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reeyabeegale's review against another edition
3.0
I got an ARC ebook copy of The Bride Test, and I was so excited because I enjoyed The Kiss Quotient a lot last year.
I’m not truly disappointed because I found this funnier than TKQ but I didn’t enjoy the plot of The Bride Test. It started out well, I enjoyed the flow of the story until I was at least 70% in the novel. There were a couple of things I didn’t like —
1. Why was Cô so quick and trusting of Esme? They only met at a bathroom, and immediately she “hired” her. How was it that Cô didn’t do a background check on Esme, she didn’t know about Jade.
2. I would’ve wanted a bit more focus on Esme searching for her dad, it was a nice touch (Khâi’s effort) towards the end, but I wish I was able to read more of her searching for her dad.
There are a few more but I can’t exactly specify/pinpoint it (probably because lately I’ve been writing my reviews super late at night), I just know I didn’t exactly enjoy this book as much as I did TKQ. Nonetheless, I will still recommend this book and I will definitely read more of Hoang’s works!
I’m not truly disappointed because I found this funnier than TKQ but I didn’t enjoy the plot of The Bride Test. It started out well, I enjoyed the flow of the story until I was at least 70% in the novel. There were a couple of things I didn’t like —
1. Why was Cô so quick and trusting of Esme? They only met at a bathroom, and immediately she “hired” her. How was it that Cô didn’t do a background check on Esme, she didn’t know about Jade.
2. I would’ve wanted a bit more focus on Esme searching for her dad, it was a nice touch (Khâi’s effort) towards the end, but I wish I was able to read more of her searching for her dad.
There are a few more but I can’t exactly specify/pinpoint it (probably because lately I’ve been writing my reviews super late at night), I just know I didn’t exactly enjoy this book as much as I did TKQ. Nonetheless, I will still recommend this book and I will definitely read more of Hoang’s works!
libvin96's review against another edition
2.0
The writing style of Bride Test is a vast improvement from that of Kiss Quotient. There was a much fairer equilibrium between steam and story here, not to mention the cameos from some of the Kiss Quotient characters were Laugh-Out-Loud-And-Concern-The-Neighbors hilarious. Because of this, I was really hoping to give this one a higher rating, however, along with the improvements came new elements that I did not like as much.
Firstly, the premise is just a little too strange to me, even for a fun romance novel. I think if Hoang took more time to flush some things out, it would have worked. For example, if Hoang had spent more time in the exposition describing Esme's sheer desperation to start a better life for her and her daughter, her willingness to do something completely drastic like moving to America to meet a random woman's son and marry him at the drop of a hat, it wouldn't have felt like Esme was just flippantly making this crazed life changing decision she hadn't ever thought of before.
Secondly, are we not going to address how invasive Khai's mother is? It was hard to believe how she orchestrated this blind arrangement for her son living in America in the 2010s, in which a stranger would be residing in his home, without there being some tension about this later on in the novel.
Thirdly, nearly every character in both of these novels has the similar past of a father abandoning them and / or being a criminal. This constant trope repetition really stuck out and started feeling like a force feeding of stale cardboard. The only character it really seemed necessary for was Esme, since in the end finding her father was what allowed her to make her decisions independently at the end of the novel.
Fourthly, the arc of the "secret daughter" felt very, very hastily resolved. Khai finds out about her and immediately accepts it without so much as a blink. No questions asked, nothing about the secrecy, nothing about the baby's father, really? Hoang peppers the novel with constant reminders that Esme's child is a Secret From Khai and it (rightfully) Will Be A Big Deal When He Inevitably Finds Out. But the end of this arc does not get a bow, does not get wrapping paper, it's just carelessly chucked at the Christmas tree on the last few pages. What?!?!
This feels like the meanest review I have ever written on here, so I just want to add that I love the inclusion of Authors Notes in this novel and its predecessor. After a fun rom com ride, Hoang is incredibly vulnerable with us, explaining the important and extremely personal influences that go into her character building. I really love the representation of autistic characters in contemporary romance, and the exploration of how their autism affects their romantic and sexual experiences. Although the sequence of events has a few plot holes, Hoang has a brave and critical voice to offer, and yes, I probably will be picking up The Heart Principle upon release.
Firstly, the premise is just a little too strange to me, even for a fun romance novel. I think if Hoang took more time to flush some things out, it would have worked. For example, if Hoang had spent more time in the exposition describing Esme's sheer desperation to start a better life for her and her daughter, her willingness to do something completely drastic like moving to America to meet a random woman's son and marry him at the drop of a hat, it wouldn't have felt like Esme was just flippantly making this crazed life changing decision she hadn't ever thought of before.
Secondly, are we not going to address how invasive Khai's mother is? It was hard to believe how she orchestrated this blind arrangement for her son living in America in the 2010s, in which a stranger would be residing in his home, without there being some tension about this later on in the novel.
Thirdly, nearly every character in both of these novels has the similar past of a father abandoning them and / or being a criminal. This constant trope repetition really stuck out and started feeling like a force feeding of stale cardboard. The only character it really seemed necessary for was Esme, since in the end finding her father was what allowed her to make her decisions independently at the end of the novel.
Fourthly, the arc of the "secret daughter" felt very, very hastily resolved. Khai finds out about her and immediately accepts it without so much as a blink. No questions asked, nothing about the secrecy, nothing about the baby's father, really? Hoang peppers the novel with constant reminders that Esme's child is a Secret From Khai and it (rightfully) Will Be A Big Deal When He Inevitably Finds Out. But the end of this arc does not get a bow, does not get wrapping paper, it's just carelessly chucked at the Christmas tree on the last few pages. What?!?!
This feels like the meanest review I have ever written on here, so I just want to add that I love the inclusion of Authors Notes in this novel and its predecessor. After a fun rom com ride, Hoang is incredibly vulnerable with us, explaining the important and extremely personal influences that go into her character building. I really love the representation of autistic characters in contemporary romance, and the exploration of how their autism affects their romantic and sexual experiences. Although the sequence of events has a few plot holes, Hoang has a brave and critical voice to offer, and yes, I probably will be picking up The Heart Principle upon release.
felishacb's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Child death, Sexual content, and Death
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Deportation
ipassaro's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
3.0
overthinkereading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
“Everyone deserved to love and be loved back. Everyone.”
I adored this romance highlighting Khai, who we briefly met in The Kiss Quotient (where we learned he is autistic), and My/Esme, who travels from Vietnam to the U.S. to become his spouse.
While the story has some of my favorite tropes (fake relationship, forced proximity, one bed), it simply became a favorite as we witness deep, accepting love blossom between these two people who are each struggling in their own way. The representation of Khai’s challenges with identifying emotion and Esme’s struggles as an immigrant woman from difficult circumstances were especially moving.
Recommend to readers looking for: open door romance, Own Voices representation (neurodivergence and AAPI), and HEA
I adored this romance highlighting Khai, who we briefly met in The Kiss Quotient (where we learned he is autistic), and My/Esme, who travels from Vietnam to the U.S. to become his spouse.
While the story has some of my favorite tropes (fake relationship, forced proximity, one bed), it simply became a favorite as we witness deep, accepting love blossom between these two people who are each struggling in their own way. The representation of Khai’s challenges with identifying emotion and Esme’s struggles as an immigrant woman from difficult circumstances were especially moving.
Recommend to readers looking for: open door romance, Own Voices representation (neurodivergence and AAPI), and HEA
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Car accident and Grief
joniallison23's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.0
suzyq436's review against another edition
5.0
A refreshing take on romance!
This had my cheeks in spasms from the smiling and I teared up on more than one occasion. This was truly beautiful!
This had my cheeks in spasms from the smiling and I teared up on more than one occasion. This was truly beautiful!
steph_k_103's review against another edition
5.0
5 million gazillion bazillion stars
Can we just appreciate the rep of this book. Helen Hoang gave strength to these characters, and highlighted their hardships rather than drawing on the stigmatism (ie him having autism and her hardships growing up and having a child)
The book showcases how they learned to communicate, how they loved each other regardless of those, and if I should even call it such, struggles.
U can see he’s trying and he doesn’t resent it.
You can see she’s very understanding but not from pity, rather she actually doesn’t even notice some things. She simply had a growing crush. And rightfully so! I mean this man, treating women how they should be treated - and without complaining or bragging.
Overall
I was swooning and crying
Bless this book
It deserves way more hype
Can we just appreciate the rep of this book. Helen Hoang gave strength to these characters, and highlighted their hardships rather than drawing on the stigmatism (ie him having autism and her hardships growing up and having a child)
The book showcases how they learned to communicate, how they loved each other regardless of those, and if I should even call it such, struggles.
U can see he’s trying and he doesn’t resent it.
You can see she’s very understanding but not from pity, rather she actually doesn’t even notice some things. She simply had a growing crush. And rightfully so! I mean this man, treating women how they should be treated - and without complaining or bragging.
Overall
I was swooning and crying
Bless this book
It deserves way more hype