Asher Bennett 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?
Winging It with You is a heartwarming queer rom-com and the 2nd novel from Chip Pons after his acclaimed 2022 debut, “You and I, Rewritten.” The story follows biomedical engineer Asher Bennett, who, after being dumped at the airport, scrambles for a new partner in The Epic Trek, a globe-trotting, challenge-based reality TV show. He convinces grounded airline pilot Theo Fernandez to team up and pretend to be a couple for the cameras to compete for the $1M prize. What starts as a convenient partnership quickly deepens into genuine attraction, unfolding across various cities and on-screen challenges—with high stakes emotionally as well as competitively!
The writing is fresh, fun, and full of witty banter and realistic emotional dialogue. There are so many witty one-liners that readers will be bookmarking them for later use! The story is told in a dual POV, giving readers the perspectives of both Asher and Theo— Asher’s meticulousness and ambitious attitude are a stark contrast to Theo’s laid-back warmth, but both characters show emotional vulnerabilities that make them both relatable and lovable.
The globe-trotting reality TV competition is an Amazing Race–style contest that adds excitement and high energy to the story—each challenge takes place in a different location in the world. Asher and Theo often have interesting cultural or social experiences in the various settings, which adds an additional layer of richness to the narrative. The story has a slow-burn start, as Asher and Theo get acquainted with each other and prepare for the start of the competition. Once they start traveling and competing in the thrilling competition, the pacing really quickens.
This book will especially please fans of the fake-dating trope, but there are other popular tropes represented in this book, including shared bed, forced proximity, and opposites attract. The fake-dating transition to genuine romance is organically executed, with heartfelt dialogue and physical attraction arising from prolonged periods of time together that ultimately lead to steamy “one-bed” scenes. The story also presents a very sweet, inclusive portrayal of queer love, and all of the side characters (reality TV show staff, contestants, and protagonists’ family members) have a positive and accepting mindset. It’s refreshing to have these types of characters and stories, and it’s definitely a sign that queer romance is evolving, with writers like Chip Pons leading the way!
Both protagonists have pronounced, emotional arcs. Asher’s story begins with heartbreak after a very dramatic break-up. For a good portion of the story, his inner monologues are filled with regret towards his ex-relationship and the associated feelings of hurt. By the end, after his emotional journey with Theo and eye-opening experiences around the world, he sees everything from a new perspective, and his self-worth vastly improves. Theo’s story is quite different but equally compelling—a betrayal by a lover in the army that led to his dismissal has haunted him, and he hasn’t been able to process or move past the pain. His connection with Asher and reconnecting with his own family help him finally heal—these scenes with his family and Asher at the end are very authentic and memorable! For spicy romance lovers, there are some well-placed heated scenes throughout the story, but they don’t overwhelm the main storyline or detract from the main focus of the romance, which is based on emotional connection and shared character growth.
Overall, Winging It For You is a perfect read for fans of queer romance, fake-dating tropes, and those who love watching thrilling reality tv contests. If you’re looking for a heartfelt, feel-good rom-com with some spice and satisfying character arcs, definitely add this one to your list!
Narrator Performance
Narrators Lee Osorio and Michael Crouch both deliver engaging and authentic performances. Crouch portrays Asher with a wide range of emotions and dramatic flair to perfectly capture a meticulous and anxious character who’s processing old and new feelings. Osorio’s performance is more even-toned and steady, matching Theo’s laid-back personality and introspective nature. The heartfelt dialogue scenes that develop between Asher and Theo, especially later in the book when they are more open and vulnerable, are the real highlight of the story—both narrators do a fantastic job creating a convincing chemistry between the characters that’s equally steamy and heartwarming. If you’re considering reading this book, the high-quality performances of both narrators make the audiobook a great option—and one you can easily binge listen in a single day!
Narrator Performance
Narrators Lee Osorio and Michael Crouch both deliver engaging and authentic performances. Crouch portrays Asher with a wide range of emotions and dramatic flair to perfectly capture a meticulous and anxious character who’s processing old and new feelings. Osorio’s performance is more even-toned and steady, matching Theo’s laid-back personality and introspective nature. The heartfelt dialogue scenes that develop between Asher and Theo, especially later in the book when they are more open and vulnerable, are the real highlight of the story—both narrators do a fantastic job creating a convincing chemistry between the characters that’s equally steamy and heartwarming. If you’re considering reading this book, the high-quality performances of both narrators make the audiobook a great option—and one you can easily binge listen in a single day!
Narrators Lee Osorio and Michael Crouch both deliver engaging and authentic performances. Crouch portrays Asher with a wide range of emotions and dramatic flair to perfectly capture a meticulous and anxious character who’s processing old and new feelings. Osorio’s performance is more even-toned and steady, matching Theo’s laid-back personality and introspective nature. The heartfelt dialogue scenes that develop between Asher and Theo, especially later in the book when they are more open and vulnerable, are the real highlight of the story—both narrators do a fantastic job creating a convincing chemistry between the characters that’s equally steamy and heartwarming. If you’re considering reading this book, the high-quality performances of both narrators make the audiobook a great option—and one you can easily binge listen in a single day!
