weeks was a WILD rollercoaster but flawlessly written— the premise was super unique & I loved the aspect of the show/tasks/competition, which perfectly set up some of my favourite tropes! And whilst the story bought plenty of fun & banter, it also covered some deeper (& well executed) topics, which added depth & allowed for great character development.

Everything about this book warms your heart. The writing style was brilliant, the plot was SO much fun & the spice?? That SHOWER SCENE?🥵 This is one of those easy reads that just instantly sucks you in— if you’re looking for the perfect poolside romance this summer that totally encapsulates queer joy, I can’t recommend this enough 🫶🏽

Thank you Chip for not only writing one of my new favourite books, but also reminding me how amazing moz sticks are 👀

𝑇ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑘 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑡𝑜 𝑃𝑢𝑡𝑛𝑎𝑚 𝐵𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑠 & 𝑁𝑒𝑡𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑦 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛 𝑎𝑑𝑣𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑝𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑖𝑛 𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎 𝑟𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤. 𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑚𝑦 𝑜𝑤𝑛. 𝑅𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤 𝑎𝑙𝑠𝑜 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝐼𝐺 (@𝑟𝑒𝑑ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘𝑔𝑖𝑟𝑙) & 𝑆𝑡𝑜𝑟𝑦𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑝ℎ.

WINGING IT WITH YOU is a fun, jet-setting romance, perfect for the summer holidays.
It’s built around a contest called ‘The Epic Trek’, a reality travel gameshow modelled around The Amazing Race (or Race Around the World), Survivor, and I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Ot of Here.
The ‘Trek’ of the book was by far my favourite element. We got to see some fantastic destinations and watch our protagonists explore unique experiences like visiting an elephant sanctuary in Bali, or taking part in a massive street food fight during La Tomatina in Buñol. We also get to see them face competitive trials – hights, water, and snakes to name a few – that are both exciting and give Theo and Asher (and the reader) a chance to get to know each other more deeply.
Theo and Asher were fun characters, each with their own personality and quirks. The two had good chemistry and although, by the nature of the plot, the romance is a whirlwind, it did feel believable. I would have liked this developed just a bit more though, along with maybe letting us get to know the other contestants a little better. WINGING IT WITH YOU is on the slightly longer side for a contemporary romance, and it felt a tiny bit out-of-sorts compared to the depth of the romantic development.
For my personal tastes, I had one issue with WINGING IT WITH YOU. ‘Fake dating’ is my favourite romance trope to play with (or arranged marriage, marriage of convenience etc) and while this is pitched as being very much that, it just didn’t feature enough to matter. Asher and Theo could’ve just been two new-to-each other contestants for all the difference it makes to the plot. I wanted the awkward public pretence of knowing each other, the secretly catching feeling and thinking the other character is only pretending still, the tension of ‘what if we’re found out’… While these were paid lip service, I wanted MORE of it to be lingered over.
For a 384-page book, WINGING IT WITH YOU absolutely flew in. It’s a fast-paced, action-packed page turner that I think is perfect for taking on vacation or reading outside on a sunny day. This is one for armchair travellers and avid tourists to take notes from!

Winging It With You completely swept me off my feet. From the unexpected meet-cute at a Boston airport to the adventurous dash across global checkpoints. Asher Bennett, fresh off a humiliating breakup, and Theo Fernandez, a pilot finally forced to take a vacation, embark on a journey together when they impulsively strike up a fake relationship and fly off to join a globe trekking reality show. What starts as a fun, chaotic adventure quickly becomes something so much more.

Asher’s sarcasm and wounded heart balance beautifully with Theo’s kindness and eagerness to reconnect with himself and his family. Watching them go from total strangers to road trip teammates, then travel companions, friends, lovers and the most beautiful of soulmates was such a f*cking joy. The forced proximity of airports, cramped hotel rooms, and the pressure of a televised competition brings out the perfect dosage of both humour and raw emotional moments that hit hard.

I was surprised by how emotional this was. Just when I thought I’d breezed through the funny parts and stumbled across one of my favourite romcom reads of the year, the heartbreak and vulnerability snuck up and stole my breath. The character growth - especially as both men had to confront past baggage and fears - is so deeply earned and very realistic. I teared up and ugly cried more than once throughout, but I also swooned and laughed and kicked my feet just as hard.

This book nails the charming blend of spice, laughter, and heartfelt depth. If you love fake dating romcoms with adventure, high emotional stakes, and characters who feel like real people you want to cheer for, Winging It With You is a must read. This is easily going to be one of my standout reads of the year, and I cannot wait to see where Chip takes us next.

After being unceremoniously dumped at the airport Asher decides to still join The Epic Trek gameshow he signed up to only he needs a new partner. Could Theo a grounded Pilot who never takes a break be just who he needs to win the competition and maybe find himself again?

Wow just wow, I loved this so much. It was so good so modern and yet so sweet at the same time. I loved the reality show mixed in with the story between Asher and Theo. The plot was simple yet effective and the ending was honestly just brilliant. One thing I really loved was the communication between them. They both had their moments but more often than not they came together and talked things through which is very refreshing. I loved the two leads of course but Jenn and Ellie were awesome too. A funny and at times steamy read, perfect for summer.

Thank you Dialogue Books for the ARC

I LOVE Chip Pons! I really enjoyed his first book. And this one was even better; a charming romance that is set in a reality TV setting seems to be my jam recently.

I highly recommend this 🌈 Happy Pride Month 💕

For me personal it was boring

Asher Bennet thought his relationship was just fine. Until he's unceremoniously dumped at the Boston airport ahead of the world-wide travel competition reality show, The Epic Trek. Armed with only a ticket and righteous indignation, Asher finds the closest solace he can: a mimosa and mozzarella sticks combo at an airport TGI Fridays. Still, Asher is determined to find a new partner and luckily, right in front of him is a smooth-talking airline pilot ready for takeoff.

Theo Fernandez has been grounded. He's the only pilot that has never taken a vacation and the edict has been passed down: prove you're prioritizing a work-life balance or say goodbye to your wings. As he struggles to bask in his new downtime, without reconnecting with his family, he stumbles upon the perfect opportunity. The handsome guy who "stole" his mozzarella sticks at his favorite terminal eatery has a sudden opening for a partner...on a nationally televised reality show.

Theo and Asher buckle up to fake date for the cameras, but as they do the undercurrents of attraction make them wonder if their on-screen chemistry hints at something bigger. Do they have the courage to leave behind their baggage, and wing it together for another chance at love?

TROPES INCLUDE
💗 Fake Dating
📺 Reality TV Romance
🫂 Forced Proximity
♥️ Strangers to Friends to Lovers
🧪Biomedical Engineer/Pilot
🥵Only One Bed (Every Location)
✈️Adventure / Challenges
🔥Mozzarella Meet Cute
🥰 Wait...Is it real?

DNF @ 36%

This one had such a strong start and premise but I felt the execution just fell flat. It might just be that I personally wasn’t vibing with it and it might be perfect for someone else.

My issues:
- I had no idea who was talking throughout. Asher and Theo have EXACTLY the same narrative voice and I was constantly checking whose chapter POV we were reading.
- Theo is supposed to be this character who is different from Asher’s ex, who never listened to him and was never interested in his interests… so when Asher is talking about his work and Theo describes him as ‘rambling on about artificial livers or something’ it made him seem like he also didn’t give a damn.
- The show was confusing. Why were they playing the theme song whilst they were on boats in the ocean? They add stuff like that in post-production 😹
- Asher’s character is all over the place; I get that he’s grieving but he blows hot and cold and I just didn’t like him at all.
- Their self-imposed ‘rules’ for the game: no sex, no feelings, only truth. Well neither is being truthful to each other (Theo is hiding that his family are homophobic, both of them are hiding that they’re actually into each other). And why the no sex & no feelings rule? They say it’s to stop things getting complicated but like… they’re both young, single and pretending to be dating? Like? Live a little guys.
- The writing itself was exhausting to read; long run on sentences, clinched similes and so much inner monologuing. I really struggle with books full of inner monologues - I know this is a me thing but I just can’t get over it!
- It’s weird to me that they jerked off to each other when Theo was in the shower and Asher was watching… and then just completely ignored it? Like didn’t even mention it again afterwards.

Like I said, some people might absolutely love this, but for me, it’s just a miss. Two stars because the start was strong and I think the premise was excellent.

I loved Theo and Asher’s romance despite there being huge problems in this book. They were such an adorable couple and I loved getting to know them as they fell for each other. What’s not to love about a cute meet cute at the airport after a breakup?
This story follows Asher after he is broken up with by his boyfriend at the airport en route to participate in a outdoor adventure reality show that will take them around the world. Asher needs to find a new partner to participate with him and happens to meet Theo, a pilot who has just been given time off work and they decide to fake being in a relationship as they take part in ‘Epic Trek.’
My issues with the story mostly focus on timeline. Asher assures Theo that the show will take about 4 weeks but the timeline of the show itself seems to be much longer. There are time changes which seem to span a couple of weeks on several occasions and this seemed to be disjointed and interrupt the flow. I would have also loved to have seen more of the emotional turmoil of fighting against elimination in the story as opposed to the passing mentions of ‘being at risk of elimination’ in the past.
But my number one concern is regarding to a scene where Asher and Theo bathe baby elephants at an ‘Elephant Reserve’ in Bali. I don’t think it takes much research to realise how unethical the practice of bathing elephants is and how badly treated the animals at these ‘reserves’ are. I don’t like that this book painting the inhumane practice as a romantic day out. I think authors should take more care to ensure that they are not promoting harmful activities.
It disappoints me that I can’t in good conscience give this book a higher rating because I loved the character development and chemistry.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me with an ARC copy of this book in return for an honest review.

What a gorgeous story of breaking down to build yourself back up. The game show element was unique and fun, and I loved the glimpses behind the camera into the show’s seedy underbelly. Watching Theo and Asher learn who they are while falling in love was an honour.

✈️ Strangers to lovers
✈️ Reality TV show
✈️ Slow burn love but fast burn steam
✈️ Supportive side characters
✈️ Trauma and healing
✈️ A touch of petty energy I adored
✈️ A PERFECT epilogue
✈️ Fake dating
✈️ "Baby" -- MULTIPLE TIMES
✈️ Only one bed but in every.single.city

OK, so this was one of my MOST anticipated reads of the year. Ioved Chip's debut book, You & I Rewritten. When the announcement came for this book, I knew I had to have it.

It was a fight between "let me fly through this book" and "I need to savor every second" for a solid week. I could NOT stop thinking about #Thasher (IYKYK). Their story is one I doubt I'll ever forget -- which is a big deal considering how much I read. 😏

The blurb of this book is very accurate. You're going to go on a journey with these characters. It starts as a last minute thing and turns into the forever kind of love. Asher and Theo are couple goals!

This book is 100000% worth picking up. I'm not even the type of person who likes reality tv, yet I ate this story up. Chip does a fantastic job of balancing the show aspects, the romance, and their backstories in a way I didn't feel one overpowered the other.

I can officially say I'm a Chip Pons stan through and through. The man is 2/2 for 5 star books. I'm now going to bask in my #Thasher obsession while *patiently* waiting for his 2026 release.

Huge thanks to Putnam Books, Chip Pons, and NetGalley for the eARC!

⭐️ | DNF at 30%
Unfortunately, Winging It With You really didn’t work for me — and I say that as someone who wanted to love the premise. I stopped reading at 30% because I was finding it more frustrating than enjoyable.

The characters lacked depth and felt more like archetypes than real people — both MMCs came across as idealised “Mary Sues” with very little grounding or believable development. The plot relied heavily on contrived, overly convenient moments, and the writing often felt like it underestimated the reader’s intelligence, despite being clearly aimed at an adult audience (especially considering the abrupt and jarring spice scene).

The use of Spanglish was awkward and poorly integrated, and I found myself highlighting countless sentences that needed revision — clunky phrasing, tonal mismatches, and flat dialogue were constant distractions. It honestly felt like a first draft that hadn’t had the benefit of proper editing.

The only bright spot for me was the Taylor Swift quote at the beginning, which sadly set the bar far too high. I won’t be reviewing this elsewhere, as I don’t want to draw further attention to a book that feels so rushed and unpolished. The concept had potential, but it needed significant work in both writing and editing to realise it.

imagine: your boyfriend dumps you at the airport MINUTES before you’re supposed to be on a globe-trotting reality show together. THE AUDACITY. but instead of crying in the terminal bathroom, asher orders mozzarella sticks and a mimosa like a champ—iconic behavior, honestly. enter theo, hot pilot on forced vacation (yes, the man has never taken a day off until now..). they fake date for the show. chaos ensues. feelings happen. you know the vibes.

why you should read this:
• fake dating + reality tv + forced proximity = certified serotonin
• theo and asher are adorable and also kinda a mess, which makes them relatable as hell
• there’s actual emotional depth under the fluff and travel montages
• THE SPICE. mutual pining. mutual scent (i’m still recovering). good boy kink (?? yes). enthusiastic consent?? chip pons didn’t come to play.
• the settings are straight-up ✨wanderlust core✨—we’re talking elephants in bali, lemoncello in italy, and you? stuck in your cold little room. cry about it.

minor ick:
the third-act breakup? unnecessary. like… one convo and it would’ve been handled. but no, they had to SUFFER for a chapter and a half. 🙄 also, the ending dragged a little. could’ve wrapped it up sooner. but nothing soul-ruining.

highlights:
• the mozzarella stick meet-cute??? top tier.
• theo being the golden retriever to asher’s grumpy cat. love that.
• side characters that actually felt like people and not NPCs
• the kind of queer joy that makes your chest feel warm
• i laughed. i swooned. i maybe clenched a little during the spicy scenes 👀

final thoughts:
if you love reality tv mess, emotional vulnerability, and men catching flights AND feelings, this is for you. like if red, white & royal blue and the amazing race had a chaotic gay baby. i devoured this book. and i’d do it again.

Winging it with you by Chip Pons

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️

What to expect

✈️MM romance
♥️Chance meeting
✈️Pilot x STEM rep
♥️Fake dating
✈️Reality TV show contestants
♥️Nicknames
✈️Hurt/comfort
♥️Delicious chemistry
✈️Rediscovery
♥️Black cat x golden retriever vibes
✈️HEA

This is the first book I’ve read by Chip and I fell in love with his writing style. I couldn’t put this book down. It’s full of witty banter, delicious tension and poignant moments of self discovery. Relearning to accept who you are and to realise you are enough. I felt that theme throughout Asher and Theo’s love story.

Their meet cute in the airport was perfect and from that moment on, it was a whirlwind of emotions, fun times and a developing deep connection. Asher wanted rules to help him control his attraction to Theo but as they spent time together their fake dating began to feel very real.

I highly recommend reading this book, it is such a fun, and beautiful story with love at its centre.

This book delivers emotional intimacy in spades, unfolding a love story that’s as tender as it is quietly powerful. While the beginning takes its time to settle into a rhythm, it doesn’t take long before the story finds its heart and when it does, it’s impossible not to be swept away.

What truly shines here are the character arcs of the main leads, Theo and Asher. Their journey is a slow burn, but one filled with genuine effort, mature communication, and moments of deep connection. Despite the fake dating trope at play, their relationship never feels rushed or superficial. Instead, the author takes care to show how both characters actively work to build something real and lasting something safe.

The emotional grounding of the story is further deepened by a cast of side characters that are just as lovable. The unexpected found family among the competitors adds warmth and humor, while Theo’s family provides a strong emotional backdrop that enhances the story's stakes and sweetness. If anything, I found myself wishing we’d gotten a glimpse into Asher’s home life too, to balance the intimacy we get with Theo’s world.

Still, what makes this one worth it is the sheer sincerity of it. From quiet dates to open hearted conversations, the author gives us time with these characters time that matters. Theo and Asher are each other’s safe space, and it shows in every word, every moment, every choice they make together.

Thank you NetGalley and Dialogue books for the ARC

“Sometimes, a life detour comes along when you least expect it. And if you are brave enough to lean into it, that little detour—or the right person—can change everything.”

Winging It with You is the first book I read by Chip Pons. It surely won’t be the last. I enjoyed the premise of fake dating in a reality show (although I’m not fond of realities). This book is chaotic and ridiculous in the best way. There’s humour, heart, and the just amount of heat. I was hooked from the iconic mozzarella stick meet-cute all the way through the emotional rollercoaster that followed.

Asher and his boyfriend are at the airport about to head out for this big competition, when, out of nowhere, his boyfriend breaks up with him. Total mess, but honestly, good for Asher for not falling apart and just walking away. He decides to find a new partner for the competition. Meanwhile, Theo’s been grounded by his airline because he’s flown too many hours, and suddenly he has time off. They end up bumping into each other, kind of arguing over some mozzarella sticks, and somehow that turns into them making a deal.

“When your heart suffers a loss or takes a hit, all you can do is cling to whatever happiness you can find. Because you will be happy one day. I have to keep telling myself that—over and over again so that I believe it.”

Theo is an absolute sweetheart, he won me over the second he showed up. It took me a bit to like Asher, but he totally grew on me in the end. They’re both a little messy, a little guarded, and it was really easy to root for them. I liked their banter, it’s on point. It didn’t seem they’ve just met each other. It was amazing watching them fall for each other while pretending to be boyfriends on national TV. But what I liked the most were the vulnerable moments and how the story focused on joy and connection instead of just trauma.

“If traveling the world together has taught me anything, it’s that the feeling of home doesn’t always have to be a place. Melting into Theo, I know without any reservation or nagging uncertainty that if you’re lucky, home can be a person”

“Diving headfirst into Asher feels like coming home, and our home, with his things and my things and our things, has quickly become my favorite place in the world.”

If you’re into fake dating, strangers-to-lovers, only one bed, or just want a queer rom-com that’ll have you smiling like an idiot, this one’s for you.

Thank you NetGalley and Chip Pons for a free eARC of Winging it with You, in exchange for an honest review.

It was an entertaining and adventurous story. Theo and Asher's journey, despite the ups and downs, was well-developed. Occasionally I felt that the plot was too long but anyway, I enjoyed it. Overall, it's a tender romance with emotional depth in a fun and chaotic setting.

DNF @ 13%.

What didn't quite work for me:
- too much past-relationship info-dumping in the beginning of the book
- too much telling, not enough showing
- no chemistry between the two MCs

A delightfully fizzy rom-com that soars on charm and chemistry, Winging It With You delivers exactly what its premise promises: a fake-dating, reality-TV, meet-cute romance with heart and humour. Chip Pons—known for his bookstagram presence—proves equally adept at crafting a love story that’s as swoony as it is laugh-out-loud funny.

The setup is pure rom-com gold: After getting dumped at the airport, travel blogger Asher Bennet impulsively teams up with Theo Fernandez, a workaholic airline pilot, to compete as a couple on The Epic Trek, a globetrotting reality show. Their fake relationship is meant to be strictly for the cameras, but their banter and simmering attraction make it clear they’re in for a bumpy—and utterly delightful—ride.

Pons nails the enemies-to-lovers-to-fake-daters dynamic, with Asher’s wounded-but-feisty energy playing perfectly against Theo’s gruff, commitment-phobic charm. The reality show backdrop adds a fun, high-stakes layer, forcing them into close quarters (and plenty of tropes: only one bed! shared showers! jealousy over other contestants!). But what really elevates the story is the emotional depth beneath the flirting—Theo’s fear of failing his family, Asher’s struggle to trust again—giving their connection weight beyond the show’s manufactured drama.