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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
eligru's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Child death, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Abandonment
kiingchika's review
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This book was genuinely so cute. It was a slow burn in its own way, and I’m so happy for My most of all.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content and Child death
toofondofbooks_'s review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
Every time I read a romance by Helen Hoang with a neurodivergent main character and romance that makes me blush, an angel gets its wings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Car accident, Child death, Death, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
maggies's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
A fun, forced proximity romance with great spectrum rep! Really enjoyed the narration from Emily Woo Zeller as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Car accident
scmorgan21's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
3.5
This was not as good as The Kiss Quotient, but it was still worth the read. I really enjoyed Kai's post sex talk with his brother & Michael. It's not a conversation usually represented in media.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Ableism, Car accident, and Child death
bookwormbullet's review
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Ableism
Minor: Child death
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
valeria_gzz's review
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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
3.0
3 stars, As relatable as I thought Khai was, I just wasn’t feeling the romance. I think this was a great story just not a good enough romance for me.
I didn’t hate My/Esme which is good since I sometimes find female love interests annoying.
I thought it was good to show how Khai didn’t grieve ‘properly’ when his cousin and best friend first died but he did 10 years later in a very unexpected (for him) and strong way. I had a similar experience a few years ago and it was comforting to see someone with a similar experience to mine even though it was a terrible experience.
In short: It didn’t give what needed to be gave
I didn’t hate My/Esme which is good since I sometimes find female love interests annoying.
In short: It didn’t give what needed to be gave
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Child death, and Grief
levesc17's review
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
Helen Hoang is a wonderful writer; the character development is lovely and satisfying. She always leaves me wanting more! This grumpy sunshine romance with a neurodiverse love interest is a quick read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Grief