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klenarto's review against another edition
4.0
Quick, cute read. I really loved the fact that Esme wasn’t idle and went and took classes to get her GED. It’s refreshing to read about a woman who’s in love AND cares about her education and future in that regard.
juwench's review against another edition
5.0
There is something heartbreaking about this book - my chest was aching half the time I was reading. Perhaps as an immigrant myself, though with a very different story, the theme of being far from family was with me. Perhaps I have just seen Miss Saigon too many times. But this is a delicious treat, but bittersweet to start, and the ride is SO worth it!
This is wonderfully written, plotted, character driven (which I love) but without assumptions about how people think and feel being made - it tells the whole story of the internal lives of the characters in clear detail, and is the better for it. Throughout this series, Helen Hoang has given portraits of three individuals who have neurodivergence in common, but are also entirely unique. This ability, to see the many differences between people, as well as their similarities, is something that feels like a gift to me, both as a mental health advocate, but also as a person who continues to explore and understand my own neurodivergence. The permission to be whole while not being the same implicit in all of these books, and the beautiful message of the romance genre (the reminder that there are people in the world who will love us for our unique selves) - these are sparks of hope and joy that are so needed.
This is wonderfully written, plotted, character driven (which I love) but without assumptions about how people think and feel being made - it tells the whole story of the internal lives of the characters in clear detail, and is the better for it. Throughout this series, Helen Hoang has given portraits of three individuals who have neurodivergence in common, but are also entirely unique. This ability, to see the many differences between people, as well as their similarities, is something that feels like a gift to me, both as a mental health advocate, but also as a person who continues to explore and understand my own neurodivergence. The permission to be whole while not being the same implicit in all of these books, and the beautiful message of the romance genre (the reminder that there are people in the world who will love us for our unique selves) - these are sparks of hope and joy that are so needed.
katielovesbooks134's review
3.0
Hoopla audio - good on audio. Entertaining story, well executed, sexy/steamy in spots. Lower stars because the lack of communication/miscommunication between characters was so frustrating. I understand it was part of the plot and was supposed to help move the story along, but it was a tad overwrought for me. I did enjoy the packaged ending.
rachelfayreads's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
absbia777's review against another edition
3.0
Cute story about a Vietnamese woman named My (Esme) and how she was brought over as a "mail order bride" to America for Khai, an autistic man who doesn't understand relationships very well. Together, they navigate their new engagement with quite a bit of awkwardness. They never expected to fall in love. Like we've seen before with The Kiss Quotient, Helen Hoang breaks the romance mold by including characters with mental disabilities and shows that they are just as normal as anyone else. I loved Esme as a character and I thought she was great for Khai.
kortneyjamdahl's review
3.0
Kind of cute and quirky, but also kind of meh. I was hoping for a little more of Stella and Michael from #1.
cassiemedeiros's review
3.0
i really enjoyed the kiss quotient, the first book by this author in this series, but this one just didn’t live up to the first one for me. the main characters had little to no chemistry, there was major usage of the miscommunication trope (one of my least favorites), and the male romantic interest’s problem was presented as “not being able to love”. it was ultimately just a result of not being willing to be insightful and be open-minded, so his being adamant about his incapacity for love just got annoying after a while. i definitely didn’t have a bad time reading this, it was relatively short and had plenty of ups and downs, pacing was consistent, etc. the side characters were enjoyable if a little convenient to the plot at times but i didn’t mind it
readwithmesashamarie's review
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free ARC of this novel. Regardless of the way I acquired the novel, the thoughts, opinions, and views stated in this review are completely unbiased and one hundred percent my own.
I definitely missed the boat when it came to The Kiss Quotient. After reading The Bride Test, I think it’s safe to say I’ll be backtracking and adding that book to my TBR. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem like the books are connected in the traditional way that a series would be. I was able to pick right up with these characters, and this plot, and away we went!
I’m not sure how to approach this novel’s review, other than to say first and foremost that I think the fact that this novel exists and is part of the discussion is extremely important. The different cultures highlighted here were amazing, and the representation of someone on the autism spectrum was truly eye opening.
I struggled with my own ignorance when it came to specific cultural norms, or references throughout this novel. That didn’t stop me from enjoying the story or our characters, but showed me personally where I could benefit from learning more about people who differ from me. There was a point while reading where I thought I was going to call it a loss, because the novel touches on the idea of an arranged marriage. However, I thought the author ultimately handled these situations with integrity, intelligence, and grace.
I’m honestly admonishing myself for not reaching for a book like this time and time again. The last book I can recall that dealt with these themes was Flowers for Algernon: a book I was required to read in middle school. I genuinely loved having a look inside the relationship of a person who considers themselves to be autistic. It felt less like voyeurism and more like education. The questions I’d never feel comfortable asking were dealt with so efficiently, and it never felt like I was reading a novel solely about a guy with autism. I was reading a novel about a guy and a girl who were getting to know each other, and learning more about themselves. The guy just so happens to have autism, and the girl just so happens to be a poor immigrant who might not be able to stay in America.
The story itself felt powerful, charming, and even playful at times. I admired Esme’s story, her determination, and the fact that her story is the story of so many immigrants around the world. I hope people pick up this novel, and get a chance to see themselves in these characters. For once, I didn’t see myself in a novel, but as a white woman that’s okay! I’m ready to read about people who are not like me, I’m ready for Asian women to feel seen, and for autistic people to feel understood. I’m glad this book exists, and I hope authors like Helen keep writing for more than people like me.
I definitely missed the boat when it came to The Kiss Quotient. After reading The Bride Test, I think it’s safe to say I’ll be backtracking and adding that book to my TBR. Thankfully, it doesn’t seem like the books are connected in the traditional way that a series would be. I was able to pick right up with these characters, and this plot, and away we went!
I’m not sure how to approach this novel’s review, other than to say first and foremost that I think the fact that this novel exists and is part of the discussion is extremely important. The different cultures highlighted here were amazing, and the representation of someone on the autism spectrum was truly eye opening.
I struggled with my own ignorance when it came to specific cultural norms, or references throughout this novel. That didn’t stop me from enjoying the story or our characters, but showed me personally where I could benefit from learning more about people who differ from me. There was a point while reading where I thought I was going to call it a loss, because the novel touches on the idea of an arranged marriage. However, I thought the author ultimately handled these situations with integrity, intelligence, and grace.
I’m honestly admonishing myself for not reaching for a book like this time and time again. The last book I can recall that dealt with these themes was Flowers for Algernon: a book I was required to read in middle school. I genuinely loved having a look inside the relationship of a person who considers themselves to be autistic. It felt less like voyeurism and more like education. The questions I’d never feel comfortable asking were dealt with so efficiently, and it never felt like I was reading a novel solely about a guy with autism. I was reading a novel about a guy and a girl who were getting to know each other, and learning more about themselves. The guy just so happens to have autism, and the girl just so happens to be a poor immigrant who might not be able to stay in America.
The story itself felt powerful, charming, and even playful at times. I admired Esme’s story, her determination, and the fact that her story is the story of so many immigrants around the world. I hope people pick up this novel, and get a chance to see themselves in these characters. For once, I didn’t see myself in a novel, but as a white woman that’s okay! I’m ready to read about people who are not like me, I’m ready for Asian women to feel seen, and for autistic people to feel understood. I’m glad this book exists, and I hope authors like Helen keep writing for more than people like me.
saamannthaaa's review
4.0
The beginning was kinda boring and not interesting for me, but the ending was very nice.