Reviews with content warning for Death - The Bride Test

Reviews tagging 'Death'

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

106 reviews

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.

Content Warnings

laheath's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny 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? Yes

3.5

For readers who know what they're getting into with this book, I think it's enjoyable and sweet. Not your typical romance, this book deals with immigration, autism, and grief. Esme is hoping to better her life for herself and her family that she left in Vietnam. Khai is autistic, and having been hurt in the past, he refuses to let anyone else get close to him. I felt there was a lot going on with the side stories and not as much development of the relationship between Esme and Khai, which had a lot of potential for material. The ending tried to wrap everything up neatly, but it was a little too rushed for that.

Content Warnings

helfire124's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective 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

5.0

Content Warnings

lorenmarie7's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny sad fast-paced

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

I love good sexual tension. But the constant “Oh she’s so sexy- but wait no I can’t think that” was obnoxious. The ending was not satisfying.

Content Warnings

lucyrudd's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

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

Content Warnings

jlaz_13's review

Go to review page

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

rickireadss's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.25

this was so good!! esme&khai hold my entire heart istg. i put this off for so long because i tried to read my physical copy a few months ago and couldn't get past the prologue bc i was afraid the book would have me SOBBING - i am pleased to announce that it did not have me crying my eyes out, but there were definitely moments of tearing up. this was so wholesome, funny, and swoony. i wanted to just hug both esme and khai for their pasts, but i loved that they ended up together, because to me, they fit with each other perfectly. i do think the ending was a little rushed/didn't tie everything up for me, but overall, it was fantastic and i definitely recommend this series!!

⚠️: grief, ableism, death of family member, car accident, classism, abandonment

Content Warnings