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A review by alindeman
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
Such a great love story with beautiful representation of autism. There is so much misconception and misinformation about autism. This book does such a good job of displaying it realistically, but also with compassion. This is, of course, bc Helen hoang is autistic herself! It really warmed my heart seeing autism displayed as different, but not a defect. And I love how she models such healthy neurodivergent/neurotypical relationships in this and the first book. These types of relationships can work! Autistic people can and do love! It just requires communication, understanding, and a willingness to accommodate the neurodivergent partner rather than trying to change them. Autistic people are so often pushed to the side or infantilized and this book does a great job of doing the opposite. It’s realistic in that some of the characters don’t or won’t understand Kai’s autism as well as that his love interest, Esme/Mai, does not *fix* his autism. I feel like this is a great doorway into a glimpse of what it’s like to actually be autistic while simultaneously being a great love story. Helen hoang can do both!
I also absolutely LOVED Mai/Esme’s character. Throughout the whole book, whether Kai pulled her in or pushed her away, she knew she had value and that it couldn’t be diminished by anything or anyone. She is such an incredible, strong, hardworking, and loving character. Of course she had insecurities about her background, but she always bounced back to “I can feel my worth and no one can take that away from me”. And I just love, love, LOVE seeing that in female characters, especially for POC. This book was largely about the personal struggles of these two characters, and while it touched on systemic and institutional barriers for them, that was not the focus; the focus was their own independent character growth and their love.
I cannot rave about this book enough (clearly).
I cannot imagine the joy and positive impact this will bring to autistic people, young and old alike, getting to see themselves starring in a romance. Helen hoang is doing such important work- and doing it so goddamn well- I hope she never stops writing.
PS- I am neither Vietnamese nor autistic and that didn’t take away anything from my enjoyment of the book, in case anyone is wondering.
I also absolutely LOVED Mai/Esme’s character. Throughout the whole book, whether Kai pulled her in or pushed her away, she knew she had value and that it couldn’t be diminished by anything or anyone. She is such an incredible, strong, hardworking, and loving character. Of course she had insecurities about her background, but she always bounced back to “I can feel my worth and no one can take that away from me”. And I just love, love, LOVE seeing that in female characters, especially for POC. This book was largely about the personal struggles of these two characters, and while it touched on systemic and institutional barriers for them, that was not the focus; the focus was their own independent character growth and their love.
I cannot rave about this book enough (clearly).
I cannot imagine the joy and positive impact this will bring to autistic people, young and old alike, getting to see themselves starring in a romance. Helen hoang is doing such important work- and doing it so goddamn well- I hope she never stops writing.
PS- I am neither Vietnamese nor autistic and that didn’t take away anything from my enjoyment of the book, in case anyone is wondering.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Grief, Death, and Ableism