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A review by anelya
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
This book was AMAZING. It made me cry in all the good ways. I had just come from reading a book series with so much sexism and ableism and horrible treatment of neurodivergent people that it made me cry in all the bad ways and I was so frustrated with male writers, and then I read this. I think it healed me, honestly.
I have ADHD and therefore share some attributes as some people with autism, and this was the closest I've ever come to reading a book with a main character that I could identify with on the level of womanhood and neurodivergence. This was a beautiful read. I was so impressed that this is the author's debut novel! I think she did a fantastic job considering that!
I think the only thing I could complain about is the very tropey usage of jealousy which tends to rub me the wrong way. And I guess also how Stella seems to profess her feelings for Michael multiple times and he never gets it? It was just bizzare and felt like he was either dumb or ignoring her, neither of which makes sense for his character. But I digress. Other than that it was an immensely enjoyable read.
I was very impressed by the sexual scenes and the written behaviour on Michael's part. But the highlight was, of course, Stella herself. I love Math and having a main female character who also loves Math was a joy. But also so many of her intricacies, her mannerisms and her social issues and the way she likes structure... They all are similar to what I've experienced and it was so extremely enjoyable to read it. It was just... Such a wonder to feel understood and feel like I understood.
I don't know, this book was just impressive and wonderful and I plan to read it again. I didn't know what I was missing in life was neurodivergent representation from a woman's perspective. Now I realise that's pretty much all I want. I hope I get to read a novel this incredible about a woman with ADHD one day. <3
Thank you for this beautiful read.
I have ADHD and therefore share some attributes as some people with autism, and this was the closest I've ever come to reading a book with a main character that I could identify with on the level of womanhood and neurodivergence. This was a beautiful read. I was so impressed that this is the author's debut novel! I think she did a fantastic job considering that!
I think the only thing I could complain about is the very tropey usage of jealousy which tends to rub me the wrong way.
I was very impressed by the sexual scenes and the written behaviour on Michael's part. But the highlight was, of course, Stella herself. I love Math and having a main female character who also loves Math was a joy. But also so many of her intricacies, her mannerisms and her social issues and the way she likes structure... They all are similar to what I've experienced and it was so extremely enjoyable to read it. It was just... Such a wonder to feel understood and feel like I understood.
I don't know, this book was just impressive and wonderful and I plan to read it again. I didn't know what I was missing in life was neurodivergent representation from a woman's perspective. Now I realise that's pretty much all I want. I hope I get to read a novel this incredible about a woman with ADHD one day. <3
Thank you for this beautiful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism