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A review by joanna1905
The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
3.0
Another really cute romantic read, overall I really liked Esme and Khai and watching their relationship grow was fun. However, I do think book one is just slightly better and I preferred Michael and Stella's relationship as a whole.
The one thing that really confused me is why no one bothered to tell Esme that Khai had autism - while I'm glad Khai was the one who had agency over telling her there didn't really ever seem a reason to withhold it and even when Khai told her it was never really properly explained. I would have assumed this information as withheld for so long as to make it the main point of conflict that would eventually be resolved but I don't really feel that was the case.
Khai's mother was so desperate for this marriage to work but never bothered to fill in Esme on what Khai was like as a person. Even without telling her his diagnosis she could have explained his nature and how best to communicate with him i.e. when she was eventually told to just be direct with him. It just didn't make sense that this was kind of the main conflict but at the same time it was never really explored or resolved in the way it deserved.
I think having this happen would have made the whole romance stronger because we would have been able to see them navigate the conflicts they have with each other in a very different way. I mean god Esme had her heart broken so many times by Khai and no one bothered to explain to her why, even khai just saying 'I don't and can't love you' but no effort by anyone to comfort this poor girl who's all alone in a new country and no real explanation.
I also wish the plotline of her father was explored a bit more, It was an interesting story but kind to just popped up every now and then only to be shoved aside.
All in all, this is a solid romantic read, loved the rep and I definitely look forward to book 3.
The one thing that really confused me is why no one bothered to tell Esme that Khai had autism - while I'm glad Khai was the one who had agency over telling her there didn't really ever seem a reason to withhold it and even when Khai told her it was never really properly explained. I would have assumed this information as withheld for so long as to make it the main point of conflict that would eventually be resolved but I don't really feel that was the case.
Khai's mother was so desperate for this marriage to work but never bothered to fill in Esme on what Khai was like as a person. Even without telling her his diagnosis she could have explained his nature and how best to communicate with him i.e. when she was eventually told to just be direct with him. It just didn't make sense that this was kind of the main conflict but at the same time it was never really explored or resolved in the way it deserved.
I think having this happen would have made the whole romance stronger because we would have been able to see them navigate the conflicts they have with each other in a very different way. I mean god Esme had her heart broken so many times by Khai and no one bothered to explain to her why, even khai just saying 'I don't and can't love you' but no effort by anyone to comfort this poor girl who's all alone in a new country and no real explanation.
I also wish the plotline of her father was explored a bit more, It was an interesting story but kind to just popped up every now and then only to be shoved aside.
All in all, this is a solid romantic read, loved the rep and I definitely look forward to book 3.