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hayleyvem's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Abandonment, Sexual content, Car accident, and Classism
Minor: Vomit and Pregnancy
thehannahclaire's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Car accident, and Classism
anniereads214's review
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident, Deportation, Sexual content, Grief, and Death
clareasday's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Sexual content, and Grief
bakergirlsbooks1999's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Car accident, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
noe44's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, Grief, and Death
meeklovestoread's review
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I really liked "The Kiss Quotient" by this author and it's been a long while since I've read it so I decided to give her other books in the series a shot. Sadly, this book just didn't do it for me. It wasn't terrible persay, I'd still recommend it to people but it wasn't my favorite. There are almost equal amounts of things that I liked and disliked in this book. I liked the Vietnamese culture being integrated into this book as well as the realities of moving to a new country, being an immigrant, not understanding this current new place that you occupy, the struggles of accumulating into an unfamiliar place, and the autism rep of course. Also, I love Quan! He was the highlight of this book. And the conversation Quan, Khai, and Michael (from the Kiss Quotient) had about safe sex, orgasms, first times, etc. It was very informative. I feel like it was a very important chapter considering most romance books just dive into the sex and don't discuss the mechanics. I wish more books would do that.
However, it seems like my dislikes outweigh my likes about this book. Okay, this book is supposed to be a romance between the two characters but in my opinion, there wasn't much chemistry between them. The connection was more sexual than anything else. It would be nice if they had endearing conversations where they got to know each other. For the later half of the book, we see that both Khai and Esme miss each other and long for one another, but we really don't see why. From Esme's perspective, she's not really aware of what autism is so if we're just thinking from her perspective for the most part Khai has treated her horribly. Yes, he can be nice at times and he has shown that he cares for her, but he never takes time to get to KNOW her. I know his intention isn't to hurt her, however, that's what he does constantly in this book. He doesn't fight for her unless he's being told to and that isn't romantic to me. And when we are in Khai's perspective, besides their sexual attraction, we as the reader, don't really understand why he misses her.
Also, I know Khai's autistic (which is fine; it's actually the main reason I read Helen Hoang's books cuz of the representation), but I feel like the autism wasn't expanded on as much as I would've liked it to. From the minimal knowledge that I have, I know that autism is spectrum so not everyone is the same and there are also people called "high functioning" and "low functioning". We know, he has sensory issues and feels that due to his autism, he's not able to convey his feelings and feel "the right things", in turn, he feels like he's unable to love anyone, especially in a romantic way. Which I get, but I wish we got more insight into which part of the spectrum he's on because I feel like the author was using his autism as a reason, but also an excuse for being continuously rude behavior toward Esme.
I understand Khai's insecurities about his ability (or inability according to him) to love. Still, I don't think his insecurities should excuse his inefficient communication skills and subtle emotional immaturity. Like I understand that he's autistic and that he isn't the best at social cues, but my gosh it really got on my nerves how rude he was towards Esme when she was just trying. I feel like if he really liked her he'd be more considerate of her feelings and express why he is the way he is to her so she can understand instead of continuously breaking her heart because he's too insecure to admit that he cares for someone.
Also, I know if it's just me but in terms of the romance, it felt like the side characters were the ones leading it on. Like there would be instances where Khai and Esme aren't speaking for whatever reason and it's up to the side characters to bring them back together. Khai seems to be an actions rather words type of guy which is fine, but it would be nice if he went out of his way to fight for his feelings for Esme more instead of just accepting the fact that he just "can't love". Without these nuances, he just seemed like such a flat character. I wasn't really rooting for them. At times, I wish Esme would just stop fighting for him cuz in my opinion he wasn't worth it. He needed to deal with himself and his insecurities before he started dating. And I wish his family recognized that especially his mother because she's the one that goaded him into his false marriage to begin with (which was lowkey manipulative might I add).
Overall this book was just okay. Like it wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible.
However, it seems like my dislikes outweigh my likes about this book. Okay, this book is supposed to be a romance between the two characters but in my opinion, there wasn't much chemistry between them. The connection was more sexual than anything else. It would be nice if they had endearing conversations where they got to know each other.
Also, I know Khai's autistic (which is fine; it's actually the main reason I read Helen Hoang's books cuz of the representation), but I feel like the autism wasn't expanded on as much as I would've liked it to. From the minimal knowledge that I have, I know that autism is spectrum so not everyone is the same and there are also people called "high functioning" and "low functioning". We know, he has sensory issues and feels that due to his autism, he's not able to convey his feelings and feel "the right things", in turn, he feels like he's unable to love anyone, especially in a romantic way. Which I get, but I wish we got more insight into which part of the spectrum he's on because I feel like the author was using his autism as a reason, but also an excuse for being continuously rude behavior toward Esme.
I understand Khai's insecurities about his ability (or inability according to him) to love. Still, I don't think his insecurities should excuse his inefficient communication skills and subtle emotional immaturity. Like I understand that he's autistic and that he isn't the best at social cues, but my gosh it really got on my nerves how rude he was towards Esme when she was just trying. I feel like if he really liked her he'd be more considerate of her feelings and express why he is the way he is to her so she can understand instead of continuously breaking her heart because he's too insecure to admit that he cares for someone.
Also, I know if it's just me but in terms of the romance, it felt like the side characters were the ones leading it on. Like there would be instances where Khai and Esme aren't speaking for whatever reason and it's up to the side characters to bring them back together. Khai seems to be an actions rather words type of guy which is fine, but it would be nice if he went out of his way to fight for his feelings for Esme more instead of just accepting the fact that he just "can't love". Without these nuances, he just seemed like such a flat character. I wasn't really rooting for them. At times, I wish Esme would just stop fighting for him cuz in my opinion he wasn't worth it. He needed to deal with himself and his insecurities before he started dating. And I wish his family recognized that especially his mother because she's the one that goaded him into his false marriage to begin with (which was lowkey manipulative might I add).
Overall this book was just okay. Like it wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death and Cursing
Minor: Abandonment, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
sariereads's review against another edition
funny
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death, and Car accident
teatunesandtales's review
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Abandonment, Death, and Car accident
Minor: Classism and Pregnancy
jillkaarlela's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
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
4.5
Taylor Swift songs: “Speak now (tv)”, “New Year’s Day”
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Ableism, and Death