Scan barcode
jlaz_13's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Death, and Sexual content
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, and Bullying
cariam's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- 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
This book gave me all the feelings. There was so much second-hand embarrassment at the first half, and so many goosebumps in the second.
It deals with issues like racism, a spectrum of autism and Asperger’s syndrome, self-confidence and westernized thinking. You may not imagine any of these things when you first lift up this book - but it makes it so much more worth it to actually read.
After reading Helen’s reasons for making My/Esme the heroine of her story, it makes me love the character infinitely more than I ever thought I could love a character. She’s smart, vulnerable but strong, and most of all brave.
This story made me queasy and question all my favourite attributes of my favourite characters in the past - but that made my enjoyment so much more real. The progression of Khai’s and Esme’s relationship and character growth within themselves was so raw and true for their POV’s that it’s hard to think only one person was writing this story. 10/10 would definitely recommend!
It deals with issues like racism, a spectrum of autism and Asperger’s syndrome, self-confidence and westernized thinking. You may not imagine any of these things when you first lift up this book - but it makes it so much more worth it to actually read.
After reading Helen’s reasons for making My/Esme the heroine of her story, it makes me love the character infinitely more than I ever thought I could love a character. She’s smart, vulnerable but strong, and most of all brave.
This story made me queasy and question all my favourite attributes of my favourite characters in the past - but that made my enjoyment so much more real. The progression of Khai’s and Esme’s relationship and character growth within themselves was so raw and true for their POV’s that it’s hard to think only one person was writing this story. 10/10 would definitely recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Bullying and Racism
katsbooks's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.5
"Her history didn't define her. Her origins didn't define her."
“Everyone deserved to love and be loved back. Everyone.”
Khai and Esme are so stinking sweet. I can't believe I'm saying this but I actually teared up a couple of times while reading this book. That rarely happens to me. If a book can make me emotional, it's definitely a keeper. I really loved how we got to see Khai work through his emotions and how his autism was portrayed, in general. On one hand, I would have liked more discussion on it but, on the other, I really kind of dug how his autism was just part of who he was and wasn't a sign that something was wrong with him. The steam in this novel was definitely less than in the Kiss Quotient but I think the emotions were heightened in this one. It could also be that I just loved the characters that much. I really loved Esme. It's so rare to see the immigrant experience in romance novels. I loved that she took classes at an adult school and was so fierce and confident, while also being incredibly emotional and vulnerable. She was so multi-faceted and I'm totally here for it! I definitely wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book given that the premise is that Khai's mom convinces Esme to fly half way around the world to try and seduce him but I think the author handled the subject well and I ended up really loving how the leads fell for each other. My only real gripe is the ending. It felt like it wrapped up entirely too quickly and neatly. It's already just a little north of 300 pages so it feels like some things may have been cut/not addressed for the purpose of page count but Khai meeting Jade and Esme meeting Gleaves should have been much bigger moments than they were. I definitely would have liked to see more interaction in both of those relationships. Other than that, this was a fabulous follow-up to the Kiss Quotient. I can't wait to read Quan's story in the Heart Principle!
“Everyone deserved to love and be loved back. Everyone.”
Khai and Esme are so stinking sweet. I can't believe I'm saying this but I actually teared up a couple of times while reading this book. That rarely happens to me. If a book can make me emotional, it's definitely a keeper. I really loved how we got to see Khai work through his emotions and how his autism was portrayed, in general. On one hand, I would have liked more discussion on it but, on the other, I really kind of dug how his autism was just part of who he was and wasn't a sign that something was wrong with him. The steam in this novel was definitely less than in the Kiss Quotient but I think the emotions were heightened in this one. It could also be that I just loved the characters that much. I really loved Esme. It's so rare to see the immigrant experience in romance novels. I loved that she took classes at an adult school and was so fierce and confident, while also being incredibly emotional and vulnerable. She was so multi-faceted and I'm totally here for it! I definitely wasn't sure how I was going to feel about this book given that the premise is that Khai's mom convinces Esme to fly half way around the world to try and seduce him but I think the author handled the subject well and I ended up really loving how the leads fell for each other. My only real gripe is the ending. It felt like it wrapped up entirely too quickly and neatly. It's already just a little north of 300 pages so it feels like some things may have been cut/not addressed for the purpose of page count but Khai meeting Jade and Esme meeting Gleaves should have been much bigger moments than they were. I definitely would have liked to see more interaction in both of those relationships. Other than that, this was a fabulous follow-up to the Kiss Quotient. I can't wait to read Quan's story in the Heart Principle!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment and Addiction
Minor: Alcohol, Bullying, Car accident, and Child death
More...