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wanderlust_romance's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Kai and Esme both hold on to deep seeded insecurities and doubts. Kai in relation to his autism and emotive capacity; Esme in relation to her lack of financial security, education, and ability to provide for her daughter. Both main characters struggle with these internal conflicts while also grappling with the courage to admit these doubts to one another (ie. miscommunication is at play here). But it makes sense within the context of the plot and how the characters interact and understand one another - especially when you consider some of the cultural and language challenges at play. This was a truly charming romance centered around interesting and nuanced main characters with a believable HEA.
Similar to book 1, I found the end resolution slightly rushed in terms of pace even if it did tie up all the open plot lines.
Tropes/Themes/Elements I Enjoyed:
- Vietnamese MCs
- Set in northern California (Bay Area-ish)
- Close proximity (roommates)
- Single mom
- Neurodiverse MMC (autism)
- He's a virgin ;)
- Arranged marriage / mail order bride plot line
- Immigration and economic differences
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, and Car accident
meeklovestoread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
However, it seems like my dislikes outweigh my likes about this book. Okay, this book is supposed to be a romance between the two characters but in my opinion, there wasn't much chemistry between them. The connection was more sexual than anything else. It would be nice if they had endearing conversations where they got to know each other.
Also, I know Khai's autistic (which is fine; it's actually the main reason I read Helen Hoang's books cuz of the representation), but I feel like the autism wasn't expanded on as much as I would've liked it to. From the minimal knowledge that I have, I know that autism is spectrum so not everyone is the same and there are also people called "high functioning" and "low functioning". We know, he has sensory issues and feels that due to his autism, he's not able to convey his feelings and feel "the right things", in turn, he feels like he's unable to love anyone, especially in a romantic way. Which I get, but I wish we got more insight into which part of the spectrum he's on because I feel like the author was using his autism as a reason, but also an excuse for being continuously rude behavior toward Esme.
I understand Khai's insecurities about his ability (or inability according to him) to love. Still, I don't think his insecurities should excuse his inefficient communication skills and subtle emotional immaturity. Like I understand that he's autistic and that he isn't the best at social cues, but my gosh it really got on my nerves how rude he was towards Esme when she was just trying. I feel like if he really liked her he'd be more considerate of her feelings and express why he is the way he is to her so she can understand instead of continuously breaking her heart because he's too insecure to admit that he cares for someone.
Also, I know if it's just me but in terms of the romance, it felt like the side characters were the ones leading it on. Like there would be instances where Khai and Esme aren't speaking for whatever reason and it's up to the side characters to bring them back together. Khai seems to be an actions rather words type of guy which is fine, but it would be nice if he went out of his way to fight for his feelings for Esme more instead of just accepting the fact that he just "can't love". Without these nuances, he just seemed like such a flat character. I wasn't really rooting for them. At times, I wish Esme would just stop fighting for him cuz in my opinion he wasn't worth it. He needed to deal with himself and his insecurities before he started dating. And I wish his family recognized that especially his mother because she's the one that goaded him into his false marriage to begin with (which was lowkey manipulative might I add).
Overall this book was just okay. Like it wasn't great, but it wasn't terrible.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Death
Minor: Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Abandonment
saraavowlerr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Grief, Car accident, and Abandonment
micaelamariem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Grief, and Classism
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Vomit and Alcohol
hannibanani29's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content and Grief
Moderate: Ableism, Cursing, Death, Medical content, Car accident, and Classism
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
0701mango's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, and Classism
Minor: Ableism
kdailyreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Grief, Car accident, and Classism
Minor: Ableism, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Cursing, Death, Racism, Sexual content, Xenophobia, Grief, Car accident, Abandonment, and Classism
mypatronusisajedi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, and Car accident
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think my main issues were where we didn't get the full extent of the backstory for Khai until the very end - I would have liked that far sooner as the reader. And I tend to not like when there is miscommunication used to drive the plot. I understand how it was integral because they were coming from different situations and there was a complete misunderstanding between them. But my true frustration was in how it was never discussed or dealt with? It felt almost like it just disappeared and didn't have to be discussed at any point which I think is an issue for how Esme thought she was being treated and why...
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Medical content and Car accident
It's not a car accident, but there is mention of someone dying in a motorcycle accident