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A review by kemikemi
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
3.5
This book was sweet and I think the official summary/synopsis for it does it a disservice with it describing esme as a ‘mail order bride’ for khai when the actuality of it is Khai’s mom searching for a girl for him to marry and striking a deal with a girl she chance-meets on a whim and gut instinct to bring her to the usa for a trial run with Khai is simple to explain and makes it seem less weirdly predatory on Esme.
Overall, Esme and Khai’s romance was nice and seeing how Khai’s autism affected both how he experienced/processed emotions and how he perceived his emotional experience was really interesting; it created a meaningful third act plot obstacle as well as growth arc for him as he finally understood that he had always loved and grieved. Esme immediately accepted him for who he was (and she didn’t even know what autism was), but in the end all she wanted was to be loved and have that out-loud confirmation of love, and he was so convinced that he just straight up didn’t experience metaphysical emotions that it hurt my heart as I was reading it to see everybody trying to show him that he did indeed love this woman but he was having a breakdown because he was so solidly convinced he couldn’t. Esme’s personal arc was also really nice; she was determined to do everything she could to begin a new and better chapter in her life for her family but refused to sacrifice her dignity and be treated less than (it just killed me that her insecurities along with Khai’s lack of direct explanations led to her constantly reading his actions to be him looking down on her/rejecting her/wanting her to be someone else 😭).
However, I’m only rating it 3.5 stars because I think I’m finding out that I am personally not head over heels for contemporary adult romance as a genre; it was a great story but I just was not captivated by it like I have been by other recent relationships and romances I’ve read. If this is your thing, though, then give it a go!! We need more Asian-American romance novels in the world.
Overall, Esme and Khai’s romance was nice and seeing how Khai’s autism affected both how he experienced/processed emotions and how he perceived his emotional experience was really interesting; it created a meaningful third act plot obstacle as well as growth arc for him as he finally understood that he had always loved and grieved. Esme immediately accepted him for who he was (and she didn’t even know what autism was), but in the end all she wanted was to be loved and have that out-loud confirmation of love, and he was so convinced that he just straight up didn’t experience metaphysical emotions that it hurt my heart as I was reading it to see everybody trying to show him that he did indeed love this woman but he was having a breakdown because he was so solidly convinced he couldn’t. Esme’s personal arc was also really nice; she was determined to do everything she could to begin a new and better chapter in her life for her family but refused to sacrifice her dignity and be treated less than (it just killed me that her insecurities along with Khai’s lack of direct explanations led to her constantly reading his actions to be him looking down on her/rejecting her/wanting her to be someone else 😭).
However, I’m only rating it 3.5 stars because I think I’m finding out that I am personally not head over heels for contemporary adult romance as a genre; it was a great story but I just was not captivated by it like I have been by other recent relationships and romances I’ve read. If this is your thing, though, then give it a go!! We need more Asian-American romance novels in the world.
Content Warnings
Minor: Car accident