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jillkaarlela's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Age rating: 17+ (3 steamy scenes, 1.5/5🌶️)
We love autism and POC rep!! In this book the mmc is autistic, and both MCs are Vietnamese. This is a more modern version of a “mail-order-bride” trope, where the mom brings a girls from Vietnam to the United States to live with him for the summer and hopefully marry him (so they both find love and she gets a green card). You can tell that the author dealt with this topic with so much intentionality and care!
I also loved the focus on Esme’s independence and work ethic/drive! She really would’ve made it on her own (become a successful US citizen) even if she wasn’t with Khai. She is so brave and strong.
I liked this one as much as “the Kiss Quotient”, but in a different way. “The bride test” is MUCH more of a slow burn, as the mmc deals with past trauma and doesn’t think he has the emotional capacity for grief and love. But the payoff is sooooo worth it! Seeing Khai slowly open up and love her with his actions for so long without realizing it?? The best!! So much of this book was Khai experiencing this undeniable pull to a person for the first time, and discovering that he has the capacity for emotions that people once accused him of being incapable of (love, grief, etc.) Their love is so tender! They truly just want to never be apart from each other, and show their love in the little ways every day.
TW/CW: fmc is a single mother, death of childhood friend and grief, ableism, past trauma surrounding emotional capabilities, death, and motorcycle accident.
Moderate: Car accident, Ableism, and Death
laheath's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Grief and Sexual content
Moderate: Classism and Death
Minor: Car accident
helfire124's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Death, Mental illness, and Grief
Minor: Car accident and Abandonment
lorenmarie7's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Grief, Car accident, Death, and Sexual content
lucyrudd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Death, Grief, Sexual content, and Car accident
jlaz_13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Moderate: Grief, Death, and Sexual content
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, and Bullying
rickireadss's review against another edition
4.25
⚠️: grief, ableism, death of family member, car accident, classism, abandonment
Graphic: Ableism and Grief
Moderate: Death, Car accident, and Abandonment
mamane's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Moderate: Grief, Death, and Abandonment
shindanker's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Minor: Racism and Death
toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Car accident, Child death, Death, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship