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ritaroo27's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kaikai1618's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
It was just okay.
This book is a romance between a man named Khai who struggles with the death of his friend and who has a hard time interacting with other people due to being on the spectrum. He comes off as cold or unfeeling and defines himself as such. His mother is worried about him being alone, so she sets out to Vietnam where she searches for a girl to marry him. She comes across Esmeralda, a strongly willed woman who lives in poverty with her mother, grandmother, and daughter. Khai’s mother likes Esme’s character and gives her the opportunity to come to America and marry her son. Esme spends the summer with a reluctant Khai and soon they become very attracted to one another.
I read this book because I thought it sounded interesting. I was intrigued by Khai in the first book and I’m always up for an own voice novel to learn more about others. I also wanted to see the aspects of Vietnamese culture I could relate to.
I’d say this book wasn’t bad and had some strengths, but it was not good. I have to say that I enjoyed seeing the parts of East Asian culture sprinkled throughout the book. It was easy to visualize the incense at the funeral, or lychee and fish sauce in the kitchen. Those details are not in many books I read, and were--therefore-- appreciated.
I found the characters to not be completely flat. Esmeralda is smart and can fend for herself, she doesn’t want to rely on others, and her situation gives a little insight into the unfair disadvantages she was given in Vietnam. Khai feels like he is emotionless and he keeps everything inside, though he is caring for the people around him in his own way. I felt like I did learn some things about his experiences being on the spectrum. For the way he felt and communicated, I feel like I can’t say much on that since I myself don’t know what it’s like to be on the spectrum.
It wasn’t the people themselves I had a problem with, it was their forced semi-arranged marriage situation and how they were not believable together. I didn’t feel like they had any kind of meaningful conversations, and their interactions just felt like two people lusting after each other. It didn’t feel right or natural. The situation itself is off-putting since Esme is motivated to have a good life from the marriage and in that sense, Khai had a lot of power over her. She wasn’t a weak character, but she was constantly trying to please him and was even scared of making him angry at one point. It’s understandable that Khai is not the kind to open up about how he’s feeling and has trouble communicating. Still, this leads me to believe that he needs someone who asks more questions and is very direct so that both parties understand each other. Instead, we get these two people who are silently confused or mad about one thing or another, and then things aren’t properly resolved. Esme is usually upset and feels emotionally neglected and Khai doesn’t explain or isn’t aware of it. I’m not blaming the characters and I can see how this was in part because Khai processes things differently. I’m sure there are relationships like this and people like this, but I don’t think these two were good with each other. It’s really weird to see two people put together and see them “fall in love” when most of the time some random person who comes to live in your home won’t necessarily be the love of your life. I think the author was trying to shed more light on the Vietnamese immigrant experience, but I’m not sure if this was the right way.
This book bothers me because the relationship that is deemed to be so good has bad communication between the characters. They seem more horny than they do in love. Whenever there’s an issue, things are forgiven due to them making out and then it doesn’t really feel like anything changes. They never talk about the problem or address why it repeats. This is the only kind of resolve at the overdramatic ending where Khai realizes he’s been suppressing his emotions so he can’t get hurt again. Though things like this are understandable, the “just okay” relationship left a bitter taste in my mouth. The thing about these situations is that they aren’t regular. Because of arranged marriages or hired escorts, it makes it seem like people on the spectrum can’t have these kinds of relationships unless they enter a rare situation. I think that all this book needed was more direct communication and a more normal way for them to meet. I don’t think Esme needed to be some random girl from Vietnam forced to live with Khai.
In terms of the ending, I see a pattern in these books that one person in the relationship is always filthy rich. Because of this, situations are conveniently resolved due to money. In the Kiss Quotient, Stella is rich and pays for all of Michael’s debt from his Mom’s cancer by starting a program to help medical patients. In this book, Khai’s brother Quan pays for a wedding just to get his brother to be jealous and confess his feelings to Esme. Sometimes, it feels like money is used as a convenient way to bring the conflict to an end and it isn’t realistic.
All in all, there were some things I learned from this book, and the cultural aspects I related to. Still, the plot and relationship this book centered around were frustrating to listen to, and at times, ridiculous.
It was just okay.
This book is a romance between a man named Khai who struggles with the death of his friend and who has a hard time interacting with other people due to being on the spectrum. He comes off as cold or unfeeling and defines himself as such. His mother is worried about him being alone, so she sets out to Vietnam where she searches for a girl to marry him. She comes across Esmeralda, a strongly willed woman who lives in poverty with her mother, grandmother, and daughter. Khai’s mother likes Esme’s character and gives her the opportunity to come to America and marry her son. Esme spends the summer with a reluctant Khai and soon they become very attracted to one another.
I read this book because I thought it sounded interesting. I was intrigued by Khai in the first book and I’m always up for an own voice novel to learn more about others. I also wanted to see the aspects of Vietnamese culture I could relate to.
I’d say this book wasn’t bad and had some strengths, but it was not good. I have to say that I enjoyed seeing the parts of East Asian culture sprinkled throughout the book. It was easy to visualize the incense at the funeral, or lychee and fish sauce in the kitchen. Those details are not in many books I read, and were--therefore-- appreciated.
I found the characters to not be completely flat. Esmeralda is smart and can fend for herself, she doesn’t want to rely on others, and her situation gives a little insight into the unfair disadvantages she was given in Vietnam. Khai feels like he is emotionless and he keeps everything inside, though he is caring for the people around him in his own way. I felt like I did learn some things about his experiences being on the spectrum. For the way he felt and communicated, I feel like I can’t say much on that since I myself don’t know what it’s like to be on the spectrum.
It wasn’t the people themselves I had a problem with, it was their forced semi-arranged marriage situation and how they were not believable together. I didn’t feel like they had any kind of meaningful conversations, and their interactions just felt like two people lusting after each other. It didn’t feel right or natural. The situation itself is off-putting since Esme is motivated to have a good life from the marriage and in that sense, Khai had a lot of power over her. She wasn’t a weak character, but she was constantly trying to please him and was even scared of making him angry at one point. It’s understandable that Khai is not the kind to open up about how he’s feeling and has trouble communicating. Still, this leads me to believe that he needs someone who asks more questions and is very direct so that both parties understand each other. Instead, we get these two people who are silently confused or mad about one thing or another, and then things aren’t properly resolved. Esme is usually upset and feels emotionally neglected and Khai doesn’t explain or isn’t aware of it. I’m not blaming the characters and I can see how this was in part because Khai processes things differently. I’m sure there are relationships like this and people like this, but I don’t think these two were good with each other. It’s really weird to see two people put together and see them “fall in love” when most of the time some random person who comes to live in your home won’t necessarily be the love of your life. I think the author was trying to shed more light on the Vietnamese immigrant experience, but I’m not sure if this was the right way.
This book bothers me because the relationship that is deemed to be so good has bad communication between the characters. They seem more horny than they do in love. Whenever there’s an issue, things are forgiven due to them making out and then it doesn’t really feel like anything changes. They never talk about the problem or address why it repeats. This is the only kind of resolve at the overdramatic ending where Khai realizes he’s been suppressing his emotions so he can’t get hurt again. Though things like this are understandable, the “just okay” relationship left a bitter taste in my mouth. The thing about these situations is that they aren’t regular. Because of arranged marriages or hired escorts, it makes it seem like people on the spectrum can’t have these kinds of relationships unless they enter a rare situation. I think that all this book needed was more direct communication and a more normal way for them to meet. I don’t think Esme needed to be some random girl from Vietnam forced to live with Khai.
In terms of the ending, I see a pattern in these books that one person in the relationship is always filthy rich. Because of this, situations are conveniently resolved due to money. In the Kiss Quotient, Stella is rich and pays for all of Michael’s debt from his Mom’s cancer by starting a program to help medical patients. In this book, Khai’s brother Quan pays for a wedding just to get his brother to be jealous and confess his feelings to Esme. Sometimes, it feels like money is used as a convenient way to bring the conflict to an end and it isn’t realistic.
All in all, there were some things I learned from this book, and the cultural aspects I related to. Still, the plot and relationship this book centered around were frustrating to listen to, and at times, ridiculous.
melinda_and_her_books's review against another edition
5.0
Omg why did it take me so long to read this one. I loved this way more than the first one. I loved Khai so much!
kristinshires's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.75
honestly living for the mamma mia style ending w the wedding crashed by all of these confessions
cobaltbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
I really liked first book and wanted to like this one but this is hot mess only thing is Quân.
amandalynnhuffman's review against another edition
5.0
No words will do this book justice. I loved it so much. Couldn’t put it down. ♾️/5 stars!
I saw some poor reviews beforehand and I don’t get them at all. How does everyone not fall head over heels with this world that Helen Hoang has created? The subjectiveness of reading baffles me. Why do we love what we love? I digress.
Khai and Esme were both so endearing. My heart felt like it would burst so many times throughout this story. Imperfect characters speak to my soul like nothing else. Who can relate to the perfect male specimen falling for the perfect female specimen in a picturesque setting where apparently everyone is a billionaire and a professional in the bedroom? But this book? These characters. This story. Perfectly imperfect. Their struggles, their emotions, and their love made me feel all the feelings.
I will now read everything Helen Hoang writes without hesitation. The end.
I saw some poor reviews beforehand and I don’t get them at all. How does everyone not fall head over heels with this world that Helen Hoang has created? The subjectiveness of reading baffles me. Why do we love what we love? I digress.
Khai and Esme were both so endearing. My heart felt like it would burst so many times throughout this story. Imperfect characters speak to my soul like nothing else. Who can relate to the perfect male specimen falling for the perfect female specimen in a picturesque setting where apparently everyone is a billionaire and a professional in the bedroom? But this book? These characters. This story. Perfectly imperfect. Their struggles, their emotions, and their love made me feel all the feelings.
I will now read everything Helen Hoang writes without hesitation. The end.
sabrinalefebvre's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Kai talked way too much about his hard dick 😭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
mauraho's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bigbluewizard's review against another edition
I didn't like it quite as much as the kiss quotient but it was a fun read :)
almond's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first time to read a novel with an MC on the spectrum, and I found it fascinating, especially in the context of a romance novel.