A review by emptzuu
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.

I found "The Bride Test" to be a disappointment after enjoying "The Kiss Quotient." While the writing is commendable, the overall quality of the book falls short. My main issue lies with Khai, whose self-loathing became tiresome and frustrating, unnecessarily overshadowing the story. The lack of justification for his prolonged suffering, coupled with the unrealistic portrayal of his condition going unnoticed for years, was particularly bothersome. I had hoped for a more nuanced portrayal of an autistic character, akin to what was achieved with Stella in the previous book, but Khai's constant objectification of Esme as a sexual conquest was gross.

"The Bride Test" raises numerous concerns, ranging from questionable portrayals of Asian women and autistic individuals to the reinforcement of the American dream mythos. These elements contribute to a romance that feels shallow and ultimately unsatisfying, relying on problematic stereotypes rather than genuine character development.